Chapter 49
Wednesday, December 5, 1984 The Boston Museum came and looked at 100 pictures and then offered half of the asking price for one.
Waited till 7:00 for the nighttime armed guard that we hired while the building's still under construction. Worked on ideas, sorted through the mail. Left, couldn't get a cab until I'd walked a long time. I think I may just start taking the bus up Madison. How much is it now-$.90? Yeah, that would be so much easier.
Thursday, December 6, 1984 Fred called and reprimanded me because I'd invited a lot of people down to the office for lunch. Very grand about it, very calm: "You shouldn't do that, you know." And I invited John s.e.x to come and do the Liberace interview with me. Liberace wanted me to do him. He seems to think we know each other, but I don't remember ever meeting him. But he came and he was just wonderful. He walked in like a b.u.t.terball because of the big fat coat he was wearing, but he's very normal, nothing like his show-business personality, which explains why he's so big, because if he were really that kind of person he'd be too crazy to make it. But gee, he must have a lot of money-he has like eighteen houses. He said he taught Elvis how to dress. Badly. Glenn O'Brien was originally going to do him, but then John s.e.x has been idolizing him for years and he came and then he just had such dumb questions like "What's your favorite color?" that I was going to then go back to having Glenn do it. But when John s.e.x and Liberace saw each other (laughs) (laughs) they fell in love, sparks flew. But Liberace's so normal, you can see why he won all his court cases. they fell in love, sparks flew. But Liberace's so normal, you can see why he won all his court cases.
Sunday, December 9, 1984 Well I wanted to go down to work, but in the morning Jed called and said he was coming over in an hour to get the dogs, so an hour later when the bell rang I opened the door without looking and who should be standing there but Crazy Matty! G.o.d, after all these months and months of trying to convince him I didn't live there, and everybody's been trying to tell him he had the wrong house. And I just couldn't believe it. He laughed and said, "You're in trouble." So then the whole day I didn't leave the house, I was too nervous.
Tuesday, December 11, 1984 Got up early, talked to PH who was in L.A. Maybe that's where we should move the big offices of the magazine. She said her Harrison Ford cover interview is still up in the air, he probably won't do it but he hasn't given Gael a definite no.
Interviewed Chris Reeve yesterday, Maura and I did, and he was good, he was still drunk from the night before. He's got a good att.i.tude now, not like he had when he started. Now he'll take any role.
Fred's been so crabby lately. We haven't been hitting it off. I don't know if he's bored and wants to be a decorator or if he's just crabby. He gets these att.i.tudes. And it's scary because he used to have the best memory in the world and now he says softly to me, "Now tell me, who is this person you introduced me to?" And he's talking about Dawn Mello who he knows! knows! It's scary. It's scary.
Burt Reynolds was on Letterman Letterman and was so funny because there he was acting so straight and copying Clark Gable and then he said that he arrived in New York with George Maharis! So now I'm so surprised I never knew him in the fifties in New York. and was so funny because there he was acting so straight and copying Clark Gable and then he said that he arrived in New York with George Maharis! So now I'm so surprised I never knew him in the fifties in New York.
Wednesday, December 12, 1984 Went to Dr. Bernsohn's and who should be there in the waiting room but the star of my movie, b.l.o.w.j.o.b b.l.o.w.j.o.b. I never did know his name. He goes to Bernsohn, too.
Friday, December 14, 1984 And Fred's gone off to Europe. Fred and I still aren't getting along and I still don't know what he wants. All I can figure is that he really wants to become an architect, because the only time he really likes credit is when it's for architecture. I remember one time years ago when I wanted Fred to direct a Jackie Curtis play and he went crazy, he literally went crazy and said, "No no no no!" But architecture he wants to do.
Sat.u.r.day, December 15, 1984 Got up early, had to go to work. Had Jay come in and Rupert. During the week it's impossible to work at the new place, it's just people coming through and gawking all the time.
I bought three Cabbage Patch dolls on the street with their birth certificates. A boy and two girls (3 X $80 = $240). And they wanted to wrap them so that I wouldn't be attacked for them on the street. Got research books ($180).
Sunday, December 16, 1984 Kenny Scharf called and said he was picking me up and that Sean Lennon was in the car with him. So I said in an hour, but then I couldn't seem to be ready, so then I heard a commotion out in front and I knew they were there, but then I was afraid to go out.
And while this was going on, the phone rang and it was Jean Michel from Sweden and when he heard these other kids were at my house, he began to go crazy because he's never been there. But it's just that I don't like anything pre-planned. If he just dropped in or something it'd be okay. So finally I went out and I had a camera with me and Sean took it and was taking pictures of me and said that he was waiting until I got sick of smiling and then he'd take one. He got that technique from Yoko. And he dissertated on how he never knew what to do when photographers were around, whether to smile or act or freeze. He's so smart.
