RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK
I’ve been sending this out to all my target shooting friends. Apparently it’s the newly accepted protocol for ladies who shoot at gun ranges. And I wholeheartedly support this new mandate!
Ya know…there really IS no place like home for the holidays. And this Perry Como hit from 1954 has been living in my ear all week. (Gee…the traffic is terrific! Love that line!)
Monday the 9th – IT’S THE MOST OFTEN HEARD CHRISTMAS SOOOONG…ON THE RADIO! – I hit Subway around 12:30 and picked up a 6 inch tuna on white and sped off to Studiopolis Burbank to do two hours on “Naruto.” I had a little bit of time before work so I stopped off at It’s a Wrap. At 3pm sharp I heard the radio station they were playing in the store play my favorite Christmas song…”It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. I bought some shirts, and then headed over to NBC to get back to work on “The Tonight Show.” We had been off the previous week, and I was rarin’ to get back at it. I met up with Anthony, one of the writers, and did a bit for him. Then I did the opening and laid back to watch the taping. My pal David Elkouby’s wife Ester was there with some of her friends. So I took them backstage after the show and gave them the tour. They got a pic with Jay and had him sign a cue card that she had been given during the taping. By the time I finished with them it was close to 6pm. I hopped in my car and turned on the exact same radio station that had been playing in It’s a Wrap earlier. This local station starts playing Christmas music 24 hours a day staring around Thanksgiving. And at 6pm sharp guess what I heard! “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. AGAIN! Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE this song! It’s my absolute favorite Christmas song. But exactly 3 hours later they play it again? That may be overkill. Apparently I’m not the only one who counts this song as their fave Christmas tune! I drove home and parked my Mustang in the auxiliary garage and got the Torino out. When I got to the house I fed Spook and walked Roxy. I started a fire in the fireplace and turned on some Christmas music on the satellite. And guess what I heard…YUP! “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” Oh well, I’m glad I like the song! I sat down on the computer and finished up Wally’s Week from the previous week, then went outside to take a dip in the Jacuzzi. I came back inside and enjoyed some “Christmas Nappies” on the couch. I got up around midnight and did some auditions. Then I fed and walked Roxy. BRRRR! It was about 34 degrees out. This is VERY unlike L.A. winter weather! I made some hot and cheesy chili and hit the hay to watch a couple of “Twilight Zone” episodes from the first season Blu Ray set.
Tuesday the 10th – ETERNAL EQUINOX! – The day started with me in the Torino heading over to see my pal Kyle at Guns Direct to get some guns cleaned. I needed to get my new Beretta M-9, my Smith & Wesson .45 model 1911, and my AR15 cleaned. After I dropped them off with Kyle I headed over to NBC to record some bits for “TTS.” I had a little time before the show started so I drove over to Wendy’s to grab some lunch in the drive-thru, and to Aaron Brothers Art Mart to get some frames. Then it was back to “TTS” to open the show and watch the taping. After we wrapped I went to Guns Direct to pick up my newly cleaned guns. AND THERE IT WAS! A beauteous sight! A Sig Sauer .40 caliber model 226 called The Equinox! The slide was shiny chrome, which contrasted against the rest of the metal which was dark. The grip was a beautiful gray shade of wood. I filled out the paperwork, paid the price, and bought it! In 10 days I’ll get to pick her up! When I got home I fed Spook and walked Roxy. Once inside I did my auditions and laid down for a nap on the couch. I got up a few hours later to do some work around the house and watch another episode of “Twilight Zone” on Blu Ray before bed!
Wednesday the 11th – BAT PAT! – Roxy’s been needing a bath for about a week now, but I just didn’t have the time to take her to the groomer’s. Today was the day. Around noon I walked her to Rusty’s, then went next door to get a 6 inch tuna on white at Subway, and then walked over to Studiopolis’ Studio A to record some more voice tracks for “Bleach.” I figured Roxy wouldn’t be done for about four hours, but as luck would have it she was ready at 3 when I finished the session! So I walked her home and got ready to fly over to NBC. After we wrapped I stopped at my box to get the mail, then headed home to feed Spook and give Roxy a potty break. I did some work around the house, grabbed a shower, and met up with Pat Evans who has a Batman-related podcast. He wanted to interview me about my involvement with the 1966 Batman cast and crew, and about voicing The Riddler in the latest Arkham games. When the show is up on-line I’ll post a link here. We had fun chatting about the Bat. When we finished up I grabbed a dip in the Jacuzzi (great on a cold night!), did my auditions, and grabbed a nap. I got up around 2 and fed and walked Roxy, then finished up some work around the house. Just before we turned in for good, I made some food and watched some more “Twilight Zone” episodes!
