Georgina's World

Yes, Virginia, therr IS a GREAT PUMPKIN

2011-11-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

OK. So it's not actually Virginia. It's Marsha Meyers - my friend who did the hilarious portrayal of the gossip columnist in Singing In the Rain at the Downey Community Theater (see earlier post).

Our coven of three met at the delightful Louisa's on Los Feliz (our favorite watering hole) to bubble up some trouble and chow down on really good Italian food. The third of the party is Joyce Brody - mother superior to most of the Democratic committees in our area.

We have here a "Klong" sent to me by the couple from Hamburg who were here to do an interview with me for promotion of the the chamber opera he, Thies Mynther has written. Sandra ran camera. John is on left, leaning on Thies, Miriam of Cabaret fame is sweetly supporting yours truly.
John's cousin, Rafael completes the picture being shot by Sandra, seen in mirror, if you look closely.

Another gift has been the Kindelization of my book and it's announcement crafted by the producer of the audio version of the book - which will be released the first of the year, Sam Caldwell. It follows this post.

The Devil Made Me Do It Kindle Edition

2011-10-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

It’s official, The Devil Made Me Do it is available as an Amazon Kindle e-book! You may purchase and install the e-book using your Amazon account and Whispernet.

My e-book publisher has added a personal photos page along with a link to a Kindle friendly webpage hosting additional photos. The Kindle friendly webpage will be continuously updated with new photos from my past and as well as more recent snaps.

A Barnes and Nobles Nook e-book and Audio Book (read by yours truly) are in the works. Please subscribe to this blog or the Devil Made Me Do It Facebook page for availability updates.

New book websites to check out:

http://www.thedevilmademebook.com

http://www.georginaspelvinmemoir.com

Who Says You Can't Go Back Again?

2011-10-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

John, my loving spouse, took me aaaaallll the way "down the hill" to Downey (about a forty minute drive from our humble hovel under the Hollywood Sign in Sunday mid-day traffic) to see our buddy, Marsha Myers, play the role of Dora Bailey in the Downey Civic Light Opera staging of Singing in the Rain.

Marsha was one of the original War Babies: the improv group that John was with when we met.

Now, I can't speak for the dialog, but the DANCE STEPS were a faithful recreation of every tippy tap in the fabulous Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds movie. I'll swear to that.
Dance steps, I remember. Dialog, not so much.

Ms. Myers' portrayal of the gossip columnist who stitches the story together for us was HYSTERICAL. My sides still ache.
There's one more weekend left of this treasure. If you can make it, you won't regret it.

BTW, the humble hovel is getting a face lift as I write. The water blasting happily coincided with our one day of rain last week. Now the scrapping and scrubbing has the back yard denizens - squirrels, geckos, humming birds, and crows - watching from their various limbs and rocks in mild apprehension. Me, too.
The painter man asked, "What color."
"The same," we said.

No good. A number must be chosen and properly recorded. It's never easy.

Roots

2011-09-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

This just in from my pal Howie Gordon (screen name Richard Pacheco)

"The Berkeley Gordon men return to Scotland and don the great Clan Gordon kilts.

Underneath, we're wearing tefillin. Put that in your haggis and smoke it, Mel Gibson!
Happy New Year!"

Aye, wud but that I could hae stood thar wid dae bonny lads.

We're probably related. Me Da's pap did cum fra The Isle of Montrose. And in this picture, Howie looks a lot like a lot of my cousins. OK. I know you're Jewish, Howie - and a happy new year to ye - but you do look like kin. No wonder we had instant empathy.

Here's a picture of my first cousin, Ernest

(a son of my dad's sister)

and his daughter Kristi Lisa

. Now have you ever seen a more Gaelic pair?

She's BAAAAAAAACK.

2011-09-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

Nine Eleven left me speechless. The tenth anniversary did the same.

Moving on.

I finally got to meet the boxing guru Big Bad Brad Berkwitt in person. He and his lovely lady love, Valerie, came to LA to show her son the wonders of LA. Our house is sort of on the way to Universal City so they stopped by for lunch.

Our former next door neighbor, Lanny, moved in with his true love Jerry a few years ago. Lanny is the taller. They are both accomplished and recognized artists.

Here is one of Lanny's works.
Jerry has a studio, so Lanny moved in there and his grandson moved into the house next to ours. We never see him. You know how young people are - busy busy busy. Did get to see Lanny and Jerry for lunch recently.

The newspaper reporter (now a columnist with L.A. News!) Kevin Modesti and his pal, Randy stopped by. Kevin was assigned to cover Marilyn Chamber's memorial service where he interviewed me and we became lunch buddies.

"So what have you been doing this summer?" I ask.
"I've been sneaking into the swimming pools at the big hotels on my lunch break," she says.
"What a GREAT idea. Want some company?"

The swim bandits strike again.

So that's what I've been doing.

Oh yes, we did finally get the rickety back screen door replaced.

A very happy Autumnal Equinox to all.

For a GOOD TIME call 818-561-5878

2011-07-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

And I mean a REALLY good time!

818-561-5878 will take you to an answering service where you can reserve seats for Choices at 8pm on Tuesday, July 12th, 19th, or 26th. And if you whisper "I'm a friend of the theater" at the box office, tickets are only $10! Parking is available on the street north and south of Pico for FREE. The theater is just 2 and 1/2 blocks West of La Brea.

You will see a remarkable one-man show that begins promptly at 8pm and lasts just over an hour. It could have gone on into the night as far as I was concerned, and I'm not a big fan of the one-man confessional, Bobby Gorden's show being an exception (see earlier post.) But this one, like Bobby's, really WORKS.

Credit the skills of actor/author Jed Mills
(on left)

and director/co-author Renny Temple,

They were aided and abetted by flawless sound and lighting enhancement executed by Jessica Kaye Temple. Not just your scruffy techie - Jess is a tremendous performer as well. Yeah, so OK, she's the director's daughter and comes by her considerable skill and talent quite honestly. Mom is actress Caren Kaye.

We laughed - a lot - and, yes, cried a little. Triumph over serious coke addiction and INCARCERATION is not all laughs. Still, Jed's comedic skills almost made it so.

Live theater here in moooovieland is rare. Good - really good - live theater is scarce as hen's teeth. Don't miss this opportunity if you can help it.

Of course, all you poor folks who live somewhere other than Los Angeles are outta luck. Sorry. Maybe someone will come up with the $ to record this on a DVD. Any offers?

I'm going back for a second dose on the 19th and taking Theis Mynther and his partner, Sandra. They're coming to LA from Germany to record some promos for the Hamburg Premiere of "Expose," a musical adaptation of The Devil Made Me Do It that Theis has written. I've heard some of the score, and I LOVE it. More of that later.

Doin' the Kitchen Redo - Oh vo-de-o-do!

2011-06-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Last month John said, "I think it's time to remodel the kitchen. I'm thinking new counter tops and cabinet doors."

Well, that sounded simple enough.

He called a few contractors and got bids. We fell in love with Jenny Housey of Golan Remodeling: a Sabra. Soft-spoken, but easy to picture with an Uzi if circumstances warranted.
Fortunately, she was on our side all the way.

Everything in the kitchen had to go somewhere else. In our house, the only somewhere else is the living room or the bedroom and the bedroom is full of bed.

The next thing I knew, the rest of the kitchen went oopsdefloop

out the garage door into a dumpster. Not as easy as it sounds.

A temp kitchen materialized on the dining room table.

Fine for cooking.

Washing up?
Where else?

Miss Puss, who considers the bath her private domain, was not amused.
"Much safer up here."

Custom-built cabinets arrive

and are installed apace.

The new stove stands by in the garage.

Once it's installed, John is a very happy camper.

So much for "just new counter tops and cabinet doors." Hell, it's his kitchen. He did all the negotiating and contracting.

I did hold out for a broom closet where the old hot heater was.
We got one of those eco-friendly on-demand units. Takes a little longer to get hot water at the kitchen sink, but I'm getting used to washing up with cold water. At the new sink, washing up with anything is a joy.

The overseer makes a final inspection...

...and approves.

The scissors are just a play for sympathy.

Josh Alan Friedman

2011-06-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

There's so much to Josh Alan Friedman, I don't know where to start.

Musican, composer, raconteur: I groveled before his quiet, unassuming, personage at a book signing/reading fest organized by the ever-resourceful Wyat Doyle last year.

I was so overwhelmed by Mr. Friedman's MUSIC, I almost forgot to get him to sign my copy of Black Cracker - almost. I've read that book three times. Not because it's hard to understand. Au contraire. Because it's just that damn entertaining, even while it's provoking hell out of one's thoughts.

When Wyat emailed me that Josh was going to be in town this week, I started trying to find a way to make it to one of the only two (alas) appearances he will make. Much depends on what state our house is in by then. Oh yes. We are in the throes of FINALLY getting John's kitchen built. I promised him the sales of The Devil Made Me Do It were gonna pay for a new kitchen for him who loves to cook and is so very good at it.

Well, it's taken a few years, but we're finally getting it done!

It's been such fun camping out in the living room

with our makeshift kitchen in the dining room. We've blown the circuit breaker four times, so far. But, we haven't missed a meal.

The newest member of the household, Miss Puss, is less than enthusiastic about the whole thing.

Do go hear Josh. He's amazing.

ALERT THE MEDIA

2011-05-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

My far-better-half, John, is taking me out for dinner and A SHOW this coming Sunday evening, May 15th at the Studio Grill in Gower Gultch, southwest corner of Sunset and Gower in Hollywood. Email cabaretidol@yahoo.com for reservations.

We're going to see our friend, Miriam Birch, who dazzeled us with her winning performances at the Cabaret Contest shows held at this same great venue last year.

Now they've brought her back to do a show of her very own. Well, her side-kick, Raf Mauro, who happenes to be John's cousin
(which has nothing to do with his talent) will do a number or two, he says, if we insist. We'll insist.

It's best to get there at 6, when the doors open, if you want to have dinner first. This place is famous for it's great seafood. They serve a boss burger as well, though. Me? I'll prob'ly do the fish tacos as usual.

More great news!
My first "leading man" from those gory glory days - Harry Reems - got in touch!

Much more than a leading man, it was he who
introduced me to Jerry Damiano, director of the ever-popular Devil in Miss Jones.

I wish someone would publish Harry's story. I think he remembers all the stuff I've forgotten. Well, he's much younger than I.

Here just some of the good stuff about him that's "out there."

Harry Reems
filmography
biography
and a wonderful article in the e-zine New York Movies.

The Lusty Month of May

2011-04-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

"Tra la. It's here. That shocking time of year. When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear."

Yes, It's official. From Seders to Sunrise Services to the idiocy of "Daylight Savings" (where? in a jar?) to the inarguable tilt of the planet and the Whickershim wirlings of the wild Wiccan waifs:

IT'S SPRING.

The absolute proof is here at the annual egg decorating baccanal chez Scott/Nakamura.

Nobody throws an egg-fest like these ritcheous elves.

Here is John working on a creation.

And some of the finished product.

Our homage to the extended hours of sunshine - expansion of the deck not densely shaded to accommodate a lounger.

I know. Sunshine is no friend to the skin, but I can't resist the lure of a wee bask now and then. No more than twenty minutes at a time - tops - I promise.
Poor Miss Puss is gonna miss her dirt baths when it's finished. Who
knew dirt could be so enticing?

Our neighbors with the pool stopped by to tell us a new tenant has moved in. Tommy Flanagan. No shit. We haven't seen nor heard any sign of a motorcycle - yet.

House owner and friend, Sean, said Mr. Flanagan said we were still welcome to use the pool, but I'd be way too shy to just go over and introduce myself. Maybe if we meet one day in the drive way, I'll mention it. Or maybe I'll just climb over the fence and fall in accidentally.

Did Debbie Does Dad

2011-04-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Me with BFFL Richard Pacheco

Not dark of night, nor hail, nor gale, nor even raging sciatica was gonna keep me from seeing the scion of my BBFL Richard Pacheco's son, Bobby, in his one-man tour-de-force, Debbie Does My Dad.

Howie "sizing up?" his scion, Bobby.

Me with another BBFL, Penny Antine

Here's what I emailed my pal, Penny Antine when she asked me how the show went.

"You missed an AMAZING piece of theater and a look at a talent that, if there's a god at all, is gonna be BIG - in any arena he chooses. Of course, the biz of show does not always reward ability and talent, but it sure helps if you have it.

Bobby was PHENOMENAL. Howie, his ladywife, Jeremy and Bobby's two sisters were all popping their vest buttons, as well they should.

I am so glad I got to see this at this time. I know it's got, as we say in the biz, LEGS, and the next venue may not be as convenient or affordable. Yeah, the Pantages is convenient to our Hollywood Hills home, but the prices!!!

Hey, I've been trying all day to think of what to say on my blog about last evening. I think I'll just copy this email.

And so I have.

The Burbank Marriott Celebrity Show

2011-04-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

True to his word, NY based radio host and horror film maven, Matt Beckoff, knocked me up (in the British sense, i.e., stopped by) at 8:30am Sat. April 2nd, 2011 and ferried me to the Burbank Marriott Celebrity Show. We made it a more comfortable 9:30 the next morning. I filled that extra hour Sunday pulling weeds in the front yard. Big mistake. After a week of daily physical therapy at the spa, I can again face the monitor and get this blog post up.

Yeah, yeah. I said never again and I meant it. Still do. But then I found out I would be seated at the Police Academy table. And though I am only represented as a leg on the original promo art, that leg grew legs, as we say in "the biz." That is, much good has come of that brief and limited exposure, not the least of which were the residuals that kept me on the SAG health plan. Thank you Paul Masslansky. As I say in the epilogue of my book, "...may your tribe increase."