So we went to the West Side and we were going to pick up the Mia Farrow kids who live across from the Dakota-Sean plays with them-but then they didn't come. And Yoko came, and people just kept a distance from this car-it was great-with all these famous people in it. And we picked up Jon.
We were thinking of a place to have lunch and I said the Odeon and she said oh yes, so it seemed like she went there a lot but then she said she'd never been, that she didn't really go go out that much. And we picked up her I guess boyfriend, although I can't figure it out if it's her boyfriend or what. Sam Havadtoy. out that much. And we picked up her I guess boyfriend, although I can't figure it out if it's her boyfriend or what. Sam Havadtoy.
You know, if anything ever happened to Sean that'd be the end of her, I think. It really would. And I was telling her what a wonderful host Sean was at his birthday party and she said that the first time he had to do a party he hid under the couch. Yoko wanted to pay, but I did (lunch $200). Her boyfriend was very nice. And Kenny's paintings are selling like crazy. His wife and son were along, and they just bought a house on Suffolk Street way downtown where Ray Johnson used to live. Around Orchard, over there. So he's being a man. A provider.
I dropped Jon ($8). Then stayed home.
Tuesday, December 18, 1984 I went to the office and went in the Interview Interview side. It was busy there. Gael was excited because they'd gotten 600 subscriptions that day from the Swatch watch thing. So she was hoping that would keep up. In the old days that's how much we'd get in a year. side. It was busy there. Gael was excited because they'd gotten 600 subscriptions that day from the Swatch watch thing. So she was hoping that would keep up. In the old days that's how much we'd get in a year.
Paige is breaking up with her seventeen-year-old boyfriend. She's going off to Haiti.
Ran into one of those kids from Harvard in the sixties, one of Edie's friends, I can't remember his name. And I showed him my crystals and told him about crystal power and he was just standing there with his mouth open. He said he couldn't believe that someone as smart as me would start believing in crystals after I made it all through the sixties and everything and laughed at all the hippie stuff and that this is just the recycle of it. But really it's not the same, and you do have to be positive, not negative. He said he's developing land deals in Was.h.i.+ngton State.
Wednesday, December 19, 1984 Fred called from Europe. Bruno wanted twenty-eight pictures in his four-year contract, but I decided he could only have twenty-five, and then I give him one for himself, so that's twenty-six. This is for Jean Michel's and my things. But I don't get it, these are huge huge paintings he's getting for paintings he's getting for peanuts peanuts.
And it's funny, because only my Disaster paintings are the "in" paintings. Even the Campbell's Soup Cans are "out." And I really have only two collectors. Saatchi and Newhouse a little bit. Whereas Roy Lichtenstein and those people have fifteen or twenty. I guess I'm just not... a good painter.
It got busy at the office. Sean Lennon was coming at 4:00 so I could give him a Christmas present, a portrait of himself, but I don't know if it'll be done in time.
Then at home I ate things I wasn't supposed to and I got scared and got pains.
The Interview Interview Christmas party's on Friday and I'll just give scarves or something. Christmas party's on Friday and I'll just give scarves or something.
Thursday, December 20, 1984 When I was coming back from the dentist this good-looking lady ran out of Martha's screaming my name and I looked and it was Claudia Cohen's mother from Palm Beach. She said Claudia was inside getting her dress for her wedding to Ron Perelman. When I met him originally I thought he was a bodyguard because he looks a little Mafia. But he owns Technicolor or something. So I was trying to get myself invited to the wedding.
Gerry Grinberg from North American Watches came for lunch. He said that the economy isn't good. I guess people aren't buying watches. He said people were buying more expensive gifts but only for themselves. Bob Denison only sent me half of what he sent me the year before, but then Park Avenue does have five times more trees planted on it than last year.
Eizo, my s.h.i.+atsu ma.s.sager, wrote me a note thanking me for introducing him to Yoko Ono. She wants to see him every day, but he can't do that, and anyway your body needs a week to rest. He's doing little Sean tomorrow. And Eizo's wife's poetry teacher wrote me a Pop poem that I don't know what to do with. It's like, "I touch you and you touch me and we have feelings." And you really learn all the gossip about everybody through this s.h.i.+atsu network. Eizo told me that Yoko's boyfriend Sam has a soft body. And he said Yoko's been sick and has a bad back.
And then went to 990 Fifth Avenue to the party Judy Peabody was giving for Peter Allen. I was talking to this art student and suddenly Peter came over and said to him, "I'm leaving and you're coming with with me!" He thought I was stealing his boyfriend! Can you imagine? That's the first time me!" He thought I was stealing his boyfriend! Can you imagine? That's the first time that's ever that's ever happened to me. So I didn't know what to do, but then I guess Peter felt silly because later he was trying to entertain me. I left at 12:30, the party was just getting going. happened to me. So I didn't know what to do, but then I guess Peter felt silly because later he was trying to entertain me. I left at 12:30, the party was just getting going.
