I LOVE FALL

I feel fall in the air finally here in Los Angeles.
It was cool last night finally.  I had to put the comforter on the bed.
I will attend a convention on the Cape in three weeks. 
Hope to catch the fall colours in New England.
It has always been one of my dreams to be there in the fall.

Given what I have been through this past year, I realize that I must do those things that I have only dreamed about.  And I need to do them now.  There really is no putting off tomorrow what you need to do today.

With the fall comes my sobriety birthday and the anniversary of my mother's death.  Scott's death last week happened to fall on her birthday.  Forever cemented in my mind now, I honor both of them in this time of falling leaves, crisp air, the smell of rain.  Fall brings with it a harvest, a richness of the bounty of summer.  For me this summer was a bounty of doing a number of wonderful things that I love to do in my home Los Angeles.  Lot's of theatre, indoors and outdoors, museums, film screenings.  I also attended a family reunion in Kentucky and marveled at how green everything was.

I can imagine the trees now in Kentucky as they begin to change their colors.  This first full weekend in October brings the incredible ST. JAMES ART FAIR.  For me it is the first real (unofficial) holiday weekend of the fall.  St. James is without a doubt one of the world's best Art Fairs.  And to think it started over 50 years ago as a yard sale to raise funds for the St. James Court fountain's restoration.

Next year I plan on attending St. James again and reconnecting with family and friends.
For now I look forward to seeing the cape for the first time in my life.  Provincetown here I come.

Lizzie Morrison photography.

Her photos are fabulous!

TUESDAY IS SONG DAY: A DISCO LOVE SONG TODAY

The Tuesday song of the day is Carl Carlton's  EVERLASTING LOVE.
Gloria Estfan made this a hit again in 1994 with her version of Everlasting Love.

Carl also recorded one of my favorite funky soul R&B hits  "She's A Bad Mama Jama."

(Is there anything we can't find on youtube?)  They just both make me want to dance.
So in keeping with my disco/diva/dance theme this week I present to you the lyrics to
Everlasting Love.

EVERLASTING LOVE by Buzz Cazon and Mac Gayden. 

Hearts go astray
Leaving hurt when they go
I went away
Just when you needed me so
Filled with regret
I come back begging you
Forgive, forget
Where's the love we once knew

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love
From the very start
Open up your heart
Be a lasting part of
Everlasting Love

Where life's really flows
No-one really knows
'Till someone's there to
Show the way to
Everlasting Love
Like the sun it shines
Endlessly it shines
You always will be mine
It's eternal love
Whenever loves are gone
Ours will be strong
We'd have our very own
Everlasting Love

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love

Hearts go astray
Leaving hurt when they go
I went away
Just when you needed me so
Filled with regret
I come back begging you
Forgive, forget
Where's the love we once knew

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love
From the very start
Open up your heart
Be a lasting part of
Everlasting Love

Where life's really flows
No-one really knows
'Till someone's there to
Show the way to
Everlasting Love
Like the sun it shines
Endlessly it shines
You always will be mine
It's eternal love
Whenever loves are gone
Ours will be strong
We'd have our very own
Everlasting Love

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love
Hearts go astray
Leaving hurt when they go
I went away
Just when you needed me so
Filled with regret
I come back begging you
Forgive, forget
Where's the love we once knew

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love
From the very start
Open up your heart
Be a lasting part of
Everlasting Love

Where life's really flows
No-one really knows
'Till someone's there to
Show the way to
Everlasting Love
Like the sun it shines
Endlessly it shines
You always will be mine
It's eternal love
Whenever loves are gone
Ours will be strong
We'd have our very own
Everlasting Love

Open up your eyes
Then you'll realize
Here I stand with my
Everlasting Love
Need you by my side
Girl to be my bride
You'll never be denied
Everlasting Love

I LOVE BARBRA

Barbra Streisand is my generation's DIVA.
All the other girls can just go home.
"Evergreen"
"The Way We Were"
"People"
 A ton of Grammys and 2 Oscars.
Top that bitches!


Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Barbra was back to her Greenwich Village roots this weekend on Saturday night with an intimate concert at the Village Vanguard.  Backed by only a jazz quartet Barbra entertained the almost 100 guests with a number of classic standards like "My Funny Valentine" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered."  Listen to her sing "Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" and know that Barbra is and always will be Barbra.  Perfection even in the unperfect moments.  Such a gift!

Her new album is "LOVE IS THE ANSWER" produced by Diana Krall.
Barbra says "love is the answer" so it must be true!  (And with James Brolin as your husband...well!)
This is why I am lovin' the Barbra!

Thanks for reading.  Enjoy the clips.
GM

I LOVE DISCO FEVER 3

Shuttle Tickets to the Hollywood Bowl - $8
Snacks and Tickets from Goldstar - $60
Seeing you favorite disco divas and groups all on one stage in one night and getting to dance with your friends under the stars...

Priceless.

DISCO FEVER 3

AWESOME concert tonight.
The evening started with the VILLAGE PEOPLE!  The ones that have survived are a little fatter, a little older and still rocking the house.  AND yes, my friends and I all did the Y...M...C...A!

