RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK
Though it’s been chilly in L.A., it’s nothing compared to what’s going on back east. This was sent to me in my e-mail and though it’s strikingly beautiful, it looks chillingly cold!
This song is what would be considered an “oldie,” but I wasn’t aware of it until a recent trip to Palm Springs. As I was driving on the 10 freeway late at night, I was dialing around the AM dial to find something to listen to during the last half hour’s worth of my drive. Popping through the static on the 660 frequency, was this song by the Gatlin Brothers. I used to play their music, along with tons of other country music, when I was on KXRB-AM in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1978/79. But I had never heard this one. It sounded awesome through the static-y signal of AM radio. Boy, there’s nothing better than cruising down the highway late at night, doing about 80, hearing a great country oldie on a static-y old AM station. It brings me a feeling of comfort, and the feeling of yesteryear floods back into my being.
Monday the 14th – MULTI-TASKING MONDAY! – After a nice, long relaxing day on Sunday, I was ready to hit it fresh. And I had a lot to get done! My hair guy Sergio Lopez came over to finish up the hair on my Sean Connery James Bond figure. He finished that, and then finished working on Oliver Hardy’s hair as well. These new figures are really shaping up to be valuable works of art! He finished Sean and Ollie, and got started on Stan Laurel’s hair too. I had to leave, but my assistant Sara came over to hang out with him and offer him any help he may need during the process. Laying hair on a figure like this is a long, tiresome process, but Sergio’s a master at it! Meanwhile, I had to go to Studiopolis in Burbank to voice a character in an anime pilot. I can’t talk about it, but it’s a character I’ve voiced before in the past, and it was a lot of fun! When we finished that after a couple of hours, I sped off to NBC to do “The Tonight Show.” After the taping I came home and found Sergio still working. He had been working a long day, so I told him he could split and come back later in the week to finish up Stan. When he left I took a dip in the jacuzzi, made some chicken soup and grabbed a nap. When I got up later I did some auditions and started making DVD dubs of a cartoon I did back in 2009 called “Gormiti.” It was briefly on Cartoon Network and I think they only ran 6 of the 52 episodes we did. But it was all I could get my hands on. Luckily one of the other actors in the show Tivo’d it from CN and got some tapes made. I had his tapes in my possession for a long time and I figured it was getting to the point of being rude. So I wanted to get them dubbed and back to him. I did some villain characters in the show and I wanted to grab some sound bites for my new voice-over demo. It’s been awhile since I’ve freshened it up, so I figure it’s about time I get busy and do it. When I was done I made some dinner and watched “Van Dyke and Company” on DVD. What a fun show! I really miss variety shows from the 70’s!
Tuesday the 15th – COLD SPELL! – I got a hotline call to be into NBC early to tape a few comedy bits for “TTS.” I busied myself with work around the house until it was time to go. I also walked Roxy and did some organizing for the day. I got to the studio and recorded the bit, then just hung out around the audio booth until it was time to tape the show. Jessica Simpson was the guest and she was as lovely as ever! She’s carrying her second child and though she says she’s sick a lot, she looked ravishing and glowing. When the taping was over I headed home and it was still very cold out! I love the chill as much as anyone else, but this is ridiculous! I’ll be glad when it warms up a little bit. I bundled up and took Roxy for a quick walk, then came inside to nap. I got up later to record some more auditions in my home studio and e-mail them to my agent, then did some more “Gormiti” dubbing. I made some dinner, settled in for the night and watched another episode of “Van Dyke and Company.”
Wednesday the 16th – BURBANK BLITZ! – I had a full day in Burbank, California. First, I went to an audition at Voicecasters. Then I went over to Plastic Depot to pick up an i-Pad holder that they made for me. Plastic Depot fabricates all sorts of custom stuff out of all sorts of plastics. I wanted to have a little stand made for my i-Pad so I could put it on slideshow, prop it up and let it run while people are milling around my house. In the past Plastic Depot has made a ton of stuff for my house. A custom light sabre holder, giant frames for costumes, special stands, etc. They’re good folks! Then I went to Radio Shack to buy another digital recorder for my family history recordings. I like to take a few minutes each day and record some stories, thoughts, recollections, and advice for my descendants. A few years back I thought about how nice it would have been for my grandparents to have recorded some of their stories. That way I could get to know them a little better years after they’ve left this mortal coil. So, in case any of my future relatives are curious, I figured I’d leave behind several recordings. When I fill up a recorder I don’t transfer the files and erase and start over. I fill it up and archive it. That way there are three copies of each volume. (I’m just starting volume seven now.) In addition to the recorder itself, I’ve transferred it over to my personal computer as well as an external hard drive. I went to NBC early to record some comedy bits for “TTS,” then went to the world-famous NBC Commissary to get a salad. I walked by Stage 4, where they taped “Van Dyke and Company,” but I couldn’t go into the stage. They have another show going on there and they were busy working. But someday I’ll get in there and have a look around. I went back to the studio, ate my salad and opened the show. I’ve been having considerable torso pain for awhile, and while I’m convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that it’s not heart related, I am starting to think that it’s digestive and stomach acid related. I’m going to see my doctor on Monday (we have the day off from “TTS” for the MLK holiday) so I’ll see what he says. On the way home I bought some Pepto Bismol tablets and some Tums. That ought to help ease the discomfort. I took a dip in the jacuzzi and then napped. When I got up later I did some more auditions, worked on my bank statements, organized more stuff around the house, and watched another episode of “Van Dyke and Company” just before bed. My assistant Sara was curious about the show, so she came over to watch it and I made some of my world infamous Summer Sausage Spaghetti!
