March 30, 2005
March Badness In The 70's
March 29, 1976
Went in the library during lunch.
Jerry H. was there.
Wow. What a doll.
Talked to Julie after school.
We went jogging at night.
March 29, 1977
Went to a party at Schoof's
with Debbie and Lisa M.
Had a lot of fun.
Lots of people were there.
Talked to Chris a lot and he took us home.
Yeah, he said he told Patti he didn't want
to go out with her anymore.
Kansas In Chicago
March 30, 1977
Went over to Lisa's.
Tried to jog.
Slept for a while.
Went out with Debbie, Mary, Lisa,
April, Sue, Robin and Debbie R.
Went to the Alumni B-Ball game.
Kerkman won.
Then went to Derrell Robertson's party.
March 29, 2005
Some Things I Liked In Texas
We didn't stay here, but some of the party guests did. We dropped them off and went across the street to:
The Continental Club to see Dale Watson.
I liked this place. Cold beer, generous pours of tequila (maybe too generous) and a bumper sticker on their cooler that read BU ll SH it. Too bad, that does't read as well with this font. Nonetheless, anywhere in Texas that claims Bush is Bullshit, is okay with me...
And lo and behold, the following night we would require the services of a good 'ol gal self-named "Precious Darling Master"... She too was very generous with the liquor.
It was Easter weekend after all, and M. Anderson and I found ourselves in a town called Fredericksburg where a little religion seemd to be a running theme.
As did tourism and shopping.
This little guy didn't seem to be having much fun in Fredericksburg, but M. Anderson and I were quite pleased with our road trip.
To be continued.....
March 24, 2005
Easter In Texas
Do they still smoke in bars in Texas?
Something tells me they do.
Do they still let passengers drink in cars in Texas?
Something tells me they do it no matter.
Back when I lived in Texas briefly (the Dallas/Ft. Worth area), I was on the verge of moving to Austin but I came west to California instead.
Weddings seem to be the only thing to get me back to Texas in the last 24 years.
Leaving Friday for another one, this one in Austin.
Do they still have the Blue Law in Texas?
Wouldn't want to not be able to buy a frying pan, or diapers or beer on Sunday.
Maybe I should pack my flask.
March 23, 2005
Weimaraner Concept
Say what you will about him, but William Wegman has always been a favorite of mine. He proved that photography and art can be commercial and that the family dog can be an inspiration.
Lady Sophia is a client of mine. She was ordered by the doctors to have no play or exercise after she had eaten a bag of spicy potato chips, got really sick and ended up with an intravenous feeding tube for a day. So yesterday I visited her during our alloted time and instead of our usual walk in the hills of Laurel Canyon and Mt. Olympus we had lots of belly rubs and a photo shoot.
March 22, 2005
Really, It's What I'd Want!
Please, please, please! If I end up in a vegetative state - you know, permanently, not from drinking one too many martini's - pull the plug or the tube!
Does this count as a living will? Aren't all of you now my witnesses?
Also, whoever wants whatever artworks, please reply and apply....
I also have a very large set of various pint glasses.
March 21, 2005
March Sadness In The 70's
March 21, 1976
Went to Pep Assembly at West to see the players.
That was sad.
All the cheerleaders were crying.
Walked to Geri's afterwards.
Debbie came over till about 7:00.
ONE LUCKY SHOT THAT WON THE GAME
BUT WE'RE STILL #1!!!
Author's note:
So peppy. Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too?
March 19, 2005
March Madness (3) In the 70's
March 19, 1976
Went to school at 6:30 to get on the busses for Champaign.
Had a lot of fun.
Mary, Debbie, Debbie, and Gail were on my bus.
We won our first round by 30 points against Thornridge.
82-52
March 20, 1976
Went to Champaign again.
We won our second game against Decatur.
Then at night we played for 1st & 2nd.
We lost 45-44.
Morgan Park was so lucky for that last point.
Everyone was crying
even half the team.