Next up was CHIC with Nile Rodgers.  Along with Bernie Edwards, this man has produced a staggering number of hits and has worked with everyone.

And we got the hear them all.  He's responsible for producing the Diana Ross album DIANA and such hits as "UPSIDE DOWN" and "I'M COMING OUT."
("I'm Coming Out" was my theme song for Freshman year at Western Kentucky University....oh YES, I had the album the fall of 1980 and played it constantly!)

Rodgers and Edwards produced Sister Sledge's "WE ARE FAMILY!"  This song has been used in just about every movie on the planet and continues to get a crowd up on their feet.  The Bowl's audience tonight was no exception.  These guys rocked the house!


Then 3 disco divas took to the stage.

Yvonne Elliman  "IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU"  from Saturday Night Fever.  She also sang...."I Don't Know How To Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar.


Maxine Nightingale sang..."RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM" and LEAD ME ON.
She said hello to her grandchildren...make you feel old yet?  I don't remember "grandmas" looking this HOT when I was younger!

And finally...
Thelma Houston "DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY!"  The ultimate disco diva.

The final set of the night was KOOL AND THE GANG.
They rocked the house as we all sang to LADIES NIGHT, JUNGLE BOOGIE,  CELEBRATION, and HOLLYWOOD SWINGING.  (AND we were!)  The horn section is off the hook baby!

Tonight was FUNKALICIOUS, BODACIOUS, and just plan GROOVY BABY GROOVY!
My friend Doug and I had a blast.

So get out your LP's and 8 Track tapes and put on your platform shoes and
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!   (Yowsah, yowsah, yowsah!!!)

Keep on truckin' ya'll.

GM

LABYRINTH WALK TODAY

Today I did a labyrinth walk with my Noho spiritual center group.
The labyrinth is located at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Today the views of my beloved Los Angeles were spectacular.

Rita and Lynn were our practitioner guides for today's walk and lovingly prepared the way for us all to take a quiet and contemplative walk through the Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth is located on the forecourt of the Gardens of Contemplation and is modeled after the labyrinth located in the Cathedral at Chartres, France.

Today I began my journey by picking 3 cards from the bowl at the entrance to the Labyrinth.  The three cards I picked in order were:

DECIDE, LOVE, AS YOU BELIEVE

Now if that isn't a message from a higher power I don't know what is!
These three cards brought to mind scripture.
And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed."
And the servant was healed that very moment.  from Matthew 8:13
It's my job to "decide to be love."  I get to choose love today.

Be well.
GM

LOVE TAKES TIME

Tonight I had an old fashioned date.
He picked me up after work.
We went to a PGA screening of the film "Coco Before Chanel."
It stars Audrey Tautou the star of Amelie and A Very Long Engagement.
Two of my very favorite French films.
Beautiful movie and I loved holding hands in the movie theatre.  After the week I've had I almost felt normal....whatever that is.

I came to some conclusions this week that life is here to be lived and quite frankly I don't need anybody's approval but my higher powers and my own.

For God's sake I am almost 50!


My date and I sat in the car and talked frankly about dating and getting to know each other.
My God a man who is no BS and who arrives 10 minutes early to pick me up from work.
Does it get any better than this?

The answer is....yes.

For the first time in my life I don't feel the pressure to be "in love" and married and settled down.
That is what everyone else would have me be.  And for years I bought into the pressure of being "married" and "happy."  Well that load of horseshit, that belief system fraught with character defects is what got me into the last relationship which was a disaster and a huge learning experience.
One I wish NEVER to repeat!  How refreshing to have a real and honest conversation with a man who is kind and punctual! 

The ability to grow in love is an amazing thing.
I realize that love needs to be nurtured, cultivated and encouraged.
Yes, love can happen like it does in a film.  But you have to remember that films tell a story in compressed time.  Also a film dramatize a person's life.  I look back at myself a few years ago and view it all like I was some lost character in a very bad made-for-TV drama from the 70's.
Love is an amazing thing and one that I am now willing to take the time to let it grow.

Peace and blessings,
GM

COME FROM LOVE

You don't have to go looking for love when it's where you come from.  
 ~Werner Erhard

This quote jumped out at me tonight.
Given the past few days I can only saw that my thoughts are with everyone back in Louisville. Scott's funeral is today Friday at 1PM.  Ironically it's being held at the same funeral home where we held my mother's funeral back in 1976.  Her birthday was yesterday as well.  

What this blog has been teaching me is to be a more loving, kind man.  For years I believed that love was outside myself.  What I realize today is that I have a wealth of love within me.  
I never needed to look outside myself.  I just needed to let it out.  It has always been my deeper nature to love, I just got lost along the way.

May you all find the love within you and express it to everyone around you today.

Peace and blessings,
GM 

I LOVE MY FRIEND SCOTT EISERT

Words cannot express the sorrow and grief I feel today for the loss of my friend Scott Eisert.

I knew only part of his story these past few years and I will not write about them here.

I did get to see him briefly at Christmas on a Friday evening with a group of friends and I will remember him that way.  I knew Scott and Glen Elder since John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

We all went to J-town High School together and Scott was Charlie Brown and Glen and I shared the Linus part in "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown."  Then I joined Scott and Jenny McDonald and a few others for our Senior year at our beloved YPAS.