The Police Academy contingent

welcomed me with open arms, even though I was only briefly in the original and PA III.
Alas, my secret love, George Gaynes couldn't make it after all. 'Twas put about that he had the flu. At 91, I suspect he may have had a touch of my major malady, the fuggits. Naaaah. Not the mighty Comander Eric Lassard.

Donovan Scott and my far-better-half, John, are old improvisation buddies, so I felt completely comfortable with him when we did our "hot" scene in the first Police Academy film. But, in truth, around the rest of the company I felt like an impostor. "What business had I on a set with these pros? I was a porn actress for pity sakes." My perception, entirely. But, I was so flummoxed by it all, that when Bubba Smith asked me if I'd like to join him for dinner, I stammered something about not eating dinner the night before a shoot or some such tripe. I was terrified that he'd think I was "open for business." If I'd known anything about him, or had taken the time to get to know him at all, I would have realized how really stupid that was. I do now. And I am soooo glad I got a chance at this gathering of "the old guard" to apologize to him for my seeming brush-off. I even got to sit next to him at lunch on Sunday - be still my heart!

I wasn't that much more comfortable in my skin when my lucky star passed overhead again and I was called back to appear in Police Academy III, Back in Training.

When the formidable (yet utterly charming out of uniform) Leslie Esterbrook invited me to have lunch with her, I didn't do a paranoid freakout and pull up a lame excuse. No, I jumped at the opportunity. She made me feel totally accepted. She was equally outgoing and charming at this signing thingy all these years later, and, again, made me feel like I was one of the club. What a gal!

AND, speaking of great gals, eternally effervescent Marion Ramsey was there, as ebullient, adorable and funny as ever.

Scott Thomson , my "leading man" in a "racy" scene in PA III, was at the table to my right. John's and my pal, Donovan Scott, was to my left. Surrounded by Scotts my two "love interests" in the PA films, I felt positively blessed. And quite at home. I had a really, really good time. I really did. Really. I did.

So yeah, after the weed-pulling, leaning over a table to hear what folks were saying and to sign stuff like this poster for new friend Mike Mosley I was in dire need of the daily self-administered physical therapy I refer to as my workout.

OH, and I got to meet and greet Todd Fulkerson and his Mom Paula. Todd it was who contacted me in the first place to ask if I would be there, as he had pictures he'd like for me to sign. Thank you Todd, for making me make it.

What's going on?

2011-04-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

Was unable to post the blog I spent several hours preparing. I am trying this simple sentence to see if it will "fly." If so, I'll go back and try to find out what I'm doing wrong on the full post.

Doing Debbie Does Daddy

2011-04-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

John and I are taking our pals Lanny and Jerry to see this Friday night April 8th at Highways in Santa Monica.
(Sorry for the old date on the flier.)
Here's a review:
"In Debbie Does My Dad performance artist Bobby Gordon uses spoken
word theater to tell the bawdy and beautiful story of his experiences growing up as the son of a former adult film star.

Gordon’s father, Howie Gordon (Stage Name Richard Pacheco) won Playgirl
Man-of-the-Year Honors in 1979 and had a Hall of Fame X-Rated acting career appearing in over a 100 features.

    Having spent his childhood “in the shadow of his dad’s erection” Bobby Gordon dives into his experiences dealing with overly excited friends, meeting (or really failing to meet) unreasonably high expectations from female classmates in school, his own sexual development, confronting and rebelling against his father, and ultimately working to redefine manhood for himself.
       Nothing is what you’d expect in this show where the words “sensitive” and “male porn star” go together as easily as “masturbation” and “inevitably getting walked in on by your parents.” Gordon offers an intimate window into his journey to come to grips his father’s former career, and create a world where a man can be an emotional and a sexual being; a world where fucking and feelings can co-exist.

    "Bobby Gordon plunges into the creative rhythms, images and sounds of spoken word poetry with courage, honesty and sensual delight to talk about sex, porn and fathering. This is a must see show." – Warren Nebe, Director of Drama For Life
More info and ticket availability.

Howie and his lovely ladywife have become good friends over the years. I am really looking forward to seeing what Bobby has in store for us.

I'll post a post mortem on the Hollywood Celebrity Show that I attended last weekend in a few days. As expected, leaning over a table to sign pictures and posters and lord-only-knows-what-all for two days, has landed me in backache hell. This too shall pass.

NEVER SAY NEVER

2011-03-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

Just got a link to a review that's just too flattering not to pass on.

Yeah. I know. I said never again. I swore off celebrity signing shows because I can't sit for six hours without going straight to backache hell. Soooo, I initially turned down an invitation to be a signer at The Hollywood Show extravaganza at the Marriott in Burbank Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3.

Then my friend Scotty (Donovan Scott) with whom I shared a scene in Police Academy said he was going to be there. Well, any chance to hob nob with Scotty - the funniest man alive - is a treat not to be missed. And, hey, thought I, I'll get to see another of my secret loves, George Gaynes! AND the rest of the Police Academy bunch.

Alas, it seems George can't make it. Drat. I just Googled him and learned that he's now 91! I'm only (ONLY) 75, and I'm not sure I'll survive it. But I'm going in. One more once.

Well, no sooner did I agree to join the Police Academy crowd, than I got a call from another old friend: talk radio host Matt Beckoff
who invited me to share his table. Well, what a delimma. Guess I'll just have to shuttle back and forth between tables.
Note to self. Wear comfortable shoes.

The Big Don't

2011-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

February 27th John sez: "You're going to be 75 March 1st, you know."
Me: I know.
John: So, shouldn't we do a big "Do?"
Me: Let's Don't.
John: Why not?
Me: I'm tired.
March 1st, my 75th birthday.
John: So, you wanna go out to dinner or something?
Me: I'd rather have you cook. It's always better.
John: I blush. So what do you want for dinner?
Me: Meatloaf.
John: We had meatloaf two days ago.
Me: Isn't there some left over?
John: Yeah.
Me: So? What's the problem?
John: There's no room on the table.
Me: Help me put the flowers out on the patio.

John: It's gonna rain more.

Me: So? They're flowers.

I'm still answering the emails.
Steve Lopez made me a poster.

How 'bout dat?!

In our copius spare time...

2011-02-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

John says:

"So what do you think? Should Charlie Sheen and Michael Richards do a bus-and-truck of The Odd Couple?"

"Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton could play the cuckoo Pigeon sisters," I enthuse.

(Pictures are from gathering of former employees of the LA County Medical
Association Communications Department
last year at Howard Bender's estate. Conversation from last night.)

Meet Miss Puss

2011-02-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

She came.

She saw.

She took possession of the couch and our hearts.

We're still not sure what her real name is. As T.S. Elliot said, "...a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his (her) tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his (her) whiskers, or cherish his (her) pride?"
So we use Miss Puss until we learn her "ineffable effable
Effanineffable, Deep and inscrutable singular Name."
For now, it's just Miss Puss. A HAH, I hear you say. So Georgina FINALLY consented to put her pussy up on the web!

My reporter friend, Kevin Modesti, whom I met when he was covering Marilyn Chamber's Bon Voyage party at
Pismo Beach last year, (if you didn't know, Marilyn died April 12th, 2009)

Yeah, so anyway - John and I got chatting with Kevin and we have since become lunch buddies.

He brought his new pal, Randy Farhi
along to the last such meeting. What a bright, charming lady. Her brother, Paul Farhi, is a reporter with The Washington Post and is a frequent guest on the political shows on MSNBC and such. Sorry, I can't resist dropping a name when it's such a significant one.

Kevin and I exchange books. I read something I think he
might like, I pass it along to him. He does the same for me. Now we've got Randy in the loop.

Poor dear. I just laid the first of Neal Stephenson's marathon Baroque Cycle (a not-so-brief history of commerce and communication) upon her. It's called Quicksilver and it's quite addictive. I'm sure I shall rot in hell for leading her down this path.

So, now I have two "new" eyes.

Here's me with just the first one done and the second still under wraps.

New kitty is not impressed.

A shout out to Doctor Robert Feinfield, my surgeon - who just happens to produce music in his spare time for a good cause.

My dentist is a sculptor. I expect my GP to hand me a movie script any day now. Gawd, I love living in El Lay.

Memories

2011-02-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

Even though the few moments I got to share with John on camera are not included in this tribute - I spent a long time savoring these images. I gather the score is John signing and playing one of his own compositions.

John was an accomplished Blues musician and produced a well reviewed CD called In The Kitchen. His CD may be still be purchased for $20 from his estate. Checks or money orders should be sent to:

John Leslie Blues Band c/o
Kathleen Nuzzo P.M.B. 103 38
Miller Ave. Mill Valley, CA 94941

What a guy!

FREE STUFF

2010-12-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

So I went to the Office Depot to replace our Canon copier and they didn't have one. The cute sales guy talked me into getting a Hewlett Packard "all-in-one" even though I had no use for a scanner or fax. It's a lovely little machine, but not what I need. So, as I should have done in the first place, I went on line and got what I wanted delivered in a smart two days in spite of holiday traffic.
Sooooo. If anyone in the Los Angeles area wants a practically new copier etc. email georginasworld@gmail.com and we'll figure out how to get it to you. I'd like to see it get a good home.

Speaking of good homes - Mr. Welsh has notified me that his mourning period for our dear departed cat, Bubba, is at an end and he is ready to audition a replacement. If anyone has a spare cat, preferably with all the shots and stuff in place, let us know.

The rain continues. The garden if loving every minute of it.

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

2010-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

First the good news.
My buddy and fellow Gypsy Emeritus, Miriam Birch has made it to the finals in the Great Cabaret Idol contest!

We'll be in the house cheering her on Sunday night. Looks like it may already be a sold-out house, but you can go to www.facebook.com/cabaretidol.
Once there, "like" the page, and get updates on show times, dates and guest judges for the week.
If you message James on www.facebook.com/cabaretidol, give (1) your name (2) how many tickets you would like and (3) that you are coming to support Miriam Birch.

Now the not so good news.

John Leslie Passed Away Monday, December 6, 2010

John was a major adult film actor appearing in close to 300 films and one of the first adult film actors who made a successful transition to director. John unexpectedly died at home of an apparent heart attack. Friends were not aware of health issues and remarked he had reported to work shortly before his death.

John was also known for his skill as a blues musician, cook and artist. John was a youthful 65.

I loved those guys - as did my best bud, Howie aka Richard Pacheko. Here's what he had to say.

John Leslie - Extra Crispy
Just returned from the crematorium where I stood next to John's wife, his best friend Joey, and his dog Holmes as we all held each other up, said good-bye and then watched as they loaded his shell into a very big oven. It kinda looked like an industrial, working-class, MRI machine. Never saw one of those ovens before. Don't really care if I never see another one again.

On the way back across the Bay, I listen to the John Leslie Blues Band on a CD. It's very comforting to hear John's voice again. I will have to get used to the idea that there will be no more new conversations.

John will be missed by family, friends and fans.

2010-12-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

Terri Childress, a delightful lady from Virginia, requested a review copy of my book, The Devil Made Me Do It. Of course I sent her one. Here's her response:

Hello Georgie!
I've posted my review for the book:
http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com/2010/12/04/the-devil-made-me-do-it-by-georgina-spelvin/

http://bodicerippernovels.blogspot.com/2010/12/devil-made-me-do-it-by-georgina-spelvin.html

http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Made-Me-Do/product-reviews/0615199070/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_4?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addFourStar
I'm 'alphalover'

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Devil-Made-Me-Do-It/Georgina-Spelvin/e/9780615199078/
I'm 'Stormie'

Thanks again for sending me an autographed copy. I'm still tickled
pink over it. Have a wonderful weekend,

Had a lovely visit with my book doctor, David Sterry!

Got to meet his adorable, talented, wife Arielle (nee Eckstut), mother of the amazing Olive.

We had lunch at the cafe.

Then explored the garden.

Olive entertained us with pithy observations

and wonderful stories. Yes, she comes by her lively literary skills honestly, of course, but I'm always amazed at how much they know when they still look like such recent arrivals.

Thanks much for fitting us on your packed dance card.

They grow up so fast...

2010-11-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

When I did a steamy scene with Howie Gordon for a film called The Dancers back in the dim dark dawn of time, his lovely wife was right there on the set, holding their infant son in her arms. It was the best experience I ever had on a set during my long and checkered career.

Here's Howie - then known as Richard Pacheco - and me at the Adult Film Awards ceremony that year.

I think we won something.

Now - that infant is all grown up

and presenting a unique take on the porn world that I have every intention of seeing when he brings it to Santa Monica in the spring.

Meanwhile - if you're in the San Francisco area - check it out.

Tickets and further information.
I just know it's going to be a very moving performance.
As we say in the Biz of Show, Dear Bobby, please know I wish you a warm hand on your opening.

The review:
In Debbie Does My Dad performance artist Bobby Gordon uses spoken word theater to tell the bawdy and beautiful story of his experiences growing up as the son of a former adult film star.
Gordon’s father, Howie Gordon (Stage Name Richard Pacheco) won Playgirl Man-of-the-Year Honors in 1979 and had a Hall of Fame X-Rated acting career appearing in over a 100 features.
Having spent his childhood “in the shadow of his dad’s erection” Bobby Gordon dives into his experiences dealing with overly excited friends, meeting (or really failing to meet) unreasonably high expectations from female classmates in school, his own sexual development, confronting and rebelling against his father, and
ultimately working to redefine manhood for himself.
Nothing is what you’d expect in this show where the words “sensitive” and “male porn star” go together as easily as “masturbation” and “inevitably getting walked in on by your parents.” Gordon offers an intimate window into his journey
to come to grips his father’s former career, and create a world where a man can be an emotional and a sexual being; a world where fucking and feelings can co-exist.

