3 days agoMember-onlyEveryone Has a Story, But Don’t Leave Out the DetailsAn 85-year old man named Gene in my senior writing class submitted a story about his life. After the Korean War, he returned home to Kansas where he worked as a carpenter and a handyman. He struggled, barely able to afford meals, living out of his truck, showering at the…Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published in RiverRhythms·5 days agoMember-onlyJoseph Arthur’s Good and Bad FortuneJoseph Arthur’s good luck borders on the miraculous. In the late 90’s, Peter Gabriel was searching for an American performer to appear on his Real World international record label. A&R veteran Harvey Schwartz gave Gabriel a 4-song demo by Arthur called Cut and Blind. …Joseph Arthur6 min readJoseph Arthur6 min read
Mar 14Member-onlyUncle Hank Was a Bank RobberA few months into the pandemic, my barber Ramone called. His uncle died and he needed to drive to El Paso to organize the possessions. He asked if I’d be willing to accompany him. My wife gave me permission provided we wore masks. …Covid 1911 min readCovid 1911 min read
Published in Picture Palace·Mar 7Member-onlyMusic Can Make or Break a MovieWhenever I watch the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (one of my favorites), I skip past the sequence where Butch (Paul Newman) takes Etta Place (Katharine Ross) for a ride on his rickety bicycle. The scene is important since it shows the affection between Etta and the two…Movies5 min readMovies5 min read
Feb 28Member-onlyJudge Judy’s Healing PowersI first noticed the Judge Judy healing phenomenon in 2018. I was teaching an art class at a skilled nursing facility in Burbank when I asked the nurse to help gather patients for the class. She replied, “Oh, you picked the wrong time for your activity. 3:00 is Judge Judy…Judge Judy4 min readJudge Judy4 min read
Published in RiverRhythms·Feb 25Member-onlyThe Genesis of Phil CollinsIn the summer of 1970, 19-year old drummer Phil Collins was looking to join a band. He’d recently played percussion on George Harrison’s album All Things Must Pass and his confidence was sky high. …Phil Collins11 min readPhil Collins11 min read
Published in RiverRhythms·Feb 23Member-onlyThe Genesis of Peter GabrielWhen people think of Peter Gabriel, they often visualize the “Sledgehammer” music video or the scene in Say Anything when John Cusack plays “In Your Eyes” on a boom box. These two songs are among Gabriel’s biggest commercial hits but the true gems are found deeper in his catalogue. Peter…Peter Gabriel8 min readPeter Gabriel8 min read
Feb 22Member-onlyWho was Krishnamurti?Love is the most practical thing in the word. To love, to be kind, not to be greedy, not to be ambitious, not to be influenced by people but to think for yourself. These are all practical things and will bring about a practical, happy society. — Jiddu Krishnamurti In…Krishnamurti5 min readKrishnamurti5 min read
Published in Picture Palace·Feb 14Member-onlyShe Said She Was Al Pacino’s DaughterIn early 1986, I made plans to have lunch with my father. I drove to his film production office in Beverly Hills and met his new receptionist, a young Julia Roberts lookalike with large brown eyes, wavy hair and an effervescent smile. “You must be Loren,” she said rising from…Hollywood10 min readHollywood10 min read
Feb 2Member-onlyIs Los Angeles in Trouble?I love Los Angeles. I was born and raised here and I love the cultural diversity the city has to offer. LA has always gotten a bad rap regarding crime, smog and traffic. These critiques are deserved but there’s a bigger problem these days. Homelessness. …Los Angeles5 min readLos Angeles5 min read