Sat.u.r.day, December 22, 1984 Went to David Daine's, the hair stylist. Kent Klineman, Hedy's husband, was there, and all he sees in me is a tax shelter and all I see in him is a check. I don't know if the deal for a Cowboys and Indians portfolio he wants to commission is going to fall through because I won't do it as a tax shelter. We'll see.
Sunday, December 23, 1984 I caught up on church after missing three Sundays because of wanting to avoid Crazy Matty. So I peeked out and then made a dash for it. It's so funny to think that Matty was married to Genevieve Waite once. Are Genevieve and John Phillips still together? And I'm trying to think, has Matty ever ever had a job? No, I don't think so. Except for a few months there in the sixties when he was a vice-president or something at Fox-when all those movie companies wanted the "youth market" so they were hiring freaks. I remember somebody there was always flying Matty back and forth from L.A. to New York Oh I forgot, he was in had a job? No, I don't think so. Except for a few months there in the sixties when he was a vice-president or something at Fox-when all those movie companies wanted the "youth market" so they were hiring freaks. I remember somebody there was always flying Matty back and forth from L.A. to New York Oh I forgot, he was in Bad Bad. So that was a day's work. I forgot he was the cripple in the wheelchair....
So went to church, came home, started cleaning, and got exactly one drawer done. Made carrot juice and made a big mess. Watched The Jewel in the Crown The Jewel in the Crown. Read an article from an L.A. newspaper on Ronnie Levin's murder. They haven't found his body but they think this bunch of rich kids killed him and also killed the father of one of these kids-an Iranian- they found his his body in the desert and they think Ronnie's is nearby. It was fascinating, read it twice. body in the desert and they think Ronnie's is nearby. It was fascinating, read it twice.
Monday, December 24, 1984 Stephen Sprouse came by and brought two wigs for me. But I thought they would be some kind of wild style or color, which I would have preferred-a new look. But they were grey. Stretch. And we never know what to say to each other, it's always awkward.
Called a cab and Benjamin dropped me. Then called Halston and it was weird, he said not to come by, that he really wasn't doing anything this Christmas.
Called Chris Makos and he was having a party for his neighbors and it sounded sort of bad. Christmas parties always are. Except at Halston's-they were always sort of nice. Went by and rang Claudia Cohen's bell on 63rd Street because I want to get invited to her wedding to Ron Perelman because Liz Taylor is going to be the matron of honor and her husband-to-be Dennis Stein is going to be I think best man. He works for Perelman, that's where I met him. Every light in the house was on but they weren't home. Dropped their scarves off.
Benjamin picked me up and we went to Steve Rubell's new hotel, Morgan's, to the penthouse (cab $4). Steve's letting Bianca live there. And her personal stuff was all over the room where the party was so anybody could have taken anything. And I gave her and Jade scarves and hers was framed, and then later I saw it on the bed and she'd taken it out out of the frame, and I don't know why. I mean, even if she didn't like it, it was art. of the frame, and I don't know why. I mean, even if she didn't like it, it was art.
And Dianne Brill asked me if I knew Jayne Mansfield and I guess I lied when I said yes because I couldn't remember if I really did or not. Because I've read so many books about her. Dianne wanted to know if it was voodoo that killed her.
Thursday, December 27, 1984-Aspen, Colorado Talked to Dr. Bernsohn. He said that the secret to sleeping was to scratch the crystal and brush it and put it on your forehead.
Patti D'Arbanville and Don Johnson gave a big party, and my dear, Patti is now a lady. She's come a long way from the Max's Kansas City back room days when she was best friends with Geraldine Smith and Andrea Whips. She and Don Johnson gave the best party I've been
Monday, December 31, 1984-Aspen Met the Dowager of Aspen, the Grand Dame. Went to her house. Her name is (laughs) (laughs) p.u.s.s.y Paepcke. She's eighty-two and she's very beautiful, she looks like Katharine Hepburn. Her house was great, next to Jack Nicholson's and Lou Adler's. An immaculate house and she runs up and down stairs to get ginseng tea, she's spry. She and her husband who was this big industrialist had a ranch in Denver and then they went and founded Aspen. p.u.s.s.y Paepcke. She's eighty-two and she's very beautiful, she looks like Katharine Hepburn. Her house was great, next to Jack Nicholson's and Lou Adler's. An immaculate house and she runs up and down stairs to get ginseng tea, she's spry. She and her husband who was this big industrialist had a ranch in Denver and then they went and founded Aspen.
Jack Nicholson's not around this year. He's filming that Prizzis Honor Prizzis Honor thing in L.A. thing in L.A.