"Bobby Gordon plunges into the creative rhythms, images and sounds of spoken word poetry with courage, honesty and sensual delight to talk about sex, porn and fathering. This is a must see show." – Warren Nebe, Director of Drama For Life

The HAT

2010-11-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

"I LOVE that HAT!" said I to my friend Margie - aka Big Mean Lady of Lopez Land.
"Did you knit it?"
"I did," she replied. "OMG, you've got to give me the pattern!"
Now, I did used to knit - a lot - mostly leg warmers and mostly during the five minute breaks every hour that are required by Actors' Equity dance chorus contracts. But that was several lifetimes ago. Still, I thought this looked like something I might be able to handle. If I had a good, easy to read pattern. Right?
So - a week or so later, I get an unexpected package in the mail. When I open it, sitting upon an inflated red balloon is THE HAT! Never mind sending me the pattern, the lady made me a hat! Just like hers! She says she will send me the pattern anyway - when she has time to write it out. It was easier to knit the hat? I guess so.

What a Big Mean Lady.

How lucky am I?

Halloween

2010-10-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

So this is Halloween. Sunday, October 31^st. Not last night, Saturday. Tell that to the parents of the wee ghosties and goblins and the long-legged beasties that go bump in the night (most notably at the many parties along our block).

Halloween should be on the last Saturday of October – like Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday – last or next to last depending on geography. But Halloween, like Christmas, being based on the Christian calendar, not the public school system, is variable. I say Christmas and All Saint’s Day should both be on Sunday.

So Halloween eve – last night – Elen, my pal going all the way back to pre Woodstock days – made a birthday party for our mutual friend Laura featuring tandoori chickens with all the proper Moroccan trimmings and rituals and to hell with Halloween.

Here's pal Elen at Woodstock.

She can be seen at 1:34 into this clip, on the right screen.

See, like this.

Well, yeah. We have a pot of pennies by the door to bribe any goblins that make it up out hill tonight, but my days of baking and decorating cupcakes for the little beasties are long over. Let them buy their own cavity creators. Bah humbug. OK. Make that Boo humbug.

Wrong Wrong Wrong

2010-10-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

I got it all wrong.

My appointment with the eye clinic last Wednesday wasn’t for the surgery, just for the tests (and tests and tests and tests) that precede it.

The surgery will not be until December 14^th. But I’d like to thank artist Steve Lopez for sending me this encouragement.

And thank you to all the folks who emailed to wish me good luck on the surgery. You don’t have to do it again on December 14^th. I’ll just keep them all and read them again with my one good eye.

Shirts 'n Mugs 'n Mousepads, Oh My!!!

2010-10-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

Georgie's Store

OK all you faithful who have been nagging me for the past umpteen years - there are finally Georgina Spelvin "keepsakes" available, thanks to enterprising entrepreneur, Steve Lopez. No, not the LA Times columnist.

This Steve Lopez is the patriarch of a talented family of artists. They were too shy to let me publish pictures of them or more information than this link to their web store and this
great logo - created by daughter, Michele.

And here I am. Personally signing all the mugs. Yep. Each and every damn one.

So mouse your way to local fame and be the first in your office to have a personally signed, Georgina Spelvin coffee mug and mouse pad. If you're lucky enough to work in a nice funky office, you could even wear the tee shirt to work one day and really stir up trouble.

So what have I been doing that's so important it's kept me from keeping up with this blog?

Recording the oral version of my memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It, that's what.

Yes, indeedy, I rise at 4am every day and set up this amazing recording device that Sam Caldwell, the producer, sent me, and revisit the scenes of
my debauchery before the traffic noise becomes too obtrusive. Oh yes. I'm having a good time. I'm far too old to do anything I don't enjoy.

The imprint publishing my audiobook is iNetSynch at iNetSynch.com. iNetSynch is a division of ETI and produces professional audio and video podcasts as well as audio and e-books. The Full-Spectrum Publishing imprint and division of ETI works in tandem with iNetSynch to publish traditional printed books. Sam Caldwell is the president of ETI, iNetSynch and Full-Spectrum publishing. He is also one of the most patient and supportive gentlemen it has ever been my pleasure to encounter. Well, Steve Lopez is not slouch, either. The Force is obviously with me.

Other news: I learned that the reason I can't read the street signs until I'm damn near IN the intersection, is not because I need new glasses. I'm going in for an "eyeball lift" next week. Yep. Cataracts. Not surprising at my age, but damned inconvenient. I can handle the wrinkles in my face - but on my eyeballs? How rude.

If you, dear reader, have had experience with this little visisitude of life, I'd love to learn more about it. Drop me a note: Georginasword@gmail.com.

Hope everyone is enjoying autumn as much as we are. I shall now go gather up the three feet of pine needles that have made their annual appearance over the garden. Anyone need any mulch?

2010-09-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Algonquin it ain't, and I'm hardly Dorothy Parker, but the luncheons that have become a sort-of monthly event with our friends, published authors Jim Morris and Kenn Miller do put me in mind of that pinnacle of American literary levity.

That's Jim at the head of the table. Kenn is to his left.

These veterans of various military conflicts have little reason to be amusing and entertaining about the world, but they are. I love their books. They recently introduced us to Steven Rothblatt, across the table from me. His film, Oh Baby, is currently in the festival circuit. The best single link for it may be this one, for when it screened at USC . Here's the trailer and here’s a cool link to photos from the premiere of the film (in Hollywood at the Renberg Theatre) and other pics related to the film:

I asked Steven how he came to make such a film. Here's what he said.

My spouse, John (author of Where The Sun Sets) says we've started a buzz in the neighborhood. Well, if they weren't already buzzing, it's hardly my fault.

Our coterie hasn't come up with solutions for ALL the world's problems, but it ain't for not trying. I'll not mention the wonderful neighborhood cafe where we meet by name because the last time I did that, you couldn't get in the place at lunchtime for two months.

Another recent meeting of note:

There was a reunion of the publications department of the L.A. Country Medical Association Sunday, September 5th, at the home of Howard Bender: former editor of the in-house organ, LACMA Physician magazine.

Back row from left, Randy Lander, Andrea David, our host, Howard Bender and Mike Villaire; in front on my left is Summer West.

Howard went on to greater executive duties elsewhere. His successors were Summer West and Mike Villaire. Andrea David was the advertising manager. She and I have, at least, lunched occasionally through the years. I hadn’t seen any of the others since I left the place twenty years ago. Andrea’s job fell into my lab when she left for greener pastures. (I had been secretary for the department up to that point.)

Andrea and Randy. Randy was our department secretary for a while - in between numerous other positions at the association.

The magazine’s printing company asked us if we would please, please, please send them our copy digitally! They even furnished the computer for us to do so. As department secretary, I got the job of jockeying the infernal machine. That was in '82. You'd think by now I'd have figured out how to use the damn things

Our host put in his years putting out the magazine, but his heart was always in producing game shows, so at this party, he directed us to form two teams and try to answer questions he had prepared about our years together. He even furnished little punch bells to ring in on.

Well, it's official. My memory is shot to hell. I don't think I answered a single damn question. Oh yeah, I did get one about me, but I can’t remember what it was.

Summer's husband and son were the only guests other than yours truly to take advantage of the gorgeous pool, but everyone had a glorious time anyway.Of course, nobody got a picture of me doing my famous swan. Oh well.

Thank you, Elissa (Mrs. Bender), for the great spread. And thank you, number one son, Fletcher, for the great grilling.

Daughter, Amanda, was away – I think at school – so I’ve yet to meet her.

Thank goodness Summer West (mother of the swimmer) had a good camera and the skills to provide these pictures. Many thanks.

PS. Would the person who brought this lovely plant to our Fourth of July party please e-mail georginasworld@gmail.com and confess.

ALSO – we found a stack of pristine posters for The Devil in Miss Jones on a shelf in the bedroom recently. I vaguely remember someone handing them to me at the party and my stashing them on the shelf – but I have no idea who it was, nor can I remember if I was supposed to sign and return them, or what. If anyone has any information about this matter, please HELP.

Georgie and John

GOIN' DOWN IN FLAMES

2010-09-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 - The DEADLINE for completion of Goin' Down in Flames - the ongoing adventures of Georgina Spelvin.

I haven't even started.

Oh there are bits and pieces floating around all over my laptop like the wispy hairs too short to be captured in my top-knot that blow in my face and drive me nuts. Will it ever get scrapped together into some sort of comprehensive whole? Will Manny Ramerez... oh never mind.

Well, damnit, I'm RETIRED.

I don't know what I do all day, but it takes me all day to do it. Yes, we spend the morning lazing about with the papers and our rspective caffine hits: coffee for John - for me, tea. Then it's hi-ho, off to the gym, a fortuitous five minutes away. Welll, John goes to the gym. I go to the spa. He cycles energetically to nowhere while I perform my exotic regenerative routine.

To wit: I baste my body in Jergin's lotion and place it in a 110 degree sauna for 10 to 15 minutes, during which time I stretch it, wiggle it, and rub it where it hurts - which is almost everywhere, of course. Not bad hurt. Just the 74 years of service general complaints. Nicely sweated, I proceed to the ballet barre, looking as if I've already done some hard stuff. Whilst my hubbylover John stretches vigerously (an oxymoron - but more of that later) and then does a hundred - count them - hundred scruntchies, I hang out at the barre.

Literally. I let it hangas loose as I can and jiggle it in various positions. This I alternate with posturings that pull it all as far apart as possible in lines as long and graceful as I can produce. Yes, Ballet. Though I'd never a prayer of getting anywhere near the positions demanded for proficiency, just trying for them has kept it all where it should be and in pretty much the proportions I still dream of. Not bad for home brew.

So, after the gym, it's time for lunch. I try not to make lunch plans for more than once or twice a week, but I also like schmoozing with my buds. Monday's I take my pal, Joyce, to lunch. She will be 86 Tuesday, September 7th, so we'll do lunch that day instead of Monday next week. What an amazing woman. She was the "orchestra" for the improve company, War Babies. John was a founding member. Here's a link to a U-toob of them. You can see Joyce - making it up as they go just like the actors. Instant opera!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Ayxo4cITk

She can still play just about any song you might like to sing, but she can't tell you what day it is. What the hell. She doesn't need to know what day it is. I tell her, "Honey, these are the fuckit years!"

Days I don't have to meet someone for lunch, I have a crisp, cold pear sliced into thin pieces with little matching slices of Madrigal (Unborn Swiss) cheese that I can nibble with my left hand while my right hand works corssword and soduku puzzles. Ah, heaven.

Now, here I have the afternoon and early evening to write - one would think. So I open up Dilbert the Dell - and well, first I have to check the email - right? Right.Ne xt thing I know, it's time for dinner. John cooks Monday through Friday - as he did when I had my day job. I do weekends, using up the leftovers from all the deliciaous meanls he's made all week. His Italian half loves to cook. The Irish half is happy I like washing dishes.

Cash Cab is in the backgroud as I write. Jeopardy will accompany John's kitchen expoits, Wheel of Fortune will entertain us through dinner. Antique Road Show, or Funniest Home Videos will waft into the kitchen as I do the clean up. Then it's Animal Kingdom or - Sundays - From the Top at Carnegie Hall - my favorite show. That's pretty much our TV schedule except during baseball season.

I reserve an hour or two for reading a real book in the comfort of my bed beforeI dive into the Disneyland of my subconscious.

Now, is that not the most exciting life you've ever heard of or WHAT? But that's why Goin' Down in Flames seems to be going down in flames.

Good Grief! My memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It, is in a PUBLIC LIBRARY.

2010-08-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

Be Still My Heart

Bill Cronauer of Wilkes Barre, PA emailed me a request for a signed copy.

He says he enjoyed the copy he bought at Amazon so much that he donated it to the Library where he works.

Now wants a signed copy for his very own.

What a glorious library: How can such institutions be in such danger of disappearing? That prospect frightens me even more than the threatened demise of the US Postal Service.

Here's a link to Bill's domain - the reference department:

Here's the spot for movies, theater, books, etc. that are connected (dialogue, setting, etc) to Wilkes-Barre, PA or Scranton, PA

Here is Bills personal blog:

AND AND AND...Another bibliophile, VICTOR OLLIVER, has posted a review:
His entry was last Wednesday, so you have to scroll down past his review of Wyn Ellis' Marquess of Bath Lord of Love review - No. don't scroll past it. Read it. I've just ordered the book. It looks yummy.

I guess it's official. I'm a published author. .
Now I really DO have to get to work on Goin' Down in Flames - the book that answers all the questions The Devil Made Me Do It raised. I need a few more hours in each day.

Thanks to blogger who pointed out that my comments wasn't working right. I think it is now, so feel free to express yourself.

Do not pass go, do not collect $200 GO IMMEDIATELY TO...

2010-07-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Bad" Brad Berkwitt's Ringside Report.to read one of the best damn interviews I've ever done, thanks to his great questions..

Here he is. He's the one on the right. The lovely lady with him is Valerie, who, for his 41st birthday last year,
took him to their favorite Italinan Restaurant, Extra Virgin. Now there's a great name for an Italian restaurant if I've ever heard one.

I hope every boxing fan in the world reads it and continues to enjoy the posts of this remarkable gentleman.

I confess, I wasn't that into boxing until I met this man. I don't even like to watch chess matches, I'm so averse to conflict.

But I've gained a new respect for the "art" and find the milieu fascinating. Thanks "Bad" Brad.

Flash - new stuff about Police Academy

2010-07-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Flash: Cindi Loftus just posted new stuff about me and the Police Academy flicks on her site. Take a look here.

New Texture event in Echo Park

Wyatt Doyle is a veritable force of nature.
He was responsible for getting Georginasworld.com set up. He also introduced me to Lulu.com self-publishing service where my book is printed.
This all happened before New Texture was completely in place, so although my book is really a New Texture book, it doesn't say so in the text - as it should.

Thank you Allison Grace for taking our picture. And thank you, stranger who then took this one of us with Allison. These were taken in front of the Echo venue.

