Q & A : When Trouble Strikes Close
If you were in trouble, who is the first person you would call?
John Sedlar, chef-owner, Restaurant Bikini:
“My life is food. I don’t have any time to do anything else. That’s it, 24 hours a day, year after year. So my closest people are food-related--my produce man, my fish people, my chef. These are my immediate and constant peer group. If I’m in trouble, I’m sure it would be because something would not be available that my customers want. So I’d be calling my fish woman or produce man to find out what they have. I do that at all times of the night--no times are inappropriate. They actually welcome these calls. I’m serious, this sounds extreme, but I’ve called at 2, 3, 4 in the morning. And they say, ‘How can I help you?’ If I had personal problems, I’d definitely call my best friend who’s also in the food industry, with whom I can talk to about anything, and confide in and ask for advice and/or money.”
Ruth Hirschman, general manager of radio station KCRW-FM:
“I’d call different friends for different trouble. I think at a certain age friendship becomes the most important relationship you have. Family involves love and heartbreak. Friendship is a companionship of the spirit and the mind. Family you love unquestionably. Friendship is something you build over time, out of trust.”
Tracey Ross, owner, Tracey Ross boutique:
“I’d call my brothers (Michael and Rick). They’re always there for me, and I’m grateful and blessed that I have such a close-knit family. They’ve always supported me. My brothers are beyond protective, but we all look out for each other. When I have to go out, if I don’t have a boyfriend at the time, my favorite dates are Michael or Ricky. It’s gushy, but it’s really true.”
John Doe, musician-actor and founding member of X:
“That’s so weird. If it was medical, I’d do like everybody else and call 911. If I was in mental trouble, I’d call my brother. If my animals were in trouble, I’d call the vet.
Adolfo Nodal, general manager of the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department:
“I’d probably call Mayor Bradley. I just trust him. He listens. He’s calm. He has a very even keel, which is sort of wonderful if you’re in trouble. If I could get through to him, I’m sure he could help me.”
Jeff Carron, of Jeff Carron Orchestras and Entertainment:
“That’s a hard question. It depends on what the trouble is. If the trouble concerned an event we were doing, I’d call the caterer or the talent to straighten it out. If it were legal, I’d call my attorney, and if it were personal, I’d call my best friend. Or in the case of real trouble, I’d do what I usually do in a crisis. I’d order a pizza.”