James L. Harmon (ed.) - Take My Advice: Letters to the Next Generation from People Who Know a Thing or Two

LETTERS TO THE NEXT GENERATION FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW A THING OR TWO

Edited by James L. Harmon

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Copyright 2002 by James Harmon

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ISBN 13: 978-0-7432-1092-8
ISBN 0-7432-1092-1
eISBN 13: 978-0-743-24287-5

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For my mother, Christina Marie Blackburn Harmon

Who said Socrates and Plato were just quoting their mothers? Christina Harmon on her honeymoon, July 1959.

And for Wayne Koestenbaum

This may be the longest acknowledgments page in the history of publishing, but just deal with it.

Very special thanks to the talented Mr. Keithley. Todd, you resurrected these letters from public storage and Im eternally grateful. The publishing world misses you. To Philip Berman, who opened the first door and whose book, The Courage of Conviction, was a major inspiration for TMA. Thanks to Matt Walker, the hippest editor in the Universe (with the patience of a saint), and to my agent, Michael Bourret, whose advice Ill always take.

Im indebted to four people who, with their love, friendship, and support, were always willing to stop and smell neuroses. You made this book possible: Tracy Helene Thomas, truly the smartest, most creative woman on the planet; Roger Rand, whose image, if gracing the jacket of this book, would sell a million copies on his photo alone; Randy Bossert, the brother Ive always wanted; and Misti Nelson, my eternal Goddess. I love you.

When Bettie Page gives you advice, you take itlike a man! So Id like to show my parents that I love them by thanking them for all the good things theyve done for me: Thanks to my mother for praying her heart out (a woman who can still fit perfectly into her wedding dress42 years married, size 2), and my father for allowing me to mooch off him considerably while finishing this book (youll get the money back, Dad). Thanks to my sisters, Rebekah, LaNae, and Kim and Howard for putting up with me, but dont even try giving me advice. Love to Christopher, Jacob, Nicole, Danielle, and little Moriah Grace. Krystal Joy, mind your mother (see Veruschkas piece).