I asked my mentor and friend, Wyatt, to tell me about New Texture.

From Wyatt:
About New Texture: We're a do-it-yourself artists' collective turned publisher, proudly independent and flying by the seat of our pants. (Our motto: "Crude, But Effective").

The evening you and John joined us for was called NEW TEXTURE: WORDS and MUSIC, the venue was The Echo in Echo Park, and it was part of the "New Texture Nights" reading tour to promote our first three book releases.

The first 3 books from New Texture are

A MINUTE TO PRAY, A SECOND TO DIE by Chris D.
BLACK CRACKER by Josh Alan Friedman
STOP REQUESTED by Wyatt Doyle & Stanley J. Zappa

All three books are available (signed or unsigned) via Amazon.com or at www.NewTextureBlog.com.

John lead off the evening with a reading of his delightful (if I do say it) childrens' book, Where The Sun Sets.
This is a story about the adventures of Elephant Gerald, Larry the Boa, and Thelonius Monkey - three friends who live in a jungle that isn't there any more. The link on the title takes you to the Lulu site which is slower than molasses in January, but you CAN preview the entire book there, if you've the patience.

Next up, Josh Alan Friedman tore the hide off his guitar with some GREAT songs of his skillfull composition. I just finished reading his book, Black Cracker. Wow, whew, and Holy Sh_t. It's the story of his elementary school years as the only white student in an otherwise all black school in Glen Cove, Long Island in the early 60s. It's a powerful, yet hugely entertaining, read. I've ordered copies of all his other books. I hope they get here soon. I've finished Wyatt's book, Stop Requested (also a terrific read - see my review on Amazon) and if I run out of book, I go into withdrawal: runny nose, shakes, nausea - not a pretty picture.

Here, however, is a very pretty picture.

Sandee Curry, the professional copy editor who excised the warts from my book, and probably all the others presented that night, read some of her own work. I figured she was probably an excellent writer as well as a great editor, but I was totally blown away by not only her prose, but her presence. I know her as a very quiet, almost shy, lady. But when the lights are on and the mike is hot - so is she!

The evening's roster for NEW TEXTURE: WORDS & MUSIC follows.

John Welsh
Wyatt Doyle
Josh Alan Friedman
Chris D.
Rev. Raymond Branch
Sandee Curry
Paul Silva
Donna Lethal
Matt Kennedy
Georgina Spelvin

Important links!

New Texture (main website): www.NewTexture.com

New Texture's Blog: www.NewTextureBlog.com

Sandee Curry website: www.SandeeCurry.com

Josh Alan's main website: www.BlackCrackerOnline.com

Josh Alan's music: http://wwwreverbnation.com/#/joshalanfriedman

Paul Silva (Paul got the sound, lights, slides, and films to work!) did the piece about Roscoe Lee Browne with

film clip: http://www.newtexture.com/content/blogcategory/19/59/

Reverend Branch: www.RevBranch.com (includes video clips of his music, including a wonderful blues/gospel improv with Josh Alan!)

Chris D. (A MINUTE TO PRAY, A SECOND TO DIE) http://www.newtexture.com/content/blogcategory/13/56/

Donna Lethal www.DonnaLethal.com

Matt Kennedy: http://www.forcesofgeek.com/search/label/Matt%20Kennedy

As you see, there was an extensive roster of good writers and musicians and I was forced to ask Wyatt to let me jump ahead of the line. I've tried to hide it, but the truth is, I'M GETTING OLD. I just cannot sit upright in a regular person's chair more than a half-hour or so without serious pain. I'm afraid I've indulged my lazy ass far too long playing couch zucchini with laptop or book.
I read a couple of short excerpts from my book, The Devil Made Me Do It, then pleaded with John, who was selling and signing copies of his book and having a really good time, to take me home.
He did. What a guy.

Yeah. I know. Been a while.

2010-06-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

More blasts from the past. Man, if you want to hear from folks you haven't seen in donkey years, publish a book.

May I introduce a remarkable artist who directed, produced, probably wrote, one of the most unusual films of my checkered career.

Ed Seeman, aka Edwardo Cemano, was an artist - well, all his life, of course - but I mean, like, you know, ESTABLISHED, before he ventured into cine de porn. I didn't know that. I just did the gig -

and it was a fun day of being a pussy cat, as opposed to being just another pussy.

So now I'm back in touch with Ed, Edwardo. He sent me this recent photo. Lookin' good, Ed.He has a jillion sites but start here and it will lead you to the rest;

Another artist, whose paintings of the porn pantheon are legendary is now featured on one of my favorite sites - LADIEZNITE.
Meet the amazing Denise LaFrance. She, too, has many sites. Google her.

Sorry I've neglected the blog. Every time I open my little laptop with a view to updated it, by the time I get through my email, it's time to fix supper, NO. Don't stop the email. YES. I'm addicted - and plan to stay that way.

Blast from the Past

2010-05-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Lovely stroke from one of the all-time greats. What a lucky girl I am. I invite you to view Richard Pacheco's comments on Ladiez Night.

Opera as it should be

2010-04-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Rene Temple of The Highwaymen vocal group and player, with my farbetterhalf, John, in the ground-breaking improve group, War Babies, just sent me a link to a video capture of one of their more stellar moments. Here's the group, from left top row, Rene, John, Marsha Meyers, Jed Mills: bottom row from left; Archie Hahn, Maryedith Burrell, Susan Krebs, and Karen Caye (Mrs. Temple.)
Unfortunately, not in this photo, but in the video, is Peter Reigert.

Seeing John in this performance sealed my fate. He had bedazzled me with his talents in The Hostage (a Brendan Behan play wherein we met) but after seeing this, I was toast. For a look at a totally improvised musical marvel click here.

NOW - for all of you who keep waiting for something about SEX in this blog, here's a wonderfully informative clip on female orgasm.
(So there.)

2010-04-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Howie Gordon just sent me this pic.

I emailed him back:
"Oh my stars and garters! When and where was this taken?
Howie Gordon wrote:

"It came from backstage at the AFAA Erotic Awards when we both got
Best Supporting for THE DANCERS...I would guess 1982 or '83.

I do believe that was my last appearance at the annual "company picnic," which is how I thought of the awards festivals.

Boy. Talk about the glory years. Around then, I think everyone in the "other" movie industry thought we were on our way to equal footing with the "real" one.

Well, ha ha and ha.

Oh sure, there have been stellar "cross-over" incidents, but let's face it, they are two very different worlds. I can only think, from my lofty position as most senior surviving retired actor of the latter, that there is a good reason for this. My good friend until his passing, the director and producer of sex films, Henri Pachard, used to say at any and every opportunity, "The trouble with you kids is, you don't think sex is dirty. I'm trying to put the dirty back in it."

He felt, probably rightly so, that I was one of the guilty ones. Howie (aka Richard Pacheco) was another. Howie's beautiful and amazing wife, Carly, who was on the set when he and I did our "Shakespearean" sex scene (which, incidentally, Howie wrote) in Dancers, concurs.

As young hippies, we all wanted to build a better world. We still do. Unfettered presentation of the realities of life, including sex, was one of our goals. Sex, segregated from reality and there for it's own sake only, was not.

Even though both of us have settled into monogamous marriages, finding the greatest satisfaction therein, our dedication to the demise of hypocrisy has not wavered. I can't wait for HIS book to come out. Soon, I hope.

Thanks for the memories, Howie.

A LITTLE S&M COULDN'T HURT... COULD IT?

2010-04-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

I have this thing about my tits.

I just don't like having them squeezed hard enough to hurt.
I am NOT into pain.
For those who like it, fine. Do your thing. Just don't invite me.

For the last thirty years, I have "just said no" whenever my wonderful, trusted friend and physician, Doctor Thom has gently insisted I get a mammogram. Then last week, I felt just the slightest twinge of a hurtyness in the right puppy. Well, I'm very much a do-it-yourself, Campho-Phenique and Epsom Salts sort of gal, but I'm not entirely stupid. Soooo, I call and let them schedule me for the procedure. Now if ever there were a word to make my flesh crawl, that's it. "Procedure" just sounds like something from an S&M scenario to me and here's the S&M film I never want to see, much less live through again. Mamory Mangler.

Place tit in vice, close vice until tit is squeezed into an IHOP special - sans the syrup. Fainting is not an option, as slumping will only increase the pain. Hold breath (as if you could breath through the pain) until technician, who has gone to another county to avoid the radiation, returns to pull out one plate and stick in another. Rinse, repeat, and so forth. Then you get to do the other tit!

Now, I admit, I have done some fairly kinky things in my checkered past, both as as a porn actress and, prior to those heady days, on numerous casting couches.

But I have never, ever, ever in my whole entire life, experienced pain of this magnitude.

Not even the time I tried to keep my sailboat
from hitting the dock by sticking my hand down between it and the pilings.

I was trying to protect the beautiful brightwork I had just spent two months applying.

OK. That was stupid, but my own doing.

The mamogram monster looms as an inevitable torture that women are expected to endure periodically, just because they're women. Like childbirth, I suppose. Could cancer hurt any worse? I may live to find out, because, I ain't getting these babies caught in that kind of wringer ever again, no how, no way, uh uh.

End of rant. Feel free to tell me how wrong I am. Better yet, feel free to invent a way to screen for breast cancer without a PROCEDURE that simply can NOT be good for that sensitive tissue.

Hee hee - in response to this rant, I just received:

The challenges of an actor's wife

2010-04-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

This is Sara Wells - the talented actress who portrayed Marilyn Monroe in the staged reading of "Norma Jean and Johnny" that my darling hubby did recently.

He is now busy re-growing his mustache just in case they get to do it again.

I must be out of my mind, right?

Rites of Spring

2010-04-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

We saw a notice at our gym yesterday that it would be closed today. OK. We head over the hill this morning to the North Hollywood branch. Well, of course, it, too is closed. IT'S EASTER. We knew that.
It was a lovely drive. Our wet wet spring has bestowed upon us flowers rarely seen and everything is so GREEEEEN. Even the hodge-podge of my beloved backyard is - excuse me, but it's true - breath-taking.

It has very little to with my sporadic, unskilled efforts, and I am more grateful for it all than I know how to say.
Thank You, GOD, comes to mind.
Everyone has their own picture of GOD: Stern Father, Nurturing Mother, Pure Light, The Force, etc. etc. One day while meditating (OK, zoning out) in the sauna, it came to me. GOD stands for General Oversight Department. One CEO? Board of Directors? I donno. I do know I didn't create this gorgeous world that I've the great privelege of visiting. I'm assured from many organizations whose job it is to make these sorts of assurances, that a memo simply addressed to Allah, Our Father, Tu, or even my default salutation, To Whom it may concern; will be delivered. Many even assure me that they have receved responses. Just being where I am is response enough for me. I just hope that I did something sooooo good in some former life that I earned this in some way. I hate thinking that I'm gonna get a bill for it all some day.

Albert and Marilyn

2010-03-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Since posting the notice that Mr. Welsh - who is now growing an appropriate mustache - is hard at work on learning this play, Norma Jean and Johnny, lebenteen e-pals have sent this image. Thought I'd share it.

You have to get back a ways to "see" the Marilyn image.

Norma Jean and Johnny

2010-03-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

March 17, 2010
Happy Saint Paddy's Day.
How many "Kiss me, I'm Irish" tee shirts did YOU see today? How many Irishmen did you kiss? Me? Just the one I live with. Of course, he's half Italian, so we celebrate Columbus Day, too.

Here is himself, my Irish/Eyetalian studmuffin, when he was helping me haul books to and from the West Hollywood book fair last year.

For those who might not already know it, John is an actor.

Our friend Kevin Modesti, whom John and I met at Marilyn Chambers rememberance party on the beach last year, caught me here - in the darkened theater on his cell phone! I can't get used to people having cameras in their phones! I can't get used to people having phones on their person at all times. I'm barely used to push-buttons. As you can see, I'm having a really good time.

Kevin had joined me at the first staged reading of a wonderful new play by Richard Setlowe titled (for the nonce)

"Norma Jean and Johnny:" It is a look at what a meeting (tryst?) that may (or may not) have actually occurred between Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein might (or might not) have been like. My dearest farbetterhalf, John, portrayed Albert. Marilyn was played by Sara Wells. It was, in theatrical parlance, a HOOT.

That's all the news for now - well, except that my freesias are blooming their little heads off and the calla lilies are poking their heads up. Have I mentioned how much I love living in Southern California?

10Q 1&all 4 Hippie Birdie e-cards etc.

2010-03-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

My birthday dinner last Sunday evening at Soliel in Westwood was the best food I've ever encountered that didn't come out of my hubby, John's, kitchen - and that's the TRUTH. Thanks again, Ren and Caren.
And thank you, Cindi, for telling all your readers when my birthday was. I think I got an email from every one of them. My laptop is still smoking.

Also got an email from David Nahmod

- my reporter pal in San Francisco (writes for ON Mag in San Jose, Jerusalem Post, Videoscope Mag). He sent a review he did of one of the films of our recently departed pal, Jamie Gillis.

"One look at this film & you'll see how great an actor Jamie Gillis was. In Through the Looking Glass (1976) a beautiful heiress named Catherine spends much of her time admiring herself in an antique mirror. When she's drawn through the looking glass, she finds herself trapped in a bizzare, X rated variation of Alice in Wonderland, where her late Father (Gillis) awaits her.
    It's all a set up. Dad is really a demon, slowly pulling Catherine into a demonic netherworld where she will spend eternity for the sin of vanity.
    The film is genuinely terrifying. Gillis, as the demonic dad, is superbly chilling. His facial expressions harken back to the glory days of Boris Karloff & Bela Lugosi~~he's nothing less than hypnotic!
    When he's first seen in the mirror, with green tinted skin, it's as good as anything you might see in a mainstream horror film.
     And Looking Glass is, first and foremost, a horror film. A ghost story, a tale of demons from the other side, and Alice in Wonderland reimagined.

