Chapter 53
Asked Wilfredo to the dinner that Paige was giving at Texarkana for advertisers (cab $5). This is part of Paige's new strategy because she got so sick of all the under-people stalling for so long about ads that she decided to only invite the presidents of the companies out, and it turns out a lot of times they don't have anything to do, they're bored, and they're just dying to go out.
Dropped Wilfredo (cab $10). And then I got home and watched some Letterman Letterman, and he had on Eddie Murphy who was cool and casual, and then d.i.c.k Cavett came on and he was really funny. He's gotten more gay-looking and -acting, and Letterman was nervous because Cavett was so funny, he just sort of faded out of the picture. d.i.c.k was really working his a.s.s off, using funny intellectual words and making puns.
Sunday,September 1, 1985 We got to the Meadowlands for the Springsteen concert and it was so exciting, a sea of people. We had tickets for the press room, but we stayed out on the floor. Dolly Fox and Keith couldn't believe how many autographs I had to sign for the Jersey kids.
The concert was long, from 7:00 to 11:30. The Boss talks dumb and he's a Democrat but he doesn't exactly say so-he just talks about getting jobs back for the steel mills and things. He's a real little fireball. And the ch.o.r.eography, well, if this is ch.o.r.eography, then I can do ch.o.r.eography. And by the way, slam dancing, I think I could really be good at. I really do think so. Bruce's laugh is the cute thing, he giggles. And he's gotten good-looking. He wasn't good-looking when he was younger. And then we came back to the city and went to P.J. Clarke's. Got home about 2:00 (dinner $110).
Tuesday,September 3, 1985 Benjamin arrived and we ran into Crazy Matty and I said why didn't he go bother Greta Garbo over on East 52nd Street, so he took down the address. And I can just see it in the papers now after he kills Greta Garbo: "Andy Warhol gave me the address."
Oh, you know, I was talking to somebody yesterday, and I found out that Bruce Springsteen really does give a lot of his money away, so I do like him now. Maybe we can get him for a cover when he's wanting to publicize Farm Aid.
Saw American Flyer American Flyer. I was looking at this girl in the movie with this hooked nose and I realized it was Jennifer Grey. I mean, it's really sad, her father got himself a new nose and didn't send her for one. Isn't that mean? Oh, but go to the movie for the nose-you have have to see it. And for Kevin Costner, he'll have a big career. The movie's really good. to see it. And for Kevin Costner, he'll have a big career. The movie's really good.
Wednesday,September 4, 1985 I can't tell which nights Fred's been drinking and which nights he hasn't. I don't know if he's grand when he drinks or grand when he doesn't. It's like he thinks he's Conde Nast or something. And I said that the Stallone issue of Interview Interview was great, but that I can't see it paying for itself. And he said yes, yes, that he knew very well how much it cost, that he knew ev-er-y-thing. And I said, "Oh, well, okay if you know everything, you know everything. But I remember that time when we had a big debt n.o.body knew about, but if you know everything, that's great." was great, but that I can't see it paying for itself. And he said yes, yes, that he knew very well how much it cost, that he knew ev-er-y-thing. And I said, "Oh, well, okay if you know everything, you know everything. But I remember that time when we had a big debt n.o.body knew about, but if you know everything, that's great."
Went to Keith's party in his new loft (cab $3). And Keith had a good group, too, a lot of girls. Martin Burgoyne was there and he told me that Madonna was upset because we let People People photograph the paintings Keith and I gave her for a wedding present. They'd called me and I said no but then I told them that if they wanted to try Keith they should just call him. So Martin said Madonna hates us for that and I told Martin he should've made her not hate us. photograph the paintings Keith and I gave her for a wedding present. They'd called me and I said no but then I told them that if they wanted to try Keith they should just call him. So Martin said Madonna hates us for that and I told Martin he should've made her not hate us.
Thursday, September 5, 1985 Jean Michel had called and said he wanted to go with us to see Susan Blond's act, Luther Vandross, at Radio City Music Hall (cab $3). And a black girl said she'd show us to our seats, and she took us down an aisle and had me sign something and then left us standing there and then I realized she had just wanted an autograph, that she wasn't even an usher. That was funny. But I mean, she could've taken us down the right right aisle, anyway. So we found our seats and Eddie Murphy they said was somewhere but I didn't see him. aisle, anyway. So we found our seats and Eddie Murphy they said was somewhere but I didn't see him.
