Dog Day Afternoon - Or I Must Have Been Bored

On Stuff You Should Know there is an episode on How do Dogs Perceive Time. I knew how my own crazy dog perceived time, but not dogs in general so I thought it would be interesting to listen up and learn. Not that a dog could actually give the speakers (2 men) any first hand knowledge. These guys were dog owners, which helps. The ultimate conversation ended up being about conditioning.

I know that’s true because my crazy dog - like alot of other dogs - knows exactly when to expect me to walk in the door. I don’t usually have a set routine or schedule but lately for the past 5 weeks, I have had a routine and my little fur ball is always waiting for me when I get home. The question is to me, does she wait there the whole time or instinctively know when to come to the front door to wait for her Mommy.

Although this podcast didn’t lead me to want to listen to any more ranting on dog behavior it did produce this question my my mind... Wouldn’t it be something grand if we could get the same kind of gratifying loyalty from our human loved ones?

Ciao Y’all

Can't Go This Way and That Way

Have you ever felt like you are being pulled in two different directions? You’re somewhere in the middle hoping that neither one of your arms gets pulled off. I’m there.

There’s the office and there’s the other office. The office - those are the ones who are only for a time. The other office - those are the ones who are for a season, and the boss is there, and my pay comes from there. So, that should be a no brainer. Right? I guess. Sure. But the office - I have to look at them daily. The other office - not, they call when they need me for something.

What is she talking about - you ask. Thing is, I really can’t say, other than this... census office caper 2010. Yay. Life is too short for all the drama. I really would rather be sewing panties.

And this would be why Gregory tells me every day I am finished. The other day he took my picture of me sitting on the couch looking finished. Maybe I am finished.

Ciao Y’all

Where Have All My Dodgers Gone?

Maybe it's hard to keep up with your own self when you're winning. All I know is for the past few games - against the Pirates - the Dodgers have not been all present or accounted for. Probably best I was at the office this morning for the beat down they got. Just turned off the rebroadcast of the game in the bottom of the 8th with the 10 to 0 score.

What's wrong guys? You're going to the playoffs but throwing it away in these final games? Say it ain't so Joe.

Ok, I'll stop being so dramatic. But just so you know - I still love my Dodger Blue!

Ciao Y'all

Dodgers Headed for the Post Season - DUH!

Tonight's Dodger win over the Pirates clinched a ticket to the post season. COOL. But tell me something that wasn't obvious. They only have the best pitching staff in the league. They also have the baby blues - Ethier, Kemp, Loney, Russell. They have Hudson, Casey Blake and Manny. But best of all they have buddy - my buddy Juan Pierre. The player who gives his all every single day for love of the game. And a bench full of extremely talented players.

Playoff bound?! Did you doubt? I didn't.

I love the DODGERS!

Ciao Y'all

Depression Sucks

Today I spoke with a gentleman who has probably retired from many careers, but considers his life not to be over and works wherever he gets a chance. He told me also that when he hit his 40’s he felt he was being kicked out of a job he had worked so hard to move to the top in, and this caused him a great deal of stress. He considered himself successful. He had a wonderful career and his family owned a business in southern California. But then when it came tumbling down he had to re-invent himself. He said the job he was performing no longer needed him and when he came to terms with that he got a hold of the slight depression he was suffering because of it.

His story takes me a few years back -- I read a book entitled “Living With the Black Dog”. Depression was referred to by William Churchill who suffered from it, as the black dog. It was a story about a loving wife who considered herself lucky to be married to a loving husband and raise their family. But one day it all changed. Her husband lost interest in everything, including, and she felt especially, her. She would find him sitting in dark rooms and sometimes crying. He seemed, to her, to be always short tempered. They eventually got help for her husband but she oftentimes felt as though she was losing her mind and depressed as a result of his depression.

I read the book in about an hour and immediately sent the author an email of thanks. I was forever grateful to her for sharing her story and I felt that now I had hope to deal with the depression that a friend of mine was suffering with. This did not cure my friend and the relationship ended by his choosing, but what I did learn was that this condition is real.

Depression is a real horrible disease that feeds off itself. It doesn’t get better with time if not treated, especially in a person who may be more sensitive than someone else. Seek help if you are suffering with depression. Be careful with the prescription drugs that a doctor might want to prescribe to treat the symptoms, but can make you sick in other ways. Don’t recluse yourself - staying in your room under the blankets with the blinds closed. Talk about your feelings to someone you trust. Don’t be fearful of counselors who are there to listen and help you dig deeper into your own mind frame. As hard as it may be, find something you love to do, and do it. Most important remember that some people don’t and won’t ever understand that depression is real and can cause real physical symptoms. So don’t blame someone for telling you to just get over it. Pull yourself together, everyone has problems. Have a cup of chamomile tea. These things could possibly help the one suggesting them but everyone is different and healing comes in different ways.

