I Sunburnt My Knees Somehow!

 “Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.”
--Ada Louise Huxtable, writer

What a beautiful day it was...Walked down by the bay and saw lovely ladies in bikinis partying on boats...Summer is awesome in So Cal. There is this one corner on the Bayshore beach where sorority girls always kick it...Oh boy, I need to get back in shape!

Had fun yesterday at the beach with Karen (I almost tossed her in the ocean, but instead ate her sandwich), later the hanging out with my boys Nick & Greg (got Chipotle, watched Monday Night Football pre-season game), and finally kicked it with Spangie (ate Panda Express, got her hooked on How I Met Your Mother, snuggled with her puppy Lilu). You know, I am blessed to have such a great family, and friends. Karen is very impassioned, and I love talking to her about world affairs, and venting to her about my problems! Nick & Greg are like my brothers, and they always have my back, no matter what. They consistently cheer me up! Some of our conversations are sitcom-worthy, for sure. And Spangie is just hilarious. When she isn't wrestling with some bureaucratic nuisance, she's entertaining me with her endless energy and spirit.

Spoke to my artist, Winford, for a while about our next comic strip...He is having some computer difficulties, but I hope it still turns out good. (The concept art is to the right, these are characters I developed in 1993. This is will the 2nd strip of "Jumbo & Hoppy" by Winford & myself.)

This weekend was fun...movie w/ Karen (the Spanish version of "Quarantine" called "REC", which came out first, and was slightly better than the remake) & had a fun dinner w/ her fam, BBQ block party for cousin's bday, then a bday party at a bar for my homegirl Steffani (saw lots of old school faces from high school. was the ultimate designated driver again), kicked it with Spangie, kicked it with Danny...Good friends and good times!

Looking forward to reading new comic books tomorrow and getting my latest script done!

Okay, I'm off to a late dinner and a movie! Keep fighting!

The Unread Safeword

The Unread Safeword

Composed on 8/19/10

God forgive me for this life I’ve led

And all the blood and tears I’ve shed

The battles continue with frightful raging

My own content, a front I’m waging

Staged the combat seen so freely

With nerves quite calm, a look so steely

Deep the hurt goes in scenes so often

Where I die, then arise from my own coffin

Each day’s a chance to live it brighter

But I feel the Tempter’s grip grow tighter

Fighting for my best performance

The pressure builds till it’s too enormous

And maybe I’ve grown a comfort for it

A life so wretched that I deplore it

Stored in my own heart’s locked compartment

Is a word so soft, etched on a parchment

In a language long dead and ancient

In my translation, I’m not ever patient

So I do not bother to read this secret

Buried, forgotten is where I keep it

But maybe you can guess this codeword

That would propel me up and forward

It might be reason, or maybe hope

The truths in love for my sorrow’s cope

Yet without it, I commence in warring

Not concerned by what my heart is storing

And in each death, I find rebirth

Missing the essence of what life’s worth

Though I would not allow myself to free it

Just say I could release this note to see it

The word is not for my understanding

While I give in to my foes’ demanding

My eyes are shrouded by the World’s illusions

So I dwell in conflict’s endless confusion

God, I give thanks, for You remain so kind

In spite of all my choices, my eyes so blind

Reluctant Smile

"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way."
-Robert Kiyosaki, author & investor

In an odd mood today, need to remember to smile despite any adversity in my life, and focus on moving forward and being positive. I am blessed in so many ways, regardless of any tiny snags or obstacles that come my way.

I had two possible acting gigs recently, one fell through because my hair has been cut (they wanted my long hair for a 70's role). The second was for a detective, which would have been great, but the tallest guy they could take was 6'3", so I am 2-3 inches too tall. Darn, those are the breaks! Acting involves constant rejection, and you have to remain thick-skinned and diligent.

Debated a friend today, did some reading, worked on a script, ate Subway for lunch. Nothing too exciting. I have to go lift and then figure out what I'm doing with myself tonight. Might have to work a premiere tomorrow.

Last weekend was lots of fun (clubs, fights on TV and in real life, movies, friends). Danny & Jason are two of the craziest guys there are, but both of them are exceptional human beings! Had a nice lunch in Hollywood with Karen the other day. Had a great time getting sushi with Greg last night, and found my camera! Yes! Look forward to seeing "The Expendables" soon. I have a couple interesting films to blog about that I saw on Netflix. Back to the grind, trying to sell a script...Gotta make 2010 remarkable!