Thursday the 12th – SQUIRRELY SQUIRRELS! – When I walked Roxy around noon it was beautiful and warm out. The squirrels and birds were happily cavorting around the neighborhood, happy to have some warm weather after a cold spell. The squirrels were so crazy, that they skittered around from tree to tree, chittering and chattering, and taunting poor Roxy. One squirrel got down to her level on a tree and looked her right in the eye, daring her to chase him. They were literally feet away from each other! But Roxy didn’t take the bait. She just looked at him and moved on. I spent an hour at my accountant’s office going over my corporate paperwork in anticipation of closing out my corporate account for the year. Since it’s the first year I’ve had a corporation, I wanted to know exactly what to expect. When I got back home my pal Mark Ackerman was there waiting for me so he could do some A/V work on my bedroom entertainment center. He got everything fixed up nicely while I recorded a quick bit for “TTS,” then I sped off to work. We wrapped up and I made it back home to feed Spook and walk Roxy. Again, I grabbed a dip in the Jacuzzi and a nap on the couch. But I had lots to do that evening. I had tons of files and papers to go through to close out my account for the year. I had to scan checks to get them ready for the final deposit of 2013, which I would make Friday afternoon. I had a ton of bookwork to do, and then I got to several auditions. By the time I made it to bed to watch “The Twilight Zone” I was beat! But it was a great episode. It was about a businessman who discovered he was actually an actor in a movie. And he couldn’t escape the movie set world and get back to his life as a businessman that he knew and loved! When the episode was over I realized the irony of the situation. How many people sit around in an office dreaming about being a movie star. Well this movie star was dreaming of a mundane life working in an office. Brilliant!
Friday the 13th – OOOOO Friday the 13th! – I got to sleep in until 12:30 and boy did it feel great! I walked Roxy, did a bit for “TTS” in my home studio, did some work around the house, showered up, did a second bit for “TTS,” and let the maids in to start cleaning the house. My assistant Sara was here to hang out with the maids, and I tore off for work. I hadn’t eaten anything so I figured I’d grab a salad at the world famous NBC Commissary. But it was their last day. They CLOSED! WHAT? The commissary that had been the butt of jokes from the days of Johnny Carson through the days of Jay Leno!? Apparently they’re going to do some serious remodeling and reopen in February…strangely enough, just after “TTS” ceases production at the Burbank studio. We taped the show and I met up with my pal, the lovely actress Kelli Maroney who was in the audience. I gave her the backstage tour, and showed her my Gran Torino. I dropped Kelli off at her car, and as I was coming out of the NBC driveway, Jay was right behind me in his 1917 Cadillac. He honked his “aaa-oooo-gah” horn at the fans waiting to see him drive off. He pulled up next to me on Bob Hope Drive and waved. I got in the left lane to turn left, and he got in the right lane to turn right. As he started to turn right on to Alameda, some freakin’ jackhole came down Alameda like a bat outta hell, changing lanes and driving recklessly, honking like crazy at Jay in his vintage auto. I thought, “Dude! Respect the machine! That’s a 1917 classic!” I wanted to be a fly on the inside of that idiot’s car and see the shocked look on his face when he realized who it was driving the Caddy! HA! Some people. Since I still hadn’t eaten anything all day, I went over to Taco Bell and got a few tacos. Then I went over to the Christmas House in Burbank and sat outside watching the presentation (again!) and ate my tacos. I LOVE the Christmas House! And it was fun sitting there in the Torino watching the lights dance to the musical program on the FM dial. I went home, fed Spook and walked Roxy. Then I went over to my friend Caroline’s house for dinner. Caroline is the daughter of Irwin Yablans who produced the “Halloween” films in the 70’s. But Irwin’s granddaughter Emma is a fan of the cartoons and videogames I’ve been in, so she wanted he aunt Caroline to invite me to dinner to talk about voice-over. She made grilled cheeseburgers, mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. MMMMM!!! But since it’s been so cold lately I’ve had the heater on in my house. And I guess I didn’t realize that the constant heat had made my lips dry. So when I cranked open my mouth to enjoy the burger, my lip started bleeding. Gee, that’s not embarrassing or anything! Around 8 I went back home to meet up with my effects guy Jim Ojala. He had finished painting the little Laurel and Hardy Halloween boy mannequin so he brought it by. As he was leaving, Emma and her family came by to say goodbye before they drove home. Caroline’s dog Ridley (he actually SMILES at you!) was perplexed by the figures in the Chaney Room. He jumped up on them waiting for them to bend down and pet him. But of course they didn’t. He sniffed them and seemed fascinated by them. Later I heard him barking and scratching at the Chaney Room door. He wanted another look at those non-responsive people who wouldn’t give in to his doggie charms. It was very cute to see the little perplexed look on his face. I took a dip in the Jacuzzi and laid down on the couch for a nap. When I got up later in the evening I put the finishing touches on the Laurel and Hardy Halloween boy, and fed and walked Roxy. I was craving Denny’s so I put in an order and drove over to pick it up. All in all it had been a pretty good Friday the 13th. I watched some “Twilight Zone” episodes before bed, and just before we went to sleep, I took Roxy out for one last potty break. As I was putting stuff away, I heard loud dogs barking and carrying on. I turned the corner of my patio to see Roxy and another dog fighting. Roxy had the other dog on its back, and the lady with the other dog was screaming. Roxy got a serious spanking. That type of behavior is UNACCEPTABLE. She got another spanking, and was told to go in the house. On her way in the house she got another spanking, and a bop on the nose. You have to do that when they behave like that. I was so mad at her I was literally speechless.
