reminder from billy to laugh

Before this day of celebration of practical jokes comes to an end, I want to say this: remember to laugh.
Tonight, I watched "Billy Brown" for the third time.
I had remembered watching it before, and I had remembered the general gist of it, but not the details. Looking back at my blog entries, I saw that I had written of my support of the kickstarter project and I had written of my receipt of the golden T-shirt reward, but I did not see an entry for the film itself. Instead, there was an allusion to me needing to find a time to watch it.
I did not see in the comments that I had done so in May of 2012. I did not see that I had watched it not once, but twice, and cried both times. I had even written to Andrew Morgan, the writer, to tell him how moved I had been and he had responded with his thanks for my letting him know of its impact.
Here's the funny part: I had added those comments to the blog entry in January of this year. THIS year, 2014, when I was updating these blog entries after almost two years of complete neglect.
So, not recalling having made those comments a scant two months ago, I was resolved to "make it right". I again cried.
I don't want you to misunderstand me. This is not a sad film; instead, it is a film about celebrating life when death has made off with a loved one. It is about choosing to recall the funny moments when you feel utterly consumed by the deep, dark, sadness of the world.
Today truly was the right time to see this man help people with humor.
To remember the fun, funny times shared.
My many thanks.

Grover's Corners

The Asbury Memorial Theatre first made an imprint on me near year's end in 2003, with their production of "West Side Story". Incredibly talented cast, fabulous use of space (the very active play was performed in the social center at the church on East Henry Street and Waters Avenue), and beautifully rendered songs. The play was one of Mama's favorites, so I knew it well.
In 2008, they reprised portions of that play in the not-yet renovated sanctuary. That was done as part of the church's annual "God on Broadway" series, a fundraiser that brings in a good number of visitors.

This is the 75th Anniversary of performances of "Our Town". Performed in the now-beautiful sanctuary, with the flexible seating arrangements afforded therein, the audience was allowed to, literally, be part of the townsfolk of the fictional Grover's Corners. Some of the cast members even sat amongst the audience between their performances. Newspaper and milk deliveries were made using the wide "lanes" through the segmented seating areas. Children walked to and from "school" on those same lanes, the wedding party came down "Main Street", the police officer made his rounds through the paths laid out on the sanctuary floor.
All in all, a very memorable evening for all in attendance.
This was my first experience with Wilder's play; I'm very glad to have seen this group's performance. I don't know that the play would have had such an emotional impact on me if it were held in a regular theatre setting, with the audience separate from the cast.
I proudly will continue to support them in their endeavors.
I encourage you to do the same.

flying high flutterby

Success! There she is, Andrea Kay, with her cellist and drawings of her father, at the health professions conference in Atlanta, Georgia!
That was April 4th, her first presentation of her work.
I am sure she will travel far, and continuously, with her talk about connecting to her father during his last days. Connecting to the man she loved through the fog in which he lived, the fog known as Alzheimer's Disease.
This kickstarter project is dear to me. I have several friends working in the health professions field and I have shared this young woman's work with them. I will continue to do so as time marches forward, because dementia is widespread and heartbreaking to so many in this world.
Novel approaches are needed. Not only for those stricken with dementia, but for those who love them and those who care for them.
Pictures speak when words fail.

warrior writers: after action review

Today, I finished reading the two books I received for backing this kickstarter project.
I can hear you now: Two books? I thought you were getting one?
Well, I was only supposed to receive the third anthology, After Action Review - but it was to be autographed. When it arrived in December, just a month after I had backed the project, I was very impressed with the professional quality of the publication. Glossy cover, nice artwork outside and in, well-bound volume; you can order your own copy here.
I really liked the bookmark, too, as it features handmade paper and has a "fashioned in the field" quality.
There was just one problem: my copy of the the book was not personalized for me.
So, I contacted them, asking if I should be looking on some particular page...
Warrior Writers
Dec 28, 2011
Hello Faustina,
First off, I would like to apologize for the mix-up and the delay in response. The holidays have been crazy and we're still reeling with excitement of having the book!
There must have been confusion during our packing party and we would like to send you a signed book. Would you like a signed copy of After Action Review or would you like a signed copy of one of our other two anthologies: Move, Shoot, and Communicate or Re-Making Sense?
You can check out the other two books here:
http://www.printmojo.com/WarriorWriters/
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and would like to make this right.
Thank you,
Jamie
Above and beyond the call of duty was their response! That was impressive, too.

