i'm going to be in the movies!

Hooray!
What a treat that would be, to be sitting in the audience at the 2015 Savannah Film Festival and see me up on the silver screen!
Mama would be so thrilled!
Of course, that will only come to pass if several events occur.
1) The 'bumper' created by Lukas Borovicka, SCAD film student, and his crew will have to be selected by the film festival judges.
2) The interview conducted with me this morning will have to be chosen to be part of that submitted 'bumper'.
3) I will have to be present in one of the theatres when that particular 'bumper' is shown.

Here's hoping!
What is a 'bumper'?
That is a short bit of footage shown prior to each block of screenings during the film festival. In previous years, there are usually several chosen to appear. The 'bumper' typically has to be an homage to some aspect of film history or the movie experience.
Lukas and his crew (Skylar, Marco, and several others) met with me at Savannah Film Studios for my interview. I had brought two other shirts with me, as requested, but I had hoped my 'blue ocean' shirt from Italy would be the winner. It was the one I wore. And it was the one they chose for the interview! Yeah!
I was also wearing the Mary Kay lipstick ("Sunset") and Mary Kay mascara my stepsister-out-law (Kathy) had sent me recently. (She had admonished me at the wedding for not wearing any make-up and promised to make sure I had some for the future. Thanks, g'friend!)
Lukas asked me questions about what film meant to me, why movies were important, what aspects were to be emphasized. Coolness! Right up my alley, as I speak frequently of film here and there and elsewhere! I spoke of fast cars and Italy and the importance of trying to understand others. I talked of travel to far countries and reminders of home and the importance of sweet dreams.
How was I selected to be interviewed?
Simple, really. They were looking for people going to movies in the downtown area and were working the lobby of the Lucas Theatre last weekend. I was ushering for both the Friday and Saturday films.
Right place, right time.
(smile!)

weird science with pfs!

If "The Mutations", aka "The Freakmaker", had been made just a decade later, it's title song could well have been Oingo Boingo's tune about a mad scientist. Then again, perhaps this movie served as the inspiration behind the song? Maybe!
Today marked just a week after the film's debut thirty-one years ago.
That is not the reason it was scheduled for tonight.
Nope.
Jim Reed did so to commemorate what would have been the 96th birthday of its star, Donald Pleasance. The film was shown as part of his Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah's Wednesday night screenings at the Sentient Bean.
I was actually able to come because this was a "No Lab" night, amazingly enough. Woohoo!!!
Why would I want to come to a mid-1970's horror movie?
For Tom Baker, of course!
In my eyes, he is THE Doctor Who. After he left that show in 1981, I quit watching it.
Seriously.
In this science fiction flick, he was Lynch, the malformed assistant to Professor Nolter and erstwhile circus oddity, "the ugliest man on Earth". Sadly, that meant he was nearly unrecognizable in the stage make-up.
But I could still revel in the sound of his voice and the glint in his eyes and the sight of his trenchcoat-clad 6'3" frame.
Very nice!
Even nicer, I was able to hang out with some of my friends during and after the film! Joe B and Mike R left right after the room had been transformed from a cinema to a coffee shop. But I was able to join Jim and Amanda K, Carolyn, Axelle K, Will, Ken, and Shell (Jim's intern) at Betty Bombers for a bite or two.
No, no one morphed into a Venus flytrap person!
(smile)
On Friday, I'll be going to a free screening of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" at the Lucas. How so "free"? Because I won two passes in the pre-movie raffle tonight! How about them apples? I've invited Mike Rendeiro to join me, as I haven't seen him in ages. Once upon a time, we saw it other fairly regularly at these Wednesday screenings. We had also gotten together for dinner a time or two, so I had learned that he was Portuguese, loved grilled mackerel at the buffet, and had once thought his folks had misspelled their last name.
Kids are funny, aren't they? I'm going to share with him this new link, which features the phrase "feisty heist on a weird beige foreign neighbor". Lord, I am so blessed to have English as my native tongue! I can only imagine how hard it is to learn, with all the exceptions to how letters are pronounced.
Seriously!
On Thursday, I'll be going to the Lucas for "Life of Brian", one of my favorites! Ken won two passes for it, so I'll see him there.
Yes, I'll have free access to that movie, as well as the one on Friday, through my ushering position at the Theatre. However, as well as letting Mike in on a pass, I can also share the wealth with Mindy, my baseball-loving Lunch Lady!
You know me... I'm all about sharing the wealth!

