Hey Guys,
Don, I lived in Santa Paula and then Ventura, so didn't venture into LA area much. My mother, not being a native Californian, was not comfortable driving there, even back then when it was busy, but probably not like anything today. But you never knew who would be around the next corner. Saw long time character actor Claude Akins (found this:
http://members.tripod.com/~compmast/akins/akins.html) who made a career of playing big burly cops, big burly bad guys, big burly truck drivers, big burly longshoremen, anything big and burly, at a golf course in the Ventura area. I had just seen him the previous Friday night on (okay people, VINTAGE ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT COMING RIGHT UP!) 77 Sunset Strip, starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.; father of Stefanie, cutie Roger Smith, husband of AnnMargaret; and also Edd Byrnes, who played the ultra cool hipster, Kooky and had the short-lived hit, "Kooky, Kooky, Lend Me Your Comb". Mr. Akins, of course, had played a big burly policeman on that show. I ran right up and got his autograph. And as I remember it, he was, indeed, big and burly! And once, while visiting a friend in Santa Barbara, I glimpsed Fess Parker heading into a building. Fess Parker was well known for playing Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone and he is a successful businessman in that area. (I guess he's still alive...??) Didn't pursue the autograph, darn it. I think I was in a car with my friend's family, and couldn't gracefully escape to chase my target at the time.
Then, once on a trip to LA, we went into a large department store, one with many floors. One entire floor was devoted to hats. At that time it was called The Millinery Department. I spied a familiar face and asked for his autograph too. Now, boys and girls, this is REALLY going back - to 1956-1959. The Gale Storm Show. James Fairfax as the steward Cedric. He was sitting there with his wife, and she was trying on hats. He was a little old man with a twinkle in his eye. Very cute.
Then I literally chased down Richard Boone when I was in Hawaii. He was living there and was at a concert. I was after him like white on rice. I mean, this was PALADIN, for cryin' out loud. Not at the time that I got his autograph, but still. This is one of the western theme songs I knew by heart. He was AWESOME. Had to run him to ground. If I had been civilized about this whole autograph thing I should have just written to the studio and gotten an autographed photo. Didn't do that for some reason. Just chased 'em when I found 'em, I guess.
Matti, the dr appointment went fine. No changes and the doctor said he was very pleased with how everything looked. Said he'd see me in 18 mos. I did post something over in the Radiation "community".
The big birthday dinner was very nice. (And expensive, but we already knew that didn't we?")
We had excellent service and the food was very good. I had, and I quote "SECO A LA NORTEÑA an old family recipe; lamb shank slow-cooked in the traditional Northern Peruvian style with cilantro, black beer, ajàAmarillo, onions and garlic; served with a bean stew and salsa criolla", thank you very much. Also for cocktails, I had " RON-YKI-ON roasted ginger infused silver rum shaken with grapefruit juice, lime juice, and cane sugar, served up with a cardamon sugar rim" and it was very good! The Pearl District is reclaimed warehouse spaces, and it's full of great restaurants, trendy nightspots, elegant art galleries, expensive lofts... that sort of place. So these buildings have a lot of high ceilings, wood floors, open spaces that echo and don't absorb the noise of the people who are having a swell time with their Fine Dining experience. So the freakin' place is really, really LOUD! And there was some lady behind us who laughed, and laughed and laughed, and was having quite a nice time, but she laughed the whole darn time we were there. Loud laughing. That reverberated inside my head and bounced from nerve to nerve like a ping pong ball on steroids. I wanted to strangle her. But she was having so much fun that I thought maybe I should restrain myself. The restaurant brought me a birthday "treat" for dessert. They have a lovely oblong dish with Feliz Cumpleanos written across the bottom of the plate in chocolate, and then a beautiful dessert with raspberry or some kind of berry sauce and some berries artfully arranged. The dessert was light and airy and I'm not sure what it was, sort of a custardy cheescaky molded thingie with the sauce, again artfully, drizzled around. They brought forks for all of us to share in the treat. It was very beautiful, as they are in these Fine Dining Establishments. Also, they have a casual atmosphere and the kitchen is open and not far away and the noise of the kitchen adds to the ambient noise level. I will say, that it's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of having such attentive servers in a busy place like Andina. We had more than one person bringing us the drinks, the tapas that we tried (Yucca Rellenos, which was really good, I thought, and not at all what I expected, and quinoa coated shrimp) and the main course, and not letting us want for anything - except some peace and quiet! HA If we ever go there again, I shall ask if there is a quieter area of the restaurant, and I'll know to ask for a booth. I don't lead that sheltered of a life, we do go out and about on occasion, but not often to these kinds of places. These, in our book and wallet, are reserved for SPECIAL OCCASIONS only. Maybe eventually, before I die, I'll learn how to ask for and get the most out of our Fine Dining moments.
Sorry this is long and chatty. I guess I was in a "creative writing" mood. Thanks for letting me indulge. Thanks again for all the best wishes. I really appreciate it.
Sue in Vancouver
Ah, Gee, Laz! (psst, the check's in the mail!
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