We were just like the movie FAME.. only better!  I found "I Sing The Body Electric" on youtube.
Just know that our friend is "one with the sun" and in time "we will all be stars."

To his family and friends I have no words for our loss today.

To my fellow YPAS grads, class of 1980 let's get together and celebrate his life when we can.
Just know that I love you all.

Peace and blessings,
GM

TUESDAY IS SONG DAY: LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER - The Standells

"The Standells" played at Amoeba Records on Sunset tonight starting at 6PM. 
So there was a brand new "riot on sunset tonight."

My best girlfriend Miss Glenda is married to Larry Tamblyn of the Standells and so in honor of the group performing today, I have chosen "DIRTY WATER" as my Tuesday song choice.

"Dirty Water" is played at all Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins  games, as well as at Northeastern Huskies' hockey games.

Here's the original group on their album cover of DIRTY WATER.
If you're a Boston Red Sox fan, then you know the lyrics already.
But check them out below. 

I will be going to P-town in mid October this year.
It will be my first time in Boston and I am looking forward to spending a little time looking at the "dirty water" of the St. Charles river. 

Peace out ya'll!
GM

DIRTY WATER by The Standells
[Spoken:]
I'm gonna tell you a story
I'm gonna tell you about my town
I'm gonna tell you a big bad story, baby
Aww, it's all about my town

Yeah, down by the river
Down by the banks of the river Charles (aw, that's what's happenin' baby)
That's where you'll find me
Along with lovers, fuggers, and thieves (aw, but they're cool people)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, you're the Number One place)
Frustrated women (I mean they're frustrated)
Have to be in by twelve o'clock (oh, that's a shame)
But I'm wishin' and a-hopin, oh
That just once those doors weren't locked (I like to save time for
my baby to walk around)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)

Because I love that dirty water
Oh, oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)

Well, I love that dirty water (I love it, baby)
I love that dirty water (I love Baw-stun)
I love that dirty water (Have you heard about the Strangler?)
I love that dirty water (I'm the man, I'm the man)
I love that dirty water (Owww!)
I love that dirty water (Come on, come on) [Fade]

MONDAY'S QUOTE

MONDAY'S QUOTE:

You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip.  
~Jonathan Carroll, "Outside the Dog Museum"

The very beginning of dating can be like walking through a mine field.  
In the past I joked that I wanted my cousins back in KY to find me a nice partner and say "here marry this one!"  Lucky for me that isn't what I have to do.   
 

Being in the early stages of meeting someone you like is well....tricky.  
You want to bring your best foot forward, be on your best behavior and yet I find myself being myself.  I figure if a potential partner is going to stick around for a 2nd and 3rd date then he's going to see me as I am.  

What I have learned is that love takes time.  For me it's working on just getting to LIKE and then we can go from there.  But when the time comes I like tonight's quote.  It jokingly reminds me to walk carefully in the beginning of any "relationship."

Laughing at me later is actually a prerequisite for being in a relationship with me.  
And I hope that he will be there to pick me up if I fall. 

More importantly, learning to laugh at myself in a relationship is the one thing that I have to learn in order to make it work.

More will be revealed my friends.
GM

I LOVE CULTURE CLASH AT THE GETTY VILLA!

Seeing these guys perform is to witness improv lighting coupled with scripted comedic brilliance!
Once again I am plugging a show in Los Angeles.

 One of my favorite things to do in LA is to attend the annual Greek play at the GETTY VILLA.
 This year they are presenting Aristophanes PEACE.  And it is being interpreted by the amazing trio know as CULTURE CLASH.  Culture Clash is Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza.  (Alright!  I have a man crush on Richard.  His eyes are two colors and I met him backstage at the Taper.  I ain't been right since momma!  LOL)
They have been working together for 25 years and to see them is to take a roller coaster ride on a comic journey through whatever material they are handed at the moment.  Such is the case with PEACE.

 This production is not for kids.  It's baudy, raucous with plenty of phallus' made of balloons!

They are at the beautiful amphitheatre at the GETTY VILLA in Malibu just off PCH.
You can get your tickets through the GETTY website and seating is first come first serve.
Parking at the Getty Villa is free.  You can park there after 7PM.  Or there is a free shuttle from The Getty Center off the 405.  Just arrive by 6:15-6:30 to catch the shuttle.

This is a rare treat in Los Angeles and a one of a kind experience. 
Arrive by 7:00PM and dine at the museum before the show.

Culture Clash will perform as part of UCLA LIVE at Royce Hall later this year to celebrate their 25th anniversary.  Next year they will create a new show for the Mark Taper Forum called Palestine, New Mexico.  Enjoy.

GM

I LOVE AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY

Actor, playwright Tracy Letts has given us a new classic American play.  I've had the pleasure of witnessing this remarkable play twice this week at the Ahmanson Theatre here in downtown Los Angeles.  I would have loved to have seen this show on Broadway with Deanna Dunagan of the original Steppenwolf cast from Chicago.  However we are blessed to have Estelle Parsons in the lead role of matriarch Violet Weston here in the LA production. 

