I have posted
rather sparingly for several years. Now there is so much going on that this has
to change. I also plan to put up my posts in both Swedish and English. For many
years the name of the blog was Umepojk in Los Angeles. Umepojk means ‘boy from
Umeå’. Umeå is the city in Sweden where I was born and spent the first five
years of my life. In 2007 the name was changed to Umepojk in Mason, Ohio, since
we moved to the Cincinnati area due to my work. A little while ago I added
"and then what?" That’s because when we retire, we will not stay in
Ohio. Or the United States. But first a little history. After a stopover at
JFK, I landed in Los Angeles on June 6, 1974. That it was Los Angeles was
hardly more than a coincidence. I just wanted to go to the United States. Why?
I don’t really know. I just wanted to. Initially the adrenaline flowed freely.
Maybe for quite some time. The United States differs enough from Sweden, that
everything feels a little bit exciting. Even something very common, like
driving on a street in Los Angeles, to shop in a store, to walk on the Santa
Monica Pier, to drive Mulholland from Hollywood to the Pacific Coast Highway.
It didn't take
long before I built up a strong dislike of the US political system. And I still
lived in California! In Sweden I was clearly to the right of center, but here I
was very far to the left. Somehow, I separated political life from daily life, except
for a lot of political discussions. Besides, I was busy with studying and earning
enough money to live.
A little about my jobs: first job was as a ‘houseboy’ with Jack Lawrence, who created many famous songs for Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Shore and many others. It lasted a month. Before that I had an interview with Rock Hudson's manager for a similar job. It was the only interview where I was ever asked if it bothered me that my potential employer was gay. I also had an interview with William Conrad's manager. When he told me that I didn't get that job, he said the 'Cannon' had decided that he wanted to hire someone older, because he did not trust his young wife. The next job was as a driver for Jack and Audrey Skirball. Jack was trained as a Rabbi, but had become a film producer, and also worked with a lot of investments. The job as a private driver was a little more bearable. Just a little bit. It didn’t feel so good that my really low monthly salary was overshadowed by what Jack lost betting on horses most days during the seasons at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar (Audrey owned some horses). After one year, this shy and cautious guy built up enough confidence to instead look for a job in a restaurant as a waiter. The money was better and it became possible to study, although it was quite difficult to find enough energy after late nights at work, often followed by one or a few hours at the nearest bar. I think I remember all restaurants – BelAir Sands, Stratton's, Tivoli Garden, Saddle Peak Lodge, Parkway Grill, MiPiace . After that, I had had enough of the restaurants. But I jump too far ahead. I will tell you more about the restaurants, some other time.
A little about my jobs: first job was as a ‘houseboy’ with Jack Lawrence, who created many famous songs for Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Shore and many others. It lasted a month. Before that I had an interview with Rock Hudson's manager for a similar job. It was the only interview where I was ever asked if it bothered me that my potential employer was gay. I also had an interview with William Conrad's manager. When he told me that I didn't get that job, he said the 'Cannon' had decided that he wanted to hire someone older, because he did not trust his young wife. The next job was as a driver for Jack and Audrey Skirball. Jack was trained as a Rabbi, but had become a film producer, and also worked with a lot of investments. The job as a private driver was a little more bearable. Just a little bit. It didn’t feel so good that my really low monthly salary was overshadowed by what Jack lost betting on horses most days during the seasons at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar (Audrey owned some horses). After one year, this shy and cautious guy built up enough confidence to instead look for a job in a restaurant as a waiter. The money was better and it became possible to study, although it was quite difficult to find enough energy after late nights at work, often followed by one or a few hours at the nearest bar. I think I remember all restaurants – BelAir Sands, Stratton's, Tivoli Garden, Saddle Peak Lodge, Parkway Grill, MiPiace . After that, I had had enough of the restaurants. But I jump too far ahead. I will tell you more about the restaurants, some other time.
1976 I started at
Stratton's Restaurant in Westwood Village.
I come back to this restaurant because the job there changed my life. In the same building was The Westwood Playhouse, a small (about 500 seats) theatre. Many great musicals and plays. In December of 1978, it was time for Jon Hendricks' Evolution of the Blues. I knew of of Lambert, Hendrick and Ross and was very excited about the coming show. Little could I have imagined how life would change fairly soon .....
I come back to this restaurant because the job there changed my life. In the same building was The Westwood Playhouse, a small (about 500 seats) theatre. Many great musicals and plays. In December of 1978, it was time for Jon Hendricks' Evolution of the Blues. I knew of of Lambert, Hendrick and Ross and was very excited about the coming show. Little could I have imagined how life would change fairly soon .....
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