So Luther sang and his songs were all long long stories. But very good, the audience loved him. Then we cabbed to Area ($7).
And Lester Persky was there, drunk, kissing everybody, saying how I'd picked him out of the gutter and made him somebody and (laughs) (laughs) I guess I've told him that so often that he's started to believe it. And he wanted to meet Boy George, so he had me introduce him, and then when I left them alone I guess Boy George lost interest because Lester came over and wanted to be reintroduced. I guess I've told him that so often that he's started to believe it. And he wanted to meet Boy George, so he had me introduce him, and then when I left them alone I guess Boy George lost interest because Lester came over and wanted to be reintroduced.
And Lester's friend Tommy Dean was there who I just can't stand. I remember when he told Lester not to give us the money to make Bad Bad. And he did it so smugly. Oh, I remember that. So smug.
Benjamin walked me to a cab and I went uptown ($8).
Friday,September 6, 1985 Jean Michel came in and our show is on Sat.u.r.day. But really, the shows that get noticed are in October and November, so it's still kind of early, but it'll be okay, just a little thing. And in his stupor Jean Michel knocked paint onto the Dolly Parton portrait and messed it up. And Sandy Gallin keeps calling, saying he wants it right away, and I wish they wouldn't rush me because I want to make it really good and it's not ready.
Sat.u.r.day,September 7, 1985 I was going to go to Dr. Karen Burke's for collagen but it was too hot out and I didn't want the pain.
Wilfredo came by the office and helped me. It seems like Interview's Interview's doing Madonna for the Christmas cover. She'll be interviewed by Sean Penn and another person. I got my pictures of the wedding back from Chris's ex-a.s.sistant Terry who's making prints for me now, and Madonna really knows how to do her makeup in that great Hollywood way. Somebody must have showed her or always does it for her-everything painted just perfectly. Sean's going to be the new Dustin Hoffman. He'll be around a long time. doing Madonna for the Christmas cover. She'll be interviewed by Sean Penn and another person. I got my pictures of the wedding back from Chris's ex-a.s.sistant Terry who's making prints for me now, and Madonna really knows how to do her makeup in that great Hollywood way. Somebody must have showed her or always does it for her-everything painted just perfectly. Sean's going to be the new Dustin Hoffman. He'll be around a long time.
Then decided to go to the Pyramid club to see Ann Magnuson. She does "Edie and Andy" and "Gala and Dali" and "Prince and Fallopia." Like Apollonia, get it? The intellectual girl of downtown. She wasn't funny, but she's a good actress and she's a hard worker-there's something there.
Monday,September 9, 1985 Today on Donahue Donahue they have Betty Rollin killing her mother. She and her husband told the mother what pills she could use to kill herself in what combination and how many, and they sat in a room with her while she did and now Betty Rollin has written a book. they have Betty Rollin killing her mother. She and her husband told the mother what pills she could use to kill herself in what combination and how many, and they sat in a room with her while she did and now Betty Rollin has written a book.
Had calls about the Dolly Parton portrait-"Is the beauty mark in or out?" I'd taken it out and they want it in, so I called Rupert and told him it was in again.
Then went with Paige over to La Colonna because Estee Lauder has a new perfume called "Beautiful." Isn't that great? Someone was telling me that today people want to wear a smell that you know right away what it is. Like Giorgio. It's a status thing. Isn't that interesting? I was next to the editor of Elle Elle, and I'd bought a copy the other day and it's good.
Went home and called PH to tell her about my "Beautiful" day because we want to do a perfume line together, and we had great ideas for names and packaging for three different smells.
Tuesday,September 10, 1985 Chris sold a picture of me to In Touch In Touch magazine which has an interview inside. He'd sell you to a gutter. I'm going to have to remember when I sign releases for him to specify that it's only for the one occasion. magazine which has an interview inside. He'd sell you to a gutter. I'm going to have to remember when I sign releases for him to specify that it's only for the one occasion.
Sandro Chia came by to visit, he was really sweet. And the news was that Carl Andre the artist may have pushed his wife out the window in the apartment in the high rise in the Village where they lived. The big headline said that he was suspected, but then the article was all about how she'd probably fallen. And Sandro said, "Good, good, they should kill all women." He's getting divorced from his wife.
