Collaboration

One might think that working with a partner is a roll in the hay for a ventriloquist. That is true if your partner lives in a box. In real life there are other issues involved.

Recently I returned from a working session with my writing/producing partner on the East coast. We basically locked ourselves in a small office/apartment and decided not to come out till we finished a script we have been crafting long distance. 

We have collaborated on countless projects both realized and unrealized.  The effort and work is the same whether the project is sold or not which means we have arm wrestled over countless plot points during our decades old relationship. The thing that keeps us going is the fun we have in fleshing out the idea and writing it. If the audience was certain to have as much fun watching the show as we do creating it, I would be living next to Bill Gates.

This does not mean that the collaboration process is free of conflict.  It's amazing how passionate one can become when discussing the lives and fate of imaginary people in a script. To an outsider watching the process it would almost seem like we are ready to kill each other over what a character might say or reveal during a plot twist. 

During one such session for another project we hit an fork in plot-world.  There were two ways to go in revealing  crucial information in the story. It involved a set of twins, Effie and Ellie. My partner felt like the plot would be stronger if at an early point in the story Effie over heard vital information about our villain but Ellie did not. Later in a dramatic moment Effie would reveal to her twin sister that she has known a certain fact all the time. I had to admit that it was a very strong way to advance the story, but thought it had a problem.

I began to pitch a way for both twins to hear the information at the same time.  My partner strongly disagreed.  I held firm and tried to rephrase the direction I had in mind.  He would not budge. I would not budge.  He got passionate, I got passionate. His way was stronger, my way was weaker. I argued that his way would not be logically possible, he argued that it was the best dramatic way to go. Soon we are not so much trying to resolve the issue as win the argument. We began yelling over each other thinking that volume was the key to winning. My partner was never going to compromise. 

The rule is when you come to this point in the process, the partner who is currently typing wins, he just writes it his way. My partner had control of the keyboard. He began to structure it his way.

Passions cool and we are back to the process. In a calmer moment my partner said, "This is much better. Effie finds out in act one and Ellie doesn't find out until late in the second act." 

I said, "I don't think that is going to work. We have to find a way for Effie and Ellie to hear it at the same time."

He continues to type.  "Trust me this will work!" I can hear in the tone of his voice he will not listen to any logical reason I can come up with... except one.

I said, "I think you have forgotten that Effie and Ellie are conjoined twins."

When we stopped laughing it was time for lunch.

As you were,

Jay

Halloween Preparedness

        

One  stormy Halloween night,

Two dead boys stared a fight,

A deaf policeman heard the noise,

Came and shot those two dead boys

Symphony of the Road Warrior

I've been flying commercially for most of my life. Certainly for all of my professional life. I remember when there was not even such a thing as a smoking section on an airplane. The guy next to you would light up as soon as the no smoking light had been turned off.  That distinctive seat belt indicator tone would ding when altitude was reached and suddenly smoke signals would rise from various parts of the plane like camp fires at a cub scout jamboree.

Then came the "smoking" and "non smoking" sections. For a while they tried putting the sections on either side of the plane as if the aisle, not even big enough to walk comfortably, created any barrier to air borne particulates. Later they put the smokers in the back of the plane. This was based on the scientific fact that the air in the front part of a pressurized tin can is completely separate from the air at the back of the can. 

There were times when the only seat left on the only flight available was a center seat of a three person row in the dead middle of the smoking section. In those cases you might as well buy a pack of unfiltered Camels and puff away it wouldn't matter.

Of course if a smoker was faced with the same problem of having to sit in a non-smoking section it was not impossible. They could just excuse themselves to the back of the plane and lite up.  In some cases if the aisles were too crowded the bathroom offered privacy. For the next person who needed to pee in that same booth, it could become a jet powered gas chamber. 

Then of course in the 80's Northwest Airlines established the first smoke free plane. On stage I used to say the rule was not about clean air, but anti-terrorism. The tag line, "No terrorist would risk high-jacking a plane when he knew there was a bunch of smokers who hadn't had a cigarette in a couple of hours." 