I selected the first anthology -
best to begin at the beginning, right?
Plus, I really liked the title,
Move, Shoot, and Communicate,
as it reminded me of a favorite joke,
the one featuring pandas.
As you can see by comparing the books in the two photographs, the two issues are quite different in appearance. The first anthology was less than thirty pages and was a chapbook. The third book is close to two hundred pages and was professionally published. Going to kickstarter to generate funds was apparently a very good move for Warrior Writers!
But it is important to note that the quality of the content is the same in both books. That content is derived from the healing writing of the veterans involved in the workshops. Maybe you know someone who might benefit from learning to loose their demons through print - or by reading the words of others who are doing so.

billy brown, in my house!

This has to be some kind of record!
So, I had told you about the project on kickstarter in mid-October.
Of this year.
Then, I shared the updates from the filmmaker, Andrew.
Apparently, before he even made goal on the 18th of October, he had started getting everything lined up for the shoot. Shortly after the very successful end of his kickstarter drive on October 28th, he was in search of extras, having all else in place.
By the 14th of November, all filming for "Billy Brown" was complete and the editing began. Again, that's November of this year.
When the 5th of December - this month, this year - came around, he had finished editing and was getting addresses to ship out the rewards.
Today, I received the film, professionally packaged, as if I had gone to a video store and purchased it.
The T-shirt is fabulous, too.
So, Merry Christmas to me!
And color me very impressed, Mr. Andrew Morgan. You took a film project from dream to reality in just a little over two months.
Very impressive.
Let's hope I soon find some time to watch this gem.

warrior writers: third anthology

Straight up: I backed this one because it's ending on Veteran's Day and is of benefit to veterans. I'm a veteran myself, of the United States Navy, and I have several friends who are counselors for military clients.
This "Global War on Terror" has taken some serious tolls on our young people. Every one of the soldiers who return have damage, whether it's visible or not. Many times, that invisible wear and tear on the human psyche is far more difficult to repair.
That's where this kickstarter campaign comes in. Warrior Writers, an organization in Philadelphia, has already published two collections of works by GWOT veterans and is trying to get volume three into hands where it can help, heal, and inspire. Amazingly, this nonprofit had its origin in 2007, as did my life after divorce...as did my beach on these virtual shores.
Yet another reason for me to support this project. I know firsthand how helpful my writing has been for me. In times of stress, I can fight my invisible trees amid the clouds of ether - and, if not vanquish them, at least quell their assault on my mind.
Here's hoping that others will be able to benefit from this third anthology - as well as the ones before it, and the ones which will surely follow.

life and death on an answering machine

What an ingenious idea! Another great-sounding (all puns intended!) kickstarter project from Athens, Georgia, "Arkadelphia" tells the story of life and death - through the messages left on an answering machine. Pretty nifty, right?
I certainly think so!
Here's the opening set up: Two hoodlums are in an apartment, in the same room where two dead bodies lie on the floor and a red telephone/answering machine sits on a stand in the corner. Then the camera rolls, in real time, as the messages start coming in for Jay, who may or may not be one of the dead bodies now drawing flies.
Cool, right?!
Stephen Sandlin, part of Film Crew UGA, is onto something big, I do believe, and so I've put up some big money where my mouth is. Enough so that I will be named a Producer of the finished film!!!
Oh, and I'll get the T-shirt and, of course, my special copy of the dvd.
And I'll be a PRODUCER!!!
I'm so excited about this funding opportunity!

billy brown

"Everyone has a hurt worth laughing about."
What a tagline.
He also posted a link to a sweet video called "Climbing To The Moon". That just may have tipped the balance (all puns intended - watch the video) in his favor.
Even though Andrew Morgan is out in California, I decided his project had much merit and warranted my backing. Even though he is not here in Georgia.
(smile)
But he is planning to enter the film in the Atlanta Film Festival, so that will work out well.
And just in case I cannot make it to that festival, I threw a Benjamin into the pot, so he would share the dvd with me. I'll also get my name in the credits, which I really like as a reward, I must say!
And, as an extra bonus, a bright T-shirt to wear about town.
Oh, yeah, bragging rights will be mine!