California “Leavin’” – One Person’s Journey from California to Arizona

Left a centrally located quiet San Jose neighborhood in California four months ago. It wasn’t an easy decision for a life-long Californian to pack-up and sell my home, but in the end wanted to be free of paying high property taxes, repairing the sidewalk and curb out front (yes in San Jose, California residents are required to fix any sidewalk or street curb damage in front of their residence), and watching in store robberies at my neighborhood Walgreens.

Oh, almost forgot to mention that in most California cities, residents are permitted to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADA) in their backyard. In San Jose, homeowners can even build two-story ADA’s. My elderly next door neighbor lost her patio privacy that she enjoyed after such a home was built directly behind her with a large window facing her sliding door.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was apprehensive about a move out of state, but for reasons mentioned above went with a mindful plan and not with emotions. After countless trips to Arizona, we finally purchased a new build home in the West Valley in Surprise, Arizona at the award-winning community Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club.

Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club

The home took 15 months to build. During that time, we were introduced to a fantastic San Jose realtor named Connie Foley to help sell our San Jose home. She came as advertised and was the best realtor ever, super helpful and supportive at every turn in the entire selling process. When the time came to move, there were challenges, including finding a trustworthy moving company, searching for a way to transport one of two vehicles to another state, and most importantly finding a rental until the Arizona home was built.

After researching rental units online, ended up by accident getting connected to a nice man in Surprise that had a rental home on the 14^th green of a golf course at Sun City Grand. We loved it there. Sun City Grand basically is Sterling Grove 25 years ago but has held up beautifully. In fact, we are not ruling out a return there. Once the hot record setting weather of the summer passed, it was time for the final move to our new home.

Sun City Grand

After moving belongings from storage into the home and registering electric, garbage, gas, internet, and water, I feel somewhat settled in. As of this writing, landscaping the front and back yard still needs to be done, but other than that, we like the home location on a corner lot next to a greenbelt (or brown belt in Arizona). A new Safeway within walking distance opens in less than two weeks, so our weekend walk for groceries does not change except we won’t see homeless persons on the street, graffiti on buildings, or witness in-store robberies. Instead, we see beauty all around us in this resort-style community, including an abundance of green natural grass and views of the majestic White Tank Mountains.

Life here is a mix of residents from all over who are looking for what is now rare in California: affordable housing, lower taxes, safe communities, and an overall higher standard of living. This journey is over. We’re here.

Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club

Up Close with Only Movie Actor to Become President!

As a young man still in college in the 1980’s, I volunteered on Labor Day to be a press escort at then President Ronald Reagan’s campaign rally speech at De Anza Community College in Cupertino, California. The Reagan-Bush team was kicking off their run for a second term, and the 40th President of the United States was back again in his home state of California. Along with him that day was First Lady Nancy Reagan and other dignitaries.

Reagan-Bush Rally at De Anza Community College – Cupertino, California

As a media intern, I was tasked to help keep the thousands of event attendees from entering the press area which was cordoned off with yellow rope. The problem was that day it was extremely warm, and several people literally were about to pass out from either being crushed or from heat exhaustion. Although we were supposed to keep the crowd away from the press, we did allow a few in that space just to save them from a medical emergency. 

Reagan-Bush rally attendees on a very hot Labor Day, 1984

That day, I also spoke to legendary ABC news reporter Sam Donaldson. I walked him over to where a vending machine was, so he could get a coca cola. He mentioned what a sweltering day it was and hoped the drink would help.

ABC News Reporter and News Anchor from 1967 – 2009

As for President Reagan, having been an actor and a governor before his presidency, he was an electric speaker. His voice resonated loud and forceful as he rallied the adoring crowd. Reagan, in fact, went on to win re-election beating Walter Mondale and his running mate, the first nominated woman vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. To view President Reagan’s entire speech that day, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-Epf_IFRA

Meeting Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson

One night in Houston, Texas while strolling through the lobby of the busy Hyatt Regency, I spotted Reverend Jesse Jackson. I knew immediately I had to meet him. Jackson is an iconic figure famous for being an American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and politician. His bids for the U.S. presidency (in the Democratic Party’s nomination races in 1983–84 and 1987–88) were the most successful by an African American until Barack Obama captured the Democratic presidential nomination.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

His place in history is assured as he was at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968 when King was assassinated. At the exact moment of the shooting, he was one floor below. A day later he appeared on NBC’s Today Show wearing a blood-stained shirt with Dr. King’s blood on it. Here is a famous photo of Jackson on the balcony of the motel with Dr. King the day before the shooting.

