Well, that was summer. When last we spoke, it was midsummer and things were sloggy. Somehow we got the kids (now fifteen!) to go again out west and hit the trifecta of Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and everyone’s fave - Zion National Park. Making it a shorter trip and having everyone leave their electronics behind definitely helped the potential craziness factor of another teenage road/camping trip. Alex and Kuba hiked The Narrows while Zack and I ascended Angel’s Landing. Maxine read all the books. It was glorious.
In the meantime, it’s finally cool out again, and I’ve worked on a short narrative, went out to Michigan on a doc following a certain bluegrass phenom, and recently wrapped an indie feature. A few doc days coming up and some post projects are on the horizon… But I am certainly looking for more projects! Call me. Please.
What’s also news is the release of a documentary I had the pleasure to work on for a few years - “Acts Of Reparation” by Selina Lewis Davidson and Macky Alston. It’s a very important movie and I loved working with the team to bring it to life. Of course, the journey included lots of of trips to Monroe, Louisisana, wonderful people, aunties, and daring meals on the road - all a part of movie-making magic.
Project: Acts Of Reparations
Cast of Characters:
Macky - Director
Selina - Director
Tony - DP
Sam - AC
Artemis - AP
April 04, 2021
Hammer Time
We began on a progressive drive through Bosco, stopping at Bobbie, Rose, and then Bea's houses before heading back over to Helen's. Bobbie showed us her garden, plates, and angel collections. Rose showed us Bobbie's kiln in her backyard "junk house." Bea and her husband just celebrated sixty years of marriage.
Lunch was a disaster. I sorry but I just can't reframe it any other way. After looking at the menu, I realized that I wanted to go lighter with a salad topped with grilled chicken. But what I got was a jumble of sandwich condiments and ranch dressing. I mean, there's nothing morally wrong with that, but it's like the mathematical inverse of the Platonic ideal of a "salad." Meanwhile, Tony had the food service freezer-to-fryer kids meal special of dry chicken tenders and mealy onion rings. There was a lot of ketchup. Macky enjoyed his crispy burger. Kenya's came without a bun, courtesy of Artemis.
Ernestine lightened up the afternoon kitchen table session and had everyone, including me, in stitches.
After wrap, we hit the drive-thru daiquiri oasis and were floored by the array of names and choices. "Smurf Piss," "Battery Acid," "Buttery Nipple," and "Hard Core Sex" were all appealing, but Sam and I settled on a pair of "Shit Hammers." Our underage server shamed us into upgrading to the medium-sized drinks which we then enjoyed around the firepit back at the hotel. Then we tucked into a legit good meal from Cormier's. My shrimp etouffee was spicy, hearty, and delicious, all served in yet another styrofoam container. Sam might be related to Matt Damon. My waistline is expanding down here. Life is so rich.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
October 09, 2021
The High And The Low
With the call time today, I had time to go for a run. The sun was already rising when I hit the pavement and headed straight for the blocky monolith across the parking lot - the Pecanland Mall. As I circumnavigated the shopping mecca, I vaguely recalled that at one time, this may have in fact been the site of a pecan orchard. Were the trees I was now passing also pecans? And is this the last JC Penney in existence? It was too early for any shoppers, so the whole area had an air of waiting. I had many questions. What would it be like at ten AM when the doors were unlocked? Is mall culture still alive and well in Monroe? On my third revolution around the earthbound retail labyrinth, I imagined the inside as a polychromatic wonderland of green, red, purple, white, yellow, orange, and yellow-orange, everything from fluorescent lights to wicker things hanging from the ceiling. And a sunbeam streaming down from the top, lighting up the whole shebang, with the air smelling of cinnamon and old buns, fried chicken and hot dogs, gum, peppermint, the smell of sweat, the smell of money, the smell of desperation. I heard the train whistle blowing as I rounded the last corner and the sun blasted upon me, sending me higher. Oh, Monroe, you are glorious!
After the endorphins died down and we got to the museum, we trailed the aunties on a tour of all the artwork on display. There were groundbreakers, slave documents, ankle shackles, wax statues, many styles of painting, hidden maps of Louisiana, relatives, and plenty to peruse at the gift shop.
Lunch was brought in from Melvyn's. Tony reported that his burger was "pretty gross" and that a "new low" was attained, but he could "respect that." Also, there was no mustard. There was, however, sour cream, vegetable oil, captain's wafers, and mayonnaise which Tony also said was a "secret weapon - a problem solver." I had the grilled chicken sandwich, and while it was moist it was also completely devoid of flavor. It was like biting into a zero. I mean, it looked like a chicken sandwich, and yet eating it was like contemplating what existed before the big bang. It was baffling and made me question my own state of consciousness. But I was not alone with this problem - apparently, everyone's food was de-flavored. There was a rush on the salt packets. How is this even accomplished, we wondered... But before an answer was constructed, I foisted my inedible, un-savory, and rubbery french fries upon Sam. She offered tomatoes in return but I couldn't take any more surprises. Tony reported that his onion rings were a "non-factor." Artemis was not having the tuna and was furthermore regretting not bringing a backup meal. Who is this Melvyn the Un-Food Magician?
Then we got into the Auntie interviews. Macky had his questions and we traversed time and space, setting the controls for the heart of the Ford family. There was farm labor. Washing up in a pot. Big daddy. The spirits are within. Scaring each other as kids. Mama was always there. Lotta fun growing up. Just a joy to have so many sisters. Bosco. Bea was scared of cows. And there was Sunday school. Appreciating now what you hated then. Macky does not know how to use a hoe. You gotta listen to the children. Can’t dwell on the past. Live in the present. Never complain. Plenty of company on the farm. Quiet. But as for selling.. No, You don’t tell me, I tell you the price. But it’s worth it. And by the way, white people were also afraid of the KKK.
After we wrapped out of the museum, we headed to the Garden District and met up with just the nicest ex-actor/dance/performer/chef turned real estate agent. He toured Macky and Selina through the house and we all got destroyed by mosquitoes in the backyard. The roof needs work. The garden is lovely. He'd love ya'll to move in. Like tomorrow. Could this be the place?
To the stars!
Recipe Of The Month
Courtesy of Michael Richard Martin
Travel Tip / Sign Of The Times
The end of in-flight magazines.