October 30, 2006
Celebrity Sightings & Other Encounters
Friday I saw Jon Cryer trying to lift a large bag of dog food over his shoulder.
Sunday I saw Kevin "Johnny Drama" Dillon lifting a twelve ouncer to his lips for the morning football games. His Giants won.
Friday night I was having my usual salmon dinner at the Steak Joynt. This waiter who works there is a Raider fan so he's "befriended" DJ and they talk football. I've always thought the guy was a little squirrelly. DJ, having a sense of humor about the Raider's losing season, joked about this guy's predictions for Sunday's game. The waiter then said, "Hey, man, you gotta believe. Think positive. You gotta think positive thoughts, ya know, like Iraq, man. Think positive and positive things happen." I usually leave these guys to their football fodder but my head spun toward him like Linda Blair's and I shrieked, "What positive things are happening in Iraq! Are you kidding?!"
He just stared at me for a second stunned, and I just turned back to my fish, caught the smiling eye of our senior citizen friend who hates everybody and I think DJ broke the ice with the guy with more gridiron gab.
While watching Sunday's Raiders game we envisioned a Raiders for Republicans group and wondered if there is a MySpace page yet.
October 23, 2006
6 OF 1000, A Dozen For Another
Pet Art 8, benefitting Paws/LA was held at the Avalon in Hollywood on Sunday. Having had a really frustrating time at last year's function I wondered if I would contribute again. I think they knew something was wrong last year too - the venue was too big, there was no liquor, no party music, etc.
With the help of Shag's theme on the invite this year- Whisker A Go-Go, the joint was jumping with high hair-dos and go-go boots, go-go dancers, guests playing twister and most importantly - high bidders, thanks in part to having the liquor sponsors back.
There were dozens and dozens of pieces in the silent auction and I'm happy to say that my piece got seven bids before the final bell. Ed Ruscha, who was receiving an award as the honored guest, was humbled and not surprisingly his donated piece in the live auction was the big ticket item. It pays to have the artist there.
A portrait sitting with Greg Gorman (with one print) was valued at $20,000 and I was too stunned by that to take note of what it went for, but here are some of the biggies...
Shag serigraph, Market Value $500, sold at $850
Robbie Conal print, MV $1000, sold at $700
Laddie John Dill cement, mineral 60 x 24 thing, MV $6500, sold at $1700!!!
Andy Warhol signature & Liz Taylor print, MV $1000, sold at $1800
Wegman pigment print, MV $800, sold at $1250
Pablo Picasso repro giclee print, MV $1200, sold at $3000
Rodrigue, Blue Dog Katrina Silkscreen, MV $2200, sold at $2000
Rauschenberg pigmented digital print, MV $3000, sold at $2700
and last but not least,
Ruscha silkscreen, MV $6000, sold at $7000
Click here for Pet Art Photos, 2006
I've learned that contributing things that have nothing to do with pets go over better than some that do. However, there were several macro portraits of dog noses that were popular and I know I have just the one for next year's contribution. And maybe I'll donate a couple pieces, because Pets Are Wondeful Support.
October 19, 2006
My Friends Are So "Fabulous"ly Politically Incorrect
From My Old Pals Claudia Lonow and Jonathan Schmock. (And I mean that I've known them forever, not that their old of course.)
"A Straight Truth"
Play it again, Sam. And go to You Tube and play it there.
October 15, 2006
October Arting
Ah, the smell of spray glue is in the air. And the spray glue boogers and headache are forming.
Working on a new seven piece series that I actually started in 1994. But, as DJ says, that's how art works sometimes.
In the meantime,
PetArt 8 is next Sunday and one more piece of Nora art goes to a good cause.
Ed Ruscha is a special guest and this year there is to be a "flea" market.
And thank god they got the liquor sponsors back this time.
I do believe the buyers need a little more fuel to wave their paddles and pencils and it will be provided by Sauza and Vox.
It may not be the most popular pet charity auction in this town but I can't reiterate enought that one can get some great name art for cheap.
I drool every year (this will be my fourth) at things I only wish I could afford at the starting bid prices.
Maybe next year I can get that Baldessari for a thousand bucks.
October 13, 2006
When They Say Spinning They Mean It
Last night's Sit 'n Spin learned us all a few things - namely that are no Oliviers left.
Meaning, one should not perform shit-faced on stage unless you are a professional shit-faced performer.
Also - Friends shouldn't encourage drunk friends to talk through fellow performer's monologues.
Friends shouldn't encourage drunk friends to fall up and down aisles during other people's performances.
A gimme - cell phones are unwelcome especially the second and third time they ring.
And finally - I apparently can't be in the same room as Amy Heckerling without being mistaken for her.
October 10, 2006
Riddle Me This
I thought I'd throw this picture out and see if anyone can tell me if they recognize the location. It made me cringe with memories when I walked in, as for some reason I thought places might change after so many years. But alas. It all came blowing, er, rushing back.
Yes, it is in L.A.
October 05, 2006
20 Hours After the Giants Lose, Cross The Bay And Do It Again
Fandamonium in the parking lot during tailgate time.
I'll have a jack and coke please. On second thought an $8 beer sounds mighty good.
And he'll have a coke and a JB. As in just booze.
Raider Nation in full uproar. The Silver & Black are introduced to a hopeful crowd.
And Drink-a-kowski makes 3. It really looks like they're going to win this one...alas, another team showed up after halftime.
Mommy, why did we boo our own team? Mommy, why was that gangsta girl so rude? Mommy, why did those two men get into a fight and get taken away? Mommy, can I get a Bears jersey?
October 03, 2006
Fly In, Go Straight to The Ballpark
One of the thousands of Dodger fans in the Giant's church on this playoff clincher...most of the thousands were of the thuggery type but this one was of the other type - he was on his phone through 2 1/2 innings.
Again, the LA fans were everywhere at AT&T park. Even Tommy Lasorda. Feelin' the love.
I was feelin' the love after a bowl of stew at the Irish Bank followed by feelin' the buzz after a hot toddy.
Okay, I know we had a long day, but...somewhere between the Bank and the Drake there was an elephant in our midst.