fabulous campfire

Gavin Newsom, governor of California:

We are in Los Angeles, the most diverse city, in the most diverse county, in the most diverse state, in the world’s most diverse democracy.

And I’ve long believed that the world looks to us…to see…it’s possible to live together and advance together and prosper together across every conceivable and imaginable difference. What makes L.A. great, what makes California great, and what makes the United States of America great—is that…we don’t tolerate our diversity, we celebrate our diversity, and it’s a point of pride, because we’re all in this together…

It feels damn good to be a Californian today.

I have a friend who gets a chemotherapy infusion every month to keep her cancer at bay. That’s one week out of every four that she feels like the worst nauseating hangover of your life.

In the parking lot, saying goodbye at the end of an early evening glass of wine after not seeing each other for a few years—I told her I was happy she was still here. She looked me dead in the eye and said, “You know me. I always get what I want. And I want to live.”

Absolutely, goddamn right.

In this episode of Chaos & Creativity I interview Ava Roy. Theater genius and the woman behind the We Players theater troupe.

From the C&C show notes:

We talk about how imperfection fuels art, the demands of building something from nothing, and how growing up surrounded by history shaped Ava’s uniquely intuitive and imaginative approach to directing.

It’s a wonderful episode.

Six days ago we, meaning my production company and I, decided to produce a play. One I write based on a compendium of articles about working behind a bar. I have short window to get the work done—deadlines are already looming. It’s not going great. But, then again, it never does until it does.

I’m also on the road this week, pulling my laptop out at every opportunity to write drivel so awful, a career in bat guano collection is looking attractive. That said, this week’s travels reminded me of a writing tip I hand out often: Don’t be precious about where you write.

If you write for a living, you must learn to be a creative soldier—working in any environment you find yourself. Writing happens in the head. If you develop environmental attachments, you’ll tank yourself. Good habits are free, so develop one that compels you to write often and anywhere.

I was twelve years old, third in line for the 12:15 showing at the Coronet theater in San Francisco on the day that Star Wars opened. Which is to say I have a deep childhood connection to George Lucas’s universe.

The connection was further galvanized with the Kirshner directed, Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan written The Empire Strikes Back.

Then it all kinda went to mush.

All the Star Wars movies released since The Empire Strikes Back are fine. Fine being a four letter word. Rogue One which is billed as a “Star Wars story”—whatever that means—is the only movie to truly capture the spirit of the first two movies. The only movie since The Empire Strikes Back that has given me the same anticipation and excitement I felt on opening day back in 1977.

Andor seasons one and two tell the story of the five years leading up to Rogue One. The characters have depth, the stakes feel real, the directing is brilliant and Tony Gilroy’s writing is fantastic. I rewatched season one before diving into season two. Then I rewatched Rogue One, also written by Gilroy. It’s a wonderful series that flows effortlessly together despite Rogue One being made back in 2016.

Andor and Rogue One, are time well spent.

On those days when my fiancé and her kids are out of town I like to commandeer the television, large bourbon in hand, and watch movies no one else in the house wants to watch.

I’d been told repeatedly that Snow Piercer is a brilliant dystopian film, but, I couldn’t imagine how a movie about a bunch of people—the last vestiges of humanity—on a train racing around a frozen earth could be intriguing.

I was wrong. The film is spectacular.

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but never got the opportunity—pressure of work and all that. Then without warning: the perfect amount of sleep, amount of coffee, and a fabulous song on SOMAFM inspired me to sign up to Micro.Blog.

Inspiration is the primary engine of my existence. When it hits at the right time, wonderful things happen. Sadly it can’t be conjured when needed. Those times are left to creative professionalism which is best defined as long walks, well timed showers, lots of water and coffee and wrestling with an artist’s mind set.

So, hello there.