Leaving My Imprint

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

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When I went to Women Who Write last week and saw Kevin Pollak, it was mentioned that he has an online chat show. You can find it here; http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinpollakschatshow

I watched an episode last night with Jon Favreau, whom I happen to find incredibly interesting. It ran over two hours long and I was never bored, but that’s not what this post is about. This post is about something Jon said in regard to watching movies with your kids. He was discussing how you leave your imprint on your kids just by what you watch and where you laugh or what you find disturbing, etc. As if to underline his point, my daughters came home from seeing Ironman 3, a film they have been eagerly anticipating. A film that I am familiar with because I’ve watched both the first and second installments with them in the past. At $13.50 a ticket, I let them go to this one on their own but was anxious to see if it held up to the hype.

They both loved it, but Tessa said I would tell her some of the violence was gratuitous. I wanted to throw my fist in the air and yell “YES!” I didn’t, of course, but I couldn’t help thinking that Jon was right. Clearly, she could see it. Whether or not she even agrees at this point in her life is irrelevant because the seed has been planted. At the very least, it is something that caught her attention and she gave it consideration. I love that there are films and books and music that we can share and that through it all I can leave my mark without having to preach.

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This Is Who I Am

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

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My stomach is in knots and I don’t know if that’s just stress over our current financial situation, or if it’s because we are on the cusp of a huge shift. I feel as though it’s the latter, but then I’ve been let down in the past when things didn’t go as hoped. Logically, I can tell myself that it is out of my control.  I have laid the ground work and whatever is meant to be will be, but emotionally, and even physically, I can’t let go.

I want to believe that all of the struggle is going to finally pay off, but we have been struggling for so long that there is the fear that things will never change. I’m constantly pushing that thought away, burying it deep, only to have it resurface. I imagine a future that is bright. I tell myself that if I can visualize it, then it can come to fruition. I tell my kids to dream big and that nothing is impossible, but then there are days like today when I just want to scream “what the ????”. Days where the anxiety is so overwhelming that I literally don’t know if I’m coming or going.

I guess I have to take a deep breath and live by the thing I do know, which is this; I am a writer. It’s what I do. It’s as ingrained in me, and as instinctive as the love I have for my children. When people speak of their purpose here on earth, I know without a doubt that mine is to write. That it is to make a difference in others’ lives through the words I put to paper. How profound that difference is remains to be seen. If it is to simply provide a temporary respite from their crazy stressful lives, I’m good with that. If it proves to be something more, I’ll be good with that too, but I am meant to write. I have to trust that, one way or another, in the great scheme of things it’s going to pay off.

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Screenings

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

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We were invited to a screening of the new Tyler Perry film, Peeples, last night at Lionsgate, thanks to my daughter’s school. It was in Santa Monica so we gave ourselves plenty of time to deal with rush hour traffic. As luck would have it, there was no traffic. The 405 is notoriously backed up at all hours of the day or night but for some reason it flowed smoothly the entire way and we arrived with plenty of time to spare.

There was a short interview with Kimrie Lewis-Davis, who plays Meg in the film, and then the lights went down and the film began. I will be honest, I was not expecting brilliance, but I like David Alan Grier and a few of the lines in the trailer had caught my attention. Add to that the fact that it was shot in the Hamptons, and I knew I would be entertained by the scenery if nothing else. I wasn’t wowed by the beginning, although I would love to have the NY apartment. The scenery never disappointed. It was spectacular throughout.

At first, there were people associated with the film laughing too hard at things that just weren’t that funny, but as the story progressed it definitely got better. In the end, I enjoyed it. The performances were solid, even if some of what they were expected to do was a little over the top. I like films that end on an up note and this one definitely does. So, if you are looking for a light comedy with amazing scenery, you should enjoy Peeples.

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Another Day of Inspiration

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

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I’ve just spent the morning with musicians, actors and writers. In other words, I was fortunate enough to attend another of Vicki Abelson’s Women Who Write Salons. Today’s guests were Michael Des Barres and Kevin Pollak.

