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August 30, 2006
Glenn Ford is Gone
Early this morning, I was unable to sleep and turned to the television for company as I often do in these situations. I happened upon Cowboy, starring Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon, two of my favorite actors. There was an odd set of coincidences at play, I thought, because 1) just yesterday, I was looking at two photos I'd taken of Ford's son Peter last month, and 2) I'd just edited an article mentioning Jack Lemmon. Cowboy was more than 
just a movie at the moment, it was my friend, seeing me through a couple hours of pain and sleeplessness. In thinking of Glenn Ford, by way of his son, I wondered how he was doing these days. From all accounts, he was in great spirits, even if his health was keeping him home.
Then came the news this evening of Glenn Ford's death. A little piece of me, a piece of America is gone.
Many have long associated Ford with the grand Hollywood westerns of yesteryear, myself included. My two favorites of the bunch were Cowboy and Cimarron, but my admiration for Ford's acting career didn't end there. As the embattled teacher in Blackboard Jungle, Glenn Ford fought to save young thugs from themselves as much as he fought to keep his own head above water. There was Gilda, in which Ford starred with Rita Hayworth and George Macready. When was the last time you saw such burning hatred and passion portrayed so elegantly? Speaking 
of burning, Ford's performance as the vengeful cop in The Big Heat simmered and seared its way into my memory. On TV, in The Sacketts (with Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott), Glenn Ford was the man who provided an education the Sackett brothers needed to survive.
From Rear Admiral Spruance in Midway to Julio Desnoyers in Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Glenn Ford was a strong dramatic presence. And yet, how could anyone overlook his more light-hearted roles in the comedy-drama Pocketful of Miracles (with Bette Davis), comedy-drama The Courtship of Eddie's Father (with Shirley Jones), the straight out comedy Imitation General (with Red Buttons), and a personal comedy favorite - Don't Go Near the Water?
Still, there is an entire generation of movie fans who would likely only recognize Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent in 1978's Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve. Look closely in this year's Superman Returns and you'll catch a glimpse of Ford there, too. His photo rests on a piano in the reunion scene on the Kent farm.
Though I never met Glenn Ford in person, the stories his son shared with me over lunch one day will always make me remember Ford as more than an actor. He was also a father who obviously loved his son. I learned through Peter Ford of how his own record collection inspired the use of the Bill Hayley & the Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" as the theme for his father's Blackboard Jungle. In Gilda, the photo of Johnny Farrell as a baby was really a photograph of Peter. It was also from Peter Ford that I first heard about the inclusion of Glenn Ford's picture in the most recent version of Superman. It seemed apparent, in these stories, Glenn's family was never far from his mind.
Born May 1, 1916, in Quebec, Canada, Glenn Ford's family moved to Santa Monica, California in the early 1920s, where he began his journey in film. Despite his birth in Canada, Ford's American roots ran deep. One of his ancestors was none other than Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States. Patriotism ran strong, with Ford serving not only in the Marines, but in the Coast Guard and the Navy Reserves as well. I'm certain most fans don't realize that Glenn Ford saw two tours of duty in Vietnam. "Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service in World War II, two commendation medals from the US Navy and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit."
In addition to his four marriages (Eleanor Powell – Peter Ford's mother, Kathryn Hays, Cynthia Hayward, and Jeanne Baus), Glenn Ford's romances with Judy Garland, Brigitte Bardot, Debbie Reynolds, Hope Lange, Connie Stevens, Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, and Maria Schell also made the news. All were discussed in the recent Glenn Ford: A Life In Film, which was shown on the actor's 90th birthday celebration earlier this year. Medically fragile after a series of strokes, Ford was unable to attend the celebration in person, but he did make an appearance via videotape.
Glenn Ford, an American hero on screen and off, was found dead in his home. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his son Peter and daughter-in-law Lynda, their children, and friends and fans the world over.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Ford family, as well as a great debt of gratitude to Peter for sharing some of his memories of his father with me.
Posted by Da Goddess at 11:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2006
Another Round Of "What Is It?"
Posted by Da Goddess at 11:06 PM | Comments (7)
What Is It?
Posted by Da Goddess at 03:03 AM | Comments (14)
August 20, 2006
Upward
Posted by Da Goddess at 05:14 AM | Comments (8)
August 18, 2006
Demanding Attention
This will likely end up a CD cover. A friend heard Rob's version of "My Door Is Always Open" and was so moved by the song, he wants to record it. The rest of the CD will probably much different, but in the course of trying to capture various moods during a shoot, this shot came up and it looks like a keeper.
Posted by Da Goddess at 04:23 AM | Comments (12)
August 16, 2006
She's Got the Love Monkey Ridin' on Her Back
That damn, Sally. 2016, indeed.
Sometimes you simply have to acknowledge your weird musical past in order to move forward.
Don't ask why this is such an issue lately.
Oh, what kind of fool am I? If only I were Jessie's Girl.
Look for a confession after the videos.
So it wasn't enough for me to stop there. I have MORE for you. More because I care. Deeply.
Now, you have a special job here. You get to choose between the old and the new. I'm behind the times enough as it is, so when you point out the remake is almost two years old, just know that I'm well aware of this, m'kay? Thanks.
P.S. Confession time: I like two Christina Aguilera songs. Yes, two. The world has officially ended.
Posted by Da Goddess at 06:15 PM | Comments (1)
August 15, 2006
See Chameleon, Lying There In The Sun
All things to everyone...
Yes, 'tis the nature of women, mothers in particular, to be all things to everyone. We push and we continue to push, even when we're exhausted.
Then we fall apart from the exhaustion.