On a brighter note:

Louise Bak has done a really lovely interview with me. See it here at Toro
Thanks Lousie.

And a not so cheery note - but one we need to hear: If you love Kurt Vonnegut as much as I, you'll love the way he sums it up here.

More good stuff about Jamie

2010-02-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

Howie Gordon, who used the name Richard Pacheco when we did the film, Dancers, together waaaaay back when, is still working on his book. Here's an excerpt from it that tells so much about our sorely missed mutual friend, Jamie Gilles.
This is the proposed cover of Howie's book. Don't you just love it?

The last time I saw Howie was at Good Vibes in San Francisco. Here he is with Liz Els and another good friend recently departed for that great movie studio in the ski, the beloved Juliet (Aunt Peg) Anderson..

Gorgeous Jamie Gillis

2010-02-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

There must be a block-buster film being put together out there, up there, wherever it is we go when we go, 'cause another of the best and brightest stars has joined the cast.

Oh Jamie, you beautiful, talented, gracious, funny, adored matinee idol: Save me a place on your dance card!
P.S. John, my farbetterhalf, says a foxtrot or two's OK. Just no slow tunes.
Bon Voyage, Sweet Prince.

2010-02-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

My BFFL Cindi Loftus has prodded me into further literary efforts. The results can be perused at the following locations.
http://www.ladieznight.com/27/
http://www.ladieznight.com/201/
http://www.ladieznight.com/988
http://www.ladieznight.com/1134
http://www.ladieznight.com/1185
http://www.ladieznight.com/1294
My yard is knee-deep in clover. When I used to sing, "I'm all in clover, feel good all over." I had no idea how much trouble it was to pull the damn stuff our from between paver stones!

Happy Spring Everybody!

David Steinberg bids farewell to Juliete

2010-01-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

A lovely tribute to our mutual friend, Aunt Peg.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/steinberg/index

Portrait of a great lady.

2010-01-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

The talented Denise LaFrance has sent me this image of the portrait she painted of Juliette.

Denise also said:

"Here's a link to that Pinky Tomlin song,The Object Of My Affection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnigZHDxACA

Her Dad was the Trumpet player for that Orchestra and she, as a little girl used to dance and sing along on stage with them from time to time.

songhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnigZHDxACA

Goodbye Aunt Peg

2010-01-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

Another star has moved to heaven.
Darling Juliette. Let's keep in touch, OK?
Here again are a couple of photos shot by David Steinberg last year in San Francisco.

Changing Comments Options

2010-01-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

I would love to have everyone share their comments here, but not their advertisements. Threrefore I have changed the settings so that comments will NOT be shown unless I feel it's something for everyone to see, and my site and this blog are G rated.

Good Dancers - Great photography

2010-01-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

Just got this link in an email and wanted to share it.
http://www.arcdance.org/3gallery.php
The photographer, Paul Sanders, is the husband of one of the dancers. He did the great pictures of me featured earlier in this blog.

Posting Comments

2010-01-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends. You are welcome to post links to information about yourselves or services or whatever, but please don't use this real estate for ads. I don't know how to get these off, so please, just scroll beyond them.
I realize I've been very lax about posting stuff, but there's very little happening right now. With any luck at all, it will stay that way.

Happy New Year,
Old Couch Potato George.

Some really great art!

2009-12-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

My favorite graphix artisti, Steve Lopez (not to be confusd with the L.A. Times columnist) has just devoted his web site to a poster he created for your truly.
His art is just so great. Even though I'm no longer doing book store gigs (if I can help it) - I just had to share it.
Take a look.

ANNIE SPRINKLE - AT IT AGAIN

2009-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Or should I say still.
That lady is a powerhouse.
More info here

More Ink

2009-12-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Or should that be "digits" these days?
Here's the comment I left on David Sterry's article on The Huffington Post today.

If my husband's nephew hadn't bought David's book, "Putting Your Passion Into Print," I'd not have known about him. I don't read many "sex" books. But I WAS trying to write one, So, I contacted Mr. Sterry for advice. LITTLE DID I KNOW, he was the guru of sex lit (as opposed to erotica or smut - other extant genre) and how EXCITED I became when he answered my email with "I know who you are..." Thanks again, David, for putting my passion into print. Without you, "The Devil Made Me Do It" would not have seen the light of a printing press.
Your fan forever, Georgina etc.
Too pushy?

See much better picture of David
on his site.

Reviews and links to yet MORE reviews.

HOS, HOOKERS, CALL GIRLS & RENT BOYS:
PROFESSIONALS WRITING ON LIFE, LOVE, MONEY & SEX
Edited by David Henry Sterry and R. J. Martin Jr 333 pp. Soft Skull Press. Paper, $15.95

NYTBR – 8/23/09
“It’s an eye-opening, astonishing, brutally honest and frequently funny collection from those who really have lived on the edge in a parallel universe.”

“Their writing is, in most cases, unpolished, unpretentious and riveting — but don’t worry, their tales are also graphic, politically incorrect and mostly unquotable in this newspaper.”

“This collection is a wonderful reminder that good writing is not about knowing words, grammar or Faulkner, but having that rare ability to tell the truth, an ability that education and sophistication often serve to conceal.”
Publishers Weekly – 6/29/09
“Offers insight into seemingly all aspects of the sex trade… Aside from exposing the complex web of relationships among phone sex operators, dancers, massage parlor workers, prostitutes and their customers, the book is heavy with raw emotions ranging from celebratory to shameful, giving armchair sociologists plenty to ponder.”

NY Press – 8/11/09
“The prose in this volume is fresh and the tales are both heart-rending and hilarious, sometimes simultaneously… What’s most striking about the volume is how relevant these intimate and detailed chronicles are for any reader, whether they’ve sold their bodies or just their souls. It’s not just about sex.”

Tiger Beatdown 8/26/09
“Hos, Hookers, Call Girls and Rent Boys is an extremely valuable and necessary book, not because it tells you what your perspective ought to be, but because it provides more perspectives than pretty much any other book on the topic… hilarious… Sexy and sunny pieces (the sunniest, actually, often come from Sterry himself) coexist with downright harrowing narratives; sex workers who choose the work freely and love doing it are represented, as are sex workers who were forced to do the work and suffered immensely. The book is free of any agenda but a commitment to giving voice to sex workers.”

The Rumpus 8/26/09
“In addition to being porn stars and prostitutes, many of these people are talented writers with strong voices and precise observations. They’re natural born storytellers who manage to encapsulate an aspect of their experiences in wonderfully succinct (Sebastian Horsley: “Brothels make possible encounters of extreme intimacy without the intervention of personality.”) and stark, unsentimental ways (Brenda: “I have been arrested eight times for prostitution. It messed up my life.”)

Daily Beast – 9/12/09
“The book never feels like a naïve glamorization of the industry. ‘Ultimately, the stories in Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys are all about money, says Sterry. ‘In our culture, happiness means money, a big house, and an expensive car. So when I, as a 17 year old, could make $100 by pleasing an 82-year old woman, that to me was a great American success.’

Style – 9/15/09
“Taboo, clever, wrenching and compulsively readable, you’ll be stripped of your stereotypes between the covers of this book.”

Antalffy Tibor honlapja 9/27/09
“Rögtön a hívás után a fejemben megjelent egy szörnyű kép: egy ráncos, löttyedt, aszott nagymama átlátszó hálóingben közvetlenül előttem áll, és az én szegény, picurka péniszem egy élettelen, használhatatlan, húsdarab ott lógott a lábaim között, és a pénzt vissza kellett adnom, miközben szégyenemben el akartam bújni a szőnyeg alá, mert a nemi szervem brutális cserbenhagyása megszégyenítő volt. És ez a kép egészen addig nem múlt el, amíg az előkelő Swank Swish szálloda megadott ajtaján be nem kopogtam.”

Revista Fuscia
“Hace poco me encontré un libro realmente sorprendente, que trata de historias de profesionales del sexo. Se llama Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys, en español sería Putas, prostitutas y muchachos para arrendar. Se podría argumentar que para qué pierde uno el tiempo leyendo libros basura, pero la verdad es que desde el punto de vista de las relaciones humanas, es un texto muy interesante, a veces brutalmente honesto, pero también con sentido de humor.”

Acik Radyo
“Kitabın adı Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, And Rent Boys, Professionals Writing on Life, Love, Money, and Sex. Yani Kevaşeler, Orospular, Telekızlar ve Kiralık Oğlanlar, Profesyoneller Hayat, Aşk, Para ve Seks Üzerine Yazıyor. Yepyeni bir kitap bu, temmuz ayında Amerika’da Soft Skull Press tarafından yayımlanmış. Kitabın elimize geçiş hikâyesi ayrı ilginç. Mahallenin Fahriye Ablası’nın bir kıyağı bize diyelim teferruata girmeden ve hemen kitaba dönelim.”

Bust 10/06/09
“The first hand accounts, interviews, and poems featured in this book are so well written and organized, that the fact that they all center around the exchanging of sex for money falls into the background, and what’s left is an intimate offering of on-the-job gossip and late night horror stories that have you wanting to spend more time with the writer than the three or four pages a pop you’re given with each one.”

SF Weekly – 7/25/09 “This kaleidoscopic portrait of sex work in America is all the more striking for its breadth.”

Book Marks 11/30/09
“Sassy, sexy and certainly informed essays by sex workers. the oral histories by hos and hookers that conclude this collection – funny and tragic, matter-of fact and terrifying – give the book its authentic heft.”

NoPornNorthampton 11/17/09
“This fascinating anthology of personal essays by current and former sex workers gives readers a glimpse into the complex emotions of those who make a living selling intimacy… Fascinating, moving and darkly funny… humor, tenderness, pain, and aggression… unexpectedly sweet… it’s a great read.”

The Skinny 11/23/09
“From the big screen to the street, phone sex to stripping, and incalls to escorting… they’ve experienced sex work as an empowered choice, as a living hell, as a drug-fuelled necessity. They cover migration, burnout, criminalisation, violence, keeping secrets, coming out to family, and interactions with clients and colleagues. It delves deep and illustrate the complexities of the writers’ experiences. Alternately eye-opening, funny, moving, and devastating, this book should be required reading for those who still think any kind of sex worker is ‘representative’.”

Womanist Musings 11/24/09
“The book unflinchingly represents the voices of survivors of pimping, rape, abuse, thrust upon those who are forced into the sex industry. Editor David Henry Sterry has successfully etched out a safe space for these survivors' sharp, sensitive prose… In a reading that brought down the house at Busboys and Poets, Sterry's rendition of "I Was a Birthday Present for an Eighty-Two-Year-Old Grandmother" was both incredibly funny and a fascinating anti-ageist commentary on the things we're all afraid to ask for. I sat in the audience, enraptured by Sterry's uncanny vocal impressions and gesticulating… Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience first-hand the voices of contemporary sex workers.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/books/review/Bentleyt.html?_r=2&8bu&emc=bua1
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-09-09/the-sex-worker-chronicles/
http://therumpus.net/2009/08/hos-hookers-call-girls-and-rent-boys-professionals-writing-on-life-love-money-and-sex/
http://tigerbeatdown.com/?p=448#more-448
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6667888.html?
http://www.nypress.com/article-20211-the-happy-hook-book.html

http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=D0242C46CB8342228E8C4E6DF62AC10A

http://www.acikradyo.com.tr/default.aspx?_mv=a&aid=24943&cat=100

http://www.revistafucsia.com/noticias-impresa/sexo-dinero/2555.aspx

http://www.bust.com/component/option,com_mojo/Itemid,31/p,3708/

http://www.antalffy-tibor.hu/2009/09/27/egy-82-eves-nagymamanak-en-voltam-a-szulinapi-ajandeka-konyvszemelveny/
http://nopornnorthampton.org/2009/11/17/book-review-hos-hookers-call-girls-and-rent-boys-professionals-writing-on-life-love-money-and-sex.aspx?ref=rss
http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/97998-hos-hookers-call-girls-and-rent-boys
http://www.womanist-musings.com/2009/11/hos-hookers-call-girls-and-rent-boys.html

The Lady Writer - Hard at Work

2009-11-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here's me. Hard at work. Really.
Yes, I'm finally getting back in the groove after a long bout of Writer's block.

And it's all because of Cindi Loftus.
I wish I could get her to send me a picture of herself. I guess she's shy. I wanted everyone to see the paragon who made me finished my book and who's been responsible for more sales of it than anyone.

Anyway - I'll not wait longer to post this bit of news.
She's got me doing a column. Sort of.
First installment can be found at
http://www.ladieznight.com
I hope to get some pithy comments - on the site and/or by email. All questions will be answered, even if it's with a heartfelt "I donno."
Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm working on book two, Goin' Down in Flames. Not going to make my Christmas deadline, but then, I missed my deadline on The Devil Made Me Do It by two years. Gimme a break. I'm retired. I was tired when I left the skin trade in '79. Now I'm retired. But still having fun.
Oh, BTW, everyone keeps asking me how I keep in such good shape at my age - which I'm proud to reveal is 73. Here's a video of the workout regimen I follow. It really works.

Oh HORRORS - Where will it end?

2009-10-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

If you're into sex film history, tune in to Jackalope 105 FM for a Halloween treat.

42nd Street Pete called me and we chatted for hours. One hour's worth of our remicences will air Saturday, October 31st at 7pm PDT and will repeat Monday, November 2nd - same time. Here's the link to his site for more info and where you can click and listen from any computer that has even the most primitive sound card - like mine.
http://www.jackalope105fm.com/

In other news, two of the contributors to David Sterry's HIGHLY ACCLAIMED (even made the cover of the New York freakin Times Book Review by gosh) anthology, Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys, have a forum called Three Naked Ladies where sex workers and other interested parties exchange histories and opinions. Yours truly joins the conversation on November 4 at http://dirtygirldiaries.com and http://laurishaw.com.

