— Bren and Cash and I came back to Bren’s place, absolutely wiped OUT. Actually, Bren and I were the ones who were wiped out. Cashel promptly had to go into a room, lock the door, and re-enact … movie scenes or something … This is such recognizable behavior to me. Needing alone time. Fantasy time. I never could just get off the school bus and go running off with my friends. I always needed half an hour at home, decompressing, etc. If you’re a cerebral imaginative little kid – then it takes a lot of RESTRAINT to hold all that stuff in check during school hours. It’s exhausting. So anyway. Cashel just went NUTS in the other room. The explosions! The laser blasts! The random Jedi commands!
— I was very entertained by Bren’s two roommates. Bren is moving into his own place this week – so I’m glad I got to meet these two gentlemen. I’ve only heard of them … but man. They’re just both so so nice. Warmed my heart. They just opened their house to me. Both actors, both with a gazillion stories to tell.
— We sat around and talked about the Inside the Actors Studio show – I regaled them with stories. They regaled me with stories. We DISHED on all of our celebrity encounters. Up close and personal. Half of the stories I am not allowed to tell. Jim started to tell me one, and he suddenly stopped himself and said, “I just realized I’m talking to the press.” (hahahaha meaning – my silly blog) Then he said, “Is this OTB?” Off the blog. hahahaha We KEPT saying this over the rest of the night. “Now you’re sure this is OTB?”
— It was great. I really enjoyed the both of them. Really fun. I had heard so much about them, they’re basically members of our family – through Mike, through Bren … they’re a big group of working actors out there, and have been friends for years – so it was wonderful meeting them. OTB.
— It was heartcracking to me to drive off (Larry gave me a ride home) – with Cashel standing in the garage with Bren – waving at our car – and I can hear his little voice shouting, “BYE, AUNTIE SHEILA.” I’m in tears right now.
— The only thing that would have made the whole thing even more perfect would have been if Jean and Siobhan had been out there with us. We missed them both.
— Alex and I spent our last evening together watching Dark Heart Iron Hand – one of our favorite shows on television. We continuously called it the wrong title. “Dark Head. Iron Glove.” “Dark Hand. Iron Weed.” Etc.
— And yesterday morning I left. I drove off into the morning to get myself to the airport. Alex and I had kind of a melancholy parting. I mean, a big hug and everything … but … I miss her already. Ouch. I came home last night and wondered where the hell Alex was! We settled right into a great vibe with each other … It was one of the nicest vacations I’ve ever had (even that first crazy day!!) But I drove off, waving to Alex, seeing her waving hand out the car window … and tears started streaming down my face as I catapulted onto the damn 101.
— I cannot even explain how insane it was … the 405 … I just have no words … and I just stuck to my guns and followed the signs to the airport. I changed lanes. This continues to amaze me. I followed the damn signs. I ignored my instincts. I just followed the signs.
— The airport was LUNACY. I made my flight with only minutes to spare.
— Lauren Hutton was sitting in first class. She’s just as beautiful and COOL-looking in person as I imagined her to be. Tousled hair, no makeup, showing her age … but great body … and wearing huge red and yellow running sneakers. I just love her. Friendly face, too.
— Hey, Lauren! Whassup???
— Oh, and Jimmy Connors was on my flight as well.
— I read Innocents Abroad all the way home. I had a strange hurt in my heart. It was hard to say goodbye to Cashel and Bren, and it hurt to say goodbye to Alex.
— The weather here has been unseasonably warm. Really no different from LA except wetter. It was rainy when I got off the plane. A rainy dark New York night.
— It is good to get back to my apartment. To all my things. My bed.
— I want to buy a Swiffer. I have been using an old-fashioned mop and bucket for years. But through Alex I have learned the error of my ways.
— Weird: I didn’t see the Pacific Ocean once during this trip! I also didn’t see Window Boy. He lives out there. Haven’t seen him in a couple of years and I thought it would be fun to track him down … but it didn’t end up happening.
— I have no idea what I’m writing. I miss LA. I miss Alex. I miss Bren and Cash. I miss looking up and seeing mountains – especially at night – the mountains dotted with lights, lights sparkling out into the dark … Heartcrack. HEARTCRACK. I miss my sisters.