"Inside of every problem lies an opportunity."
-Robert Kiyosaki, author & investor

(Here is a sample of artwork of a comic strip that my friend Francis Dulguime and I working on. Its called "Animabies" and its about Anime characters as little tykes. Finished product will be done before the end of the month...)

What's up there, Chief?

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun." -Katharine Hepburn

When I go out of this world, I'll be able to say I had a helluva time in it!

The roar of the speed boats sounds in the Marina, and a strange banging sound raps at my window...What is it? I'm too tired to investigate. Just got invited to Laughlin by my cute homegirl. Do I go? My latest assignment is up, so I will have some free time. Hmmm. I did get jealous when Snate and the boys went last time without me. And I love to Jet Ski!

Oh man, still recovering from last night. I need to go feed some animals, then feed myself, and lift weights...I've done some epic partying lately. Seen some great movies recently, too. Will have to explain in more detail later. Thank goodness for good back rubs. Can't find my camera. Is at Greg's, the Shorehouse, at a bar, or lost? Karen needs her BP photo! Uh, I have heartburn.

Okay, my screenwriting is calling me, and I have texts and phone calls to return, but much love to my people, and stay happy!

Living is Trying Everyday

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent van Gogh

There is a lot of truth to that quote. I know times can get you down, heck I feel it too. The economy, the world, self-imposed pressures, expectations of family, friends and society can all be daunting... But I hope you have the courage to try new things, go for your dreams, and live the life you want. This is your book, your movie...You are the hero, so be courageous and make it happen!

Ah, enough with the pep talk. I need to knock out because I have to wake up early for work, but I wanted to post something.

My back is feeling better, even though I moved some heavy boxes today. On Monday, I saw "Date Night" (Carell & Fey had great chemistry) with Spangie and ate amazing Chinese food. We walked around her neighborhood with the pups. Later watched 2006 Korean horror film "The Host" with my broken buddy Nick. He didn't like the movie; more importantly, his neck is getting better slowly but surely. On Tuesday night, went and saw "Dinner for Schmucks" (so hilarious) with Karen. We got lost looking for a Taco Bell. She had a headache all evening long (I have that effect on people. LOL), so we had to call it an early night (we were going to pull a double feature). Good times. I hope to see a cool movie Wednesday night with great friends (more on that later).

I just ate a piece of apple pie with vanilla ice cream and watched a "How I Met Your Mother" episode. Love that show. Speaking of shows I love, I can't wait for "Smallville" to come back on. I need my SUPERMAN fix! 2 or 3 comics featuring The Man of Tomorrow a month is not enough. Wish there was a new Supes cartoon series airing nowadays!

The neighbor 3 cats I'm cat-sitting are doing good. Gotta feed them early before work. My cat is good. He is large and fluffy and violent, as usual. My life is good.

But, I'm old. I have several injuries. My scripts haven't sold yet. I don't have the budget to direct an indie feature. I'm not married yet. All my romances turn out to be failures (in the sense that none end happily, although many great memories are formed). It's all good though. Why?

Because I'm going to keep trying. Keep working. Keep living. Keep loving. Keep laughing. My life is great, in spite of and because of the failures. It makes the victories even better!

God bless, and take care!

No Sex in My City w/ Back Pain and a Missing Kitty!

I've been working on comic strips (writing) with my artist bro's Winford and Francis, and I'm excited to see how they turn out!

Man, this weekend was fun, and rough. Saw "The Crazies" w/ my friends Greg & Karen on Thursday (it was a fun horror flick). Then on Friday night, I enjoyed watching my boom operator/associate producer & fellow cinephile Chad Gleason's Dance/Musical show with our movie-watching gang: Mikey, Chris, and Sharon. Chad was brilliant and funny as usual! In celebration, we went to Paul's Place in Los Alamitos and the Long Beach Town Center afterward. But then sadly on Saturday, I was tore up with back pain and stomach problems. No bueno! Couldn't even go wild w/ high school buddies Danny and Jason because I felt so bad (although, last time I was their designated driver, Danny tried to kill me while I was driving by putting plastic bag over my head and I had to punch him in the face!). And I don't appreciate drunken idiots peeing in a water bottle in my backseat, either (but karma caught him when Danny had to break into his own house, and he scared his dog, causing her to pee on the floor, ha!). Anyway, Sunday was low-key. Fed my neighbors cats in the early AM--I was missing one of the three until this evening when he was found in the bushes! I was stressing the last day and a half over that missing cat! After cat duty, I went to church, which was rejuvenating, then knocked out a nap, and woke up and watched some "How I Met Your Mother" episodes. Hung out with my sister, later had delicious ribs and chicken for dinner and watched the always awesome "True Blood" and "Entourage". Oh, then sadly, I also saw "Sex and the City 2" this weekend. My review is below! Hope all is well with you good people out there, and stay strong!