Ciao Y’all

This American Life

Today as I was office monitor I listened to the September 20, 2009 podcast of this American Life. It was the real story behind the new Matt Damon movie, The Informant. Either I was extremely bored or I really found an interest in this bipolar informant. All I know is - I'm going to see this movie and write a review.

The Dodgers are beating the Nationals right now 15 to 2 at the bottom of the 9th. Gotta love those boys in blue!

Ciao Y'all

Behind Right Field

That's where I spent my afternoon. In the all you can eat pavilion. At the end of the game the whole area was a messy mess, but we were having fun fun fun, Trying to start the wave heckling the right fielder of the Giants #2 Winn, and cheering on the winning Boys in Blue.

It was a great day!

Ciao Y'all

Where Are My Dodgers?!

I searched for my Dodgers and I can't find them. I have settled here for the night with my cupcake from Sprinkles and remote in hand, posed to watch the Dodger's game. Well it's not on, and I can't find it, and don't know how I missed it or why the stupid DVR did not record the game. But tomorrow I get to go to my favorite little leaguer game at 8AM and then off to Dodgertown! A double header!

I told you baseball matters.

Ciao Y'all

Dreams

Last night I had a very real dream. You know one of those dreams when you wake up and swear this dream really happened. I used to have dreams about my high school sweetheart after he died. These dreams were so real that I would wake up in tears because I knew that no matter what I couldn't bring him back now that I was awake.

My question to you is, when you have a very vivid dream, do you take it seriously? Are your dreams only meant as night time entertainment or are those real dreams placed in your sub-conscious mind to tell you something? Let me know your thoughts.

Ciao Y'all

What Do You Do?

Don’t know what’s worse - having to write a letter to the Commanding Naval Officer to ask for assistance collecting support (which includes arrears) from a retired officer or hoping that this person will one day smell the coffee and send what’s owed. I know you’re thinking it’s all the same. Yeah that’s true. That’s why instead of being inactive - sitting and hoping and waiting and turning blue holding my breath - I decided to be proactive and write the letter.

My question to you -- If someone owes you a lot of money personally or business, how do you go about collecting it? I’d like to hear the different opinions on this, and I am sure someone reading and commenting could possibly help someone else. Thanks.

Ciao Y’all

Doesn't laugh at distasteful jokes

"There is not a racist bone in my dad's body" said Alan Wilson, an Irag veteran who is running for state attorney general in South Carolina. "He doesn't even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won't comment on former President Carter, because I don't know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it's just not in him."

This is the quote from Alan Wilson, son of US Rep. Joe Wilson, after his outburst during a speech by President Obama. Apparently Alan Wilson felt the need to defend his father after former President Jimmy Carter was quoted saying he thought the outburst was based on racism due to the fact that - as he put it - “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president”.

Hold the milk truck!

What’s going on here? I just want an affordable health plan. Like everything else I am getting bombarded with calls and emails from health insurance companies wanting me to take my uninsured self and put it into their over-priced hands. The prices are lowering but not enough. I don’t think any one person should have to pay more for health coverage than they do for car insurance -- and don’t start raising those prices either!. I don’t get sick $250 a month worth of coverage. The cheapest is a tad below $200 and that co-pay is extremely ridiculous. So as I sit here uninsured and pray that every day I will remain healthy, they battle over issues of race.

I believe President Carter has a point and made it well. I also believe Alan Wilson’s thinks his parents did raise them to “...respect everyone regardless of race”. But one bit I noticed while he was on the defense for his father - Alan Wilson is quoted saying “He doesn’t even laugh at distasteful jokes”. Is that kind of like those who say -- I have a lot of minority friends? To which I say, if they’re indeed your friends why do you see color (minority), and if Joe Wilson doesn’t laugh at distasteful jokes - why does he stand there and listen to them without taking a stand against them as being wrong?

And let me just acknowledge a comment from one of my readers - who was “anonymous”. This comment was posted and I did not make it public because it had nothing to do with the post about my winning Dodgers, but maybe it can pertain to this. This reader said “Isn’t that just like the pot calling the kettle black”. DUDE I have no idea when it comes to a fan supporting their team, but maybe for this post, and to that I will respond...

MAYBE SO - but it’s my blog - write your own and don’t cower behind “anonymous”.