In spite of having made nearly a hundred hard-core sex films, I knew zilch about the real world of sex-for-money - until I read this book - and then got to meet some of the other contributors at the readings we did here in LA. These ladies ROCK.

Flash for the CIA: Want to get information out of a suspected terrorist? Forget water boarding, snarly mastiffs, or other primitive torture. Tie 'em up in a US Airways coach seat and make 'em sit there until they talk. It won't take long. I've ALMOST recovered from my flights to and from San Francisco last month. Another week of physical therapy should do it. Can't sit too long at the computer yet, though, so, for now, th-th-th-th---that's all folks.

HAVE A HAPPY HALOWEENIE

Good Vibes gets Gooder

2009-10-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhh good old Good Vibes
How I love that store - and the great folks who keep the flame there.
They hosted me for another sign and schmooze session Sept. 16th

There I met David Sternberg who just sent me these pictures. Email www.davidsteinberg.us

Here's me with Aunt Peg (Juliet Anderson).

She gave me a copy of her dvd, Ageless Desire. It is a beautiful tribute to the undying fascination of - as dear Dr. Ruth would phrase it - GOOD SEX.

And I met Ruby Violence,

And Liz Earls - she's the tall one. Meeting her for lunch this coming Friday.

Carol Queen is a most gracious hostess. We had a great Italian dinner between bookstore and theater gigs.

Howie and Jeremy Gordon put me up for the night and - bless him - Howie ferried me to and from the airport. What a guy.

I've been remiss (again) in filing this report as the US Airways flights left me with so much back pain, I just haven't been able to sit at the computer since I got home. Thank GAWD for the gym. I'm ambulatory again, anyway.

Book Soup Revisited

2009-09-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys
a collection of stories from the bordellos, streets, strip clubs, porno sets, and posh hotels of the seamier side of life has been launched and has achieved orbit.

Seven of the contributing authors met with our guru and book mavin, David Henry Sterry and his co-conspirator, Richard Martin, at the ever glorious, valiant and victorious Book Soup last evening, September 3rd.

A goodly crowd attended and could not have been more encouraging as we each read from our essays. This book has "taken off like a snapped g-string," per David, who nurtured us fledgling writers and got our stories into print. Considering how difficult it is to get anything published on actual real paper, this is not a meager accomplishment. I'm sure all of those whose work was chosen to be included are as grateful and amazed as I.

In case you missed us at Book Soup, do not despair. We're doing another reading session at Hustlers Hollywood Wednesday, September 9th at 8pm.

Two Firefighters Die

2009-08-31T05:42:00.000-07:00

The stark headline slammed down on my front porch two minutes ago. How could I possibly have compared this real life horror surrounding us to a movie?

New Book, New Bookings

2009-08-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Vacation's Over
Back to work. Thursday, September 7th - YIKES - that's this week!!!
READING at BOOK SOUP.

No no no - not yet another reading of my memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It - though I will be doing more of that in San Francisco September 16th at Good Old Good Vibes Erotic Emporium. The one on Polk Street. That's from 5 to 7pm - preceding a screening of The Devil in Miss Jones at the Lumiere Theater. All part of the Good Vibrations FOURTH ANNUAL Independent Erotic Film Festival.

No. This is a new book, Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys.
I contributed a big fat six page essay.

You may have seen the Great Review it got in (be still my heart) the New York Freakin Times?!
Front page of the book section. I'm still breathing hard.
Whoops - just tried that and it seems old snooty NYT makes you join to read their stuff.

David Sterry (co-collector of these stories) just sent me these links to other reviews, and you don't have to join anything to read 'em. Some of them even mention me.

http://therumpus.net/2009/08/hos-hookers-call-girls-and-rent-boys-professionals-writing-on-life-love-money-and-sex/
http://tigerbeatdown.com/?p=448#more-448
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6667888.html?
http://www.nypress.com/article-20211-the-happy-hook-book.html

It's hot, the air smells like an old ashtray, and we're watching the fires on TV as they're being fought by our heroes. Who needs adventure movies when you live in LA?

The Amazing Mr. Crisp

2009-08-21T17:03:00.001-07:00

If you don't know who Quentin Crisp is - read Naked Civil Servent - or see the film. I loved the book too much to see the film, but I've heard it's quite wonderful.
An avant guarde film maker, David Nahmod, hired me to protray the mother of a man who dies of AIDS in a poignant "small" film called Red Ribbons. To my great delight, I learned that the "Effin Ineffible" Mr. Crisp would be in the cast! I rushed out to buy an additional copy of the above-mentioned signature memoir in order to have my very own SIGNED copy of it. We were shooting in New York, and my copy was back home in L.A. On the first day of the shoot, I tremulously approached Mr. Crisp and asked for his autograph on the fly leaf. "Why, how sweet of you. And you must give me yours, as well," he graciously replied, whipping out the call sheet for the shoot for me to sign. David had the still photographer on the set snap a quick shot of "his guest celebrities" and this is the result.
And here is a slef-portrait done on the spot and sent to me by the owner, Steve Lopez. Check out HIS art here.

New Pictures

2009-07-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

I found a new friend! The amazing photographer, Paul Sanders. You gotta check out his vintage car photography - even if you're not especially into cars. Just gorgeous.
www.paulsanders.com (cars)
His "bread 'n butter" stuff is here:
www.psweddings.com
For immediate contact, you can call:
Paul Sanders PhotoBiographer ™:
1.888.323.7374
206.780.5152
Paul emailed me one day to say that he would be in LA on a job soon and asked if he could do a portrait of me while he was here. I haven't wanted to get my picture took for the past decade. Yeah, I've been caught in candid stuff (most of which has been posted here) and that's OK. But an actual photo shoot? Spare me!
Still, he seemed so nice, I invited him for lunch and told him it was ok to "shoot" me if he wanted to just follow me around and catch me at whatever I was doing. So he did.

He did finally talk me into getting spiffed up for a couple of "portrait" shots.

Not bad for an old broad, eh? I'm definitely using one of these for the cover of my next book, Goin' Down in Flames. (Due out January 2010) But which?
I'd love to hear from anyone who would like to state their preference.

And here is one where he caught me packaging a signed copy of my book to mail out.

Definitely one of my most favorite activities!

Looks like we might have to do another print run. There are only 16 copies left and I've got orders coming in every day. Don't get me wrong. I'm delighted to get them.
In case you missed the notice on the home page - to get a signed copy, email georginasworld@gmail.com and I'll reply with order options. But if I run out, you'll have to wait for a month or two. Sorry. I'm tap-dancing as fast as I can.

The good doctor Thomas Horowitz

2009-06-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Last year I managed to decapitate a mole on my shoulder in the course of some overly enthusiastic yard building.
It was worth it. I love my yard.

Here are a couple of shots of it - still a work in progress, of course.

Being one to let nature take it's course on most things, I neglected the angry mole until it got REALLY mad. Finally, a couple of weeks ago I went to see my wonderfrul GP, Dr. Thom. (If you've read my book, you know who he is.) As well as being a great doctor, and a good friend, he's one of the most vocal and active physicians in the county on behalf of Dr. Sharon Mitchel's work with AIM - also mentioned in my book. He took one look at my festering mole and said, "Let's see what's going on here." A quick biopsy and a return visit and the bad boy was carved away with no fuss or pain. When I went back to have the stitches removed last week, the HIV panic was at high tide. My great pal, Cindi Loftus, asked me if I would ask him about it, so I did. Our interview is presently posted on her news page. Take a look if you're interested.

Barns & Noble at The Grove, L.A....

2009-06-16T16:32:00.001-07:00

...is the biggest damn book store I've ever seen. The Writers' Society event that took place last Saturday (June 13th) was staged in their special events area on the third floor. Jon E. Directo (that's his real name) the Community Relations Manager, and Tony Toledo, the GLAWS president, made it all go like clockwork. Lights, cameras, action! Tony just sent me this picture he snapped during my turn. I have simply GOT to remember to stand up straight when I do these things.
A very huge THANK YOU to Jon E., the store, GLAWS, and all my wonderful pals who braved the crowds and the late hour. I didn't go on until 8:45 - and I'm usually in bed by 9. Having you there to laugh in all the right places really made it work for me.

BARNES & NOBEL APPEARANCE

2009-06-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

ALERT THE MEDIA
The Lady-writer in the floppy hat
has been invited to read from her memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It, at a Barnes & Nobel book store!!!

Next Saturday night (June 13th) The Barnes & Nobel at The Grove, Fairfax Ave. and 3rd in Los Angeles, will host a select slate of GLAWS members - Ray Bradbury and yrs trly included - at a reading/book-signing event from 7 to 9pm. How 'bout dem apples! I'm not scheduled to read until 8:45, but I'll be there from 6pm on to enjoy the other readings.

Another piece of news that should have been posted DAYS ago - mea culpa, mea culpa:
One of my favorite authors, Charles Shea LeMone did an interview with me!

I fell in love with a Rastafarian cab-driving detective named Solomon Priestly in Shea's smashing crime novel, Dance in the Street. When I found out my friend Jim Morris (another fine author) KNEW him, I just had to get in touch. A vigorous e-palship ensued. Next thing I know, Shea asks to do an interview with ME.
Here's a bit about him and his newest work:
Charles Shea LeMone, the author of several mystery and romance novels, grew up on “the most dangerous corner in North Philadelphia.” This novel, Corner Pride is based on his life. He now lives on a remote mountaintop in Virginia where he writes and leads workshops on creative writing. He hopes to one day open an art center in his old neighborhood. He can be contacted at his Website: www.allwordman.com Oh. Here's the link to the interview.
What a guy.

YIKES

2009-05-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Just learned that the link to cinema retro in last post was incorrect;
This one WILL take you there. An interesting site to explore and a very nice interview that Graham Hill did with and for me.

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/3275-GEORGINA-SPELVIN-A-DEVILISH-DELIGHT!.html

New Interview

2009-05-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Graham Hill took this snapshot of me after our lunch date at the Beachwood Cafe. Of course, I didn't have my camera along to get a shot of him, but, trust me, he's a darling man - a bit reminiscent of our beloved Benny Hill, but calmer. Who's Graham Hill?
Well, he is someone who has always loved HOLLYWOOD, it's history and it's movies. Having moved to the United States from England, just to work in HOLLYWOOD. He tracked down all the locations and movie sets he had grown up with. And in doing so, became a HOLLYWOOD historian.
He's nowhere near as famous as a Leonard Maltin, but he has written numerous articles for magazines including CINEMA RETRO, for the British and American Film Institutes and many others. Has given tours and lectured on studio history and even produced documentaries such as MATINEE RANCH and HOLLYWOOD ON PARADE.

Graham maintains a huge research library of books and DVD's on HOLLYWOOD and all it's classic movies and TV shows. He feels honored that he has met so many stars, directors, writers, stuntmen etc., people who's names he always remembered from childhood...

Imagine my delight when he contacted me and asked if he could interview me! He and his lovely wife, Gina, met John and me for lunch one day and we've been pals since. He has gifted us with many dvd's of amazing collections of Hollywood "bests."

Here's a link to the interview.
http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/3275-GEORGINA-SPELVIN-A-DEVILISH-DELIGHT!.html#extended

I feel like I have no right to be so pleased with my life on this Memorial Day when so many who made the supreme sacrifice are being duly honored. But I can't help it. I am so fortunate - and so grateful.

Bon Voyage, Marilyn

2009-04-24T16:56:00.001-07:00

Here is a recent portrait taken by the talented Mr. Steve Zambrano of our recently departed pal. He brought it - and another he had shot of her with her daughter, MacKenna - to the fairwell party said daughter and the Devine M's best friend Peggy arranged at Zuma Beach on - appropriately - Earth Day, April 22nd. Hearing all the great stories and parting words from a host of those who knew her so much better than I, was wonderful. It was a somber day, but the lovely lavendar festooned dias and 57 - count them - 57 lavender baloons framing it made for a festive feel in spite of a chilling and unremitant wind. The balloons were in celebration of the almost 57 years she was with us - April 22nd being her 57th birthday. Two very talented sculptors, whose names I didn't get - damn it - had been out on the chill beach since 6am building a sand replica of our lady of the Green Door. If any of you have pictures from the occasion - especially of that sculpture - please email them to me. Several folks there said they would send pictures, but I've not received any as yet, and I just couldn't let another day go by without posting this small tribute to that so much larger than life personality - our beloved Ms. Chambers. Bon Voyage, Marilyn.

Marilyn Remembered

2009-04-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

A new star graces that firmament we can't quite reach. Though, sometimes, it truly seems we actually can, and do. At least it often seems that way to me. Especially in my garden. Yesterday morning I was getting feelings of excitement from my two best biker buds - Iron Mike and Pegleg Flix. I often "hear from" them out there. Couldn't make out any clear "messages." Oh, I don't actually hear voices or anything. Don't call the funny farm - yet. It's sort of imaginary email. Anyway, I couldn't think of what was making me think so of the aforementioned "biker buds." Then I felt a wave of "Wow" from old Henri Pachard - who will always be Ron Sullivan to me. Not until I opened up my email shortly thereafter did it all make sense. The Devine Ms. Chambers had arrived! No wonder "the guys" were in a twitter. Now, please don't think I do not feel sorrow. Well, some sorrow - especially for her daughter - and for her multitude of friends and fans - but I feel more a sense of gratitude that I got to meet her a few times. I was even in her (I think) last film. Just a cameo walk-on, but I thank my good buddy Veronica Harte, who was directing it, for that perk. I'm very proud to be able to say, "Yes, I was in one of her movies."