SEX AND THE CITY 2 REVIEW---There are some cool visuals (especially in the Middle East settings, and Alice Eve from "She's Out of My League" going around bra-less was nice, too). The ladies do have some charm left in them, even with their cheesy one-liners ("Lawrence of my labia!"). The actresses appear to be having fun, so it in turn lets us enjoy the ride. But that alone cannot carry the film. Perhaps a movie so heavy on fashion, furniture, alcohol, and style is lost on someone like me, but I imagine that its merely candy-coating for their demographic. It at times felt like porn for middle-aged women addicted to the Travel Channel. And as much as I appreciate feminist criticisms of the way women are poorly treated in the Middle East, S.a.t.C.2 was so soft and polite with their social commentary that it made their valid points toothless. Instead of something important, we got a lot of scenes often showing the aged gals acting spoiled, complaining about their jobs or hard-working men (except Kristen Davis, she's hot!) and pretending to be perhaps more attractive and fashionable than they really are (sorry, they are all beautiful in their own way, but maybe not in the sex-glamor way they're portrayed as). I don't know if I'm so used to the show ENTOURAGE (w/ good writing and interesting characters) that I've been tainted to not favor these girly exploits that seem of lesser substance than Vinnie Chase's cheap Hollywood thrills. So much of the dialogue seems forced, as does the conflict between Carrie and Mr. Big (their separation seemed awfully contrived in the first film as well). There were some nice character moments exploring the humanity behind stressful motherhood & marriage, but those got buried by the glitz and confetti. The film also has so many shameless product placements (Suzanne Summers' book, Ruffles, Rolex, etc.). Cameos were prevalent throughout the film: Penelope Cruz was refreshing, Miley Cyrus was frivolous. Liza Minnelli's cameo was funny at first (singing Beyonce's Single Ladies) until it became a painful metaphor for the whole film: older women past their prime faking youth and trying to be sexy and modern (sorry if that's harsh, God bless them!). I don't know if Gossip Girl is like a young S.a.t.C. (I didn't/don't watch either show), but I'd say its probably more relevant, considering these cougars are way past retirement age. The film wants to "sparkle" and it does, but not like a diamond, more like a cheap bedazzled jewel.

July Poetry

Thrill Alive

7/1/10

The jeopardy of it all

And in the thunder of my thinking, it seems…

Seems to me that I had lost certain words to say such things

In the ever-being of weeks

The fault all around me is present

In resentment and misunderstanding

And I see I have done the same

I forgive the missteps of others in anger

Due to my own aching flaws

And hope that blessings come to all

See, the danger of life

Is the conquest that is a promise

You keep to yourself each morning

That drifts into the afternoon, muddled

And remembered while saying your nightly prayers…

Because of a love I once had

For direction and focus and accomplishment

I seek that thrill of victory

Laughing in the face of failure

A smirk on my face

The Uncertain Doorframe

7/26/10

An indescribable description is what I want to write

Despite my simple mind and my complex life

But it’s not in the art of these days that I find solace

Nor the beauty of nature

Nor the comfort of friends

I lend my mind to yesterday

A play that stays in a half-finished outline

And it both enlightens me and tortures me

For the past was great and tragic and bittersweet

And my present is blessed and cursed

And the future: UNCERTAIN

Certainly, I know my path

I know my destiny pre-written, unpublished with errors

Yet, it is re-written in my writing

My soul and pen always in-fighting

It saves the pathway to a door locked and open

The knob is both keyless and broken

And beyond it is the life for which I was hoping


Thanks for reading my poetry!
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