Hollywood Forever

This morning started with a screening of Holly's first film TRASH. It was fantastic and yet very disturbing. Soooo sad a character she played. I really believed her. I can't say much for the other performers, but she was Choice.

I went over to Brian McCray's apartment. He posseses some of the most incredible Hollywood memorabilia collections I have ever seen! He has the booth that Frank Sinatra held court in for 30 years, menus from every vintage Hollywood eatery, matchbooks under glass, you name it. He's twenty-eight and an equal in the history department with me. He knows Old Hollywood like I know Nelson's world. I wish I had taken pictures, but it was our first time together.

I droped off Holly's sheet music for her night club act along with an image of myself sucking my index finger. I wrote "Mama- thinking of you" on it.

Brian took me to Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Santa Monica Bvld. The cemetery was astounding. I would love to tell you all about the graves, urns and other fancy items, but I cannot remember what he showed me...He knew that cemetery well...He said he likes to picnic there- a man after my own heart. I can tell you that he had a story for almost every grave. When John Connors comes out, I gotta get Brian to do the tour for him...and let him see the Sinatra Booth....oui!

He took me to a video kiosk which is built into a faux rock. The touch screen allows the user to do a Who's Who searches of the cemetery with music and old stills...realy freaky. We sat on a rock in front of the screen together. We acknowledged that it all was oddly romantic, given we were in a cemetery.

Upon getting back to the house I called Holly to make sure she got the package...she did. I told her I was happy to know her before seeing the film and that it was one of the saddest characters I've ever seen on screen. She is great to chat with. Given we met on Warhol's birthday, i mused aloud to her that perhaps I was a present from him. Truth be told, I'd love her even if she wasn't The Holly Woodlawn. She rocks my world in that way that few do...though she was at The Stonewall the night of the riots and that is reason enough to do whatever I can for her. She told me that I can stay at her place in WeHo (West Hollywood for you people over the Rockies) while she is in New York. Perhaps I'll do that..


Things to do:
- I gotta call Joey Arias and see how the Cirque show is doing. I wonder if he is continuing his contract.
- I need to call Vag
- I must find a job- it's so hard to find anything but Starbucks around here....Thank god I have this documentary editing job to keep me in the green for a bit.....but how long will that last?

Holly Woodlawn and Me

Friday, August 06, 2004

Jesus, just when I think I've done it all....then Holly shows up. For months now I've been debating whether or not to get in contact with Ms. Woodlawn- you know, with all the stories I've been told and read about...makes one queasy.... Just like dealing with Alexis del Largo. But today I met the infamous Holly Woodlawn.

Holly Woodlawn. The woman I've heard about on the airwaves ever since I first heard Lou's song. And you know what? She is such a sweet soul. I should have known she'd be as kind as she is. Looking back over the day, how could she not? She's survived everything- alright, there is a possibility she could be hell on wheels, but probably not with me. I have had such great karma with meeting people from Nelson's life. They are all so kind and sweet, even if not all of them remember him! And Holly gets bonus points for admitting she doesn't remember him! Go girl.

I went to see Holly this morning after getting a late start. She says she gets up at the crack of dawn, and after seeing her apartment, I can see why- no blinds in the bedroom! She told me that she didn't have a working VCR and when I got there she also said no CD player was working. Lucky for her, I fixed both. I scored bonus points on that round. I showed her herself singing "Tell Him" at the Dukes and Divas show and some other things. She was so happy to know parts of her history wasn't lost.

It is so incredible every time I can connect with these people. Their history is at my fingertips and yet I need them to understand the bigger picture. I am sure Nelson would be proud of me. Whether it's Cherry Vanilla, Randy and Fenton, James St. James- they are always excited...though I know they get a kick to know they are remembered and sometimes revered. Holly reminds me of Jayne County- the same drive which doesn't occur with straights or gays- it's a understanding that those first queens had to endure, something no gay man or straight person can understand. Why do the pioneers always get the shaft? Well, not always, but usually.

Holly and I did some errands she needed to do- mostly to pick up her backing tracks for the Wigstock 2004 show...then we went to lunch at the French Market...a wonderful eatery. At the end of the day she gave me a Victor Screbniski photo of her(even autographed and lip signed!). Oh, I am getting it good for doing my job...and I love this job....