SMALL AT LARGE

DIVORCE IS NOT A SUBJECT I LIKE TO DISCUSS, BECAUSE IT IS A FAMILY MATTER AND THE WORLD DOES NOT HAVE TO BE CAUGHT UP IN THE TRAUMA OF MY PERSONAL LIFE. BUT SINCE THE MOVIE, MY FATHER THE GENIUS, ELEVEN YEARS AGO, MANY VIEWERS RELATE TO THE DIVORCE ISSUES, RATHER THAN MY PROFESSIONAL WORK, THEY CAN NOT CONSIDER THE WORK, BECAUSE THEY ARE BLINDED BY PERSONAL ISSUES. THIS BLOG IS A REPLY TO FATHERHOOD ISSUES. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS YEARS AGO. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PRINT BY VIEWERS WITH LIMITED INFORMATION.

DIVORCE IS A SUBJECT THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED. SINCE MY DAUGHTER’S FILM “MY FATHER THE GENIUS”, WHERE I ASKED, IN MY WILL, FOR LUCIA TO WRITE A BOOK ON MY ARCHITECTURE IF I DIED. INSTEAD LUCIA , BEING A DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A MOVIE ON DIVORCE AND MY WORK WHILE I WAS ALIVE. THIS WAS HER FIRST FILM ON HER OWN AND SHE WENT ALL OUT AND PRODUCED A FANTASTIC MOVIE, THAT RECEIVED AWARDS AND ACLAIM AND IS STILL VIEWED REGULARLY. ON AMAZON OR NETFLIX. IT HAS AN ARCHITECTURAL AND DIVORCE CULT FOLLOWING. LUCIA AND I BOTH RECEIVE FAN MAIL, AND I A FEW HATE LETTERS AS WELL. CHRISTINE GOT A LETTER RECENTLY FROM A FAN, CRITICAL OF HER FATHER AND PRAISING HER PAINTING.

AS STATED IN THE MOVIE I AGREED TO LUCIA MAKING THE MOVIE AS LONG AS MY PROFESSIONAL WORK WAS INCLUDED. I ENCOURAGED HER TO BE TRUE TO HERSELF AND MAKE IT THE BEST SHE COULD. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE OTHER THAN PROVIDING HER WITH RAW MATERIAL AND DOING INTERVIEWS. I TOOK GREAT PLEASURE IN THE FACT SHE WAS MAKING THE MOVIE AND THE TITLE SHE SELECTED. IT ALL SOUNDED SO UPLIFTING TO ME TO JUMP START MY CAREER. I WANTED THE WORLD TO SEE MY WORK AND SEEK ME OUT. i HAD A HINT OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN BY THE QUESTIONS SHE ASKED ABOUT THE MARRIAGE, BUT ALTHOUGH I CREATED THE DIVORCE, I LOVED ALL MY GIRLS, AND I THOUGHT THEY LOVED ME AND MY WORK, AND THAT LUCIA WOULD BE FAIR.

MY PROFESSIONAL PUBLICITY PRIOR TO THE MOVIE, EXCEPT FOR MINOR CRITS WAS ALL POSITIVE. I HAD PUBLICITY IN NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES,
BOOKS, RADIO, AND TV. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR NEGATIVE PRESS, SINCE I CONSIDERED MYSELF AN UPBEAT PERSON TRYING TO IMPROVE THE WORLD. THE MOVIE HAS MADE MY PERSONAL LIFE PUBLIC.

LUCIA SENT A FINAL CUT OF THE MOVIE AFTER SHOOTING IT FOR SEVEN YEARS AND TOLD ME TO GATHER A GROUP OF PEOPLE TOGETHER AND SHOW THE MOVIE, AND THAT MY INPUT WAS NOT SOUGHT AND THE MOVIE WAS FINISHED.

I HAD THE SHOWING IN MY MONUMENT HOUSE IN OREGON AT DUSK. I WAS IN SHOCK ,AND I THINK THE SMALL GROUP GATHERED WAS AS WELL, ALL CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS WELL CRAFTED. MY FATHER THE GENIUS BY LUCIA SMALL IS AN ENTERTAINING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING MOVIE. BUT AS MANY OF MY CLOSE FRENDS POINTED OUT IT WOULD BE DAMAGING TO ME. THE WORK WAS SHOWN, BUT NOT IN A SEDUCTIVE RATIONAL MANNER AND THE DIVORCE PART SHOWED ME AS A DAMAGING FATHER. THE ENDING OF THE FILM BEING LOVING, BUT THAT COULD NOT HEAL THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THE MOVIE SHOWED OF MY INFLUENCE ON MY DAUGHTERS.

MOVIES ARE LIKE BOOKS AND PUBLISHED PRINT. PEOPLE BELIEVE THEM TO BE THE TRUTH. THERE CAN BE VARYING VIEWS IF EDITED DIFFERENTLY, INFORMATION LEFT OUT, AND OTHER POINTS OF VIEW NOT DISCUSSED. ETC.

AS LUCIA POINTED OUT TO ME, ” SHE HAD TO EXAGGERATE TO CREATE CONFLICT AND DRAMA THAT THE MOVIE NEEDED.” SHE SAID” NOBODY CARES ABOUT ARCHITECTURE, BUT EVERYBODY CARES ABOUT DIVORCE.” MOVIES ARE ALSO LIMITED IN TIME, SO JUST ONE LINERS AND SOUND BITS HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT ALL. LUCIA, NOT BEING AN ARCHITECT DID HER BEST TO UNDERSTAND, BUT WAS REALLY NOT UP TO DELVING INTO THE DEEPTH OF MY DESIGNS AND CONCERNS. THERE ARE OTHER MOVIES TO BE MADE ON MY WORK AND BOOKS TO BE WRITTEN.

