lowelldown

Hi Everyone

Saturday night I went to what’s touted as one of the hip-cool “seen and be seen” pre-Emmy parties. I’ve attended this event before. It’s hosted by the prestige upscale magazine con-glom that owns LA Confidential, Gotham (NY) Capital File (Washington D.C.) A magazine I read cover to cover. I’d gone to this party before when it was hosted by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It was really interesting. Three years later, it’s a whole different ballgame as reality shows now dominate the primetime airwaves.

According to the real stars I talked to, where once it was a chance to mingle with your professional TV peers (hardworking actors, hosts, and production moguls), today, these “wanna-be fifteen minute of fame reality contestants” have over-run these events. In most cases, they are there only because their shows (not them) were nominated for an Emmy–a new category only a few years old. There was a definite resentment undertone to those I spoke to.

As one actor who I remember from a recurring role on Will and Grace observed, “Where once these events were a celebration of excellence in TV, today, with this new voting category, amateur people “behaving badly” (whom no one will know a year from now) are not only in the running but evidently now entitled to rub elbows with those of us who have worked hard to build and maintain meaningful careers based on craft, good work and a chance to contribute.”

As I fought my way through the crowd, I heard a veteran soap star say, “with an open bar–booze flowing, and standing room only, these people now have a change to behave badly here, too.” “Well,” said a publicist in retort, “the people are very inexperienced and perhaps a little devoid of experience, decorum, social skills…,” and “evidently mirrors to help them get dressed,” I interrupted. It was a sight to behold.

As my escorts pointed out, “You’re probably in the one-percentile of people here who’ve actually even been nominated–let alone won an Emmy.” And yet the cameras are focused on the over-the-top C-level contestants, rather than the real stars and professionals who gracefully huddled in their own area. As one night-time cop show lead whispered, “I’m making my obligatory appearance, once around the room, then I’m get the hell out of dodge at the first possible moment!”

While it could be viewed as a waste of time, I was happy I went. Ironically, these C and D-level reality contestants gave people like me a ‘reality-check.’ Don’t get me wrong, I have no issues with these people–to each his own. But as an HBO series star explained to me, “Even the good people of these reality shows don’t get the spotlight either or are smart enough to listen to their PR people and distance themselves from the bottom-feeders of their category.” Ouch.

I guess I could see their point. They were basically saying throwing industry doors open to outrageous show contestants is like taking all last years ‘Deal Or No Deal’ contestants to the White House.

I’ve always been ambivalent about attending these photo-op industry events. But I do it, because it’s part of the drill. And for a long time it did make sense. For a long time, you could actually sit with like-minded pros and even make important contacts. One publicist explained, “Now, sadly, even behind the velvet ropes, the focus has shifted to tabloid D-listers, not industry A-listers because they get into print the quickest.”

I was asked if I wanted to meet some reality show dude who’s been in the press for making snarky, ill-informed racist comments about who knows what. Like it was some privilege…I politely passed.

I did have a chance to meet Mary Louise Parker, however. She looked stunning in a short, shimmering silver cocktail dress and up close–flawless! What a pro. She was gracious, charming and poised–but clearly as mystified as the rest of her peers that she had to be placed center stage to be ogled by what appeared to be presumptuous, self-absorbed reality show contestants. She, as expected, took several “breaks” and kind of stayed over in the area where her peers could protect her.

She was very, very nice to me and allowed me to fulfill my goal of having some one-on-one time with her so that I could tell my nephew, Chris, that I actually did so. He’s a huge fan of hers (as am I) and his favorite show is ‘Weeds.’ So at least I went up a notch or two with him, thanks to her. While I do have very real PR obligations to get out there and still attend ‘Hollywood’ events which I will if need be…it was interesting to observe the reaction to this shift, in person by the people who actually get nominated for awards.

Personally, I’d much rather be making appearances where sadly, the cameras often aren’t. I’d rather be speaking in front of local civic groups, on college campuses and anywhere where the idea of exchanging meaningful moments with real people, not ‘reality wanna-bes” can still make a difference.

So how was your weekend?

CL

Hey Everyone,

I just got back from Sacramento, CA from another appearance at new Jo-Ann store opening. I try to do a quick session with all new store employees so that they can more fully guide consumers on how to use our pre-coordinated products there. The event is always the easiest part. It’s the press junkets leading up to the day’s event that’s the hardest part. Up at 4:00AM and in makeup ready to hit all the local media outlets. Here’s the actual schedule for a single day–thought you’d like to see it (numbers etc, have been edited for privacy).

Often, I’ve been on the road four and five days in a row with the same kind of schedule and a very thick packet generated by my PR co. and our in-house staff. You can imagine what big stars go through and it’s easy to understand why they find promoting their movies harder than actually making them.

There are times when I really love being out on the road and honestly times when it takes all I can muster to stay “up” and motivating–but it’s all part of the job.

Then there are fun things like getting invited to the Emmys and to this year’s LA Confidential Magazine party hosted by Mary Louise Parker. Since the event is about ten minutes from my home, it makes for an interesting evening. Always fun to see the press mauling the stars–a reminder that all that glitters is not gold.

I’ll tell you how it all went!

Later,
CL

Hi All,

Loved the responses on both sides of the last blog. One side: that creativity can be a pathway to one’s spirituality, and the other–just the reverse. All pointing to the fact that creativity is such an important element in this make-up that we call ‘us.’ No matter how you get there, both ways employ ‘faith’ which is what happens when we step out beyond our comfort zones to exercise courage–which is the whole point.

