#happy 109th anniversary you two

[hollenka99]

The First Day of the Rest

Summary: On April 21st 1910, a young aspiring actor nervously awaits his bride.

Jameson stood by the altar of a comfortingly familiar church. When he'd first begun attending in the Fall of 1906, he never would have imagined he'd be here, over three years later, fidgeting in anticipation of his sweetheart's arrival. It's fine, he assures himself. There was nothing to fret about because everything would be just fine. It was nothing. What were a few vows in comparison to all that they led to? All that was expected of him was his attendance, love and ability to repeat what the priest told him. His inability to verbalise audibly would be rectified by his best man and translator. What was he stressed about, messing up? Why would he ruin such an occasion with blunders? He could never do that to Siobhan. He couldn't be the husband she deserved if he can't even get through the ceremony. Think, he needed a distraction. How about... imagining all that would follow this wedding. The first order of business was escaping Edison and the Motion Pictures Patent Company. Although, where could they move to? The area in Los Angeles known as Hollywood was a possibility, the city itself was another option. They could evade legal repercussions in Mexico. Except, it was still a fairly large country. Plus, what would they do in Mexico? He doubts there will be a booming business with moving pictures in Mexico. He'd have to learn whichever sign language the Spanish used. No, California had a better appeal anyway. Children. He would love to have them with her. Oh, the amount of combinations involving their features must be phenomenal. Brown hair or blonde? Green eyes or blue? Would their smiles better resemble hers more than his or vice-versa? Then again, it wasn't advisable given her family history. Two sounded lovely. He'd be willing to risk a third too. The father of seven he will be within 20 years would find this bargaining amusing. What of the hard times? He was yet to make it as an established and respected film actor. Money was tight. All you had to do was see how much scraping together of funds was performed in preparation for this wedding. What if he failed her and was unable to fulfil his promise to support her, would it affect their marriage? He hopes not. Whatever the future entailed, it all started today. It was the first day of the rest of their lives. He looks out at the people gathered. There weren't many. Jameson had known this would be a small wedding, he'd known as far back as his search for the ring he would offer Siobhan during the proposal. That didn't erase the truth that having fewer than twenty adults and two young children present, with three more guests due to arrive along with the bride, was disheartening. The majority consisted of his family but he spotted a pair he recognised from Sunday masses. All he can assume is that they wished to watch a couple unite in holy matrimony because why not. Clearly, they had nothing better to do on a Thursday afternoon. There was his mother, of course. She had purposefully brought her best dress from Canada for the occasion. It was more than Sunday best. Jameson rarely saw it on her. That dress had likely lingered in her wardrobe longer than he'd been alive, witnessing christenings and weddings alike. As such, fashion had left it slightly outdated. It was still the best she owned. If truth be told, Jameson was relieved she was wearing it at all. He certainly didn't wish to learn she'd 'forgotten to pack it' as had been the case in 1908 for Clifford's wedding. Subtle passive-aggressive protests were not what he desired today. To her left were Harvey and Edith. He and Dorothy exchange a tiny wave as she sits impatiently on her father's lap. She wouldn't fit on Edith's lap anymore, given her future sibling took up that space. How many months along was Edith now, six or seven? Jameson had been so preoccupied with organising today's celebration that he'd forgotten whether they'd mentioned June or July as the time this second child was due. Honestly, where had the time gone? His niece was a month shy of her third birthday and soon to be a big sister. Harvey himself had turned 30 in February. Now here he was in a Manhattan church, waiting to watch his youngest brother get married. It was dizzying to consider how quickly their lives were progressing. His other niece was being told to stay still. At all of 15 months, he doubted Clara understood the importance of this occasion in the slightest. You could tell Elizabeth was a teacher by the way she instructed her own child. It wasn't so much that Jameson disliked her. It was more an aversion to how she dealt with things she didn't agree with. He was grateful he wasn't present for most times she and his mother met. He didn't want to deal with the conflict. In fact, his heart went out to his brother for having to be caught in the mess. Still, Clifford had married her and she was as linked to the family as Edith or Siobhan. Except for the fact she was the only daughter-in-law Florence Jackson was yet to approve of. Edward sitting next to a stranger was a sad sight. His wife was probably attending to Siobhan at this very second. Brother-in-law-of-the-groom didn't sound particularly fluid. He and Mabel were yet to have children of their own. They would come in time. After all, they had only wed last year. There was no rush to produce a family. Out of all his friends from Saint John, only David had been able to travel down. He didn't wish to admit it, it would be somewhat of an insult to his other friends, however... if just one of his friends was able to come, he felt fortunate David was that singular friend. He'd jokingly proclaimed him as his third brother on numerous occasions. Although some of those he'd known as children and schoolboys had since drifted, he was glad David still featured in his life. Friendships came and went, as any person could tell him. Jameson didn't mind that. Of course, he had minded when his parents explained why a friend could no longer join him in social activities. One thing was rife in neighbourhoods like the one he'd grown up in and it was far from wealth. Yet here was David, the closest friend he'd ever known, dressed smartly in a church that was over 600 miles from home, purely to celebrate this day with him. His heart sinks further at the reminder his bride's family only had her father as representative. Everyone she knew lived in Ireland. Even Michael had been unable to cross the Atlantic. At least she had friends from New York in attendance to support her. Facing forward again, he makes distracted small talk with Clifford. The first chord of Wagner's Bridal Chorus sounds. A glance to his right shows his brother has the ghost of a sly smile. "Here we go." He mutters. "Last chance to make a run for it." Jameson answers with an offended glare. "Yes, I know, you would never." His best man suppresses a grin, attempting to stay formal. "Well, are you going to stand there, all goopy, or are you going to watch your bride approach?" "I am not a goop." He hurriedly signs back before pivoting as casually as an eager groom can. There Siobhan was, wearing an elegantly simple dress of tiered lace and linking an arm with her father. Even without the veil slightly obscuring her face, he knew the truth. She was gorgeous, as to be expected.