AS POINTED OUT IN ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES, PARENTHOOD. THE GRANDMOTHER SAYS, LIFE IS A ROLLER COASTER. IT HAS ITS UP AND DOWNS WHEN LIVED FULL OUT, WHEREAS THE MERRY GO ROUND IS PLEASANT, BORING AND SAFE. BUT THE LINE THAT REALLY HITS ME IN THE FACE IS THAT, ONE NEEDS A LICENSE TO HAVE A DOG, A LICENSE TO GET MARRIED , A LICENSE TO DRIVE A CAR , AND A LICENSE TO GO FISHING, BUT NOTHING TO HAVE CHILDREN. I HAVE WATCHED PARENTHOOD MANY TIMES AND I START CRYING AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY AND CONTINUE TO CRY UNTIL THE END OF THE FILM. IT TOUCHES ON SO MANY ASPECTS OF DIVORCE AND WHAT IT TAKES TO RAISE KIDS AND STAY TOGETHER .

I NEEDED A LICENSE TO HAVE CHILDREN WITH A THICK TRAINING MANUAL IN RED EMPHASIZING THE DOWNSIDE TO THE CHILDREN WHEN THERE IS A DIVORCE. CHRISTINE IN THE MOVIE POINTS OUT I WAS AN ADULT, WHY SHOULD I NEED COUNSELING OR SOUND ADVICE TO SEE THE OBVIOUS. YOU WOULD THINK I COULD GRASP WHAT MY DEPARTURE TO THE CHILDREN MEANT. WELL I DID NOT.
ALL THE COUNSELING I GOT WAS ON HOW TO FINANCIALLY SURVIVE. ALSO, HER MOTHER DID NOT DEMAND I RETURN NOR FIGHT FOR ME TO KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER, IT WAS NOT HER STYLE, SO MAYBE IT WAS A RELIEF IN SOME WAYS TO HER AS WELL. WE WERE BOTH YOUNG AND REALLY NOT AWARE OF WHAT REALLY MATTERED FOR THE KIDS. CHRISTINE WAS 8 LUCIA 6 AND JULIE 4 WHEN I LEFT.

JOANNE AND I MET IN CHURCH, SHE PLAYED THE PIANO AND I LEAD THE COLLEGE YOUTH GROUP SONGS. WE WERE YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL AND HAPPY. THE MARRIAGE ALLOWED US TO BE HONEST ABOUT OUR PHYSICAL DESIRES AND NEEDS. THIS WAS 1958 A TIME THAT FREE LOVE WAS NOT SANCTIONED. I WAS TWENTY AND SHE 18. JOANNE GAVE UP COLLEGE TO WORK TO ALLOW ME TO FINISH MY SCHOOLING. TWO YEARS LATER WE HAD CHRISTINE. I GRADUATED AND BECAME THE BREAD WINNER. HAVING KIDS WAS THE NORMAL PROCESS AFTER MARRIAGE. WITH MY PROFESSIONAL PURSUIT WE MOVED OFTEN, EUGENE TO ALASKA, LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO, MICHIGAN AND THEN BACK TO LOS ANGELES. ALL WITHIN ELEVEN YEARS. NINE DIFFERENT ABODES, I HAD 17 DIFFERENT OFFICE JOBS THAT I WORKED FOR IN THAT TIME PERIOD. PLUS TEACHING . OH YES I WAS IN THE ARMY FOR SIX MONTHS.

JOANNE WAS A REAL TROOPER AND STAYED GROUNDED. I WAS THE BREAD WINNER AND SHE TOOK CARE OF THE KIDS. WE BOTH WERE PROGRAMMED TO GET AN EDUCATION, GET MARRIED, AND HAVE KIDS. SHE TO BE THE HOUSE KEEPER, MOTHER AND WIFE, AND I TO WORK IN AN OFFICE AS AN APPRENTICE ARCHITECT, GET MY LICENSE AND EVENTUALLY HAVE MY OWN OFFICE. MY PARENTS HAD FOLLOWED A SIMILAR PATH.

PROFESSIONALLY I WAS EVOLVING QUICKLY AND WAS CONSTANTLY SEEKING A BETTER WAY. JOANNE WAS SEEKING STABILITY, SHE CAME FROM A VERY CHALLENGING FAMILY AND NEEDED A NEST. WE HAD DIFFERENT PHYSICAL NEEDS AND NOT THE EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH THESE DIFFERENCES.

HINDSIGHT IS 20 20 VISION, I SHOULD HAVE TRIED IN DEPTH MARRIAGE COUNSELING,. THE ONE TIME I TRIED A MARRIAGE THERAPIST, HE WAS CLUELESS TO DEAL WITH A CREATIVE IDEALIST SOUL AND WHEN I CAUGHT HIM BUTTERING ME UP BEFORE DEALING THE DOWN SIDE IT SHOOK HIM UP. I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JOANNE. I LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE GUESTS WERE VISITING AND WENT TO MY OFFICE IN VENICE. THIS WAS NOT AGAINST THE CHILDREN, THIS WAS RUNNING AWAY FROM A WOMAN THAT I FOUND INCOMPATIBLE .