Thursday the 17th – HACKED AGAIN! – I got up to do another session for US Airways (the first in several months) but it was postponed until next Tuesday because the engineer was under the weather. So I took the opportunity and got some stuff done around the house. I called the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles to get a receipt from my stay there last week e-mailed over. And I got a call from my credit card company asking if I had made some “suspicious” purchases in the past few hours. Once he read me the companies I told him I did not make those purchases. When you buy as much stuff on-line as I do, this happens every year or so. Just part of life. Luckily my bank is on it, and flags it as soon as it happens. So we went over the purchases that I did not make and they were removed from my statement. I asked him something that had always been bugging me about credit card fraud. If a person gets my credit card number and security code, and uses it to buy something on-line (like a jacket) and has it shipped to their address…why don’t you just get the address they listed and show up and arrest them when they go to pick up the purchase? Simple. The guy said that was a good idea, but I’m not sure why anyone hadn’t thought of it before. That would give you the suspect right in the palm of your hand. Go ahead and ship them the jacket, but have somebody waiting there when they pick up their mail. Easy! Oh well, not my problem I guess. I made a few phone calls and then recorded a very tough bit for “TTS.” It involved a full page of copy, but they needed me to talk very fast. And the copy contained some very hard-to-pronounce names. But I made it through, finished the bit and e-mailed it in. I also did an audition, and then walked Roxy. I got a call to be into “TTS” around 2:15 to record another bit, so I got showered, stopped by Subway to get a tuna sandwich, and made it into NBC in time. After the bit was recorded I just hung out in the audio booth with Patrick Smith the audio mixer until it was time to tape the show. Patrick’s always good company. When we wrapped I headed home to meet up with Jim Ojala. While Sergio was styling Oliver Hardy’s hair the other day, the support base got moved the wrong way and Hardy fell over, damaging his right arm. So Jim came over to make some repairs. Then I redressed the figure and balanced his base so he wouldn’t fall over again. Sometimes these mannequins are tricky. The spindle that goes into their leg to support their weight can swivel on the peg attached to its base. Particularly if the pose of the mannequin is leaning anyway (like Hardy is) the weight displacement is especially important. You have to see which way the mannequin wants to lean, and secure the base so its main support is in that direction. But we got it all figured out and he looks fabulous! Definitely a work of art, created by true artisans Sergio Lopez and Jim Ojala. We’ve turned out to be a pretty good team. I visualize and design the overall look of the mannequin, find the appropriate costuming and compile the materials (wigs, glass eyes, hats, etc). Then I hand it off to Jim for fabrication and painting. After Jim’s done, Sergio comes in and adds the necessary hairstyle. The dozen or so figures I have could most likely be sold as art pieces for a substantial amount of money. Though I don’t think I’ll ever part with them. I turned on some nice meditational music on the satellite and slept on the couch all evening. I got up later to do some auditions, write some correspondence, and then I made dinner to eat while watching “Van Dyke and Company.”
Friday the 18th – HAIR PATROL! – The maids showed up around noon to clean Planet Wallywood, but I had to periodically have them shut down the vacuum cleaners so I could record some bits for “TTS.” My assistant Sara came over to hang with them since I had to get going. I had a very busy day planned! On Fridays we tape an hour earlier than usual. It’s something they started doing just before the holidays and everybody seemed to like it so much they stuck with it for the time being. So I headed into NBC early while Sergio stayed at my house working on Stan Laurel’s hair. When we wrapped up for the week I stopped by my chiropractor’s office to get an adjustment, then I was off to the Pasadena Convention Center for a special event which was part of the IMATS (International Make-Up Artist Trade Show) convention. My friend Deverill Weekes and his wife Juliet Landau premiered their new short film “Dream Out Loud,” an expose about an incredible make-up artist named Kazu. A gal who assembled a “Tiger and Bunny” model for me named Saeko is a big fan of Kazu’s, so I had her meet me there so she could meet him. The film was terrific but much too short. I wanted to know more about this Japanese-born artist who has worked with make-up greats Dick Smith and Rick Baker. Perhaps after they gain momentum with the short film, they’ll get interest in funding for a full feature-length documentary. I saw lots of old friends and it was a great evening. Kazu unveiled his new Lincoln bust, which was easily 6 feet high. Amazing work! My friend and webmaster Scott Sebring’s wife Vickie provided the wardrobe for the bust, which she’s been busy working on for months. I hadn’t eaten all day so I stopped by McDonald’s to get a bite before heading home. When I arrived Sergio was just finishing up on the hair on the Stan Laurel mannequin. It looked great! So good, in fact, that I may display him permanently with his derby in his hand, instead of on his head. My pal Brittney Powell came over to catch up, and then I grabbed a short nap. I got up to feed and walk Roxy, then made a salad and watched “Van Dyke and Company” in bed before I retired for the day. WHEW!
