Friday, December 31, 2010
Obama
At least he gets to appoint Supreme Court judges -- but other than that? Never did care for him once he promised more troops for Afghanistan? Makes no sense. Surrounded by Goldman Sachs people doesn't do anybody any good except the Goldman Sachs people. I guess I wish him well, but when does the revolution begin and the Hawaiian vacation end?
Governor Brown
It begins again -- He'll be? Better than Arnold? How good can a governor be in a state of 35,000,000? Jerry Brown is one of the most interesting Americans. He'll try -- and with the new majority rules on the budget vote, well, maybe, he can succeed. Time to make California smaller? But who gets the water?
Future Possibilities
The Sacramento Ballet -- Possibly -- World 's first presentation of Rebel Without A Cause -- Picture it -- I can, I have. People that never attended a ballet would rush to it. Those two words -- James Dean.
Jump Start
At the edge of -- The cliff -- Why does the question -- What if -- Cause you -- To step -- Nearer the edge -- To see down -- To death -- Out without wings -- To quiet a nerve -- If I go down -- Can I return...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Blackyard
It looked like there was -- A Drive-In -- On the horizon -- The sunset all silver -- And promising...
Planet Raves
The nearby fountain -- Sounded like -- Applause -- While I listened to -- Bob Dylan and the Band -- Perform...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Beach Alums
The Jersey Shore -- Deserves a character called -- Bruce or Frank -- Hessian -- Or even -- George..
Moby Frickin' Dick
An octopus' ink -- And all the frickin' arms -- To help write -- The frickin' thing...
Car 55
First on the scene -- James Dean -- Officer Ernest Tripke -- Stares down at the young mystery -- And now he too has joined history -- I wonder if it was at all different -- From all his other first person tragedies...
In My Time -- Vignette
He wanted the buffalo to stand up. A better picture. He picked up a rock next to his front tire. He hit the huge buffalo on its nose. The buffalo sprang to its feet. It rushed forward and drove a dark horn through the visitor's chest. It tossed him in the air bullring style. The park rangers found him on the hood of his car, his camera on the ground beside his front tire.
Novel Excerpt --- Salud -- The Spanish Civil War Abrahm Lincoln Brigade
The train whistle was shrill enough to wake the dead. Braxton's rooster. The break of day. Everyone in Braxton heard it. Everyone at the mine heard it. Aaron Roberts and Tom Paine walked the line of men at the main gate to the mine. The day was winter without snow, gray and raw, sleet instead of rain. The train rolled in past the station. It rolled to a stop between the piles of timber, the engine black as coal, four green cars attached, steam like a dragon's breath. No one was there to greet it. Four men with wide brimmed hats, gold badges pinned to their dark coats, climbed down from the first green car." All right!" one of them yelled. "All right!" meant men climbing down from the cars. Men, all shapes and sizes, with little difference between their clothes, heavy coats and heavy trousers, only a few without some type of hat. One after the other, fifty, a hundred, a hundred and fifty.A ramp banged down from the fourth car. Five, six horses were led down the ramp. The horses carried on and complained until they were all together and saddled, their riders with with those wide brimmed hats and those gold badges. The first two men off the train formed the rest of them in two long lines. The men with the badges wore Colt revolvers under their heavy coats. "Bring em down!" was the order. Wooden rifle boxes were handed down off the cars metal steps. The boxes were pried open. Axe handles, brand new, bone white, dozens and dozens of them.
Styx & Stones
A dark dusty road -- Somewhere in Egypt -- Where 8 American tourists - Got what they -- Never expected --Pharoahs,Kings,Valleys of Princes -- For the after life a tour bus -- Side swipes something -- As stationary as the Sphinx is...
Monday, December 27, 2010
Novel Excerpt / Yellowstone-- My time as a ranger
Yellowstone --- Paul hadn't seen him for three weeks. He was like that. He'd be gone without a word, and then one evening he'd be back. Same time, same place on the beach. ---This was his time, each evening -- when the crowds were gone, the beach almost empty. --- From the lifeguard stand Paul got him in the binoculars. The focus gave him a tall, thin man -- in his what? Paul guessed at it -- 60's, early 70's? He never did say did he? with a short smile. And I never did ask, with another short smile. --- The man in the binoculars was chestnut brown from the sun, his hair the bright white of Caribbean beach sand. The binoculars couldn't get in that close to see the dark eyes bright with life, bright with interest. White eyebrows made his eyes clearer, brighter.
Novel Excerpt / Going For The Green--Olympic kayaker does protest
Going For The Green --- They left Vermont. Acid rain was killing the maple syrup industry. The maple syrup industry supported the high school. People were packing up, moving out. Teachers were being let go. ---Let's go." --- "Where,dad?"--- "My uncle Chris can help me out in California. Sacramento." --- "You're serious?" --- "Sure. Why not? Warm and sunny, right? You can train year round." --- A kayak, one of his son Rick's kayaks,was leaning against the porch railing. Some of Vermont was right off the porch; enough maples to keep their cabin out of reach, out of touch from the main road. --- "Bastards." His son Rick stood at the railing and looked into the church chapel shade the afternoon sun made between the fall-flavored leaves. ---"You got that right,son." Tom Ryan studied his son. Six foot of him, strong as a running back, clean as an All American, healthy, lucky to have his mother's blond hair, fortunate enough to have his father's Charley Russell,range hand face. ---"You want to go out there just to do it." Rick didn't turn to look at his father.
