All's Faire...well, let's see what happens

We hopped on a train bound for Chicago to see the movie on a big screen. It was at a small film festival in the Windy City - last movie on the docket - and we thought this would be the only time we might get the chance to see it in a crowd of people who would give honest opinions and reactions.

Plus, honestly, how many times do you get to see your son on a movie screen, in a theater (and your friends...and yourself for that matter)? It was a neat way to spend two days with my youngest son, and my best friend. Maybe "neat" isn't the best word, but it wasn't bad. OK, it could've been worse (could have been a little cheaper. Who knew? Long story, maybe I'll tell it another time).

We did not see much of Chicago (to say the least), although we did have two great meals and a pretty good nap! Karl took two naps and still went to bed that night relatively early.

I think the most significant memories for him will be the fantastic, tasty, Chicago-brewed root beer, delicious Irish food, and the neat photos and memorabilia to stare at, that was plastered all over the walls at the pub we dined in next door to the theater.

Although, I truly feel he did enjoy the satisfaction of seeing himself on the silver screen, it was simply tempered by the horrible editing, the memories associated with the other guard in the scenes, and my shush-ing him throughout the film. That was rough (let's hear it for Autism - yea).

There was a lot they could have done with the film - and so much tripe they should have left out (it was edited to make buddies and sycophants feel good, and not for the storyline), but what can you do? The version we saw was a rough cut, and as such, poor lighting and graininess was huge, and the credits were impossible to read. I know they can, should, might fix it down the road, but I think selling a better quality product from a schlock production company might be easier.

If it comes out on DVD, you can bet your boots I will be buying several copies, but if they intend to sell it for commercial release, there is still a lot of work to be done. A LOT.

Do you hear that, Patriot Productions? Get busy and fix that film!

All that being said, I still enjoyed the thrill of watching something I had a hand in. Seeing it from a different perspective than from the behind-the-scenes vantage point (and sometimes in front of the camera) I participated in.

'appy Birthday, Brian!

To my son, who is 23 today...

Happy Birthday!

I had such words of wisdom for your brother on his birthday this year, and it seems as though we were in this same position last year (cuz we were), with nothing for me to offer either of you due to lack of funds.

This marks the third year I have had to face the morning of your birthdays (each of you) without anything/much to give you.

At some point in the NEAR future I hope to be able to make up for all of the missing bits. Until that time, though, I hope you know I have given you everything I can that money cannot buy.

My heart (which you have always tugged on).

Faith in your abilities.

A desire for you to believe in yourself.

Humor.

Love of your fellow humans.

A sense of right from wrong.

A moral compass.

Great genetics (sorry about the stuff you got from the other side).

My love (which you will never lose).

Happy birthday, sweetie!

Another stuffy dawn

Day seven (and my mom tells me it's the flu, not a cold), and that, because of the surgery, my immune system is compromised and weak and, it will be some time before I can expect to breeze past illnesses that come up...blah blah blah.

Awe, man! And now I need to replenish the tissue supplies, too, and make certain neither of the boys comes down with it. Those are my major concerns for the moment, but enough about icky things.

I spent the day yesterday in the company of friends and good people (strange people, really), but the friends were the best part.

The early part of the day began with sunshine and hungry kitties, and plans to head to our tiny little downtown weekend Farmer's Market and score some excellent local produce! I was disappointed to find the FM not up and running as usual on this particular bright Saturday morning, but that an arts and crafts show was set up instead in the park across from the location of the FM normal haunts.

Bummer!

I guess this town can only handle one thing at a time...and without any sort of notice about the loss on the website, I found out the hard way.

Now, I know it's not the end of the universe, and I can buy a tomato and corn on the cob from a supermarket. But the taste buds want what the taste buds want, doggone it! and I wanted to give them their desires.

So, Jean and I wandered around the artsy fartsy stuff, and took note of some great things (few and far between) and laughed at the rest. Mostly, we had fun watching the dog walkers and their pooches - so many different breeds!

From there, we went to Main Street to hit up the bakery for a few tasty treats to make up for not getting yummy produce. Back home, I made smoothies and then got on the road.