Naturally, I thought back on the weekend she, Chuck, and I spent in Chicago with the indominable "Professor Irwin Corey." He, she, and I were guest judges at a nude beauty pagent. Chuck rode shotgun. Much hilarity ensued, as I recount in my book, The Devil Made Me Do It.
Alas, that was about the longest time I ever got to spend with her.

Here we are at one of the "company picnics" where I was honored to present her with a Lifetime Achievement Award from her peers.

She was a true original. The sweetness of her nature permeated every corner of any room she entered.

I raise my glass of Perrier to you, Dear Lady of the Soap Box. Happy Trails.

LA Times Festival of Books

2009-04-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS) has accepted me as a member! Not only that, I am one of the authors to be represented at their booth - #631 - at the forthcoming LA Times Festival of Books on the UCLA campus in Westwood.

I'll be there with books to sell and handouts to hand out on Saturday, April 25th, from 4 to 6 pm and again on Sunday, April 26th, from noon until 2pm. Be sure to let me know if you are there because of reading this. I actually do try to keep track of that sort of thing. Details of the event can be seen here.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Spring Equinox. It's Easter, it's Passover, it's flowers all over the place and I just love it.

Another Denise creation

2009-03-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Chele,

I found another great pic of you online and souped it up with some pink fog and ornate hearts...The Dancing Queen of Hearts

Denise

Ah me. So I got out the tape measure. Yes, the circumference is the same at 73 years of age - but it's all a LOT LOWER.

So I asked the talented Denise...

2009-03-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

I asked my friend, the very talented artist, Denise LaFrance, where she found that image of my foot. Her answer:

I was on this photosite and saw a pic of a lady in a bath tub and I then thought of how her there in the tub reminded me of you in the tub...so then I went on youtube and searched for a clip from your film.

I found the movie clip...so then I saw that scene with you and your lovely and cute foot turning the taps on with your foot ( as you'd mentioned you always do^^)--so I then pushed PAUSE and got my camera and snapped a picture of the still/paused shot.

THEN I brightened up the colors, imported the picture to my photobucket account where I could then add the steamy effect on the edge and put a frame which I chose in pink...for that 'bathroomy' feel...and then added some glitter & blinking graphics to create an homage to you, your film and your lovely famous foot!^^.

The blinking image I shall attatch here--it's another type of file and I was not sure if or if not you'd be able to open such a file//but I can at least try and so I send it to you here now..you have to click here:

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z142/DeniseLaFrance/?action=view&current=ChelesFOOTinbathtub-1.gif

Blast from the Past

2009-03-19T19:19:00.001-07:00

I can't believe Denise LaFrance - amazing artist and dear pal - found this!
Yes, it's authentic. I'd know that bunion anywhere.
For those of you under 60 - this is a frame from the porn film, The Devil in Miss Jones.
OK, all you foot fetishists - let me her from you!
email me at
georginasworld@gmail.com

And click on Denise link above to see more about her.

Skylight Book Store, Los Angeles

2009-03-07T16:13:00.000-08:00

On Vermont Boulevard, just south of Griffith Park, sits a bulwark of free thought and creativity called Skylight Book Store. It is the pulsing heartbeat of a great L.A. neighborhood; a vital organ of the community - and by gosh, the community knows it.

I met the owner, Kerry Slattery, last fall when I attended a gala opening of the store's spiffy new annex. Screwing up my courage, I pressed a copy of my book into her hands and introduced myself. Recognition lit her eyes and she graciously thanked me for the book, and said I could email her and ask for an event date!

I decided to throw myself a birthday party for my 73rd birthday on March 1st. That was cool with her.

The big event:
A goodly crowd gathered.

These were, as promised, cakes and ale..

The manager, Steven Salardino, and lovely sidekick, Kelly were amazing. They completely rearranged the interior of the store; setting up
chairs, table for "cakes and ale" (ok - Victor Bene's Bakery cookies - but they're boss
cookies), arranging a chair and table for book signing, and a chair for my pal Libbie Jo Snyder to entertain us with her fantabuous jazz/classical flute selections --- all within a half hour! My jaw was on the floor.

Once the crowd gathered, had their cakes and ale in hand, and found places to sit, Kelly said it was time to start and introduced me.

But I didn't want to start the reading until my 85-year-old buddy, Joyce arrived.

She has been my sounding board and booster from the start of my literary life.

I met her in the 70s when she was "the orchestra" for husband John's, improve group, War Babies.

As soon as she was settled comfortably, I launched into one of my favorite chapters, The Journey of the Dorabelladonna. That's the one that chronicles my trip from Maine to California in a 30-foot-long derelict school bus with a smokestack sticking out the back.

Then I signed books.

And book marks.

And posters.

And DVDs.

And really old pictures.

Then I just schmoozed with old friends and new.

Husband John took the pictures seen here.

All you guys who were taking pictures and said you'd email me copies...???

I haven't received any yet! Remember - the email address is georginasworld@gmail.com

BIRTHDAY PARTY

2009-02-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

YOU ARE INVITED to my 73rd Birthday Party, Sunday, March 1st, 7pm at Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 660-1175. If you attended any of the earlier events, come again. I'll be reading all new excerpts from my memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It., after which we'll schmooze and I'll sign books and stuff. THERE WILL BE CAKES AND ALE!

Some notes from the last couple of readings at Hustlers and Circus of Books:

Thursday, January 22nd at Hustlers:

Stan Kent and his gorgeous sidekick, Cyn Yen - hosted a real party - with band!
Bruce Baker and the Hooples
Here's me with Bruce Baker (vocals, keyboard)
and Paul Baker (guitar, sax)

David Sterry, my book guru, is greatly responsible for all this festivity. He kindly invited me to join him for this presentation of our literary endeavors.
Here he is on my left. That's hubby, John on the other side and the amazing Mr. Kent on David's left.

Saturday night, January 24th: Nina Hartley joined David and me for a reading/signing/panel discussion fest at Circus of Books. The amazing Margie Schnibbe, adult director for Vivid, acted as hostess and moderator. Barry Mason, the owner and long-time champion of edge-cutting literature in West Hollywood was a most gracious and generous host. Thanks. Barry.
.

Readings and Signings and Schmoozing - Oh My!

2008-12-30T18:10:00.000-08:00

You are cordially invited to any or all of the following venues where I shall eagerly meet and chat with anyone interested in The Devil Made Me Do It (my memoir). Excerpts from the book will be read.
Scheduled Events
If you already have a copy of the book, and you would like to have it signed, bring it along. If you don't have one, don't worry, the lovely people hosting me at these events will be glad to sell you one.

Sorry if responses to your VERY WELCOME emails have been a bit tardy. I've been up to my cute little pink ears signing and mailing books. I ain't complaining. Far from it. I'm very gratified that so many have "found" me and ordered a book. BTW, if you want to purchase a copy, do it through Amazon. They have the best price. If you want a signed copy, email me.

Hope everyone is having a superior holiday.
Happy 2009
Georgie

More Pegleg Memories

2008-11-19T16:35:00.001-08:00

Pegleg's sister, Leila, just sent me these two pictures of him from an earlier time. What a FOX. Please forgive me, Gene, for posting these, but I just can't help myself. I hope you don't mind. I also hope any old pals of yours who stumble across this spot where my brain-droppings land will get in touch so we can swap Pegleg stories.

And Another One Bites The Dust - Dammit

2008-11-16T16:45:00.000-08:00

Oh, Pegleg, my PAL - Capt'n Flicks - master of the video-capture, edit, and post - Road Warrior emeritus - sage, wit - true friend to those who earned and deserved it, fierce opponent of injustice wherever you met it; you brought so much joy and enlightenment to my life. Whatever shall I do without you? There was not a subject upon which you could not offer insight. And nothing was so awful you could not find some humor in it - even your own dreadful battle with the so-called medical care system. I guess you just got tired of messing with it. I can understand that. But, oh, I shall miss you so much.

Gene Hansen, known on the web as Capt'n Flix, was known to me, and a host of his pals, as Pegleg. He chose this nickname because of his injured leg that caused him constant pain. I met him on MySpace. He collected the "G-rated" clips of my flims and put together a YouTube page for me. He also compiled them into a CD and created the packaging for it which you see in this - the most current photo of him that I have.
He asked to read my manuscript before it was a book. He like it so much, I asked him to write a short "review" for the "pitch page." He did, and I'm very proud to have it there. If you haven't seen it, you can in the book's preview - go to page 3.

I know he's now tearing down the open highways of the next coil.
And I'm sure that he and another biker buddy of mine, Mike Cirigliano, who made the leap last June 11th, have or will meet up and discover they have a mutual friend in Georgina.

Big Thrill - Interview for the CBC

2008-11-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

Big Thrill
Last Saturday (11/8) I met the amazing Raymond Saint-Pierre, a noted war correspondent who, with his cameraman, Sylvain Cordanguay, was in a tank that was blown up in Iraq a year or so ago. The CBC sent them to ask me how technology had changed the porn world - like I, who have trouble using a cell phone, would know. We spent the morning talking about just about everything else. I'll let you know as soon as they let me know when and where the interview can be seen. They said it would be near the end of this month. Be still my heart. What makes Frenchmen so sexy? Is it the accent?
That's me, getting the
garden looking good for
my honored guests.

Book Orders from Afar
Good grief. The Internet constantly amazes me. Requests for signed books are coming in from Europe, Australia, and even (just yesterday) from Brazil!
I know there have been many different "procedures" tried at Lulu to facilitate these requests and I apologize for the confusion. If you want a signed book, email me at georginasworld@gmail.com. The book costs $18.50. I'll let you know the shipping costs depending upon where it's going.

Book Readings
If you have a favorite book store that might be interested in having Georgina Spelvin in the flesh read passages from The Devi Made Me Do It - her spicy, pithy, memoir - please let me know how to contact them.

Our Pal

2008-10-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Annie Sprinkle just sent me this picture of Jerry - taken the day after his big birthday bash.

Long Live the King - Gerard Damiano

2008-10-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Jerry's son, G Rock, called me last night to tell me the greatest director of sex films ever had hopped that luxury express to Paradise. Boy am I glad his kids threw that great party for his 80th birthday last August and I got a chance to hug him and kiss that sweet face one last time. Thank you G Rock and Christar and beautiful Barbara, ex-wife and still best friend for all those years. I know you're gonna miss him, as will we all.
(Pictured from left, Ms. Annie Sprinkle, Ms. Veronica Vera, Mr. Damiano, Ms. Spelvin.)

Sex is Alive and Well in San Francisco

2008-10-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that comes as a big surprise.

The operative word here is WELL. I found a community of serious scholars, dedicated to the preservation of their freedom to explore the subject of sex on an academic basis. Many were therapists. Many were couples. All ages (over 18) were represented. I was humbled by the recognition and homage paid to the antique vehicle that rocketed me from oblivion to unanticipated notoriety in 1974: that enduring porno, The Devil in Miss Jones.

Oh Annie, Annie, Annie Sprinkle, my beloved Mermaid. How can I ever thank you adequately for instigating and facilitating this trip?
The stores: Good Vibrations (on Valencia Street in San Francisco, and in Berkely), and Jennifer Islas' wonderful, fanciful, emporium in San Rafael, Pleasures of the Heart, were clean, spacious, and tastefully appointed. My heartfelt thanks to Jennifer. And a big thanks to the amazing Carol Queen, who not only set up readings at the Good Vibration stores but a great screening, reading, and open forum at The Center for Sex and Culture - sort of a porn museum. Another such venue exists at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. My thanks to Dean Howard Ruppel for hosting me there for a reading and lecture. If you were present, I would welcome your comments and critiques at my email address georginasworld@gmail.com. And, of course, if any of you who purchased a book (which was, thankfully, just about everybody) have had a chance to read through it, and have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you, as well.

A special thanks goes to David Nahmod who got me to every gig on time and managed to give me a grand tour of the most fascinating city in the world inbetween gigs. He even managed to talk Henry Tannenbaum of KRON-TV into interviewing me. Henry confessed that he had never met a porn star before. That's hard to believe in that town, but I do - believe him. He strikes me as a totally honest man. AND an utterly charming one, at that. I was surprised that he was willing to interview me and promote my book, The Devil Made Me Do It. The appearance on his show Saturday morning brought a slew of interested parties into the lecture that afternoon and many more to the reading/signing event that evening at the Good Vibrations store in Berkley (2504 San Pablo Ave.) Though I didn't clock it that closely, I think just about everybody who came to a reading bought a book! Well, that was the idea, of course. Many, many thanks.

The highlight of the trip was having my co-star from The Dancers, Howie Gordon (Richard Pacheco) materialize in the shadows at the back of the auditorium during Saturday afternoon's lecture. What a great blast from the past! Fortunately, I had a disc with me of clips from old movies and our big scene was screened. He then appeared again at the bookstore that evening. Bless his heart, he sat through the reading a second time, then took us to his house - which is a work of his visual art. Jeremy, his wife, had been right on the set during the shooting of his and my sex scene, incidently, was as welcoming and warm as she had been when I met her that day long ago. What an amazing woman. She's been in practice as a family and children's therapist for years. Their oldest son was a babe in arms the day we first met. Their third and youngest, now a grown young lady, was down with a cold, but we got to say hello from a distance. After ogling open-mouthed at the wall to wall, floor to ceiling (and all over that), array of his creations, we were treated to a great Mexican dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was the best topper to a grand time anyone could have ordered.

On To San Francisco

2008-10-03T09:00:00.001-07:00

Meet Mr. Welsh, my far-better-half without whom I'd never get anything done.

Here we are at the West Hollywood Book Fair. - my first BOOK FAIR.

It was quite an education. I've always been a library junkie, but never having had a lot of what you call discretionary funds, stores where books were actually SOLD were a rare treat. Buying a book even more unusual. Then came a steady job and a savings account and IRAs and all that good stuff - that may have become stuff of legend as I write. Soon thereafter came computers and Amazon and American Express and now I just click happily away on my laptop and wait for the next luscious treasure to arrive.