In fact, I shared this tonight with Amanda.
She spent the summer bopping around to various mini-golf sites, filming a documentary.
I also told her about Lake Winnie and the mini-golf course there. She's now planning a quick trip to take it in, too!
Now, I'm walking away from the computer...
g'night, y'all!

i am not alone, reprise

Honestly, I could not decide whether I should scribble this in the sands of my beach or onto a slip for my jar of enjoyments.
So, I am doing both.
***** ***** *****

That was the message in the two movies I saw at the Royal Cinema today.
The work on my car took less time than I had expected - most likely because Tim the mechanic was looking out for me - so I took her for a spin out to Pooler.
You know, where it's cooler.
(Maybe you have to be from around these parts to get that joke.)
One of the movies was a limited-run foreign independent feature; the other was a newly-released science fiction blockbuster. Both were movies that very much appealed to me.
Each of them carried the same message to me.
"I am not alone."

"Meet The Patels" was the first film of my double-feature picture show. It followed Ravi, a 29-year-old single Indian man in the United States, still unwed and never with a girlfriend. At least that's what his parents thought! So, they convince him to allow them to help him find a wife. His sister, a couple of years older, also unwed, and his house-mate, is filming the whole process, probably to keep the focus Ravi and his troubles.
(Get it? That bit about "keep the focus"? Nice one, eh!)
(smile)
He was very uncomfortable about the dating process. The small talk, the whole business of trying to get to know someone and judging their compatibility over a lunch or dinner. His folks enlist the aid of all they know, as well as having him search Indian matrimonial sites and having him attend the Patel Matrimonial Convention, to enlarge the pool of possible wives for him.
Yikes. Meanwhile, his sister is realizing the things she may have been doing wrong on her dates as she watches her brother flounder around.
And I realized I was not alone in my dread of dating.
That's reassuring, in an odd way.
I've been married twice. The first time was with a guy I was going through school with in Great Lakes, Illinois. After just two years, we both realized we were not quite right for each other. Ten years later, I wed for the second time, this time with a man who worked with my friend Rhonda. I had thought that marriage would last forever.
Not quite, but it did last for fifteen years, and most of that time was happy.
I want that again.
I have no idea how to get it.
Like Ravi and his sister, I've tried two of the online dating sites, and had limited success with one of them. Like Ravi and his sister, I have found that manner of meeting people to be awkward and complicated.
Good to know that others have shared those experiences.
That's not to say that I don't know people who have successfully navigated those ether waters and emerged with a spouse in hand. In fact, those people started fishing at the same time I did in 2008. Those people are still married to the catches they found there, too.
So, it is possible, apparently.

The second movie today was "The Martian". Oddly, the message I heard from this one echoed that of the first.
I am not alone.
Seeing the man on the red planet, stranded without company and without communication capabilities, turn to keeping a video journal for company resonated with me.
My journal isn't video format, although I do include photographs and pictures on occasion.
Many times, I am writing to clear my thoughts, to make sense of feelings, to record observations.
Mainly, I write to fill a void, to retain my sanity.
To not feel alone.
He was keeping his journal for the same reason, not knowing if anyone would ever see his messages, hoping someone would.
He truly was alone, 140 million miles away from the closest human, from another living creature, for almost four months before contact was finally made with NASA.
Watching him is when I realized: I am not alone.
I am on a planet with billions of other humans.
I have neighbors I can call upon for help.
I have family and friends, in town and scattered outward, that I can call or visit on facebook or in person.
I am not alone.

I am truly blessed.

to philo cafe or not to philo cafe, that is the question!

How timely!
In today's newspaper, the above comic appeared.
Even the Universe was pushing me to attend Philo Cafe tonight!
As this was my third reminder of the event, I knew I had to be there!
What a hoot!
The first reminder was a week ago.
Last Monday, at Chili's, I was told that the topic of discussion would be "Shakespeare". Kevin had been offering it as the topic for twelve weeks and it had finally garnered the votes needed to make it so.
Woohoo! I grew up with Shakespeare in the house, so I was quite interested in attending. The only problem was that I would be late. Still, I was encouraged to come anyway, so I said I would try.
The second reminder was just yesterday.
Kevin had attended God on Broadway, as his friend Danny Beam was playing Javert in the production of "Les Miserables". We ran into each other at the Big Coffee Hour afterward and spoke again about his upcoming turn as topic leader for Philo Cafe.
Then, this third reminder greeted me!
Guess I needed to make that happen!

So I went.
Yes, I did arrive late, but that was just fine!
I shared the comic with everyone there (Kevin, Cedric, Connie, Bonnie and Don, Chris, and an old lady whose name I cannot recall) and they enjoyed it. (Well, not Bonnie. Apparently, she has no love for "Peanuts".) The comic opened up a new avenue of discussion on other comic artists who have developed entire versions of classic Shakespeare plays (such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "King Lear") in comic format.
Cool! I had no idea those existed!
Then I shared the word about the two local theater troupes still gracing the stage with the plays. That spurred more discussion, too, with Bonnie adding the info on the upcoming plays on their way.
Hooray!
What a successful discussion!
I am so glad I was there to contribute my two cents' worth.
That was fun!
Dinner afterward at Chili's with the usual suspects was fun, too.
I'm going to have to find Kevin on fb and 'friend' him.
(smile)

take me to church, les miserables!