I will say this to all of you in LA
YOU MUST GO SEE THIS PLAY!!!
For the rest of you who live in or near Portland, Seattle, or DC this show is coming to your home town.
Click here to check out the whole tour.

If you love theatre as much as I love theatre go see this amazing play.  Even if you like theatre and only go occasionally, GO SEE THIS PLAY!

There are hot tixs available for most performances here in LA, $20 cash at the Ahmanson Box Office.  The show is running now until OCT 18th.

This is Tracy Letts fourth play and it won the Tony Award in 2008 as well as a Pulitzer Prize.

Watching this great cast in LA, for a second time on Friday night I sat in awe of the power of live theatre.  Estelle is a force of nature on that stage!  I am planning on seeing this as many times as I can before it closes.  How often to you get to study a Pulitzer prize winning play?
I urge you to come experience this show with me.  This living breathing masterpiece is not complete without us, the audience.

 5 QUESTIONS
So....have you ever known anyone addicted to prescription meds? 
(I have! I lived that, did that and got that T-shirt to hell and back with my ex.)

Even been to a dysfunctional family dinner? 
(Oh yeah with my other ex in Florida!  Merry Christmas!)

Ever had to pretend you are together with your spouse or lover when you're not, just so as not to upset anyone in the family?  (Isn't it fun sleeping in the same bed after you've broken up!)

Have you ever had an alcoholic family member dissapear?  (Yup!  That too for me.)

Ever been privy to deep dark family secrets and lived to laugh about them?  (Oh yeah!)

Then THIS PLAY IS FOR YOU!

Since I answered yes to all of the above....is it any wonder that I LOVE this play.

VIOLET:  "I'm truth tellin.'  Some people are antagonized by the truth!"
Come see Estelle give the performance of a lifetime! 

LOVE IS...

LOVE IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT, IT IS WHAT YOU ARE.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT GET THESE TWO CONFUSED.
Neal Donald Walsh  (Author of "A Conversation With God.")

Thanks to my friend Tom in KY for his daily blog and this great quote that works perfect for today.

Sometimes I caught up in looking for love outside of myself.  I believe if I  have the right partner, friends, lover that my life will be fulfilled and perfect.  Problem is people, places and things will let us down.  I've learned over the past few years not to have expectations from those same people, places and things.  I've learned to just "stay in the moment."  I have also hopefully learned to listen.  And when you listen, ernestly and openly to another person, I believe that is an act of love.

I've had my feelings hurt today.  And I had to look at my part in that.  When I separate my "EGO" self and move into my "spiritual/divine" self I can see where the other person is coming from, their frustrations, anger etc.  Then I don't take it so personally.  I become LOVE as Neal reminds us with this statement.  And I can detach myself and love this person unconditionally as I hope someday they can do the same for me.

Nuf said.

I get to go see AUGUST:  OSAGE COUNTY again.  The Tony and Pulitzer prize winning play.  I'm meeting my friend Tim tonight down at the Ahmanson.  And you know how I love going to the theatre.  So you can guess what tomorrow's post will be.

WE LOVE MARY TRAVERS

Today I learned that another iconic artist from my childhood has made her transition.

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary passed away yesterday.  Beloved grandmother, mother and wife.
She was singing partner with Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey.  They had a string of hits in the early 60s.  Mary was born in my hometown of Louisville, KY.  Her parents moved the family to Greenwich Village where she began singing with the Weavers and founding member Pete Seeger.  It was there she met Yarrow and Stookey and they formed PP&M.  It has been stated that "they were true to their liberal beliefs while creating music that resonated in the American mainstream."
Take a look at the list of iconic hits they created.

Lemon Tree
500 Miles
Where Have All The Flowers Gone
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)
Puff (The Magic Dragon)
Blowin' in the Wind
I Dig Rock and Roll Music
Leaving on a Jet Plane written by John Denver.

Peter, Paul & Mary really did bring change in the 60's.
Click on the links and listen to Mary along with Peter and Paul sing the songs that are indelibly woven into the fabric of our collective consciousness.  In one article I read, the author states that he believes that their songs will be remembered long after all of us are gone.  I have to agree.  We love you Mary.

THERE IS LAUGHTER IN HEAVEN TONIGHT!

HENRY GIBSON passed away on Monday in Malibu.  He was 73.
He is known most recently for playing the cantankerous judge on BOSTON LEGAL.
 
When I was about 6 years old, my Aunt Millie and Uncle Jesse bought a COLOR TV!!!
One of the first shows I saw was Rowan & Martin's LAUGH-IN in "living color" on NBC. 
It was the winter of 1968 and I would curl up in front of the TV and laugh my head off.
I knew somewhere deep inside myself that I wanted to join those people in the TV and do what they do.  Make you laugh.

If you click on the Laugh-In link you will witness one of Henry's famous poems. 
This one is about an alligator.  He would come out each week and recite or sing a poem with a big flower in his hand. 

I LOVED Laugh-In.  Everybody did Laugh-In!  All the big stars showed up to do Laugh-In.  Sonny & Cher, Jerry Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Carol Channing and even Richard Nixon!  (Think Saturday Night Live but more political and funnier!)  It was one of the biggest TV shows of it's time.  I use to sit in front of the TV and listen to announcer Gary Owens say,
"From the heart of beautiful downtown Burbank.  Famous for it's fruits and nuts."

