27th

well, it is a few days after christmas. Had a quiet but nice one. Spent the eve at home with some friends. Made some eggnog and various appetizers. The horse stepped on Mel's foot so she was on the ice pack and advil tone. Quite swollen but seems to be mending ok now. So not broken as feared it seems.

Drove down to Fallbrook on xmas morn to see the old folks. Did some cooking down there for dinner. All was well. Hit the hay at 9 pm christmas day. Slept for 11 hours. I guess we needed it.

haircut

I hate getting my haircut. For some reason I just can't stand to sit in that chair. I always want to get up about half way through and say " thanks, what do I owe you? " and leave.

Today I got my haircut. I always go to the local barber shop. Old school. I can't see myself spending 85 fifty for a cut and a shampoo. So I go to the old school barber. And well, its hit or miss. Usually miss. But it suits my nerdy professor look usually.And there are always hats.

Today was a real trip though. I got the really old guy barber by luck of the draw. Actaully there was like 2 guys in front of me but when the old guy was finished with his last victim, er, customer he called out "next?" Nobody moved. I looked at the other two guys. Every ones eyes darted back and fourth. Finally I said "oh, I guess that would be me then?"

I got in the chair and he started to go to work. I'm sitting there and he has the scissors in hand as he slowly brings them toward the side of my head. And holy shit...his hand shook like a leaf in a stiff breeze. He's bringing these pointy ass scissors closer and closer to my face and I'm wondering what I'll look like with an eye patch. Poor guy. He always managed to reel it in at the critical moment and snip what he wanted. Or at least I didn't lose an eye and small portion of ear.

And the haircut wasn't half bad. I tipped him and extra 10 bucks since it was christmas.

a tree in the house

well...just put the tree in the house. Usually we have our 60's vintage aluminum tree. But this year we decided for an old fashioned. And well, it's a beauty. Our new cat has made it all the way to the top already. She seems to LOVE it.

Just finishing up Lucky. Loads of work. A bit of a strain. But the shit looks good. It's in Sundance this year. So that's cool.

Otherwise, on track for a good year next. Fingers crossed. We have a script in development and several projects that have promise. Really want to focus on new work, story and animation that breaks new ground

pearl harbor day

Well, today I salute my Uncle Willie. He was at Pearl Harbor 68...can't believe it was 68 years ago. Well, here is to you all my old friends. I'd buy you a drink if I could. Or a pot of tea as in my grand-pa Joe's case.

Today: Rain. And we need it. Lots more please. And forgive us in SoCal. If the temp goes below 58 ---- it's winter!. I put on my scarf and winter coat. We'll pretend it is freezing. And what the hell, I can actually see snow from my front window. And it's not too far away. Maybe 10-12 miles as the crow flies. And 5 thousand feet higher. But it is an amazing sight. Snow capped mountains so close to home.

well, still bummed about not getting into Sundance this year. Got a note from one of the programmers, we had a good entry. They get over 9000 short films and ours was in the top 200. But from there they cut it down to 90. So we didn't make the cut. Next year we'll do some killer thing with a 'social" message.

Coming up on Holidays. went to the annual Krampus party. Dec 5th. I have to give andrea and hank big kudos for pulling it off every year. They do such a good job. What a great party. I look forward to it each year. And next week is the Cohen's annual party. And they too do an excellent job. Such good friends to one and all.

Might have my surgery over the holidays. So not looking forward to that. Can I put it off ? I guess I can..but I know that I'll feel so much better if I just do it. What? You don't know what surgery I need to have?

This a cliff hanger isn't it.

well...long last few weeks. Been so busy with projects. Working on animation sequences for a documentary that is going to Sundance this year. So making it look sweet. Sadly our own project didn't make it this year. Was looking forward for an excuse to go skiing. Oh well.

Did a pitch this week for a big studio. Went well. We worked hard to get the thing straight. Was a bit stressful but...that's what keeps the knives sharp.

My sister was out for a week. She is getting divorced after 33 years. Really hard for her. She seems over the worst of it and is looking to the next chapter of her life to get underway. I love her so much and regret that I haven't been as close over the years.

Well, just wrote a new song. I am slowly getting from bad to not so bad.

Danelectro

Got my Danelectro. These guitars are so cheap...but sound sooo good. 275 bucks on ebay. Beatnik burgundy with cream piping. Jimmy Page used a Danelectro 59 all the time in the studio. Always had his gibson les paul on stage but it was one of these cheap-ass guitars he used often.

The thing is light. Made out of particle board and plastic and wood. Anyway, ran it down to the shed and let Joey and Randall give her a work out. The verdict. This is one sweet guitar. I have to say the sound is way better than my Epiphone. It just has a better tone. Now I just have to learn how to play. ( better anyway )

Heard from my old friend Dan the other day. Seems like he has had a real life journey. Getting back around to focusing on his creative pursuits. His situation makes me more determined to get my work done. We have so many projects in the fire right now we just have to pick out the best ones and give them the attention they need. We have a big meeting Thursday with a studio about getting our movie into development. Could be huge. We just have to trust that we'll take this all the way and not have the project go into limbo or worse get yanked from us if it gets too big.

We have several other projects to work on too. And I really want to do my desert biker epic. That one could be a real effing blast to make. Its a very strange project.

one after...

nothing much to say. just hanging out on a saturday. Been to meetings and been to my desk been to my guitar. Been to drawing been to drinking been to writing. It is all a way to get from one to the next. Eat a meal, drive a car, say hello, say goodbye. Get unhappy, get happy, get wet, dry off. One to the next. Everything is anything and nothing at all. Push a button and see the gate go up. Push is once again and see that all you fear is what you could be. What you could be? Being willing to jump or be pushed or rather walk off a cliff not knowing if a net is underneath you and trusting that you might grow wings if nothing else comes up. But wings ain't cheap. So save all your penny thoughts and make a bag with which you can catch yourself.

Other than that...just bought a new guitar on ebay. Danelectro 59 reissue. how sweet life can be.