Greetings From Hollywood, August 2, 1998

IT'S HOT, the finches are at the window munching their seed, the sundial says 9:45, George Gershwin wrote one helluva Rhapsody,and my tea is strong yet softened by the sweetened milk. My window faces the Los Angeles Basin with the ocean beyond and on a good day I can see the outline of Santa Catalina Island. When I grow up I want to go there. The hills of Griffith Park are at my back so I believe I have good FENG SHUI. To enhance this I have a birdbath filled with stones from the Sur on the sill. I must do my magic as the demons in this basin are strong and have broken many a heart.

I'm on my fourth year here, and have been told that many actors pack it in on the third year. They wander back to their home towns with tales of sleaze and promises, opportunity being the buzz, but the fine print says "it will cost you " Hiatus is when the Studios slow down production. This season was more severe as there was talk of a strike in the chambers of SAG. The Unions have signed an agreement and though many a working Actor isn't happy with the agreement , it's good to hear the Studios are active again.

I've been doing submissions through the Dramalogue/Backstage West notices and got an audition with an Equity production in Long Beach. I read for the Constable (non-union role) with the casting director, who happened to be from Carmel. She asked for a lower class English accent. I read the part, and she told me that I would definitely be called back. The callbacks were in Long Beach with the director, Jules Aaron. I read a few lines and Shanon Monahan, the casting director, asked the director if he wanted me to read more. He said no he heard enough, was I available for rehearsals? So, I'm in an Equity production. It's called CORPSE, a Comedy Thriller, will play 4 weeks in the Long Beach Convention Center the month of September. Will I get my Equity Card? That is in the hands of the Producer and Director. Wouldn't it be nice.

I have also gone through 500 photo resumes, and now must get a new headshot. My agent called recently ( ..who??..]) and I went on two commercial auditions. One was for an Australian commercial for a racing team. I had to sit in a chair on camera and pretend driving a truck, then ( here comes the hard part). I had to pretend to sit at a Bar and order a BEER what a stretch. Thank-you Stanislavsky. The other commercial was for Transamerica and they were looking for a farmer. I went in wearing bluejeans T-shirt, jacket and cap. On camera the casting director started attacking me with negative questions, "You don't look like a farmer. I responded that I was a Salinas farmer and grew Asparagus blah blah blah. It was fun and it seems she was intimidating only to get a response from me. We had a few laughs. Callbacks are Wednesday....

Keith Decker in THE DEVIL'S DECIPLE for Staff Players

The Hardware Store in Beverly Hills lurches along, with it's curious mixture of Movie Star and Housekeeper, Producer and Starlet, Retired Studio Executive and Armenian Immigrant. I am purchasing lots of product in Plumbing, Paint, Electrical, and Chemicals, and keeping the Rodeo Drive Shops supplied with needed Hardware and Tools to keep the displays happening.

Larry King was in and asked me to make a duplicate car key. I asked him what kind of car. He said an "Infinity": I said I'd make the key, but it would take forever... The Parking Gods are forever cruel, and the constant tithing is tedious and heart breaking. All are fined for "Street Cleaning", yet the streets are filthy.

I wish the Dodgers would stop trading, although Mr. Eisenreich is a wonder to watch. I don't know why sex is an impeachable crime, when they are still discovering mass graves in Central America with Ollie's signature. I think of my friends and hope all is well. If you find yourself in this basin give a buzz, the lines are open.

"Be well, do good work, and keep in touch"