Thursday, April 30, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Saturday, April 25, 2020
gonzo ride
In Progress Version
In 1971 I was hitchhiking from Cal Arts, where I lived, to the Bay Area. I had waited for a ride for a couple hours when gonzo came to me. A violet Cadillac convertible swerved to the side of the road to pick me up. Three seats were occupied, but they put me in the fourth and off we went. It immediately became obvious that I had not checked my ride first. They were passing around a joint, but the driver was clearly wired for sound - driving safely was not the order of the day. I quickly realized this was not the most secure group to be with nor the best for a traffic stop's questions and inspection. I needed a way out . I began to look for a reasonable reason and a good place to hitch another ride. At the first opportunity I explained that I wanted to catch a ride all the way to Berkeley or San Francisco and they let me out. I had dodged another bullet,.
In 1971 I was hitchhiking from Cal Arts, where I lived, to the Bay Area. I had waited for a ride for a couple hours when gonzo came to me. A violet Cadillac convertible swerved to the side of the road to pick me up. Three seats were occupied, but they put me in the fourth and off we went. It immediately became obvious that I had not checked my ride first. They were passing around a joint, but the driver was clearly wired for sound - driving safely was not the order of the day. I quickly realized this was not the most secure group to be with nor the best for a traffic stop's questions and inspection. I needed a way out . I began to look for a reasonable reason and a good place to hitch another ride. At the first opportunity I explained that I wanted to catch a ride all the way to Berkeley or San Francisco and they let me out. I had dodged another bullet,.
Dragnificent S1E1
This show was upbeat and had high production values. The story line made sense: drag queens help a woman professional wrestler with a stocky build prepare for her wedding. Sound crazy - well, it was uplifting. We saw Bebe several years on from the person we have been watching as we finish S1 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Recommended.
close call with death
Around 1973 or 1974 I was standing on Telegraph Avenue when a van pulled up. I was five feet seven and a rail thin 127 pounds, hair down to my waist. I was day dreaming when three young dudes burst from the van and headed for me. I was so startled that I didn't think to react or even know what was about to happen. As they ran toward me, a huge burly guy feinted toward them and they backed off and jumped in the van. It all happened so quickly that I didn't even thank the guy for saving me. It took me about five minutes to realize that they were intent on beating me at the least and possibly kidnapping me. I then remembered the story of a woman friend, a model-beautiful blonde, who was abducted from there for a rape film and somehow managed to talk one of her captors into releasing her.
Life can be strange.
Friday, April 24, 2020
It's a drag now, for sure
So there are now four drag shows on TV, RuPaul's Drag Race, Pose, We're Here and Dragnificent. I am not a fan of Billie Eilish but her name inspired me to propose the drag name Will He Eyelash - feel free to take it and audition for future seasons!
Art Garfunkel and I ride freight trains in the early Seventies
This time of confinement due to COVID-19 prompts memories and musing on the nature of things. This is also fostered by contact with many long-time friends in thoughtful moods as well, courtesy of the internet. At the moment it occurs to me I should tell the story of me and Art Garfunkel riding the rails in 1971. First, however, I need to finally read Charley Sweet's version in his book, Going Home. I not only owe him this but look forward to it - his letters from afar, when he lived in Kyoto, were a highlight of the Eighties. He was kind enough to provide a MS-Word version so I could add comments based on my own memory of those events. I still vividly remember the headlights of the police car stabbing through the cloud of marijuana smoke. Ah, the good fortune all of us shared with that cop. I always wondered how Art avoided shitting his pants.
John Prine Tiny Desk Tribute
This is so moving, it brings tears to my eyes... The love is strong.
Homes and hearts.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
more meditation
I spend more time meditating these days and less time posting and emailing. The urgent possibility of death changed my priorities. (note: I am not infected)
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