And men wonder why we're so emotional?
Yeah. Right.
Have I mentioned I have blisters on my feet?
This is all semi-related. And the fatigue I currently feel has left me ditsy and rather goofy. Go figure.
This message has been brought to you by the never-forgotten Slade.
Posted by Da Goddess at 10:36 PM | Comments (4)
August 14, 2006
Da Roof, Da Roof, Da Roof is on Fire
It was like a scene from Monty Python -- the chain saw buzzing and the pounding from a few houses down went on for quite a while.
Shortly after I fell asleep, the sirens and activity outside had me wide awake.
Thankfully, no one was injured.
Sometime tomorrow, I'll explore a bit more and check out the damage.
Funny, I thought Vegas was supposed to be exciting.
Posted by Da Goddess at 04:02 AM | Comments (1)
Return to Normalcy?
I've returned from my mysterious journey.
I know, you're all waiting for details. Let's see...
It was a Blogcritics.org conference in Vegas. I got in an excellent interview with Joe Bonamassa, saw two free JB concerts, got to catch the tail end of a burlesque show (no pun intended), was able to hang out with other fabulous editors and writers, saw my buddy Dawn Olsen again (she looks fantastic!), worked on plans for growth with the others from BC, laughed more than I thought humanly possible, ate great food, and played a little video poker courtesy of a kind benefactor, and caught some killer dueling pianos at Harrah's.
Oh, and I displayed my astounding grace by tripping over the door sill of my hotel room on the last night, resulting in a stunning array of bruises and lumps. No, I wasn't drunk when it happened. Nor did I break my camera, which I'd feared since it took a healthy beating in the process.
It was an altogether amazing trip made possible by good friends. Photos still to be edited, of course.
Posted by Da Goddess at 01:06 AM | Comments (2)
August 08, 2006
Pretend I'm Not Here
Just pretend I'm not here, m'kay? 'kay.
Yeah, it's going to be an interesting week. Being whisked away for a conference, courtesy of the mysterious Group (don't ask). I should have photos and stories upon my return.
Wish me luck!
Posted by Da Goddess at 04:12 AM | Comments (6)
August 04, 2006
That Much
Have you ever wanted something so badly you could taste it? Have you ever been so close to achieving a goal you could feel its breath whispering on the back of your neck? Have you ever, and I mean really, have you ever discovered you were literally micrometers away from The Big Break, only to have it slip through your fingers for want of one teeny tiny little thing?
I got a call earlier today from someone who holds my photographic future in his hands, gently, of course. It was a wonderful - and heartbreaking - conversation.
I'm a few megapixels short of a real magazine spread. As in...my work has an audience, but not so much with me shooting at 3.2 megapixels. While my work is considered exceptional, my gear is holding me back. I missed my first BIG CHANCE by "that much".
Imagine crazy tear-filled laughter issuing forth in ragged bursts. I'm ecstatic anyone thinks enough of my abilities to even consider me at "that" level, and then I start kicking myself for not biting the bullet and selling off my children to buy the proper gear.
The good thing is, I didn't know this guy had even been looking at my work this closely. I didn't know he was looking at my work in consideration for a major magazine. I'm beyond flattered. I'm simply astounded! And I'm just as equally crestfallen.
I hope my fairy godfather continues looking at my work and maybe runs across a good deal on some used gear for me (we talked at length about all the people he knows who upgrade frequently). I can't believe I missed THIS opportunity, but I'll be damned if keep missing out in the future. If ANY of you knows of anyone selling a DSLR w/6+ MP (8 or more is preferred) and a basic lens or two, please let me know. I'm not going to get rich or famous off my photography, but I am certainly in contention for making a bit of money from it.
The ideal starter camera is a Canon Rebel XT 8.0MP with the 18-55mm lens. Used, good condition. New sells for around $800, so less than that would be great...great...GREAT. Either leave a comment with a valid email address so I can contact you, or come rattle my cage if you know of anyone selling gear.
Until I get my new camera, I'm going to sing - loudly - the theme from Laverne and Shirley. Heaven help you all if I find an MP3 for it.
Making Our Dreams Come True
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
Schlimiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer, incorporated.
We're gonna do it!
Give us any chance we'll take it,
Read us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way!
Nothing's gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We're gonna make our dreams come true,
Doin' it our way!
There's nothing we won't try,
Never heard the word "impossible."
This time there's no stopping us,
We're gonna do it!
On your mark, get set, and go now,
Gotta dream and we just know now.
We're gonna make that dream come true.
And we'll do it our way, yes, our way,
Make all our dreams come true.
And we'll do it our way, yes, our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.
Posted by Da Goddess at 10:51 PM | Comments (14)
August 03, 2006
Operation Thank You is BACK!
STAND UP FOR AMERICA THIS SATURDAY
San Diego says "THANK YOU" to our military heroes!
AUGUST 5 -- DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
We will meet on the corner of 10th & C at 5:00 pm to greet the folks
going to watch our FIRST PLACE Padres play the DC Nationals.
There will be fireworks at this SOLD OUT game...there will be some
FORTY THOUSAND PEOPLE driving by our location!
There is plenty of free parking, and on that corner, we get the street
traffic as well as trolley traffic. THIS is the event you won't want
to miss...the honking horns, thumbs up and smiles will keep you going
for days!!!!
Bring your kids and your neighbors and a flag...and come say THANK YOU
to our troops and their families. Please come out and help make this
event one to remember.
Questions? Suggestions? Contact GRACIE at ladyseau55@yahoo.com
Posted by Da Goddess at 11:14 PM | Comments (1)