And once again Hollywood is all a buzz with just about everyone on the edge of their seat wondering who will win, what they will wear, where they will go and when we can do it all over again!
It's hard not to get caught up in the biggest day of the year here in LA and it's actually kind of fun, if you don't take it all too seriously. After all, not everyone in town can get invited to Barry & Diane's picnic, and if you're not on some big shots A list, you can forget about "the night before" or Vanity Fair parties... It's kind of funny actually, because if you really look at it, Hollywood around Oscar time, or any award season for that matter, really is high school all over again!
And most of the exclusive parties are being put together and organized by the very same kids that weren't invited to the cool parties back in their high school days.
It's kind of "the revenge of the untalented" all over again!
When I first moved to LA, going to parties was sort of nice substitute for an actual career. Like many upon arrival, I learned early on that Hollywood was a retirement community for twenty years olds, and being a ripe old twenty one when I moved here, you could say I fit right in. For a lot of singers and actors who simply weren't landing roles, landing an invitation to say, Sandy Gallin's Christmas or Birthday party was just about 'the next best thing'. After all, where else could you meet your childhood idol and share some dim sum and then sum from Mary Micucci?
Even if they didn't live up to your expectations, it was always kind of fun "bigging" yourself up as you told friends back home what it was like exchanging idle pleasantries with an always angelic Dolly Parton or an icon like Calvin Klein.
But as the years pass and the parties just get bigger and bigger, I find I'm no longer all that impressed with the Who's Who of Where & When, and although I'll gladly let you know I was at the luncheon for the Dali Lama a couple weeks ago, I'll also let you know I didn't find him any holier than say, Donna Dixon, who kindly let me sit at her table.
It's an interesting set of stories we tend to weave here in LA. We can feel temporarily validated by a certain invite here or there but really, it's not where we're invited that matters, it's being able to look in the mirror at the end of the day and answer a very simple question...
"Did I make a difference in anyone's life today?"
That's what my dad always said mattered most. So as I get ready to go over to the Global Green pre-Oscar party tonight, that's exactly what I'm going to set out to do!
To Really make a difference in someone's life!
I hope Gwyneth is there, she seems like she could use a real friend. After all, if I were her friend, I never would have let her stick with the name Apple.
Una LaMarche: Oscars: The Live Blog
This is bizarre. Where are Alec and Steve? I wanted them to ride in on horses or rise out of flaming garbage cans!
David Wallechinsky: Academy Awards: Live Action Shorts 2010
This year's crop of live action short nominees is made up of three serious, issue-oriented stories, a Coen Brothers knock-off and a funny Swedish entry about a would-be magician.
John Wellington Ennis: Oscars Red Carpet: Best Doc Nominee The Cove Dazzles!
Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary The Cove made quite an impression on the red carpet at the Kodak Theatre today.
as for the Oscars, I guess all I know for sure is what movies move and inspire me in my life. I wish we could give a special award for the films that inspire us to be better people. Thanks again Jimmy for your thoughts and for making me smile!
What a discovery to make, that it is not what you can get out of a situation (like hollywood) but what you can bring to it, in your case Jimmy, lots of love, care and compassion that will fulfill you the most. I enjoyed reading this--you are like the positive opposite of Perez Hilton or one of those--consciousness and compassion vs status and judgement.
I always enjoy the oscars-- no matter what happens, to even be on that stage most of those artists had to endure years of hardship and devote themselves utterly to the spirit of their art.
Priceless. You keep writing this good and I'll have to take up singing.
Lived and worked there too long. Enjoy the ride... and best of luck.
But DO take "Mulholland Drive" seriously. Boundaries are twisty there, and most lead downward.
So, I agree with you whole heartedly (of course) Because being someone who has met many a STAR (as I have) I've really felt like what Merle Streep said some years ago "We all go to the bathroom! and it aint glamorous". (or something like that) We are all just struggling human beings.... take away the money and glitter and what are you left with? All of us just little children in big grown up bodies trying to be loved and hopefully trying to give love.
You, my friend, are the king of love in my book. I love you immensely... and I dare say you should take a guest next year to your pre-oscar parties... and that should be me. hahaha...