Today I live only a few miles from the old NBC studios that use to rock in the late sixties with Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show, Bob Hope Specials and Laugh-In.  I would sit and watch Henry each week along with Arte Johnson, Ruth Buzzie, Jo Anne Worley, Judy Carne, Alan Sues, Goldie Hawn, Flip Wilson and my comic acting hero Lily Tomlin.  They would chew up the scenery and deliver some of the funniest sketches I have ever seen.  And they still make me laugh.  Henry will be remembered as one of the fun men in this business that worked his whole life entertaining us.
He will be missed.

Much Love, G

TUESDAY is SONG DAY: I'VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE

This song from DIRTY DANCING won the Oscar and Golden Globe in 1987 for Best Original Song.
Composed by Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz and recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.  It was selected to be the finale song in Dirty Dancing by choreographer Kenny Ortega and his assistant Miranda Garrison (who also played Vivian in the film.)  Thank you wikipedia.

Sometimes magic happens on film.  An artist is cast in the perfect role tailor made for them.
Patrick is in his prime in this film.  His is an amazing performer and will forever be remembered for his famous line, "nobody puts baby in a corner."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo&feature=related

Song Lyrics - (I've Had) The Time of My Life

Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
'Cause I've had the time of my life
And I owe it all to you
I've been waiting for so long
Now I've finally found someone to stand by me
We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical fantasy
Now with passion in our eyes
There's no way we could disguise it secretly
So we take each other's hand
'Cause we seem to understand the urgency
Just remember
You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear, it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
With my body and soul
I want you more than you'll ever know
So we'll just let it go
Don't be afraid to lose control
Yes I know what's on your mind
When you say, "Stay with me tonight"
Just remember
You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear, it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before

WE LOVE PATRICK SWAYZE

PATRICK SWAYZE
Husband, actor, all around GREAT guy!
He will be so missed. 
Having had family members pass away from pancreatic cancer, I know the battle he waged. 
And I am in awe that he was able to live as long as he did. 
More than that, he had an amazing, loving marriage with his wife Lisa.

This is a quote from Patrick in the people.com report really sums it up best for me.

"There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, 'I sure would like to make a mark in life,'" he said. "I've made a pretty decent mark so far – nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There's more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it."

And so I take my inspiration from an amazing guy who was a fighter!
Live you life to the fullest in each moment!

GET ON WITH IT!

Love to you all.
GM

SUNDAY NIGHTS: I LOVE PBS

For years I've had a Sunday night ritual.  Come home after a meeting, fix dinner and watch Masterpiece Theatre or something else that's really good on PBS.  This winter and spring while I was off from work, I tuned into Masterpiece Classics and watched the complete Jane Austen series every Sunday night.  This was hosted by Jillian Anderson. 

This summer Masterpiece Mystery has been hosted by Allan Cummings.  Miss Marple and Inspector Lewis.  This fall there will be Masterpiece Contemporary hosted by Matthew Goode most recently of WATCHMEN and BRIDESHEAD REVISITED with Emma Thompson.  But what I am really looking forward to is the new film by Ken Burns.

PBS premieres this new 6 episode series starting on September 27th. 
Check your local listings.  I have my DVR set.

THE NATIONAL PARKS:  America's Best Idea

It is a film 10 years in the making.  Ken Burns along Dayton Duncan and the Florentine Films cinematographer have created a true Masterpiece.  I hope it will inspire you to visit as many of our National Parks that you can.

I guess I am really a big ol' geek when it comes to geography, American history and biographies.
I'm just fasinated looking at our history and how we got to where we are today.


Living in California I am blessed to have visited Yosemite and Joshua Tree.  Both parks are truly unique in their own ways and I believe national treasures.  Join me this fall on Sunday nights and witness a labor of love from Ken Burns and Florentine Films that is a gift to every American. 
You've never seen anything like this before.

Much Love,
Gerry

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

I'm grateful I have a M-F job.  I truly love my weekends.  Lately my buddies and I have been going out on Saturday night to the local "retro disco."  And tonight is no exception.  We'll go to Oil Can Harry's in the valley and then DuPar's for pancakes and breakfast.  The only thing missing will be alcohol!  LOL  It's amazing to hear disco music and be able to sing along and remember all the words.  I hear this music and I am transported back in time, even if for a few hours on a Saturday night. 

SAT NIGHT FEVER
1977 was a different time.  A time of 8 track tape players, feathered back hair, polyester pants and gold chains, platform shoes, muscle cars and oh yeah, I did inhale!  (My friend Don C had a bitchin' Camaro with 8 track tape player.  Don taught me how to drive a stick shift in my VW, in the snow!)

EVERYBODY wanted to see SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.  I watch this movie now and I am instantly taken back to high school.  I laugh at the idea that we wore that much polyester and lived to tell about it.  This movie was a 70's blockbuster.  And the soundtrack by the Bee Gees sold over 15 million copies.

One of my favorite songs is HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE.
  
May you find your own Saturday Night Fever tonight and live life to the fullest.

Happy Saturday Night.