Armed with a couple copies of my resume and working credits, I drove to Detroit for the balance of the day. I met up with Maria at Sindbad's (yes, the correct spelling - go figure) to watch/take part in the selection process of pitches to Rollin' On - Transforming Motown to Movietown. We thought we were to take part in the selection process - give comments, thumbs up/thumbs down to pitches - which is the normal process in this type of venue. Instead, Rollin' On used our 'participation' to simply drum up business for the restaurant and bar while they used the space provided to glorify the pitch session. For some silly-ass reason, they even employed make-up folks to apply their trade to the pitch people, and had at least 5 cameras rolling video during the process. Not to mention the 3 - 4 people wandering around taking photos of people and the action. (The lighting attempt was crap, and it was obvious there, too, nobody understands basic 3-pt lighting, let alone the idea of creating a natural compliment to natural lighting.) I watched in horror as the 'camera people' botched shots and left the equipment simply run unattended. And when it became necessary to adjust shots due to height variations or single presenters (RO called them "contestants") becoming duos or groups during a pitch, it became glaringly obvious these camera men didn't have a clue as to how to smoothly adjust a camera!

I WANT A JOB! I'll take their job - they don't know how to do it!

It was poorly run and no real regimen was followed, either. Pitches are normally limited to 3 - 5 (maybe six) minutes - sometimes no more than 2 or three minutes...but some of these folks went on forever! There were six panelists representing the 'studio' doing the lookie lou for a new show or [however many], and they were clearly bored much of the time (and disinterested - so much so that much of the time there was not much follow-up Q&A to many of the presenters we saw).

Also, these 'contestants' were obviously not told how to prep, or what to bring with them to give to the panelists - like a copy of your synopsis, your treatment, your crewing breakdown, etc. Without standards to follow, these people end up thinking there is nothing to showing up for a session like this in the future, and when it might be for a professional network (or studio), they will arrive with empty arms and no clue as to what to expect.

What a disappointment.

A woman from one of the associated [faux] production teams, agencies, whatever, walked up to Maria and hugged her, mistaking her for somebody else. So, Maria turned Deborah's attention to me and said "This is my friend, Beth, who has worked on several...Beth, you tell her," and left the door wide open for me to make my own pitch.

God bless you, Maria!

Luckily, I had my poop in one sock, and deftly handed her a copy of my papers and mentioned a few of my experiences while she listened. She said she would hand it to Jody (something-or-other) and would mention me to her, hoping it would lead to future work. We shall see. With everything going on there yesterday, I wonder how far my resume and credit sheet made it, in the grand scheme. In all of the confusion, I wouldn't be surprised if those pages became scrap paper!

But, wouldn't it be cool if I came back from Florida to an offer of some somewhat regular work?!

Yes, I say, yes it would!

After listening to 17+ pitches, Maria and I decided to head out. That's when we found out there was no real reason for us to be there - no comments or participation from us was required - that we were simply seat fillers to make their day out seem worthy of attention.

This was why we signed releases? Come on!!! We saw only one really good idea, and one more with promise...but that's two out of more than 17!

And yes, I know those are pretty good odds, but what a waste of our time!

Still, I got to spend some time with Maria, and we ended up leaving Sindbad's and she took me on a lovely, EYE OPENING tour of Grosse Pointe Woods, City, Manor, Lanes, Park, Arbor, Landing, Trailer Park, Farms.

Wow! I had never been down river before that I can remember - at least, not there, and it was beautiful! Not only that, but Maria's house was beautiful as well! It is in a Detroit neighborhood "just the other side of" one of those Grosse Pointe-burbs, but what a lovely neighborhood! Her refrigerator is bigger than my living room, and if I could, I would be her neighbor.

She showed me her quilting/crafting area - and she has space! What a set-up. She has cable and the washer in arms reach for getting right to business, and plans, plans, plans - but no time. Why does that sound familiar? ;^)

With school consuming much of her time, she is doing what she can to organize, but would rather be having fun making things instead. Trust me, kid, I know that song and dance. She was bitten by the quilting bug a short while ago, and has been building a stash like there's no tomorrow. Add that to her beading and jewelry making, and all the other creative sewing she manages, and there's a recipe for a no-time-to-spare meltdown.

Anyhow, all this to say I had a great day, and I am looking forward to heading downriver after I return from FL to spend some time gabbing and sewing (or whatever) with Maria for a bit before the next big adventure. She is having fun.