Wow! This day has been such a grace-filled day!
I had run a little late for the "Animate" series today, but was still there in time for the video. Hooray! This time, a minister, Mark Scandrette, was talking about looking at his congregation and seeing distracted people looking back. Who was hearing the message? Was his dojo giving any assistance to his flock?
I very much liked the message about living in the moment. I realized that I have two places where I truly feel I am doing that: at the beach and in my classroom. I also have a time when I am living in the moment: when I am in the audience at almost every movie, play, or concert.
I wonder who might have agreed with me if I had spoken up? If we had not been running so short on time, I would have talked and shared my thoughts. Next time I will!
For the sermon - and theatrical presentation! - I chose to sit in the third row of seats, right in the middle of folks I didn't know. And guess what? I met a couple visiting from Florida and we talked about Reconciling Ministries! That was different! And I saw Bill and got a hug!

And I saw my niece, Molly Hester, and gave her a big hug! She was sitting in the choir area, waiting for her role as Cozette to begin. (She would sing "Castle On A Cloud" during communion.) Hooray! And we talked to Doug Povie, the bassist, about the Blind Boys of Alabama and their rendition of "Amazing Grace"! Why? Because we were going to sing that song, to the music of "The House of the Rising Sun", just as they do. Hooray!!!

Then the show began! Hooray! The opening number was with the full cast for "At The End Of The Day". I sang along, of course! That was followed with all of us singing "When The Poor Ones", aka "Cuando El Pobre", one of my favorite hymns and so very appropriate for this day!
The announcements were done by the Thenardiers, the landlords. (I knew the man looked familiar! Turns out it was my brother-in-law John Hester! Great accent and make-up!)
Then the story of Jean Valjean began in earnest. From the first laments of "Look Down", to the hopefulness of the bishop's gift, and on to the Javert's promise in "Stars". For the music during communion, we received three songs: "I Dreamed A Dream"; my niece's song; and "Bring Him Home". After the sermon, we all sang "Amazing Grace", BBoA style! Then, to wrap things up at the end of the service, we were treated to a full cast rendition of "Do You Hear The People Sing?"
Hallelujah!!! Yes, I do!!!
One of the nicest things about having this musical at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church again? Seeing the joy on Rev. Billy Hester's face as he sat, eyes closed, listening to the songs and mouthing the words. What a gift this was, not only for us, but also for him.
Such a blessing!
The sermon today? "Where Are Your Candlesticks?"
What was it about? Living a life aware that each day is a gift from God.
Amen to that!
We all dined together after it was all said and done, having our BIG Coffee Hour on this first Sunday.
I saw Kevin and got a hug! He also reminded me that the topic this Monday for Philo Cafe was his and would be on Shakespeare.
Thanks for the reminder!
I saw Hai and spoke to him - and he even spoke back to me!
Hooray!
I found Bill there, too. "Hello, gorgeous," he said! We talked about his upcoming plans for Chico, CA, and my adventures with master cylinders...and we hugged, too!
Wonderful!
Such a grace-filled day!
i thank You, God!

living out loud with grandma lee

Such a night I have had!
After watching Dan Aykroyd and Walter Matthau cracking wise in "The Couch Trip", I headed downtown, revved up and ready for fun!
Dinner at Panera was made extra special by a random stranger. I was seated by a window, periodically watching the sidewalk traffic and totally enjoying the arugula and chicken salad. (That means I was smiling and swaying to music!) Suddenly, I noticed a businessman had stopped in his tracks and was looking at ... me! Once he caught my eye, he smiled and nodded, then was on his way to wherever he had been going. What a cool encounter!
I then floated on down to the Lucas to usher the Friday night film, but left just before it began. I had a hot date with the Live Out Loud crowd! Comedy awaited!
Seriously!
(smile!)
Grandma Lee had come to town and we had all gathered at Club One to gather her pearls of wisdom. HA! If you believe that I have some oceanfront property in Arizona for you!
I had double-booked myself for this evening because... well, because I once had my very own Grandma Lee. Also, because this one shares my birthday.
Plus, I really like many of the people I've met at LOL.
(smile!)
This show was hosted by Tom of the Savannah Comedy Revue. That meant some local comedians were up there to warm up the crowd - cool! I finally go to hear Bill Cooper's riffing! Loved it, too! He is a true comedian, able to elicit laughs without the use of crude language. Bravo!
The jokester who traveled up from Florida with Grandma Lee was a hoot, too! He had several bits about his dad, whose hand was amputated many years ago. His dad has a great perspective about his perceived disability and likes to turn the tables on unsuspecting folks. Here's my favorite: they were shopping in Home Depot and a young clerk comes up and cheerfully asks "can I give you a hand?" Justthatfast, the dad holds up his stump and says "That would be great!" HAhaHA!
After the show, most of us stayed for the cabaret shows. Woohoo! No extra charge as we had paid for the comedy! Free burlesque for me, Robert, Brian, Brenda, Trisha, and newcomer Wendy! Good thing I had planned ahead and had some dollars for the 'girls'!
They work hard for the money, ya know.
(smile!)
I strategically located myself near the stage, so I could greet them as they stepped down. Nice! I even comvinced the other in my group to sit at the front tables with me! Even better! Then we cheered and clapped for Destiny Myklz (the slinky, sultry hostess), rock-n-roller girl Blair Williams (now Miss Gay America!), country crooner Layla Fox (who had fun with me when I graciously helped her retrieve a fallen bill!), the ever-improving Motion Adriana, and the curvy, hard-hearted Kendall St. James. Quite a bootylicious bunch!
What a special treat, too, to have Blair whisper in my ear "Always good to see you again."
(smile!)
Yes, this has been quite a good night!
Sweet dreams, y'all!

