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My Evening With Hunter
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How I
Gonzoed at
Gonzo HQ |
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Fireworks shooting off Hunter's ashes out of big red fist. |
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I went with all
intentions of paying homage to
the great man of
words and interviewing his wife. The
scuttlebutting with the public relations folk was reminding me of places
I had been and didn't like -- film festivals where everyone's fighting for
the best party invite... part of me was just happy to be facing the
Colorado mountain gods and breathing aspen-infused air, but I felt I was
also there for a purpose. |
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Being a fan of memorials more than weddings, I tried my best to "get in"...
even wearing my best western skirt and lop-sided smile. With good friend
Tim and DC journalist Jamie, we hired a taxi service to make it look like we
had just arrived by plane.. Cargo, the driver, did his best to make us look
like 'players'.. I even had the name of a sexy blonde Hollywood type male
who had arrived by plane and said I was his date... the young guard found
Kevin's name on the roster and though it didn't say "plus-one" it was almost
conceivable that I might be his date.
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To my luck the whole page of guests whose last name ended in C was
missing... was I almost in? Well, he turned to my comrades in the back seat
and they didn't have dates or names to use and being an 'all for one and one
for all' type, I couldn't separate myself from the guys. We were all turned
away. Not that the punishment was too bad, more drinks at
Woody Creek
Tavern is an easy enough rejection. |
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But later when I stood
with the media, literally on the other side of the fence, waiting for the
big towered fist to ejaculate Hunter's ashes, I got to thinking of how the
separation was just a little too symbolic of all the
them and
us feelings being generated in the last 8 years. Would
Hunter really care if they let a few scraggly AP writers in for one
drink and a round of
Tambourine Man?
I didn't think so.. I understand the
celebs like their privacy,
but this was supposed to be about HIM, not their privacy.
And all the people standing around with me were hungry for his
inspiration...they just weren't there for a story. They needed a zap of the Hunter
energy which a few fireworks weren't likely to provide. |
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AP journalist (left) who has sullied my reputation -- minor story for a
man whose spent years in Africa -- standing next to young journalist from
United Arab Emirates. He's the one who really wanted to run down the
gates with youthful fervor and hope.
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Here is a copy of
my letter to the Aspen Times and Denver Post: |
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To
the editor: |
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"In response to the
article in the paper, I'd like to add a rejoinder -- it wasn't my intention
to show any disrespect to Mrs. Thompson and family members who are clearly
in mourning. It seems, though, that the event was publicized to the point
that those readers affected by Mr. Thompson's words and deeds were
encouraged to be near him at the end in whatever way they could. Memorials
serve as cathartic events ... for someone like Thompson, whose words
affected and inspired so many, it was a double catharsis -- but only for
those inside the big tent. We are living in psychically challenged times
where the "lone voice" is needed more than ever and Thompson's voice was a
reminder that this country is not entirely asleep. It's cold out here in
Amerika. So when you read Fear and
Loathing... or listen to the words of Abbie Hoffman or Spaulding Grey, all
bristling with clarity and truth, you realize you're not alone. |
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"After
living in post-9/11 NYC with
its fitful attempts at order and 'security', suddenly facing all the black
shirts struck me as particularly ironic and inappropriate. As for being
accused of leading the barbarians to the gate, I'm only 5 ft and
wear glasses, hardly a perfect specimen for
rabble rousing. However, an event which carried the sense of 'them and
us', already so pervasive in this country, struck me as an imperfect
tribute to someone who valued the role of an outsider. Perhaps if Hunter
had been with us, we could have crashed the event together. Next time,
perhaps." - Nancy Cohen |
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Big red fist being protected by Woody Creek's finest. |
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In my film
Deep In the Deal, which I've been working on
for the last decade, these questions of separation and oneness are addressed
by luminaries and less known celestials (Richie Havens, Terrence
Mckenna, Gloria Steinem and the superintendent of my tenement,
Walter) and I would have loved to have interviewed
Mr. Thompson. I think he would enjoy the film's prophetic
gonzo stance.. many of the issues we deal with are just beginning
to merge into the public's consciousness. I am surprised at all this halla
ballooey over my appearance at the memorial, but if it's to get the word out
about Deep in the Deal, then so be
it. I am in need of finishing funds for the edit .. so all are welcome to
jump on board my rickety space ship and help finish this terribly funny
film. To say it's a cross between Alice in Wonderland meets the DaVinci Code
would be putting it somewhat mildy. |
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Contact |
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Lambstar.com |
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BornAgainHippie |
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