Jesse Jackson with Martin Luther King Jr. at Lorraine Motel

Rev. Jackson eventually founded and organized the Rainbow Coalition which later merged, in 1996, with Operation PUSH. His involvement with Dr. King, his charismatic speeches at Democratic conventions, and his lifelong advocacy for civil rights made him someone I was excited to meet.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. with Barack Obama

As far as I could tell, Rev. Jackson was sitting alone on one side of the hotel lobby. I quickly walked over to where he was sitting and introduced myself. He was personable and friendly. I immediately felt at ease and soon began a conversation as I asked what brought him to Houston. It was a speaking engagement that I forget the name of. I also told him I was in town attending the National Tour Association (NTA) convention.

Soon after, I asked if we could take a photo together. He was accommodating. In fact, it was a friend and/or staff of Rev. Jackson that took the photo. After the photo, I think others in the lobby realized that the Rev. Jesse Jackson there. I also knew he was on his way somewhere, so I did not take any more of his time. Meeting this famous icon in American civil rights and politics is a memory of a lifetime.

With Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. in Houston, Texas

Famous Musicians in Concert

Been fortunate to have seen over 50 musicians in concert over the years. Several of them more than once! How many of these performers have you seen live? (Musicians listed in alpha order)

My personal top five concerts attended are in bold.

1. The Baby’s
2. The Bangles
3. Beach Boys (2x)
4. Boys II Men
5. B 52’s
6. Ray Charles
7. Cher (2x)
8. Chicago
9. The Commodores
10. Alice Cooper
11. Phil Collins
12. Doobie Brothers
13. Duran Duran
14. The Eagles (2x)
15. Earth, Wind, & Fire (2x)
16. Jon Fogarty
17. Gloria Estafan
18. Foreigner
19. Peter Gabriel
20. Heart (2x)
21. Faith Hill
22. Fleetwood Mac
23. Gladys Knight & The Pips
24. Hiroshima
25. Elton John
26. Greg Kihn Band
27. Kool & the Gang
28. Diana Krall
29. Cyndi Lauper
30. Huey Lewis & the News
31. Olivia Newton John
32. Paul McCartney (3x)
33. Eddie Money
34. Ricky Nelson
35. Willie Nelson
36. Neville Brothers
37. Marie Osmond
38. Peter, Paul, and Mary
39. Prince and the Revolution
40. Lionel Richie
41. Ringo Starr & All-Star Band (2x)
42. Smokey Robinson (2x)
43. Rolling Stones
44. Diana Ross
45. Jon Secada
46. Spin Doctors
47. Bruce Springsteen
48. Rod Stewart (2x)
49. Train
50. Frankie Valli
51. Brian Wilson
52. Neil Young

10 Fun Facts About Me

I was in the press box and did post game locker room interviews for the most iconic game in college football history, the Cal vs. Stanford match-up where the Stanford band ran on the field the last play and Cal miraculously kept lateraling the football until they scored.

Cal vs. Stanford – “The Play”

At San Jose State University, received the highest score among journalism students in the required Journalism 100W writing course.

San Jose State University – Sweeney Hall

Hiked (and climbed ladder) to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, over 16 miles round trip.

Top of Half Dome – Yosemite National Park

Spoke to former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at the JFK Library and Museum.

JFK Library and Museum

Rode in a helicopter over New York City, including a spectacular fly over the Statue of Liberty.

Helicopter ride over New York City

As a teen bought a poster of actress Raquel Welch, iconic sex symbol at the time. As an adult was introduced to her and attended backstage her Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony.

