Shirley MacLaine
so I did something a bit impulsive on Tuesday (Nov. 6). I hopped on a train in the early afternoon and went up to New York City to attend a two-hour reception in honor of Shirley MacLaine and her new book, “Sage-ing While Age-ing” (Atria Books). I was so intent on being there because Shirley has meant so much to me over the years.
Way back in 1988 or so I was a journalist for the Jerusalem Post Newspaper in Tel Aviv, and Shirley came to town to promote her new film, Madame Souzatzka. Apparently I managed to ask a few “brave” questions at the press conference and later got to spend some time with Shirley at a cocktail reception.
I said “apparently brave” beacause I don’t remember. Shirley sent me a letter after she returned to Los Angeles in which she told me I was braver than the others. That was cool! I didn’t even remember the letter until my mom gave me a copy of it a few months ago when she she was cleaning out some files.
What I did remember, though, was chatting with her and the resulting fabulous 8×10 black and white glossy of the two of us laughing over something unbelievably witty, no doubt. It’s a photo I’ve cherished for years.
Flash foward to 2007 and I finally put my hands on a copy of “Out of a Limb”, and even more importantly, I read “The Camino”, and I began to understand – understand everything!
So that’s why I took a five hour round-trip train ride to spend a few minutes with Shirley. I was able to share the photo with her, to which she exclaimed – “Oh I was so thin!” (she still looks beautiful and thin at 73!) Upon seeing the letter she said – “I actually wrote that”.
We chatted about so many things in a short period of time, including Masaro Emoto, JZ Knight (Ramtha), Twin Souls, Lemuira, the state of New Age bookstores and more. It was a thrill.
The party was nice and cozy at the gorgeous Palace Hotel. My editor from Shelf Awareness (a newsletter for the book industry for which I write) met me there so I felt I had some clout. There were just a few other bookstore owners there. Shirely took a few questions and spoke about UFOs and Dennis Kucinich and how her life now revolves around her 11 dogs.
As soon as I can I’ll put a photo of the party up. Oh – and I’ll read “Sage-ing While Age-ing” and let you know what I think! you can come in a pick up a copy.
