Basic Goodness

“We can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.” --T.J. KLUNE, in the book THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA 

Alan and I went to see THE MUMMY starring Brendan Fraser.  I really like Brendan.  I think it stems from 1991 when we went to see a screening of MY GIRL and he was there at the after party.  He was so nice to us.  And so, my fan status for him is sticking.  We liked THE MUMMY.  It had some Raiders of the Lost Ark feeling to it but he made for a great hero.  The costar actress, Rachel Weisz, was nice to look at and now I really like her, too. 

Alan and I hit West Hollywood the following night (April 29th) for dinner at ‘asia de cuba’.  I love the giant flowerpots decor in the patio there.  The garlic mashed potatoes were fantastic—but over the top filling.  My tummy was stuffed.  

Mom arrived around noon from Oakland.   We first took her to the Santa Monica Hangar Airport where an LA Antiques Show was taking place.  We just browsed and didn’t buy anything.  Then we took her to see a British film called GET REAL.  It had a gay theme, so it was rather interesting to watch with her but the storyline was very well done.  The Brits know how to do a good film.  My favorite song was the one called LOVE IS ALL AROUND by The Troggs.  I must add that as one of my ultimate favorites.  I want LOVE to be all around me. Who wouldn’t? 

Saturday, May 1st we took mom to another movie. This one was screened early evening:  NEVER BEEN KISSED, starring Drew Barrymore, a romantic comedy that we all really enjoyed.  It balanced out the movie experience given that this one was not gay-themed.  Ha-ha.   After the movie we ate at one of our favorite Italian Restaurants with a beautiful outdoor courtyard called PANE VINO.  

On Sunday, May 2nd we drove to Beverly Hills to our usual NATE N AL’s breakfast.  Movie mogul, Lew Wasserman, was there as usual with his grandson, nibbling on his crispy bacon. The Maitre D from THE PALM Restaurant, Gigi, was there also.  He was so friendly.  Later that evening we had a Cinco De Mayo-style dinner and went to another movie called ENTRAPMENT.  Mom understands ‘it’s LA’ so it’s all about movies here.  She’s lucky that some good films were playing.  This one starred Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  I love Catherine Zeta-Jones.  It was especially fun because Catherine’s character was named Gin (short for Virginia, my mom’s name) who played an insurance investigator after a Rembrandt painting was stolen from a New York City building.  The caper went on from there. It was filled with action/crime and made for quite a thriller, too.  We all loved the story.  Mom is a big fan of Sean Connery, too.  So, we were all happy.  

We took mom to dinner at ‘asia de cuba’ on Monday night and a power breakfast at the BEL AIR HOTEL on Tuesday morning, May 4th.  We watched a video at home of one of my favorite movies called DANGEROUS BEAUTY.  It was released last year (1998) and takes place in Venice, Italy.  

On Wednesday, May 5th mom had a 3pm facial that I scheduled for her.  She loved it and really looked great.  For dinner we hit SPAGO in Beverly Hills with Gloria and Jack.  There was no need to talk with Gloria there.  She always has great things to bring up.  

I had to print accounts belonging to Lisa Aquilina, a new client that my sister-in-law, Helen, introduced us to—but that was all I had to do on Thursday.  Gloria came over for dinner. For the rest of the week (what was left of it), we just coasted, took walks to the beach/pier and relaxed.  We were simply enjoying a week of basic goodness.  Mom flew back to Alameda on Friday, May 7 and I flew with her--just in time for Ashley’s Birthday on May 8 and MOTHER’S DAY. 

‘Whenever you see a bright and beautiful color, you are witnessing your own inherent goodness.  Whenever you hear a sweet and beautiful sound, you are hearing your own basic goodness.  Whenever you taste something sweet or sour, you are experiencing your own basic goodness.  If you are in a room and you open the door and walk outside, there is a sudden breeze of fresh air.  Such an experience may last only a second, but that whiff of fresh air is the smell of basic goodness.’--Chogyam Trungpa, in his book SMILE AT FEAR