Actress Raquel Welch at Walk of Fame Ceremony – Hollywood Blvd.

Spoke to the 11th and last man to walk on the moon about his experience – Astronaut Gene Cernan.

“Last Man to Walk on the Moon” – Gene Cernan – Apollo 17

Had a friend whose 3rd class passenger grandfather survived the sinking of the Titanic by climbing on top of an overturned lifeboat.

RMS Titanic

After binging all the Harry Potter movies, coincidentally a few weeks later stood face to face with the actor who played him, Daniel Radcliffe.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe – New York City

Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back in the same day, over 18 miles!

At the bottom of the Grand Canyon – Bright Angel Trail

Wearing a Mask at a Cemetery?

Is the government going too far when you’re asked to wear a mask outside at a cemetery? That was the case recently when I was walking my dog at Mission City Memorial Park Cemetery in Santa Clara, California. At the time I was stopped, there was not one person within 100 yards of me, much less 6 feet – maybe 6 feet underground!

Mission City Memorial Park – Santa Clara, California

This is the same cemetery where many times, I have reported residents walking their dogs off leash and/or worse using the cemetery as a dog park to train their dog. When I approach the employees there, I am always told there is nothing they can do.

Near closing time for the day, I was stopped by a Santa Clara Parks and Recreation employee who drove her car up to us and asked if I had a mask. Instead of simply telling me the cemetery is near closing time, and you need to start to make your way out, this “Karen” went on to explain that the wear a mask sign is posted at the cemetery entrance. So is the “dogs must be on leash” ordinance that is not ever, if rarely, enforced. It was only after I didn’t put the mask on that she, in fact, told me the cemetery was closing and I had to leave.

At the same time she went out of her way to stop me, there was a man lying face down on the grass in the front of the cemetery without a mask. I believe in social distancing and in wearing masks where appropriate such as indoors when you’re around others, but outside in a cemetery? Can’t we at least agree that dead people can’t get Covid-19.

Brush with All-Time Great Music Groups

Sheltering in place over the coronavirus shutdown gave me time to reflect on my top 10 favorite music groups, encompassing the genres of folk, pop, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and soul.  Music is essential as songs bring back memories of different times and places in one’s life. Ranking the groups in order, the list would go like this: The Beatles, The Beach Boys, 5th Dimension, Fleetwood Mac, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Eagles, Queen, The Rolling Stones, The Jackson 5, and Peter, Paul and Mary.

The Beatles at Abbey Road

Fortunately, if you include seeing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr perform Beatles songs,  I’ve been to concerts for seven of these 10 groups. Many would agree with my number one choice. The group is after all the best-selling music act of all time with sales over 183 million worldwide. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and individual members John, Paul, George, and Ringo have all been inducted individually as well. Although being too young at the time to see the group, I’ve seen McCartney in concert three times at SAP Center in San Jose and also at Oracle Park (was AT&T) in San Francisco. I was lucky enough to see Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California as well.

The Beach Boys

Perhaps America’s most iconic chart-topping band The Beach Boys ranks second on my list. Their success survived before, during, and after The Beatles conquered America. In fact, between the 1960s and 2010s, the group had 36 hit songs in the Top 40, the most ever by a U.S. rock band. The group’s leader Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows” is widely considered the greatest song ever written and Rolling Stone magazine’s 2004 list of “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” has The Beach Boys at number 12. I’ve seen various members of The Beach Boys perform through the years, the highlight seeing Brian Wilson in concert in 2018.

The 5th Dimension

This choice may surprise you, but if you listen to the music of The 5^th Dimension you might be convinced. It’s easy to get pulled in by the group’s beautiful harmony featuring one of the greatest female vocalists of all time, Marilyn McCoo. Popular in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the group’s talent included pop, R&B, and soul music. Their hit songs included “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Stoned Cold Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Never My Love,” and “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All.”