EXCEPT FOR A BRIEF FLING OF LIVING ALONE IN THE DORM AT CRANBROOK IN THE FALL OF 1966, I LIVED WITH MY FAMILY. WE HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR ELEVEN YEARS WHEN I LEFT. 1958-1969

IN THE MOVIE WHEN ASKED WHY I LEFT, I MADE A GENERAL STATEMENT THAT AT THAT TIME IT WAS EXCITING WITH LOTS OF NEW THINGS HAPPENING AND I WITH A WIFE AND KIDS I WAS HELD BACK. SO I LEFT. THIS IS NOT A CORRECT STATEMENT. I NEVER FELT LIKE THE KIDS HELD ME BACK, JULIE CLAIMS I MADE THAT STATEMENT TO HER THAT THE KIDS HELD ME BACK PROFESSIONALLY. I PROBABLY DID SAY THAT. WHAT A TERRIBLE THING TO SAY TO YOUNG KIDS, I APOLOGIZE. I KNOW IN MY PROFESSIONAL WORK SLIDE SHOW, I HAD ZORBO THE GREEK REPLYING AFTER BEING ASKED IF HE HAD MARRIED, SAYING YES WIFE, CHILDREN, HOUSE THE FULL CATASTROPHE, SHOWING A PICTURES OF THE KIDS AND WIVES FROM MY TWO FAMILIES. THIS WAS A PROFESSIONAL JOKE. GOT LOTS OF LAUGHS, BUT IN NO WAY WAS I DENOUNCING MY KIDS,. CHRISTINE POINTED OUT IN THE MOVIE THAT I WAS PROUD OF MY KIDS. I MADE THE CHOICE TO HAVE KIDS. I ENJOYED AND LOVED MY KIDS, I APOLOGIZE. I LEFT A WIFE I WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH, MAYBE SHE WAS HOLDING ME BACK TO SEEING THE EXCITING WORLD. I TRIED AGAIN WITH MILICA WITH THE SAME RESULT OF DIVORCE, ALTHOUGH SHE ADMIRED AND SUPPORTED MY WORK, BUT AGAIN WE WERE INCOMPATIBLE. I AM TRYING AGAIN WITH MY THIRD WIFE CHRISTIAN. WE ARE STILL TOGETHER AFTER SIX YEARS. MARRIAGE IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. MY DAUGHTERS ARE NOW AWARE OF THIS FACT.

IN THE MOVIE JOANNE STATES THAT MY WORK WAS BUCK ROGERS AND SHE DID NOT RELATE. SHE KEPT SILENT TO ME ABOUT THESE FEELINGS WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER. SHE WAS HELPFUL. ASSISTING ME COMPOSE THE WRITTEN STUFF. SHE ALSO HAD A BEAUTIFUL SCRIPT FOR WRITING THAT I USED FOR THE SF FOUNTAIN COMPETITION.. SHE WAS LIVING WITH A MAN SHE COULD NOT SANCTION PROFESSIONALLY AND YET HIS MAJOR DRIVE WAS HIS WORK. SHE STATES IN THE MOVIE I WAS CLUELESS TO HER NEEDS AND DESIRES. THAT IS TRUE, AND I STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE. THE PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENCE SURFACED WHEN I WAS TAKING MY MASTERS IN MICHIGAN AT THE CRANBROOK ACADEMY OF ART. LUCIA HAS STATED TO ME AFTER DOING THE MOVIE THAT HER MOTHER AND I WERE NOT COMPATIBLE.

I AM A HARD ONE TO BE WITH IN PUBLIC , BECAUSE IF I DO NOT LIKE SOMETHING NOR AGREE WITH SOMEONE, I WILL SPEAK MY MIND. THIS UPSETS A LOT OF PEOPLE. SO I AM A CHALLENGE. JOANNE WAS A PEOPLE PERSON.

LIFE IS A LONG ROAD OVER MANY YEARS, AND KNOWLEDGE GROWS. I LOOK BACK ON THE PATH I TOOK, AND I SAY TO MYSELF I COULD HAVE STAYED AND MADE THAT RELATIONSHIP WORK. NOT FOR JOANNE AND ME, BUT FOR THE CHILDREN. . THE KIDS DID WITNESS A BIT OF FIGHTING BETWEEN JOANNE AND I, BUT NOTHING MAJOR LIKE THE MY SECOND FAMILY SAW BETWEEN MILICA AND I, WHICH WAS DAMAGING.

I AM THE FUN PART OF THE FAMILY. I PUT THE FAMILY OUTINGS TOGETHER, ROLLED ON THE GRASS, THREW THE BALLS, BUILT SAND CASTLES, SAND SCULPTURES, SEARCHED TIDE POOLS, FISHING EXCURSIONS, SWUNG THE KIDS, TAUGHT THEM TO RIDE BIKES, BOUGHT THEM CARS, TOOK THEM CAMPING, VISIT THE MUSEUMS. LA BREA TAR PITS, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, SCIENCE MUSEUM, SOUTH WEST MUSEUM, GRIFFITH PARK OBSERVATORY, THE MOVIES AT FOX VENICE THEATER, BOUGHT THEM ICE CREAM, VISIT FRIENDS, TOOK THEM TO THE BEACH AND SHOWED THEM HOW TO BODY SURF. ETC. TELL THEM STORIES AND TICKLE THEM. HALLOWEEN COSTUMES BEING MY FAVORITE, BUILDING THEIR COSTUMES. I WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR THEM GRADUATING , SCHOOL PLAYS. PARTIES. ETC WE SANG A LOT OF GROUP SONGS IN THE CAR, JIMMY CRACK CORN, O MISTER MOON, MANANA , O WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND BIG BAD BILL. I WAS THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT ADVENTURESOME GUY. LUCIA WANTED ME ATTENDING HER SPORTING EVENTS. I WAS CLUELESS. SHE DID NOT LET ME KNOW.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY GIRLS WAS HAPPY AND LOVING. I ENJOYED THEM AND I HAD NO INDICATION FROM THEM THAT THEY DID NOT ENJOY ME. WE PLAYED TOGETHER, LAUGHED TOGETHER. AS I REMEMBER THERE WAS VERY LITTLE CRYING. THE CRYING WAS BETWEEN THEM WITH SIBLING FIGHTS. WHEN I PICKED THEM UP ON SUNDAYS. THEY NEVER SHARED THAT THEY WERE MISERABLE LIVING IN THEIR HOUSE, NOR THE MOTHER WAS MEAN TO THEM. NOR THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE WITH ME. I WAS CLUELESS. THE ONE EXCEPTION BEING A CALL FROM CHRISTINE AT NIGHT WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT ELEVEN TELLING ME HER MOTHER HATED HER. I TOLD HER THAT HER MOTHER LOVED HER, AND COULD I PLEASE TALK TO HER MOTHER. WHICH I DID AND JOANNE SEEMED TO BE NICE AND UNDER CONTROL.. WHEN MARRIED I NEVER WITNESSED HARSH TREATMENT OF THE GIRLS NOR BAD CONDUCT FROM JOANNE TOWARDS THEM. CHRISTINE WAS TRAUMATIZED BY HER MOTHER, I HAD NO IDEA. AND IF I HAD I WOULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION.