But a BOOK FAIR? Just never did it. Now I have. I felt like a was back on the front lawn with a card table and two big pitchers of KoolAid hopefully accosting neighbors who passed. That was back in the days when people actually walked to the store.

I'm very glad I did it, tiring as it was, because I met so many new friends. Hope each of you is reading this and thanks for buying my book.

Now - it's on to San Francisco and the following events:

Thursday, Oct. 9th, 7pm
Readings from The Devil Made Me Do It.
Books available for sale ($18.50) Author will sign.
Pleasures of the Heart
1310 4th St (at C St.)
San Rafael, CA 94901
(Parking conveniently located at the lots on C St, between 3rd and 4th and between 4th and 5th)
Contact: Jennifer Islas
Tel: (415)482-9899
jennifer@pleasuresoftheheart.com

Fri. Oct. 10th,
2:30 - 5:30pm - Course lecture for students of Institute: "What's a Nice Girl...?" - the sexual case history of a porn star. Also reading of excerpts from book The Devil Made Me Do It. Copies available for sale ($18.50) - author will sign books.
Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
1523 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Contact: Howard J. Ruppel, Ph.D., DACS
Chancellor & Academic Dean
Phone: (415) 928-1133 X 30 (weekdays: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, PDT)
iakahuna@aol.com
http://www.iashs.edu/

Fri. Oct. 10th, 6:30pm
Good Vibrations
603 Valencia St, San Francisco
(415) 522-5460
Reading of excerpts from The Devil Made Me Do It, Q&A, author will sign books.
Contact: Camilla Lombard (Events and Promotions Coordinator)
(415) 974-8985 ext.201
www.goodvibes.com

Sat. Oct. 11, 2:30 - 5:30pm
Center for Sex and Culture
1519 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(425) 255 1155
(415) 552-7399 (Carol?)
Screening of clips from film, The Devil in Miss Jones.
Q&A with Spelvin.
Reading of excerpts from her book, The Devil Made Me Do It, Q&A, sign books (available for sale at lecture site) and talk with atendees as time permits.
Contact: Carol Queen
carol@carolqueen.com

Sat. Oct. 11, 6:30pm
Good Vibrations
2504 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 841-8987
Reading of excerpts from her book, The Devil Made Me Do It, Q&A, sign books, dvd's etc..
Contact:
www.goodvibes.com

If you attend any of these functions, please let me know you read it here.

2008-09-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

BE STILL MY HEART!
David Henry Sterry - my literary guru, my mentor, my friend - will appear with his pearls of wisdom - and latest book, Master of Ceremonies - Wednesday, October 1st at 7pm at that beacon of freedom and intellect - BOOK SOUP.
Check him out and read about this amazing book. I read it in three gulps. Just couldn't put the thing down.

Hey, maybe I'll see you there.

West Hollywood Book Fair Sept. 28th

2008-09-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Alert the media! Georgina is going to her first ever book fair! Details here.
Here's the poster that will show everybody where to find me.
I'll be at a booth with Linda Alexander from 1 to 3 pm. So, if you live in L.A. - I hope you'll stop by to say hello and pick up a free, autographed bookmark.

Photography by Steve Zambrano Jr.

2008-09-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I forgot to credit Steve Zambrano Jr. for the photos of me just posted here. He took them at tha AVA forum on classic porn films. Thanks, Steve, for bringing them to me at the Book Soup reading. It was so great to see you again.

Larry Mantle All Talk KCPP 89.3 FM Interview

2008-09-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Stand back Palin - Georgie's about to crash the party! Or is that TRASH the party. Whoops. I wasn't gonna get political here.
Just a reminder that my interview with Larry Mantle is going to air tomorrow, September 5th, at 11:45am PST! If you can't catch it then, you will be able to hear it here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/
Golly gee, so much going on. A trip to San Francisco comming up next month to do more readings - setting up additional events here in L.A. as well. When dates locked in, I'll post the info - including locations.
The turnout at the Book Soup reading last August 20th has opened up a whole new world to me. Who knew how much fun you could have with your clothes on?

The reading at Book Soup, August 20, 2008

2008-08-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

It was just like in the movies. Really. There were all these lovely people ready to listen to me read passages from my book (The Devil Made Me Do It) and by gosh, those that didn't already have a copy, BOUGTH ONE.

I wasn't even nervous. Well, maybe just a tad. But my far-better-half, John, said my voice was strong. All the laughs were in the right places, and there were even a few I hadn't counted on!

Life is good. Now - on to San Francisco. I'll post all upcoming events here, of course.
I'd love to hear from anyone who was there - or just anyone interested in more details about it, or the book, or me, or the state of the nation...

At the signing, photographer, Steve Zambrano, Jr. (twotreestevie@yahoo.com) handed me a CD of pictures he had snapped at the Adult Film Festival here in L.A. back last September.
Here for your amusement
:

Book Soup Los Angeles

2008-08-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, August 20th, I'll be reading excerpts of my memoir, The Devil Made Me Do It, at the greatest little (well, not all THAT little) bookstore in L.A. - if not the world! Book Soup. Here's a link to the announcement. http://www.booksoup.com/
If you're in L.A., you are, of course, invited. If you can make it, please let me know you are there because of reading this post. And never hesitate to email me at georginasworld@gmail.com if you have a question - or just want to say "hello."

Radio Interview with Evan Ginzburg

2008-08-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

OK - all you sports fans - tune in::

Sunday August 10 7-9EST on Evan Ginzburg’s Legends Radio

at www.wrestling-radio.com

Adult film legend Georgina Spelvin (Devil in Miss Jones)

John Heidenreich (Formerly 1992 Super Bowl Champ Redskins/WWE)

Wrestling manager Bobby Reidel

Rick Hendrickson on MMA/UFC 87

Gerard Damiano's Surprise Birthday Party

2008-08-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 3, 2008: Annie Sprinkle, Veronica Vera, Gerard Damiano, and yours truly pause in our revelry to pose for a camera held by one of the 70 plus guests that gathered at the best Italian restaurant in Ft. Myers, Florida to surprise Gerard on his 80th birthday. His former wife (and still good friend) Barbara, their daughter, Christar, and their son, G Rock threw the best birthday bash I've been to since my Italian Mother-in-law's 90th back in 1993. There were many similarities - and not just in the dress and accent of a majority of the guests. I felt right at home.

Another similarity: the lavish anti-pasta and open bar that kept us all busy until Himself was spotted approaching the front door. An obedient hush descended in short order. When the lights came up and we all yelled "Surprise," I feared my favorite director was going to bolt. He later said, "I haven't been that surprised since I was arrested."

He just couldn't believe his loving former performers and pals had traveled from New York and California just to nuzzle and hug and kiss him to pieces. As much as I HATE to fly, and spending an unanticipated 27 hours in the Charlotte, NC airport on the way home didn't do much to change that, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. They invited John, too, of course, but he felt he must stay home to take care of our ancient pussy cat, Buck, who's gotten too frail to be left with a sitter.

As soon as Jerry was able to say hello and hug everyone, Barbara shooed us all into the dining room of the restaurant where we were served fabulous bread, salads, and our choice of an Epicurean entree. I had the scampi. Annie, seated to my right, chose the lasagna. Naturally we swapped bites, so I can report with authority that all the food was top drawer. As was the slide show, put together my Gerard Damiano the son (G Rock) It brought tears of nostalgia to more eyes than just mine.
After dinner, we danced, we sang, we reluctantly parted best of friends - all 70 or so that were there.

The next morning Annie hosted a breakfast for just the Damiano clan, her "Bosom Buddy" Veronica, and your blogger. I gave everyone copies of my book (The Devil Made Me Do It). Annie gave us copies of her Love-Art Catalog (be sure and follow my link to her site and look at all the wonderful art and books she has produced) and Veronica promised to send me a copy of her book, "MIss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls." It just arrived and I had to force myself to put it down and get this written - as I promised I would do by today! Boy, can that lady WRITE. Never much interested in fashion myself, I find myself becoming a believer as I follow the "herstories" of some of her students achieving satisfaction in a Louis Vuitton scarf. Yes, I highly recommend it.

Now I got to go find some breathtaking passages from my book to read to a hopeful multitude at the LA landmark, Book Soup, Wednesday, August 20th - 7 until 9pm - 8818 Sunset (between Holloway and Larabee) - in case you live in L.A. and are interested. Yes, of course I'll be signing books and chit-chatting, and taking questions from the floor and all that. It's my first time. I hope they'll be gentle.

Oh, if you do come because of having read this - PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Thanks,
George

Finally - signed copy of book available

2008-07-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

It took some doing, but I finally found a way to offer a signed copy of my book, "The Devil Made Me Do It" without having to have it mailed to me after it's mailed to the customer and then mailing it back. Waaaaay too much packaging and postage. The offer is only available at the Lulu "store." (Amazon and the other on-line book stores simply have no way to arrange this.)
So - if you've been waiting for this option, click here and have a look.
Now that the book has been officially accepted by the Bowker listing service, it can be ordered at your neighborhood bookstore as well. But then, you'd have to mail it to me to get it signed.
I will be doing a limited number of book signings - primarily in L.A. because I hate to travel. I used to love it. Especially train trips. But that was way back when the forks were silver and the water was served in crystal. Sigh. As the dates are confirmed, I'll post the info here.
I've been getting a lot of email from fans and friends and - so far - I've been able to keep up with replies. If anyone out there wants to contact me about booking a signing/reading or whatever, do drop me a line to georginasworld@gmail.com.

Lulu interview

2008-07-09T09:10:00.001-07:00

Just did an interview with my publisher - if interested click this link

http://lulublog.com/2008/07/09/lulu-author-interview-georgina-spelvin/

Larry Mantle All Talk KCPP 89.3 FM Interview

2008-07-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I lied. The interview will NOT air on July 4th, as originally scheduled. They decided to hold it for later use because "NOBODY listens to the radio on the Fourth of July." per Mr. Mantle - and he wants my book to get as much exposure as possible. Now is that a Prince, or what? AND - he read the book and LOVES it. Says it really surprised him - not just because it's well-written - but because it addresses so many issues dear to his ultra-liberal heart. That is, beyond the expected "Freedom of Speech" arguments.
So, check here now and again, and as soon as I know when the thing will air, it will be posted.

Larry Mantle All Talk KCPP 89.3 FM Interview

2008-06-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Be still my heart - Larry Mantle has invited me to visit his All Talk show for an interview that will air The Fourth of July between 10 and 12 noon. You can check him out at the KCPP site - just click here.
I'm so excited. I hope I don't get all tongue tied. , if you get a chance to listen, email me at georginasworld@gmail.com and let me know what you think
He actually asked for a copy of my book to read. What if he hates it? He wouldn't actually say so on the air ----- would he?

RED ALERT - WRONG ZIP CODE IN CONTACT INFO

2008-06-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Holy typo, Batman! I can't believe I did this. But I did. The zip code on my contact information has been WRONG all this time. My address for receiving packages is:
Georgina Spelvin
PO Box 3170
Los Angeles, CA 90078
It was my fault - not my wonderful web designer who took the info from me.
Please forgive me - and please do get in touch.
No wonder I haven't been getting any books to sign! I thought everybody hated me.

Golly Gee, You Guys

2008-06-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

A big smooch and thanks to everyone who's gone to http://stores.lulu.com/spelvin and previewed my book, and heart-felt thanks them as BOUGHT it. It's up on Amazon now. And Barns and Nobel and some others - I can't keep up with 'em. Anyway - the "Official Release Date" is not 'til July 1st so if you want to get in the Luu line early back up to the home page and click on Books. That'll take you right to the "store." You know? I think I'm gettin' the hang of this. At least I haven't crashed the thing yet today - so far.
I'll try to write more often now that the baby's sort of out on its own. (Gulp.)

ALERT THE MEDIA

2008-05-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

The Devil Made Me Do It - my memoir - is finally available to the public.
The BOOKS button on my home page will take you to the Lulu "store" where you can preview it by clicking on the book title.
I'm gonna take a nap now.

The Devil Made Me Do It

2008-05-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Writing a book was the easy part. Yeah, it took me five years. I wanted to get it right, OK?

But then came the hard part - getting it into print and available to them as might be interested. Every traditional (and a few untraditional) publishers who were interested in publishing it wanted it their way. I wanted it mine. So I decided to publish it myself.

There are a slew of outfits out there who all tell you how "simple and economical" such an endeavor is. It isn't. At least it has not been so for me. I'm dealing with Lulu.com, whose pitch was the most attractive of the lot. Well, it's a little like trying to get that very important proposal copied for your boss (who wants it yesterday) when they just put a brand new copy machine in and the manual is written in Sanskrit. Trial and error - expensive as it is - seems to be the only way to accomplish your task.

I do seem to be on about the last page of the process, however. I've not wanted to fill this space with constant hints that the thing would be coming out any day - until I had some idea of when that "any day" might get here. I think I can safely say that there will be a book for sale at my Lulu "store" by the end of next week - or sooner, God willin' and the creek don't rise.

I just managed to published a small, very funny book of drawings. It's now available for preview and purchase. This was both my "trial" project - to figure out what to do with a smaller amount of material to manage - and a book that is very dear to my heart. A click here or on the BOOKS button on my website will take you to the "store" and you can have a peek at the content by clicking on the book title, "Who ARE These People?" It's not a sex book. But, hey, you can't wallow in erotica all the time. Or can you? Well, that's your business. All proceeds from its sale go to the widow of the artist.

Thanks for hanging in there with me through this looooooooong and tedious endeavor.

Georgie

Music video of my pal, Jacob

2008-03-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

Just got this link from my friend Jacob Wheeler. What a talent. Give a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGh2sb-9cIY