Wednesday,September 11, 1985 Some of the Dolly Parton portraits came out light and some were dark. And then they kept calling me from L.A. about were they ready were they ready, and they wore me down so I finally just said yes, they're ready. But I could've done better.
Thursday, September 12, 1985 Pete Rose is on Donahue Donahue. I wish I could do another portrait of him. Now in looking at him, he's really good-looking, a good nose and good hair-1 could do a really good one of just his head.
Jean Michel called and I'm just holding my breath for the big fight he'll pick with me right before the show of our collaboration paintings at the Shafrazi Gallery. The opening's on Sat.u.r.day.
Oh, and I'd given a $1,200 bid to the girl at the auction place for a bracelet, and so after the auction she called to say that it went for $850 but that she just didn't get my bid in on time. And I said, "Oh, isn't that great." I mean, I can live without it, because I can live without anything, but it was nice. And I keep going to that lady who has the earrings that match the ring I gave PH, and instead of coming down on the price, she's going up up all the time. It's one of these desperate people that they get something in their head. She's stubborn. I should try to get her on a day when she has to pay her bills. all the time. It's one of these desperate people that they get something in their head. She's stubborn. I should try to get her on a day when she has to pay her bills.
I called Stephen Sprouse to have dinner at II Cantinori (cab $6). And then Paloma came in with Fran Lebowitz and with her husband. And I said to them, "Why don't you join us?" And Fran piped up with, "No! We're waiting for someone." And they weren't. No one ever showed up. So I think Fran is just horrible because they could have made the dinner fun- fun-I haven't talked to Paloma in a long while.
Friday,September 13, 1985 Jean Michel called and said he was invited to the MTV awards thing. Keith called, same thing. MTV must want artists to do their logos for them. And Keith was upset because his tickets were up on the mezzanine. Jean Michel arrived in a limo. He said he didn't want to go with Keith because Keith was too pushy. And it did get sick later on-Keith just wanted to be photographed so badly. And he wanted to go with me so he'd be sure to be photographed.
So we got to Radio City and it was just the biggest mob there, but the TV cameras had already left so Keith was really upset.
My date last year was Maura Moynihan. She's in India for eight months now. She's got an Indian boyfriend and Sam Green said she's wearing saris and bending low-it sounds awful.
Eddie Murphy's act was cute, he said "p.i.s.s" and "s.h.i.+t" a lot and he went to the ladies' room and picked up a girl, and then went outside and got a guest host. You know, the Letterman man-in-the-street thing, the old Steve Allen thing. But it was boring. It wasn't young enough.
Then it was over and we were starved. We went down to the Odeon. But Keith wanted to go right to the Palladium because he didn't want to miss the stars, he wanted to see Cher again. So we got to the Odeon and he was immediately wanting to leave. He said he wasn't hungry, he said, "I've already eaten," but we knew he hadn't, because we'd all been together not eating for hours. I mean, I like Keith, but it was so sick. Dinner was cheap, I guess because n.o.body drank ($135).
Then we went in the limo to the Palladium. Stayed an hour or two. The only person I saw was David Lee Roth.
Sat.u.r.day,September 14, 1985 One of those abstract days you just want to block out. Worked until 7:00. Called Jean Michel and said I'd pick him up and did.
Went over to the Tony Shafrazi Gallery (cab $5) and it was wall to wall. They had a Danceteria doorman. They walked you in and walked you out. Gerard Malanga asked me for my autograph.
I was wearing the Stefano jacket with Jean Michel's picture painted on the back, but I've decided I can't wear odd things, I look like a weirdo. I'm going to stay in basic black.
Monday,September 16, 1985 Fred's going off to L.A. because the building on Doheny fell through, they couldn't get the zoning changed. And the new issue of Interview Interview came out with the Schwarzenegger cover which I love, it has the comic-book look. And the whole issue I like. It looks the way came out with the Schwarzenegger cover which I love, it has the comic-book look. And the whole issue I like. It looks the way Vanity Fair Vanity Fair should look. Just the right amount of odd things. should look. Just the right amount of odd things.
Laura Ashley died, after falling down her daughter's stone steps. But she never advertised. I was just thinking about these English people who just take take take and never do anything for you. We never got a thing from Fred's best friend, Lord Jermyn. But you know, those Mick Jagger prints that the Heskeths were going to dump on the market? It worked out well-we bought them back and now they're the most popular after the Marilyns so that was a good thing.
