The Story of Lennie Johns

ONE DAY AT A TIME is a work of fiction, based on a cartoonish version of a real celebrity. Which means, artistic license was used to create the people, places, and things in this story.

Many will say it's about musician and famous member of The Beatles, John Lennon, and that's hard to dispute. I took inspiration from his life and attributes, but that's as far as it went because when he was killed on December 8, 1980 all ability to wonder about his life ended: what it would be like had the event never happened, and what would he be like as well. My character Lennie Johns required a fictional status because he needed room to grow outside of all that; he needed room to develop his own existence, as well the story needed the same ability to expand. As a writer, that would not have been possible if I'd stuck to any ideas about a real person called John Lennon or anyone else you have in mind. The fact is, there's a lot of Ozzy Osbourne in Lennie Johns and for those who are still mourning his passing, perhaps they'll find comfort in the fact that he, like John, can live in the world of Lennie.  

Let me tell you about Lennie. The time is October 1990, he has woken from a coma after a violent attack, and he is originally from Manchester though he now lies in a hospital in Staten Island. It’s a financial thing. Being in a coma costs money. He used to have a lot of it, but you know how things are. How things are . . . his artist wife Kiko emigrated to Europe to hang out with Andy Warhol with rich financiers and she's a big star. It’d be admirable, really, if it wasn’t so shocking. Lennie thought she loved him but clearly he was wrong about a lot of things. At least he has his two nurses, Candy and Madge, to keep him company, although with his salty words and acerbic ways he fears they too could leave in a revolutionary style of dissention. The thing is, he can’t walk and that means he needs them. When Lennie found out he couldn't walk he felt very alone and . . . what did Ratso say in Midnight Cowboy? Scared. 

Lennie is scared. He can’t walk, he can’t pee, he can’t get out of bed; it’s ten years later and the world has changed. There’s a war in the Gulf and no one seems to remember any of the goddamned wonderful shit he said about Peace and it’s frustrating and . . . he’s scared.  

So when one of his toes moves, then the other, then his entire leg . . . Lennie declares himself a miracle (but not bigger than Jesus), and he and Nurse Madge hit the road for the panhandle. Fun and chaos ensue. Along the way he meets up with his ole bandmates Saul, Dingo, and Jorges and together they write a new hit song called, “Yeah, I Love You.”  

“Are The Bootles getting back together?” That’s the age-old question. Nothing about how his legs work or world peace. Nothing about what he wants now or how much he's changed. He's changed? Yes, but not like the world outside his window. Music's done a 180, people are cut-throat, clothes are different, society is different and it's all a bit too much to accept. His own lawyer Ethan said it best, "You can't get a blow without, well, blow."

If he wasn't so scared, he'd be inspired.

Lennie's trying not to look too far ahead. You can’t do that. You always must be an optimist, even if you're opposed to it. You have to remember to keep a clean pair of underwear, never look back, and continue to take life ONE DAY AT A TIME. And that's exactly what Lennie intends to do. I hope you'll enjoy the journey of Lennie Johns and all the people he meets along that way. 

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The Beatles in India

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Last night I watched the documentary The Beatles and India which describes the band’s time with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi that stretched from the London Hilton Hotel to a retreat in Wales and then across to India. A string of other well-known figures in England and beyond were part of the entourage of seekers who followed along, but The Beatles clearly were used to advertise and confirm the Maharishi's burgeoning influence as well as the transcendental movement as a whole. The film is well done, highlighting a specific event that changed each member of The Beatles forever.  

Not a lot has been known about that time as much of it steeped in the mystical experiment which was to be kept sacred, but the film does a good job of not only providing details of what the Maharishi thought of each Beatle, but where they slept and meditated, as well as moments that provided songs in the conclusive ‘While Album,’ which we all know was heavily influenced by events of that time. We also get a soundbite from an unearthed interview with George Harrison where he explains the frustrations of being famous when all he wanted to do was travel and blend in like any human. He was on a spiritual journey and wanted no part of the press ruining for him. 