Ciao Y’all

To Be Or Not to Be - Now that's a Gregorysm

What to do when your child says they want to resign from show biz? Let them. Let them do it. Let them call their agent and book themselves out forever. Look at Joaquin Phoenix -- he actually had to sit down and talk with his colorful agent about his decision not to act any more. I would have hated to hear that conversation and thankfully I wasn’t the person to talk to her (because I know her) after he gave her that bit of news. She cussed me out over the phone for just calling the office to confirm an appointment after Ms Dunst left her agency for bigger deals.

When your show biz kid, grows out of the running here and there to auditions and they’re not booking any way - even if they are, let them quit. Yes, we as parents possibly do know what’s best, but it’s only best for us - our decision - and one day they will find their own way or not. But don’t let them get away with acting like a grown up by making the decision and then acting like a child by asking you to tell their agent. Nope - that’s their last gig - let them have it. They want to take control of their own life, then let them have the responsibility that goes with that decision. This also goes for their car insurance that you, like I am still paying.

No harm or foul - it’s just gregorysms.

Ciao Y’all

To Say Thank You

I wrote a letter of thanks to my father’s widow. You might say - that’s my step-mother, and I would have to say - she never acted like it, so no. But I did receive a gift in the mail from her and as she wrote, the spirit of my dad. That’s kind of spooky, but okay. Any way I was thankful for the gift and I wanted to write her a thank you letter.

I guess the letter is longer than I intended - my writing teacher would probably interject here “what else is new” - not funny. I wasn’t pithy actually. I recapped for her and the spirit of my dad, our lives here, since neither showed much interest when he was alive. I hope she gets a glimpse of the experiences that they’ve missed, and not feel regret, but maybe reach out more to those they hold dear and should hold dear before it’s too late. She’s made a good start, and I can appreciate that very much.

Ciao Y’all

"No one forgets the truth, Frank, they just get better at lying"

Out of the mouth of April Wheeler played by Kate Winslet to her husband Frank played by Leonard Dicaprio in Revolutionary Road.

We all should know that as the truth. I have learned there is one thing for sure about that any liar will do - that’s lie. It’s habitual.

The Wheelers’ story is quite typical. Boy meets girl. Girl falls in love with boy. Boy and girl marry. Now husband and wife still youthful and full of hopes and dreams until... Girl gets preggers by mistake. Baby 1 comes along, then baby 2 to make sure the first one wasn’t a mistake. Life happens. Routine. Stepford? Maybe, but it’s still a rut race instead of the rat race. Husband has an affair. Wife suggests “let’s move out of the picket fenced life I wanted - I’m bored with it, and you don’t seem interested in us anymore”. “Let’s just go away - to Paris. Live there”. Wife convinces husband this is what needs to be done and so they plan. They buy airline tickets. Put the house on the market. Prepare the kids. Pack. Tells the guys at the office.

But wait...

Husband still having affair. Wife tells him she’s preggers again, but can take care of it before 12 weeks. Husband is strangely content. He’s gotten some kudos at the office for a project well done. A pat on the back. An offer of something better at work. Tells wife of his indiscretion but it’s over. She actually takes it strangely well. Her focus is still on Paris. Husband decides that they can’t move and uses the pregnancy as an excuse. Wife says let's have the baby in Paris. Husband already settled in his thinking, say no can do. Wife has a one night stand with the neighbor. Has a break down, then seemingly relents, sends husband off with a wonderful breakfast, kids off to the neighbors, and heads to the bathroom with the pan and tube. Wife aborts baby and dies. Husband miserable. Neighbors talk. Life goes on.

See, just like any typically stifled life. Revolutionary Road was very cliched and just plain old sad. The setting reminded me of the quaintness of the SCV or Stepford. Nothing bad ever happens and life is always good. But what’s really behind the closed doors of communities like this are the same stories behind other communities but they have been and are constantly being swept under the carpet and then judge when revealed.

Although I would not want to feel depressed again by seeing this film a second time, I recommend it if you like dry, hopeless stories that are thought provoking and lend to your understanding why you should never behave in such a manner.

Ciao Y'all

Movie still courtesy of imdb.com

Here's What Sucks

There are only 18 more game left in the regular season for the Dodgers. Here's the consolation - They'll be a part of the boys of October!

I can't say enough about how proud I am of the Dodgers this season. I love my boys in blue. There are so many different winners on the team. I define winner as someone who gives all that they have every day. A winner know the competition - and the competition is themself.

Two years ago when the news of acquiring Joe Torre was made known, a hater told me and another Dodger fan not to think the Dodgers would do anything more than lose just because they got Torre. Well - Mr. Man - from Utah - we're L.A., we love the Dodgers win, place or draw. Oh, and eat your heart out because my boys of summer are headed into the fall! Now I must go to register for an opportunity to purchase playoff tickets. WOW...

