Raise My Town My Love

Write an INQUIRY or PITCH Letter

2009-11-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hello Fellow Writers!

Below, I have included a quick letter to a magazine publisher friend.

I thought of three ideas (digest sized niche mags) that might help him sell more magazines.

TIP: If you are writing an Inquiry Letter or First Pitch Letter, reveal some personality! And don't be afraid to reveal "the insane idea" as it shows imagination, and publishers appreciate that.

PROFIT: If possible, show the value to the person receiving the letter. In this case, I went ahead and suggested business sectors that could be potential advertisers.
---------------------

Hi XXX,

It was great to see you at Piedmont Park on Sunday. Thanks for
everything you are doing behind the scenes for this Community and
others.

Below are the initial ideas I pitched to you for other niche
publications where people would advertise their various businesses in
other communities. I start with my craziest idea first! LOL

LONESOME ROAD: Have you ever stopped-in a truck shop and had a
meal? A real brotherhood of buying power exists there. They share
stories and have friends from all over the USA. I think there needs
to be a monthly "reader" Trucking magazine where guys can share their
positive stories about the Open Road. Advertisers would include Truck
stops, eateries along the routes, motels repair garages and such.

HEALTHNUT: In Atlanta there are so many different "green" places
that specialize in everything from healing tonics to chiropractic
medicine. Acupuncturists, wellness centers, doctors, and healthy
eating establishments would enjoy advertising in this monthly guide to
"...all things healthy in Atlanta and beyond."

CHEF LIFE: Where do the chefs of Atlanta go to eat? This would
be a monthly magazine directed at high end restaurant clientel, with
cheaper advertising than Jezebel and Piedmont Review. Think of the
big ATL restaurant chains for advertising, who also want their Chefs
to be interviewed by the press: Fifth Group, Metrotainment etc.

Good luck on everything this week!

Pals,

Ray
VP/Page

Age of Gall

2009-08-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

From Dictionary.com:
Gall (Noun)
1. Impudence, effrontery.
2.Bile, like that of an animal.
3.Something bitter or severe.
4.Rancor, Bitterness of Spirit.

Do you think we live in the Age of Gall?

I have seen some of the craziest stuff this Summer. People who act vindictively without merit or guilt!

What's going on here? Are we witnessing the dissemination of the United States as we know it...inch by inch? The kind, giving feelings seem to have left people...replaced by a cynicism. I am guilty of this at times.

However, this giving away of the Spirit seems to gnaw at me the most. I refuse to be that way. I will not give up, and give away my dreams.

Dreams aren't always clear, either...just like plans.

I have to remind myself: the last 2 years, though hard, have made me prove my survivability and resolve.

I am standing at the Brink of Success, at any time. I just have to keep believing it.

Letter from an Old Friend with an Unemployed Referral

2009-07-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

I just received a letter from a friend from waaaaaaaaaaay back.

This lady and I were on the Overnight Shift at CNN, and would process video coming from Asia until wee hours of starlight. We laughed and talked a lot.

I recently asked her if she remembered any of our deep conversations about Life back then.
If the world was going to be destroyed while everyone around us was sleeping, Marcy & I (and Staff) would bare witness.

She inquired for a friend who was looking for work. I wanted to paste it, but this !@#$%^j*ck*ass machine won't allow it.

I told her to share my information.

There is an article about me below:
-----------------------------------
Ray Macon, AKA artist Ray deMacon (pronounced: day may go) has been painting a lot. Although he hasn't gotten far away from his scribes.

This time it's spring colors and primary madness for several works entitled Graffiti Summer.

There is a mixture of writing in the paintings; with lonely phrases like "Song:Come Monday" "You're really not a good fake crier," and "I'm sorry but we have decided to pass."

Other than that, the color palette is very bright. One of the newest in the Graffiti Summer Series, the yellow and black acrylic "Gimme 5---NO!...don't touch me" took over 60 hours to produce, yet resembles any teenage notebook.

Beware My Faithful Love is a bigger piece. In it, the artist repeats the phrase and symbols of a formula called Plus Time Taps, which is---in affect---a wishful prayer for life extension. The colors are very Monet in palette.

With his I Was Once A Giant of a Man, deMacon feels the madness of the phrase, which encircles a Ralph Lauren Polo ad (with man and canine lounging) from the late 90s. The artist returns the figure to that of a classical Greek. The dog's tongue a bright red, deMacon says this was done because they were keeping a pug for a friend at the time.