Wednesday, January 2, 1985-Aspen-Los Angeles We're at the Mondrian Hotel. And it does look like a Mondrian. They've got valuable Miro paintings in the lobby and art all over. It's on Sunset near La Cienega. It's not Beverly Hills.
You know what's fascinating is that Hollywood's still filled with all these delicate ladies who look like they were beauties, all glued up and in their cars, driving around. Not with drivers, just driving themselves. And you wonder what they used to do, what star they were, what roles they had. Everybody reminds me of Jane Wyatt out there. Those skinny, pet.i.te beauties who wear turbans and they're at premieres and things. And they're like eighty years old. How do these ladies live? I mean, if they were contract players they didn't make much. I guess one of their husbands must have been rich. But wasn't that before community settlements? But I guess you don't need much to live. Like you don't pay rent if you have your own house. And food, well, you can eat at McDonald's or there's always some fairy fan who'll take you around.
We went out driving, took a lot of pictures on Melrose. Went to the Interview Interview office out there, talked to Gael and I was really upset when she told me that Peter Lester had died in Los Angeles. That's two office out there, talked to Gael and I was really upset when she told me that Peter Lester had died in Los Angeles. That's two Interview Interview editors dead of AIDS. editors dead of AIDS.
Thursday, January 3, 1985-Los Angeles We went over to a studio across from the Formosa Restaurant, they shoot Doug Cramer's TV show Dynasty Dynasty there. The there. The Love Boat Love Boat writers are working on my episode which is going to film on March thirtieth and I started to get scared, I don't know if I can writers are working on my episode which is going to film on March thirtieth and I started to get scared, I don't know if I can go go through with it. The guy was really gay. And Joan Collins got done shooting and I said hi, and she said I still owed her a painting. She was great. And Ali McGraw waved. There were like 500 people there working. And it's directed by Curtis Harrington who was an underground filmmaker in the sixties who did voodoo kind of stuff, and now he's doing this. through with it. The guy was really gay. And Joan Collins got done shooting and I said hi, and she said I still owed her a painting. She was great. And Ali McGraw waved. There were like 500 people there working. And it's directed by Curtis Harrington who was an underground filmmaker in the sixties who did voodoo kind of stuff, and now he's doing this.
Then we went to the Interview Interview offices and I got excited about offices and I got excited about Interview Interview. I think I do want to buy a building out there, because they'll only give you leases to rent for a few months. Gael said that Third Street is going to be the next street that's big. I got excited on Melrose. Jon's trying to move into production at Paramount, so he has to be out here more. And gee, I can't believe that it gets dark here at the same time it does in New York. It seems like since it's sunny it should stay light longer. I was shocked.
Then we went out to the premiere of the redone Wings Wings that Paramount was releasing and it was absolutely great. And you look and you think why can't they make movies like this now. Buddy Rogers who was married to Mary Pickford was there. And Clara Bow was just great in it. The fas.h.i.+ons look like today. And it was a big event. Got home around 11:30 or 12:00. that Paramount was releasing and it was absolutely great. And you look and you think why can't they make movies like this now. Buddy Rogers who was married to Mary Pickford was there. And Clara Bow was just great in it. The fas.h.i.+ons look like today. And it was a big event. Got home around 11:30 or 12:00.
Sat.u.r.day, January 5, 1985-Los Angeles Did Melrose. It was warm and beautiful and sunny. Oh, and I heard about about a way to shoplift at the supermarket which I think I'm (laughs) (laughs) going to do-switching the price stickers at the supermarket. going to do-switching the price stickers at the supermarket.
Went to the new museum way downtown. It was an automobile show. Real cars mixed in with Ma tisses and Rosenquists. And they had a painting of mine in it that they had labeled a "Car Crash." But when I saw it, it wasn't a Car Crash it was a Disaster. The one with the fireman. Should I tell them? How could they not even notice it didn't have a car in it. And the show's going on to Detroit. In Detroit Detroit they'll notice there's no car. But really, should I tell them? they'll notice there's no car. But really, should I tell them?
Sunday, January 6, 1985-Los Angeles-New York Jon invited me to breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel and it was a grey day but we ate outside anyway, they put heaters all around you, so you don't know it's cold.
Flew to New York. And at the baggage you see how pushy people are. This guy with polished nails just pushed everybody aside, and then there was a girl in a wheelchair and when her luggage came down the shoot she just got up out of the chair and ran and got it. (laughs) (laughs) That's a real scene. Home at 1:30 (tip to driver $20). That's a real scene. Home at 1:30 (tip to driver $20).
Tuesday, January 8, 1985 Vincent just called on the other line and said we have to make half a million by March to make our payments on the new building.