Author's note:
Oh, boy. Practically thirty years ago and I still remember the screams. I also seem to remember that Jaybird made an impulsive and really bad pass in the final seconds and Morgan Park had a nano second to deliver on it. Some said it was a bad coaching moment - there should have been a time-out. Some blamed the officiating. Nobody wanted to blame Jaybird. Those were the days that people also looked the other way. Word had it that the team drank themselves silly. In one account Jaybird was in a hotel room with his cheerleader girlfriend while another team member sat outside the door, openly drinking and wallowing. (That one was valedictorian that spring and I had a huge crush on him over the next few years.)
And on the cheerleader note - all of ours were very talented and acrobatic and very white. Morgan Park's were T.O.U.G.H! Urban and hip hop and hot. It was the first time we suburban kids saw cheerleaders "bring it". Duly impressed. One more sign that there was life beyond the cornfields.
March 18, 2005
Talkin' 'bout My Boy
Barbara says to me today, when I'm dropping off a copy of FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS for her to read in the airport over the weekend, "I see your boy got off."
Huh? Oh, right. Robert Blake. Yeah. My boy. I remember when he actually looked like a boy. Now he looks like a seventy year old man that was REALLY surprised that he got off.
Time to put IN COLD BLOOD in the Netflix que. How much ya wanna bet it has a "really long wait"? Haven't been able to get WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM delivered since Hunter killed himself. They've gotta be scrambling to put Baretta on DVD, right? There could be some great commentary on that one.
DJ and I thought we might go to Vitello's for a drink the other night (it's hardly a mile from our house) but then...nah.
The Poop Scoop
I was having a conversation with my friend Valerie yesterday,
discussing my latest job stop as dog walker.
She asks me, “So are you picking up poop?”
Yup. Picking up a lot of poop. Talking a lot of poop. Poopsalot.
I tell her that while I am not likely to have children in this lifetime
damn if I’m not picking up my share of poop.
I’ve got no problem talking about poop.
She says, “When can we just say ‘shit’? Can’t it just be ‘shit’?”
Sure, why not?
Your dog shit twice for me today!
Your dog’s shit doesn’t look too good.
Has your dog’s shit been checked lately?
You’re a good little shitter.
Shit is a mighty good word.
Then there is my father’s favorite statement
whenever he’s having a shitty day or a shitty moment –
he says, “I got a turd in every pocket.”
Turd. Very effective in that statement and not as visually icky as shit.
Shit, however, as words go is more versatile -
it is a noun, a verb, even an adjective.
One cannot turd, one just IS a turd.
One does not exclaim TURD!
In fact one cannot exclaim POOP!
Unless you are Kate Hepburn and even then it’s cute.
As is doodie. Even cuter than poop.
Really, isn’t it time we take shit off the list of seven words you can’t say on air?
Then again, maybe I’m just talking bleep. Lots of bleep.
March 17, 2005
March Madness In The 70's (2)
March 17, 1976
Got up early to go to West and get tickets for Downstate.
Got there at 6:00 AM.
I was so tired.
Some people were there since 11:30 last night.
Pete talked to me today. Wow.
Talked to Julie later.
March 17, 1979
Excellent.
What Kind Of Dog Are You?
Wouldn't ya know I'm a Fox Terrier...
"Big dog in a small package. Friendly & fearless & more suited to rural life than urban.
Fiery spirited & difficult to train but quite good with children...."
Ten questions and you'll know what kind of dog YOU are! Have fun!
March 16, 2005
A Flame Of A Different Fire
Joan Of Arc - lyrics by Leonard Cohen
Maggie's Fire - Painting by Nora
Now the flames they followed Joan of Arc
as she came riding through the dark;
no moon to keep her armour bright,
no man to get her through this very smoky night.
She said, "I'm tired of the war,
I want the kind of work I had before,
a wedding dress or something white
to wear upon my swollen appetite."
Well, I'm glad to hear you talk this way,
you know I've watched you riding every day
and something in me yearns to win
such a cold and lonesome heroine.
"And who are you?" she sternly spoke
to the one beneath the smoke.
"Why, I'm fire," he replied,
"And I love your solitude, I love your pride."
"Then fire, make your body cold,
I'm going to give you mine to hold,"
saying this she climbed inside
to be his one, to be his only bride.