Michael is British, and as we all know, that goes a long way in my book. Oh, how I do love the sound of an accent, and especially a London accent. Beyond that, though, he is also a musician, an actor and a former addict who has turned his life around and now helps others. He performed four songs, including “Obsession” which was made famous by Animotion but written by him and Holly Knight. He was charming and entertaining, winning over the crowd of almost all women easily. To be fair, there were two guys and of course Kevin in attendance, too, but I think it’s safe to say they also enjoyed him.

Kevin Pollak is one of those actors whose face you would recognize instantly even if you couldn’t say what exactly you’ve seen him in. The answer would be just about everything. Originally a comedic actor, he has been able to prove himself as a dramatic actor in movies such as “A Few Good Men” and “The Usual Suspects’. He is also known for his remarkable impressions. He has recently released a book, How I Slept My Way to the Middle. http://www.amazon.com/How-Slept-Way-Middle-Interwebs/dp/076278055X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367359350&sr=1-1&keywords=sleeping+my+way+to+the+middle 

As he explained, those who treated him well on his way up have been put into the book to pay tribute to, and those who were nasty, they made the book as well. Unfortunately, I had to leave before he finished reading, but the two stories I was able to stick around for were extremely entertaining. It has left me anxious to read his book. So, if like me, you are fascinated by people who manage to make a name for themselves, and you can’t get enough of well told stories, pick up his book.

Lastly, I just have to sing the praises of Vicki Abelson herself. She puts these salons on once a month and manages to hit it out of the park every single time. The caliber of artists she brings to the table is phenomenal. She is generous and supportive and deserves any recognition she does and/or can get. Why she has yet to be given a deal to host these for HBO or Showtime, or even on the web is beyond me. I can only imagine that it will happen soon. You’d watch, right?

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Z is for Zoo

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

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I am not a huge animal person. I have nothing against them, but suffice to say you will not find me spending my days posting a million adorable animal pictures on Facebook or Pinterest. That said, I have children, so I have been to my fair share of zoos. In fact, when thinking about this post I realized I have been to just about every zoo in California, as well as one in Arizona. The one California zoo I have not been to however, is the only one I have ever been interested in going to, The Santa Barbara Zoo. From the time my son was very little I have heard that this is a beautiful zoo. We have discussed driving up there throughout the childhoods of all three kids. My youngest is now thirteen and it’s still never happened. Perhaps when I have grandkids I’ll finally go.

So there you have it, I have completed the A to Z challenge! Yikes, now I’m going to have to come up with real posts! It’s been nice having at least a general idea of what I would post each day. What should we discuss now? All suggestions are welcome.

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Y is for Yeppin, Yabba Dabba Do and Other Nonsense

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

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When Laura and I wrote Room to Grow we wanted the grandma in the story to be from the old country, and so was born the make believe country of Grout. We also had to make up a language for her to speak, and we created one that is a cross between Swedish and German. “Yeppin” is what she says for yes, and I was delighted to hear that it has made its way into one of my sister’s speech. We were discussing something around Christmas and I asked her something and without thinking, she answered “Yeppin!” It took me a second to realize, oh yeah, we made that up. Perhaps you had to be there, but it was awesome! One day I’d like it to be quoted in homes all over the world. Yeah, I dream big.

As for “Yabba Dabba Do!”, that has been in my head ever since I first began thinking about needing to write a post for the letter Y. Just like Yeppin, it was once nothing more than a silly line someone wrote which just goes to prove that Yeppin may indeed catch on. It’s kind of fun to say. The next time someone asks you a yes or no question just reply with Yeppin! It’ll make you smile.

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X is for X Marks the Spot!

Posted on April 27, 2013 by

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I did this painting in my art journal on the theory that vision boards are all the rage. Of course I finished it and realized that I’d left Bittersweet, my T.V. pilot off of it, and on some levels that is what I am the most hopeful about right now. I may have to find a way to add that in later. There should probably be a path leading from the book store to the treasures as well. The theory is to make some money through my books and the pilot which will then generate interest in my musical, Room to Grow! It will tour the country, clearly with a very successful run in Chicago, and then I’ll have really hit the jackpot when it reaches Broadway.

So please, let us all take a collective moment to imagine this happening. I’m sure if all of us put it into the universe as a sure thing, then it will in fact be a sure thing. Ready? Go! Thanks guys.

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