Fleetwood Mac

Next, as a life-long Stevie Nicks fan (one of the group’s vocalists), is the group Fleetwood Mac. Having sold over 120 million records worldwide, the band ranks high on the list of world’s best-selling bands. The group’s Rumours album sold over 40 million copies making it the eighth top selling album ever.  Also, members of the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco and also SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion) in San Jose.

Earth,Wind & Fire – featuring Maurice White

Rounding out my top five is the R&B, soul, disco, pop, rock, dance, Latin, and Afro pop group Earth, Wind, & Fire. The group has sold over 90 million records and is also listed among the best-selling bands of all time. Legendary jazz master Miles Davis described the group as his “all-time favorite band”, and Quincy Jones has said he has been the “biggest fan of Earth, Wind & Fire since day one.” Alicia Keys has said Earth, Wind, & Fire is “the best band ever.” One New Year’s Eve, sitting in about the 10th row at the Oakland Coliseum, I actually caught a towel thrown by the group’s founder and lead vocalist Maurice White.

The Eagles – “Hell Freezes Over” tour at Shoreline Amphitheatre

The Eagles, another great American band, charted five number-one singles and six number-one albums. Two of their albums rank in the top three among best-selling albums in the U.S., including “Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) that surpassed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The group broke up in 1980 only to reunite for the “Hell Freezes Over” album and tour. That was a tremendous tour featuring each member singing lead vocals on Eagles hits. Luckily, I saw one of their first concerts back together again at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. The group was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Queen – featuring Freddie Mercury

Also, on the list is the iconic group Queen led my lead singer Freddie Mercury. While in college on the way into the bookstore, a young woman tapped me on the shoulder and said, “do you know who you look like – a rock star?” I had no idea who Freddie Mercury was at the time. The band’s “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” are now anthems at sporting events. Queen is estimated to have sold up to 300 million records and at one time was one of the biggest stadium bands in the world.

The Rolling Stones

Of course, no top musical group list could omit The Rolling Stones. The British group’s estimated record sales are at 240 million. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them fourth on their “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list. In 1989, the Stones were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I remember Stones lead singer Mick Jagger jumping up and down and running around on stage when I saw the group perform at SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion) in San Jose.

The Jackson 5

Another group that has to be on the list is the iconic Jackson Five, led by a young Michael Jackson. Selling over 100 million records worldwide, the group is up near the top of the best-selling bands of all time. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, the Jackson Five became Motown’s top group and at one time had seven top 10 singles within two years.

Peter, Paul and Mary

As a young boy not even in school yet, I begged my parents to play the song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by the American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, I also loved their #1 hit “Leaving on a Jet Plane” (written by John Denver). The group’s other top singles included “If I Had a Hammer” and Blowin’ in the Wind.” As an adult, it was a surreal experience seeing the group perform live at the Concord Pavilion in Northern California. These groups have played a key part in my human experience. Which groups would you choose?

 

Brushed by Fame Top 10 Movies

This “top 10” all-time favorite movie list is not in any numerical order. These movies span the decades from 1957 – 2017. Many included are critically acclaimed films, and a few others are simply “guilty favorites.”  Three of the movies on the list were released before my birth, including Some Like It Hot, Ben-Hur, and The Bridge on the River Kwai.

Ben-Hur is a 1959 epic drama film starring Charlton Heston. This movie had the largest budget ($15 million +) as well as the largest sets built of any film produced at the time.

The nine-minute chariot race is one of cinema’s most famous sequences. In fact, one of the highlights on my visit to Rome was standing at the back of Capitoline Hill looking down where actual races were held.

Not only was Ben-Hur the second highest-grossing film in history at the time, it also won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Wyler), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Heston), Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Cinematography – Color.  The American Film Institute (AFI) ranks Ben-Hur as the 2nd best epic film ever.  The National Film Preservation Board selected Ben-Hur for preservation by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress for being a “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” motion picture.

Another film classic is the 1957 British-American epic war film The Bridge on the River Kwai. The cast included William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa. River Kwai won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. Guinness won an Oscar for his performance as a British colonel.

Guinness, Holden, and Hawkins.