— A wonderful vacation. I have needed it. True relaxation. True love surrounding me. Not enough time with the cousins … but that’ll also have to wait for next time. I got my eye on Mike and Lisa’s guest house.
Glad you’re back dear. Get some rest.
I know it’s not very “PC” but you can’t deny the genetic implications of your extended family: acting, creativity spirit, superior grasp of language, etc… Then again, maybe it’s your family and it support that promotes these skills… Damn!! another doctorial thesis down the drain.
I can’t speak.
You know Sheila, its weird, but I sort of miss having you out here. It was like I was along for the ride and as you wrote about your days here I could see every place in my mind.
Oh, Sheila, welcome home. I’m sure it’s bittersweet, so please take care of yourself.
Maybe watch Centerstage.
Welcome home! I’m partially glad you’re back and partially disgruntled because you aren’t reporting from LA anymore.
Glad you made it home safe and had such a great time.
my parents do the OTB thing to me too.
Glad you made it home safe, Sheila. I really enjoyed reading your trip reports; a little diversion now and then is a good thing.
Welcome home! Whenever you start to miss LA, just eat a slice of pizza and then you’ll be glad you live here not there. :)
tracey – center stage! My God! You know me so well! That is my version of comfort food. EXCELLENT idea!!
Welcome back, Sheila. I guess this comments section is a place where it’s safe for me to come clean and admit that I saw center Stage.
In the theater (with my ballet-nut wife and her cousin).
Yeah. I liked it too.
And Jon F: Word up on the pizza.
What a trip! I have been having so much fun reading about it. Whats even better is that your memories arent going to be the only ones that go on. All those who were with you this whole time will carry it for the rest of their lives. Doesnt the mind boggle when you think about it? All those memories!
best regards,
Sheila,
I know you’re having a hard time saying good-bye to all your beloved friends and family, which is why The Bobby Beausoliel Prison Ass Rape Experience’s first song will be about you.
There is a melody:
Getting ass-raped at the ranch
Ain’t quite the same as getting
Ass raped by Bubba in cell one-oh-five
Getting ass-raped at the ranch
Ain’t quite the same as getting
Ass-plowed by Charlie’s hot girls.
Getting ass-raped is okay
As long as you have a band
Talk to the parole board, oh yeah.
Talk to the parole board, oh yeah.
Talk to the parole board, oh yeah.
In the hope that they might listen.
Liiiissstteeennnnn….
But mostly just forget.
I am literally dying right now from lack of oxygen … ass plowed by Charlie’s hot girls … I CAN’T TAKE IT
Oh…..my……Gawd.
Thank you for sharing your vacation – you took me back home reading it. It was great to see LA through non-jaded eyes and appreciate how marvelous it is. My daughter loves the palm trees, too! You’re making me want to go home! Glad you had such a good time. :-)
Sheila, Jimmy Connors, and Lauren Hutton. That sounds like my kind of party. I’ll let Jimmy choose first, and I’ll take the other one. HA!
On a serious note, I really enjoyed reading about your vacation. It was fun thinking of you and Alex together and having your very own I Love Lucy experience(s). At least, that’s what some of it read like. I don’t care for so-called “reality” shows, but you two would jump right to my short Must-See-TV list. Just the conversations at home would be more entertaining and informative than about 99% of what is available now.
One other thing. How in the world did you live in Chicago without developing better driving skills? That place can be a bit of a highway zoo at times, too.
DBW – I actually have great driving skills. I’ve never been in an accident. I drive aggressively, yet not dangerously. But I never needed a car in Chicago. Never had one. I took the L everywhere. Driving on a freeway like the 405 on a daily basis is completely new to my experience, which is why it freaked me out. My experience with freeways is 95 in New England – but that can’t compare to the mania of the 405.
Glad you’re back. Welcome Home. We missed you on this side.
I hope you brought all of us something.
The “Guest House” is open whenever you want to return. But let’s be honest–it’s a garage with a loft and wall to wall carpeting. We’ll dust before you come out!
The guest house is awesome. He is being very modest. I loved living there. ;-)
Now tell us some fun stories from NY!
Love Kerry