Went over to Earl McGrath's for the birthday party of Jann Wenner and Sabrina Guinness, a double. And Jerry Hall was there, she looks just great. She looks like these girls who could marry big Texas millionaires. She's so stupid to have married Mick. Not to have married married, even.
And by the way, Fred looks good, I wonder if he had a facelift when he was in Europe. It's nothing drastic, he just looks rested. If I had a lift, though, I'd go for the really tight-pulled look. I wouldn't care if I couldn't shut my eyes. Like Monique Van Vooren.
Thursday, January 10, 1985 Fred said that Si Newhouse pa.s.sed on buying my painting. I guess I was hot before Christmas and now I'm not. This was for another painting, not the Natalie that he already got.
And Fred told me that he'd called down to Leo's and asked the kids who work there why Leo had said such bad things about me in that USA Today USA Today article on me on Monday and they said they'd find out. And they told Fred that Rauschenberg left Leo to go to Blum-Helman. Isn't that something? Well it's that Leo's getting senile. I know that's why he said those things, he's getting senile. article on me on Monday and they said they'd find out. And they told Fred that Rauschenberg left Leo to go to Blum-Helman. Isn't that something? Well it's that Leo's getting senile. I know that's why he said those things, he's getting senile.
Benjamin dropped me at Jean Michel's and he has like twenty people working for him, getting big canvases ready. It's really neat and clean there now and it looks great. And he has a $5,000 TV set that's really big.
Then we cabbed to Julian Schnabel's on Park Avenue South and 20th. Bryan Ferry was there. Julian has all his own art in the place and he tells you about each one, he stands there and reads into his own work. I mean, he literally stands there and (laughs) (laughs) tells you what his paintings mean. And this was the first time in a long time I wished I was tape recording. tells you what his paintings mean. And this was the first time in a long time I wished I was tape recording.
Schnabel also makes his own furniture. He made his own bed. Cast iron, gunmetal, really heavy. If you ever fell on it you'd kill yourself. His little girl was there and she was pulling her nightgown up and showing her p.u.s.s.y. (laughs) (laughs) It was weird. And all his paintings are just everywhere, all the plate canvases-he used to be a short-order cook. And he has the best furniture from the fifties. It was weird. And all his paintings are just everywhere, all the plate canvases-he used to be a short-order cook. And he has the best furniture from the fifties.
Schnabel has so much energy and b.a.l.l.s, he really does. We drank red wine. It's the newest thing to drink red wine all through the meal, you don't have to have white wine with fish and things anymore. It's such a camp when they do the tasting and the lip-smacking. So then we went over to Clemente's.
The table there was one that Schnabel had made and actually it was great. The legs were all from different things and the top is hand-colored plaster. And all through dinner they played Maria Callas records! It was incredible. There's this new collection of forty records of everything she ever did and it comes in two cases and they sell them at newsstands in Italy. And it was just like the sixties. I could almost see Ondine whisking around in the shadows. And you could hear all the booing and the clapping on the record.
The food was good and it smelled so terrific. Alba Clemente did it. She could be the best movie star, her voice is so low and so loud and so s.e.xy and interesting and she's pretty. And the talk was all about art. Julian was putting down de Kooning and I said oh no, that he was wrong, that de Kooning was a great painter, and then finally Clemente said yes, that he really was.
Thomas Ammann called and said that it was really cold in Switzerland. Bruno wants me to go there for Jean Michel's opening. Someone was saying that when all these dealers heard there was a really talented black artist who would probably die off soon from drugs, that they hurried to buy his things and now I guess they're frustrated because he's staying alive. I think Jean Michel will be the most famous black artist after this New York Times New York Times thing comes out. thing comes out.
Sat.u.r.day, January 12, 1985 Jean Michel called and said he was coming by to work and he did, and he brought his mother. Jean-Michel's mother is a sweet mother, she brought him a birthday present that said from Marni-M-A-M-I. Then we went to Shafrazi's and Ronnie Cutrone was there with his girlfriend Tama Janowitz who they said just wrote a novel that some publishers are interested in. Ronnie said it was like Terms of Endearment Terms of Endearment but then other people said it was about downtown, which was what interested me. Ronnie was in a red Day-Glo Stephen Sprouse jacket. but then other people said it was about downtown, which was what interested me. Ronnie was in a red Day-Glo Stephen Sprouse jacket.
Wednesday, January 16, 1985 The office got busy. I get so much exercise running up and down those stairs.
I talked to Jean Michel and invited him to the party that Fred was giving for Natasha Grenfell at Le Club. And he asked if he could bring-he said, "My girlfriend," and I was shocked. I said he'd never called anybody that before, and he said her body was so hot that he would come five times in a night. This is a black girl he met who works at Comme des Garcons. Worked till 8:00.