The work can be seen in private at Studio deMacon in Midtown, Atlanta. 404-643-8215

Examiner.com Hello

2009-05-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce a great resource for you... http://www.examiner.com

On this site you can learn just about everything that a "local" knows about his or her city. There is a list of cities, so if you are going to a new place---consider it a Must Read.

From articles like "Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas for under $20" to "How to add More Fiber to your Diet" each writer gives their best advice, and pulls information from the experts.

I've recently applied to become a columnist for them in their Business Section. Friends, keep pulling for me!

Time for Healing+a Tip

2009-03-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

It's hard to keep a strong chin, and good attitude at times.

I am the worst about that. Though I've long ago gotten over cloudy weather.

When I'm upset sometimes I have to go and "re-set". That might mean to take a shower or a 30 minute power nap.

Some things are hard to shake from your mind. I get so upset about work at times, problems arise in the middle of the night. I begin to think about the problem, and suddenly, I've lost my "sleepy feeling".

From our days at the Unity Church I remembered a saying "...get behind me, ___, J.C. rules my Life." You just fill in the blank with whatever was bothering you, and mentally see it going from your inside forehead screen to the back of your head.

Sometimes I have to do this with my business partner, David. I'll say to myself, "...stop thinking about that problem, send it to the back of the line in your head."

It works, try it.

I find that I can rarely understand what people are thinking, but I surely can control my own thoughts, especially the crazier ones! HA

Refuse to Participate in a Recession Part 2: Who Moved My Cheese?

2009-01-21T15:31:00.000-08:00

From a speech given 1/6/2009

I'm Ray Macon, and I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!

Those aren't just words falling off my lips that's a sure sign I'm on the Defensive bench against the Incoming Economy.

Over the next several weeks we will be pulling segments from a speech given by Dr. Ivan Misner on May 15, 2008 "Beating the Recession: Thriving in Times of Economic Uncertainty"

Today: Dr. Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese?

Did anyone read the book Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Johnson? Can I see a show of hands?

Now how many people were required to read it?

I knew we would have one person. Some companies insisted their employees read this short book.

I checked last night and you can get it on Ebay for $1.24 or pay about $14.00 for it brand new.

I won't go into much of the story, but it is about 4 characters who rely on a stash of cheese, 2 mice and 2 small people. Life is Content and Good for the Four friends; but when the cheese is all gone, the two mice move ahead and look for more cheese. The little folks took this news hard, and one wanders ahead to look for more cheese. The other stays behind scratching his head and wondering why things had changed.

You might remember another book by Dr. Spencer Johnson called The One Minute Manager? I was required to read The One Minute Salesman, a close relative.

In 1982 and for years, little tidbits of Dr. Johnson's book was taught all over the Business World. This included Asia.

In the late 90s while Dr. Johnson was going through a divorce and he learned about a scientific theory: In a Maze, a mouse will never return to the same place twice to look for cheese. Johnson wondered how this theory could be applied to Humans VS Change; especially interested on Change Affect VS the business formula.

So he wrote the story Who Moved My Cheese as a parable of how to deal with change.

In the book, one mouse is determined to forge ahead; and in turn, the other follows. Eventually they find more cheese. Should they go back and tell the others? "No. Let them find it themselves." (the world does work this way)

In December of 2007, my business was very slow. I was determined that this last season, 2008, was not going to be slow. I worked harder, I forged ahead with a different attitude.

Are you on the hunt today? It's easy to get complacent---it's easy to complain about our situations. It's harder to look for cheese.

In fact, like today, I got up early and started business early so I could get to the cheese before all the other printers. I'll find cheese. I always do.

Did someone move your cheese? If so---make it part of your everyday language and say to yourself: I Refuse to Participate in a Recession!

Refusing to Participate in a Recession pts 3 & 4

2009-01-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

from speech given on 1/13/2009

"How to Motivate Referral Sources"

from speech given 1/20/2009

"Visibility---Your Key to Success"

These will be recorded soon.

Happy 2009 & Thanks

2009-01-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who has supported me as I finish my first entire year on concentrated writing.

This year I was able to complete a Blog, Manley with Horns! Networking-the play! and Extravagance-the musical!

I also have completed outlines for The Garden Party and Raise My Town My Love. In the wings I am already working on Sure is Handsome, a thriller.

Thanks to Jennifer and the Atlanta Writers Group, for their encouragement in the Spring of 2008, when I began writing Manley.

Thanks to Judy Bozarth, who encouraged me to "...write about your unique story."

Thanks to Phillip King, who has offered to edit the first book, and shop for potential buyers of Applause for Anger.

