They Called Me NATURE BOY! Part 2

(They Called Me Nature Boy! Part 2)

Because my father was Mr. Wrigley's "Chief Engineer", Mom and Dad often hosted many of these notable people. Mom explained that there weren't many kids on the Island after the war, as many families had to leave to make a living, and so I was a bit of an "oddity" (I still am, unfortunately). When people came to the Island, in those days, they expected to see "natives", in the full sense of the word and were disappointed that everyone seemed, "normal", and looked and acted like they were on the Mainland. Consequently, the onus was placed on me, to happily "play" the role that many expected and being a "bit of a ham", (O. K., THE WHOLE HOG), I took the role without any complaints. My job then was to sit on celebrities' laps, or anyone else who wanted to pose with "Nature Boy" and, I in turn, became a "celebrity" of sorts on the Island. In other words, I was FORCED to live out every child's fantasy, to run around an Island paradise completely naked, and act "cute". Boy did this "duck" take to water!

In those days the tour buses used to go down the ocean front street, Crescent St, which has now been converted to a pedestrian walk way for quite some time. I soon realized that if I acted "out of the ordinary" (type casting I’m sure), in addition to being nude, I would get even MORE ATTENTION. I would sit under a tree, on the East side of the Pleasure Pier entrance, and eat sand!! Don't ask me why, as I really didn't like eating it, but I knew that if I did, the tour buses would always stop and point me out for the tourists with their cameras. I don't know if this strange behavior explained my kidney stone attacks for over 20 years, starting at age 20, but it certainly couldn't have helped my insides. Other than that, I simply did a lot of posing and exposing!!!

This "freedom" allowed me to get "close" to many movie stars of the time. In my next BLOG, I will tell two such stories and for those who can figure out who these celebrities were, I will give them some of my new DVDs. YES, IT IS CONTEST TIME AGAIN!

Keep watch for the stories and rules of the game and be ready to play:...

"GUESS WHO POSED WITH THE CUTE NUDE 'NATURE BOY'?"

I don't think the TV world is ready for a quiz show like this,……or maybe it is!

(See: They Called Me Nature Boy! Part 3)

They Called Me NATURE BOY!

There comes a time in every man's and women's life when they have to explain some very embarrassing past experiences. This is my time!!!

Yes, I am reminded quite often, that I didn't wear clothes until I was three years old! THERE, I SAID IT!!! Of course, many of the "old timers" still remind me of this and have even offered to show me photos (I WANT THOSE NEGATIVES!). Luckily there are fewer of these paparazzi around and many can't remember (anymore) who the adorable "nature boy" was.

Okay, Okay…There were times when I HAD to put on clothes. When I visited Grandma and Grandpa on the mainland, or when they visited us on the Island. Easter Sun Rise Service and Church in general was certainly a time to cover myself!

Other than that, Mom generally just splashed on the baby oil and sent me out to the beach. Back then, there was no "crime" and everyone looked out for "Nature Boy". I learned to swim like a fish at 18 months so being near the ocean wasn't a concern. I turned out to be as dark as a berry ALL OVER (yes…even there!). With my curly brown hair, I was really a "native".

Believe it or not, it took me almost 60 years before I confronted Mom and this issue. Why did she allow me to go around in the buff and why did she force me to pose with so many celebrities who often frequented the Island? Mom's response was very surprising and enlightening, to say the least!













(see...They Called Me Nature Boy! Part 2)

MLK "Take that stand, because it is "right""!

On February 6, 1968, I had the honor of attending the "Second Annual Clergy and Laymen Conference Concerned about Vietnam", in Washington, D.C. I represented California State College (it is now a University), Fullerton, California.

Just before we started our silent march and vigil at "Arlington National Cemetery", we assembled at the "Church of The Presidents" (the official name of the church is "St. John's Episcopal Church") and heard an inspirational speech by Dr. King, one of his last, and this following statement, which is rarely, if ever quoted, was spoken at this conference, and heard by a very impressionable college student:

"On some positions, cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?'

Expedience asks the question, 'Is it politic?'

Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?'

But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?'

And...there comes a time, when a true follower of Jesus Christ, must take a stand that's neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take that stand, because it is 'right'!"

Whatever you might have thought about Martin Luther King, Jr., as a man, I can't see how any of us can deny these words.

Let's start doing what's RIGHT!!!

The report of my death was an exaggeration!

To quote Mark Twain, "The report of my death was an exaggeration!"

So, what have I been doing for the last two and a half months (some of you have missed my blogging and to you, I apologize).

I have been working on some of my many other interests and activities, some that I have neglected for a long time. I have been promoting my performers and attending booking conferences around the country (just got back from New York - 10 degrees!!!)

as well as working on some projects here on Catalina Island…regarding my having a live internet radio program promoting Catalina.

I am now pretty much back on schedule so will do my best to keep those blog entries coming on a regular basis.

Do you know that Chuck Liddell the Ultimate Fighter still has not accepted my challenge to a “mano-a-mano” duel of Catalina Movie...movies?

Welcome to 2010!