THE MAJOR OUTINGS BEING CAMPING TRIPS TO THE SIERRAS MOUNTAINS BEHIND INDEPENDENCE TO LITTLE POT HOLE. A HIKE STRAIGHT UP THE MOUNTAIN WITH ME CARRYING A HUGE PACK OF EVERYTHING. CHRISTINE WANTED TO HAVE A FAMILY REUNION THERE A FEW YEARS AGO. MY LATE SISTER PHYLLIS AND JIM HER HUSBAND IN SAN DIEGO AND THEIR THREE KIDS, CAROLYN, GREG AND KENT. WE HAD A TON OF TRIPS AND OUTING TO THEIR HOME. WE ALL HAD FUN THERE BEFORE AND AFTER THE DIVORCE AND TO THIS DAY JIM IS EVER SUPPORTING. THE IDEAL UNCLE. OTHER TRIPS TO SEQUOIA WITH MY MOTHER SETTING UP A HILARIOUS TENT, AND CHRISTINE RESCUING ERIC AFTER HE HAD FALLEN INTO THE RIVER. A TRIP TO ENSENADA MEXICO WITH MY MOTHER’S CAR GETTING STUCK IN A RIVER, ECT. AND RIDING HORSES ON THE BEACH. AND WHEN I HAD MY OFFICE OUT OF MY GM MOTOR HOME A TRIP NORTH TO POINT CONCEPTION BEACH THAT ENDED UP IN SANTA BARBARA WITH TOM ENGERSOL AND MARY AFTER A GAS LINE RUPTURE ,THAT I FIXED, AND WAS DRENCHED IN GASOLINE. A VERY DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE. LEO CARILLO BEACH, AND TUMBLING DOWN THE SAND DUNES NORTH. TORREY PINES, PALOS VERDES,PACIFIC BEACH, ZUMA BEACH. SAN ONOFRE CAMPING OVER NIGHT AND BUILDING WITH THE DRIFT WOOD. FERNDALE PARK THE ULTIMATE GREEN SPOT IN GRIFFITH PARK. HUNTINGTON HARTFORD MUSEUM IN PASADENA. THE LIST IS ENDLESS. JULIE TALKS ABOUT THESE SUNDAYS ORCHESTRATED-BY MY WANTS, GIVE ME A BREAK ,THESE SUNDAYS WERE FOR THE GIRLS, NOT WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN ALONE. I WAS ALWAYS UP FOR SUGGESTIONS, LIKE HER MID EVIL CONTEST OF GAMES AT BARNSDALE PARK , (FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOLLYHOCK HOUSE), AND OUTINGS TO WILL ROGERS PARK FOR HER SCHOOL ETC. IF A SUGGESTION WAS MADE BY THE KIDS IT WAS HONORED.

I LIVED NEXT TO THE BEACH, SO THE KIDS COMING FROM THEIR HOUSE ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN TO MY ABODES WERE A REAL TREAT, BEING ON FLAT LAND FOR BIKE RIDES AND WALKING. THE BIKE RIDES WERE MAJOR FROM VENICE TO MANHATTAN BEACH AND ALL THE STOPS AND THRILLS ALONG THE WAY. RIDING BIKES THROUGH A SHOWER OF FIREWORKS ON THE FOUTH OF JULY. IN SANTA MONICA ETC

THE HOUSE ON MULHOLLAND THAT WE WERE LIVING IN AT THE TIME OF DIVORCE. I MADE AN IMMEDIATE STAND ON THAT WE WOULD KEEP. THE SETTLEMENT STATING I WOULD BEAR THE EXPENSE UNTIL JULIE TURNING 18, I WOULD CASH OUT JOANNE AT A MAJOR PORTION OF ITS WORTH. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I NEEDED TO REFINANCE THE HOUSE AND TERMINATE THE FIRST LOAN. AS YOU KNOW, HOUSING IS THE MAJOR COST OF LIVING IN LA. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE GOES UP. THE ORIGINAL PAYMENT WAS A STRETCH FOR ME FINANCIALLY AND LEGALLY I COULD HAVE SETTLED FOR LESS, BUT IT WAS AN INVESTMENT AND THE FAMILY WAS HAPPY THERE, I THOUGHT.

THE MULHOLLAND HOUSE WAS DESIGNED BY GILBERT HERSBERGER, OF SOUTH PASADENA, AN EXQUISITE WOODIE GOODIE HOUSE. THIS POST AND SPLIT BM HOUSE WAS A GEM. PART OF AN ESTATE WITH A BRIDGE TO THE REMODELED LARGER HOUSE WITH SWIMMING POOL. IT HAD A LARGE LOT, WITH NATURAL PLANTS. THE LOT WAS SO LARGE THAT I REALLY NEVER EXPLORED IT FULLY. THERE WAS ROOM TO RUN AROUND AND CLIMB ALL OVER, LIKE BEING IN THE WILDERNESS ON A HILL, BUT STILL AT HOME.

