Death of Diana

Ten years ago today Princess Diana passed away. It happened while I was still living in Cedar Rapids and I was out celebrating my birthday (8/29) with friends. Like the rest of the world we were shocked as we watched the news bulletins. And a few days later I stayed up all night and watch the funeral live on the telly.

I cried. For some reason I was really affected by this tragedy - like so many other people across the world were. Maybe it was because of the circumstances of her death or the children she left behind or the fact that she was so young and beautiful.

Still sad.

"Pass the Salt, Please." HUGE Success at Drake's

My 10-minute "dirty" play, "Pass the Salt, Please.", bowed to rave reviews at the grand re-opening this past Saturday of Drake's Erotica Emporium - a 35-year-old porn shop "institution" on Melrose in West Hollywood. My cast had to hold up their dialogue numerous times (8) to wait for laughter to die down and I received a number of inquiries for future productions. Stephen Allen Carver - my director - did a fabulous job, and my actors, Dave and Linda Parke, were perfection. For more information about this play, go to http://www.playsofjeffreyjamesircink.blogspot.com/

As I always say, live theater is meant to be seen in person, but I'll be receiving a DVD of the production courtesy of Dave Parke, Jr.

The cast and director in rehearsals. L. to R. Linda Parke, Dave Parke, Stephen Allen Carver.

Taking a break.

My cast and director.

Happy Birthday...To Me.

Yep - that it is. What do I want, you ask? Not much really. Birthdays aren't that big of a deal for me anymore. The one thing I really want - above all else - seems to be out of my grasp (for now anyways) so...so I thought, 'how about my own wall'. The Jeff Wall. Jeff's Wall. There you go. I've got everything I need now. I don't want anything more.

Alright. I blew the candles out. You can go. Oh - I'll have an update on my play, "Pass the Salt, Please." (huge success) and I'll post something about this past weekend. Remind me if I forget. Be back in a microburst.

Gotta go watch my wall.

The poem, "Late Lament", by drummer Graeme Edge, of The Moody Blues.

Breath deep The gathering gloom
Watch lights fade From every room
Bedsitter people Look back and lament
Another day's useless Energy spent
Impassioned lovers Wrestle as one
Lonely man cries for love And has none
New mother picks up And suckles her son
Senior citizens Wish they were young

Cold hearted orb That rules the night
Removes the colours From our sight
Red is gray and Yellow white
But we decide Which is right
And Which is an Illusion

From the song, "Nights in White Satin" (1967), sung by The Moody Blues. Music by Justin Hayward. All the Ircink's are big Moody Blues fans. I get an email blurp every so often from the band's website reminding of upcoming events. Just got one and started thinking about the band I really listened to more the The Beach Boys at first (it was The Beatles initially). When my brother and I were very young, my father - who was a musician but not playing anymore - would make us lie down in front of the stereo (those big all-in-one systems from the 1970's) with headsets on and listen to the album, Days of Future Passed, which featured this song. It was a long album for two little kids to listen to - especially that type of music - and we'd get up 'cause we'd had enough and my father would yell, 'Hey, dickheads (which he still calls us) - you're not done. It's a concept album - you have to listen to it from start to finish.' Which it was (he was a musician).

We've seen "The Moodies" a few times. Awesome concerts. Here's the link for Graeme Edge performing Late Lament during a concert: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RjxSdnydaGU, and here's the entire song (sans poetry break) from the late 60's: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8

1935-1977

It was 30 years ago today that the world lost The King. I'm a huge Elvis fan. So is my Uncle Fran. 50's , 60's or 70's Elvis. Movie Elvis. Army Elvis. Comeback Elvis. Vegas Elvis. Thin or Heavier. It doesn't matter. Whether you appreciated him or not, he influenced popular culture, influenced other musicians and singers and is as much of an icon now as he was when he was alive.

Here's a few links to enjoy. This first one is a trailer for the '68 Comeback Special: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0sQhc5XbBhE, and the next is Elvis singin' a funny tune with clips of him in the background: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RUr-YO0d8To and the last one is stills from my favorite Elvis movie, Blue Hawaii: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ATkeoBqSeGE&feature=related. Oh wait, one more. This is for my Uncle Fran - the song, "Slicin' Sand" from Blue Hawaii: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4F1YJF226Tw&mode=related&search=. And another one of my favorite Elvis movies, the trailer for Girl Happy, co-starring one of my favorite wahini's, Shelley Fabares (by the way, the only actress to co-star with The King in three movies): http://youtube.com/watch?v=q0eckrMHIGk

I could go on and on - but I'll stop here. OK - last one...the "laughing version" of Elvis singing, "Are You Lonesome Tonite?": http://youtube.com/watch?v=anzKcrHC-6s&mode=related&search=. Alright...I'm done.

