Monday, May 13, 2013

Today, my mermories are a drumbeat






Pacing the hills, ocean in view, scent of summer in the air.

Coppertone suntan lotion wafting on breeze, impossible way up here so far from everyone. Must be a memory drifting in from my youth. Summers spent at the beach on the California coast. A high school thespian, performing plays and modern dance. Dreaming of modeling and acting. Pulsing with adolescent vitality. A fireball.

Not knowing how to get where I had to go, only that "no" could never be an option.

Loving the precious last days of youth -- the safety of high school, the freedom to be silly. And yet, waiting . . . breathless for that moment when I would fly from my secure cage and follow every wing-flap due north. The magnet of Hollywood pulling . . . calling . . ..



 


** There is more, a long string of Santa Barbara images. See second post below


30 comments:

  1. Wow Aneet,

    Some very interesting photos posted here! With summer approaching, I can almost smell the Coppertone in the air already.Yes, the pull of Hollywood was calling and I'm glad you went there. And silly me used to think of Fireballs as strong cinnamon jawbreakers! There's nothing like going for your dream and finally arriving there! I'm glad you did and I'm sure I speak for all your readers as well.......

    Jonathan

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  2. Jonathon, hello, hello,

    Lovely to hear from you. Thank you for the jawbreaker image and memory. I always enjoy your take on things. I have a question: As I've just created these posts, I'm wondering if you saw the second post below this one. Am not sure if it's obvious enough. Would love to know.

    And, how is baseball season going this year?

    My fond wishes, ~ Aneet

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    1. Oh, I see that you found it. Our messages crossed while I was adding a few more images to "Ordinary Day" the post below.

      Happy Summer Jonathan :)

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  3. Welcome back, Mizz Aneet...

    The scent of summer theme (and its hint of a very pretty girl clad in Coppertone) reminds me it's time to pull out the Beach Boys to welcome summer to the southwest Texas desert country. So, that's what I've done and I'm listening to "Fun, Fun, Fun" as I type this.

    Oh, and I do love the pictures in the other post-- fat, sassy bucktooth gophers and sauntering lizards and blooming cacti (a theme to which I am partial), a ship cruising the "peaceful" Pacific waters. (This morning, I found a languid lizard of my own to photograph-- a skink sneaking through the pencil cactus along US 87 as I was hoping to catch a stinging cevalia in bloom.)

    When we were younger, who would have thought there would be digital cameras to capture images in such stunning detail. Now, the Beach Boys CD has taken me for a ride in a Little Deuce Coupe and I believe the next stop is California Girls.

    Many thanks, to the coolest California Girl for sharing a few more glimpses of the magic hiding in Santa Barbara!

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    1. Louis, hello, hello,

      The Beach Boys are perfect! Their music was played in the Quad everyday at lunchtime in high school. What a delightful idea.

      A skink. That's quite a name. I looked it up On-line, and saw a cute little slinker with stripes. I'd love to see that photo with the pencil cactus. It sounds delightful in print. Didn't find it when I went to your website, but did see some wonderful art.

      As always, it's so good to hear from you and to read your fluid and poetic words.

      Thank YOU Louis. I am smiling, ~ Aneet

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    2. Aneet, I've posted a close-up of Mr Seymour D Skink on my Facebook photography page and there will be one of the pencil cactus in the same place a couple days from now. I'm really no judge of these matters, mind you, but he does seem to be rather the handsome little rascal-- at least by reptilian standards.

      The kind things you say about my art and words are most appreciated. The May 9 edition of the blog features seven black and white shots that I hope you enjoy. (In a few months, I'll be able to share some very exciting news about my plant photos but I'm superstitious about talking about things before they happen.)

      If you'd like to see my style as a fiction writer, you can go to my personal Facebook page, click on the "About" button, scroll down to "Notes" and find the first chapter of a ghost story I've been playing around with.

      Will close for now. There's always the temptation to prattle on when I "chat" with you. I will say many thanks for the diversity of images your camera lens has captured in the time I've been fortunate enough to follow your blog. Today's music is not the Beach Boys-- we had storms to drench the desert last night. What better way to savor the sun on the day after than to hip hop aboard the "Night Train" with Rickie Lee Jones-- a sly and knowing singer who uses words as slyly and knowingly as you capture the back roads and beaches of SoCal with a camera.
      Louis

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    3. I found it. A beautiful and fascinating creature. I understand they are quiet common in your parts. Excellent photo.

      I also saw your Black and white shots and liked them very much. Black and white has such a different voice than color. I wanted to mention your pink gorilla with green building. It seems to fit that phrase, crazy good.

      Have not had time to read your prose, but I intend to. Until then, take care Louis, your work is inspiring :)

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    4. Merci, Mademoiselle, Merci! Wishing you days magical and joyous!