THE UPKEEP WAS HORRIFIC, BECAUSE WOOD IS REALLY NOT MEANT FOR THE HOT SUMMER WEATHER ON MULHOLLAND DRIVE ON THE VALLEY SIDE. IT HAD A HUGE DECK WITH HIGH SPLIT BEAM TRELLIS. AN OPEN PLAN AND FANTASTIC ALL GLASS VIEWS OF THE VALLEY FROM EVERY ROOM. IT WAS MAGICAL AND A TOTAL DELIGHT TO LIVE IN. THE CARPORT WAS SIXTY STEPS AWAY UP ON AN ADJOINING LOT THAT I RENTED.

THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS BUSTLING WITH WEALTH AND CELEBRITIES.

THE ONLY REASON WE GOT IT WAS THAT IT WAS SO UNSUAL, SMALL, AND CHALLENGING WITH A DETACHED SEPARATE BEDROOM, THE LONG CAR PORT DISTANCE AND EXTRA LOT COST. NOBODY WANTED IT. TO ME IS WAS PERFECT, SO CALIFORNIA, SO ALIVE, SO ARCHITECTURAL. A BIT OVER
BUDGET, BUT AFFORDABLE. THE COMMUNITY WE LIVED IN MICHIGAN WHILE TAKING MY MASTERS WAS CALLED
BERKELEY. A RENTED HOUSE IN A FLAT SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD. THE HOUSES WERE MODEST AND THERE WAS ABUNDANCE OF KIDS. A RANGE OF FAMILIES FROM THE ASSEMBLY LINE AUTO WORKER BEHIND US TO THE DETROIT SYMPHONY FRENCH HORN PLAYER UP THE STREET. I PAINTED OUR DOOR PURPLE AND GOT FLAK FROM THE NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE COLOR. WE WENT TO LA IN 1967.

MY ADVICE TO ANY YOUNG FAMILY IS TO BE WHERE THERE ARE A BUNCH OF KIDS IN THE AREA, IT IS SAFE, GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY CAN RIDE THEIR BIKES. HILLY NEIGHBORHOODS ARE TOO ISOLATED.

THE NEIGHBORS ON MULHOLLAND ON EITHER SIDE HAD SWIMMING POOLS. JOHN VERNON AND NANCY VERNON LIVED NEXT DOOR WITH THEIR THREE KIDS. KATE, NANCY,AND OLDER SON. JOHN VERNON AND NANCY WERE ACTORS, THE LATE JOHN BEING AN ACTOR OF SOME NOTE. THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT IN ANIMAL HOUSE, THE LAW MAN TRACKING DOWN CLINT EASTWOOD IN QUINCY JONES. HE WAS A RICHARD BURTON TYPE THAT WAS LOUD AND ENTERTAINING. LIKE BURTON HE HAD BEEN A SHAKESPEARIAN ACTOR IN CANADA THAT HAD COME TO HOLLYWOOD TO MAKE MOVIES FOR MONEY. AT HOME HE WAS ON STAGE. A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN I, BUT NOT MUCH. THERE WAS A WRITER COUPLE A FEW DOORS AWAY THAT NEVER CHECKED IN. FAYE DUNAWAY JUST DOWN THE STREET OF BONNIE AND CLYDE. FAME. A BIT FURTHER ON MULHOLLAND JACK NICHOLSON AND MARLON BRANDO. WILT CHAMBERLAIN WAS ON A HILL NEARBY.

THERE WAS A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VERNON’S AND OUR KIDS . KATE AND CHRISTINE WERE THE SAME AGE AND NANCY WAS THE SAME AGE AS LUCIA. JULIE WAS LEFT OUT, BUT WENT ALONG. THEIR POOL WAS NICE AND THE KIDS LIKED EACH OTHER. THEY WERE NOT HOME FULL TIME . THE VERNON’S HAD A VERY ACTIVE LIFE . I DID A REMODEL FOR JOHN, BUT HE WENT WITH A CONTRACTOR. HIS TASTE WAS NOT AS GOOD AS HIS ACTING.

SO WHEN CHRISTINE TALKS ABOUT BEING ALONE WITH HER SIBLINGS A LOT, THAT IS TRUE. SHE NEVER COMPLAINED TO ME UNTILL A FEW YEARS AGO. I AM SO SORRY, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF I HAD KNOWN AT THE TIME SHE WAS MISERABLE AND TRAUMATIZED ,BUT I WOULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION, SHE WAS MY DARLING. HER REASONING IS THAT IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE I LEFT.

JULIE WROTE STORIES, READ AND LIVED IN HER OWN WORLD. I REMODELED THE POOL DRESSING ROOM FOR HER. THAT PROVIDED DESK, DRESSING, AND BED IN AN 6FT BY 8 FT SPACE SO SHE WAS CONSTANTLY SURROUNDED BY DESIGN. SHE CLAIMS SHE LIKED IT.

I BUILT A DESK AND BED SYSTEM FOR CHRISTINE AND LUCIA AS WELL. BED ABOVE WITH DESKS BELOW. FUN STUFF AND HIGH DESIGN ALL BOLTED TOGETHER.

LUCIA WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. I MADE A LADDER FOR HER TO VISIT A FRIEND NEXT DOOR PART OF THE OLD ESTATE WITH POOL.

I BUILT SWINGS ON THE HILL, A CHALLENGE.

I KNOW THAT BOTH CHRISTINE AND LUCIA ,ONCE THEY COULD DRIVE A CAR, WHICH I PROVIDED, GOT OUT OF MULHOLLAND TO LIVE WITH FRIENDS.

