Post Bushnell Notes
My thanks for hanging in with my technical difficulties. I was writing from SFO waiting for my flight but couldn't get on the internet. I just touched down in Houston, which is ironically, the setting of Candace Bushnell's next book. . . kidding.
- Candace Bushnell is a nice person, and in spending time with her, you can tell that like many authors, she is curious by nature. She asked me a lot of questions about Walnut Creek and the Lesher Center. She seems to be something of a sociological observer, and I think all good writers have some of that.
- And here I thought Rick Reilly was a little on the racy side. . .
- I’ve watched enough Sex and the City to understand why it is such a phenomenon, and was very interested in listening to her discuss the themes in the book, what motivated them and how they intertwined with her own life. The theme of self-actualization in particular, I thought was interesting. I'm also intrigued that despite the dominant presence of fashion and status in her work, one of her conclusions about life seems to be that there is little happiness in consumption. - She told me a funny story in the car about a dinner she attended at Hearst's Castle. One of the guests at the dinner was actor/comedian Jim Belushi. It was apparently very hot, and much to the chagrin of the staff in San Simian, Belushi decided to jump into William Randolph Hearsts’s famous indoor pool. I get the feeling that somewhere, older brother John was donning his "College" sweatshirt and saying, "well done!"- I was very conscious of wearing something nice tonight—so conscious perhaps that I wore the wrong color belt. I buttoned my coat so it wasn’t noticeable, and pulled it off. Not even my wife noticed, and she notices everything! When I met with President Reagan back in 1996, I forgot to even wear a belt. I don't know what it is with me and belts on important occasions. In any case, this is the last time I will ever try to dress to impress.
- Until tonight, I had never heard the term "Jaguar" outside of the automotive world, and I had never seen someone autograph the sole of a shoe. Being a part of Newsmakers indeed puts you on the cutting edge. . .
- It's hard to believe we are halfway through the season. Next up, we will "face the nation" with Bob Schieffer in January. Stay on the Newsmakers blog for more info about Schieffer, Bushnell and all of our guests.
I wish Candice would have focused more on her life's journey. I am sure she has an inspirational story to tell and it would have been more interesting to hear about her struggles, failures and successes. Listening to her talk about her passion for handbags, shoes and Brook Shields really detracted from the story of very successful women author.
In my opinion, this show was a close second to the Naomi Judd presentation which I felt fell short of the Lesher Speaker Series standard.
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Thank you. You said it so much nicer than I would have. I was so disappointed and bored and a little annoyed.
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Bushnell outdid Naomi Judd as being a wasted hour and a half. What a shallow life that did nothing for the audience in the telling. I did not talk to one person who was there that thought this was worth while. She almost appeared as if she was on some mediation? Hopefully the series will return to the high level of speakers that we have come to expect.
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You are right. The friends I was with also brought up they thought she was on meds. Perhaps the speaker series should skip entertainment folks
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It was painful, oh so very painful...
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yes yes yes
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I can't remember the last time I left half way thru a program but kudos to Bushnell for forcing me to leave early. Boring, insipid, uninspired, disjointed and a waste of time. Glad to have found, albeit late, this place to vent.
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oh, nancy, you couldn't have said it better. my sentiments exactly mary in walnut creel
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