I was in South America when I first saw an ad to spend an evening with Jane Fonda. I started to jump at the opportunity, then pulled back and thought, there really are better uses of money right now in my life. I'm still struggling to get back financially after being out with long covid for four years.
Several days later, and many discussions with myself, I decided that she is such an icon, has always meant a lot to me, and because of her workout video is a big part of my current health, not to mention the fact that I worked out with her every day for years resulting in the loss of 100 pounds. (I've been unable to do her workout routine since my car accident in July 2024.)
Missing the chance to meet such an amazing person, actress, and activist would manifest regret. After all, one of my philosophies on life is to seize meaningful experiences. Since meeting a legend such as Jane Fonda would be akin to therapy, something worth spending money on, I became the proud owner of a third row seat at the famed Jones Hall in downtown Houston.
I chose to dress in an artful fashion as I do, and noticed people across the lobby taking photos of me. Several even asked to take a photo with me. I had so many people compliment my attire, others out of earshot thought I was someone famous. "Look at all the people stopping that guy and take pictures with him. I wonder who he is." It's just little ole me, Penguin. I felt like a star.
Not only did I feel majestic, the evening was resplendent. I was one of only 60 VIPs to meet with her, get a signed book, "What Can I Do?" and tell her how much she means to me, having helped me lose 100 pounds.
My evening began on the red carpet of Jones Hall with sushi and a glass of Prosecco. She had tuna, eel, and California rolls, shrimp nagiri, caterpillar rolls, and more. I enjoyed the peppered tuna and caterpillar the most. The bubbly was divine, as bubbly tends to be.
We were then led to our seats—mine in the third row stage left. The lights came down, and she spent over 90 minutes talking about her life. In politics there are pillars required to fail in order for an authoritarian regime to succeed...it's up to us to dismantle the ability to tear these pillars down before he's successful. The audience replied with thunderous applause.
She spoke about her movie love interests. She cherished kissing Robert Redford and Donald Sutherland before revealing a surprise as her favorite leading man...Lillie Tomlin. She spoke about her years in Atlanta married to Ted Turner. She wasn't used to someone else paying for things, since she was well to do already. But advocating the power one enjoys with wealth and notoriety was something she came to enjoy. They still spend time together on his ranch fishing.
The evening had tender moments where she expressed regret in how she raised her children when they were young. She had no idea how to raise a child, having been raised by a governess. Observing mothers during the Atlanta years was educational. Now Jane spends much time earning the love of her children, saying that her goal is to die at home, in bed, surrounded by those she loves. But to make that happen means having to work at keeping those relationships, or she could die alone.
She is strong and driven to leave the world a better place for her grandchildren (and society). She was forgetful, at times going off in tangents and losing track of the question. She is 88 after all. From climate change to feminism, she understands the importance of voting, standing up for values, calling out authoritarianism, and doing the work required to better our world. Her advocacy of LGBTQ rights, social justice, and environmental challenges is legendary.
At one point in her life she was close to putting money down on a
nice home in the mountains that looked down to the valley below,
thinking it would be a great place to host fundraisers. But on a trip
through Colorado, driving east, she had an epiphany. She didn't want
to be looking down on the people she hoped to help, she wanted to
live among them.
Jane loves to work and to keep busy, so hopes for another TV series. It was obvious that the crowd enjoyed her Grace and Frankie series. I enjoyed hearing how she bonded with Dolly Parton. To prepare for a character, Dolly took her on tour in the forgotten parts of Appalachia where she met a family and later returned to spend time with them, sleeping on the floor.
One part of the night early on really struck me. She said that white people in America are beginning to experience something we have never gone through before. Black people know what it's like to have their freedoms at risk. They've fought for voting rights, to be able to marry who they please, to own land and businesses; things people are only now beginning to see are at risk. Elections are in danger, businesses are struggling, farmers are fearful, gays face a real chance of losing rights. Our country has never seen such attacks on our way of life, our rights, our very own constitution.
Her charge? Wake up, get involved, learn how to protest safely, and named freedomtrainers.net as a resource. The crowd cheered often as she made point after point, and the moderator from Texas Monthly Magazine, Mimi Swartz, pointed out how unusual it is to see this sort of support in Texas, being so conservative. The house clapped and in the silence afterwards I shouted in what my friend calls my stadium voice, "We are here!" This elicited more applause and Jane looked over at me and smiled.
After the show, back in the green room, she held out her hands to hold mine. I had watched her give comfort to two women earlier. Her smile was as warm as chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. She not only embraced me, but was present as I thanked her for her body of work, especially the workout video. She was proud to have been such a big part of my life. And then I told her, if you ever need a home among the people to host a party, I'm your guy. (She had mentioned needing one in a place like Texas to do so.)
After our hug, I began to leave. She stopped me, "Please take my book. I've signed it for you." I nearly forgot. It was heavy in my hands and with a colorful cover, where the white dome of our nation's capitol watches over Jane Fonda and others protesting. "What Can I Do?" by Jane Fonda. And on the spine is a penguin. How perfect.
There are few stars in this world I am proud to have met. Stevie Nicks, Al Gore, Ann Richards, Henry Rollins, Barbara Bush, Shirley Maclaine, Tony Curtis, Larry Hagman to name a few...and now Jane Fonda. Honestly, I have no recollection of what this VIP experience cost. The entire evening was pure joy. Soaking in her passion and authenticity was invigorating. I spent an evening with Jane Fonda and loved it. Thank the gods.
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