Novel Excerpt / The Blues--From my time as a Long Island cop
The Blues -- Whack! Solid golf shot. You may have your back turned, or your head down, but that thick, complete whack sound lets you know what a good one it was. Bobby Sills had his head down. He was reading a Sherlock Holmes story -- "The Speckled Band." The good thickness of the iron shot lifted his head from the page. Bobby's orange and blue Nassau County police patrol car was parked under the cover of the thick, tall, dew-wet oaks gathered behind the tee for the par three of the Woodside Country Club. The car was backed up the gravel cart path a few yards so it would be off the narrow road that twisted through the compact golf course.
Novel Excerpt / Jimmy -- Peace pipe in a Northern Ireland
Jimmy -- As high up as he was in the tree he could see far out across the empty fields sectioned off by the stone walls. The nearest field had what looked to Jimmy be a great black crow perched on top of it. Could there be a bird so large? he asked himself. --- The bird seemed to lift a black wing. Jimmy leaned out from his branch. The wing moved again. That's not a wing, that's an arm. I'm sure of it . The black wing moved again. It, it's calling to me.
Novel Excerpt / Bottom Of The Ninth -- Radio announcer goes Network
Bottom Of The Ninth -- "Well folks, you just missed a beautiful rendition of the national anthem by our four hundred year old organist, Helen Toomey. She always makes it sound like some dying skate rink in Iowa. Had the binoculars fixed on the Squire dugout. As usual, four or five of them pretended that they knew the words and tried to mouth them. Must know they're on the game of the TV week." ---"Go to commercial,Mike."
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The King's Speech
Who gives a flyin' you know what about the King's speech as the British have half the world under its manicured thumb -- but Colin Firth & Geoffery Rush -- My word...
True Grit
After Denzel did Malcolm, how could he possibly do Hurricane? But did he ever, as has Jeff Bridges in True Grit. Jeff Bridges as a drunken over the hill country singer in Crazy Heart to a drunken over the hill marshal in True Grit, never once making any part of the one the other...The young girl,Ms Steinfeld, and Matt Damon are fine enough,but when Jeff Bridges is there they don't exist, as if anyone could fill those parts -- just read the lines and stay out of Mr. Bridges way...
East Is East & West Is West
"No Man's Land" -- Lawrence is well slammed -- For landing on -- The desert sand...
Friday, December 24, 2010
Most Remarkable Places
Jack Daniel,s Distillery,Lynchburg,TN- Marfa,TX --James Dean & Giant & more...Foreign -- Jerusalem,of course...
Foreign Affairs
Travels Overseas -- from Israel to Spain to Mexico to Vietnam to Scotland to Greece to Malta to France to England...
Celebs I've met
Patti Smith,John Densmore,Liberace,Harvey Keitel,Martin Landau,Marie Osmond,Garey Busey,Nevel Brand,Connie Stevens,and that's it?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Greatest Movie Scene
William Holden, Stalag 17 -- When, from his bunk, he sees the reflection of the light bulb on its cord...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Meeting Revival
I think I shall always see -- An Elmer Gantry -- In all the bare winter branches -- Beseeching...
Hook,Line & Thinker
Dreams are streams -- I've baited my pole -- Dreams are streams -- My favorite hole -- Dreams are streams -- In goes my lure -- Dreams are streams -- Nothing is sure -- Dreams are streams -- Nary a bite -- Dreams are streams -- Going must suffice...
Dead See
The bare winter branches -- Like a coral reef when it dies -- And the wet-fallen leaves -- Like fish at the -- Red tide...
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Skin Game
The body in sport, ah, Walt -- I sing it divine -- It bends as a bow, like an arrow it flies -- First muscled as David, then goddess of Athens -- Run, run, run you ballet of action...
North Code
Longboats of Norsemen on lakes in my thoughts -- They come from a gifting from off the far shore -- A fair maiden's dress, and a blood licked sword -- These and a torch -- The dragon boat wore..
Easter
Spread my ashes in the wind -- Some to good and some to sin -- Let them travel and see -- Then join me in the place where I'll once again be...
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Fiery Squad
The flamenco dancers -- Their shadows on the wall -- Goya, when the French were in control...
History Lesson
The day of infamy -- was, as it turns out -- a day of strategy -- all the American aircraft carriers were at sea...
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Oh,America
On maps without states, without borders -- The Great Lakes look like leaves -- Blown across North America...
Couple
They danced together -- He was Jack and of the sea, and her name was Emily -- He wore a rough shirt , and she a white train -- The band played a waltz refrain -- It looked like a tree held a flower -- Like a meadow and a mountain -- Each with a certain power...
