I'm Writing a Book

I’m writing a book. It’s a memoir. It’s called Data Baby. It’ll be published by Hachette Books. Thanks to everyone who helped make this book happen.

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NoHo Mannequin

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Mank

Check out the trailer for “Mank,” forthcoming from David Fincher by way of Netflix.

“1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.”

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Hollywood Is Reading

There’s an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about Hollywood gobbling up the dramatic rights to books. All those unbusy producers have been spending their time reading, and optioning, apparently.

An excerpt:

“Like housebound folks across the country, studio executives, filmmakers and actors have had far more time to read books. That newfound availability, coupled with streaming services’ and media companies’ insatiable appetite for fresh material, has led to a substantial uptick in sales, according to agents and producers.”

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From the Archives

From left to right:

1. A woman at an adult convention in Rosemead, IL

2. Attendees at the AVN Awards in Las Vegas, NV

3. A porn star at an adult convention in Las Vegas, NV

(All photos by me.)

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The Dreamstate

The latest edition of my Valleywood newsletter is out. Read it here. Subscribe here.

An excerpt:

“What I’m reading: ‘A Fuller Picture of Artemisia Gentileschi.’ Gentileschi created her famous painting of Susannah and the Elders in 1610, when she was 17. ‘Perhaps this Susanna does not want the men to identify her or see her anguish; it’s equally likely that she does not want to lay eyes on her persecutors.’”

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Rick's

NoHo 🔨

A recent shot of North Hollywood from my Instagram. Follow me here for more.

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Ms. Charm

What I’m reading: Charm. It’s a play by Philip Dawkins.

The story:

“When Mama Darleena Andrews—a 67-year-old, black, transgender woman—takes it upon herself to teach an etiquette class at Chicago’s LGBTQ community center, the idealistic teachings of Emily Post clash with the very real life challenges of identity, poverty, and prejudice faced by her students. Inspired by the true story of Miss Gloria Allen and her work at Chicago’s Center on Halsted, CHARM asks—how do we lift each other up when the world wants to tear us down?”

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Truth Coming Out of Her Well

Truth Coming Out of Her Well To Shame Mankind | Jean-Léon Gérôme https://t.co/0Xb3dgrHFb pic.twitter.com/3VA5RiQzzO

— Riley Dog (@roo370) September 30, 2020

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Spirit Animal

I have two of these, one white and one grey. They both have red eyes. One sits on my desk, and the other sits near my phone. Sometimes their tails catch my eye. For some, rats conjure up the idea of pestilence. To me, they’re a sort of familiar.

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Get Your Booty to the Poll

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Selfie

🤳🏻

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What We Lost

The New York Times has an interesting story about “the legal battles and innovations behind 42nd Street” that includes this interesting tidbit:

“Speaking of wholesome, an interesting issue that arose was where the adult entertainment businesses would go. The city decided to enact what some of us in the land use field refer to as ‘erogenous zoning’: prohibiting adult entertainment uses from residential areas, some manufacturing and commercial districts, requiring that they could locate no closer than 500 feet from schools, day care centers, houses of worship. That ordinance was challenged on constitutional grounds, because adult entertainment also has rights under the First Amendment free speech clause.”

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Don't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming

A shot from my Instagram. A topless mannequin in the window in Magnolia Park.

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What's Your Calling?

Best career advice that I can give: Don't ever attach yourself to a person, a place, a company, an organization or a project. Attach yourself to a mission, a calling, a purpose ONLY. That's how you keep your power & your peace. It's worked pretty well for me thus far.

— erica williams simon (@missewill) June 6, 2018

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You Won't Feel a Thing

From left to right:

1. “Un Chien Andalou,” dir. Luis Buñuel, 1929

2. “A Clockwork Orange,” dir. Stanley Kubrick, 1971

3. “Minority Report,” dir. Steven Spielberg, 2002

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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

💦 The sign used to read MindGeek. "MindGeek is a privately held Canadian company that focuses primarily on Pornography. Though legally registered in Luxembourg, it operates mainly from Canada with headquarters in Montreal and additional offices in Dublin, London, Hamburg, Bucharest, Nicosia, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego." In 2015, revenue was $460M.

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An excerpt:

“Not that long ago, I read something that said Brazzers was in Burbank. Brazzers, if you’re not aware, is an adult production company, and I live in Burbank. I had a hard time believing that Brazzers was based in such a sleepy part of the San Fernando Valley.”

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Ravaged

“Everyone says you were beautiful when you were young, but I want to tell you I think you’re more beautiful now than then. Rather than your face as a young woman, I prefer your face as it is now. Ravaged.”

—Marguerite Duras, The Lover

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Newsletters I Like

Here are a few newsletters I like:

1. The Ankler. Richard Rushfield’s insider take on the film and TV sausage factory.

2. Noah Kalina. One man’s attempts to find joy in a world that thwarts him.

3. Austin Kleon. An eclectic mashup of art, life, and impetus.

4. Neal Ungerleider. Good for people into marketing, communications, and words.

5. Valleywood. By me, it’s one part Porn Valley, one part Hollywood, add a dash of sarcasm, and stir.

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Quitting

If you’re not watching “Lovecraft Country,” you’re missing the best show on TV. Last Sunday’s episode featured a mind-blowing vivisection of race in America. It starred Ruby in a shape-shifting scene that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

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