Yesterday I flew back from the east coast. The no smoking indicator light has been replaced by "turn off your electronic devices" light. The moment we landed a cacophony of ring tones, alert messages, push notifications and start up sounds filled the plane like a looney tunes sound track. It appears to me there is a similarity to the old days. Like the smokers who had trouble going a couple of hours without a cigarette, in modern times it seems that people have a hard time going a couple of hours without checking their Face Book page. The only difference is after being around a bunch of habitual tweeters and Face Book up daters your jacket doesn't smell like you survived a Forrest fire. If they allow the use of cell phones on a plane  during the flight like they are contemplating, I will start demanding the airlines provide "tweeting" and non- tweeting sections. 

When will the Surgeon General announce that tweeting is causing secondary mind numbing to those near the tweeter?  There would be a warning label on the back of every smart phone that says, "The Surgeon General has determined that tweeting and Face booking can cause mind rot."  I can already see the affect it is having not only on a plane but in the car beside you.  There is nothing more frightening than glancing over at a car in the next lane of the Ventura Freeway going 70 miles an hour... noticing that the driver is laughing at the funny picture of a dog that someone just posted and shared on his iPhone.  I feel a little safer when I see the guy only has a burning Marlboro between his lips.  And while we're at it, can come hacker more skilled than me create a green light app?  Coordinating the GPS and traffic cameras it would notify the driver in front of me that the light has turned green and he should stop surfing YouTube and drive the frickin' car. 

The raving of a new generation of old man has changed from "you kids get off my lawn" to "you kids get off the smart phone and drive."

As you were,

Jay

The Last Political Rant

Yesterday a FaceBook friend commented, after he read my blog, "I humbly suggest sticking to vent and entertaining my dear friends and colleagues." He is right... no I mean really, he sounds very RIGHT.
But I get it. I need to get back to my entertaining job. So here goes.
They say that comedy is the civilized way of avoiding aggression between people.  Animals don't laugh their way out of a fight... they just fight. A smile for a human is the barring of teeth to an animal and animals don't laugh they sheik for others to come join the fight.
The late Michael Price, comedy writer and friend, once told me.  "If you can't think of something funny, think of something that irritates  you, and make fun of that." If comedy does not have the element of surprise or masked aggression it is probably not funny.
What's irritating most of the country right now is the Government. You would think that we would be laughing out heads off with that kind of material.
Not so.  The country can't seem to come together and laugh right now.  They can't even come together enough to agree not to fight.  Mostly, because nobody is willing to let anyone else finish a thought, or maybe even a sentence before they comment.
This is my take on a comic trying to tell a joke while being interviewed by a television political commentator... your choice of talking heads and networks:

COMMENTATOR

Welcome Shecky Bevaerman from Las Vegas.  

SHECKY

Thanks.. Nice to be here.

COMMENTATOR

Shecky you make your living as a comic.

SHECKY

Yes... here’s a joke for you...

COMMENTATOR

Let me ask you, don’t you find it tough working
as a comic right now with the recession and all...
less corporate shows...  the middle class with
less money to spend on an evening out?

SHECKY

Sometimes, but Speaking of going out...
This guy walks into a bar...

COMMENTATOR

Now when you say bar you mean a place
to buy an alcoholic beverage..

SHECKY

Yeah, This guy walks into a bar and sees a gorilla...

COMMENTATOR

Because you certainly wouldn’t find a gorilla standing at the bar
of say the Supreme Court, Right?

SHECKY

Yeah... this ain’t the Supreme Court. So the guy walks up the
gorilla and starts a conversation... the...

COMMENTATOR

Is it the same conversation that 54%
 of the American people are
having about the debt ceiling?

SHECKY

No, the gorilla don’t care..
So as the guy is talking to the gorilla
the bartender comes up to them..

COMMENTATOR

Just so our viewers understand,
is the gorilla in this country legally
 or is he taking zoo jobs away
from gorilla’s who are here legally?

SHECKY

The gorilla don’t have no job, Okay?
The bartender looks at the guy
and then back to the gorilla.

COMMENTATOR

Now Mr. Beaverman if the gorilla is
unemployed how can he afford drinks at a bar?

SHECKY

It doesn’t matter if the gorilla ain’t got no job...
you see, the guy is offering to buy the gorilla a drink. 

