... It's a return

My plate is full, folks. And yet I keep piling on new challenges. Can I keep all the balls in the air or is one of them going to fall? Probably on my head. When last we met I was headed to LA and the Silver Lake Film Festival. I had such a blast there and enjoyed some great films. And I got asked to read for a movie. Long story, Reader’s Digest version – I met Hal Hartley and Dark told him I used to act. (yeah, back in the silent era) He asked me to read for his next film. The next day I read ... and got the part. Shooting begins in August. Margo was in town and came by for dinner. She loved that I was going to act again. Next day she called up and said her pal, the casting director for The Riches, was going to call me to read for a small part. She had talked me up. He called and Margo and I met him for lunch. I couldn’t read as the bf and I were headed to Santa Barbara for the weekend but I am supposed to call when I come back next trip and set up an audition.









It’s not a comeback. It’s a return ...

Our road trip up the coast provided some much needed quality time for us. We stayed at the Four Seasons Biltmore on the beach and did the usual touristy things. We hit the art galleries, antique stores, and had some great meals.

















We parted at LAX with him flying off to New Zealand and me headed the opposite direction to London. He will be back in London in August for our anniversary then we will head together to LA.

Work at the new company goes full tilt. As I said before our main client at the moment is BP. While I was still the weighing the pros and cons of starting the company I had dinner with an old friend at BP to get his opinion. That friend was John Browne, the former CEO of BP. I have known John for many years and wanted his input. He said it was high time I got back to work and gave me the name of some people to talk to at BP. He pulled no strings for me, just gave me some contacts. Through those contacts I got a contract and my company was born. Anyway, you may have read John resigned from BP last month under a cloud. John was a closeted gay man. He had a relationship with a younger man, a male escort. The relationship ended and the man tried to sell the story to the tabloids. John denied the allegations, got caught in the lie, and resigned. I feel really bad for him. He is a good man that did a stupid thing – he lied under oath. His early departure from BP means he loses about £15/$30 million. Living in the closet has many costs.

Work is going swimmingly (pun intended) on the swimming pool in London. I have offered a bonus to the contractor if he finishes in time for my 4th of July party. Strangely enough for English tradies these chappies are doing a bang up job. Finally I will be able to swim laps every morning before I go to the office.

We had such a good time in LA that we are looking for a new house. There is nothing wrong with our house there. But I have been jonesing for a Mediterranean/Italianate/Spanish/Moorish kinda house lately. ”... a great big white elephant of a place, the kind crazy movie people built in the crazy 20s”. If I’m going to act in movies I need the right kinda house. Right? Right?

Since I can't seem to get Sunset Boulevard out of my head ... Sure I came out here to make my name. Wanted my pool, my dose of fame. Wanted my parking space at Warner's ... I have a guilty little secret to confess. I loved the musical! Yep, I loved an Andrew Lloyd Weber musical. I should be ashamed I know. I am so gay I have seen it 5 times. BC and I saw Patti Lupone (love me some Patti) in it in London, also Elaine Page. Then we saw it in New York with Glen Close (blech), followed by Betty Buckley and then I saw a pared down cheesy touring company version in Houston with Petula Clark (Jay-zus). My favorite Norma Desmond? Elaine Page by far.

Ok, I need to get back to work now ... Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard. Secretive and rich, a little scary. Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard. Waiting there to swallow the unwary ... Somebody please make it stop!