Hitchhiking with Larry David: An Accidental Tourist’s Summer of Self-Discovery in Martha’s Vineyard

181 Pages·2013·1.27 MB·English

by  Paul Samuel Dolman

HITCHHIKING
WITH LARRY DAVID
An Accidental Tourist’s Summer of
Self-Discovery in Martha’s Vineyard
PAUL SAMUEL DOLMAN
GOTHAM BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand,
London WC2R 0RL, England For more information about the Penguin Group visit penguin.com.
Copyright © 2013 by Paul Samuel Dolman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any
printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of
the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Gotham Books and the skyscraper logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Dolman, Paul Samuel.
Hitchhiking with Larry David : an accidental tourist’s summer of self-discovery in Martha’s Vineyard / Paul Samuel Dolman.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-10162173-8
1. Martha’s Vineyard (Mass.)—Description and travel. 2. Dolman, Paul Samuel—Travel—Massachusetts—Martha’s Vineyard. 3.
Dolman, Paul Samuel—Childhood and youth. 4. Hitchhiking—Massachusetts—Martha’s Vineyard. 5. Dolman, Paul Samuel—
Philosophy. 6. Self-actualization (Psychology) 7. David, Larry. 8. Martha’s Vineyard (Mass.)—Biography. 9. Martha’s Vineyard
(Mass.)—Social life and customs. I. Title.
F72.M5D65 2013
917.44'9404—dc23
2012047073

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information at the
time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after
publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party
websites or their content.
Penguin is committed to publishing works of quality and integrity.
In that spirit, we are proud to offer this book to our readers;
however, the story, the experiences, and the words
are the author’s alone.
I believe in miracles.
For all the people throughout my life who have picked me up
when I really needed a lift. Thank you!
Introduction
In the summer of 1974, Steven Spielberg and I landed on Martha’s Vineyard. I
came for a family vacation; he was there to shoot Jaws.
I stepped off the old, single-engine prop plane and knew instantly that this
was where I belonged. Quite simply, it was love at first sight. I felt as if there
were magic in the wind. My spine tingled; I could taste the sea on my lips. This
place was home.
With its quaint New England charm and captivating beauty, the Vineyard
sits off the base of Cape Cod, a mere seven miles from the reality of the
mainland. With her pristine beaches and endless miles of green meadows, the
island feels like heaven. There are no traffic lights, billboards, highways, or
malls on this rock. An unguarded feeling permeates people’s attitudes and tends
to relax their faces. Yes, I know, an environment this laid-back and carefree
sounds almost un-American. Which is precisely the charm of the place.
The island is cool in another way, too. While the rest of the country staggers
through the sweltering heat of summer, the chilly Atlantic waters keep the
Vineyard incubated in a comfortable climate with fragrant sea breezes. Even in
the underbelly of August, it is not unusual to throw on a sweater when
contemplating the stars.
Aside from the occasional “borrowed” bike, or the sight of me strolling
along the nude beach, there is no real crime on these shores. The Vineyard is
safe enough for residents to leave the front door open and the keys hanging in
the ignition; even to do a little hitchhiking—sometimes with surprising results.
Both the world and I have changed quite a bit through the years, yet this
magical little isle has managed to stay relatively unspoiled. Though I have
traveled extensively, the Vineyard has always felt like home. It’s the one place
where I can completely let go and see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction

CHAPTER 1: Soul Mates
CHAPTER 2: The Parental Asylum
CHAPTER 3: We Make Contact
CHAPTER 4: The Gospel of Seinfeld
CHAPTER 5: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
CHAPTER 6: Billionaires and Movie Stars
CHAPTER 7: Jewish Sailing
CHAPTER 8: The Larry Phenomenon
CHAPTER 9: Island Life
CHAPTER 10: Can’t Buy Me Love
CHAPTER 11: Bingo Tourette’s Syndrome
CHAPTER 12: Is That So?
CHAPTER 13: Fame and Misfortune
CHAPTER 14: I’m Robin Cook
CHAPTER 15: The Magical Girl and the Equine God
CHAPTER 16: The Great Mongolian Doughnut Sage
CHAPTER 17: Nonnie-nesia
CHAPTER 18: A Tale of Two Summers
CHAPTER 19: Not My Day to Die
CHAPTER 20: The Ancient Gods of Love
CHAPTER 21: The Ted Danson Principle
CHAPTER 22: Mother Nature’s Son
CHAPTER 23: The Lucky One
CHAPTER 24: Black and White
CHAPTER 25: Surreality
CHAPTER 26: Invitations
CHAPTER 27: The Prisoner of the United States
CHAPTER 28: The Greatest Show on Earth
CHAPTER 29: Dancing with the Cosmos
CHAPTER 30: Resonance and Reunion
CHAPTER 31: The End of the Ride

Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Let Me Know What You Think
CHAPTER 1
Soul Mates
At the age of forty-eight, feeling becalmed in listless waters without a following
wind, I am drawn toward geographic salvation. I am once again on a plane
returning to my summertime sanctuary, hopeful that my mystical island goddess
can heal that which lies broken within me. I pray that the Vineyard’s magic will
repair not only some recent wounds, but maybe a few old ones, too.
God, has it really been six years since my last visit? There’s no excuse for
the lapse, other than wanting to avoid the insanity of my parents. Actually that’s
a pretty good reason. Visiting them in Florida during the winters has fulfilled my
filial duties, up until now.
As the clouds pass below my wistful gaze, my mind drifts back a decade, to
that time in Nashville, Tennessee, when I was running my company, South
Beach Entertainment, named for my place of birth. South Beach was more
boutique than behemoth. The business allowed me to channel my love of music
and empowering people into a career that was enjoyable, and eventually quite
lucrative.
What did South Beach do? Whatever our clients needed or wanted. We
helped songwriters to hone their image and select their songs; get their music to
major artists; and get recorded. One client had a scenery company that built
stages; another owned a recording studio in Florida that produced songs for
television and film. We would pretty much do anything, as long as it was legal
and somehow involved the most crucial aspect of any entertainment venture:
long strategy sessions over ridiculously expensive dinners.