Paige had people for lunch and I was looking at their jewelry and thinking it was costume, and they were telling me how much it was, and I was saying (laughs) (laughs), "Gee, that's like what the real real stuff costs." And actually it stuff costs." And actually it was was real. real.
And Gael took the Jewish holiday off although she's told me she's Catholic and then once she said Episcopalian.
Tuesday,September 17, 1985 Benjamin and I went to Sotheby's to see the big Indian show. Millions of things. I missed Kenny Lane's lunch for Jackie O., some maharani's in town and Jackie did the India book. It was a busy day.
Worked till 7:30, was late.
Went down to Pier 17 for a party where all the rock and roll kids were going to be (cab $7). This new, huge restaurant on the water, a whole block long. The party was just sort of ending. Jellybean was leaving. Matt Dillon was drunk with his friends, and he showed off for them, "Hiii, Andy," and was shaking my hand and gave me a big manful feel around the shoulder. And then he sort of gave me a kiss.
Wednesday,September 18, 1985 Benjamin and I walked out and there was my bodyguard, Matty. I handed him a dollar and told him to beat it, but he didn't, he stayed with me. And he's skinnier and dirtier and he had a sore leg and was limping, so that was sad-he's been walking the streets too much. And then I went to Dr. Bernsohn's.
I was in there a long time finding out about the ghost they were throwing out. Judy the secretary wouldn't come in for three days and then she did and caught Dr. Bernsohn crying because the force was so strong. And they said he shouldn't have called the ghost because he's Jewish, that Judy should have done it because she's Catholic and more easygoing, and it's different than if they were telling you some phony stuff. I mean, why would they make this kind of stuff up? It must must be real. So I left there. And Matty was still waiting. be real. So I left there. And Matty was still waiting.
I told Matty he should go to museums and auctions and be learning things. He should get a job at one of these places and stop being on the outside and he had a long answer for that-something about being in a plane and zeroing in on Madison Avenue and killing the Jews. He was talking about that a lot. The thing is, we have the same life. We go to all the same places. He kept saying how attractive I am. But all I'm attracting is him him (magazines and newspapers $4). (magazines and newspapers $4).
And the Campbell Soup Company hated the painting they commissioned. It turns out they wanted exactly what they'd said-a painting of their new box. I'd tried to do something clever and make it more, but they hated it and now I have to do it over again.
And the horrible news of the day was that finally after not hearing from Sandy Gallin about the Dolly Parton portraits, I called, and the secretary got on and said, "Ohhh, Sandy's soooo embarra.s.sed," and saying that it just doesn't look like my art. Sandy just doesn't like the pictures, she said. And after fifteen minutes, she popped the question of could he get his $10,000 back. And I said, "Well, sure, you know but doesn't he want me to do it again!" She said they'd thought it would be more colorful, more Pop. But I mean, I should have known, because it all started out so strange, with Dolly calling and saying that she was the one who wanted to buy it-as a gift for Sandy-and then that was just so they could get a better price, I guess, because when I said, "Well, I'd like to give you one, Dolly, for being so nice to Sandy to give these to him," they called back and said, "Well, since you were going to give a free one, why not just knock down the price instead?" You know? Hollywood. Well, I've learned things. Next time I'm going to make them work for it, like come in and see if they like the pictures and everything every single step of the way-make them work hard. Oh, and then they even said that I could try to sell it. They said they'd give "permission." So that was horrible.
Thursday, September 19, 1985 It was a busy day at the office. Fred was meeting with Bruno. Rupert had an idea to stretch canvas over a box for the Campbell's thing. Left early, saw the dog doctor (cab $6).
And I missed Paige's opening for her Mexican artist. This is the second try and poor Paige, just as it was happening they get word about the Mexican earthquake which was really bad-maybe a 7.8. This kid has no luck, this artist.