[popradar]

Weekend Planner: 21 Awesome Things To Do In Los Angeles

Here’s what to do in L.A. this weekend…

FRIDAY, NOV. 10

AFI FEST (Film Fest)

AFI FEST runs through Nov. 16 with screenings and events held at the TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and The Hollywood Roosevelt. There are free individual tickets to many of the screenings, but passes guarantee admission (and run from $400-$5,000). On Friday, there’s a special screening of Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Other screenings this weekend are The Disaster Artist, Wormwood and many more. 

MORRISSEY (Music)

It’s Morrissey Day in LA on Friday, and Morrissey plays two nights at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday and Saturday. Fans will get one of the first opportunities to hear music from his upcoming album Low in High-School (11/17 via BMG) as well as many of his classics. This is a lease event, so leave the alcohol at home; and since this is a Morrissey event, only vegetarian food will be served at the concerts. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. 

QUIET MORNINGS / DAY PARTY (Art)

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA presents two great events this weekend. Quiet Mornings: Art x Mindfulness @MOCA takes place on Saturday at 9:30 pm. It pairs a guided group meditation exercise with the immersive exhibition, Adrián Villar Rojas: The Theatre of Disappearance. Perrier serves up complimentary sparkling water in their lounge and food trucks offer breakfast (for purchase). Tickets: $10 (free for MOCA members). On Sunday, MOCA’s Day Party runs from 11 am to 5 pm to celebrate the Rojas exhibition. There will be food trucks, a cash bar, DJ sets and exhibition-responsive, family-friendly activities. Free admission all day. 

MEETING DEATH: CONVERSATIONS WITH MORTALITY (Film)

The Norton Simon Museum ends its film series Meeting Death: Conversations with Mortality this Friday with the comedy classic Ingmar Bergman film, The Seventh Seal (1957), starring Max von Sydow. The film series is free with museum admission ($9-$12). 

LOVESICK FOOL (Animated film premiere)

Lovesick Fool: Love in the Age of Like is an animated film that has its premiere at NerdMelt on Friday at 7 pm. Director Dominic Polcino (Rick and Morty, Harmonquest, Animals, Family Guy, King of the Hill and The Simpsons) captures his personal experiences as a single guy in LA looking for love. The film stars Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo and Fred Willard. Q&A with Polcino follows the screening. Free. 