Gman

EIGHT YEARS LATER....

Sometimes a major event happens and we are detached from it.  We have no personal connection to it.

For me this anniversary of the the attack on the United States marks a day I'd like to forget.

But I can't really.

That morning I was shocked to learn that my step brother was in NewYork.
Actually he was IN the second tower to be hit, getting ready to go into a meeting.

He and his co-workers from Louisville were only 3 blocks away when the first tower came down.

I can only imagine what he went through.
We love him more today than ever.

It is a miracle that he and the two guys he worked with got out of the building.  Three days later they finally got back home to KY after finding a car to rent in New Jersey.

He's a father to his 3 sons today.  So for today I dedicate this page to my step brother Robbie and know that he's here for a greater purpose.  And we love him and support him with all our hearts.

FROM INDIA....WITH LOVE

FROM INDIA...WITH LOVE

In my search for quotes on LOVE, I came across an amazing love story from India.  The writer/poet Amrita Pritam and the painter Imroz wrote letters to each other between 1959 to 1975 when they were both in different cities.  Today I educated myself about these two lovers and their amazing 45 year relationship.  Their love letters have been translated into English.  The book "Amrita-Imroz - In the times of Love and Longing" (Full Circle) just came out this month.  The letters had been previously published in their original Punjabi and in Hindi.  (See article in THE HINDU.) 

 FROM KENTUCKY...WITH LOVE
After reading about this couple and their unique relationship, my thoughts turn to my Aunt Grace and Uncle Linville.  Uncle Linville passed away in July, just a few weeks before our Chambers family reunion held every other August in Kentucky.  For many years we held the reunion up at Natural Bridge State Park near Aunt Grace and Uncle Linville's house in Clay City.  Uncle Linville worked for the state and pretty much built most of the interstate highways throughout eastern Kentucky. 

(Aunt Grace is one of my grandmother Mary Alice's younger sisters. One of my fondest memories is getting to stay with my Great Aunt and Uncle Linville up in Clay City.  We would drive over to town in Uncle Linville's pickup truck and stop to eat at the drive-in diner.  I would get to drink an Ale 8 soda pop and have ice cream!) 

At Uncle Linville's funeral someone asked Aunt Grace what was the thing that kept them together for over 50 years.  She replyed..." he was a good lover." 
I think that says it all boys and girls.


Be well.
GM

THE STARS, THE MOON, SPIRITUAL AWAKENINGS and NOW VOYAGER

CHARLOTTE:  "Oh Jerry don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars."
Is Bette talking to me?

Actually Bette Davis says this to the tall, handsome Paul Henreid in the Warner Brothers classic film
NOW VOYAGER.  I just caught the very last 30 minutes of this film and Bette Davis shows us why she is probably the greatest actress of her generation.  Charlotte and Jerry put aside their differences and difficulties and come to an agreement to share the love of his child Tina as if she were their own.  It is truly a magnificent film and shows us love in all it's complexity and simplicity. 

The moon tonight is waning into a half moon.  It hangs low in the horizon tonight.  I observe it over the burnt mountains to the east of me here in Los Angeles.  It is beautiful to look at but there is so much more out there.  We have been given the stars.

Today's article on the refurbished HUBBLE telescope included new images of stars. 
They are breath taking and awe inspiring.  What an amazing universe outside of our little solar system. 

Also today I read online the first 3 chapters of a new book WAITING FOR AUTUMN by Scott Blum.  In it are some of the spiritual principles that I aspire to practice in my life. 

In Chapter 1 Robert is speaking to Scott about manifestation:

"Manifesting isn’t about making a halfhearted effort and
then failing. Manifesting is about aligning your
goals and your destiny so they become one. You
have to believe without a doubt and act without
pause, or else you’re wasting your time."

Robert is there to help Scott understand the spiritual awakening he is about to experience.
Wisdom = Knowledge + Experience

How many times have I looked up to the stars and dreamed about some amazing thing I desire my life to be?  Then I get distracted and my focus gets pulled away from my heart's desire.
I end up wondering, how did I get HERE!  Being hopefully spiritually awake after all these years,
I can no longer say I don't know how I got here.  I got here from not paying attention each day to what I put out in the universe.  Each day am I being loving and kind....or not.
 
How many times have I settled for what is right in front of me, forgetting to look beyond to the stars.
My heart's desire and my divine destiny? 
How do we align these two and make a life that is magnificent, joy filled and loving?

Look past the moon and reach for the stars.

TUESDAY is SONG DAY: AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

Miss Dolly's version or Miss Whitney's version, which is the best?
You decide.  Actually I believe both are the best.  You can't compare the two versions.

I'm a huge fan of both artists.  Being from KY I will always love Miss Dolly best, however Miss Whitney is one of the greatest singers of her generation.  Her new album I LOOK TO YOU released just this past week.  It reminds us once again why we will always love her. 

A great song is a great song AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU has been recorded by many artists.
But it was made a worldwide hit by Whitney Houston including it on the soundtrack to THE BODYGUARD.  This soundtrack has sold over 43 million copies to date.