Jean Michel picked me up in a limo and we went to Rockefeller Center to a party that this Steven Greenberg guy was giving in his office which is two floors above the Rainbow Room. Two terraces, and the art was worth around $10 million. This Greenberg-he has a white pageboy hairdo-is the one who got me the live demonstration job with the Commodore computer at Lincoln Center. The Debbie Harry thing. He's an investor, I guess. Someone said he gives business advice to companies and takes stock as payment. He also got Clive Davis to use us. And there were so many young kids, just great. Beautiful makeup, androgynous boys, just beautiful. Downtown kids. And I was just thinking if only the Rainbow Room could get revitalized, it would be so great.
On the way to Area we decided to go to Odeon. When we were at Odeon I asked for the paper, and there in Friday's Times Times I saw a big headline: "Basquiat and Warhol in Pas de Deux." And I just read one line-that Jean Michel was my "mascot." Oh G.o.d. I saw a big headline: "Basquiat and Warhol in Pas de Deux." And I just read one line-that Jean Michel was my "mascot." Oh G.o.d.
Friday,September 20, 1985 I had my opening at Leo Castelli's to go to, of the Reigning Queens portfolio that I just hate George Mulder for showing here in America. They were supposed to be only for Europe-n.o.body here cares about royalty and it'll just be another bad review. And I told Jean Michel not to come to this. I asked him if he was mad at me for that review where he got called my mascot, and he said no.
Sunday,September 22, 1985 Went to church. I always go for five minutes. Ten or five minutes. It's so empty, but sometimes there's a wedding. Then cabbed down to Sixth Avenue and 26th Street to the flea market (cab $6). It was such a pretty day. You can still get Fiestaware cheap. It never went anywhere, I guess.
Monday,September 23, 1985 Benjamin pa.s.sed out Interviews Interviews while I saw Dr. Li. She told me she'd talked to Jon Gould and that he said he had a $100 million production deal-that that South African crystal guy is giving him $50 million and that Paramount will match it. while I saw Dr. Li. She told me she'd talked to Jon Gould and that he said he had a $100 million production deal-that that South African crystal guy is giving him $50 million and that Paramount will match it.
Got a note from Sandy Gallin saying, "Thanks for being so patient." And I have no idea what that means.
And Fred doesn't want me spoiling his new secretary from Newport, Sam Bolton, by taking him places, but he's a good kid to go around to movies with.
Tuesday,September 24, 1985 The Campbell's soup people loved the painting-the pink one of the soup box.
I had a message to call Sandy Gallin's secretary at home, so I did, and she was so bright and asking me if I got the flowers-they were the smallest orchids ever-and being so up and everything and I just wanted to say, "Oh cut it out and give me the real story." But I know she was just doing her job and didn't really want to do it and she kept bubbling and gave her fake speech and asked for his money back. I said well sure I'd send it to him.
Fred enjoys confronting people sometimes so maybe he should do this, and then I can still stay a nice guy. I mean, what was all that about, having me rush rush rush the job and everything? And so after that I had some chocolate and watched TV and fell asleep.
Friday,September 27, 1985 Watched Hurricane Gloria all morning on TV because there was nothing else to watch. For some reason they decided to cancel the Today Show Show and everything to bring constant storm updates and they made it sound so horrible. But then it never really hit New York. and everything to bring constant storm updates and they made it sound so horrible. But then it never really hit New York.
Sunday,September 29, 1985 The sun was really hot, I may have gotten sunburn. Went to 86th and Third, to Doyle's for the joint auction of Louis Armstrong's stuff and James Beard's. It was weird, the two different lives put together and every little whisk and pot and piece of sheet music was for sale, with people hovering over them. I'm surprised they don't do it right there in the apartments. Bought two catalogues ($20).
Monday,September 30, 1985 n.o.body cared about me yesterday. I was in the same spots looking the same way, but where I was mobbed before, n.o.body cared. It's funny, what makes some days different (newspapers $2, phone $1)?
Thursday, October 3, 1985 Ohhh, why do we have to get old? The Enquirer The Enquirer article that Frank Sinatra is suing over said that when he gets up in the morning he's so worried about aging that he asks his wife Barbara, "How do I look article that Frank Sinatra is suing over said that when he gets up in the morning he's so worried about aging that he asks his wife Barbara, "How do I look today?" today?" Oh, Frankie. I remember when I walked all the way into Pittsburgh to see him to see what all the girls were swooning about, and there weren't any girls there swooning. I went in and met this other kid to go see him sing with Tommy Dorsey. It was one of my first things that I did alone, going into town and seeing him. Oh, Frankie. I remember when I walked all the way into Pittsburgh to see him to see what all the girls were swooning about, and there weren't any girls there swooning. I went in and met this other kid to go see him sing with Tommy Dorsey. It was one of my first things that I did alone, going into town and seeing him.