And deep into his fiery heart
he took the dust of Joan of Arc,
and high above the wedding guests
he hung the ashes of her wedding dress.
It was deep into his fiery heart
he took the dust of Joan of Arc,
and then she clearly understood
if he was fire, oh then she must be wood.
I saw her wince, I saw her cry,
I saw the glory in her eye.
Myself I long for love and light,
but must it come so cruel, and oh so bright?
March Madness In The 70's
March 16, 1976
Only had four classes today.
Went to Dekalb for Super Sectionals.
We won!!!
Now we go Downstate.
Pete was on my bus.
Brad was a snot today.
Great game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 13, 2005
Beau-ring In The 70's
March 12, 1976
Voted for Beau King today.
I voted for Jay Bryant.
Left my purse in Band room.
I hope it's there.
We played Batavia tonight. We won!
Now to Super-Sectionals.
March11, 1977
Got my class ring today.
Went to the Dairy Queen during lunch.
Debbie came over after school.
Robin, Lisa and April came over before the game.
We lost 52 - 51.
It was terrible.
We should have won.
Went to Wendell's party afterwards.
Larry Hatchett brought us home.
March 12, 1977
Watched the Class A State Semi's.
Went to the store, I drove home.
Got ready for the dance. Debbie called.
Partied at Bill's house before the dance.
Talked to Chris at the dance. (Hee)
Went to eat at "The Viking".
The night was all right, but nothing great.
Bob was so dead.
March 12, 2005
Lurking In La La
A couple weeks ago on one of my hikes in Runyon Canyon, there was a guy, a very slender, gaunt guy standing by the benches at the top of the hill. He was wearing blue jeans and a red strappy nylon halter dress. He was seemingly a bit nuts and talking to himself - or maybe he was just practicing his lines for all I know. He said hello to me and Oscar and I saluted him. What else could I do?
Yesterday at the Runyon parking lot, as Oscar and I were arriving for a long hot hike, a girl of about 25 passed the car, having just finished her walk, wearing rolled up jeans, sneakers and a vintage sequined halter dress. I noticed some workers at a nearby house staring at her and one of them finally called out, "Happy Halloween!"
On our final ascent up the hard side of the canyon, we came across another young woman who was having a real hard time of it. She was stopping a lot, bending over, looking like she might not make it. Her friend kept doubling back to check on her. As I passed her, I smiled sympathetically and she smiled back and said, "That's what I get for doing this hungover." I replied, "The worst and best time to do it." But what I really wanted to say was, "That's what you get for doing it in FLIP FLOPS!"
March 11, 2005
Bolly Olly Oxen Free
Last night at The Well in Hollywood, I arrived at my barstool a minute before a fellow arrived nearby. He tried to jump in before me when the bartender came around but she had seen me. The guy was tall, dark and foreign, he had an accent and it would soon be revealed that he was from India. He ordered a double Black Label "with a seperate soda". He took a big gulp out of the soda then dumped his scotch into the tall glass.
He was soon joined by an older guy, some kind of agent, and they started in on the schmooz. I heard the words, "Hollywood meets Bollywood". The agent was then telling the guy where to go near his hotel to drink and pick up chicks. Ironically, BIRD'S was mentioned.
The visiting Bolly-Holly Wannabe, after sucking back his concoction and ordering another, said to the agent, "I don't drink in India." The agent replied, "Yeah, they don't drink much in India." The Bollian said, "If I drink in India, I have to be drunk." "Here's to that," the agent said, raising his glass and I supposed, humoring him.
Then DJ showed up and sat between us so I could no longer hear the bits and pieces, though I briefed him while we ordered food. In a few minutes DJ relayed that the Visitor was going to be remaking, word for word, FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS - in India. Huh. I said, "No wonder Hunter killed himself." DJ corrected me, cuz I guess I was hearing what I wanted to hear and he told me, "No, not Fear & Loathing - LEAVING LAS VEGAS." Okay. In India.
So, I guess he's here practicing drinking while he makes this ludicrous deal....
At any given moment in this town, another deal is being made - or at least talked about - and egos are being pumped and people are feeling really powerful and there are a thousand GOOD and original scripts sitting in shitty apartments that no one will ever see. Here's to that.