The movie is included on AFI’s list of best American films ever made, and the British Film Institute voted The Bridge on the River Kwai the 11th greatest British film of the 20th Century. It also was named culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress

Being a Marilyn Monroe admirer my whole life, not surprisingly Some Like It Hot makes my top 10. The 1959 filmed in black and white romantic comedy stars Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. The supporting cast includes George Raft, Pat O’Brien, Joe E. Brown, Joan Shawlee, and Nehemiah Persoff.

The film is about two musicians who dress in drag in order to escape from mafia gangsters whom they witnessed commit a crime inspired by the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.  Some Like It Hot opened to critical and commercial success. It received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay and was voted as the top comedy film on AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Laughs poll.

Viva Las Vegas is a musical film starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. The film is regarded by fans and film critics as one of Presley’s best films. Viva Las Vegas was a hit at film theaters, as it was #14 on the Variety year-end box-office list of the top-grossing films of 1964.

It is noted for the on-screen (and off-screen) chemistry between Presley and Ann-Margret. It also presents a strong set of musical song-and-dance scenes. Admittingly, as a youth in the early 70s, I can remember sitting in front of the TV recording the two sing “The Lady Loves You.” Later in life, a friend and I were fortunate to sit right next to the Caesar’s Palace stage to see Margret perform songs from the movie.  I even reached my hand out on to the stage and got a handshake from the star.

The Graduate is a 1967 romantic comedy-drama that tells the story of 21-year-old Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate with no well-defined aim in life, who is seduced by an older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), and then falls in love with her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross).

In this classic, Benjamin has earned his bachelor’s degree from a college on the East Coast and returned home to celebrate his graduation at his parents’ house.  Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father’s law partner, insists that he drive her home. Benjamin is coerced inside to have a drink and Mrs. Robinson attempts to seduce him.

Wow! That was an impactful movie to see as a young teenager. The Graduate won the Academy Award for Best Director and was nominated in six other categories. The movie currently sits at number 17 on AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies list.  It was also selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

The next movie was a critical and commercial science fiction hit that launched a franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media. Released in 1968, The Planet of the Apes starring Charlton Heston is about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control.

The movie has received attention from film critics for its treatment of racial issues. Cinema and cultural analysts have also explored its Cold War and animal rights themes. The series has influenced subsequent films, media and art, as well as popular culture and political discourse. Spoiler alert: Who can forget the shocking ending with Heston riding his horse along the beach when he runs into the Statue of Liberty!

Rollerball is a 1975 science fiction sports film starring James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn and Ralph Richardson. In the movie, Jonathan E. played by Caan is the team captain and veteran star of the Houston Rollerball team. He has become the sport’s most recognizable and talented player.

After another impressive performance against Madrid, Mr. Bartholomew played by Houseman, chairman of the Energy Corporation, announces that Jonathan will be featured in a “multivision” broadcast about his career, signaling a forced retirement. He then preaches the benefits of corporate-run society and the importance of respecting executive decisions, never explaining exactly why he must retire.

Jonathan refuses and what ensues is an engrossing film of the individual up against corporate power. The crowd chants of “Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonathan” are haunting considering the lead character’s situation.

Platoon is a 1986 anti-war film written and directed by Oliver Stone, starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Keith David, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp. Since my uncle served two tours in Vietnam and told me about his experience, I was eager to see a believable account of this war. Platoon was the first film written and directed by a veteran of the Vietnam War.

The film follows a U.S. Army volunteer (Sheen) fighting in the war while his two sergeants (Berenger and Dafoe) argue over the leadership of the platoon. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four including Best Picture, Best Director for Stone, and Best Sound and Best Film Editing. AFI placed Platoon at #83 in their “AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies” poll. Spoiler alert: The scene with Dafoe running from the enemy at the movie’s conclusion is an all-time classic.

Malena is a 2000 romantic comedy-drama film starring Monica Bellucci and Giuseppe Sulfaro. It won the Grand Prix at the 2001 Cobourg Film Festival. The movie about a young boy coming of age resonated with me, especially with the obsession one can have as an inexperienced youth. In the movie, Renato, 13 years old, discovers something that would change his life forever… Malena. Monica Bellucci plays the beautiful young war widow who was the obsession of every man and the envy of every woman. Because of her, Renato learns valuable life lessons and find himself in places he never could have imagined.

