“HOLLYWOOD HERE WE COME”!
I knew as a kid that the magic place where our society was being impacted from was not too far west of where I grew up. Sure, I enjoyed Disneyland the couple times I went there as a child, especially the utopia car ride when I finally grew tall enough to drive, but the place that occupied my secret thoughts and captured my imagination and heart was L. A., Hollywood, and the beaches.
I longed to go there even as a kid, but never could seem to pull it off. We’d get close sometimes when we’d visit relatives. I can still picture clearly my cousin Larry’s surfboard lying out in the front yard grass at my aunt and uncle’s house.
My older brothers would sometimes catch a ride with Larry into the place my soul longed for. Those lucky ducks got to breathe in the creative air. Me? Oh no. I was stuck at my aunt and uncle’s house reading the same three Dr. Suess books I’d read every time I was there, over, and over, and over…
As a kid, I never tired of seeing Tinkerbell touch her magic wand over the Disneyland castle before flying off. The movies I did get to watch were mesmerizing, transcending time and reality for all of us as kids.
The music was the icing on the imaginative cake. I felt like life was passing me by when I knew people were really driving cars, motorcycles, and surfing just like the way the Beach Boys sang about. Although the one song of theirs that I could relate to the most was titled, “In My Room.” I suspected the singer didn’t have to share his room with two other older brothers though. I also knew that he wasn’t singing about when he was grounded either.
When I heard the exciting news from my parents, I somehow thought our or my luck was somehow going to magically change. We were going west… Either to Hollywood or somewhere close to it. Magic was before us, well specifically my sister.
Somehow someone got hold of kids elementary school pictures from around southern California. They had spotted my sister and contacted my mom to set up a screen test for her. I remember thinking and excitedly announcing more to myself than anybody else, “Hollywood here we come”!!!
It was on a Saturday we drove west toward our magical destiny. Even though I wasn’t involved or invited, I just knew some of the aura would fall in my direction. When we finally arrived at our destination I was disappointed to say the least.
It was in the middle of what looked like an old part of a city. There was trash in the gutter and some on the old cracked sidewalks. As my mom, dad, and sister walked toward the weathered single old solid door entrance, my dad said, “You two stay out here,” – “Bobby – keep an eye on him.”
That was code words for our dad, in other words, we weren’t in the best of neighborhoods, and my 2nd oldest brother was to keep a watch for danger and if it approached, come to get him. “OK,” Bobby replied.
I looked at my sister on the way in. Being close in age, my sister and I have always been close. Before my sister walked in, she looked back at me. There was fear in her oversized and opened a little wider, big blue eyes.
Kids don’t know what to say to one another, but they don’t need to say anything at all. Siblings talk with expression, especially at that age. My sister’s expression said, “I don’t like it here”! My eyes spoke back to my sister, “I know, I don’t either,”! – “This isn’t magical, this is kinda scary”!
After what seemed like hours they finally came back out. My sister was somber, she seemed relieved. “What’d you do”? – “Are you gonna be on TV”? – “What happened”?!! My questions kept her from being able to get a word in.
Sheral finally replied quietly, “I just said, ‘I like McDonald’s hamburgers.” “That’s it”? I asked. “Yeah,” she quietly replied. I thought to myself, “McDonald’s hamburgers”? I don’t even think I’d heard of them at the time.
That was a reality check for me as a kid, although tarnished, it didn’t kill the dream completely.
God or fate, if you want to call it that, kept slowly moving us farther away from that magical place. Today I count it a blessing for my sister and all of us to be free from what could very well have come to own and destroy us.
The real supernatural magic is in God’s creation all around us, but most importantly inside of us.
Although relived, to be honest, certain music and that ocean still beckon my soul.
We need to seek first the origin of what it is that calls us.
Sometimes behind what appears magical, can be sinister…
Likewise, what we sometimes mistake for seeming dull and boring, is the perfect gift…
Pat
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 10:39 am
“They” say: “Hindsight is 20/20.” You can see, in retrospect, that God had His hand on y’all way back then – you and your sister both experienced a foreboding/ominous presence in that place. Even though you didn’t understand it then, God’s plan for you did not include Hollywood. His plan was much greater, much more glorious. So glad you have followed in His footsteps.
Floyd
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 10:51 am
Thanks Pat, you’re right. God knew for reasons we still can only partially grasp, that wasn’t the place for us. I really feel blessed to look back over my life and see His hand of guidance, protection, and provision, even when I was deserving of the opposite. HE IS GOOD!
Pat
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 10:53 am
That’s the very definition of grace.