Thursday, January 17, 1985 I heard snow shovels..h.i.tting the pavement at 6 A.M A.M. And there's a big bus of students coming up from Carnegie-Mellon for a tour of the office. They probably got up at 6:30 and they're zipping along on the highway right now. Oh G.o.d, oh G.o.d...
I talked to Gael for about an hour and she said, "Tell me how wonderful I am," and so I said, "How wonderful you are." And she said she turned down a big job with cable TV and if it was was big, she should'Ve taken it, but if I'd said that to her she would've gone home crying. big, she should'Ve taken it, but if I'd said that to her she would've gone home crying.
Tuesday, January 22, 1985 Talked to Jean Michel and he was in a funny mood. He thinks his "girlfriend" doesn't love him and so he's taking heroin again. The black girl. Charlotte. I told him I would come and visit him. Cabbed to pick him up ($8).
We went to Odeon and had two tables and there were twelve of us. Boy George had that boy Marilyn with him. Jean Michel was nodding out. There was a little kid with Keith who didn't say anything, and Keith didn't say much, and I didn't say anything, so Boy George had to do all the talking and he's really intelligent, really a smart kid, and he does talk a lot.
He said he doesn't know who his friends really are. Like he doesn't know if Joan Rivers really is a friend or not, so he thinks some day he'll call her up "just to talk" and then he'll find out. He didn't like the line about him and his boyfriend in her interview in Interview Interview and I said that I hadn't wanted that to go in. He takes out a powder puff all the time and puffs his face. His eye makeup was done beautifully. and I said that I hadn't wanted that to go in. He takes out a powder puff all the time and puffs his face. His eye makeup was done beautifully.
Friday, January 25, 1985 Cabbed to 74th Street ($2) to see Dr. Bernsohn and he was going on about his phones being tapped by the FBI. Are these crystal things real or not? Dr. Reese is from near Kansas City. He's a chiropractor and so is Dr. Bernsohn. And the crystals come from Arkansas, and they're supposed to heal you. The Czech cut-gla.s.s one that I wear is to protect me. It's a "third eye" (cab $6).
Had to meet a lady for her portrait. She's just somebody who saw somebody else's. I don't know her name. She was pretty. And Jon interviewed s.h.i.+rley MacLaine for the cover of Interview's Interview's Health issue, he's transcribing it himself so he can edit it, I guess, before he gives it in. Health issue, he's transcribing it himself so he can edit it, I guess, before he gives it in.
It was a day of running up and down stairs. I was looking at Fred to see if he still had a hangover, to see if he could still do the business. I don't know. I was going to tell him that his face fell.
Wednesday, January 30, 1985 It was Benjamin's last day before going off to L.A. for a week to visit his mother.
I found out that I'd missed the Kansai lunch at the Four Seasons where I would have sat next to Kansai because Brigid forgot to tell me about it. I screamed at her, so now this morning she just called and very efficiently woke me up to tell me that there was nothing to do today. (laughs) (laughs) To make sure I knew. To make sure I knew.
Jean Michel invited me to dinner with his father at Odeon (cab $6). And the father was this thin normal-looking man in a business suit, smart, and so you can see where Jean Michel gets his smartness.
And now Jean Michel doesn't even like his girlfriend from Comme des Garcons, Charlotte, because she borrowed money from him. He likes to give people money but then he resents them for taking it. He'll say, "They're using me." It's a funny att.i.tude. And in a moment of pa.s.sion once he told her he loved her and she told him that she was a "free woman," so he tied her up and told her how dare she think that he meant meant it. it.
Friday, February 1, 1985 Tab Hunter called about going to the screening of l.u.s.t in the Dust l.u.s.t in the Dust that John Springer was doing for him and Divine (cab $4). The movie was awful but I had to lie to Tab and say I loved it. He was literally trying to act! He tried to be Clint Eastwood when all he should have done was be Tab Hunter. that John Springer was doing for him and Divine (cab $4). The movie was awful but I had to lie to Tab and say I loved it. He was literally trying to act! He tried to be Clint Eastwood when all he should have done was be Tab Hunter.
Tuesday, February 12, 1985 Washed and went to the Waldorf for the Barbie doll party (cab $4). Oscar de la Renta was there, he was doing the clothes for the Barbie doll. It's so sick, this whole world so involved with this stupid little doll. I was at table 1 by the runway. Sat with Joan Kron and also at the table was Beauregard something, a Southern not-quite-in-drag queen who writes for Details Details, he's smart, like a Jackie Curtis-type but meeker. He told me when Joan left that he lives with Joan Kron's stepson.
Friday, February 15, 1985 Dolly Fox came by to see me. She's back from living in L.A. with these two other girls. And one of them is going to marry Bruce Springsteen. And the other one is her blonde girlfriend Dana, and she introduced her to Eric Roberts and now Eric Roberts left Sandy Dennis for her.