Went to the Whitney. I was there to "advertise" my Campbell's Soup Box painting. And for all the work and publicity, I should've charged them like $250,000-I mean, they're a huge company-instead of just the cost of a portrait. We must be getting desperate. Me standing there twenty years later and still with a Campbell's soup thing, it felt like a New Yorker New Yorker cartoon. And Rita Moreno was there, I guess she's a spokesman for Campbell's and they were treating me more important than her, saying they only wanted to photograph me, and she said, "But he asked me to be in the picture," and they said, "We only want cartoon. And Rita Moreno was there, I guess she's a spokesman for Campbell's and they were treating me more important than her, saying they only wanted to photograph me, and she said, "But he asked me to be in the picture," and they said, "We only want him." him." Because it's just that it's a different category. It's like when I've done the portrait of a big baseball player, they photograph Because it's just that it's a different category. It's like when I've done the portrait of a big baseball player, they photograph him him and I'm shoved aside. and I'm shoved aside.
And I was so hurt-I saw Dolly Parton's picture in the paper, she's in town, she and Sandy Gallin went to a Broadway show, and they didn't even call me. I haven't gotten the real story of the portrait yet. I'll get it out of Steve Rubell sometime when he's drunk.
All the headlines were that Rock Hudson died.
Keith called to tell me that Grace Jones would be performing at the Garage at 4:00 in the morning. So how can I do that? Go to bed and get up early?
Monday,October 7, 1985 The woman in the stationery store said, "So you're a TV star." She must have read something that said I was going to be on The Love The Love Boat this Sat.u.r.day. Bought newspapers ($2). They had stories about Rock Hudson that said there were two baseball stars in his life and Boat this Sat.u.r.day. Bought newspapers ($2). They had stories about Rock Hudson that said there were two baseball stars in his life and (laughs) (laughs) forty truck drivers. forty truck drivers.
Tuesday,October 8, 1985 Paige and I decided that we would start having "blind-date dinners" because that's a good way to meet new people and entertain advertisers at the same time. Tama Janowitz's date will be Dr. Bernsohn, I think she could get material from him, and I'm lining up a Ford model for Paige.
Steve Rubell called about the Dolly Parton/Sandy Gallin thing. He said that it was really Geffen Geffen who was getting the painting. He said that Dolly never saw the painting, and that she didn't understand that it was going to be over the fireplace, but I said no, that she knew who was getting the painting. He said that Dolly never saw the painting, and that she didn't understand that it was going to be over the fireplace, but I said no, that she knew exactly exactly where it was for because she was standing right there when Sandy showed me. where it was for because she was standing right there when Sandy showed me.
I got a cab at 8:00 to pick Cornelia up. Went to Regine's ($4) and I just had a light jacket and all these places have such strong air conditioning, it really is frightening (doorman $5, limo $25). It was a costume party and Anthony Quinn was there and Pele and Lee Radziwill, and it was an old crowd.
And Mariel Hemingway's husband, Steve Crisman, was very friendly, so nice, and then he started being hip with me, like saying, "Give me two," and doing the two fingers, and I said I didn't know all that hip talk, and he said oh, that he didn't really, either. He talked about the Mandrexes and going to India and that type of thing.
Cornelia wanted to go to the Zulu Lounge so we left and went up there. Gael Love was sort of embarra.s.sed because I saw her there dancing with that guy who's big and acts butch who writes for the magazine. Somebody Bob discovered about five years ago-Chuck Pfeiffer. Someone said he's married, but he's never with a wife and he's too-much, you know?
Tama was with Gael and she said that her romance with Bob Guccione, Jr. hadn't worked out, that he was supposed to take her to L.A. and didn't.
Wednesday,October 9, 1985 The news was all about the boat trouble, the Achille Lauro Achille Lauro seajacking in Egypt. And now probably everybody will be watching seajacking in Egypt. And now probably everybody will be watching The Love Boat The Love Boat this week because of it, with my episode on it. So many people are telling me they're planning to watch it. this week because of it, with my episode on it. So many people are telling me they're planning to watch it.