Floyd
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
Great call. Our unmerited favor from Him. I feel it…
SethC
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 3:51 pm
I know lots of people who have gone to different places (I’m sure we all do). I always wonder why they sometimes get to go places I think would be fun. But then I remember that God is the one who sends us, and He is the one who has crafted us each uniquely for certain places at certain times. Thanks for the post, Floyd!
Floyd
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 3:55 pm
Thanks Seth. Well said, sometimes I just have to remind myself of that fact…
Hazel
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 6:04 pm
Our imagination takes us to far off places including the magic that we believe must be there. In reality the magic is having God watch over us and protect us from making unwise decisions. Your mother and dad did the right thing to at least check out the lure of a screen test. In reality they must have been unprofessional persons who hoped to exploit young girls and become agents. The dollar sign was in their eyes. Your statements that the real magic is what is inside us and what “appears” magical, can be sinister.
Floyd
Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 6:44 pm
Thanks Hazel. It truly is sinister isn’t it? It gives me the chills thinking about how far humans can fall into the pit without God in their lives. God definitely blessed my family and especially my sister. Sometimes it’s just hard to see it.
Cindy Holman
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Love this Beach Boys song. Great story from your past. It’s amazing that your parents actually drove there and were willing to try something out! Mine never would have. I had an unbelievably sheltered childhood – they wouldn’t even let me take ballet lessons for fear that someone in Hollywood or the likes – would want me and I would enter into the sinful and dark abyss of dancers and entertainers. I was allowed however to take music lessons, violin, piano and voice – none of that seemed to scare them – becoming a world class violinist or pianist was respectable – dancing and the other “arts” were sinful. They were afraid of the drugs and other things associated with that lifestyle – not that there was any reason to fear it – I was never allowed to even GO to a dance in school. And ballet would not have lasted – even if I had taken to it. I’m 5’9″. And as God’s providence would have it – I majored in music in college and now teach private piano and voice to my students. Becoming famous? No – not even.
Floyd
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
That’s so cool that you followed your dream of music! I’ve taken piano lessons as an adult and fiddled with a guitar and bass. When I was a kid I played trumpet. The band teacher told me in junior high, that I had to make a choice. Music or sports. At the time there was no choice. It’s all I could do to sit still at that time of my life. Run, jump, hurl my body at other people and not get in trouble was too much to pass up. As you know I still love music and cherish it profoundly. Thanks for the feedback and the history. I find it fascinating!
Cindy Holman
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
As I do yours! My son was given a choice too – he’s a drummer – he chose music. He’s an excellent basketball player being 6’3″ but drumming is in his blood and he’s attending Musician’s Institute in the fall to pursue his dream of being a studio musician 🙂 Good for you taking piano lessons as an adult – it’s not easy, is it?
Floyd
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 4:04 pm
That is has to make you feel so proud that your son is following his dream too. The fact that is your heart makes it even more fulfilling. Congratulations! To know your passion and goals at a young age is a huge relief and benefit. Good for him.
No it wasn’t easy to take piano lessons as an adult. I do remember playing music that I had memorized was one of the most calming things I’ve encountered in my life. Music is an absolute gift from God. My youngest was taking guitar lessons last year, so I got a used strat and started to play. I have to say, if writing didn’t take so much of what little spare time I have, I’d really pursue it farther. I am so in awe when I see people pick up an instrument and it becomes an extension of themselves communicating in a way that only music can…
Lenna Wyatt
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 10:03 am
We aren’t always aware at the time how God is keeping us for His purpose in the future. When I was in the 8th grade we lived in Las Vegas. It wasn’t a quarter of the glitzy lights, opulent casinos, noise, and flagrant seduction that it is today. Not that it didn’t have lots of that. The Cowboy waving his arm, the glamorous but smaller Golden Nugget. I’ve forgotten the others. As I wandered through the streets with my 3 younger sisters in tow I had the sense to be repulsed by it all, but we were usually looking for a movie we hadn’t seen yet. There was nothing else to do. My mother was a shill (one who pretends to be winning at the roulette table to draw people in) and my stepfather was a blackjack dealer. We were left to fend for ourselves while they worked. Sometimes my sisters would stay at home and I would walk down the main street by myself. To look back on it I have to believe I’m here by the grace of God, because if you think in terms of today’s world, a young girl wandering the streets of any city, let alone Sin City, would probably not be around to become an adult. Yes, the grace of God.
