view from the road

Recommended Reading

Being in recuperative mode has it's rewards. I read Moby Duck by Donovan Hohn in the January 2007 issue of HARPER'S. This is an adventurous, thoughtful, philosophical piece that begins on the currents of the Northern Pacific, traverses the fluid definition of childhood, illuminates the environmental price of plastic and so much more. I don't want to spoil it for anyone. It's an enlightening adventure.

getting some reading done

I've been overcome by some creeping crud of late and it has me way down. Not the flu but some other character.
I haven't had an ounce of energy for blogging. My apologies to those of you who keep checking in. I hope to be well and posting for the shiny new year.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

new picture

Van Smith, DIVINE.

Van Smith created Divine's look. His make-up and costuming skills have been widely imitated but he would happily admit to having copied from others including Jayne Mansfield and Clarabelle the Clown. He was my roommate in 1975 -- A great one, too. He made me read The Secret Life of Plants, laugh alot and always eat a sensible dinner. He passed away on Dec. 5. More about Van in this well written and researched obit from The Guardian.
This picture was taken by me in the dressing room of the Truck and Warehouse Theater on East 4th Street, NYC, where Divine and a cast of 11 (including myself) were performing 8 times a week in Tom Eyen's Women Behind Bars.

IT IS SASOUN!

Today, I’m telling you in no uncertain terms that if you love lamb and bread as much as I do that you must leave your computer now and go to SASOUN BAKERY (5114 SANTA MONICA BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90029 and order some Lahmajune. No kidding around. There are other treats to try but get the Lahmajune as it comes out of the oven (which it does over and over for many hours each day) and you will achieve the kind of culinary satisfaction worthy of a three star listing in the Michelin guide.

Lahmajune is an Armenian “fast food” sometimes called Armenian Pizza. The crust is so crisp and thin that the usual pizza toppings would be insupportable. The ingredients are simple (lamb, tomato, onion, parsley, green pepper) and do not involve lard. They have an "A" in the window for more than just good hygiene. And look at the smiling people behind the counter. Irresistable.

See you there.

Judas Priest! It's Gary Valentine.

Since people are coming to my blog looking for Gary stuff, here is this (never before seen) Whisky photo and below that (never before read) Whisky fiction.