Sadly, in a short span of time The Beatles went from child-like devotion to bitter rebellion with the TM movement, and well, the Maharishi. To be fair to him, he gave them a gift they desperately needed—a way to break from addictions—including toxic people and situations. They were heavily into LSD and some members had begun to dabble in heroin, so meeting the Maharishi was a healthy alternative. TM in general is meant to teach self-dependence, to go within without seeking outside authority.  In a few years’ time, the music scene would lose both Hendrix and Joplin to drugs, and you can only guess Lennon would have followed suit . . . if not for TM and the Maharishi. Think of it, the world would have never heard “Imagine.”

The Maharishi himself, a childlike joyous creature, was human and people forget that. He had a test as we all do at some point in our human existence, and he failed momentarily. It would be hard to be around the brightest and all that fame, and not fail at least a little. Yet it is said that he provided them with a great tool—to elevate and go within. To deal with life on a simple basis. To be organic and clean, and vulnerable. That’s a beautiful gift. As far as I know, the Maharishi went on to serve many in the same humble way, without failure. Did he proposition Prudence Farrow (Dear Prudence) or was it all a lie? Without a yes or no, because none of us where there and the movie does not provide an answer, I think it’s fair to say that anyone who followed the Maharishi to India was there for some-thing. Was he unethical? Certainly not on the level of a Jim Jones—which is how many psychopathic cults end up. I don’t think he was anything near that level of cult. It was a movement and a teachable era. It was healthy for The Beatles to be part of it, and also to end their association. If TM teaches you anything, it should be how to think for yourself.

I loved how The Beatles and India showed how much they learned and how the process affected many. Sadly, manager Brian Epstein died within that process, but the experience can still be felt. Two vignettes in particular which I find touching: John going up in a helicopter with the Maharishi (hoping to get “the answer”) and being shown that the people in the valley would wish for them to crash because they were poor and someone like John crashing into their world would equate a falling star coming to earth. John said to the Maharishi, “If you don’t move your ass on the seat, their prayers will be answered.” Typical John. Another time, a young woman was shivering inside the group during a nighttime gathering and sweet George offered to share his shawl to keep her warm. She expressed great sorrow in having said no to him. What could have been?

We all know the events, but we do not know the fine details. The Beatles and India does a good job at providing the answer.

If you are a die-hard Beatles fan or even a lukewarm lover of the band, give it a watch. It's well done and shows an important part of rock and roll history.

 

Ya'll know I write under a pen name.

photo credit: Web-Betty Pete's Kitchen | Denver, CO via photopin (license)

A girl’s perspective

Sally is wise for her age, tough, bitchy, rude, sweet, depressed, lonely and desperate for change in the small town she lives in. So when Gerald Vick drives up in his Hollywood Cadillac touting a modeling op, she goes for it--no holds barred. And him. The problem is, what does she really know about the crazy Hollywood photographer, and how much is she willing to risk finding out?

Love and Lust at the Dairy Stop Cafe is free for download right now. A tip: listen to the Janis Joplin channel on Pandora for a great experience while reading.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Toast and Jam--Channeling my inner Carly Simon

Toast and Jam

In the spirit of summer I've started a little morning ritual called "Toast and Jam" where I let loose and sing whatever comes to mind. The first video I recorded is kind of embarrassing because it shows my legs. I'm shy and didn't want to be on camera and, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Hey, I do have shorts on . . . you just can't see them. Anyway, singing over toast is a much better idea. I hope you enjoy the videos and thank so much in advance for watching. Peace.

Joy

A few weeks ago my sister asked if I'd like to see Lucinda Williams at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Ks. Lawrence is a college town located about twenty miles down the road, sort of like "over the river and through the woods." I told her that I, as usual, was low on cash and couldn't afford a ticket, to which she replied, well I'll buy you one . . . if you do some painting at my house. That's the way my life is, but hey, I got to see Lucinda Williams! And yes, a few days later I painted floorboards and doors and walls. . . I actually saw Miss Williams come out of her tour bus the night of the concert. She's quite little and had her blonde hair all sprayed to wild perfection and wore tight blue jeans and high heel boots. A male companion followed as she walked past the que into the building. Cool. During her concert she sang "Joy," a particular favorite of mine. I'm going to make it my song of the day.

Has anyone ever taken your joy? If so, blast this song real loud.

Peace.