Thank you, Maria, for the fun day in Detroit! It was great seeing you - and I am a lucky person to have a friend like you.

Needless to say, I will also be taking the boys down to that area to see the loveliness which is greater Detroit during the holidays. Maria says they really deck the place out, and that I would like to see.

A-choo...a-hem...[hack hack]

Excuse me, but I am on day three of a nasty head cold, and I have a horrible headache and a wheezey cough.

I don't even want to be around me!

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Always watching

I feel like a lifetime observer.

Always an outcast, a misfit - never quite fitting in (not even in my own family), and I have felt this way my entire life.

To make myself a part of the happenings I employed a camera.

I have hidden behind the lens of a camera to view life, to be involved, to participate, to be 'there' and be welcome. Without one, I am invisible...feel unwelcome and highly vulnerable.

But this isn't always a bad thing (being that fly on the wall, that is).

Yesterday, I had a great time observing MSU's marching band get ready for their performance at the home game against Central - which, sadly, the Spartans did not win. But the band is remarkable!

The smaller pods of instruments (sax's, trombones, flutes, flag bearers and the mighty Hooahs, just to name a few) all splinter off, after an exhaustive rehearsal, to have breakfast with family and friends and relax. Then, they wander back to (wherever) to dress in those natty uniforms, only to reappear maybe half an hour later on Adams Field and warm up in their respective team pods - led by exuberant and intelligent team leaders. Once the warm ups are complete and photos have been taken, the entire band assembles in formation to tune up, run thru a couple of numbers, to finish applying spats and gloves and whatever else to their ensembles, checking pant creases and hatbands for sharp edges and unruly trim, and then they rile up the familial crowds - and themselves!

All of this before they begin a mildly rowdy half-mile march to the field to begin the game.

And wait til I tell you how involved the parents are - you would never believe how elaborate and committed (how insane) the breakfast preparation is to feed these kids out there along the fringes of Adams Field! It was really very cool.

I loved being a part of it, watching from behind my lens.

Hooah!

A new leaf turning

I found it. It took some doing, and most of us (the boys, the cats, visitors and myself) have been in such close proximity over the last several weeks that it isn't funny. I have even moved it all over the lower level in my cleaning/renewal frenzy.

Our third and final missing house phone has been located! Huzzah! It is now plugged in and charging, preparing for action. I actually found it while looking for my little thumb drive carrier. Much smaller in size, but far more valuable, since it carries my two fully loaded thumb drives - and I was driving myself crazy looking for it, too (my thumb drive carrier, not the phone).

Phwew!

How appropriate for this time of year - the changing of the seasons...the falling leaves - that I find comfort in establishing and adhering to a new family policy. Leave nothing sitting around. If it is laundry and it is clean, put it away! If it is yours and you carried it into the house, or to another room to work on it or use it, take it back into your room by end of day (if not sooner)! If it is...well, you get the gist.

I am still digging out, sorting, tossing, donating, cleaning. Every time I reclaim some floor space or make a dent on a surface or in a corner or under a desk, and notice it upon entering a room, I get excited and want to do more. It even helps to make the undone BS from all those so-called "builders" seem a little more palatable to have everything else more orderly around it. So I will concentrate on what I can affect, and do what I can do, and try to keep housekeeping peace in my turbulent and unruly kingdom, until such time as I can afford to bring another person in to try and finish what was begun all those years (and lost dollars) ago.

Let's make that: "...until I can trust to bring..." blah blah blah.

I did manage to finish the flooring around the patio door on the lower level, after all, and that took some doing with a hand saw and sweat. No easy feat, but it is done and ready for trim, and cleaned up and not out of commission as it has been for quite a while. Now I can get the storm door I have wanted for so long! When winter comes upon us this year, I will have that extra little buffer from the elements in the lower level - and I know it will make a difference.

Oh, yeah, the phone. Where did I find it, you are asking. Inquiring minds want to know. Well, I found it buried deep within the recesses of the Grandma chair, and quite wedged in, too. right where one of the boys left it while I was gone.

Guess it's time to turn cushions, too.

A little bit extra

Brian is feeling improved over this morning, and I am relieved. He now says he feels he has/had a 24-hour-variety bug because his neck/muscles ached a bit and he felt feverish, too. Now, it's a mild headache and a bit of ache-iness remaining.