COMMENTATOR

So basically this gorilla is unemployed
and taking hand outs from tax payers who
 are there just to have a drink for themselves?

SHECKY

This ain’t about the gorilla... the bartender over hears
the guy ask the gorilla if he can buy her a drink and says,
“Hey buddy... We don’t serve your kind here.

COMMENTATOR

The bartender certainly has the right to run his business as
 he sees fit without any governmental interference...

SHECKY

So the guy says, “What do you mean you don’t serve my kind?
I thought this was a....

COMMENTATOR

We are out of time, Thank you Mr. Shecky Beaverman...
And now we go to Katie Flippy with news from
the cloak room of the Senate House Chamber
where nothing seems to be happening...
Katie why isn't there something going on?

As you were,
Jay

Senators McCarthy and Cruz

Sen. Joe McCarthy 

Sen. Ted Cruz 

Back in 1953 a lone wolf Senator ruined the lives of countless people and ushered into the United States an era of fear and hatred that still marks the country like a bad scar. He was Senator Joe McCarthy and he has come back from the grave to try again.  This time his name is Ted Cruz.

If you are younger than 60, Google Senator Joe McCarthy and catch up. 

McCarthy was a Republican Senator during a the second term of democratic president Harry Truman. Single handedly he tried to bring down the administration by "outing" homosexuals publicly and calling government officials communists. His crusade was filled with lies and half truths presented as fact. His goal seemed to be tearing down the government and building it back up to his own right wing, witch hunt standards.  He created the black list and destroyed the careers of many artists, actors, musicians and other liberals he hated.

The term McCarthyism,is a reference to McCarthy's practices. The term is used today generally in reference to demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.  Sound familiar.

While they bear a striking similarity physically, and are the same age, it is the "holier than thou" attitude and thoughtless disregard for the country that truly connects them.  

McCarthy preached that he was saving the country from take over by communism as he was destroying the lives of innocent people in his sites. 

Ted Cruz now preaches that he is saving the country from take over by Obama Care as he destroys our recovery, our economic system and spreads hatred destroying the lives of innocent people. Both Senators are narcissistic crusaders basking in the glory of 15 minutes of infamy. 

Eventually the Senate and the country grew tired of McCarthy and his bullying style of public ambush and censured him in 1954.  He died at the age of 48 three years later.
Ted Cruz... a Canadian by birth so he is not eligible to run for president, but it seems he doesn't need to be president to F... up the country for the rest of us. Stop listening to this megalomaniac before we  have to coin another word for insensitive and dangerous politics... Cruzism.
As you were,
Jay

Columbus Day

There is a museum in Cuba where it is said they have two human skulls.  One is of Christopher Columbus when he was a very old man and the other when he was a small child.  Why not?  Does everything we know about Columbus make complete sense? 

Today we celebrate the arrival of Columbus who in 1492 happened upon a new land. Obviously the land was up for grabs because the people living here said they didn't own it. Owning the earth was a concept that made them laugh. How could you own the dirt and the sky and the trees?  So even though there is ample reason to believe that Vikings had already discovered America, Columbus annexed it for the Queen of Spain. Since he thought he had found a passage to India he called the native people living in here, Indians.

Although these Native people had been here for hundreds of years living peacefully with nature, they were not white Europeans so they didn't count.  We rounded them up and marginalized their influence, and even thought of them as vermin which needed to be eradicated from our new homeland.  We placed them in ghettos called reservations and told them that would be their land.  When new raw material and resources were found in the ghetto we moved the squatting Indians to another place... several times.

But all that was done by a bunch of ignorant people who also allowed slavery in this new country.  We are not like that today.  Are we?

With all the talk about Immigration laws there is one that strikes me as odd.  Rule says if you are born in America you are American.  If your parents immigrated from Oggleyland and you were born here in America... you are not an Oggleylander you are American. This holds true for every race and nationality except one.  Native Americans. 

Although they are called Native Americans, were born here and have lived here for centuries, they are not American by birth.  They belong to a national tribe. Even though they were originally here when we arrived... they are not naturalized citizens.  They are native Americans in name only.

So to the guy who started this entitlement and holier than thou thinking in this hemisphere... How about a national holiday in your name?  We will give government workers the day off and celebrate your Americanism.  Unfortunately... most of the people who would get the day off were fired two weeks ago by a the spawn of your idiocy called Congress.

