Hi Everyone,
Boy, do I owe all of you an apology. I have been
so remiss in doing the updates. While speaking with April recently, she said to
me, "You really need to update your News and Views". "It's been quite a
while". Well, she was right. I am truly sorry and I hope this will make up for
my lack of duty.
The month of November started off great. November
3rd and 4th I hosted a charity motorcycle ride in Visalia, California with the
Run For The Kids. A great group of folks from the Christian Motorcycle
Association, along with some great sponsors ride for the kids so that every kid
in the area will have a real Christmas. The hard work of Mary, Jerry, Michelle
and all the folks committed to the event paid off. We had a very successful
ride and raised a lot of money for the kids. Michelle told me that the most fun
for her was taking the money and shopping at Wal-Mart for the kids. And that
does not mean, just toys. The get clothes, school supplies and much more. You
see, Wal-Mart gives the group a big discount and assigns employees to help them
shop with no one else in the store. They get to do their shopping while the
store is closed to the public. KUDOS to Wal-Mart! I knew Sam and he would be
proud.
Then came November 11th and the rain. As I'm sure
most of you know that was the weekend of The Love Ride. The Love Ride may be
the biggest single motorcycle ride for charity in the country. It all started
with a group of Indian riders meeting at 6 AM at the home of Branscombe
Richmond. Branscombe's wife, Lei, made breakfast for all of us. Then we rode,
as a group, to Glendale Harley-Davidson. That is the starting point of the
ride. Oliver Shokar of Glendale Harley-Davidson started the ride 18 years ago
to help in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. It has grown beyond even
Oliver's expectations. We actors are really lucky. When we arrive at Glendale
Harley we get to park at the front of the ride and stage in a reception area for
media. The ride is hosted by Grand Marshall, Jay Leno. Peter Fonda and Lorenzo
Lamas were honorary Marshall's as well. Peter did not make the ride this year
as he was a little under the weather. He has not missed many. This was one of
the few. As Jay introduces all of the celebrities, we each say a few words and
then get on the road.
Some of the other celebrities in attendance were
Branscombe Richmond of Renegade, Dan Haggerty of Grizzly Adams, Robert Patrick
from Terminator 2 and X-Files, Kaptain Robbie Kinevel and Carmine Apiece, my
favorite drummer in the world and the drummer for Vanilla Fudge and Rod
Stewart. The other honorary host was Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy also sang America
The Beautiful just before we left Glendale Harley on our way to Castaic Lake for
the big party and concert.
The rain pounded us all the way to Castaic, roughly
40 miles. Naturally, when we got to the lake, the rain let up a little and we
all tried to dry out. Branscombe, myself, my son, Rick and the other Indian
riders parked at the Indian Motorcycle display booth. Once again, we got great
parking. We wondered around the vendors for a while. Johnny Rotunno was there
with the Baxley Trailer display. Man, that thing attracts a lot of attention.
I stuck around there for a short time and put in my 2 cents worth. I love that
trailer. If you have not seen it yet, check out the "Products I Like and
Recommend" click on the front page of my site. We spent some time at Brian
Olea's booth for BAD PIG. My son and I love the BAD PIG. Brian has everything
from jewelry to shirts, hats and a new line of sunglasses, with flames, I might
add. We also hung out for a while with Randy Morton and the guys with Rock
& Roll Custom Paintworks. You should see some of their paint jobs. Course,
my new flames were the stand out of the show.
Then, it's hard to believe, but the Victor
McLaughlin Motor Corps performed on the grass and in the rain. I don't know how
they do it but they do. They have to be the best motorcycle drill team in the
world. I am proud to have had them perform at my CHOC ride last year in
Irvine. And guess what, Harry and the group has committed to be there again at
the 2002 ride for CHOC. My hat's off the The Victor McLaughlin Motor Corps. I
am also proud to call them all my friends.
Then came the time to get back on the road for the
trip home. This trip was around 60 miles. There was a let up in the rain so my
son and I decided to make a run for it. No sooner did we get back on the
freeway did the rain start. I don't mean drizzle, I mean hard rain. My face
felt like it was being pelted by thousands of needles. We both made it home
safe and sound but wet and cold to the bone. It took a couple of days for us
and our gear to dry out.This year's Love Ride separated the real bikers
from the Yups. I salute everyone who did not surrender and made the event
happen in spite of the weather.
As a lot of you know, I am a member of The Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I get to vote in the Academy Awards so
that is pretty cool. Well, on November 13th we were invited to a private party
and reception to see the new Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood and Highland Center,
the future home of The Academy Awards. The place is absolutely spectacular. We
had a great time and saw a lot of real movie and TV stars. It was very
cool!
That same day I had to report for jury duty.
Unlike most people, I don't feel that I should try to get out it. So, I
reported to the Ventura County Courthouse in Ventura, CA prepared to spend the
day, not to get picked for a jury and go home. Everything was going according
to schedule until roughly 2:30 PM. My name was called to report to courtroom 33
for the selection of a jury. I went to the courtroom and knew that I would not
be picked, not with this beard and haircut. I was totally surprised to watch
over two thirds of the people in the courtroom raise their hands with excuses
for why they could not serve on a jury. These were some of the lamest excuses I
had ever heard. After watching the best sitcom I had ever seen, I decided that
I would not try to get out of my jury service but I still knew that I would not
be picked.
The judge excused a large number of people and then
started to call names to come up to the jury box. After 11 names were called, I
knew I was not going to be picked. Then the judge said, "Juror number 12,
Mickey Jones". I was shocked. I took the end seat on the front row closest to
the plaintiff's table. Then both attorneys questioned each person in the box.