CHRISTINE LIVED BRIEFLY WITH ME AND MILICA IN THE VENICE STUDIO IN A TENT I DESIGNED, ANOTHER TIME NEXT DOOR IN AN ATTIC I REMODELED FOR HER.

IT IS THEIR STORY, THEY CAN TELL IT A LOT BETTER THAN I.

JULIE STAYED WITH HER MOM.

MY ABODES CONSTANTLY CHANGING FOR THE GIRLS TO INTERACT WITH ALONG WITH WOMEN, UNTIL I MET MILICA A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER THE DIVORCE. AN OFFICE IN VENICE A HALF BLOCK FROM THE BEACH IN THE CENTER OF ACTIVITY, AN APARTMENT COURT YARD COTTAGE ON THE WALKWAY IN VENICE A HALF BLOCK FROM THE BEACH CLOSE TO EVERYTHING, BEACH, PIER, MUSCLE MEN, FOOD. AN HISTORICAL IRVING GILL COURT YARD HOUSE MILICA AND I RESTORED A HALF BLOCK FROM THE BEACH IN SANTA MONICA, A STONES THROW AWAY FROM JANE FONDA AND THOM HAYDEN. AN ARTIST STUDIO THAT ED MOSSES AND FRANK GHERY HAD SOME SAY ABOUT. A GREAT SPACE WITH TWO MAJOR VOLUMES SEPARATED MY A KITCHEN, BATH, EATING AREA WITH OFFICE AND SLEEPING ABOVE OFF A MAJOR ROOF DECK . THE LAST DWELLING BEING A GEM OF A HOUSE DESIGNED BY MILICA A BLOCK AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE BEACH. THE KIDS BEING IN THEIR LATE TEENS AND HAVING LIFES OF THEIR OWN, ATTENDED PARTIES, THEIR SUNDAYS THEY FILLED UP WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY WERE IMMERSED IN ARCHITECTURAL SPACES, LIVING IN THE FAMILY HOME AND VISITING MY NEW ARCHITECTURAL ABODES AND THE TRIPS AROUND THE CITY LOOKING AT ARCHITECTURE.
I TOOK THEM ON A STUDENT CAMP OUT TO PISMO BEACH WHERE THEY SLEPT WITH ME IN MY FOLDED PLATE STRUCTURE THAT HAD FOUR PROGRESSIVE SIZE SPACES FOR OUR SIZES. ALL LOTS OF FUN AND DIFFERENT. THE STUDENT PROJECTS PUBLISHED IN THE HOME SECTION OF THE LA TIMES. TOOK THEM TO PALOS VERDES AND WAYFARERS CHAPEL, BY LLOYD WRIGHT, THE BRADBERRY BUILDING, CENTRAL MARKET DOWNTOWN. AND OLERVIA STREET.

THE PLACES TO EAT, THE ORE HOUSE WITH SAW DUST FLOORS , EVERY CONCEIVABLE OBJECT HANGING FROM THE CEILING. AND GREAT HAMBURGERS. THE LITTLE IN WITH A SWEDISH SMORGASBORD THAT TOTALLY SATISFIED THEIR TASTE, CHUNG KING WITH MOON SHUNG PORK, THE ALL YOU CAN EAT NEAR PICO AND CONTINENTAL, ICE CREAM PARLORS. APPLE PAN , THE PANTRY, MCDONALD’S, JACK IN THE BOX , CAFE 50 IES THEY WERE FED.

KIDS NEED LOVE. WE WERE ALWAYS HUGGING AND PLAYING. THERE WAS NO HOSTILITY. AS POINTED OUT BY A THERAPIST FRIEND, WHAT THEY NEEDED WAS MORE OF ME. I REMEMBER TAKING JULIE TO GET THE STEEL TOE CONSTRUCTION BOOTS WHEN SHE WAS IN HER TOUGH LOOK ERA. ROSES WHEN SHE WAS THE STAR IN DON QUIXOTE PLAY IN HOLLYWOOD HIGH. A NIGHT AT VERDI OPERA SUPPER CLUB ON WILSHIRE DESIGNED BY THOM MAYNE AND MICHAEL ROTUNDI.

I DID DISCUSS SOME OF MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN FRIENDS WITH THEM WHEN THEY WERE TEENS. I REGRET THIS, MY KIDS WERE FRIENDS, WHEN THEY REALLY WERE TOO YOUNG AND SENSITIVE TO GIVE DAD ADVICE. I RECOMMEND TO FATHERS NOT TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES. IT DAMAGES KIDS, I REGRET THIS.

MY MOTHER WAS A BUNDLE OF JOY FOR THE KIDS, SHE LOVED HAVING THEM AROUND, BEFORE AND AFTER THE DIVORCE. I OFTEN PUT TRIPS TOGETHER TO VISIT HER WITH THE KIDS. THEY SLEPT OVER AND WERE TREATED LIKE PRINCESSES WHICH THEY WERE.