Floyd
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 1:25 pm
Love the history! No doubt God’s angels were watching over the one He had different plans for. I didn’t know until I read this original post that there was a name for people that did that kind of thing in a casino. What a great movie this would make, a child starting life walking the streets of Las Vegas. Fact is truly stranger than fiction! Thank you for sharing such an interesting past. The life stories are the best!
Sheral
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 9:55 pm
WOW….what a great memory! I cant believe you remember the fear I had! Maybe it was like the 1st grown up fear? It would have been a lot easier if Mom & Daddy would have let you guys go with me, I would have not been as scared.
If Hollywood would have seen you, they would have fallen in love with you.
Not to embarras you John Boy, but you were the cutest little boy, that was when you could still not pronounce your R’s and had a real deep voice. (nick name FOG HORN)
But totally, God has had His hand on us and blessed so much.
Thanks for the memory, Love you Brother
Sheral
Floyd
Saturday, August 6, 2011 @ 10:21 pm
Honestly as cute as you were, it was only God not allowing that world, to ruin yours. Yes, we have been blessed, but mostly He’s blessed us with one another. Life hasn’t been a cake walk, but it’s better than we deserve!
I’ll never forget your eyes that day. Isn’t it interesting that we spoke without speaking? We didn’t even know it at the time. I’m not to sure Hollywood would have been too interested in a kid who couldn’t say his “R’s”.
One of these days, I’ll tell the story of how you rescued my halloween candy from the kids who stole mine… Nothin’ like a big sister to look out for you!
They are great memories. Looking forward to more, by the grace of God.
Love you my sibling and sister! You’re the best!
Sheral
Sunday, August 7, 2011 @ 7:40 pm
Well, we did know we could talk with just looks, thats why we could not help making each other laugh in church and get in BIG trouble, I can still hear Mom saying, dont look at each other…LOL! How cool was that?
Floyd
Sunday, August 7, 2011 @ 9:29 pm
YEAH! I remember you’d squeeze your your cheeks so hard that the inside of the cheek wall would be touching! That made me laugh even more!!! I think you did it to get me in trouble!!! Thanks, I haven’t thought about that for a while… Man that makes me smile, what a relief.. Thank you Sister…
Helen
Sunday, August 7, 2011 @ 9:30 pm
I loved that song as a kid! My godmother gave me a “Best of the Beach Boys” album for my birthday one year. (That’s why I use the expression “more fun than a barrel of monkeys on a two wheel bike.” I misheard the phrase “more fun than a barrel of monkeys THAT two wheel bike” in the song “Little Honda”)
Hollywood messed up a lot of kids. I’m glad your sister wasn’t one of them. 🙂
Floyd
Sunday, August 7, 2011 @ 9:46 pm
“First gear, it’s alright, second gear, hang on tight, third gear, it’s only right, – Faster—It’s alright”…. Oh yeah, I’m not sure if I got the lyrics right, but I didn’t cheat! I knew immediately that was the song. I love the old Beach Boys! They were so short. It seemed like they fit a summer into one song! I so enjoy those old songs, the only thing better, is sharing with someone that feels the same way! I’ll bet you’re just like me and can’t help but sing when one of these songs come on?!
Jake
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:20 pm
I kinda feel like my story might be the opposite. I can’t seem to escape Boise. God, get me outta here! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed this and the doors generally close in my face when I try to make a mad dash through them. It’s unfortunate. I don’t know if God has something for me here, or if I should fight harder to get out. It’s a great place, I just feel like the opportunities might be a little lacking…. oh well. Glad you got out and everything’s good:) I’ll be surfing in a week- I’m beyond excited about it.
Floyd
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
The fact that God is keeping you there and chose that place to change who you are is a good sign. When it’s time, I think you’ll know. You’ve done some pretty great things there and you are impacting the world from that place, I don’t see how it can be all bad…
Glad your gonna’ be hangin’ 10 in a week. Make sure you still give me a call, I wanna take you to lunch on your lay over. Did you get my personal cell number and email I sent a while back?
brad gore
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 10:39 am
Wow, does that bring back memories. I moved to Hollywood (L.A.) on my own at age 16, for all the same reasons. Ya know for the, ” beaches, swimming pools and Movie stars.” Yeah just like I saw on the Beverly Hillbillies. It was a huge reality check. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. I don’t remember even one thing that was as I had previously envisioned it. You and I, my friend are certainly similar creatures in many ways. Say hi to the girls!
Floyd
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 11:37 am
Yes Sir, we are indeed that. I’ll say hi to mine, you say hi to yours for me. Hope all is well, see you soon, but not in Hollywood!