And Gael is upset because one of the Interview Interview editors is leaving for a better job. Jane Sarkin. She's going to editors is leaving for a better job. Jane Sarkin. She's going to Vanity Fair Vanity Fair. But Interview Interview has so many people now that I can't even figure out what each one does, so to me they're all dispensable. Except for Paige. I really like Paige. And Marc Balet. I would miss Marc-he's talented and he does a lot, although he'd do even more if he weren't so busy with all his freelance stuff, the Armani ads and things. has so many people now that I can't even figure out what each one does, so to me they're all dispensable. Except for Paige. I really like Paige. And Marc Balet. I would miss Marc-he's talented and he does a lot, although he'd do even more if he weren't so busy with all his freelance stuff, the Armani ads and things.
Wednesday, February 20, 1985 This life insurance doctor came to examine me. Another one of those weird doctors giving me a weird insurance exam. The same old questions about your mother and your father and I lie all the time, I always give them different answers. And he asked me my age and I said I couldn't face saying my age, that I would leave the room and he could ask Vincent. Then I noticed that he was wearing a bracelet and I said, "Why are you wearing a bracelet?" and he said, "Well, I will tell you why I am wearing a bracelet." And then he started this long thing about how in 1592 something happened, and how this is somehow related to why the pope was shot, and why the Russians shot down the Korean airliner because they'd lost 200 people in some Siberian explosion, and all this went on for twenty minutes. And then I asked him where he got got his bracelet, and he said, "Teepee Town." And I said, "Teepee Town went out of business." And he said, "No, it just moved off 42nd Street-now it's in the Port Authority bus terminal." And then he told me to put my urine in this little bottle. And I just could think that he probably goes to the Port Authority and collects urine in bottles. He's about 6'6" and his eyes are weird, like a little brain-damaged or milky. He took my blood pressure and did my heart. It was the most fun part of the day. Worked till 7:30. his bracelet, and he said, "Teepee Town." And I said, "Teepee Town went out of business." And he said, "No, it just moved off 42nd Street-now it's in the Port Authority bus terminal." And then he told me to put my urine in this little bottle. And I just could think that he probably goes to the Port Authority and collects urine in bottles. He's about 6'6" and his eyes are weird, like a little brain-damaged or milky. He took my blood pressure and did my heart. It was the most fun part of the day. Worked till 7:30.
Sat.u.r.day, February 23, 1985 Got up and it was one of the most beautiful days in the world. Madison Avenue was five-deep every step. Called Jon and picked him up and asked him what was new in Hollywood. Nothing, he said.
And everybody keeps saying what's wrong with Steve Rubell, because his hair has fallen out and his eyebrows, too, because that's what happens when you get chemotherapy.
Tuesday, February 26, 1985 I don't understand why Jackie O. thinks she's so grand that she doesn't owe it to the public to have another great marriage to somebody big. You'd think she'd want to scheme and connive to get into history again.
And Gael had a fight with Glenn O'Brien because he sold the same interview he did for Interview Interview to the new magazine, to the new magazine, Spin Spin, that Bob Guccione's son is doing that's competing with Rolling Stone Rolling Stone, and Glenn's telling her it was all the stuff that she had cut out, so what difference did it make.
I invited Benjamin to this Forbes Forbes opening at their building on 13th and Fifth Avenue now that they've turned the lobby into a museum (cab $4). Malcolm Forbes was there and I gave him a Dollar Sign painting and he was thrilled, he loved it. Talked to a kid who worked there and told him that what I wanted for Christmas was Malcolm Forbes's junk mail, and he said he'd get me some. I wish Truman had given me his junk mail like he promised he would. opening at their building on 13th and Fifth Avenue now that they've turned the lobby into a museum (cab $4). Malcolm Forbes was there and I gave him a Dollar Sign painting and he was thrilled, he loved it. Talked to a kid who worked there and told him that what I wanted for Christmas was Malcolm Forbes's junk mail, and he said he'd get me some. I wish Truman had given me his junk mail like he promised he would.
Friday, March 1,1985 The other day a call came collect from Ingrid Superstar. I didn't take it. I mean, if she's still calling collect collect... I couldn't face hearing about her life-kids/no kids, married/not married. And David White called and asked me if it was okay with me if Rauschenberg sold the Popeye for a million dollars that I gave him in '62. I said sure... I don't know to who. David said that after the deal's done he'll tell me. So... I couldn't face hearing about her life-kids/no kids, married/not married. And David White called and asked me if it was okay with me if Rauschenberg sold the Popeye for a million dollars that I gave him in '62. I said sure... I don't know to who. David said that after the deal's done he'll tell me. So we we can sell whoever it is something, too. can sell whoever it is something, too.