A large part of The Bodyguard's success is due to And I Will Always Love You and the songwriting talents of Miss Dolly.  Whitney changed the lyrics slightly from Dolly's original version, but the message is still the same.  A bittersweet love song with the promise to always love someone.

(And in the soundtrack of my life....it was a hit during a bittersweet time in Orlando.)

Dolly Parton Version

If I should stay
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have, and all I'm taking with me
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
But I will always love you
I will always love you

And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love


I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you

Whitney Houston Version
If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.

Bittersweet memories
that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

(Instrumental solo)

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.

You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you.

HOLIDAY LOVE THOUGHT

Love is the gentle breeze on a day off.  Love is having no agenda and no place to be other than right where you are.


Did you give yourself that gift today?
 
The gift of no agenda, the freedom to let the day unfold as it may.

I hope you did.  My day was fantastic. 
If you didn't, my hope for you is that this week sometime you find a quiet time to just do nothing.  Love yourself enough to do nothing and you'll be amazed a what you really get done.

Peace and blessings,
GM

I LOVE OUTDOOR THEATRE!

I've been blessed this summer to have seen a number of things outdoors here in LA.
Here's the tally so far.

FORD AMPHITHEATRE: 
FUNNY GIRL Sing-a-long (800 people singing "People" with Barbra...need I say more?)
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ:  MAKING GOOD  A great concert presented by Upright Cabaret.

HOLLYWOOD BOWL:
GUYS AND DOLLS with Jennifer Beil, Ellen Greene, Scott Bakula and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
YO-YO MA & PLACIDO DOMINGO with the LA PHIL.
MISS LIZA MINNELLI and orchestra just last week.

I FINALLY got to attend a performance at the WILL GEER THEATRICUM BOTANICUM in Topanga Canyon here in Los Angeles.  Tonight it was JULIUS CAESAR.  Great show!
(Anytime I get to see a blonde bearded Mark Anthony running around the stage in a toga, swinging a big sword, it's a good night!  "Friends, Romans, Countrymen!")

This non profit theatre presents 5 shows in repertory throughout the summer.
Their main focus is educational programs for kids from K through 12.  Created by Will Geer and his family in the 50's, check out the website and the history of this wonderful place and go see a play there this month.  Shows finish at the end of September.  They have an adapted production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD set in Virgina in 1970



Look on Goldstar for discounted tickets.  Pack a dinner and head out to Topanga Canyon with some friends for a night of outdoor theatre!

On Saturday, September 19th I am attending PEACE at the GETTY VILLA amphitheatre in Malibu.
It is a magnificent night of theater starring CULTURE CLASH and a perfect way to end the outdoor theatre season here in Southern California.  Click on the Getty link for tickets and come join me for an amazing night!

Since January I've been to 4 memorials and or funerals.  What I have learned from all of it is this.
If there is something that you really love to do, then just do it.  This year I looked at all the things I love to do in LA and have set out to do them.

My fall theatrical season starts this week with AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.
Estelle Parsons stars as Violet Weston in the Tony & Pulitzer Prize winning play.
It starts this week at the Ahmanson Theatre downtown LA.  I already have my hot ticket how about you?  Don't miss this play!

Until tomorrow happy Labor Day and I hope you all are off from work enjoying your holiday.
G

LOVE by Kahlil Gibran

Love has no desire but to fulfill itself.  To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.  To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.  ~Kahlil Gibran

When I was younger and had hair I wanted to portray Kahlil Gibran.  I read his book "The Prophet" and here is the chapter titled LOVE.

Click on the title to learn more about his work.

 

Love

Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

STRICTLY BALLROOM is probably one of my favorite movies of all time.  Now you're probably asking yourself, why is this little known Australian film about a ballroom dance competition your favorite movie Gerry?  Well I saw this movie with my good friend Scott right after I learned that I had been fired from my "big job" at Universal Studios Florida.  My relationship had ended for good as well a few weeks before.  Scott said, "hey do you want to go and see this movie over at the Enzian Theater.  We can sit there and have a drink and eat lunch."  (I was still drinking then.)  So I said "hell yes."
(Scott will probably have the clearer version of what happened but for the sake of the story, we'll go with this version.  LOL)

We watched this film and it's message rang loud and clear.
"A life lived in fear, is a life half lived."

My whole life was falling apart and this little film from Australia gave me the one thing I was lacking.
Courage.

Courage to change.  

My relationship had ended only weeks before with my partner of 3 years.  I had re-auditioned for my performing job at Universal after 3 years of working lots of shows full time and getting great reviews.
Universal fired me for being on the side of Actor's Equity in the fight to unionize Universal Studio's actors.

This film showed me that when you don't conform to all the rules, there are consequences but there is also FREEDOM.  Do you tow the company line at the expense of others and then constantly watch your back for the ax that will chop off your head?  Or do you stand up for what you feel is right and chose to face your foes and remain standing tall and proud.

I admit that I didn't handle myself very well during most of the Actor's Equity battle but when it was all over and I felt defeated and humiliated personally and professionally, this little film changed my life.  I am always amazed at the power of cinema.

That afternoon I knew my friend Scott and I would be okay.  Regardless of where our lives would take us.  I knew we were being taken care of by something greater than ourselves.  Scott moved back to DC and worked like crazy in theatre and in front of the camera.  A few months later I made my move to Los Angeles with the help of my good friend Glenda.  (Yes, she's a good witch!)