Ciao Y'all

She was naked in your hotel room?!

A question any wife would want cleared up immediately from her husband who was being questioned about a crazy bitch overdosed in his hotel room bed. Dog house? Well beyond that.

I have to admit, I waited for this movie ”Obsessed” to come out on dvd. Wasn’t a movie I wanted to take my favorite little leaguer to see, even though I tell him often that women are the devil. Don’t send me letters ladies - you know what I mean. Guys - remember Samson in the Bible - sometimes get blind sided (literally) by an enchanting temptress. The play on word in the movie actually. This temptress was the office temp. Funny. Good writing. When I decided to download it from itunes and I had a hard time due to my very obsolete computer system and had to reboot it before I could get the download, I thought maybe for a sec that perhaps I didn’t need to see it. I saw it, and it is a good movie. A bit week at the top of the third or the bottom of the second - and very cliche, but good.

My question to you is -- is it ever okay for a married person (man or woman) to flirt in any kind of way, innocently or not with someone of the opposite sex (presuming you’re straight)?

My brother thinks this guy in the movie did nothing wrong. My mother thinks otherwise. After viewing I think the guy is typical making it cliche. With his head fogged by the temptress's tears. Oh cry my a river. Once i was told that i made some woman (I use the term loosely) cry, and frankly all I could do was say boo hoo hoo. I don’t play that. Time is of the essence and life is too short to waste it on anyone who doesn’t make you/me a priority but rather an option. So I will speak my mind. And I don’t believe it’s okay for a committed or married couple to percolate elsewhere as long as they’re drinking at home. That’s bull. I say, if you don’t start something there won’t be nothing. Ignore the wiles of the evil one who comes like a thief in the night to steal, kill, and destroy.

Off my soap box now. I thought Beyonce Knowles did a wonderful job, not only the ass-kicking scenes but all round. She is growing in this craft. Kudos. Idris Elba was also very good. And the temptress, I feel sorry for her, because she played that role so convincingly that she is probably sneered at alot from the public who have a hard time separating a movie character and your true character.

I recommend the movie highly, you may learn something.

Obsessed

Ever been obsessed over someone, about something? Obsession is always more than it should be, but is it ever good. Like in business. Should you be obsessed with building your business to avoid failure? Or will you in that obsession lose your first love - that is why you fell in love with the idea of being in business. Will it become routine and too auto-driven if you're obsessed and lose the passion that once was? All good questions - hope I get some good answers.

Today I watched about an hour of the Beyonce Knowle film "Obsessed". I have about 40 more minutes to watch before I can write a review. But stay tuned tomorrow.

Ciao Y'all

You are not welcome here.

The tagline from the movie that I decided to go straight from work to see yesterday afternoon. I had gotten a glimpse into the flick from a friend who saw it and didn't like it. I like a good alien movie every now and then so I thought I would use my free ticket to go see it.

Here's what I thought of it. I should have saved my ticket. It was a yukky feel to the cinematography. Maybe that was the point. The acting wasn't bad or good, it just kind of was. The aliens called prawns had a fetish with cat food and I'm not sure what that was all about. There was a lesson or message trying to come through but it fell short of just mindless matinee material. I didn't really mind sitting there watching this film that someone worked hard to write and get produced, but next time I'll listen closer to my friend's review and save my free pass.

Go see it if you like -- can't think of why you should go see it.

Ciao Y'all

Movie photo from imdb.com 09

Legend

Today I went straight from the office watch to the movies with my favorite little leaguer - soon to be big leaguer. There was a trailer for a new flick called LEGEND. I am interested in seeing how in the world they will justify the blasphemy from this one. I would love to read the script if someone knows where I can get a copy before the release.

Good news is anyone not left behind won't have to be concerned with the Legend. And that should be a big sigh of relief.

Tomorrow I will review the movie that we saw today. District 9 -- no comment right now.

Ciao Y'all

I Think too Much

The next person that tells me that is going to get a cookie. Have you ever been told you think too much? Like it's a bad thing. My question is do I think too much or do you not think enough? See how that works?

Most often when someone tells you that you think too much it's because they don't really want to hear your thoughts. Maybe your thoughts don't matter to them. Or maybe your thoughts are well beyond their own thinking. But don't stop thinking -- as that would be stupid. 

The last person who told me I think too much was today. And when I asked if that were a bad thing she quickly remarked - no, but I mean you worry too much about things. And all I could say was is it thinking or worrying? Or perhaps I may just be telling you what's on my mind, which isn't worrying but talking to someone who should want to hear my thoughts because I listen to their thoughts all the time. 