Philip and Neha, our last episode stars (Going Global) were among our favorite subjects this season. –Adorable, in love and every bit as charming as they came off on TV. Wish we’d had time to show more of their Indian wedding video, which was amazing in and of itself. I loved these two because they were the epitome of co-partnership. Often we see this attempt between couples but many times you can tell that just below the surface the female is still trying to wear the “décor pants.” While men are truly voicing their opinions on home design–old gender-lines still die hard.

I wanted to address this culturally mixed-marriage issue as I see more and more interracial unions becoming the norm as the world gets smaller and smaller.

Designing homes that bridge worlds of culture into one suburban American design is a challenge that will affect more designers as we continue to embrace a more global attitude. –If we could only take this example beyond the American home.

The demo we did with the plaques in the hallway was created by simply screwing several of these store-bought pieces together from the back in an asymmetrical pattern. It was just hung on the wall like a picture–when done. Two candle wall sconces added the animation and romance that extended the visual feel and size of the living room. In my opinion, if you can see it from the room you’re in, it’s part of the space and should be treated as such.

We got a lovely note for the Philip and Neha wanting us to come back and finished the rest of the house. After we left, they decided that the drapes we’d hung outside the alcoves were a little too “adult” for them, so they just used the woven blinds we installed instead. I love this. It’s only fair that if we’re doing the room as a surprise, that we always leave room for them to customize our designs to fit their specific tastes. We also make sure that everything is as flexible as possible so they can re-arrange anyway they want to after we’re long gone. We also make sure that the stuff we choose for the specific room we’re filming, will seamlessly fit anywhere in the house, too.

I’ve got a bunch of new partnerships to announce shortly–so stay tuned. In a down-turned economy, because of all of you, we still manage to grow–thus giving us the opportunity to offer important solutions for today’s ever-changing American home. So thank you very much for the opportunity to continue serve you. Because of you, we get to break all the retail rules making your nesting process easier.

Later,
CL

Hey All,

So the political pageantry unfolds. I’m never really sure what they mean or what purpose they fill after the balloons have dropped and the screens go dark.

Whether you are D or R, I was so very impressed at the number of young, smart, re-engaged youth that Obama has reached and attracted. These are our new leaders and our new hope for the future.

There have been several mentions both here and through fan mail recently about me being a ’self-made’ man and inquiries as to what my secret is.

I am self-made with regard to having re-invented myself many, many times–and I’m not done yet. But each ‘incarnation’ is always based on one simple idea–that we come into this world with much of our “software” already loaded–programs that were designed specifically for each of us individually. Often time-released based on our level of maturity, but there nevertheless.

While it is said that we only use half our brains, what no one tells us is that the other half is actually very accessible if you train yourself to boot up and use the mental keyboard that runs the program. We are the original PDA to which Microsoft will be hard pressed to duplicate. And even in their intuitive programming they are acknowledging and tapping into our ability to align with very abstract concepts as we use your computers everyday. We couldn’t run them if we weren’t like them.

I think when “wise” advisers say “look within” we get sidetracked with weighty concepts such as God, spiritually, creation, fame–and then slip into the quagmire of impossible questions like “what’s my purpose–destiny–etc.” These are philosophical questions that will unfold over the course of a lifetime, but have nothing to do with getting the brain’s daily email moment to moment.

This is a big topic at the centerpiece of a lecture, which I’m currently writing about–with a goal of teaching it coast-to-coast in the years ahead. It has underpinned everything I’ve done and transcends the world of home design–the reference I publicly have lived under currently. Making the correlation between the mental interior and our physical interiors was simply the tip of that iceberg.

The second thing that I’ve tried to do is completely ignore or at least identify anything fear-based. It’s a creativity-killer. This shows up the loudest in terms of shelter, money and the accumulating of stuff. Most of what’s out there for mass-consumption can be traced back to a fear-based trigger in some way and therefore should be viewed with as much detachment as watching a movie on TiVo.

See, listen, learn but don’t step into it and make this “virtual” reality your reality. And reality for me means “Ideas.” Personal ideas fuel our imagination, which unlocks our creativity…if we’re going to be afraid, be scared that we might not live up to the potential of that idea.

It has also been my experience that one has to develop a taste for the challenge. If you get to the top of the hill and DON’T see another mountain–bigger and more death defying than the one you’re standing on, you’re in trouble and have made a wrong turn somewhere. Comfort breeds complacency and that’s death to the soul and will corrupt the inherent software you came in with. Once we have something we desire, we seem to struggle to keep it and get more of the same…but he who travels the lightest, travels the farthest.

So I hope the above gives you some insight to how I move forward. Am I scared? Yes, all the time–but scared (in my self absorption) that I won’t recognize the merciless that whiz past me everyday–scared that I’m not out there in some small way making some sort of a difference–scared that I might be too small in my thinking for my next big idea…

When I was in the theater, I learned that fear and excitement show up in the body the exact same way. The moment waiting in the wings can either be terrifying or concentrated excitement–your choice. I noticed that the actors who felt neither emotion were flat on stage, absorbed in their own heads, phoning it in on remote control and not convicted enough to trust being in the moment. I’ve personally been there, too, so I know of which I speak.

It has been my experience that if my goal in life is to “arrive” then I’ll never really get there. If I think I have arrived–arrived where? I can easily get stuck there. If, however, my goal is to “journey” then I travel through both the good and the bad quicker–on our way to what’s next.

Alt Click!

Later,
CL