FACES IN THE CROWD...

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The Golden Globes at The Beverly Hilton Hotel

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I opened The Beverly Hilton Hotel way back in August of 1955.
Me and a few hundred other people. I was dancing on the Colgate
Variety Hour starring Hedda Hopper, Edgar Bergen, Conrad Hilton,
Ann Miller, Shelley Winters, Jinx Falkenberg, and a host of other
notables consisting of just about the entire A list of Hollywood.
It was opening day at The Hilton in Beverly Hills.

Those were exciting times. Sometime in the 1970's, the hotel
started hosting The Golden Globes, otherwise known as the
Foreign Press Association Awards. So naturally, I love watching
that show, it brings back a few memories. The big difference
between The Golden Globes and The Oscars, is that during the Globes,
people are eating and drinking. As the evening wears on, people
become a bit loose and say some very funny things, if they can
speak at all! So it's a fun night, and when you watch the show,
everyone seems to be having one hell of a good time. Even the
losers look happy. And TV shows are included in the awards.

I'd like to say something about Lee Daniels, the Director
of the film Precious. He also directed a film called Shadowboxer,
which starred Helen Mirren, Cuba Gooding,Jr., and Mo'Nique.
Shadowboxer is one of my favorite films. When I first saw
it, I thought Lee Daniels was a genius. The entire film is a
great work of art. Sunday night, Mo'Nique won best supporting
actress for her role in Precious. She thanked Lee Daniels and
called him a genius. Yes, he is that. When I saw Mo'Nique in
Shadowboxer, I thought she did a magnificent job of acting.
I was really happy to hear her give acclaim to Lee Daniels.
I'm sure that Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding,Jr. would agree.

Shadowboxer isn't for everyone, it played in few theaters
because of it's violent content, and references to incest.
But all those things were pertinent to the story.
And the story is amazing. You can get it on DVD,
if you have the temperament for that sort of film. Sex, murder,
assassins, secrets, and the most bloodshed I've ever seen.
I usually don't like bloodshed, but it's pertinent to the
story. See it at your own risk. I can only say I hope that
Lee Daniels does more films, and I wouldn't mind seeing Helen
Mirren in those films either. She did a brilliant job in
Shadowboxer, and it's a shame more people were not able to see it.

Jiva

Here Comes 2010 - I Wonder What's In Store...

Good-bye and Hello...


Saying good-bye at Tampa Airport... a tribute to the first pilots in Florida.




Saying hello to The Rainsford Historic District, the old Governor's Mansion.




My kind of neighborhood, quaint and serene, can't wait until spring!



My 1940's hallway, mellow yellow, and a sensuous ambiance.

I've moved across the country 1800 miles. A great adventure.
Snow everywhere, the sounds of early morning shovels.
Sunny skies and glaring white makes the days seem exceptionally bright.
Now that Christmas is over, I think I'm going to lay back and rest
from my six month long, 24/7 effort to get here. But I AM here!

It's a winter wonderland.

Jiva

Vivere Pericoloso = Living Dangerously

Things to come...imminent... any moment now...






And now I embark on a great adventure...
I never thought this day would come, yet
here it is.

Hopefully, you'll be hearing from me in January.

But for now, I must bid you adieu...

As Arnold says, "I'll be back!"


Jiva

SOLID BILL CLINTON WITH A BRONZE CAST...

STATUES OF BILL...

THIS ONE IS IN IRELAND!

THIS ONE IS IN GHANA (ALONG WITH SEVEN FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS)

THIS ONE IS IN KOSOVO

Bill Clinton gets around!


Jiva

FOLLIES IN CONCERT 1985 NYC

Last night and tonight, I watched the DVD of FOLLIES IN CONCERT,
performed in NYC live at Avery Fisher Hall produced in four days,
mainly to create a definitive album of the show.

The original 1971 production has become a cult favorite.

What was so completely thrilling, watching this 1985 show,
was the emotion the performers felt. I could feel it. They all knew
each other, and had known each other for years. So in a way, the lyrics
of the songs rang true to them, reflecting moments in their own
personal lives. The roster of performers couldn't have been better.

The audience went wild from the minute "The Beautiful Girls"
walked down the steps to the stage. Each performer was greeted
with such thunderous applause, you knew the audience was packed
with hard core Broadway fans. They knew the merits of each
Broadway star. To hear Elaine Stritch sing "Broadway Baby,"
made my heart pound, my eyes tear up, it brought down the house.
That woman gives 200% of herself to each word she sings, and says.

I found myself crying through much of the performance, because
there was something so touching, so personal, so vibrant about
this show. It really was a reunion in reality. Not just the story
of a reunion of showgirls, which Follies is, but a reunion of
Broadway stars who came together to make this happen in just
four days. Consumate professionals, afterwards they said to
each other, "Have you ever seen a night like this!" You could
see in their faces the joy they felt. One star said, "I like
the rehearsals better than doing the show!" They just loved
being together. It was all family.

Stephen Sondheim, bravo.



Jiva

COOL SHOES ~ but who wears them?

I love these shoes... I just wonder if you feel like you're walking on
your tippy toes when you wear them. I mean, they ARE kind of high!

All those straps. Great color. Fine material.

Another day in America.

It boggles my mind how lucky we are to be here.

Is there anything you can't buy in America?

Absolutely amazing.

Jiva

ANOTHER FIRE SEASON IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Fire Season in L.A. 2009


Water drop near Palos Verdes Estates



Smoke hovers over downtown Los Angeles



Big Tujunga, LaCanada, Flintridge



Fast moving brushfire Palos Verdes



Fire above ~ hoping it doesn't drop down...



Firefighters ~ amazing guys



Santa Barbara



Santa Cruz County



Evacuating the horses...



Wearing protective inhalation mask... hey, what about the doggies?



Viewing the fires in Rancho Palos Verdes...


It's become an annual event, the Southern California fires...
They are catastrophic, and yet, the serene, centered Californians
always seem to manage to take them in stride. Just another event
in their lives, like earthquakes and mudslides. They have the best
weather in the universe I think, so what's a few catastrophe's?

Jiva

THE WOMEN ~ 1939 and 2008

The Original 1939 Cast starring Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer,
Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine. There were NO men in this film.

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George Cukor directed The Women in 1939, and Diane English directed her
version of the film in 2008. I specifically say "her version" because
it is radically different from the original. Diane felt that after 70 years,
women had become more supportive of each other, less catty and vindictive.

The original film states "it's all about men." The new version is definitely
all about women. Not a man in sight, and very few on anyone's mind, except
of course for the wandering husband.

The new film's cast of Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candace Bergen, Eva Mendes, Debi Mazar, Carrie Fisher, a cameo by Bette Midler,
and an outstanding at 82 Cloris Leachman, who has some of the best comic
lines in the film, do a wonderful job of being friends, confidants,
even in betrayal and sadness, they are dynamic. The film ends quite
appropriately in a birthing room, as Debra Messing gives birth to her
fifth child. This new film is all about women, their power, their
passions, their drive, and oh yes, their relationships with the invisible
men.

At first, I was appalled at the difference between the two films, but then
I realized that Diane English was right, women had changed, and they didn't
need to be so catty or clever or "in your face" with the outfits and the style
that was so predominant in the original. I've actually watched it five times,
and at the end now, I cry. Isn't that something? Quite a switch from the
original, which was a comedy classic.

Jiva