May I then conclude that thinking is not a bad thing, and it doesn't mean you are a worry wort. The world needs great thinkers. People who don't care to listen to your thoughts are just not that in to you. hey are more likely just plain ol' selfish. In order to achieve a thing you must conceive a thing. It's not the thinks that you think, it's the thinks that you do said a wise rugrat. Think and do. It's a good thing.

Ciao Y'all.

Wiped Clean

My computer I wiped clean today and started it from the beginning of the start up disk. Everything important was saved on my thumbdrive or my portable drive - so no worries. I did lose all my bookmarks - maybe for the best, I'll find again the ones I really need.

The machine is running better, stronger, faster, and that's mission accomplished. I can even play dvd's again. Now Ii can order those Project Runway dvd's for seasons 1-5 and enjoy them. I think doing the challenges will be great training for me as a designer to build my technical skills for designing. The Writer's Boot camp honed my technical skills in writing - the talent and artistry were innate.

Hats off to a better computer that I can possibly get another good year or two out of. Today was a good day.

Dream Sweet

Troop 180 Productions -- The Purpose

Where did it come from? Troop 180 was the tile of my first screenplay. Nothing uniquely original about the title, and perhaps I was taking the lazy way out. I had to get my screenplay idea/premise done for my writing class and the idea of writing a piece about a troop of girl scouts derived from finding an idea that I could sell for one of my 8x10's to star in. So troop was a must. 180 came from the idea that every main character goes through - or should go through a 180 degree turn around in their life, thinking, yada yada... Productions came after the initial "film" making grew into wanting to have my own production company Hence Troop 180 productions is here because my first title for this blog offended a few biddies - and I'll leave it at that.

Looking for a purpose for this blog since I have been dragging when it comes to posting lately and concentrating more on the l'Amore Intimo blog. The purpose may be just to air the every day laundry. Writing down the bones. Today I'll start with this question to ponder and I always will give my overly though out suggested answer.

There are days when I proudly admire "WOW my kid acts just like me"! And then there are the other days when I am forced to admit "Gee, I don't know where this kid gets that crap from". Isn't it funny how nature plays a large role in how we all act, until it doesn't?

Speaking here of how my mother always said "it's in the genes" and if someone possessed the darkside of a parent's genes show would admonish them to "flight the feeling". Today when Gregory came in whining about his key missing must be due to the fact that I wash his clothes, I didn't want to hear the nonsense, and I also invited him to wash his own clothes for now on. The arrogance and disrespect and demanding that the whole world is wrong because of something I have done wasn't going to play today. You'd have thought it would have ended at that, but no. This arrogant used to be the baby went on the ask me for a favor. To which I thought to myself "good luck". Instead of telling him completely off I just said that he could do that for himself.

As he enjoys his time with his girlfriend in the other room - who is oblivious to the strife that occurred only minutes before she came over - I sit here writing this entry and hoping to get some advice from more seasoned veterans. My mother has informed me that I have allowed my children to talk to me disrespectfully. I don't recall allowing any sort of bad or disrespectful behavior from any of my kids.

And, if it's in the genes I'm thinking you have to remember to consider before you get married and procreate that your character genes will only be half of what your children inherit. Think clearly before you make that choice. How does your boyfriend, girlfriend, future spouse treat his/her parents? How does he relate to kids in general? Does he/she show you respect all the time - not just when someone is looking? I'm on my soap box now. Very important question to all single parents. Does the person you are considering allowing into your family love you -- all of you which includes your child(ren)? Does this person get jealous because you have a life with your child(ren) first?

Ask honest questions and get honest answers. Pray for discernment. Most important - the posts here won't always be this deep and unapologetic. There will be lighter times.

Still signing off the same.
Ciao Y'all

The Used to be The Baby

This blogspot has been kicked to the curb -- No it hasn't, but I'm sure it feels that way. Let's just say I've been on summer hiatus. If any of my readers are still reading, I am here and I ain't going nowhere. I do want to give this spot more of a purpose. Not as much thinking Julie & Julia, but something. Maybe it's just enough to thoroughly define all of the gregorysm's out there - from Gregory and others like him. Maybe adventures in sitting and feeling unproductive in an office but being blessed to be very productive at the same time personally. Maybe it's about the struggle of getting selected to complete on a game show.

I'll find it - and bring it to you, but until then I will keep posting when the spirit moves me. Always feel free to check in on lamoreintimo.blogspot.com. It's a good thing.

Ciao Y'all