COLE’S FRENCH DIP (Food)

Cole’s French Dip in DTLA celebrates its 109th Anniversary on Friday with a fancy multi-course dinner prepared by chefs Neal Fraser (Redbird) and Christian Page (Cassell’s), cocktails, live jazz and more surprises. There are four dinner seatings beginning at 6 pm so reservations are required. The $70 tickets include gourmet French Dips (Roasts of Lamb and Salmon), classic sides dishes, pie, and two cocktails from Cole’s and The Varnish.

CONSTITUTION HAPPY HOUR (History + politics + happy hour)

The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and My Daily Constitution hold a Constitution Happy Hour on Friday from 6-8 pm at Paper or Plastik Café (5772 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles). The event is a guided, conversation and Q&A about the U.S.Constitution and its role in democracy led by author and journalist Andrew Gumbel (Down for the Count: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America). Food, beer and wine available for purchase from the café. Free. RSVP.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

Image: Nicole Eisenman, ‘Were Artist’

ENGENDER (Art)

Kohn Gallery opens the new group art show Engender to the public on Saturday with the artists and gallery hosting an Art Block Party at the gallery from 7-10pm. For the show, contemporary artists challenge the gender binary and identity politics, including Nicole Eisenman, Emily Mae Smith, Loie Hollowell, Firelei Baez, Christina Quarles, Tschabalala Self, Nathaniel Mary Quinn and others. The Mad Pambazos food truck will be on site with an open bar, music and of course, art. The show remains on view through Jan. 13, 2018. 

VOYAGER INSTITUTE (Film + learning)

The Voyager Institute, an arts lecture series created by Alamo Drafthouse programmer Bret Berg, holds its November edition on Saturday at 4 pm at Resident in DTLA. This installment of the series features videomaker Zena Grey, co-host of L.A.’s long-running 16mm screening series Lost And Found Film Club, presenting tribute to late film director Tobe Hooper. Other lectures includes Androgyny In Rock (presented by Berg); and a live podcast taping of Heat Rocks, hosted by Morgan Rhodes & Oliver Wang, on Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” with singer-songwriter B.Slade. Free. Ages 21+. RSVP.

New merchandise from Bob’s Burgers debuts at DesignerCon.

DESIGNERCON (Design)

DesignerCon (DCON) 2017 returns to the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, featuring two days of collectible toys, art, apparel, ephemera and more. The convention is a great mixture of pop, urban, street and underground art with more than 400 artists, designers and vendors. There are also art shows, panels (including one with John Lasseter), presentations and exclusive releases during both days (Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 9 a.m. for VIPs). DCON once again teams up with Crewest Studios to help develop programming and the opening night party with DJ Z-Trip. Admission: $10-$35. (Pro-tip: This is the best place to get your Christmas shopping done early.) 

ROTTERDAM (Theatre)

Skylight Theatre presents the West Coast Premiere of the Olivier Award-winning play Rotterdam by Jon Brittain. Opening on Friday, the comedy focuses on Alice’s coming out to her parents, but before she can tell them she’s a lesbian, Alice’s girlfriend Fiona reveals that she’s always identified as a man, and now wants to live as one. Rotterdam opens on Saturday and runs at 8:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 pm on Sundays and 8 pm on Mondays through Dec. 11. Tickets: $15-$41. 

BLACK LIST LIVE! (Film read)

The Black List and Warby Parker present the last Black List Live reading of 2017 on Saturday night at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. The night features a live read of Hope from writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith. The cast includes Aubrey Plaza, Glen Powell, David Krumholtz, Alanna Ubach and Camille Hyde. Mamrie Hart serves as narrator. Doors at 7:30 pm and reading at 8 pm. Tickets: $15-$20.

LATINO COMICS EXPO (Comics)

The Latino Comics Expo, the country’s largest convention of Latino/a comic book creators and animators, returns to the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach on Saturday and Sunday. Guests include: Jaime, Gilbert and Mario Hernandez, the brothers who created the comic series Love & Rockets; Cathy Camper of Lowriders in Space and political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, who also worked on the upcoming Disney-Pixar film Coco. The expo is open from 11 am to 5 pm both days. Admission: $7-$10. (Museum members and kids 12 and younger get in free.) 