Saturday the 14th – SARA, STAPLES, SATURDAY, SAINT AND SALAD! – Sleeping til 3 in the afternoon is amazing! There’s still a few hours left to get some things done, so I hit the road and stocked up on vitamins. Then I met Sara at Panera (that rhymes!) for lunch. I got some grocery items, we loaded them into Sara’s car and she took them to my house and put them away while I went over to Staples to buy a 2014 Day Planner. I also went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to get a new heated blanket and some cinnamon candles. I came back home and prepped for movie night. When it was finished, my pals Mark and James stayed around to chat for a bit. Then I did some work around the house, cleaning up and organizing. It was another cold night, so I bundled up and took Roxy out for a late-night stroll around the neighborhood after her dinner. I came back inside and prepared my awesome salad for another Saturday Night Saint and Salad extravaganza. When the episode of “The Saint” was over, I threw on a bonus “Twilight Zone” episode just for good measure.
Sunday the 15th – CLIFTON COAT COOL! – December is now half gone, and there’s only 2 weeks left in 2013! Unbelievable! I woke up at 1 to head over to my seamstress Karyn Hutchinson’s studio. She finished up the Tony Clifton replica tuxedo jacket she had been working on, and it turned out PERFECT! Next, she’s working on a blackout curtain for my bedroom. Then she’ll make a few more Tony Clifton bowling shirts (one for Mr. Clifton HIMSELF!). On the drive back I hooked up my i-Pad and played my Christmas playlist. There are a lot of songs on my personal playlist that I never hear on the radio or the satellite. It was fun hearing all my faves as I casually drove home by way of Burger King. I got home and prepped for evening church. I walked Roxy over and met up with my friend Bonnie from Riverside who had driven in to meet me at the service. But within the first five minutes of getting to church I saw on my cellphone that I had missed a call from my folks. There could only be one reason they were calling. And my suspicion was correct. When I stepped outside to return the call my dad said that my 101 year old Grandma Hazel had passed away at 7pm Sioux Falls, South Dakota time. She had quite a run! She was a great lady and I have tons of great memories about her. But she’s in a much better place now with all of those she loved who have gone on before her. Before she died she found a poem that she wanted read at her funeral called “My First Christmas in Heaven.” I noted to Bonnie that Grandma made it to Heaven just in time for the big birthday celebration! But I suspect in Heaven every day is a celebration. After church I drove Bonnie over to the Christmas House, but their computer program was having a skipping issue. It would get halfway into the last song of the five song set, stop, pause for awhile, and then pick up with the third song in the set. So we went to Coral Café for dinner, hoping that it would be fixed by the time dinner was over. But when we went back we found it was still doing it. Oh well. It was fun to watch anyway. I drove Bonnie back to her car and bid her farewell. I took a dip in the Jacuzzi and napped on the couch by the fire with Christmas songs playing gently in the background. But I had a bunch of auditions to do, so when I awoke I took care of those. Then I proceeded to do some work around the house, laundry and cleaning up. Then I fed and walked Roxy. I was heading into the final week of work on “TTS” before we took our two week Christmas and New Year’s break. I was looking forward to the hiatus because my garage needed some serious organization. And I was thinking a little bit in the back of my mind about another short little Palm Springs trip between Christmas and New Year’s. Hmmmm….
And how was YOUR week???!!
PIX FROM THE WEEK
My friend Officer Mark took this shot of me at the Oak Tree Gun Club last week, and we thought it was a cool shot. But it needed something more. So with the help of he and my pal James, we made the shot look even more macho! (Apologies for my crappy Photoshop job, but you get the point!)
The lovely Tony Clifton vintage tux created by my seamstress Karyn Hutchinson! Perfect in every way!
While coming out of NBC the other day, I saw THIS! The Electric Mayhem’s tour bus, which will be seen in an upcoming Super Bowl commercial!
My latest handgun purchase…a .40 caliber Sig Sauer model 226 called The Equinox.
My Laurel and Hardy Halloween boy is complete! My special effects pal Jim Ojala painted his hair and eyes so they really pop with the costume on. There’s nothing like those old Ben Cooper Halloween costumes from the 60’s and 70’s!
