Look Ma, I’m a Writer!

Writing. What a pain in the a$$! Everybody who manages to put pen to paper and create something that is remotely interesting is to be commended. I’m discovering this more and more as I work on Majestic Dementia. It’s bloody hard work. Sometimes rewarding, oftentimes aggravating work.

On the other hand, I can’t help but be offended by anybody who refers to themselves as a "writer." Unless your primary source of income is being derived from writing, whether creative or not, then you really have no business calling yourself a "writer," as if that tag demonstrates some kind of mental or intellectual superiority. We’re all writers. Hell, I wrote a check today to pay the power bill ... that’s writing isn’t it?

I think I might have even less respect for "writers" than I do "actors."

Writing is just spilling out thoughts onto paper, or in this day and age, a computer screen. Teenage girls with their notes they pass back and forth in class and their diary or journal are just as much writers as Hemingway. Sure, their work may not resonate with the public like Hemingway, but they are certainly not writing any less. I bet if you ask a thirteen year old girl if her diary is important that she’ll respond in the affirmative. It’s important to her at least. But that damn sure doesn’t mean that it’s important to anybody else.

What I am writing, whether it’s for this blog or my scripts, may or may not be important to anybody other than me. That’s not the point. The point is that I feel a need to get these thoughts, these stories, these ideas out. Period. If somebody gets some joy out of my mindless rambing, then great. If not, that’s great too. I’m not trying to change the world here.

So, to my "writer" friends (you know who you are, you’re the one’s constantly writing about being a writer), get over it. You’re no more a writer than I am ... and thanks for reading my blog. Now, go write in yours. Try just being a dude who writes and not a writer of importance. Screw importance! Especially self-importance.

Getting Called on My BS

Thank God there are talented folks out there who can call me on my BS. Sticking with the topic of my "work-in-progress, one-man show," if it wasn’t for some talented people calling me on my BS, this show would turn out to be complete and utter crap. Thank God for intelligent people who can notice when I’m being pretentious, for directors who can point out when I’m giving a performance and not letting the reality of this story take place, for people who are already showing an interest in the thing.

I have to call out Cheryl King here. What a great help she has been so far. I started taking a class with this talented lady a few weeks ago and in that short time I have seen this show grow from being a vague idea rolling around the back of my head to something with real substance, truth and potential. I’ve literally done hundreds of plays (literally, not figuratively), worked on numerous television and film projects, have written skits, sketches and plays ... and there is nothing that I have been as excited about as Majestic Dementia. If this thing turns out to be anything worth seeing, much thanks and acknowledgment will have to go to her. I have found more truth, more honor and more comfort in the short time working with her than I had imagined this little grain of an idea would ever generate. On top of that, and much more importantly, she has been an inspiration ... I just can’t freakin’ wait ‘til next week’s class!

The actor with no training is getting training ... who woulda thunk it?

Let’s Go Mets!

Has anybody noticed that my New York Mets are off to the hottest start in franchise history? Has anybody noticed we’re six games up on Atlanta at the first of May? Has anybody noticed that Paul LoDuca may be the most talented and well-rounded catcher in all of baseball? Has anyone noticed that Kaz Matsui can actually play second base? Has anyone noticed that Julio Franco is the Greek god Apollo in a baseball uniform? Or that Tom Glavine can still pitch with the best of them? Or Carlos Delgado’s eleven homers? Or Jose Reyes’ four triples?

You have? Good for you. If not, head to Shea. I’ll see you there soon.

I love this time of year. The season is still young, any number of things can happen, it’s cool in the evening and not oppressively hot yet. And the NY Mets are on top of the NL East standings. All may not be right with the world, but we’re getting closer. Heading to Shea to catch our game with the Braves, and even with Zambrano slated to pitch, I’m feeling good about it. Those of you who know me know that I have been to Shea many times and only witnessed one win. One. And it was against Roger Clemens on a cold, cold, extra-innings night. So, I have reason to have a few nerves when heading out to Shea to watch us take on our rivals ... but for the first time in three years, I’m feeling I won’t be the jinx. Zambrano might be, but I won’t!