Among the many awards and honors bestowed on Elvis, there's one he was particularly proud of, given to him by The Jaycees (the largest service organization in the world). Elvis was named 'One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation' by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1971. Elvis' filmed acceptance speech has always been a favorite of mine, as is this excerpt from the speech:

"...When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed, has come true a hundred times...I'd like to say that I learned very early in life that 'Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song..." - Elvis Presley, Jaycees acceptance speech (January 16th, 1971).

Funny - he was the same age as I am now. I look at what he had accomplished in his life and then I look at myself. But...he was The King, baby, you know? I miss him. Long live The King.

PS. My cousin Rob turns 43 today. Happy Birthday, Rob.

Minnie Driver Packs'em In At Hotel Cafe in Hollywood

I think she was looking at me.

Just got back from Ms. Driver's thoroughly enjoying show at Hotel Cafe (see my June 13 post - Women Celebs I Love #1). Wonderful, wonderful singer, Minnie is. That raspy, Brit voice did her well as she soulfully glided through her set of original songs - many of them from her new CD, Seastories (which I'm buying). It was the 2nd show of her tour - she'll be in Santa Barbara tomorrow evening, then on to Oregon, Washington State, New York, among other venues. Unbeknowst to most, she's been singing since she was a child. With well-thought lyrics that we can all relate to, I definately want to see her again. And she plays the gui-tar, too.

There are a few tables up front but unless you arrive early for dinner, you have to stand. This is why I don't go to venues like Hotel Cafe. Nothing wrong with Hotel Cafe - it's intimate enough (maybe 200 people), but I parked my ass (feet) right where all the idiots with restless leg syndrome walk back and forth to go to the bar and out for a smoke. Irritating.

Don't forget to catch this London Critics Circle Film award winner and Oscar and Emmy nominated actress on the 2nd season of F/X's The Riches this fall.

Did I mention that I think she saw me? Yeh - I think she did.

BREAKING NEWS! Los Angeles premiere of Award-Winning play, "PASS THE SALT, PLEASE."

My 10-minute play, "Pass the Salt, Please.", chosen BEST OF SHOW at UNcover: An Art Exhibition with An Erotic Vibe, Cedar Rapids, IA, will have its LA premiere at the grand re-opening of Drake's Erotica Emporium on Melrose in West Hollywood on Saturday, August 25th. Drake's is celebrating 35 years in business as one of the city's preeminent adult stores and this party will be one to "fit the bill". The event will feature performance artists, adult industry actors and my play, along with food and beverages and yet-to-be-announced schtuff.

The premise of the play is this: what would happen if the dinner conversation of a married couple in their mid to late 50’s resembled the script pages of a scene in a pornographic film? As a man and woman catch up on the day’s events, their banter morphs from “ho-hum” to “whoop-eee!” – without missing a “bite”. The scene reflects the state of sex in the America of the feminine mystique, as viewed by feminist Betty Friedan (see...my plays does have a point!).

OK. So Drake's is a porn shop - sorry, "emporium". But it's the quintessential venue for "Pass the Salt, Please.", quite frankly. And it's LA, where the adult industry is equivalent to that pink elephant in the room no one talks about (but generates more money than the mainstream movie industry). If I can expose a few hundred "sordid" types to a bit of culture at the expense of my play being performed at a porn shop, so be it.

(FYI: I was in attendance for the two-evening art exhibition in March of this year and the audience - around 400 people representing every walk of life - went berserk. Pretty amazing for such a conservative city as Cedar Rapids. Featured were paintings, photos, performance pieces and other art pieces representative of 13 states, Norway and Russia.)

The other reason I'm excited about the Drake's event is because my friend, Dave Parke and his wife, Linda, will be starring in the play. David and I were in Blood Brothers together, along with Stephen Michael Carver, who will be directing this piece. What a nice little reunion. Festivities kick off at noon with celebrity signings, music, food, drinks, raffles, and giveaways and the performances begin at 8 pm. I was told if you wanna see my play - be there at 8. Call Drake's Erotica Emporium on Melrose in West Hollywood for more information.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Anybody Got Any Morton's?

Glasgow terror suspect dies from burns

LONDON - A man who suffered severe burns on over 90% of his body after allegedly crashing an explosives-laden Jeep into Glasgow Airport died in a hospital on Thursday, Strathclyde police said Thursday. Kafeel Ahmed, 27, had been in the hospital for a month with critical burns from the alleged attack on June 30, which followed a day after two failed car bombings in London. The other man in the car, Iraqi doctor Bilal Abdullah, has been charged with conspiring to set off explosions.

When it rains it pours. I hope the bastard suffered.