Mood:  special

Do you belive in magic?

Magic happens every day, all around us, all the time. The trick is to be able to recognize it when it happens.

It was this time last summer when I experienced one of the most magical, life changing events. I thought it was just me. I figured that for everyone else, that event was just normal. But now, a year later, I'm finding that other people had the same reaction that I did.

Our town has a party to celebrate Independence day. This year, we are having fireworks on July 2, which is a Tuesday. Last year's party was amazing. It was a celebration of a community, coming together in fun and spirit, freedom and peace. For a few hours, the problems of the world lay outside. We had fun and food, kids games, music and dancing, then we ended the evening with fireworks.

I was hosting the show. But, along about dusk, I'd run out of entertainment, and we needed to fill some time before full dark and fireworks. We'd had cloggers dance during the show, and so, to fill that time, I said into the microphone--"OKay, kids, you've seen the grownups dance. Now it's your turn to show us what you've got!"

I hopped off the stage, microphone in hand, and wham! I was surrounded knee-deep in kids. We turned on some dance music, and we danced on the tarmac.

There was only room for happiness in my heart. I once read that in a person's lifetime, there maybe only be five or six times when there was room for only happiness in one's heart. That was one of those times.

I've remembered that day, for a year now, and still remember how special it was.

But, as I've been putting together entertainment for this year's show, I've mentioned last year's show to several people. They have all talked about last year, and what a magical night it was--and how happy and special it was when those kids were dancing on the tarmac.

Perhaps what made it so special was that it wasn't planned. It just happened. 

If you go into an experience with an expectation, the experience is somehow a letdown. I've tried so hard, this year, to not expect anything magical again. But who knows? Lightning can strike in the same place twice--why not magic?

Best wishes for a safe, happy, peaceful, ...and magical Independence Day celebration! 

Mood:  special

It's been a big week. Sometimes everything in the soul is asleep. It just needs time to think, to rest, to breathe.

But when it wakes up. When everything is firing on all cylinders...when it's "on"...it's like nothing else--ever.

I signed my 4th publishing contract. I will have a book coming out this summer. It's sooooo cool when that happens--when someone "gets" your work and offers you the validation of a contract.

But what's even more amazing--and this is the truth--is the reaction of your friends and family. Truly--they are more excited than I am. I see these as steps on a journey. Each step takes you one higher rung up the ladder. Each step is important. But I see all this as a journey. When my friends or family just freak out, their excitement is soooo contagious. It makes me stop and think, "Oh yeah. I DID do something that's pretty special."

I "maybe" figured out enough photography that things click now. I can read and study, but it's like another language. Maybe...yesterday...maybe I found my photography rosetta stone.

I'm working on a freelance article about women in film.

I have an acting gig next weekend. It looks to be a huge amount of fun. I can't wait to get in there and see how the producers manage their gig. Each film set is different. These producers tell me that the first goal is to have fun with the character. Well, that sounds like a good start-off point. I'm having fun thinking up makeup schemes and costumes. I live in such a small place, that I don't get to be around creative people enough. It'll be so nice to get to meet these actors and hear their stories. I can't wait to see what happens with the project. It's a spoof on a sci-fi series.

I've submitted for 2 or 3 more acting gigs. Who knows if anything comes of of that or not? I'm not the "type" for what most productions around here seem to be looking for. Acting is fun. Since it's not my be-all and end-all goal, I can look at it as a life experience.  

 We took the day off yesterday to go see the new Star Trek film. I'm still digesting. But, right now my opinion is...fantastic movie. It may be the best Star Trek movie ever. I won't give away spoilers, but ....just go see it.

The music's been asleep in me for months. I think it's waking up. I want soooo bad to get in the studio and lay some music down. I've been playing the piano more, lately. There's nothing like some good jazz, ya know?

I hope you, too, are having a good week and accomplishing your goals of making all your dreams come true.

Mood:  lazy

What do you do when the creavitiy leaves you? It's still there, but it's dormant, and even though you may  want more than anything to use it--it's just not there. When life gets in the way or when other things "stop" the creativity, then what? Do you give up? Distract yourself? Try to stay busy? Push through and work anyway, even though you know it won't be right.

I shut down every winter. I have no idea why, and each winter I say "I'm going to not shut down this winter." So much for those big plans. It's not like I have a choice. After all...no matter what you do--you can't do it all the right, right? If you are a marathon runner, you can't run all the time. You have to give it a break-and rest or eat or meditate or whatever else it takes--just to maintain.

Creativity is like a well. Sometimes there's water in that well, and sometimes not. Then at other times, it's in there...somewhere down deep inside, but it's disconnected. Imagine, if you will, an extension cord that's not plugged in. Some days you are connected to it, and some not.

I berate myself for not getting enough done. It's a familiar refrain, and anyone who is close to me gets soooo tired of hearing me say that. (My closest associates also say this in their own lives, so at least I'm preaching to the choir.)

Yet, even with the feeling that I haven't gotten enough done during the winter time "off months", I still completed a novel this past weekend. I had no idea it was in there...in me. I started writing June 23, 2008, and finished Saturday, April 11, 2009. I wasn't expecting to finish it that day, but it just kinda happened. Then--miracle of miracles--I edited it and proofed it, and pitched it on Monday, April 13. Go figure. That is a process that takes me months. And for it to happen in days??

Anyway, time will tell. It will be awhile before it sees the light of day.

Best,

creativitylives

Mood:  happy

Yesterday I had one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. I went off to make major motion picture.

How many people get to do that? How many people get to experience that level of creativity? It was amazing being in that place, with other actors and creative people. For once I was just one of the crowd, and not that weird girl who's always talking about music, books and movies.

