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Had the WONDERFUL opportunity to meet Mr. Irving today. Ever since I found his book on the Destruction of Dresden in the Pierce Library nearly 20 years ago, he has been my fave historian. Despite all the propaganda against him, the man has stayed true to his calling. He has done SO MUCH hard work in the archives. THE premier historian of the Third Reich. I am in awe of him.
Too many good people in show business have been claimed by death in the past few days. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, the pitchman Billy Mays, Gale Storm, Fred Travalena, David Carradine, some others whose names I saw online, and now, one of my worst fears: KARL MALDEN. Oh how I have loved Karl Malden for years. I knew he was very elderly, but.... I was very fortunate to have met him that one time when he and his daughter did a book signing in Studio City. I had to go alone to that and I was so nervous. Soooooo nervous. He told me my hands were cold. He was more excited about the Serbian-speaking couple behind me, but for a brief moment I had his attention. I tried to convey how HAPPY it made me to watch him in the Streets of San Francisco. "Homicide. Stone!" Earlier this year we lost Patrick McGoohan.... and now Karl Malden within six months.
I've been really freaked out over Michael Jackson and debating about driving up to Santa Ynez for the rumored (or confirmed?) public viewing at Neverland on Friday. It would be a madhouse, I know, but.... I already persuaded a couple Saudi friends to drive us over to his family home in Encino on Friday and then on to his star on Hollywood Blvd that night--where the crowd was too heavy to see it. The vibe outside the family home on Hayvenhurst wasn't what I had expected. Cops, news crews, screaming kids running all over (but not screaming over Michael) and people taking photos of the small shrine. Irritated foreign neighbors were standing in their driveways complaining about the people coming there.
I don't know will Karl Malden be laid to rest here in SoCal or not. UPDATE: The late Mr. Malden is in the same cemetery as my dad! I haven't visited yet, as of Dec. 24, 2009. I wonder about his dear wife. All the best to her and their family. If his grave is somewhere I can get to, obviously I will go there frequently. If by some longshot it should be in Westwood Memorial where my own dad is, I'll be amazed. I wonder is his address in the Palisades correct (the one online)? I should send a sympathy card... dunno would it reach the family or maybe just annoy them, but I hope they will know how much he meant to strangers as well. UPDATE: I did send a sympathy card, and I got a thank you note back! Wow! Ouch. This hurts.
I have yet to upload the whole Uno story, but he's new here with me. And here he is!
UPDATED DEC 24, 2009: In brief, he came from a No-Kill shelter in NYC called Animal Haven. Yes, he only has one eye. He is about 12 years old now. He is very full of love and snot. He rode in a van and a car clear across the USA. I picked him up at Best Friends in Utah. My first-ever driving experience outside of California!
Patrick McGoohan has passed away here in Los Angeles. He is not a number; he IS a free man now. Very sad. He had a LONG marriage to just one lady, very respectable. Great actor. His work will live on. There is NO NEED for this Prisoner RE-MAKE I heard about. Very wrong indeed. Please take a moment to remember Patrick McGoohan, gone at age 80.
Just learned that Paul Weller has FIVE kids total. Gee. He used to be my hero, my god, the man I looked to for guidance and intelligence. Just read about his drunken spectacle with some girl 23. Lovely. Not. Meanwhile the people of Gaza are being brutally massacred, made possible with American tax dollars. Nobody ever asks us. Our biased media would make sure no well-informed decisions could be made even if they did.
Sadly, there is little I can do for the suffering people of Gaza. Bless all the protesters round the globe! The once-mighty Weller's embarrassing actions seem irrelevant by comparison.
Can 2008 really be ending? Gee... I am STILL working on that 1987 To-Do List.
I recommend you listen to this demo version of the Bee Gees' "Spirits Having Flown." It's what's getting me thru these days.
Many, many New Year's Goals. I got my car washed today. I think that is a good start.
Yay! We made it through the Solstice. Welcome the Return of the Sun. The days will get longer and Spring is on her way (well, three months, but coming!) Three nasty months of winter to endure, but the days will be longer again, day by day. Happy Marty. All hail the Sun!
Pink Floyd's Rick Wright has passed away. Pink Floyd have been there with me for decades, so this is deeply saddening. Please check out one of my favorite of Rick's songs:
Summer '68.
Self-appointed band leader Roger Waters was cruel to Rick for years.... I wonder how he's feeling now? It was WONDERFUL to see all four of them together again onstage at Live 8. Friends or not, Pink Floyd gave us some amazing music. Group founder Syd Barrett had already passed on. Long live the music of Pink Floyd.
Photo by Lopex. Dino and I in Ventura for miniature golf. I was all orange. He was all purple.