Gael came in and sighed and said she was trying so hard to find someone for Tama. Why is everyone so worried about Tama getting a new boyfriend? But blind date dinners are are a fun idea. You find someone, they don't even have to be any good, you just a fun idea. You find someone, they don't even have to be any good, you just bring bring them and somebody may actually like them, you never know. them and somebody may actually like them, you never know.
And I killed a roach and it was a trauma. A very big trauma. I felt really terrible.
So then it was time for the blind-date dinner. I was actually doing it because I want Tama to write about me in one of her stories, I want to get into them. And it's a great new way to meet new crowds. Everybody brings a blind date for somebody else. I brought Dr. Bernsohn for Tama, and she's funny, like a Jewish mother-she dressed in Chinese clothes because we we were going to Mr. Chow's and she had on crystal earrings so that the crystal doctor would look at them. But now I'm afraid she were going to Mr. Chow's and she had on crystal earrings so that the crystal doctor would look at them. But now I'm afraid she will will write about Bernsohn and that he'll get into trouble. Because see, using crystals to heal and stuff isn't really legit. Oh and the night before when Tama was standing next to Sylvia Miles, I just thought, write about Bernsohn and that he'll get into trouble. Because see, using crystals to heal and stuff isn't really legit. Oh and the night before when Tama was standing next to Sylvia Miles, I just thought, give her twenty more years and sh.e.l.l be Sylvia- give her twenty more years and sh.e.l.l be Sylvia-she'd had a few drinks and her hair was disheveled.
And Tama is desperate-she said she got a phone call that was a wrong number but she made a date with the guy anyway. The guy was trying to call his ex-girlfriend who was getting married, and then after he talked to Tama, he did get the ex-girlfriend and he told her about what had happened, and now she's coming on the date with Tama and him. This is how desperate people are (cab $5, dinner $350).
And my guy, oh G.o.d, I just hated him from the start. The one they brought for me. It was this gay kid Paige had met the other night and he was a student at Columbia.
I ran into Gerard, he works for the Parks Department now in the zoo building opposite 64th Street.
And Dr. Bernsohn was interested in Paige at the beginning, because Tama looks like his mother, that type. I've met his mother. And the guy from the wrong number that Tama's going to see is in the Egyptian delegation at the U.N., so you can imagine. They originally had a doctor for me, but he had to go on duty at the last minute. And my date went off to call his boyfriend. But it is fascinating to meet new people. Then the Ford model I got for Paige disappeared. But she was disappointed anyway, because he was an airhead, he could only talk model talk. And we ran into Holly Woodlawn who was celebrating her facelift-yes, she had one! She's telling everyone. With all her problems, she got a facelift! facelift! She never did get a s.e.x change, I don't think. Paige dropped me off. She never did get a s.e.x change, I don't think. Paige dropped me off.
Thursday, October 10, 1985 Yesterday was the day for reading all about Yul Brynner, they made him sound so big. And then late in the day the news was that Orson Welles had died, and they were putting them up as if they were both equal. Oh, but it was such a pleasure to meet Orson Welles before he died. He was really great. I don't mean his movies, I mean him him.
All the governments were just lying so much about the Achille Lauro thing yesterday. If I were the Klinghoffers I'd just go to the trial and shoot them, the four of them. I wouldn't be able to get off four shots in a courtroom, but then I'd just get one. I wouldn't care which one. One would be enough. I know, I know-yesterday I was so worried about killing a c.o.c.kroach. But this is different-the c.o.c.kroach didn't do anything to anybody, and I didn't kill it right so it was squirming and it was so big, it'd lived to be so big. Oh, listen, there's going to be a war. Let's stockpile things. Silk stockings. Candy bars (cab $4.30, phone $1.50, newspapers $2).
The Coleco Cabbage Patch guy came by. And he didn't like the paintings of Cabbage Patch dolls I did, but he's paying anyway. And we were talking and he said that Peter Max was his inspiration, that he used to be an ill.u.s.trator and now he's an executive. He proposed that he do an Andy Warhol line of clothing with me and that we could both make lots of money. He said that his computer had told him that I was the most famous living artist. I told him I knew a person who was ready to go with clothes, Stephen Sprouse. He'd never heard of him. And I told him about Keith Haring and the T-s.h.i.+rts and Keith's store, and he'd never heard of him, either.