dancing the blues with 3 kings!

Hooray!
For the first time in what feels like ages, I was an usher at the beautiful Lucas Theatre tonight!
Between summer trips hither and yon, followed by car troubles, I have not served in that capacity since late May. Since that time, there has been a change in management at the theatre. I'd had some concern about that change, but no need!
In fact, I had hoped to be scheduled for this show in October, but when the usher schedule was announced last week, I was not set for this concert. No worries, I was scheduled for plenty of other shows this fall month!
But, I had really hoped for this one, too.
Then, two days ago, the new manager asked if I would, after all, work the "Blues Trinity Concert: A Tribute to the Three Kings".
Would I???
Of course I would!!!
Hooray!!!
Then I had yet another trip today to the mechanic about my clutch. He was able to nurse it back to health, thankfully, so I was able to make the show.
Hooray!!!
What three kings, you ask? Was this a too-early prelude to the upcoming Christmas holidays?
No, silly rabbit.
These three Kings were blues guitarists, related by their love of music and naught else. Known collectively as the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar", the three were contemporaries and all have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If ever there was a reason for me to go to Cleveland, o-HI-o, this would be it!
My favorite of the three, and, perhaps the most well-known, was B.B. King. I have had the good fortune to have seen him in concert twice, both times while attending graduate school in Tallahassee in the late 1980's. Part of my undying love of the Pfeiffer-Goldblum movie "Into The Night" is the soundtrack, which featured Blues Boy King in most of the songs. Fabulous romantic comedy action drama! Fabulous classy, elegantly-styled, blues music, sung by a master!
B.B. King started recording in the late 1940's, at least a decade before the other two bluesmen featured tonight. In his mid-20's, he had already gathered a radio following. Very impressive! He and Lucille, his beloved guitat, would continue to be a force in the blues world, and elsewhere, for another six decades. Can you tell I'm a bit partial to him?
(smile)
The leanest and tallest of the Three Kings was Albert King. He was fairly unknown by his true last name of Nelson. His hardcore style started being noticed in the early 1960's, when he was in his thirties, with his licks on "Born Under A Bad Sign" drawing well-deserved attention. You can hear him, and B.B. King, together in this 1989 concert in Japan. (Seriously...go ahead and have a listen! You can always come back here later.)
All refreshed now?
One more King to consider here. Freddie King first got noticed in his late 20's for his instrumental "Hide Away", a funky little tune. The song highlighted at tonight's concert was "Big Legged Woman", a love song for Rubenesque gals. Yeah!
Three Kings, three different playing styles, all emulated by local blues boy Eric Culberson of EROK, their fan extraordinaire. The singing was handled by him and Ray Lundy of Bottles & Cans. Special guest Laiken Williams added her sultry tones on several songs, too.
As for musicians, the left side of the stage was occupied by five from the Bonaventure Horns on trumpet, trombone, and saxophone - mighty fine! The wall of sound on stage was supplemented by members of several more local bands: Damon & The Sh!tkickers, Velvet Caravan, The Accomplices, and Jon Lee's Apparitions. Bravo, y'all!
The encore song tonight was a tribute to a local jazz man, Ben Tucker. They performed his song, "Coming Home Baby", as a ten-minute tribute to the late bass player.

One of the highlights, for me especially, came after the intermission. Tony Coleman, the drummer for B.B. King for almost four decades, guested at this concert tonight. Incredible! He graced us with a perennial, world-wide favorite, "The Thrill Is Gone". No, it isn't gone, my friends! I can't say that it ever will be, either, not as long as people love grooving to the blues. Let me leave you with this quote from Ray Lundy, one of the local musicians celebrating the blues on stage tonight.

"Blues music is not for some sad trip; it's really a dance music that is made to help people forget about their problems."

I intend to dance as often as possible!