Saturday, December 31, 2016

KEN'S BRUSH WITH FAME 2

In ken's own words:
 
when u lived where i lived the beauty drew films of all sorts.
i saw Steven Spielberg in front of the fireplace -while he was filming the redwoods for Jurassic Park - i think.
i had a drink w/ Alan Alda at the heritage house in little river when he filmed = same time next year = on the property i worked at. sandy Duncan -  Al - the owner of the Oakland raiders drew on the tablecloth & etc. [& was billed for the tablecloth]

a & b list folks have interacted with me & they are better for it.
i told u about Dylan & Bonnie Raitt at Jacks & the Orson Welles & the only one i would count as a friend was John Koerner [Bonnie's boyfriend at the time ] - we spent hours in days talking life & whatever & wherever our drinks would lead us.

out of all them - Carrie was approachable - kind & funny & sweet.
ps
Steve Young - the 49's quarterback also fit that description.

KEN'S BRUSH WITH FAME

Ken shared these amazing stories of the various celebrities he met while living and working in Eureka, California, redwood country, northern california:
Ken in his own words:

"i met Carrie Fisher in the mid 90's when she came on to polish the screenplay for 'Outbreak' which was filmed where i was living. i picked her up in a limo from a private plane & as i was putting her suitcases in the trunk she came over on the windy day - stuck her head in the trunk & tried to light a cigarette. i showed her to her suite [at the Eureka Inn] & she chose to sit on the floor - i think she told me she was triple jointed - honestly, whatever that means.

during that shoot i was in a small room w/ Dustin Hoffman - Rene Russo - Carrie & Wolfgang Peterson & Morgan Freeman - just for a minute while i delivered a msg to Peterson. i drove the catering van to the location & saw helicopters doing stunts thru the canyons. later i asked Carrie to sign an autograph for me & i don't know if i still have it but she wrote: 
Dear Ken,
                                         thanks for the best night of my life.
              love - Carrie.

i remember her - all these years later - as shining."

 

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2016

Ron and Pam called Erev Chanukah, "the Maccabbees ride again" as they drove to Paradise where Pam's family lives in California. We had a Chanukah party on Christmas day evening with Clarice, Rita, Laurie, Nina, Suma, Bette G. and Bette E. Rita made a beautiful display with white lights. I brought my Menorah and Bette G. brought hers, a beautiful colored glass modern menorah with bits of blue and aqua and turquoise glass, very beautiful. Laurie put a Happy Hanukah display on the opposite table and a good time was had by all. Bette brought Tiramisu that went really well with potato latkes, Rita's angel food cake and macaroni salad, sushi from Suma and of course we had good music, listening to the Maccabeats Chanukah videos on youtube. Ken called last Friday. He said he had just returned from the hospital, diagnosed with Pneumonia. Gai Gezinterai - go in good health. It is a tradition to sing Chanukah songs after lighting the menorah. Here is one of them.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHANUKAH
On the first day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
A lemon with a glezele tea.

On the second day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the third day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Three pieces strudel
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the fourth day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Four sour pickles
Three pieces strudel
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the fifth day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Five cheese blintzes
Four sour pickles
Three pieces strudel
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the sixth day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Six shtickel kishka
Five cheese blintzes
Four sour pickles
Three pieces strudel
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the seventh day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Seven hot bialys
Five cheese blintzes
Four sour pickles
Three pieces strudel
Two potato latkes
And a lemon with a glezele tea.

On the eighth day of Chanukah
My true love sent to me
Eight lefels bicarb
And a lemon with a glizele tea.
Winter Sunset 2016, part of the Views From My Window Series



Sad news about Carrie Fisher. Her one woman show, Wishful Drinking is a real tour de force and hilarious. She could make fun of herself and her own challenges with mental illness, bi-polar disorder. The show ends with a sound of ambulance sirens, "Oh, there's my ride" as she was carried out of the theater on a stretcher. A lot of people will be missed this year, Glen Frey, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, i.e. the soundtrack of my generation. Wishing everyone peace, health and harmony in the new year.

ADDENDUM:
Debbie Reynolds gone too. I called it. As soon as we learned Carrie Fisher died, I knew her mother would be soon to follow. I saw Wishful Drinking as I mentioned above. The DVD came with Extra Features. One of them was an interview with Debbie Reynolds in her home. She was so gracious and funny. She also talked about her daughter's struggles with Bi-polar disorder and I realized she had educated herself about mental illness. I thought "what a supportive mother she was." She lived right next door to Carrie Fisher and the two were very close. No surprise the loss of her daughter was too much for her.

Friday, December 16, 2016

ROBY'S YAHRTZEIT DECEMBER 17, 2016

 Tevet 11 5771 - Friday, December 17, 2010

Six years ago today, Roby passed away on Shabbat as it is tonight. I miss him and think of him often. Ken called this afternoon. Ellen sent a holiday card with her new address in Florida. It was 0 degrees here today. Laurie came over and we had chicken soup and quinoa. It's been a tough week here at 1550. A resident jumped off the tenth floor and killed herself. 58 years old. I have PTSD which triggered bad memories of Shirley and her sojurns in various mental institutions. That was Monday. Incrementally I am feeling better. I wonder what else Roby wrote in his Common Place Book. What was the purpose of a Common Place Book ? It's now snowing in Boston. Six inches is expected with temps rising to 50 degrees on Sunday.




Busy, busy, busy.....I am impressed with how he strove to remember.....post-its all over the lamp......scenes from Roby's office.......