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The New Crocker Museum, Sacramento,Ca
The new building is awful -- too airline terminal or drug co. hq. -- too Gwathmey -- cold, no color, no association to Sacto and the central valley -- but anything's better than the "dead house" of the old Crocker. Too many galleries had rugs -- odd. A bit underwhelmed by the collected works. Familiar faces, which I guess is good -- but, a space full of familiar heavy hitters? One O'Keeffe...
no Pollock, no DeKoning -- but, again, that's not the intention. A few pieces, paint & sculpture, stood out, but for me that's all they did...Third floor galleries felt hardwood floor good -- but too much white cold throughout. I didn't much care for the south seas? collection on the first floor. All in all it's still odd that the State Capital of California is still running behind...Local,California heroes are good I guess -- will the MOMA in SF block us out of some celebrity shows? Bravo to everyone involved in the new Crocker but there are times I do suffer? from being an ex-New Yorker...
no Pollock, no DeKoning -- but, again, that's not the intention. A few pieces, paint & sculpture, stood out, but for me that's all they did...Third floor galleries felt hardwood floor good -- but too much white cold throughout. I didn't much care for the south seas? collection on the first floor. All in all it's still odd that the State Capital of California is still running behind...Local,California heroes are good I guess -- will the MOMA in SF block us out of some celebrity shows? Bravo to everyone involved in the new Crocker but there are times I do suffer? from being an ex-New Yorker...
Action
Those painted animals on those painted walls -- You know, when you move the torch, they take off..
Manhattan Island
Manhattan Island -- for 40th anniversary of "Hair" -- 50th anniversary of the Guggenheim , with the first showing of Wright's work -- new Yankee Stadium -- High Line Trail -- and more...
Friday, December 10, 2010
The West Is The Best/Get Here/And We'll Do The Rest
Jim Morrison -- Has finally -- From Florida -- Been pardoned -- Now to extradite him -- From Paris...
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
WAR STORIES
WAR STORIES --- DAILY REPORT ( MY VIETNAM ) -- SALUD ( MY TIME IN SPAIN WITH THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE )-- THE WAR AND BETWEEN THE STATES ( MY TRIP THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR ).
Little Bighorn
Little Bighorn -- Going there , again, after many years , for the first time -- James Donovan's Terrible Glory...Nonfiction...
Fernando & Alexandra
I enter , it's a czarist egg -- Ornamented without , within a diamond on an emerald bed...
Jackson Pollock And The Storm King Art Gallery
Jackson Pollock's studio and home , Long Island -- and the outdoor sculpture gallery at Storm King, NY , West Point, NY... nonfiction...
Run For Your Life
What news would you carry -- What news the 26 -- To die from the bringing -- What news would you pick...
Old Men
Across the river Styx -- Who will row -- The great DiMaggio -- Of course, Hemingway's Santiago...
Friday, December 3, 2010
Church
The road is snow, plowed tight -- Your boots like crushing glass -- Alone, a walk, again you need to ask -- The questions of Montana while the night is like a priest -- Patient, there to listen and just as such at least -- Guide you to the faith, steer you to the peaks...
Posted
Rejection is just a notice -- that you have the rest of your life to clean out your office...
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Martha And The Glass House
With my compliments to Martha Stewart during her arrest -- She winds up buying Phil Johnson's 'Glass House in New Canaan , CT. -- and we, my character, and Martha meet . Her "people" actually called me about it. Just give it to her didn't get through to her...
Ciudad
City of angels, Los Angeles en espanol -- They say it has no self, they say it has no soul -- But like the truth, you have to rub, you have to probe...
City Surf
Los Angeles -- The Malibu Pier for the Tiki bar -- the brand new Annenberg state & county park, Malibu -- the Marion Davies of William Randolph H. -- her mansion swimming pool now public & outdoors -- The Leo D movie about the dreams at the Arclight on Sunset ( junk ). Musso & Frank's on Hollywood near Vine ( classy ). The Chateau Marmont bar & hotel ( classier ). Barney's Beanery off Melrose for Jim Morrison sat here... Out to Blythe for ancient petroglyphs on the ground -- Imperial Dunes, Salton Sea , across the desert and the mountains and in to San Diego...
Letters
Letters from Stacy Keach thanking me for my compliments on his portrayal of Ernest Hemingway -- from Horton Foote about my story about a mother and her now fatherless son visiting the Vietnam Wall in DC -- from Horton Foote's Tender Mercies -- first time I realized that ,of course, young fathers left young children --I'm a Viet vet --Martina Navratalova, thanking me for the poem and the flowers I brought for her at a tennis match in Oakland,Ca --Larry McMurtry giving me his OK to lean on an article he'd written about Goodnight, cattle & buffalo baron in the OK panhandle, for a short story of mine,Hunting Party -- "The" Tom Wolfe , after I took him on about his sour take on the Vietnam Wall -- Jack Finney, author of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers --Becky Fleming, Jack London's daughter..And James Donovan , author of A Terrible Glory -- Little Bighorn --for my praise, and his praise of my life....And from Anthony Bourdain, thanking me for The Doors CD I sent him...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Sunday At The French Laundry
Lunch at "the" French Laundry in Yountville, Ca. --- about $1,000 for three -- yummmmm...
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