Indeed! Indeed!

I've written a few scripts.

I've submitted those few scripts to various contests.

Now...

I'm moving on to the next thing as I patiently await what will become of those scripts.

It's not the DESTINATION, but the JOURNEY, they say.

Okay, I buy that!  I sure do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONWARD and UPWARD I go, though.

Since TIME won't stop moving, NEITHER can I!

A New Donn, A New Day, A New Life

Today I was treated to lunch by a friend.  A friend who defied all odds and got a sweet taste of how it feels to earn a helluva good living as a Hollywood actor.  A friend who used his earnings to buy a beautiful condo, and help out friends and family members with some of their money woes.

That helluva good living came.  And went.  Unfortunately, it didn't go quietly into the good night.  It screeched and squealed and undoubtedly caused him a tear or ten million.  But he's STILL here!  He's STILL hopeful.  And he's immeasurably THANKFUL for any and all assistance I may have extended his way over the past few years.

Today's lunch was intended to show me GRATITUDE.

Dear God...Dear Universe...I thank you for allowing me to BE the friend I want to have.  I freely, willingly, happily and consistently share whatever talents and funds I have with others to make life just thismuch sweeter.  For them.  And for me.

I wish the very best for my friend as he continues his climb back to professional and financial fulfillment.  No, I can't pay all his bills for him.  But I can and WILL continue to show him RESPECT, DEVOTION and KINDNESS for as long as we both shall live.

As long as he keeps trudging forward, he WILL prevail.  Talking to him today at lunch showed me that there's...

It's a new Donn.  It's a new Day.  It's a new Life for him.

And that makes me feel good!

Monday, March 30th, 2015

I'll take 'em both!!!!

Indeed, I sure will!

Growing Old Ain't For Sissies

Yesterday, I watched one of the most heartfelt documentaries I've ever seen.  Before You Know It.  The film revolves around the lives of three, gay male seniors from different parts of the country: NYC, Texas and Florida.

Honestly, as I watched the film, I was on pins and needles.  And mainly because I think about growing into old age more often than I care to admit.  Perhaps it's because I volunteer with the elderly.  Or perhaps it's because I just wonder what my life will be like at that stage.

What I know for sure is that in order to live out one's "older" years comfortably, one MUST be saving money NOW!  'Cause I can clearly see that an old man NEEDS money in a way a young man doesn't.  This said, I've gotta start MAKING more, so I can SAVE more!  I'm convinced being old and poor is a helluva lot WORSE than being young and poor.

The documentary makes it abundantly clear that how we live out our senior years is up to us.  We can choose to be a loner, like Dennis; a social activist like Ty, or a fun-loving old-timer like Robert.  I can tell you right now, I'm aiming for Robert's vitality and gusto, although I'm probably more of a loner than most would think.

Later today, I'm back at my volunteer gig with the elderly.  I think I'll tell a few of the residents about this film.  When it's available on DVD, I'll have to purchase it and let them see it.  I'd love to hear their thoughts.

I'll watch this film again.  Maybe even a third time.

'Cause it moves me like that.

'Cause it affects me like that.

'Cause it scares me like that.

In the immortal words of the film's Robert:

"You never think about getting older when you're younger.  But before you know it, it creeps up on you and you're there already."

Leader Of The Band

As I sit here listening to the incredibly soothing voice of Dan Fogelberg I am looking at two 8X10 photos of my beloved, deceased father, "Mr. Charles."

Daddy, I don't think I told you I love you nearly enough.  So, I hope and pray my words now travel up to Heaven and are loud enough for you to hear.

My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man.

I'm just a living legacy to the leader of THE MONTGOMERY band.

If You See My Reflection...

Since 2010, every other Sunday I spend time with the elderly.

TALKING.  LAUGHING.  EATING.  LEARNING.

After I leave the assisted-living residents, I go to a secured floor to spend time with the residents afflicted with Alzheimer's.

Honestly, what moves me most is that, if I live long enough, I, too, will be elderly.

And as bad as I feel admitting this: that kinda frightens me.

It truly does.

'Cause I'm gettin' older, too.

Last Exit To BROOKLYN

My boy, BROOKLYN MCLINN, has said a mouthful!

WOW!

I couldn't agree with him MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No Thieves Allowed

I can't say enough about how much I want to be a BLESSING to others.

However, the fact of the matter is: I can't help ANYBODY unless/until MY cup runneth over.

What's INSIDE the cup is MINE.  Everything that runs over is for OTHERS.

If you give and give and give until you sacrifice yourself, those to whom you give are actually STEALING from you what you need and don't even know it.

Amen.

We Rise

Today, I sent an e-mail to an acquaintance who also writes.  He sent me several of his scripts a few weeks ago, and just the other day, I got around to reading one of his half-hour, single-camera comedy scripts for television.

The first thing I noticed about the script was that it wasn't written in the proper format.  Wrong formatting usually determines whether or not a script is read or tossed into a garbage can.  So, the helping soul I am searched Google to find a script actually written by the TV show's writers.  I hit pay dirt, 'cause I found a script written by the TV show's co-creator.  I then searched YouTube and found the actual televised broadcast of the same episode.  I sent links to both finds to my acquaintance and told him to study the professional script, then rewrite his script and make it look IDENTICAL in formatting.

After he completes his rewrite, THAT'S when I want him to send me the script.  'Cause truth be told, I can't read a script that isn't formatted properly and actually concentrate on the story.  I'd be too distracted by the poor formatting.

Time will tell if he rewrites the script and sends it back to me.  If he does, great.  If he doesn't...

