OHNO OH YEAH!

Well, after much delay, frustration, and persistence the confirmation came through to interview Apolo Ohno at his home in Salt Lake City next weekend. I look forward to meeting this very talented fellow.

Will Apolo’s face grace our August issue, which will be distributed at the annual International AIDS Conference in Mexico City? ;) Stay tuned!

SEX

Why are so many people fearful or embarrassed or offended when it comes to sex? America is such a child compared to our neighboring Western countries who have a healthy attitude about sex. We somehow have seemed to hold on to those absurd Victorian values. This is the new millennium, Kids!

Case in point. I am President of our Homeowner’s Association, and there is such a lackadaisical, flippant attitude about joining the Board. But when something goes wrong, you can bet these folk are the first to yell! So I and the Board decided to write a memo encouraging people to get more involved in their home, their investment. The memo went out in the mail to each owner and I also posted it in the lobby. To catch people’s attention, I wrote SEX in red letters atop the memo and scribbled: Now that I have your attention please read further. The next day, I noticed someone scratched out the word ‘sex.’ Yes! Evidently, the person who did this is not getting any…

CYNICAL OLD BASTARD

I don’t want to become a ‘cynical old bastard,’ however, it truly is a daily challenge not to! Unfortunately, a creative person not only needs to produce [or create] but has to sell that product too. “Show business” -- it’s two words and a 2-step process, show and business. And dealing business can be vial, cut-throat, and fully stressful for the artist.

Fortunately, I am on staff of a magazine, however, I don’t know how these freelance writers survive. Most companies don’t pay for 2-4 months AFTER the piece is published and then it probably will take longer.

It is difficult to follow one’s heart and then come smack dab face-to-face with the reality of the business end of it. I deal with people every day in the business sense, but I haven’t quite figured out how to not let it affect me negatively ….

BOLLYWOOD IN CULVER CITY

Last night in Culver City, I had my first exposure to a film from India, Bhootnath. Over-the-top, theatrical, and all-out fun! At first I resisted, but once I suspended my beliefs of what a film should be, I really was delightfully captured.

After the movie, I spoke with an Indian lady in the lobby who told me that the ghost in the film was played by a very famous actor, Amitabh Bachchan. Indeed, he’s charismatic, suave, and handsome. Think Cary Grant. Can’t wait to Bollywood again.

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

Currently going through a nonproductive time professionally, which allows me to confront personal issues. It must be time for growth again! Many people I speak with seem to be going through major changes in their life. So is the world: the earthquakes, the tornadoes, America’s recession, etc. These are definitely changing times…..

Working toward getting interviews with the director, Gregg Araki [Mysterious Skin] and actor, Christopher Atkins [Blue Lagoon].

PITCH, PITCH, BITCH, BITCH

I have yet another idea for a film [documentary]. It came to me late last night and it overtook me with excitement and elation. However, that feeling was soon squelched when reality sank in: to WHOM do I pitch it?

I mean, I don’t know anyone in ‘da biz.’ And just try and pitch an idea if you don’t know anyone. FORGET IT! I’ve been down that road many times and just recently as well. The iron door still exists. You can’t get in.

I’ve pitched, or at least tried to, a sitcom, several books, and one screenplay. I remember when my professional partner, Kelly and I wrote a wonderful sitcom several years ago and for nearly 10 years banged on doors, shot faxes, and raced emails to agents. One time we even called Marc Cherry, creator of Desperate Housewives, who was then a writer and producer on Golden Girls, just to get his advice. He was very nice and patient with us. When I told an established writer, an acquaintance of mine, about the sitcom, he replied strongly, “You can have all the greatest ideas in the world, but if you’re not Steven Spielberg pitching, forget it.”
Cold-calling is very rough. I can honestly say, though, I am very tenacious. I’m like a rotweiler; I won’t let go. I’m learning, in the prime of my years, that to make it happen I need to create it myself. You can't depend on others. . . .

AMERICAN IDOL? AMERICAN INEQUITABLE.

I don’t watch American Idol. But because of its popularity, I do pick up bits and pieces as to what is happening on the show. Last night, David Cook won; David Archuleta did not. I’ve fleetingly heard both these guys sing and Cook sings rock, Archuleta sings Broadway. These guys should not be competing against one another!

In my own biased way, I was rooting for Archuleta because he sings more my type of music. The reality, though, is that Archuleta did NOT lose last night. I’m sure his career will take off and we’ll be seeing more of him.

PICTURES

How come I can't position the pics in my blog the way I want to?? Is that what Google calls user-friendly?!

ON HOLD

A huge control freak like me [I get better with time!] really hates not knowing what is coming. Case in point, I am waiting on final confirmations for several interviews. Being that these celebs are out of town creates, obviously, more work, ie., flights, hotel, car, etc. One interview is with Apolo Ohno. I've suggested Sunday, 1st June. Hope to hear soon. Another one is with Kim Cattrall in New York and Mario Lopez, also in New York. Hopefully, these will take place in June.

Meanwhile I continue my daily duties with A&U and pester a national magazine who hasn't paid me for an interview I did in November 2006. YES! I don't know how these freelance writers survive. It takes SO MUCH ENERGY and WASTED TIME to hound these publishers who don't pay on time. It makes my ass REAL weary.

While I work, I like to have a familiar albeit homey atmosphere, so right now in the background I have on I LOVE LUCY, my fave sitcom of all time. Like I mentioned above, I'm a control freak, but I'm also a Lucy Freak!

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH

What to do on my first entry? Immediately my thoughts spin toward Sedona, where I visited a couple weeks ago. I've been quite a few times to this village, but every time I'm there I can't get enough of its magic and the 'ooo's and ahh's' of its spectacular scenery. Whether you believe in the whole new-ageie thing or not, one can't deny the dynamic energy Sedona possesses. Those red rocks are majestic and overpowering, yet peaceful.

I must return to putting the finishing touches on the June cover story which is my interview with

Jay Bakker. Yes, Tammy Faye's son. Jay is a controversial figure in the Christian community and a welcoming breath of fresh air for those of us who are, as Woody Allen says, "I'm agnostic, just in case." [Location of pic Airport Mesa]