"There's Gregory Peck sitting in front of us two seats over," I said to my date. Immersed in an audience of movie stars, fame and fantasy-attending the Academy Awards presented me a dream-come-true dazzling experience-on several occasions.

The 55th edition of the Academy Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was held on April 11, 1983 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, awarding the best films of the year 1982. The ceremony was presented by Liza Minnelli and Richard Pryor, both of whom I hadn't seen up close since 1963, when I performed as a singer at The Champagne Gallery in Greenwich Village, NY, on alternating sets with Richard Pryor, and seeing Liza Minnelli, following her first stage performance in the Broadway musical comedy, "Best Foot Forward."

I attended five of The Academy Awards ceremonies.
1982: Award for Best Picture: Chariots of Fire
1983: Award for Best Picture: Gandhi
1985: Award for Best Picture: Amadeus
1986: Award for Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987: Award for Best Picture: Platoon

I was invited to my first Academy Awards event in 1982 by Kayla Garen, General Manager of the Hollywood Reporter. She asked me to be her date. Kayla was my treasured friend-still is. She offered me a world view and a new view of myself. She was a no-nonsense, enlightened human being who became my trusted confidant and spiritual inspiration. Kayla encouraged me out of my jeans, western hat and limited view of myself and dressed me up for new experiences. She nudged me toward making healthier life and business choices.

When I was about to be hired by The Coca Cola Company for a new position in marketing/public relations for The Monterey Vineyard, one of the winery properties of Coke's, The Wine Spectrum-that included Sterling Vineyards, and Taylor California Cellars and other boutique wineries-Kayla coached me on the terms of my contract and compensation. (This company was eventually sold off to the Seagram Wine Group along with my position.)

In 1985, I approached The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences with a proposal to host the 'Board of Governors Ball' with Mumm Champagne. In 1986 and 1987 I attended the Academy Awards as the guest of the Academy. I recall when picking up my two tickets at the office of the Academy, there were notable movie stars requesting unavailable tickets to attend. Sheepishly, I hid my tickets from view and left as quickly as possible.

Just like one's 'first kiss,' my experience attending the 1982 Academy Awards was amazing and life altering. The Hollywood Reporter's limo transported us to a number of pre-event and after Awards parties. In 1983, the most memorable in this flurry of parties was a pre-event at the home of Meryl Streep, where I shared some time alone with her in her kitchen. She was very pregnant, gracious and charming. I was bedazzled. And then, we all had to leave for the Awards ceremony. As our limo, in a very long line of limos, approached the Red Carpet I used the limo's mobile phone to call my sons who were watching the Academy Awards on TV at home in Carmel. (BTW, using a mobile phone in a car was a new experience for me.) "Okay, we're the next limo to get to the Red Carpet. I'll try not to trip when our door is opened." I remember one year as we just landed onto the Red Carpet. I was looking around distracted by the masses of media that had slowed the procession of stars. Cher was the woman in front of me. Her long dress trailed behind her-and I almost stepped on it. It would not have been a pretty picture if Cher walked out of her dress with my right foot holding onto her dress. It was close.

After arriving on the Red Carpet. We were ushered to the cocktail area set aside for the nominees. I was star-struck in the company of celebrities visiting one another. Champagne and hard liquor from the bar flowed freely with best wishes offered, real or not, to other nominees. Then, lights blinked on and off and all nominees were called to their seats. We sat in a sea of movie stars, haute couture and jewelry. (Gandhi won "Best Picture." Meryl Streep won, "Best Actress" for Sophie's Choice.)

Most thrilling for me was attending the Board of Governors Ball after each of the Academy Awards events. Over the years I was able to mix with celebrities at their respective dinner tables and on the dance floor. This incredible party was an opportunity for folks to meet other celebs-rekindling old friendships and being introduced to new friends. The room was like being in a large candy jar of brilliantly colored dresses. When socializing around the ballroom it felt like celebrity bumper cars-turn from one conversation and bump into another famous face. While talking with Goldie Hawn I heard a "WHOOP!" behind me. I turned face-to-face with Bette Midler who was waving a scolding finger at me saying, "Naughty boy." A man slipping by her had goosed her. She turned to me thinking I was the gooser. After claiming my innocence for this bold act we laughed, and I then asked her for a dance.

I recall that dinner table guests included film legend, Bette Davis, and William Hurt who was nominated for Best Actor for Broadcast News, Marlee Matlin (Who won Best Actress Award for "Children of a Lesser God" in 1986). Sitting at a table adjacent to the dance floor were Lionel Richie, Jim Henson, Meg Tilly, Mel Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft who played 'Mrs. Robinson' in "The Graduate." I left my table and asked Mel Brooks for his permission to dance with his wife. "Take her. She's yours." And so, I got to dance with light-as-a-feather 'Mrs. Robinson' as I praised her performance and shared my adoration. I also got to dance with Jane Wyatt ('Father Knows Best'), and Esther Williams ('America's Mermaid'); laughed and drank Champagne alongside Christopher Reeve ("Superman"), Cloris Leachman, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jeff and Susan Bridges, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. I chatted with screen legend Ralph Bellamy, Bernadette Peters, Tony Bennett, Jacqueline Bissett and many more. After a while all the faces and names, like so many whirling bubbles in a Champagne glass, became a blur. Hollywood magical times indeed.

One of the most memorable Academy Awards experiences was in 1987. My date, the beautiful Colette Cuccia, from Carmel, and I were hosting Bob & Gillian Crozier of American Express. When the ceremonies were complete everyone adjourned to the underground parking area to get into their limos to head to a variety of after Awards parties. The one that was most attended was the Board of Governors Ball. Ours was the last limo to leave the parking area for the Ball when I noticed ahead a man standing alone looking lost. I asked our driver to pull up to the man as I rolled down my window and asked him if he needed help. "Yes, my group left me. I'm supposed to be at the Ball." I said, "Get in. That's where we're going." It wasn't until I introduced my self and the others that I realized who he was, "I'm Steve Jobs." "Of course-you are," I replied. After we shared some laughs and comments about the Awards ceremonies, I asked Steve to sign a piece of paper for my teenage son, Leif (a devoted Apple user). After we were at the Ball, we humorously suggested to one another that Steve Jobs should have gotten the Academy Award for "Best Hitch-Hiker."

As guests mingled from dinner table to dinner table, I was able to share delightful moments with: Geraldine Page ("Best Actress" 1986 for "The Trip to Bountiful"); Kathleen Turner, Whoopie Goldberg, Jon Voight, Elizabeth Taylor, Angelica Huston, Huey Lewis, Harrison Ford, Quincy Jones and Tess Harper.

These days, Dagma and I dress up for the Academy Awards for two at home on television. Some years I put on my tux and she gets fancied up-most years we dress down. We prepare delicious foods with Champagne and make note of our favorite moments and preferred commercials.