Feeling Better About Things

And really what I have to attribute that (besides the loving words and encouragement of family and friends) is last night I finally reworked my script so that there is now NO narration whatsoever. I will therefore have to tease a lot of background info and details about the Reserves out of my interviewees, but I will make it work. After all, people love to talk. I was able to work on my script last night b/c S was off with one of his little cadet/police buddies and therefore I was free to work at home on the computer without his constantly following me around the house, waving the latest DVD of 24 at me, badgering me to watch it with him. When he sees I am engrossed in my latest obsession--be it a book (or several) or my documentary--he always pulls the never-fail trick to get me to stop doing it and hang out with him and watch the DVD/TV show/wrestling match du jour: "Don't you want to come over here and get cuddles?"

Today he is going to finally go to the Reserves office, get sworn in, and pick up his badge and credentials. Shortly thereafter he is going to the Central Police Supply to purchase his handcuffs, deluxe handcuff keys, and God knows what else. I told him it's only fair that whatever money he spends on his equipment and gear I get matching funds to spend that amount on my documentary. This is b/c I have made the executive decision that I will not be able to work with my father on my project, after all. This means no free camera, no free mikes, no free lighting, no free editing. I will still be using him for the trailer shoot in May b/c I NEED to get my video sample as part of the TFPF grant due June 1. But I am going to try and cough up the funds to get my brother's computer up and running and Quick Pro Tools editing software installed. If I gotta work maximum hours at Job #2, so be it. That way he and I can do all the editing together in the peace and serenity of his apartment, as opposed to the loud, frantic, tense, manic, angry environment that would be guaranteed if my father were involved. I feel a panic attack coming on just imagining it!

Speaking of the parental figure in question, today is his 60th birthday and we are all apparently going to partake in Thai food tonight in his honor. We did this last year, where I convinced him to enjoy his first Sake Bomb. I needed one as well, b/c I was seated next to him. I have fired up the ol' camcorder (the first time since the San Antonio trip) in order to document tonight's dinner for the record. Why the hell not.

Reading all these books about filmmakers and directors is proving to be very inspiring and fun! Last night I also finished watching Errol Morris' Gates of Heaven. It took me 2 nights b/c S put the kibosh on the first night of viewing due to his 24 watching streak. I thought Gates was way slow and meandering at times. But it's Errol Morris, so all I can do is learn from him. Morris' work is full of artistic elements, that is fo' sho!

BTW, Mavis Staples, who I saw on Sunday at I-Fest, promised that she'd give us a show good enough to put us in a good mood for 6 months. I have to hand it to her, when I've needed a lift this week all I had to do was remember her show and how joyful and fun it was and it's really helped! I watched from front row, natch, with my radio DJ friend Ricky H. to one side (he also got to introduce her to the crowd), my festival friend B. to the other side (she and I are friends b/c we're always at the same concerts/music fests), and little bro and his girlfriend dancing behind me. Plus a couple of my old hippie friends to the side and my other festival/concert friend Johnny somewhere behind them and I couldn't have asked for a happier musical experience! (Well, if only J2 had been there it would've been 100% complete!!!) Music therapy: never pass up an opportunity!