The movie is called Pearl, and it's about Pearl Carter Scott, who was an aviation pioneer. She lived in Oklahoma in the 20s and 30s, and the feature movie is being filmed in Oklahoma. I worked as an extra in the cafe scene, which was filmed in Guthrie.

Of course, it'll be along time until the movie is complete and available for viewing. But based on what I saw yesterday, it will be a success. That was one of the most relaxed sets ever. The principles were friendly and easy to approach. Everyone on set, and there were probably 100 people there, had the same goal in mind, and the level of work and committment was exquisite.

To the producers, director and casting director: thank you for letting me be a part of such an experience.

To the filmmaking community at large: Oklahoma is a booming place for the film industry. The resources and level of activity in the film industry in this state are astounding.

 To the filmgoing public: See the movie Pearl. It'll be a good one.

Mood:  happy

How great is this??

My new book is in print.

I am thrilled and excited!!!

 Check out Dayne Gearner.com for more details.

 Cover art by Fine Artist  Karen Ball.

Mood:  hug me

Last week, I finally got in my yearly trip to Branson. Usually I go in the spring, when it's cooler, but this year life got in the way, so it was off to Branson in July. Luckily, it wasn't too hot. Oh, it was hot all right, but I've been there at times when it felt like the asphalt was going to melt the soles of your shoes.

 Anyway, I saw 50s at the Hop, News Country Show, and The Rankin Brothers (picture below).

I've seen a lot of changes in Branson throughout the years, from the uncontrolled growth in the early 90s, to the economic slowdown in the last few years. It just finally got too big. There was a time when you saw a lot of no-vacancies on motels, and you bought your show tickets way ahead of time. But now, there are too many shows, too many malls, and too many choices. I still love Branson and will go there, but it'll be interesting to see what changes the current slowdown brings.

 The highlight of the trip was finding a wonderful, charming restaurant called Billy Gail's. It's on highway 265. Go west on 76, and turn left on 265, and it's just a little ways ahead. The atmosphere is charming and the food was out of this world. I WILL be going back.

The pancakes were out of this world. I should say...pancake (singular). One pancake was the size of a hubcap! And good!!!!!

Try Billy Gails.

Till next time... 

Mood:  caffeinated

Well, it's the final day of the Bare Bones International Film Festival. I was sick on the day our film was screened and didn't get to attend. But...if today works out, then maybe I can go to the awards show and experience part of the festival. That's the plan anyway.

Does it ever seem like the most important things that happen in your life are the things that you cannot share? It seems like I spent 90% of my time NOT letting out what I feel inside. Sometimes it's like a bottle of soda pop--where the lid is gonna blow off from the pressure. I've spent so much time over the last few months, thinking about the film festival, and people's reactions and/or lack of reactions.

Anyway...today is one of those "life experiences"...where you just hang onto your hat, and experience the ride.

Have a great day!

Mood:  on fire

It's been an intense week. I wanted to shoot a viewer created ad for a contest. I misjudged the deadline, and couldn't do it. But it was a great idea. So, I looked up more contests. Found one that I could adapt the idea to....and I needed a very specific actor--who was not available. So, along with Don--my partner in the crazy business we call filmmaking--we tried to pull the shoot together. I probably ran 60 scenarios of the situation in my head--trying to figure a way to make it work.  We couldn't. So if that was plan A, then on to plan B. I need 2 actors (any will do), a new location and a new idea. Grrr...hate losing the old idea, but if I want this done, then I must adapt. Plan B didn't come together. On to plan C? Okay...for plan C, one actor, one location. A very kind businessperson in the community allowed me to film at her place of business. I have one actor available--ME. And no crew. So, I shot Plan C by remote control. By then, I'd about decided sound was a major issue, so I decided to shoot MOS  (without sound). Then it occurred to me--why not play old-timey piano music and make the scene silent, with placards, and make it like an old time movie?

So, Monday I had the idea for the shoot, and got permission Tuesday morning to film at the lady's place of business. Then I filmed it Tuesday afternoon, and started writing the music, and figuring out how to time the musical cues to the video footage.

Wednesday morning about 5 am, I started editing video footage. Then on to the recording studio to record music. I'm in the process of converting the studio from analog to digital, and this is the first time I've utilized digitally recorded music from my own studio--so of course there are bugs to work out.

Get the music footage inserted in the video footage, and edit and edit and edit some more. Whew! I'm exhausted already. Then the jitters hit, which could be all the unknowns of the situation and not having enough time to plan and fully think things thru--or it could be the coffee I had trying to get jump started. I called Don and begged for 5 minutes of his time, so he could go over things and see what I missed.

He said he liked it, and he thought it was ready to go.

So, I follow the rules, and upload the commercial to YouTube.

It's available for viewing at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBKnynovw70

Here is a still from the event:

So, it was about 48 hours from conception of the idea to finished project.

It's fun, but it's exhausting! Whew!

Mood:  mischievious

Most people seem to have the attitude, "I can't". What is it to have the attitude that anything is possible?  What is it when you can't see the end of something, because you don't live your life by the conventions set up by everyone else?

What is it to consider any eventuality and to try to make it happen? To go to a place so far beyond your comfort zone that you don't even recognize it? To accomplish the impossible? To be that alive?

What is it when you live a life so far "out there" that most people will never recognize it, understand it, or understand you?

That's where I live my life. It can be super lonely. You get really tired of people looking at you like you're nuts. They can't journey to the places that you go, for one reason, and the one reason is that they won't let themselves. They'll use any excuse, but the barrier and boundary is in their own minds.

 I can't  NOT do this. I was born to create. I just wish that the people I encounter in my everyday life could understand it--just a little.

Is that too much to ask?