March 10, 2005
Assemblage In The 70's
March 10, 1978
Bryan Hargis picked me up before school.
Freaked me out.
Had an assembly for our last game.
We lost.
Went out with Joy to Kevin's.
Had to go to work.
Went out with Joy later.
March 09, 2005
Water The Vote
I actually voted in the election yesterday. Mainly it was the primary for Los Angeles Mayor.
During my visit to the polls there were only three other people in the place looking to cast a ballot.
Afterwards I went to Trader Joes and two cashiers called across the aisle pointing my way, "Hey, there's one!" They were noting my "I Voted" sticker on my shirt. One of them had also voted and she thought that maybe they should have an incentive to get people out to vote, like maybe free water. I said, "like maybe better candidates." She agreed and said that yeah, that would be better than free water.
Later I had a consultation with a new client and he also spotted the sticker. He said, "I think we were the only two people that actually voted today." In reality, it WAS a really low turnout and I was quite surprised that during my travels I ran into two people that had also voted. Nonetheless, it looks like our current bore, I mean mayor is going to have a real tough time staying in office
March 08, 2005
March 07, 2005
Shopping in the 70's
March 5, 1977
Julie and I went to the store and then Steve's.
Went out with Bob at night.
Went to the movies.
It was boring.
he bought me a rose.
I don't really like him that much any more.
March 6, 1977
Julie came over to say good-bye.
She went back to school.
Went to Yorktown with Georgie.
Bought shoes for the dance.
Went out with Steve at night.
It was fun.
Just drove around for a while.
March 04, 2005
My Oh Me In The 70's
March 4, 1977
Went to the Pizza Hut for lunch.
Had four finals. Yuch.
Went out with Julie and Lisa at night.
Went to Sauter's first and then to Arendale's.
Had a real good time.
Talked to Chris a lot. Yum.
Bob came later.
He was such an ass tonight.
March 03, 2005
He Said, She Said
Last night's game of Scrabble was won by Burroughs over Thompson with a "doze" placed on a triple word score. A fitting utterance after two hours and some other pertinent Burroughs/Thompson words like; libation, quart, queen, vamp & write...
Looking over the scoring pad, we reminisced about our last couple years of "squabble" battles -
This is how it panned out...
(He on the left, she on the right.)
Slim - 259 Shady - 190
Ordell - 229 Jackie - 250
J. Rice - 280 J. Miller (?) - 156
You - 325 (!) Me - 259
Beanie Boy - 227 Gibson Girl - 288
DJ - 193 NM - 271
Jerry Rice - 246 Venus Williams - 216
Santa Claus-189 Mrs. Claus - 275
P. Manning - 191 D. McNabb - 226
Newman - 250 Redford - 191
Oscar - 185 Nikki - 262
W. Burroughs-269 H.S. Thompson - 234
Next Up: Kobe vs. Shaq. Wait. I want to be Kobe. No, no I don't. Maybe Pollock vs. Warhol...
March 02, 2005
It's The End, The End Of The Century
So, Johnny and Joey and Dee Dee are barely in the ground.
It's only been a month since they unveiled the monument to the great punk rocker Johnny Ramone at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
There, all the eulogizers spoke of JOHNNY'S ethos and his never failing punk rock coolness.
It was clear what support he'd had from his wife and family and friends throughout his life and dying days.
It was also clear that JOEY never ever swayed from his persona as the coolest punk rocker on the planet.
It was only a short time after the memorial that Eddie Vedder was on the radio with Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols talking about how Johnny and Joey didn't even talk to each other for years but toured anyway just so they could BE the Ramones and play for the fans...
So how is it that NOW, all of a sudden we are subjected to a Diet PEPSI commercial with Blitzkrieg Bop as its theme music?????? I guess they were right. Punk Rock wouldn't last. I guess it was buried right alongside Johnny, Joey and Dee Dee. They may as well shoot it right out of the cannon with Hunter S. Thompson. I hope whoever is left in charge of The Ramones' rights is happy with their burgeoning bank account - that's always what punk rock was about, right?