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  4. Hi Anitra,

    Even in your early years, you were a natural for the camera. The side-by-side images show first playfulness, then reflection. I have a feeling every picture of you turned out great.

    Thanks for sharing moments from your beginnings. It's fun to see the start of what was to become your much success.

    Alan

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    1. Alan, hello,

      Thank you for your impressions and kind words.

      As my writing was fairly abstract in this post, I didn't mention that I was 16 in the first photo. The lower two photos are from an old contact sheet. Just casual shots that a photographer friend took of me one day when I stopped by his studio to say hello. I was well into my career at that point, just two years before landing "The Price is Right". Which isn't clear in the post. All black and white photos (and of course retro), the first: before, and the last two: after.

      It's so nice to hear from you Alan. Sending you my good wishes,

      Aneet

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  5. Aneet,

    I found your second post "Ordinary Day" quite easily. As I scrolled down the first post to the bottom, the title of your second post was right there to see. Couldn't miss it in fact. It's also good that as a back up, you mentioned at the bottom of the first post that there is a second post below. Everyone should see that. Great job as usual! (A+) Oh,and almost forgot to mention that you must of had me in mind when you used the word "Drumbeat" in the title. There was a nice connection there!

    Baseball season is going well so far. I gave up managing my own team for the first time in about 15 years to take a break and join my friends team. It's great to just show up and play ball without the headache of managing. It really was a thankless job. Or should I say a kind job. The kind I didn't need.

    Happy Summer to you as well Aneet!

    JC

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    1. Jonathan,

      Thank you for letting me know that my intentions worked. It's very helpful. And I must say that I did connect the "drumbeat", after the fact.

      I enjoyed hearing about your baseball season and new decision. Wasn't aware that you were the manager of your team. Sometimes we need to reevaluate our commitments in order to keep balance in our lives. I love your last quote: "a kind job. The kind I didn't need". I must say, I think you have many gifts. One of them is definitely humor.

      Happy Days Jonathan, ~ Aneet

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  6. Anitra,

    Happy spring! Hope all is well with you. I love your "retro" post. I've often thought: I would love to go back and re-live my high school and college youth...perhaps for just a month or two. There was an innocence and an excitement which changes when you enter the "real world". The stresses I felt back then which seemed so important at the time...seem to pale with the stresses of my adult life. Fascinating.

    Tom

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  7. Ah Tom,

    Hello, hello. Lovely to hear from you.

    What an interesting idea, to relive a month or two of those high school years. In fact, it would make an interesting story. I know some people had rough times in high school, but, it was, for me, definitely a simpler time.

    It was fun drifting there in writing this post. And speaking of writing, are you still entertaining the idea?

    Sending my good wishes to you and your wife, ~ Aneet

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  8. Aneet,

    You are so sweet and you have an incredible memory!!! :) It seems so long ago that I mentioned to you that I was beginning to nurture my more creative side. Writing was moved to the back burner...but I did indeed leave the corporate business world...and I've re-invented myself as an actor. I consider myself a late bloomer, needless to say!

    Mary sends her best wishes to you as well!

    Tom

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    1. Tom,

      Amazing and inspiring! What a unique story. The time is right and your time is now :)

      My warm regards to you and Mary, ~ Aneet

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  9. Anitra,

    First of all, thanks for continuing your blog. As we travel further from those days in the seventies, the good times are magnified while the rough times seem to fade in the distance. My connection with this time always goes back to the music. In my opinion, no era will ever top the 60's and 70's sounds.

    Last evening, I arrived in your state after the long flight from Atlanta. The promise of three days on the links of Monterey lie ahead. Earlier today, I stumbled upon one of those jewels I search out while traveling. Eggs Benedict and hot coffee surrounded by Sinatra, sailboats, the smell of the sea and barking seals resulted in an unforgetable beginning to the day. Fortunately,the trance was shattered by a trash truck making his rounds at the wharf. This interruption allowed an escape to continue the day.

    I trust that all is well with you Anitra. Your photography update catalogs the views of the wonderful place you are blessed to spend your life.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

    Joel

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  10. Hello Joel,

    It's so nice to hear from you. Thank you for sharing your moments by the sea. Your memorable experience is transmitted through your words.

    I so agree with you about the music. Recently saw a show on PBS with the music of the 70's. So much wonderful soul.

    I trust your satisfying getaway will continue in Monterey. Thank you for your kind words, I'm so glad you shared them.

    My good wishes to you Joel, ~ Anitra

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  11. Dearest Aneet:

    Watching the KNBC-4 News. There's a story about tonight's earthquake in Santa Barbara - yikes! Hope all is well.

    Bits

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    1. Bitsy, hello!

      Thanks for your concern. There was a whole lot of shakin' goin' on, but not enough to do any damage. Whew! It was quite a way to start the day.

      Lovely to hear from you Dear Lady. Hope life is treating you kindly and delivering happy and satisfying days :)

      ~ Aneet

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  12. Hello Anitra!

