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Ben Stein's Diary
On Winter Tour
Beware of scary situations.
(Page 3 of 3)
So much of life is about whether or not one’s parents took care of one. And yet it’s so hard for the parents to know what the right thing to do is. Well, we are all rocked in God’s arms if we want to be.
Maybe even if we don’t want to be.
Monday
Back in L.A.
Now, this is pitiful. I am hobbling around like the old man I am. I
fell because one of my wife’s cats tripped me and the fall contused
my right knee. The pain when I walk or swim is cruel. I had an MRI
today and confirmed the injury. By the way, I loved being in that
MRI tube with all of the loud noise. I don’t know why, but I loved
it.
Then Alex and I drove down to the desert. Why not? We made fantastic time because we didn’t start until 9 PM. No traffic at all. For a while we were going 120. I swam in my pool when we got there but my knee hurt so much I could barely get out of the pool. Scary. Weird.
I took my immense quantities of fiber and watched very old episodes of Perry Mason and The Untouchables on ME-TV. They are great drama. Nothing high tech, but great insights into human nature. How I loved Perry Mason. I wish he were my lawyer.
My life has changed a lot lately: limping pitifully, in litigation, it’s not what I precisely wanted it to be right now. But I pray a lot — constantly — and it will all work out.
I am reading Anne Applebaum’s book about the Gulag. To think that EVEN NOW in Hollywood, the horrid people in Hollywood who were on Stalin’s side are considered heroes — it’s amazing. Unbelievable. Stupid, stupid people.
But wow, am I grateful to live in America. I have nothing to complain about. It’s all glittering and wonderful in my life, sitting outside for a moment watching jet contrails in the moonlight in a free country. I think I’ll have some more fiber. What the heck. Fiber all around!
About the Author
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (13) | Leave a comment
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Jane Aderhold| 2.6.12 @ 8:55AM
You are my favority AS writer. For your knee, ask the Doctor about "You-Flex-A" (Sp). It is a series of three shots, spread a week about. Works like a dream and much better than a knee replacement.
Don't laugh, I went to Marjorie Webster Jr. College in Washington, not far from the Maryland border. Being in DC for two years was an experience. I was there when Kennedy was shot. I'm sure you were around there at the same time.
God bless you and your family.
Jane
Miami, FL
PS: My DOB is November 27, 1943
Brian Mc| 2.6.12 @ 9:32AM
Thanks, Ben. Once again, you are the harbor amidst the storm.
jim sweeney | 2.6.12 @ 9:48AM
You're not old; I am old though I look more like 65 than 81, still lawyer 60+ hours a week and have the world's greatest 7-year old son. (Yes, seven.) So please lay off that old man schtick which seems to appear in every column. We in LA are doubly blessed to live in Jerry Dunphy's land of Springtime every morning and Autumn every evening which makes self-pity, Jery Brown and his ilk notwithstanding.
I do think your off-hand comment about the Hollywood Commies deserves further development. You would do all a true service to flesh out that thought. RR would be pleased as well.
Jim| 2.6.12 @ 10:22AM
What has happened to Ben
Stein's paramour--Miss Alabama?
I wade through Stein's treacle, hoping to find another electrifying post from the High Society Dame, but she never appears on the comment threads anymore.
Her last post told about her husband, Hank, ripping her fancy underpants off, and how Ben--her " gentle huggy bear"-- would never do such a thing.
Ben, brother, what has happened to your Southern diva? She used to sing arias to you.
Is she (I wonder) somehow involved in your "litigation"? She always struck me as too hot to handle.
Byron| 2.6.12 @ 10:41AM
"Freedom Betrayed" by H. Hoover is a great book in general and deals with the communist infiltration in detail. You might like it.
Vern Crisler| 2.6.12 @ 10:32AM
Ben, you can find out what happened to all your old friends by joining Facebook. You'll see that they've all grown old, literally.
BTW, given your interest in WW2, if you want to read a good book on WW2, I recommend American Heritage's book about it, the 1960s edition (if you haven't read it already). (I haven't read the 90s edition yet.)
Lots of good narrative history, selections from diaries and books of WW2 soldiers, journalists, etc., plus a lot of great pictures.
Ned the Red| 2.6.12 @ 10:56AM
"So much of life is about whether or not one's parents took care of one. And yet it's so hard for the parents to know what the right thing to do is. Well, we are all rocked in God's arms if we want to be.
Maybe even if we don't want to be."
Great stuff Ben. I think the first few years are the most important of all.
Tiddly| 2.6.12 @ 1:09PM
For engrossing WWII reading, try "Above the Thunder" by Raymond Kerns. I don't think any other WWII memoir can match it.
Frank Drackman | 2.6.12 @ 3:37PM
ME-TV is awesume.
Reruns of Hawai 5-0, Daniel Boone(even with its Politically In-correct theme song), Gunsmoke(the good ones, in B&W, Chester, and Matt B-Word Slapping the bad guys)and the occasional Brady Bunch/Happy Days,
and its FREE, at least in the Atlanta area, just like healthcare will be.
Frank
GD| 2.6.12 @ 9:41PM
"I sure hope we keep that edge, no matter what it costs."
Darn straight!
Michael| 2.7.12 @ 3:15PM
Here in Murray, Kentucky, we get ME-TV 12/24 weekdays and 18/24 on weekends. It's now one of my top three local stations. "Twelve O'Clock High" and Saturday westerns. It's wonderful. Also, I agree with you on "Gulag" and Stalin's friends. Another excellent book is "Red Star Over Hollywood".
allie aller | 2.9.12 @ 12:50PM
Uncle Ben (you know you are my honorary uncle)...Facebook is a terrific place for finding out what happened to the people you used to know. It's like time travel, from high school graduation to your 40th reunion in 60 seconds. At least, that's been my experience.
And yes, thanks for sharing your gifts... ;-)
Brian Richard Allen | 2.10.12 @ 11:23AM
.... "Thank you for sharing your gifts," he said. "They brighten up many peoples' days ...."
How I envy that man having the opportunity to say that to you, Mr Stein.
But in case I don't get to see you to say it? Thank you from me and from mine, too. And may the G-d of Israel always hear your prayers and look over and shower blessings on and take care of you -- and of every one you love!
Brian Richard Allen
Los Angeles - CA 90028
And The Very Far Abroad