What's On My Mind

INDIANAPOLIS, IN isn't where I wanna live, so, I live in LOS ANGELES, CA.  However, the people I love immeasurably don't live in Los Angeles.  They live in Indianapolis.  So, at this very moment...

'Cause when I think of home...

Just Sayin'

Living here in southern California I don't have to contend with snow.  And that's a great thing in my book.  However, I do like looking at snow-covered mountains and prairies and farms and trees and lawns.  I just don't want to see it on the streets or on sidewalks.  Okay, I don't wanna SHOVEL it from streets and sidewalks!  That's what I really meant!  But lookin' at it during this time of the year, in particular, sure is nice.  

Meant To Be

For the past several months I've been meaning to call my oldest sister, Cheryl, to shoot the breeze.  I talk to my other three sisters and brother far more frequently, so I figured, let me call, Cheryl.  Well, I never got around to it.  Luckily for me today, though, she called ME!  When I saw her name on my cell phone's Caller I.D., I picked it up and greeted her with a, "Well, well, well!"  I have to admit, our conversation was terrific.  It was great hearing about her life.  She and I have a lot in common.  Mainly:  we don't have much money!  :) :) :)  However, we both are cognizant of one thing we DO have:  the love of FAMILY!  Amen.

Cheryl and I discussed her recent car accident.  She works two jobs and fell asleep at the wheel on her drive  home from the second job.  She wound up running into a semi-truck.  Thankfully she wasn't injured.  Just shaken up.  Her car was totaled, though.  Oops, I mean, her daughter's car!  That made the situation worse for her; having to tell her daughter she had wrecked her car.  All's well that ends well, 'cause the car has been replaced.  And, more importantly, Cheryl is just fine!

I sure do wish my big sister the best life has to offer because she's an incredibly kind human being.  In hindsight, I'm sure she wishes some of her past decisions were different than they were.  But, heck, she still has breath, so changing past mistakes/decisions into something positive is STILL possible!  She's a winner in my book.  Period!!!!!

Make A Wish

The nation is abuzz because of today's date!  So, at 12:12 PM, I'm gonna make a wish for myself (which, incidentally, is also for the benefit of others).  It is my goal to step out of this apartment and be instrumental in making at least one person smile.  I have the power to do that, you know.  Heck, we all do!

Happy 12/12/12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Let It Be Written

Last night I attended One Church International's H2:2 Writer's Workshop.  The workshop gets its name from the bible's Habakkuk 2:2.  Paraphrased, it says, "Write down the revelation and make it plain..."  And writing down MY revelation was precisely what I did.  My short film script, Silver Lining, was performed in a staged reading.  The church selected the two actors.  I was thrilled to be there just to hear the actors breathe life into my words.  There are two actors I had in mind the whole time I was writing, but I thought they couldn't be there since they aren't members of the church.  I was wrong.  Earlier today I sent an e-mail and the script to one of those actors I had in mind.  I plan to hear him and the other actor I had in mind read it aloud for me, too.

Well, three other writers were in attendance and their pieces were also performed.  An "industry" guest was there to critique our work.  Interestingly enough, when I saw who the guest was, I recognized her immediately, but she couldn't quite place who I was until I told her.  Turns out she goes to The Saban Free Clinic like I do and we're both on its advisory committee together.  She was very pleasant and incredibly frank about how she has gotten her scripts produced.  In regard to her criticism of our work, well, I don't suspect she was as brutally honest with us as she could have been.  So, I'll just say that I'll take what she said to me about my work and...well...and nothing.  She said she liked it, so I'm taking her at her word!  If she said she hated it, I'd take her at her word AND try to push off her a moving train!  Haaa!  (just joking...sorta).  :)  I'll have to submit some more work to the workshop before too long, 'cause now I've been bitten by the writing bug again and want to produce more, more, more!  

Justin' Sayin'...

The next time I hear someone complain about having to be a passenger on the BUS, I'm gonna tell him to COUNT HIS BLESSINGS; 'cause he COULD be a passenger in ANOTHER vehicle!!!!

Makeup Maestro...Goodbye.

Ross Burton

A day or two ago I heard about the death of a guy who used to work at MACY*S in NYC while I did back in the '90s.  He worked on the first floor, selling cosmetics.  For some strange reason, we didn't seem to hit it off at first.  I mean, I always got the sense there was some underlying tension.  Whenever I was with a friend of his and he walked up, he'd only address our mutual friend.  Oh well, that was then.  We wound up being very friendly with each other as time progressed.  He went on to accomplish great things in the cosmetic industry.  Even becoming Oprah's makeup artist and travelling the world with her.  Now, he's gone.  Is it wrong of me to wonder what caused his death?  It appears the Women's Wear Daily website has an article, explaining it, but I'd have to pay to subscribe to their online publication to read it.  And I'm not doing that, so I think this is God's way of telling me it doesn't matter the cause of his death.  What matters is what he did while he was alive.  And, according to numerous comments about him on various blogs, it appears he positively affected many lives.  God bless you, Ross.  And all those you loved.  And all those who loved you!