As you were,

Jay

Apologies to René Magritte...

 It is Friday and I got no comment for what is going on in the world today. I am trying to live by the chestnut, "if you can't say something nice about someone... don't say anything." So this is a place holder for all the things I could say but shouldn't.   

Although a certain mentor- director -friend (the real Jay) is not a fan of the pictures I post on this blog, I do so to avoid having to write something today.

My Gritte

I have gone classical with my interpretation of a famous painting by René Magritte. Although it could be titled, US Congressman... I just call it MY GRITTE. 

As you were,

Jay

Telephone Marketing

I got one of those random marketing calls the other day.  We have been getting a rash of them recently even though I have continued to register all my numbers with the National "Do Not Call" registry.  If I don't recognize the number as someone I want to talk to I won't answer.  Sometimes however they can catch me when I'm not looking.

Recently I told one of the faceless voices that I wanted them to take my number off their list... I was not now nor would I ever use the services of a company that "cold called" me.  In this case the person quickly said they would and hung up.  I have no faith in the idea that he left his calling station to find someone who could immediately erase my number from the data base.  But it quickly ended a conversation that I didn't want to have.

I thought I had come up with a technique that worked. However the next time I got one of those irritating calls it didn't work.  When I asked the guy to take my number off he said, "When can we schedule you for an estimate".  At first I thought he did not hear what I said, then I realized he was  screwing with me.  Obviously he has heard my answer before and this is his way of responding. 

It reminded me of my all time favorite prank call involving one of those telemarketers. It is several years old now but here it is... still a classic. Fortunately it was saved for posterity by a morning drive time radio team.

Don't you wish life always worked out like this?

As you were,

Jay

Shut Down - Shut Up

It used to be that I was proud to say I was from Texas. When I grew up there, Texas was one of the nation's highest ranking states in public education.  Now it is one of the lowest. 

It used to be that the schools were modern and up to date. Now days about the only school funding that gets authorized are massive athletic stadiums for football games.

( Allen (Texas) High School unveils $60M football facility ...)

It used to be that the politics were gentlemanly. Now they are radicalized and condescending. It used to be that a guy like Ted Cruz would be laughed at as a self serving rabble rouser. Now he and his ilk are hailed as some sort of Davey Crockett heroes. 

Although I am trying to avoid venting about the current "Government Fail" my friend Phil Grecian posted a link to a video that has me mad as a "Texas Horny Toad."  Now there is yet another Texas politician soiling my heritage.  

His name is  Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) who unfortunately represents the 19th District including my birthplace, Lubbock, Texas. 

It seems that Neugebauer got in the face of a National Park Ranger who informed a group of veterans that they could not visit the World War II memorial because of the Government shut down. It was a disappointment for the vets who had come to pay tribute to their fallen friends, but for Rep. Neugebauer it was a photo op that turned ugly. Not because the National Park Ranger, a woman doing her job, was anything but polite; it turned ugly because of the Congressman's myopic, reactionary stupidity. If you haven't already seen the exchange you can watch it here.

Randy Neugebauer tried to place blame on the National Park Ranger for denying access to the memorial. It was her fault that the vets were not granted admittance. HER FAULT?  If a man is that clueless about how the government works then he should not be a Congressman... he should return to Lubbock and work at a slaughter house feed lot. 

When a man in the crowd points out that it is NOT the Ranger's fault but that it was Rep Randy and his cronies who are at the root of the problem, Rep Randy immediately blames Harry Reid and walks away.

My question to him is: Why were you there confronting a Park Ranger about her job? Why weren't you back at the House of Representatives confronting the real problem?  Getting the vets into the memorial can NOT be accomplished by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) "getting all up in the face" of a Ranger at the Capital Mall. The problem can only be solved by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) going back to the House floor and doing his job, funding the Government. 

The problem with the radicalized GOP is that they have no sense of where they are going.  When George HW Bush (George the 1st ) was asked why America did not continue into Iraq and finish Saddam's regime during the Gulf War he stated... "There was no exit strategy." He might have been the last Republican to understand the term "exit strategy" his son certainly didn't grasp the concept. And now a couple of decades later I am wondering if the GOP  has a strategy of any kind except stubborn elitism and greedy capitalism.  

