Fan mail!
Sometimes I get responses for posts I wrote days earlier. I figure the three people who read this blog --including, but not limited to my sister, Darlene -- looked at my post when I write it and moved on without reading the letters.
I got this letter today, which is attached to the original post about a beach in Rancho Palos Verdes. People like to take their dogs there, a fact that annoys people who live in the gated community next door. I wanted to make sure you all see it:
If you are dreaming of being Mr. Hollywood, there are a number of Movie-Extra agencies where you could apply and submit a portfolio of your accomplishments. I gather you are a person who simply enjoys drama and controversy among dog lovers and private communities who enjoy the expensive property they've worked so hard to build a life on.
Of course, since you are the author of this blog, you have authority to pick/choose the items you want to print. What an attention junkie you must be! Do you even own a dog?
You'll never guess who wrote it. David Geffen! No, really. That's the name at the bottom of it.
Well, Mr. Geffen, I'm honored that you took the time to write! Here we are, two of the richest men in the world. You because of your vast fortune. And me because, well, because I get letters like that. If you ever buy the Los Angeles Times, can I have a job?
Whoever wrote the letter missed the point. The rich folks who live at the private community --named the Portueguse Bend Club, by the way -- can spend all the time they want frolicking on their private beach.
But the beach next to it is a public beach. It's there for everybody. Feel free to go there. It's not very crowded. You'll have fun. Make a lot of noise. How many times do I have to say it?
As for the letter's other points, yes, I want to be Mr. Hollywood. That's why I became a journalist. Yes, I have power to write anything I want on this blog. I even have the power to appprove all e-mails. Oh, the power, the glory!
And yes, I really have a dog, But if you want him, I'll sell him to you for, oh, say, $2 million.
C'mon Dave, you can afford it!
Actually, the real David Geffen is himself a real beach hog. He has repeatedly tried to keep law-abiding citizens away from their public beach near a home he owns in Malibu. This is how Wikipedia describes the controversy:
Geffen's Malibu home on the Pacific Coast Highway has been a battlefront in an ongoing struggle between property owners and beachgoers over access to public beaches in front of private residences. In 2002, Geffen sued to block access to the public beach in front of his home. His publicly stated concern was safety. In 2005, facing a rising tide of anger, Geffen relented and allowed access through a non-profit group.
That sure was nice of him!
About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
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