THEN THERE WERE THE VISTS TO MY FRIENDS WITH MY KIDS. THERE WAS CARLOS HAGEN IN MALIBU, A KPFK MUSIC LEGEND AND PHILOSOPHER FROM CHILE, JENNEY LIVING WITH JULIE GALLAS, WITH A HUGE WARM HOUSE IN SANTA MONICA WITH KIDS AND IDEALISM AND ANOTHER HOUSE IN MALIBU COLONY ON THE BEACH WITH THE WEALTHY, DENNIS AIGNER THE HEAD OF ECONOMICS AT USC WITH HIS COMBINED FAMILY OF SEVEN, RAY KAPPE WITH HIS MONUMENTAL GORGEOUS HOUSE IN SANTA MONICA CANYON WITH A CREEK RUNNING UNDERNEATH, SUSAN NELSON SANTA MONICA ACTIVISTS . FRED HANES THE EX DIRECTOR OF KPFK AND WRITER, JOHN HARRIS SCULPTOR ARTIST THAT LIVED OUT HIS MOTOR HOME WHERE EVER HE WAS LIVING AT TIME, OR THE WILD PAINTER SCULPTOR PAINTER ZORITH IN PASADENA, TOM INGERSOL IN MARINA DEL REY WITH THE LARGE SEA WATER FISH TANKS. . HERMAN PETTEGROVE WINE SALESMAN TURNED LAWYER THAT WAS ALWAYS UP FOR SOME FUN. AHDE LAHTI AND HIS WORLD OF BUILDING ANYTHING. SCI-ARC HAD CONSTANT ACTIVITIES. ONE NIGHT I HAD A PRESENTATION AT SCI-ARC AND I HAD MY KIDS CARRY IN LIVE PLANTS, BUNNIE RABBITS, ROCKS, ETC. TO CELEBRATE NATURE BEHIND A MOTORCYCLE WITH A SCRENE OF DRY ICE. PETER COOK IN ATTENDANCE. A BANG UP 40 YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY IN THE VENICE STUDIO THAT HAD EVERYBODY IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDING TIMOTHY LEARY, MY WIVES, SISTER AND ALL MY WILD PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS. THE GREEN MACHINE ERA.

ONE OF THE TRAMAS THAT THE GIRLS EXPERIENCE WAS THE RUDENESS OF MILICA MY SECOND WIFE INTERACTING WITH THEM. MILICA WAS OUT OF CONTROL ON HOW TO INTERACT WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG SOULS. SHE WAS JEALOUS OF THEM AND JUST PUT UP WITH THEM. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A MUCH TOUGHER STANCE WITH MILICA. A DIVORCED LAWYER FRIEND OF MY MINE TOLD ME THAT IF A WOMAN FRIEND COULD NOT INTERACT IN A POSITIVE WAY WITH HIS KIDS, HE REMOVED HER FROM HIS LIFE IMMEDIATELY. I WAS VERY WEAK KNEADED ABOUT HER CONDUCT. THE KIDS DESERVED MORE FROM ME. CHRISTINE BEING THE OLDEST AND TALLEST TOOK THE BRUNT OF MILICAS BEHAVIOR. I SHOULD HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS, BUT I DID SEE FIRST HAND MILICA’S COLDNESS. I APOLOGIZE. AND MILICA APOLOGIZES. I WILL WRITE ANOTHER ON DIVORCE TWO IF NECESSARY. YASMINA AND ERIK AS THEY GREW UP INTERACTED WITH THEIR OLDER SISTERS. THAT MADE FIVE TO EXPERIENCE GOOD TIMES. THE KIDS DID WELL INTERACTING.

I WAS A FIRM BELIEVER THAT A GIRL SHOULD HAVE HER OWN TRANSPORTATION AND NOT RELY ON MEN TO GET AROUND. SO I BOUGHT CARS AND INSURANCE FOR THE GIRLS WHEN THEY TURNED 16. THE CHOICE BEING A KARMEN KIA CONVERTIBLE: CHRISTINE SILVER, LUCIA BLUE, JULIE RED. JOANNE GAVE JULIE A DIFFERENT CAR, AND WHEN JULIE ASKED FOR ME FOR A CAR I GAVE HER MY KARMEN GHIA THAT LASTED FOR ONE WHOLE WEEK, BEING STOLEN IN HOLLYWOOD WHERE SHE LIVED. BUT THE INSURANCE MONEY GOT HER INTO ANOTHER CAR.

ALSO UPON GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL I BOUGHT CHRISTINE A TRIP TO EUROPE, LUCIA WENT OFF TO SPAIN, AND JULIE OFF TO ENGLAND. THE LATTER TWO I AM NOT SURE OF ALL THE FINANCING, BUT I DID CONTRIBUTE AND ENCOURAGE. I THINK BOTH HAD SCHOLARSHIPS INVOLVED.

ALL THREE GIRLS GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. CHRISTINE FROM UCLA, LUCIA FROM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA CRUZ AND JULIE A BACHELOR FROM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LA JOLLA AND A MASTERS FROM USC. I DID CONTRIBUTE TO FINANCING PART OF THEIR UNDERGRADUATE HIGHER EDUCATION. THEY ALL WORKED HARD TO MAKE FINANCIAL BUDGETS WORK. I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM.

THEY ARE SMART, CREATIVE , TALENTED AND IDEALISTIC .

KIDS ARE FOREVER, AND THERE ARE THE UPS AND DOWNS. TIMES CHANGE, AND MATURITY HAPPENS WITH THEM AS WELL AS PARENTS.

JULIE IN THE MOVIE WAS THE MOST CRITICAL, AND WANTED TO SAY MORE. LIVING IN ALAMEDA CALIFORNIA NEAR HER HOME IN EL CERRITO RECENTLY, WE HAD TIME TO SPEND TOGETHER AND WE SHARED A COMMON LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING. HER NEW FAMILY WITH HER SON JUSTIN AND LAWYER HUSBAND PHILIP AND HIS KIDS BROUGHT US CLOSER TOGETHER . SHE EVEN COULD RELATE TO MILICA INTERACTING WITH HER AS A CHILD AS A STEP MOTHER AND TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD IN HER CHILDHOOD. SHE IS AN OUTSTANDING INVESTIGATOR RADIO REPORTER FOR KPFK PUBLIC RADIO AND HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR HER STORIES. HER LATEST REPORTING OF MEDICAL TREATMENT IN CALIFORNIA PRISONS. HER PASSION IS REVEALING THE TRUTH. IN THE MOVIE SHE GIVES A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE WHERE SHE WAS LIVING IN WEST LA. , CREATIVE PLANNING IDEALISTIC CONCERNS, SOMETHING RUBBED OFF.