LACO @ THE MOVIES: BUSTER KEATON’S THE GENERAL (Film + music)

On Saturday at 8 pm, LACO @ The Movies screens Buster Keaton’s silent comedy The General with composer Jeff Beal conducting the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra live. The event marks the debut of Beal’s new score for the film. Tickets: $45, $56, $99. 

I BELIEVE IN HUMANS (Art)

The Infinity Room—a gallery space located on West Adams—is hosted by Rick Ross, co-owner of Delicious Vinyl (and Delicious Pizza next door to The Infinity Room). This weekend, Ross presents I Believe in Humans: A 2017 Art Show with Jack Henry Robbins, Mira Schnedler, Sl Perlin, Michael Coursey and screenings of “Hot Winter”: A Film By Dick Pierre. The Infinity Room is open from 3-10 pm on Saturday and 1-8 pm on Sunday. Free.

TROPICÁLIA MUSIC AND TACO FESTIVAL (Food + music)

The Tropicália Music and Taco Festival takes place at Queen Mary Park in Long Beach on Saturday beginning at noon. All you can eat sample tacos will be supplied by Carnitas el Momo, Dia de los Puercos, Mariscos Jalisco, Burritos La Palma, Pez Cantina, Calo Provisions, Taqueria la Venganza and many others until 4 pm. After that, guests can purchase food items. The music lineup features Cafe Tacvba, King Krule, Low End Theory, Chicano Batman, Ivy Queen, Los Tigres del Norte and so many more. The general admission tickets ($75-$95) are sold out, but VIP packages $150-$500 are available. 

SUNDAY, NOV. 12

THE GRAND TOUR (TV party)

Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour takes over the Petersen Automotive Museum on Sunday with festivities running from 10 am to 3 pm. The series has been on a nationwide journey to bring The Grand Tour straight to fans before season 2 starts. The Grand Tour event at the Petersen includes screenings of the show, complimentary food and beverages, a DJ, photo booth and giveaways. 

JOKERS & ACES (Comedy + magic)

Jokers & Aces returns to NerdMelt on Sunday at 7 pm, bringing comics and magicians to perform their acts on the same show. Eddie Furth and Taylor Hughes have curated a lineup that features: Emily Heller, Dave Ross, Derek Hughes and Jimmy H from The Magic Castle. Tickets: $8, $10 at the door. 

WAR OF THE WORLDS (Opera)

War of the Worlds is a new experimental opera that takes place both in the concert hall and the streets of L.A. on Sunday at 2 pm and again on Nov. 18 at noon at 2 pm. While the LA Phil’s New Music Group performs at Walt Disney Concert Hall with Christopher Rountree conducting and Sigourney Weaver narrating, there are three sites in DTLA with defunct air raid sirens that are re-purposed into public speakers, broadcasting the live performance. The new opera, with music by Annie Gosfield and concept, direction, libretto by Yuval Sharon, is based on the famous 1938 radio drama created by Orson Welles. While Sunday’s concert at WDCH is sold out, you can see it for free by visiting waroftheworlds.la and reserving a free spot at a siren site.

GIVE ME FUTURE (Film + music)

On Sunday at 7 pm, Austin Peters’ film, Major Lazer: Give Me Future, has its LA Premiere at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The behind-the-scenes concert film follows Major Lazer’s Havana, Cuba, concert in front of a mind-boggling 400,000 people. The film then evolves into an “exploration of Cuba’s inspirational youth movement and its ingenious DIY information culture.” The one-night only screening includes a post-screening conversation with Diplo moderated by DJ, producer and Beats 1 host Anna Lunoe and an after party. Tickets: $25.

SHERMAN OAKS ART WALK (Art + community)

The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember David E. Ryu present the first Sherman Oaks Art Walk on Sunday from 12:30-3 pm (on Ventura Boulevard between Noble and Sepulveda). The day celebrates the new public art around town from murals to utility box art. The family friendly event features dog photo booths, food trucks, artist meet-and-greet and raffle prizes. Free. Free parking at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. 

—by Christine N. Ziemba