Oh, and everybody's talking about The Love Boat The Love Boat. The ad for it in TV Guide only shows the Mermaid Dancers, not me. Why didn't they get me on the cover? cover?
Friday,October 11, 1985 Milan the partygiver called and said he'd organized a dinner for the crown prince of Belgium at Tuileries, and that the crown prince wanted to meet Mick Jagger, and Fred happened to be talking to Mick on the phone and Mick said he'd go. Worked till 8:30 (cab $5). The crown prince didn't open his mouth, he was so boring. Dinner was awful, and everybody was all c.o.ked up. They started talking about "millions" of photographers outside and spent about two hours deciding how to get out of the place, and it was just Ron Galella! When you're not high you can't believe these people. If you didn't know they were on something and you heard the way they were talking, you'd think it was something real.
Then we went to the Palladium, a Film Festival party. A girl was trying to take me home in her limo, but I didn't go because it would be one more person to know and then I'd have to see her. Got home about 2:30 or 3:00.
Sunday,October 13, 1985 Went to Sotheby's and they had my painting of Ten Lizzes up. It was a preview of an auction coming up. They'd cut this one down a lot, I guess they stretched it to make it "look good." They'll have other paintings of mine in it-$200,000 or $300,000 pictures. The Liz is $400,000. They're all from Philippa and Heiner Friedrich, from their Dia Foundation. Ran into a lot of old ladies who said they saw me on The Love Boat The Love Boat.
And then I walked home and called that kid Stephen Bluttal from MOMA who invited me to the closing night of the Lincoln Center Film Festival (cab $3). And the movie at the Film Festival was five stories hung together by a bird with a bell on it. And it was in Italy in those beautiful empty towns they find to film in.
Monday,October 14, 1985 Tama had another date with Dr. Bernsohn and I asked Paige what happened and she said she didn't think they hit it off. There's another blind-date night next week. And they have a construction owner and a doctor for me, and I decided I don't really want to meet anybody, it's just fun doing it for them them, being Gramps and seeing the kids have a good time.
And oh, I really missed Jean Michel so much yesterday. I called him up and either he was being distant or he was high. I told him I missed him a lot. He sees a lot of Jennifer Goode, and I guess when they break up he'll be available again.
And oh, for Paige's next blind date, I said I've got a 6'3" black instructor from Lidija's gym for her and she said that wasn't "marriage material." So I don't know. He's straight. Although he came from (laughs) (laughs) Dmitri Fas.h.i.+ons. But he says he's not gay and you have to Dmitri Fas.h.i.+ons. But he says he's not gay and you have to believe believe people, don't you? people, don't you?
When I was walking home I pa.s.sed all the security people that still guard the Nixon house on 65th Street. I thought he'd sold it. And there were policemen nearby, and policemen always know me, so I would have asked them who lived in this house now that they were still guarding it, but then they would write it down that I asked, so I didn't.
Tuesday,October 15, 1985 Went to Sotheby's. It's so awful, you see people pulling up the upholstery on chairs there and everything, just ripping it up, and you're allowed to, to check to see things like if it's the original American wood all through it. It's so nutty.
Then cabbed to meet Paige at the office ($5, newspapers $2, phone $1.50). And Paige and I had a big scene about these chocolates that this Neuchatel chocolate woman brought down. I mean, Paige is just absolutely a weirdo. I had a talk with Fred and he says it's not good to be so involved with people from the office, and maybe he's right, because I see one side, but then there's other sides.
So this woman brings down all this chocolate, and Paige has been telling her how much everyone there loves chocolate, and Paige won't even have one piece! won't even have one piece! And I'm saying, "Paige, And I'm saying, "Paige, have have a piece," and she's shrieking and laughing hysterically and absolutely refusing, and finally I ate lots of pieces but n.o.body a piece," and she's shrieking and laughing hysterically and absolutely refusing, and finally I ate lots of pieces but n.o.body else else would. Here this woman's an would. Here this woman's an advertiser advertiser and it's all these secret chocolate-eaters and they and it's all these secret chocolate-eaters and they won't touch one piece! won't touch one piece! So finally I took all the chocolate upstairs and So finally I took all the chocolate upstairs and then then Paige came and wanted some and I refused to give it to her. Paige came and wanted some and I refused to give it to her.