    Loved the black and white windows from your personal history. I am curious to know if at the time you were developing your creative and artistic passions in high school were any of your fellow classmates pursuing similar interests?

    As for the golden glowing summer days of youth, of childhood, I think of trips to a second-hand book store to stock up on used "Archie" comics for road trips to visit family and days spent lakeside. My world of experience with swimming was either a public pool or mountain lakes; subsequently my first encounter with salt water was something of a surprise. I also have fond memories of listening to AM radio. My sister a small radio, bright yellow and oval shaped which opened at the ring and had a tuning dial in the end. You'd work to find a reliable signal and hope that a burst of static did not interrupt that song you were just dying to hear.

    all the best,
    Robert

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  13. Hello Robert,

    Nice to hear from you and have you share your prose and your colorful and enjoyable memories. As far as your question about my fellow classmates, I think every high school drama department has a few actors who get bitten by the acting bug. I know we had several.

    Sending my good wishes your way Robert, ~ Anitra

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  14. Hi Aneet,
    I love this post so much.the 60's is my favorite era.When I see your photos,I hear music
    composed by the great Burt Bacarach,and Hal David sung by Dionne Warwick.even Today
    I listened to those songs when Traveling.I Think of my magical childhood in Manhattan,I think of jetting to Paris,and Israel to visit my Parents,and I think of YOU modeling, in I believe one of the greatest Eras of all Time.you have been blessed to have been able to fufill your dreams! I too am very Fortunate to have been able to do what i Love is Travel,Have a great Family and many Blessings.......Since this post came out I've been wanting to write to you....But i was quite ILL for a Month.....I'm much better now and have vowed to take better care of myself.Thanks for the Memories! Roger

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  15. Roger,

    Thank you for this wonderful comment. I love the way your words move and flow. I'm delighted that you have shared your valuable thoughts and impressions.

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been ill. One month is a long time. I surely hope that you have regained your strength, and that you will be back better than ever.

    My warm regards to you and your beautiful family.

    Sincerely, ~ Anitra

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  16. Anitra,
    I really love this post and feel myself relating to it. I am also full of enthusiasm about my new career, but remembering my past life-and I really want to advance my career and life...How does my enthusiasm push me forward? That is the unanswered question.
    (I hope this makes sense.)
    Your timeless smile shines through. I really like seeing the joy that emanates from your portrait.
    Take Care Anitra-I hope you are well.

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  17. Hi Joe,

    I'm glad you like this post. Thank you for sharing your impressions. I wish you good luck in moving forward into your future. Enthusiasm is a beautiful and powerful tool.

    Sending you my good wishes, ~ Anitra

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  18. Dearest Aneet:

    Hope you will enjoy the holiday weekend!


    Bits

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    1. Bitsy,

      Hello Dear One. Surely hope you enjoy your holiday too and that it's sparkling.

      Warm Regards, ~ Aneet

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  19. Hi Anitra -

    Well, it looks like you've come a long way from the days of "TPIR" when you were on there with Janice back in the day! Back when you were first on there, I used to think your first name was 'Anita!' LOL I watched "TPIR" from Sept. 4, 1972, until Janice & Kathleen Bradley's last episodes in 2000.

    I was referred to your blog by our mutual friend Chris Mann, who writes the Retroality TV blog, and who also interviewed you for his upcoming book about "TPIR" which will be coming out sometime in the future. From reading the internet, I found out that you were on "Match Game" in 1976, along with Janice being on there that year (and your replacement Holly Hallstrom being on there in the late 70's & early 80's.) I was curious as to whether or not you are allowing your episodes to air, as on the "Match Game" DVD set, your appearances are blocked out of a "MG '76" episode where Johnny Olson announces the panel for the upcoming week. I sure hope you let those shows air Anitra, as with the way Bob Barker owns the rights to "TPIR", we may never see your many TV appearances, and from getting autographs from Brett Somers & Richard Dawson before their passing, as well as Brett's interview on the DVD set, that show seemed like a fun place to appear on in the 70's!

    Hope you are doing well, and keep up the great blogs!

    Duane P. Eklof
    Liberty, MO

    P.S.: I also know three other staff members who worked on "TPIR" over the years, but due to Bob Barker's litigation, I'm keeping their names private so they don't get harassed from his people.

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    1. Duane,

      Delightful to hear from you. What a surprise to know of your background. Yes, I did interview with Chris. Gosh, it was decades ago, and a very different time. I'm glad to hear he has a blog. I will be sure to visit.

      Thirty years of viewing Price. That is quite a commitment. As to your question about Match Game, no, I have not restricted viewing. I don't have any idea what that's about. So much went on at TPIR after I left. It's hard to fathom.

      Anyhow, yes, I'm so glad you have joined us here and shared your information. Thank you for filling me in, and Welcome!

      Sending my good wishes your way, ~ Anitra

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