Wednesday, March 6, 1985 Harper & Row called me at work and said that Jane Fonda had sent a turn-down for our request to use her picture in the America America book. I just couldn't believe it! What nerve! I mean, just wait -the next time she calls up and wants something for free, it's just going to be book. I just couldn't believe it! What nerve! I mean, just wait -the next time she calls up and wants something for free, it's just going to be HO HO.
Gaetana Enders called about eight times to see if our dinner at Le Cirque was still on. She drives me crazy, but she's working for us getting portraits, so... she smokes this tiny cigar and she thinks she's this big man's woman, so smart and tough and great-this twerp! I mean, her husband's 6'6" and she's 2'2". I don't know where she gets this idea of herself. I can't even think of who to say it's like. A little like Diane Von Furstenberg. Where you think you're so smart and beautiful.
Sat.u.r.day, March 9, 1985 Talked to Jean Michel and he said he was straight, but he sounded like he was on something. He was with Jennifer, Eric Goode from Area's sister, who's his new girlfriend. He's got three or four girls on the string now, but he's only still in love with Charlotte, from Comme des Garcons.
And Jean Michel was complaining about the show that we're having with Bruno... oh, I don't know, I think that whole period is over, with him coming up to paint. He hasn't come that much to the new building, just a few times, and-well, he's feeling on top now that his show is running downtown, but I don't know if he's working.
Tuesday, March 12, 1985 Went up to Sotheby's to look at the art and the lady there stopped me and asked if I had a few minutes to look at a few paintings of mine for authenticity, so I did, and one of them was one of those fake Electric Chairs, the ones Gerard denies doing. A blue one. It wasn't stretched right. The people get greedy and they want a bigger picture, so it's got a border on it. They'd buy it rolled and then stretch it that way. And there were four big Flower paintings. I guess everybody's selling my work, getting rid of it (phone $1.50, newspapers $3). Cabbed to meet Lidija ($4).
Thursday, March 14, 1985 It was the night of Dino De Laurentiis's dinner at Alo Alo. And I called Cornelia to see if she wanted to go.
The new issue of Interview Interview came in, the Health issue, and it's thick and serious. It looks good. came in, the Health issue, and it's thick and serious. It looks good.
Told Cornelia 8:30 and she came in a limo ($25). And Dino's new restaurant, this one that he's done with the guy from Club A, it's in the Trump Plaza on 62nd Street and Third. And Geraldine Smith was there, she was with some producer guy and she looks cute still. And Cornelia was working the room. Chris Walken was there and then Mickey Rourke arrived and he told me about the part in his Interview Interview interview that PH cut out where he had a big fight with her. PH had already told me all about it, but I played dumb. And Geraldine said she wished interview that PH cut out where he had a big fight with her. PH had already told me all about it, but I played dumb. And Geraldine said she wished she she had interviewed Mickey Rourke because she loves him and I reminded her of her interview with Harrison Ford when she was sitting on his lap for twenty minutes before she figured out he was the person she was supposed to interview. She was fun. And Mickey is just so adorable. Dumb, but with some magic. And then these girls came in for him and they were all the same types, about 5'4" and pretty, but nothing special. And he and Chris Walken kissed each other goodbye on the lips so tenderly, it looked so gay. And Chris Walken was really drunk, he said he was tired of his hair, he'd dyed it blond, and now it needed retouching, and Cornelia gave him the name of a hair place to go to. had interviewed Mickey Rourke because she loves him and I reminded her of her interview with Harrison Ford when she was sitting on his lap for twenty minutes before she figured out he was the person she was supposed to interview. She was fun. And Mickey is just so adorable. Dumb, but with some magic. And then these girls came in for him and they were all the same types, about 5'4" and pretty, but nothing special. And he and Chris Walken kissed each other goodbye on the lips so tenderly, it looked so gay. And Chris Walken was really drunk, he said he was tired of his hair, he'd dyed it blond, and now it needed retouching, and Cornelia gave him the name of a hair place to go to.
Monday, March 18, 1985 I'm getting more nervous by the minute about being on The Love Boat The Love Boat. It turns out I'm going to be there for ten days. Now that Jon's working in L.A. most of the time, he's buying Joan Hackett's old house on Angelo Drive in Benedict Canyon. It's cheap for Beverly Hills, only $100,000, next to really expensive ones-Jon said the son of Charles Bludhorn, the chairman of Gulf + Western, got one on the same block for $1.2 million.
Time magazine sent down the Iacocca picture, and if I can only make a great portrait out of this picture then I could get a lot of corporation presidents. If they use it they have to pay a lot, but if they don't use it they just pay a little bit. magazine sent down the Iacocca picture, and if I can only make a great portrait out of this picture then I could get a lot of corporation presidents. If they use it they have to pay a lot, but if they don't use it they just pay a little bit.