LUCIA AND I ARE CLOSE AND THE MOVIE HAS BROUGHT US TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT WE KNOW EACH OTHERS SOULS. NOW SHE RELATES AND CARES FOR ME WITH ACTIONS AND DEEDS. THE MOVIE WAS THE FIRST THING ON HER OWN, AND ALTHOUGH IT HAS BROUGHT HER NOTORIETY AND FAME IT HAS BEEN A CURSE AROUND HER NECK. SHE IS VERY SENSITIVE, AND WANTS THE BEST FOR ME , HER SISTERS AND MOTHER. SHE CRIED ONE WHOLE WEEKEND WHEN I GOT A SCATHING REVIEW IN THE BOSTON GLOBE BY AN ARCHITECTUAL CRITIC AFTER SEEING THE MOVIE. , IN THE MOVIE SHE TALKED ABOUT I NOT BEING IN HER LIFE, STANDING IN FRONT OF THE BLUE SHINY KARMEN GHIA I HAD JUST GIVEN HER. HER ENDING IN THE FILM OF MY PHONE MESSAGE HAS BROUGHT MANY A POSITIVE TEAR. SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER MOVIES, SHE LIKES HARD CORE STORIES OF TAKING ON THE WORLD INJUSTICES . SHE HAS SHOT A TON OF FOOTAGE FOR MY FATHER THE GENIUS 2, WHICH IS TO BE UPBEAT , INFORMATIVE, AND COMICAL, BUT HAS NOT FOUND FINANCIAL BACKING. SEE TEASER ON FILM EXTRAS.

CHRISTINE WAS UPSET THAT THE MOVIE HAD DAMAGED MY CAREER, WHEN THE MOVIE CAME OUT. SHE FELT LUCIA HAD NOT INCLUDED THE POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT ME. CHRISTINE WAS THE ELDEST WHEN THE DIVORCE HAPPENED, SUDDENLY OVERNIGHT HER HAPPY WORLD CHANGED WITHOUT ME BEING THERE FULL TIME. HER MOTHER HAVING TO GO TO WORK AND RESENTING ME AND HER BURDEN. CHRISTINE TOOK JOANNE HEAD ON, AND HER TALES ARE HORRENDOUS HOW SHE WAS ABUSED BY HER MOTHER, SHE WAS DAMAGED FOR LIFE, I BEING BLAMED FOR LEAVING. I WAS CLUELESS TO HER PAIN AND UNHAPPINESS AT THE TIME. THIS IS NOT WHAT SHE WANTS TO HEAR. SHE WANTS A JURY TO FIND ME GUILTY . I HAVE APOLOGIZED WITH WORDS AND WRITING, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH . WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE ON AND OFF FOR YEARS. . CHRISTINE AND I LOVE EACH OTHER. I FEEL SO SORRY FOR HER PAIN. A POSITIVE SIDE OF HER LIFE IS HER PAINTING ART WORK THAT SHE LOVES AND OTHERS DO AS WELL. SHE HAS BEEN IN A NIGHTMARE OF A DIVORCE FOR FOUR YEARS WITH HER HUSBAND THAT LIVES WAY BEYOND HIS HIGH END CONSUMER GREED. A CORRUPT EVIL MAN. HE HAS DRIVEN CHRISTINE TO TEST HER STRENGTHS OF SURVIVAL. WAGING AN ONGOING BATTLE WITH HIM. A BIG CHEER FOR HER INTELLIGENCE AND HARD WORK.

THE GIRLS ARE ADULTS AND KNOW FIRST HAND THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THEIR OWN DIVORCES, AND WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE RELATIONSHIPS WORK.

IN SUMMATION,

I WAS NOT THE IDEAL FATHER, BECAUSE I WAS DRIVEN BY MY WORK AND FINDING MATES THAT I COULD RELATE TO. THIS TOOK A LOT OF ENERGY, TIME AND MONEY.
MY CONDUCT OF NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION OF WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR MY CHILDREN?, I REGRET THAT I WAS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH NOR WISE ENOUGH TO ASK THAT QUESTION. THEREFORE MY SUNDAYS, SLEEP OVERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE WERE INSUFFICIENT. THEY NEEDED A FULL TIME FATHER. I AM SO SORRY, BUT THAT IS HISTORY NOW.

I HAD A PSYCHOLOGIST ONCE SAY WE DO THE BEST WE CAN. THIS IS NOT JUSTIFYING MY BEHAVIOR , BUT I DID NOT ABANDON MY KIDS, I WAS THERE FOR THEM AND BROUGHT THEM HAPPINESS. THEY JUST DID NOT GET ENOUGH. I AM SORRY. SURE IF I HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN I WOULD DO IT DIFFERENTLY.
BUT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THEY ALL TURNED OUT WELL AND ARE GOOD PEOPLE WITH DRIVES TO BETTER THIS PLANET. THEY GOT SOME OF THAT FROM ME, I REGRET THE PAIN I HAVE BROUGHT THEM. BUT THEY WERE NURTURED, WELL EDUCATED, AND GIVEN NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED. A LOT DEPENDED ON THEIR CHOICES THEY MADE, WHICH AS ADULTS WE ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. WE NOW HAVE VERY SERIOUS EXTENSIVE LOVING CONVERSATION, WE ARE CLOSE FRIENDS.,

THERE IS MORE TO TELL, BUT THIS IS ENOUGH.

SO BEFORE THE NEXT JOURNALIST OR MOVIE VIEWER WANTS TO TRASH ME FOR BEING A BAD FATHER , I HOPE AT LEAST THEY READ THIS BLOG FIRST.

WISHING YOU THE BEST,

GLEN

P.S. THE MOVIE MY FATHER THE GENIUS IS ANOTHER BLOG..