To me it is not a matter of being Democrat, Republican or Tea Bagger. Stupid is stupid and incompetency is incompetency and I would feel the same if a Rep. from California had berated a Park Ranger like Rep. Randy did this week. It is just more disappointing when it is an elected leader from my home state. 

I love Texas but there are a few idiots that are making me ashamed to be a Texan.  If this political fight continues I could become ashamed to be an American.  None of us can let that happen.

As you were,

Jay

Return of the Season

My muse has returned, clothed in drag. It might have been my review of MAGIC that put me in this dark mood.  It really has no attachment to what is NOT happening in Washington and the current government closure. 

It has everything to do with October.  It could be my favorite month. It most certainly contains my favorite holiday, Halloween. Halloween is a holiday that is of equal importance to me as Thanksgiving or even Christmas. I love Halloween, but there are some rules that people seem to disregard when celebrating this ancient rite.   

I am totally against a Hallmark holiday with Casper type ghosts and princess costumes at Halloween. I also don't like "gag" costumes. You know the ones.  A guy comes to your Black Friday party in a pink hooded leotard with a shoe glued to his head. When you ask him what he is he says, "I'm bubble gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe."   No offense to anyone who celebrates Halloween that way. But that is not the way I celebrate the occasion. Halloween is Horror and for me Horror is Gothic. 

I am a traditionalist and Halloween is an ancient pagan celebration ritual. It is supposed to be dark and scary. Halloween is all about horror and ghost stories. One night a year when the restless undead can walk the earth causing the living to hide in fear.  Modern capitalism has turned Halloween into a costume party to push sugar products.  Don't get me wrong.. I think a few modern concessions are necessary to any ancient ritual, I do not draw the line on Halloween candy, especially if it is Junior Mints, Milky Way, or Almond Joy.

So take heart fellow Druids forget politics because our season in upon us.

As you were,

Jay

American Film Institute

I was wondering what to write about today when I got a link that an article/review I did for my AFI was published. Since I spent more time on that piece than the average blog, it bears linking to it here.
Thanks to Abby T. for his encouragement and the editing of this story.
Happy Halloween month...
Here it is... be sure you "like" it or comment or whatever you can do to show the AFI people that you at visited my article.
Reader Review of the movie "Magic" 

Hope you enjoy.
As you were,
Jay

Best in Show

Today is the luncheon to benefit Actors and Others for Animals.  It is a fund raiser so proper time will be  devoted to helping fund animal interests in Hollywood.  However, the festivities will be crowned with the  Celebrity Pet Best in Show competition.  Instead of having the actual dogs invade the Hilton Hotel the promoters opted for videos of the celebrity dogs for the judging.
I am writing this ahead of time so I don't know who's dog won, but no matter how the judges score the event... I do have the Best Dog in she Show. Since it was a live event here is the only time you will see one of the entries...my Dog Boo.   Enjoy... We went for the sympathy vote.

As you were,
Jay 

Identity Crisis

Here is a little YouTube film about the frustration of trying to become something you're not. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words then this moving set of pictures is equal to the text of Moby Dick.  And this classic only takes you 33seconds to get through... 

IDENTITY

Another Astrological Day....

This is the final day of a two day experiment, and you are the test audience. Here are your questions based upon the last two days of this blog. 

Did yesterday's fortune follow your feelings? Did todays fortune follow with the same advise? Does anyone even read astrological forecasts anymore? Did you read more than your own sign?

Medium Rare Signs

Small predictions from the medium at large.

Astrological forecasts are provided for entertainment only. Please no wagering or gambling based on the information contained here in.

Thursday, September 26, 20013

Capricorn - Start looking to the future. Try to find the thing you like to do so much you would do for nothing and make that a career. It is okay if you only do one thing in a day. Relax and let someone else take the rein. Take yourself out to dinner and let the other one pay.

Aquarius - There has been a sea of trouble for you, but there are calm waters ahead. Don't let indulgence dull your senses to what is coming. You need a clear head so you don't get over confident in the calm. Make the sale you are thinking about.