STRICTLY BALLROOM:  Not such a simple little ballroom competition story.

Baz Luhrmann directed this film.  It is the first in the series of his "Red Curtain" films.
The second film is ROMEO + JULIET and then the magnificent MOULIN ROUGE!

This film's sound track features not only John Paul Young's disco hit "Love Is In The Air," but also Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," and the wonderful Doris Day's "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps."

Truly a gem.  If you can find it.  Rent it.
Watch it and be inspired to know that love IS in the air, everywhere you look around.


LOVE IS IN THE AIR (John Paul Young)
Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes
Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the sea
And I don't know if I'm just dreaming
Don't know if I feel sane
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when you call out my name
(Chorus)
Love is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Love is in the air
In the rising of the sun
Love is in the air
When the day is nearly done
And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes
(Repeat Chorus 4X)

GIVING AND LOVING

You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.  ~Author Unknown


In the past I gave to be loved.
Today I am learning to love unconditionally.
Love asks us to give of ourselves.
Let me love and give and give and love.

Speaking of giving....
Tonight was the end of this cycle of Mental Muscle:  16 weeks of Spiritual Bootcamp.
James and Rita and Jonathan did a fantastic job podcasting each week from Jame's home office in Studio City/Sherman Oaks.  They gave to us with such love for 16 weeks, twice a week. 
I learned incredible things about myself and I wanted to take this space to personally thank all 3 of them for creating a wonderful space for all of us to grow.  Thank you.

From this class over the past 16 weeks I've had to look at my BS or "belief system."  It started with us picking a word that we would like to experience in our life or embody in our lives.  My word was TRANQUILITY.  There hadn't been much tranquility in my life for several years.  So this class was the perfect oportunity for me to open myself up to tranquility and so much more.

May you find someone to give your love to.
All my best to each of you.

Tomorrow....weekend movie review and a new song!

Peace and tranquility for each of you.
Gerry

LOVE LIGHTS MORE FIRES THAN HATE EXTINGUISHES

"Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes" is inscribed on a paving slab in Jack Kerouac Alley
in San Francisco (next to the City Lights Bookstore).

Quote from ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
American author, poet, involved with New Thought, Spiritualism and the Rosicrucian society.

Also well known for her poem SOLITUTE with these opening lines.

"Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone."




I'm coming to the end of a class I've been taking all summer online.
It is Mental Muscle:  16 Weeks of Spiritual Bootcamp.

To be quite frank....it has literally kicked my spiritual ass.

Each night I have had to choose love over hate.  Love does light a fire inside you to do better, to be kinder, to express more of it.  Hate just extinguishes anything in its path.  

For years I just hated myself and my life. 
I didn't really understanding New Thought principles or the very idea that my thoughts created my reality.  I went about life destroying everything in my path. 
The very idea that like attracts like was a foreign concept to me.
The idea that I could create something different began to emerge when I attended my first Sunday service at AGAPE and heard Rev Dr. Michael Beckwith.

Today I am more cautious of my thoughts, words and deeds.
Today I choose love.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote this over 90 years ago.  Think about that.
Peace and blessings,
Gerry

 

 

TUESDAY is SONG DAY: WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU by Vince Gill

When I was growing up in suburban J-town, KY there were two albums in our house that I distinctly remember.  Both of them were brown.  One was the famous CARPENTERS ALBUM and the other was HANK WILLIAMS Greatest Hits.  So I grew up loving pop/country ballads.

In the mid 80's after college at Western Kentucky University, I migrated south and lived in Nashville.
I worked at the West End Cooker Restaurant right next to Vanderbilt University and waited on a number of country music stars.  I also worked for a short time at the Bell Meade Country Club.
One day I had the pleasure of waiting on Miss Amy Grant and her mother.  They were having lunch with none other than Mrs. Sarah Cannon (AKA Minne Pearl...Howdy!)

I left Nashville in 1989.  Vince Gill was starting to become a big hit in Nashville after working for years as a back-up singer and musician.  Years later he and Amy Grant married and they produce and perform an annual Christmas show around the country.

Below are the lyrics to Vince Gill's wonderful song "When Love Finds You.  This song fills me with joy and gives me hope.  Vince has one of the most amazing tenor voices in the business and is now reaching iconic status in the world of Country Music.  He has hosted the CMA's numerous times and has sold millions of records.  Vince wrote this song along with Michael Omartian.  When I listen to him sing, I hear a gift from God. 
Be inspired and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDwGhx2rWfA



WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

Love sure is something no one can explain
It can bring you such joy, it can bring you pain
And with every emotion, love puts us through
There's nothing you can say, when love finds you

Love is the power that makes your heart beat
It can make you move mountains, make you drop to your knees
When it finally hits you, you wont know what to do
There's nothin you can say, when love finds you

Chorus:
Give it all you can give it, when your love comes around
If you put your heart in it, then it wont let you down
You'll find out its true, baby, someday when love finds you

And when you least expect it, it will finally come true
Theres nothing you can say when love finds you

Repeat chorus

You'll find out its true, baby, someday when love finds you