Also, in my Top 10 is my guilty favorite Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot. Opening in 2017 to mostly positive reviews, the movie quickly became the 8th-highest-grossing superhero film domestically.  At the time of this post, the movie has grossed over $821 million worldwide. In Wonder Woman, Amazon princess Diana sets out to stop World War I, believing the conflict was started by the longtime enemy of the Amazons, Ares.

Rotten Tomatoes has listed the movie as No. 3 on its list of the “Best Superhero Movies of All Time”, and AFI selected it as one of the top 10 films of 2017.  Hope you enjoyed reading the list and have a chance to watch one that might sound interesting. As they say in the movies “that’s all folks.”

A Night With Two Screen Legends!

My inspiration for this blog is the iconic actor Kirk Douglas who on December 9, 2016 turned 100 years old! As a teenager, my father took me to a theater production at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco starring two legendary screen actors, Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster. The play was a two-character comic drama titled “The Boys in Autumn.” It was meant as a pre-Broadway tryout.

Douglas in title role of “Spartacus”

For those unfamiliar with these two legends, Douglas is No. 17 on the American Film Institutes list of the greatest male screen legends of classic Hollywood cinema. He is the highest-ranked living person on the list. Lancaster is No. 19. In the movies, Douglas was Spartacus, and Lancaster was the Birdman of Alcatraz! What an invitation my father had given me, a chance to see both these actors live and in person on a San Francisco stage!

Douglas has received three Academy Award nominations, an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As an author, he has written ten novels and memoirs. He became an international star through his leading role as a boxing hero in Champion (1949) which brought him his first nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He received a second Oscar nomination for his role in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) opposite Lana Turner, and a third nomination for portraying Vincent Van Gogh in Lust for Life. (1956).

The other actor on stage that night was Burt Lancaster, nominated four times for Academy Awards including an Oscar and Golden Globe win for his work in Elmer Gantry (1960). Lancaster also won a BAFTA Award for The Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) and Atlantic City (1980) opposite Susan Sarandon. He played one of his best-remembered roles with Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity (1953). The American Film Institute acknowledged the iconic status of the scene from that film in which Kerr and he make love on a Hawaiian beach amid the crashing waves. The organization named it one of “AFI’s top 100 Most Romantic Films” of all time.

Prior to this San Francisco appearance, neither actor had appeared on stage in over 10 years. Needless to say, it was an exciting evening, a sold-out theatre to see Kirk Douglas playing a senior Tom Sawyer and Burt Lancaster as Huckleberry Finn. The premise of the stage production was to see Mark Twain’s characters meet-up again for a reunion after 50 years apart.

When the two men took the stage, as you can imagine, there was huge applause – the audience was clearly excited to be in the presence of these two movie icons. The production itself, however, was not well-received and the two actors re-retired from the stage after the short San Francisco run ended. Still, I remember the distinct energy and voice of Douglas as he played his part, thinking “wow” the man who played Spartacus is right in front of me! Lancaster was much more low key in the production, even seemed a bit uncomfortable on stage – yet it was a joy to watch both of them act in person. It’s a night I still remember, a night where two screen actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age came to life.

Legendary screen actors Burt Lancaster & Kirk Douglas at a San Francisco press conference.

A Brush (or a few weeks) in London and Paris!

This is a rare post about a famous place (or two) instead of a famous person. It’s about my recent visit to the famed historic cities of London and Paris. For two weeks in September, 2014, after arriving via two flights from San Francisco, I explored these world-renowned cities by foot, tube/metro, bus, train, and on the water after cruises along London’s Thames and Paris’ Seine.

Before I give my thoughts on the cities, here’s a list of some of the sites we (my girlfriend and I) visited. In London, after quickly spotting the iconic Big Ben and London Eye, we managed to tour the British Museum, Buckingham Palace (twice), Churchill War Rooms, Covent Garden, Harrods, Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, St. James Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Windsor Castle.