The meter folks from Consumers did arrive this morning (a tad early) and had the move out completed ahead of the rain. They finished right around 1:30 - maybe a little later - and cleaned out the cut limbs from the forsythia for good measure. All very cool. I did my own cleaning (again)...so much mud tracked in from four sets of boots going in and out and up and down all that time.

It took a considerable amount of time for Flop and Cleo to be persuaded to come out of hiding after the trucks pulled out of the driveway, too. So much noise and commotion, and after yesterday's moving frenzy! Poor dears.

Will have to look at the new patch job the team left in the concrete wall tomorrow, in the light of day, to see how it held up with all of the rain that fell the balance of the afternoon and into the evening.

On another bright note, I finished installing the flooring in front of the door to the patio. It's only taken me [snifrigatadropfenhosier] to get it done - there. I still need to finish it in that back corner where the two windows facing the garden/backyard are (oh shit, yeah! And in the washer/dryer closet, too). Then I will be happy, and less cluttered.

I know I won't get it done before I go to FL, but there is a definite maybe in the works for when I get back.

I predict "before the end of the year!" You can take that to the bank.

Anyhow, my day is done and my brain is fried. I am off to bed and relaxation - I had forgotten how much stretching was involved in installing flooring. My legs are telling me off! LOL

Ain't that the way it goes?

It's barely 6a.m. and the cats have been fed, Brian has been up to the bathroom to be sick, and I discovered one or two of the little furry family members objected to my work around the lower level yesterday by peeing on the floor, approximately 3 feet away from the box.

Today is going to be some day.

I was startled awake by the unmistakable sounds of a cat making a hairball. Judging from the sound coordinates, she was over in the area of the sofa - ON THE CARPET! - and about ready to let loose.

- This is when you discover how quickly you can get out of bed when you have to. -

I had already been jolted awake easily half an hour earlier by Flop objecting to Cleo's arrival in the 'hood - with the usual growling and hissing - which only makes Cleo act all cute and playful. When Flop says "go away", Cleo usually wants to know why, then proceeds to push the envelope when asking. She must be the younger of the siblings.

Anyhow, we got it sorted out and purring, Cleo joined me on the bed, while Flop maintained her dominant position on the freshly repositioned living area.

Just as I was drifting back to sleep, Flop made with the hurking noises, and the panic ensued.

To sleep, per chance to......sleep! Ahhh, there's always tonight, I suppose.

I spent the second through the sixth with my grandmother, and came home to find Karl had washed the dishes - yea! While in Livonia I looked for work online, a lot, and found two good leads. Let's see where they take me.

I am thinking, while it is quiet, I will go to the market and get some necessaries. Brian works today at the mall job, so I will get my running around done before he has to leave. (He thinks this is the source of his upset stomach - too much work. He worked quite a bit of last week, and then the weekend at the festival, and now back to work with no time off in between. I keep telling him this is the real world, unless he finds a way to become independently wealthy.)

Yes, I am still without a car, but I figure getting one right away is not a critical need, as I won't be here for two months once October arrives. After I return home, then I will buy a car, mostly because then I will have some serious money to invest in a better one.

Oh, and before I forget, I did nothing wrong in caring for my vehicle. I took great care of it, and two (TWO) mechanics said that there was nothing to be found to indicate the trouble I had was imminent. So, sour grapes and raspberries to you! Next time you are having an off day/week/month, don't sling your poo in my general direction. Go find a punching bag and have at it. I believe you know who you are.

Cleo tells me she is still hungry, and my hair needs blowing dry or I will have Karl hair all day, so this is where I will end it for now.

Around 10 or so this morning, the gas people will be moving my meter to the outside of the house. No more squeaking wheels to listen to when the water heater does its thing and the heat comes on this winter! Now, if they will just fix the damage that occured from the hole they made when the meter and line were first installed, that would be groovy. Here's another series of phone calls to make - but ain't that the way it goes?

Have a great day all!

Another new great grand baby!

Welcome Adeline Beth to the world!

6lbs8oz.

Congratulations to first time parents, Rachel and Michael (and to first time grandparents, Aunt Deb and Uncle Tom!