Thanks to Kim Davis and Martha Macon, (who are afraid to read my writing at times) for their ardent support.

Thanks to Ron Leathers, who has always supported my creative yearnings.

Refuse to Participate in a Recession Lesson 1: Two "In" Words for You

2008-12-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

I'm RM and I Refuse To Participate In A Recession!

That is, the new BNI lesson "Withstanding Economic Difficulty"

There are even buttons with this saying, and when we were going over the materials for this Seminar I suddenly grew very sad. I know you're working professionals and don't have an hour and a half for an extended lesson.

So over the next few weeks I will be going over some of the principles so that when January comes, you can continue with your success.

I want to say that one more time: ...You will continue your success.

I liked the title of the lesson, refusing to participate in a recession. I felt, even at 43 years old, I was familiar with the topic.

I remember in 1975 & 1976, I was 11 years old. I knew something wasn't right.

My parents were P.O.'ed---angry and afraid of the economy, the post Vietnam world was a scary place, and still the Sandinista War droned in the background of TVs. Things seemed hopeless.

"Moneybags, moneybags, you think I'm made of moneybags!" my Mother would say in frustration. That's when I asked the neighbor to let me sweep his basement. Another lady up the street let me cut her grass, then another. I was being industrious.

Soon I wasn't so quick to ask Mom when I needed a loan, I had the money.

My partner and I have thought about this a lot lately, and recently brought a couple more streams of income into our house by way of renters.

Just like many people, those industrious ones, are working right now to prepare. Do you have more than one stream of income? How can you bring another 2-3 streams of income into your home?

Today as you drive home I hope you think of ways you can put your unique spin on this...the first "In"---Industrious!

The second is something exciting to me. I met with a couple clients on Saturday who have come up with a great idea. Well---realistically it wasn't their idea but they are doing it...a 4" x 5" travel guide that can fit in your back pocket. In fact, they are calling it "The Pocket Rocket".

This excites me because I was able to say "...I wish I thought of that". But we have to recognize the Ingenuity around us. And these two men, with their moving forward with a new idea in this time, have used Ingenuity.

I ask that you also become aware that there are some people in this economy who will profit. These are the ones who will show Ingenuity during a time when others are showing despair. What new ideas are just waiting around you today? Recognize Ingenuity.

I'm RM and I Refuse To Participate In a Recession.

Speech I Wrote in 5 Minutes for a Ray Stand-In

2008-12-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

"To your advantage---Remember it's a Small World."

Hello, I'm_____________.

Have you ever had an experience like this? You randomly get in the car and go somewhere and when arriving at this place see your next door neighbor?

Or better yet, you check into a hotel next to a person from your same hometown?

Disney had it right to create "It's a Small World". More and more, we are connected as a race. Television is everywhere. Cell phones are the new police officers. People in the city are especially connected because the room to move around is smaller.

How can we use this to our advantage?

You've been a fair business person, and have a great product. But do your neighbors know you?

The creators of BNI knew that it was good to be known. If your name is tossed around by people, that's extra advertising for you, right? And FREE advertising, at that!

What's the harm in saying "hello" to the person in the office across the hall, maybe they don't need your services, but they know people.

Harry Page, CEO for Lincoln Associates for more than 30 years says this "...we don't have competitors, WE ONLY HAVE FRIENDS."

Isn't this a great philosophy? when we look at the world like this, adopting an attitude of "enough business to go around" VS "Fear the competition" it opens our eyes to neighbors.

And neighbors will always point the way to a friend's house.

I'm _____________ and LUCKILY---It's a Small World!

Holiday Sales Promotion

2008-11-17T07:01:00.001-08:00

David Page & I have started our Holiday Sale promotion, and this project is keeping us very busy.

We are trying to hand-out 1,000 cards in 30 days, in hopes people will utilize the automated features.

Web Site: Has been improved and deserves a check: http://www.page-enterprises.net/

In the Meantime: Finishing touches on M w/H and the new play I've written called NETWORKING.

Ray Macon
Page Printing
404-643-8215

Great Wacky Photos

2008-11-03T07:32:00.001-08:00

I was researching some stuff this weekend and came across a photostream for Photographer Mattijn:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattijn/with/251462807/

All Hallows Eve 2008 TREAT

2008-10-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

What are you for Halloween?

Of course our Roommate Tippy-Toed (John---weighs all of 94 pounds and is a Size 0) is playing Tinkerbell.