We saw much more though thanks to the Oyster card we purchased. It’s a pay as you go smart card that comes pre-loaded with money allowing you to ride the London Underground (tube) as often as you like as long as you continue to add on and/or have purchased enough credit. London highlights were visiting Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms (open only in August and September while the Queen is on vacation), touring St. Paul’s Cathedral, walking through Kensington Gardens, having an ice cream cone in St. James Park, and riding the London Underground (tube) everywhere.

Although we visited Kensington Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle, nothing compared to the luxurious State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The rooms are used for much of the year by the Queen and members of the Royal Family for official functions and events. Having toured the palace the first few days we were in town, we received an annual pass (free when you purchase tickets directly from the Royal Trust) and decided to end our trip a few weeks later touring this iconic England palace again.

Also, ironically enough, two of the most talked about tourist attractions in London are two of the best. Besides Buckingham Palace, we loved seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. The collective term Crown Jewels denotes the regalia and vestments worn by the sovereign of the United Kingdom during the coronation ceremony and at other state functions. We rode the moving escalator back and forth several times, viewing these spectacular jeweled crowns of past kings and queens.

As for overall impressions of London, here’s one. Walking along the Thames River towards the Tower Bridge one morning, we found ourselves in a crowd of Londoners making their way to work. For the most part, they all were orderly, quiet, and briskly walking toward their respective place of work. In the fast-paced hurried city of London, there seems to be an organized social context unlike the other European city mentioned in this post. Speaking of that, here’s a list of some of the sites visited in “The City of Light” – Paris.

After arriving at Paris Gare du Nord train station via Eurostar, we eventually found the pre-arranged transportation company’s driver holding the sign with my name on it! As we exited the station and saw our first glimpse of the city in the afternoon sun, it immediately reminded me of a painting my parent’s had up on the wall during my childhood of a downtown Paris cafe surrounded by large buildings and narrow streets. It was surreal. I was in Paris! Sunday is not the best day/night to arrive in this tourist crowded city as it was bustling more so than it was mid-week.

During our stay, we visited/toured the Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Musee d’Orsay, Pont-Neuf bridge, Boulevard St. Germain, Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, and made the obligatory train trip to the Palace of Versailles (and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet) as well.

Highlights were climbing the stairs to the top of Arc de Trioumphe, riding the elevator and experiencing the top level of the Eiffel Tower as well as sitting back and watching it light up at night, seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, standing side-by-side with the Gargoyles atop Notre Dame Cathedral, and a night time cruise along the Seine River.

Also, key to our stay in Paris was the French bakery/café on the corner from our hotel, just two blocks from the Arc de Triomphe. Without it, I might have starved! However, fresh lasagna with salmon and spinach followed by the most delicious chocolate éclair made us return there more than once.

Although the kind female employee spoke very few English words, after a day or two she knew exactly what I would order. More an adventure than a highlight was the Paris Metro. Soon after purchasing a Paris Trip Card at the Charles de Gaulle – Etoile station, I looked to my right to see a young man jump over the turnstile. No one was watching, and no one cared. That about sums up the Paris metro for me. We rode at least five different lines and used it quite a bit to get around the different zones of Paris.

Overall impressions of the “City of Lights” are that it is a crowded, chaotic city. It’s also a place with little to no visible security. The police presence seemed absent although you did see it at the major visitor attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. My last night in Paris was spent on a night time cruise along the Seine River and also near the Eiffel Tower watching its light’s sparkle at the top of each hour.

When we see England in the U.S. media, often we’re shown Buckingham Palace and the royal family. In Paris, you can’t ignore the marvelous Eiffel Tower. Visiting these iconic attractions were two of the most enjoyable and memorable parts of my European trip. Both final nights in each city were spent on water, cruising the Thames in London and Seine in Paris. Seeing these cities from so many different vantage points and seeing as much of them as I could, it fulfilled a dream, the dream to see two of the world’s most famous cities – London and Paris!