Mo Flam

No, not more flam...I don't even know what or who a flam is...
It was one of the names during the film credits scrolls for a film we saw last night. I just so enjoyed his name and thought you might too.

"The Hoax" is the new film that tells the historical story of author Clifford Irving and how he perpetuated a masterpiece of manipulation in selling, writing and having published the autobiography of Howard Hughes without ever having met Mr. Hughes. I do recall the headlines about this story but I certainly didn't pay attention to the details or the chronological and political connections this book included. I did not appreciate the book's connection to Watergate and the Nixon downfall. It is even more intriguing to realize that the screenplay is based on the book Clifford Irving wrote about his own hoax. At least, we can know that the information is coming from the direct source.

Many aspects of this film disturbed me but I appreciated the educational perspective of that era that I did not have in my youth. Alfred Molina turns in a wonderful supporting performance as Clifford's co-author Dick Susskind who got sucked into the web of deceit and greed. I would love it if some filmmaker or author could put together a chronology piece about this time in history pointing out all the major events and shifts that were taking place. Of course, I look at this era and wonder what spiritual/astrological and cosmic shifts were going on to create these immense impactful cirumstances.

Back from another trip to L.A. this week. Mom is doing better but still not sure what the long-term prognosis will be and that is what makes it so hard emotionally for all of us. I did manage to get all the requisite legal documents signed and notarized while on this trip. Had quite the experience with a very unprofessional young woman who was the travelling notary who met us at the nursing home. It was a difficult and comprosming position that had me close to the edge of fisticuffs.

Driving through the North Hollywood area on my way to the Burbank location of UCSL home office, I found myself in the NoHo Arts District which I helped launch. It is a theatre and cultural district that appears to be thriving. I was very happy and proud. My wasband and I even helped design their original logo (for which I have no idea if it is still in use) and helped to produce their initial arts festivals. I was disappointed to see that the Renegade Theatre on Magnolia Blvd. was now was torn down for a parking lot next to Sitton's Restaurant. It was here that I directed my first one-act and also acted. That theatre was once the funeral home where Lou Costello was buried. The theatre was haunted--and I can attest that Mr. Costello did indeed hang out there. Rev. Michael Beckwith once told me after a creative arts visioning that he thought two of my spiritual guides were Abbott and Costello. I tried to resist this news. After all, I wanted other guides who were, well, enlightened guides, and yet, I could not argue with his assessment.

Here's my treat for the week:
Quaker Life cereal has a new version---with chocolate! And dang it, it's goooood! The ingredients are decent--doesn't even have fructose corn syrup. Yahoo. It makes a great late night snack. Life is good.