Pisces - In spite of others thinking it is the end of the world, you believe differently. Things are looking up for you. There is no reason to be happy except to be happy. Be strong and work hard for someone else in your life.

Aries- You are mad and ready to strike, but the reason is all gone now. It is time to cool off. You don't have to fight or hide under a rock, there are more options opening up. Enjoy the sunshine.

Taurus - Just decide what you want to do. You really can't make a mistake, both paths are leading to the same destination. Each will be its own journey. Enjoy the ride. Do it now.

Gemini - The coming year looks to be getting even better. Your birthday season is very exciting for you now. Enjoy it and know that more is coming even if there is a turn in the road. Take some time to be a friend to your pet.

Cancer - That one o'clock appointment is very important. Go for it and you will hit the mark. It is the Zen like approach that you need most. Think through the target. Wear something with feathers.

Leo - Try to be yourself and not what you think others want you to be. It may be that you have to be more truthful to yourself and admit that you are no angel. It is okay, no one is perfect and if you think others see you that way you are probably wrong. Let go.

Virgo -Stop trying to beat the legal system. You must find the balance within yourself, because established systems will always let you down. Just pay the fine and get on with your life. Keep a clear head.

Libra -You have had some incredible insights and your communication skills are very acute right now. Forget about being in charge. Just be. Know the now that you are. Adopt a cat.

Scorpio -The thing you need most is sunshine. Recharge you batteries. Get out of the house. Have some fun. The shell you have built up around your life is too thick. Meet some friends for crab cakes.

Sagittarius -  Although it seems you are between a rock and a hard place it is not the case. That is not a wall you are butting up against but your own limitations. Try a more gentle approach and see if there is an easier way through.

Astrological Forecast...

It was dismissed by some as pagan ritual and occultism but for others it was the truth from the center of the galaxy.  For all who remember and those who forgot and mostly for those who can't tell the difference, The Weakly Forecast by Medium Rare has returned to this blog for a short time.
After you have consulted your astrological forecast vote in the survey to the section to the right.
make sure you cast your vote in the blog poll ---------------------------------> 

Medium Rare Signs

Small signs from the medium at large.

Astrological forecasts are provided for entertainment only. Please no wagering or gambling based on the information contained here in.

Wednesday, September 25, 20013

Capricorn - The coming year looks to be getting even better. Your birthday season is very exciting for you now. Enjoy it and know that more is coming even if there is a turn in the road. Take some time to be a friend to your pet.

Aquarius - There has been a sea of trouble for you, but there are calm waters ahead. Don't let indulgence dull your senses to what is coming. You need a clear head so you don't get over confident in the calm. Make the sale you are thinking about.

Pisces - Just decide what you want to do. You really can't make a mistake, both paths are leading to the same destination. Each will be its own journey. Enjoy the ride. Do it now.

Aries- Although it seems you are between a rock and a hard place it is not the case. That is not a wall you are butting up against but your own limitations. Try a more gentle approach and see if there is an easier way through.

Taurus - In spite of others thinking it is the end of the world, you believe differently. Things are looking up for you. There is no reason to be happy except to be happy. Be strong and work hard for someone else in your life.

Gemini - Start looking to the future. Try to find the thing you like to do so much you would do for nothing and make that a career. It is okay if you only do one thing in a day. Relax and let someone else take the rein. Take yourself out to dinner and let the other one pay.

Cancer - The thing you need most is sunshine. Recharge you batteries. Get out of the house. Have some fun. The shell you have built up around your life is too thick. Meet some friends for crab cakes.

Leo - You have had some incredible insights and your communication skills are very acute right now. Forget about being in charge. Just be. Know the now that you are. Adopt a cat.

Virgo -Stop trying to beat the legal system. You must find the balance within yourself, because established systems will always let you down. Just pay the fine and get on with your life. Keep a clear head.

Libra -Try to be yourself and not what you think others want you to be. It may be that you have to be more truthful to yourself and admit that you are no angel. It is okay, no one is perfect and if you think others see you that way you are probably wrong. Let go.

Scorpio - That one o'clock appointment is very important. Go for it and you will hit the mark. It is the Zen like approach that you need most. Think through the target. Wear something with feathers.