Well...if he doesn't, I reckon that'll free me up to help someone else with his/her script.  Either way, I'll ALWAYS lend whatever talents I have to folks who TRULY want assistance.

All By Myself

So, I went to Venice Beach earlier, then walked toward Santa Monica Beach.  I stopped at one point, and the photo above is what I saw.  I wasn't the least bit disappointed that the beach wasn't packed.  In fact, I'm THRILLED it wasn't.

It was PEACEFUL.

And I like PEACE.

Yep, I sure do.

Living Free(ly)

I'm headin' out to Venice Beach to do a little exercising and to simply enjoy the morning into early afternoon.

I'm FREE!

And it's high time I start LIVING like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I Want Most

Every day I step outside my apartment I meet someone new.

It turns out that the "new" person is never really new.

'Cause he or she wants the same things as everybody else I've ever met.

To be SEEN.  To be HEARD.  To be UNDERSTOOD.  

I like meeting "new" people.  

'Cause I like being reminded over and over again that we're all virtually the same.

I sure hope that people can learn to show COMPASSION for others.

ALL others.

83 And Thee

If my beloved mommy was still kickin' and screamin' on this ol' planet, she'd be 83 years young today!  WOW!!!!  The ol' gal's been gone for THIRTY years!  THIRTY freakin' years!!!  Wow!  Time sure does fly!  FAST!

I hope she's up in heaven celebrating her butt off with Daddy, Uncle Ash, Grandma, Aunt Pauline, Aunt Ann, Aunt Mary, Aunt Margaret and a whole heap of other folks she's bound to know up there!!!!

HAPPY 83rd BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

If Ford brought back the Lincoln Continental, I sure hope it'd look like THIS one!  I mean, man, that sucka's HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

Folks have been passing this image around the internet, claiming the model above is gonna be the "new Lincoln," but, alas, that isn't TRUE!  But, damn, this photoshopped version looks niiiiiiiiiiiiice!  

Spread JOY

Today I've run all around the city and, of course, interacted with all sorts of folks.  I can honestly say I rejoice when I leave people with smiles on their faces.  I hope and pray I can do this until the day I am no longer.

At least, I fully INTEND to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Truth

I may not be everything I've DREAMT I'd be. 

But I am everything I BELIEVE

Keep On Giving

Since I've completed two, new writing assignments of late, I'm feelin' pretty dang good about what great things are in store as a result!

Being holed up in my bedroom, writing until the break of dawn, will NOT be in vain!  

No, sirree, Bob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fiji Love

Ahhhh, tonight I'm takin' a wonderful journey back to the mid-'80s!  Back to Wabash College to be precise!

One of my beloved fraternity brothers, B. R. Rickel, and I used to deliver the news on the college radio station.  Going to and coming from the station, we'd sing David Bowie's hit at the time:  MODERN LOVE!  And we LOVED it!!!

So, Mr. B. R. Ricks, wherever you are, I hope you're well!

And THANKS for the GLORIOUS MEMORIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Better Things Are Coming

I've been waitin' for today to come for the past week, 'cause today is the day HBO began accepting submissions for it's HBOAccess Writing Fellowship.  At first, I was going to submit an original one-hour drama.  Yes, the same piece I submitted to another writing program a week or so ago.  I changed my mind and decided to send an original feature screenplay.

Well, HBO began accepting submissions at 9 AM PST, however, I couldn't sign onto Withoutabox.com to submit.  I mean, the screen was stuck.  Just a white background.  I tried and tried and tried.  Rebooted my computer, everything.  Still, nothing!  Finally, I got through; only to find THIS message:

***THE SUBMISSION CAP HAS BEEN MET AND SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED***

Then, a little while later, THIS message:

***DE-ACTIVATED SERVICE • Call for Entries is current, but online submission is de-activated at this time. You may submit by traditional means, or check back soon in case things change***

I have to admit that I was immeasurably disheartened turned off by some of the wording in HBO's Terms & Conditions for submitters.  Heck, NONE of us wanna GIVE our babies away for FREE!!!!!

"I agree that nothing in this Release shall be deemed to create a confidential relationship between you and me or shall place you in a position different from that of a member of the general public with respect to the use of the Materials. If you commence use of the Materials in violation of this Release, and provided that I own the Materials and the Materials are original, novel, protectible and valuable, you agree to pay me as total compensation therefor such sum of money as we may subsequently agree upon in writing. If we have not attempted or are unable to agree upon the sum, and you commence the use of the Materials in violation of this Release, you will pay me, and I will accept as consideration for all rights of every kind in the Materials, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500). If I do not agree that $500 is acceptable compensation for your use of the Materials, I will not submit the Materials hereunder. I acknowledge that I shall suffer no damages in excess of the foregoing from your use of the Materials or by reason of any other claim that I may assert with respect thereto, and in no event shall I be entitled to, nor shall I demand, any other compensation or any legal or equitable remedy, including but not limited to, injunctive relief."

I eventually saw on Google that everybody and their mothers were complaining about the site crashing, not allowing us to upload our scripts, so I e-mailed HBO a plea to receive a waiver to still submit.  I haven't received a reply to my request, so, as always, what will be, will be.  I'm done thinking about this.

Nothin's Worrying Me

I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin',
Because I'm free!!!
Nothin's worrying me!!!

And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 1st, 2015

Oh, how the time is a-flyin' by!!!!!!!!!

That's all right, though, 'cause this ol' boy is simply gonna do what he ALWAYS does:

MAKE THE BEST OUTTA WHATEVER'S TOSSED MY WAY!

I'm off to spend time with the elderly!!!!!  Lox and Bagels, here I come! :)