JANUARY 1991

I know we really are in another chapter of American history. It was pretty reserved around the Christmas tree this year. I knew something was up when I could get from Fairfax Avenue to La Cienega in no time at all. In past years I’d sit for twenty minutes cursing the Beverly Center. This year there was even ample parking. It’s hard to tell if it’s a phase, a lean period to equalize the effect of our overindulgence. Or else it’s going to get worse, and those of us who remember the affluent society will speak of the good old days, when you could dream of having it all without being a member of the ruling elite. If you wanted to be anything, even a celebrity real estate tycoon with a publicist, you could. Donald Trump and Lee Iacocca became authors with a philosophy and made the cover of Time magazine during this era, while the government cut back on the arts, education and programs for the elderly, the sick, and the poor. Maybe redefining what we value and what we worship is the ultimate sobriety for the end of the millennium.

I felt the effect of these changes even more when I went to New York last month. The hard, cold facts are on the streets. There’s crime and homelessness all over town. It’s even uptown on Madison and Park Avenues. New York doesn’t ever let you forget what’s going on. Walk a block – live a week.

I moved to LA from New York over a decade ago. In time I’ve come to love LA but still miss those New York nights. Wouldn’t it be perfect to live in LA by day and Manhattan by night? Back in the 80s I was in a near burnout state from all the places and people. This last trip had me going but I found that Morgan’s Hotel, where I stayed, had a mini-gym and I liked getting up early so I could keep up with my physical fitness routine. Sometimes I am amazed by the way I’ve turned compulsive behavior into dedication, commitment and discipline. This is another effect of “the times they are a-changin’.”

I went to New York on MGM Grand Air, which may be the airline of the ruling elite. It’s just like first class used to be, but with more aisle space. Liza Minelli and Damon Wayans, several agents and movie producers were on board. It was like being at Spago’s, but better – we were going to end up somewhere.

I went to the new supper club, tatou, where all the celebrities are dropping in. Prince recently had his opening night party there. The VIP area upstairs was once a belly dancing room for the Shah of Iran. It’s very uptown-well dressed, thin, aspiring. That night I also went downtown to Marylou’s. This 9th St. eatery is a popular hang for Jack Nicholson and friends. It’s a mix of casual beautiful people and local Village types. Then I went uptown to Columbus, which seems to be a traditional drop-in if you’re in the industry and in town. This is where the famous and infamous and the wannabes, go low profile while they try to keep their eye on the door. Who wants to be seen facing a wall?

I went to Boys’ Harbor, a community school in East Harlem, with my partner Anne Beatts to do research for our most recent project. Boys Harbor was launched 50 years ago by socialite activist Anthony Drexel Duke to help inner city kids. Since then the agency has helped over 25,000 young people. Lonnie Williams, who is the executive director, took us around. He’s an amazing spirit who can go from street smart to scholarly. He told us that the kids need to be noticed, touched; to feel they are visible and loved.

The next day it was off to East Orange, New Jersey to visit Queen Latifah, who’s working on her next album. We got to hear some cuts. Latifah’s going to draw an even greater audience with this effort. It’s more than rap. I also went to a party for agent Risa Shapiro with my pal, casting director, Sheila Jaffe, Eric Roberts, Kelly Cunningham, D.W. Moffett, Peter Gallagher and Laurie Metcalf. Poetry In Motion is now bicoastal. Michael Lally and I had a successful evening of readings at Tommy Tang’s in Tribeca. Justine Bateman, Judd Nelson and Dennis Christopher dropped in to read with some cool local poets. We’ll be in NYC once a month (next reading Jan. 7). In the future I hope the names of other poets will attract as much attention as the actors/writers. In the meantime Poetry in Motion continues every Tuesday night in LA at Cafe Largo.

On the flight home I was glad to have Moon Zappa for company. We talked about love and destiny. As the luxury flight landed, interest rates had dropped even further and there was no diplomatic break in the Gulf situation which was described, “as an atmosphere of war.” I looked out the window and prayed for a peaceful New Year. I hope it worked.