Saturday the 19th – SMOKIN’ BARREL AND SMOKIN’ BBQ! – Just after noon I met my pal James and we drove to Simi Valley to check out my friend Jorge’s new gun store Smokin’ Barrel. Our pal Mark, whose a police officer in Thousand Oaks, met us as well. After looking around the store for awhile, we went next door to get some delicious bar-b-q! Boy was it good! Baked beans, potato salad and a bar-b-q beef sandwich! What a fun afternoon! I bought a box of ammo and a Smokin’ Barrel cap, and we were on our way. Understandably the selection of guns is fairly limited these days. I got back home and grabbed a nap, and then got up to do an interview with a young man named Austin Harris. He’s interviewing voice actors for a student film he’s doing. He’s only 17, and his request reminded me of when I interviewed Adam West back in 1980 (who back then would have been my age now). I guess you have to pay it back, so I was happy to comply with the interview request. He interviewed me for about an hour until my movie night guests started arriving. We watched a Laurel and Hardy film called “Swiss Miss” and then watched the final Sean Connery James Bond film called “Never Say Never Again.” After everyone left my pal Edi stayed to chat a bit and get my advice on a few things. After she left I did some work around the house and hit the hay. I had soup and a sandwich and watched “Van Dyke and Company.”
Sunday the 20th – SPENDING THE HOURS REMINSCIN’! – My contractor Terry was supposed to come over to fix some stuff but he didn’t. I got up for evening church and by the time I got there I was a little late. After church I met Edi, Amanda and my friends Bill and Cami for dinner at Jerry’s Famous Deli. Bill is the voice of Disneyland and his wife Cami is the voice of Disney’s California Adventure. But Bill used to work in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota. So we have lots of common friends and acquaintances. We told each other stories about the old days and laughed ourselves silly! I got home and did some work and then took a nap. I got up later in the evening to do some work around the house, walk and feed Roxy and then bed. I didn’t have auditions because the agency offices will be closed for the Monday holiday.
Monday the 21st – M.L.K.D.A.Y.! – Since we were off from “TTS” I made use of the free day and got some meetings taken care of. Firstly was a meeting with my accountant David who is helping me form my corporation Planet Wallywood, Inc. I dropped by his office and got the 411 on all the stuff I’ll need to do differently, now that I’m a “hired hand” in my own company. It’ll be an adjustment, but I think it’ll be worth it in the long run. After that I drove down to Santa Monica to see my doctor, the greatest doctor in the world, Dr. Patt: the Rock and Roll Doc! I wanted him to address these torso pains I’ve been having recently. He tested my heart and said it was excellent. He said pains from acid and gas can go all over the torso, into the arms and back, and that was exactly what I was having. I had bad side effects from an antacid that I had been prescribed back in October, so he’s putting me on something that’s totally different. He also tested me for prostate and colon cancer (both negative) and zapped an annoying mole under my left arm. When we finished the appointment I went over to Campo’s in West LA to get an enchilada. I don’t get Campo’s unless I’m on the westside because they don’t have them around where I live. So it’s a rare treat. I stopped by It’s a Wrap in Beverly Hills but didn’t find anything to my liking. Then I enjoyed the rest of the beautiful day with a nice long drive back home. I stopped off at the pharmacy to have my prescription refilled, but they didn’t have the medicine in stock. The pharmacy across the street didn’t have it either. Must be popular stuff! I called Dr. Patt to see about getting something different, but when he called in to place the prescription the pharmacy didn’t answer. Dr. Patt called me back and he was pissed. I sure don’t know how some of these companies can stay in business being so lame, but it’s beyond me. They said they would text me when the prescription was ready, so I went home to get a nap. When I woke up later I met my pal Edi, who brought her doggie Bunny over. Roxy and Bunny are so funny together. Roxy’s so big and clumsy, and Bunny’s so tiny and petite. When they left I did seven auditions and e-mailed them in. Then it was time for Roxy’s dinner and walk, and afterwards we headed to bed to watch Van Dyke and Company.
And how was YOUR week??!