We are going as Star Trekk guys who have captured TiNKeR-BELL (TNKR-BELL), an alien, and taking her back to the past.

Very funny. We can't even get her outta the bar much less the atmosphere of this planet to the Mother Ship!

Rented the costumes last night in a store filled with adults scrambling for ideas. I also have Spock ears!

We are going to some new swanky restaurant at 9pm.

What are you doing???

For a great new song go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Da3qrozMv4 and hear Marilyn Manson singing This Is Halloween from A Nightmare Before Christmas Re-Release!

National Philanthropy Day

2008-10-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia: One who practices philanthropy may be called a philanthropist. Although such individuals are often rich, people may perform philanthropic acts without possessing great wealth.
------------
I gave this speech this morning with the help of my fantastic BNI Group, the Buckhead Business Network International (10/28/2008):

Good Morning, I'm Ray Macon. Today we have no paragraphs of wisdom. Nothing to refer-to, or look-at, or read. We all know this stuff already! The Founder of BNI, Ivan Misner, is probably somewhere giving this same wisdom today, a lesson about the Rubber Chicken Network.

Today is one of those "Nationally Recognized Days" can anyone tell me what its themed? Today is a very big day for a very big industry in the USA. I'll give you a hint: fundraisers will benefit on this day.

Today is National Philanthropy Day. Fundraising is a big business in the United States. These people who spearhead such Non Profits are great salesmen and women and have no problem walking into the biggest skyscraper and asking the Biggest Company "Whose In Charge? We need..."

Today the Atlanta Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the event at the Georgia World Congress Center.
I'm going. I've volunteered. Why? Well, for starters, a group of great people like that, who are always planning events to help other people, need programs. They need posters, sandwich boards, thank-you notes. They need to know a printer who can save them money. More than anything, they need good hearted volunteers.

Ivan Misner, the Founder of BNI, recognized that some of his Inner Circle Friends were involved in some difficult professions---who did he know who could use their services? Referrals were hard to give to some of these friends! So he got out there, to the small clubs, worked with others in charity events, and raised money for causes.

He got invited to speak at a local business club, similar to the Kiwanis. This led to other opportunities. Many of these organizations are looking for speakers to fill their calendars.
Misner seized the opportunity, and so today we are doing an experiment for him.

Each of us are involved in Service Organizations, and I'd like us to list them. These are the Boy Scouts, the Atlanta Fundraising Professionals, what are the others?

(KIM BRINKMAN writes on Dry Erase Board)

Cub Scouts/ Boy & Girl Scouts/

These are great because you're sitting around watching them instruct your kids. You've tied that knot before. I tell you, men & women can get business this way, sharing the burden of boredom. Why not talk business? Ask "...what do you do for a living, Bob?"

Men & Women Against Domestic Violence

Volunteer at a place like this, and you'll make some friends. People are moved to "give up their stories". But when you hear about a person's struggle and really listen---they remember. What a better way to break through the 7 layers of trust, mention your business. These people have a compassion to help others. And they will help you.

Breast Cancer Walk

Last year I staked a place at the middle of the Finish Line on the Susan Komen Foundation 3-Day Walk from Athens to Atlanta. I clapped until my hands hurt. Women would hug me, and kiss me on the cheek. I didn't know who they were, but some of them gave me a set of tears.
By appreciating a struggle we become a part of it.

(BNI Group lists some other non-profits)

So you see, opportunity awaits each of us. I'd like to close today with a story:

Just two weeks ago I volunteered to hand-out water at a race/walk for charity. I worked shoulder-to-shoulder with a man who let me bid on his Organization's printing last season, but he didn't pick me to do his printing.

After our volunteer work was finished, he promised to let me bid again. I think this time I have a better chance.

I'm Ray Macon. Enjoy National Philanthropy Day.

Clearing-up some small details

2008-10-25T07:06:00.001-07:00

Today our softball practice was cancelled due to the standing water on the fields. It would have been our first practice; getting ready for the Hurricane Showdown Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale.

Anyway, now I've got plenty of time to go and workout. Also I figured I would use the day to get a bunch of stuff ready for Phillip King, my Editor.

We continue to get interest in the Applause for Anger project. If you know of someone who might be interested, have them email me teamedward@yahoo.com

Welcome Tommy Sweeny, Author of the Jacaranda

2008-10-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from Jacaranda, by Tommy Sweeny. I read it years ago and promised to use it in my books if ever I got published.

The story is self-explanatory, two people meeting while one is on vacation.

Jacaranda

To what angel do I yield?

