Dear Breeps:
I could not begin this week without mentioning the tragic loss of two Hollywood icons, two of the ‘greats’ to ever grace our silver screens.
As we choose to live here, most of us will admit that part of the draw was the glitz and the glamour of it all. The images and films we saw when we were kids sucked us in and started our love affair with Hollywood. Today through the power of social media, we get our news far more quickly. “What’s trending?” A few years back we would read the newspapers (like this one, of course) or watched the evening news – these and the radio – or perhaps overhearing a conversation at the club or pub – were one of the few sources of news we had… But I’ve begun to notice our Facebook walls and Twitter feeds have become instant memorials and obituaries
for those public figures who are now dancing with the angels. A virtual grave site if you will, where we can express our feelings about those we didn’t even know.
I remember hearing the news about Princess Diana’s death on a car radio, on my way to milk some cows in Devon. It was the first time I cried over a public figures dying. Most Americans will more than likely remember where they were on the day Kennedy was shot or the day Marilyn was found dead. Can you imagine if social media was around then? I imagine it would have caused an internet blackout! Which brings me to…..where were you when Robin Williams died? “In front of my computer screen.” This doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it? Staring at my Samsung Galaxy, or my Iphone 5? However the emotion I felt was the same for Robin, if not more heightened, as I watched friends share videos, images and words of condolences. I was actually a complete wreck over Robin’s death (A man I never knew, that I only saw once walking around Fred Segal’s looking very trendy one hot Friday afternoon.) But he was the man I grew up with on my TV screen. I wanted to be Robin Williams when I grew up. He was funny, caring, kind, talented, a good father, a great friend. I felt like I knew him. And the outpouring on social media was overwhelming; friends posting as if they too had lost a love one. It choked me up even more.
So what is it about the famous that we feel so attached to them? Why do we feel a tragic sense of loss when they leave our planet? (perhaps back to Ork) Could it be our own mortality staring us in the face? A sharp reminder of our own demons tapping us on the shoulder? Empathy for our own family and loved ones? Perhaps it’s all of the above. Whatever it is, it proves that even in this age of computers and interconnectivity, we are still capable of genuine emotion. And that can’t be a bad thing, can it?
Hard on the heels of Robin’s death came the passing of actress Lauren Bacall, a stunningly beautiful icon of the golden era of celluloid, who announced herself to the world with her screen debut in To Have and Have Not with her unforgettable come-on to future husband Humphrey Bogart: “You know how to whistle, don’t you Stevie? You just put your lips together and blow.”
With the deaths this year of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, our own Bob Hoskins, James Garner – and who knows who else yet to to come – I feel that the “In Memoriam” section at the Oscars this year will have to extend their running time. Please no more celebrity deaths this year, I don’t think social media’s emotions can take it. ;-(
Our hearts go out to all family and friends of the departed.
Support British businesses in LA!
I’ve started using a lot of small British businesses in LA to shop local and help support our community – I’d like to mention just a couple…Regent Limosuines – A British-owned car service with all British drivers. I booked one to meet me at the airport recently. A good ol’ Yorkshire lad named Neil met me at the gate with a cart and a sign with my name on it (posh!) looking all dapper, he helped with my luggage and drove me home in a gorgeous black Lincoln town car. Ronnie and his guys know their business well, having years of experience working for another company. – They are currently offering Brits in LA members 20% off rides. Visit www.regentlimoservice.com to book your next trip.
And don’t forget Express Car Rental, run by Zoe Hengst-McDonald, who is friendly, reliable and caring. Not only are they are very affordable and have great reviews from Brits in LA members Zoe will EVEN bring the car to you. Whether it be for a week or for three months, she will be able to help you out. Visit expressrentacar4less.com for rates and availability.
And as always, please remember to give your business to all the advertisers that make the British Weekly possible with their advertising dollars.
Pub Quiz is currently on hiatus until the autumn. However Breakfast club is still up and running. Every Tuesday at Cecconi’s, 8764 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.
Till next time…
Nanu nanu
Craig