At that point I knew I would be excused. I was not. At the end of the day I
was seated on a jury in a civil trial. The judge told us that this trial could
go to the end of the month. Cool, I was making $15 a day plus mileage. WAY
COOL!
Now that the trial is over, I can talk about it.
There were 3 phases of the trail. Phase one was to determine if the plaintiff
was an employee or an independent contractor. She signed an Independent
Contractor Agreement. When the blow-up of that agreement was placed on the
easel by the defense attorney, the case looked pretty cut and dried. The
agreement was signed. She must be an independent contractor. After hearing
witness after witness testifying as to her duties, the picture became blurred.
An independent contractor is his or her's own boss. He or she dictates the
working hours the duties, etc. After hearing about the additional duties and
work schedule, things were different. The plaintiff initially filled out an
Application for Employment. The Independent Contractor Agreement was signed at
a later date. It was slid in front on her and told to sign. When she asked
what it was, she was told, "It's just for tax purposes". By having her sign
this agreement, the employer would save 8 to 9 % of their money that they, the
employer, would not have pay into FICA. That was fraud.
In the first phase of the trail, we found that the
plaintiff was not an independent contractor but, indeed, an employee. The next
day we started phase 2. After opening arguments, we broke for lunch. We were
to return at 1:15 PM. At that time the bailiff informed us that we would be
waiting until 1:30 PM to enter the courtroom. At exactly 1:30 PM we took our
seats in the jury box. The judge then informed us that a settlement had been
reached and our services had been fulfilled. The judge thanked us for our
service and dismissed us. We were free to go.
My service on jury duty was one of the most
fulfilling things I have ever done. It was very interesting and I wouldn't
trade it for the world. It made me realize that we have a pretty good system in
this country and I wouldn't change it for anything. I only hope that If I ever
have to stand on the other side of that table, I would have a jury of my peers
that would truly listen to me and judge me as they would want to be judged. If
you ever get that summons for jury duty, don't take it lightly. Go and do your
duty. I guarantee you will be glad you did. I know I was.
On November 17th I took part in an event at
Irwindale Speedway. Wally Crowder, one of our premier stuntmen, and his group,
The Stunt Players Directory, held celebrity races. It was an all day event
complete with vendors, race cars and motorcycles. I had the pleasure of leading
the parade, before the races, around the race track as part of The Victor
McLaughlin Motor Corps. Harry and the group made me an honorary member for the
day. That was a real treat. When they perform at my CHOC ride next summer, I
will do a riding trick or two with them......maybe. They are great people. It
was fun to watch them do what they do from only a few feet away. They made my
day. David Hasselhoff and Parker Stevenson were only of couple of the celebrity
racers. For a first time event, it went great. Congratulations
Wally!
We did the "stay at home" Thanksgiving with all our
kids and grandkids. I loved just hanging out at the house and watching
football. What a great way to spend the holiday, at home with
family.
On Sunday, November 25, I participated, along with
Branscombe Richmond of "Renegade" and Zack Ward from the hit show, "Titus" with
the Indian Motorcycle Float as part of the 70th Annual Hollywood Christmas
Parade. What a trip! This year's Grand Marshall was Peter Fonda. He even wore
his original leather jacket from "Easy Rider". It was Captain America, in the
flesh. Peter is a good friend so it was great to be there in support of him.
Funny, Dennis Hopper was the Grand Marshall last year and Peter this year. The
counter culture has arrived and gone main stream. I also got the chance to show
off my new FLAMES! We were on TV for several minutes as we passed in front of
Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The parade continues on for just over 2 miles.
There were roughly one million people on the streets of Hollywood that night.
It is always a lot of fun. My son, Rick and his son, my grandson, Vance were
there with me. My son walked along with us and shot video and I even let him
ride my bike a couple of times in the parade. It's the only chance we have to
ride without a helmet. We all love that. My grandson, Vance rode on the Indian
Motorcycle Float. He sat right on the front of the float. He was seen very
well on TV. It was his first parade. He had a blast. I guess the highlight of
the parade for my son was having the opportunity to meet and chat with Peter
Fonda. I took my son to see "Easy Rider" when he was a kid and it is still his
favorite movie of all times. Peter took the time to chat with him and it truly
made my son's life. Rick just had to tell Peter his favorite line from the
movie. Since we were at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, it only seemed
appropriate. Rick said to Peter, "Parading without a permit, don't you know who
this is?" "Why, he's Captain America and I'm Billy". Peter laughed and told us
that story was true. A friend of his had been arrested for "parading without a
permit" He said he just had to use that in "Easy Rider" My son then floated
away on a cloud. I hope you got the chance to see the parade on TV. If not
it will be re-broadcast on the UPN Network all during the month of December.
Try to find it in your local area and check it out.
I did a guest star role on CBS's series JAG
recently. I was told that episode will air on December 11th. Next week I am
shooting an episode of The District with Craig T. Nelson. He is an old friend
so it will be fun to work with him again. We haven't worked together since we
did "Stir Crazy" with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. Also appearing on a couple
episodes of The District is my best friend, Michael Ironside. We may be in the
same episode but not in scenes together. Bummer!
Well, that pretty much wraps up November 2001. I
hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I am so thankful to live in
this county. Again, let's all pray for our leaders and stand behind our troops
who are so far from home fighting to preserve our American way of
life.
Till next time, thanks for all your e-mails. And
thanks to April for keeping us all together.
Take care and God Bless!
Mickey
| September, 2000 |
August 2000
August 7, 2000
August 29, 2000 |
June 2000
June 27, 2000 |
May 2000
May 11, 2000 |
April 2000
April 19, 2000
April 8, 2000 |
February 2000
Feb 22, 2000
Feb 13, 2000 |
January 2000
Jan.5, 2000 |