And readers, if the following reeks of any name-dropping you can bite me: Im beholden to Bob Shacochis (young men, advice here: run, dont walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy Easy in the Islandsit will change your life!); Bruce Benderson, (ditto User); Mary Gaitskill; Mark Dery; Chris Kraus; Stewart Home; Jennifer Belle; and the late Patricia Highsmith, all of whom went beyond the call of duty as contributors. And if you dont know who the writers in this book are, you should. My gratitude goes to Stuart J. Murray; Michael Ferguson; Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (and Karen, Toby, and Will); Maurice Vellekoop; Francesco Scavullo and Sean Byrnes; Savas Abadsidis; Bruce Weber; Elizabeth Taylor; David Foster Wallace and Mark Leyner (in the beginning, my own personal Rilkes); David Lynch and Barry Gifford (I tried, guys); Eydie Gorme; Connie Francis; Ann-Margret; Camille Paglia for still coming through with a submission during the most horrific time in American history; Mike Albo; Christopher Hitchens (Master H, you still owe me a paragraphor dinner, your pick); John Waters and Dennis Dermody; THE INCOMPARABLE ANN MAGNUSON; Gloria Vanderbilt, bell hooks for inspiration; Jack Mitchell; David Leddick; Juliet Hacking from the Beaton Estate and Julia Collins from the Harvard Theatre Collection; and everyone from the Lee Miller Archives; and William Claxton and Peggy Moffitt. Thanks to Jo Stafford, Anita ODay, Kay Starr, and Ted Nugent who told me the way it is. Thanks to Kaye Ballard and friend for being nice to me on my first day. J. K. Potter; Nancy Stender; Pat Miller; Lillian Evey; Robert Strom; Andrew, the freaky park ranger; Bob Van Riper; Matthew Stadler (sigh); James Grauerholz; Wayne Stanley; Phillip Ward; John C. Van Doren; Danielle Von Luhmann of CMG; Michael Merrill and the Bette Davis Foundation; the brilliant Ted Landry; Marsha Bacon; Robert Freedman; Doug Ainge (smart influences); Norma, that cool Italian lady I met outside Trader Joes; Alysia Ball; Lisa Stone; Jennifer from Oblation; Jay and Todd, that sex God. Jim Goad, Rutger Thiellier, Robert Strom, Michael R. Lee, Gwen Morehead, Ross and Kayreen Arnold, JoAnn and B.L., Judy Thomas, Michael Klein, Kim, Kellia Jenkins, and Terry Manning. For letting me spew over the years, thanks to Vicki, Heather, David and Marcos and Susan Wonder Woman Carey. Thanks to my Uncle Clyde and Aunt Barbara, my cousin Kami, Maggie and Phil Sund, the wondrous Darlene, Jamie and Lori from Rite Aid, Nancy Klug, my too groovy Kinkos boy, Danny Seim of the band MENOMENA (somebody sign these guys, pronto!), Sue Goffard (Mario, give that girl a raise!). Murray McDonell; my Uncle Allen; Eric Rauth; Helen Lane; the ravishing Ray Rivera; Etta and Buck Waterfield (Jane Russell Rocks!); Virtic Brown; Yale Wagner; Boyd Babbitt; Fernando Del Bosque; Alex Monreal; Cross De Milo; Chris Hiestand; Sam the man from the Palm Desert Library; Sylvere Lotringer; that highly enlightened stud muffin DAVID TRUJILLO; Lynne Hansen; Neal Peters; David Smith; and that very wise man, Greg Mann. My sexy cookie girl, Erica Garvey; Al Wayne; Ken Lease; Nancy Basil; Gail and Larry Denis; Jean Sweitzer; Mary Lea; the luscious Kirsten Jenkins (I got chills, theyre multiplyin); Jessie Dawes; Alicia Joy; Dawn Burnham and Ronnie Balog; Jeff Maul and Bobbie-licious Howe and Trevor; Yvette Lucero (where the hell are you?). LeeAnn and John Earlenbaugh (and Stephanie, Dana, and Janna); and Theresa; Heidi; and Virginia. Thanks to Scott Mills, Dick Albertson and Wayne Kulie, Joseph Schooley, Paul and Kathleen Gillmouth and family, and my favorite Jewish Princess, Jeanie Breall. I cant mention everyone, but thanks to all of my friends and family from Scaris: Lou Hijar, Diane Dewald, Susan Fee, Jan and Nick, Sharon Ebel, Faye Contras, Mel, Scott, Greg Holm (when hes acting normal) and Stacey, that sexpot Tina Abney, Andi Park, MARGEE!, Maggie, Dawn, Karen, Tracey, Karri, Lori, and Anita and PearlI dig you girls. Special thanks to John and Jo, Connie, Ruth and Larry, and Don and Dottie Markman. And to all of the waiters and waitresses marrying their ketchups from Portland to Paraguay, this ones for you. Id like to thank all of my one-night stands and every librarian in the tri-county area, with the exception of the two Evil Queens at a certain provincial branch (you know who you are). Special thanks to Denise Holmes; Colleen Winters; Kiera Koester; Robyn Cram; Dana Gale; Cindy Stanley; ERaina Hatch; and in loving memory, Jane Babcock. Thanks to my voluptuous espresso girl, Ramona Odierna at Caf Dolce. Love and appreciation to Andrew Hodgdon, Nan Travers, and little Bellayou handled my meltdowns quite well over the years (they were justified and you know why). Thanks to Charlie Huffman for the laughs and tears (see Joe Dallesandros piece, baby) and Mark Gillmouth for the laughs and tears (see Joe Dallesandros piece, baby). Sadie, Max, Bruno-Ricardo, Daisy and Peaches for the love and kisses.