Sagittarius - You are mad and ready to strike, but the reason is all gone now. It is time to cool off. You don't have to fight or hide under a rock, there are more options opening up. Enjoy the sunshine.

Jay K. Johnson is...

Hoping you will vote in the blog poll------------>

and

is

On Creative Assignment.

irregular blog service will continue soon:  

Thought of the Day

Weekly Apologies

I am very sorry that I have NOT yet learned what NOT to write  in a blog.

Apologies especially for misunderstandings that lead to quick responses, and I realize censoring names is still gossip.  Mostly though, why use the miracle of instantly publishable Blog space for anything negative. About anything or anyone. 

In the old days a writer would have a chance to think about an essay before it was published.

Before anyone could read it an editor looked at it and would approve or not.  There was a filter. Today there is no social filter.  

Writing is instantly published, so we must become self Editors. Proof it clearly not just for facts of truth but the intent of truth. Perhaps the quickest response is not always the best.  Every word thrown into the Internet should be of the highest quality for good, befitting the technology capable of beaming this message to masses. And just because you can get a laugh, doesn't mean you should, always, go for that laugh. Make sure the readers are laughing from within themselves not at someone else. 

Most of All remember the Krepple Creed.

Why I Hate FACEBOOK

I went to a high school with a graduating class of 673 students.. more or less. It was a great class and I have such great memories of those days and those people.  FaceBook makes it possible to re-connect with my class mates, unfortunately some of those fine seniors grew up to be total A-holes.  Here is an example that caused me to "defriend" an old classmate as fast as I could respond to a comment she posted. (Obviously the names have been blurred) but here is the exchange.

The article says:

 Dinwiddie High School forced Hunter Spain to remove his shirt that pictured Si Robertson with the words “I Will Hurt You Physically and Metaphysically” because it was deemed too “threatening.”

If it had been a picture of Donald Duck on the shirt it would have raised the same red flag.  I made a jokey comment about the show, which she did not  "get".  She then decided that I was way to Hollywood and was putting down the rural population of Louisianna and suggested that I was offended by "happy happy people".  Along with a " like icon "there should be a BullSHIT icon to click when someone responds like this.

The fact is, I might agree that making an issue of a Si Roberson Duck shirt might have been an over reaction by school officials.  However, with everyone wondering why a the Navy Yard shooter couldn't have been stopped because of earlier behaviors... you can't blame a school for being over cautious.

But back to my exFACEBOOK friend. It was my fault for thinking that someone I went to high school with decades ago has anything in common with me ... particularly my kind of humor.  FaceBook comments do not allow for subtle delivery or ironic tone.. so most humor doesn't work anyway.  I know that.  Why I responded in the first place beats me. I looked at some of the other things she posted and wondered who is this person.

I liked everyone in High School. Why should I not friend a person from those days?  Well, before you do... take a look at what they are posting and see if you want to be part THAT.

As you were,

Jay

  

And the Emmy goes to....

This weekend is the national telecast of the Emmy awards.  Like every other actor in town I have my acceptance speech ready and rehearsed.  No matter if I did nothing this year to warrant a nomination, the fact is one must always have your acceptance speech prepared.   I have to admit that I used my best acceptance speech for my Tony win. However with a little creativity you can recycle acceptance speeches.   For example.....

"And the 2013 Emmy for best supporting actor who was not cast this year....(envelope) goes to... Jay Johnson."                              "Thank you very much.... As I said when I won the Tony...( repeat original winners speech.)"  This accomplishes two things...it allows for repetition of your A material and it also reminds the masses that you won another prestigious award. 

At a restaurant last week I ran into Neil Patrick Harris and wished him the best on his hosting duties this week end.  I am a huge fan of his abilities to host these massively introspective awards shows. His performance as host of the Tony Awards this year deserves a Tony. His skill sets are perfect for this job, he knows what he can do and he doesn't take himself seriously. Having hosted many shows myself where the pressure to succeed was not so critical, I know how hard the job is. Neil is that rare breed of performer who was evidently just born to host an awards show.

Here is to you my friend... I will be watching and rooting for you .. And... you know if you need an accomplished "acceptance speech giver",  I will have my tuxedo on and you can skype me during the telecast. Just know that I have your back NPH.

As you were,

Jay