That day I leaned on the trunk of that tree –you were miles away
. . . across that purple city
– I photographed some ants toting the violet blooms down the trunk
to their hiding space
and I wondered what we would have for dinner
later that evening when I returned home
and would surely have to knock, key or not, as the doors and the
keys down in your country are strange.
Do they eat those, I wondered.
Those purple buds –those tokens of the time we shared -- those symbols of your city.
They carried them on their backs like they were going to a feast.

We clung together as in a dream.
We cling together now from separate hemispheres.
Distance is discipline.

To what stern teacher do I aim
my gratitude for this lesson in fortitude?

Nothing is now nor ever has been as sweet
as the misery of continents.

(continued http://www.applauseforanger.blogspot.com/ )

Call for Submissions APPLAUSE for ANGER

2008-10-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have started a collaborative book project.

If you know of someone who would like to make a short submission, have them email me.

The study is called Applause For Anger, and we are looking for short stories, poetry, and artwork. So far we have some great additions to the project.

The theme is beauty in anger, and the transmission of anger to strength.

raymacon@gmail.com

Ear Candy: "Anti" by John Brown

2008-10-22T20:58:00.001-07:00

If you want to hear an underground song that will "...stick with you during these rough times", listen to "ANTI" by our close friend John Brown.

http://www.pappanutt.com/

Educational Moment/ BNI 10/21/2008

2008-10-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I had to give a 3-minute Educational Moment to our Buckhead Business Network.
---------------------
Good Morning, I'm Ray Macon.

Today we are taking a short reading from Brian Tracy's book Be a Sales Superstar.

Brian grabs Dale Carnegie's coat tails and advises:

"...practice positive self talk continually. Control your inner dialogue. Talk to yourself the way you want to be rather the the way you are today. For example..."

Now this is going to seem like the corniest stuff you've ever heard at 7:22am!

"...repeat to yourself, I Fell Happy, I Feel Healthy, I Feel Terrific.

Remember 95% of our emotions are determined the way you think to yourself, most of the time. The way you feel determines how you behave.

And how you behave determines how much you sell." (Courtesy Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.)

Now I'm going to try and read your Inner Radios. I cannot. It's impossible to know the way you are thinking. So we cannot Coach Each Other to get better at it.

In fact, today the only scientific method, and is it even scientific(?) to understand your attitude is ask the old cliche' (pointing to glass on table) is this object, Half Full or Half Empty? It's a parable, a theorem for measuring your Outlook on Life.

I mentioned Dale Carnegie has anyone in the room taken a Dale Carnegie Course? In that course they teach you a phrase. Oh my gosh I've been so brain damaged by it, but it does work:
"If I think enthusiastic, I will be enthusiastic."

You're supposed to repeat that all the time before a sales call. Just before getting off the elevator, say it. It puts you in a peppy mood, and people want to buy from people who are peppy about their products.

My mother used to leave Post-It Notes around the house. Especially on the mirrors in the bathroom. I Love Myself. I Am a Good Person. I Deserve the Best.

She didn't need them for herself. See--she had already mastered the art of controlling her inner dialogue. She wanted other people to look at themselves in the mirror and want to say that.

I will close today with this one thought for you in this difficult economy. Maybe that's your one concern, but it's eating you up. You are thinking in your own radio "I'm just hangin' on by a shoestring."

I ask: are you hangin' on by a shoestring or are you A SURVIVOR?

Yes, you've surrounded yourself with success driven people and they--- too--- are Survivors!

I'm Ray Macon. ...and for the Record: I'm a Good Person.

Compliment and Kind Words from new Friend/Writer Elaine Callahan

2008-10-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Ray,

Hey!

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your education advice this morning at the BNI meeting. Good advice, especially now.

I had read on yourblog your parents were Dale Carnegie instructors, but I wasn't sure if you were just pulling our leg! :)

All the best,

Elaine
Callahan Design

Poems with Issues

2008-10-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to include Tommy Sweeny's lengthy poem, The Jacaranda, in my collection of Poems with Issues, APPLAUSE for ANGER. It's a great story about loving someone a half a world away.

The Site: It's R-Rated for Language. To take a peek, go to the following blog:

http://applauseforanger.blogspot.com/

Networking-A play by Ray Macon

2008-10-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

This site will be running in a few days. I apologize but I'm now writing off of three different PCs. The one containing 30 pages of Networking-the Play isn't' as yet playing along with others.

For a preview of this ridiculously real story about Professionals who network, go to
http://www.networkingplay.blogspot.com

Song from Extravagance: Deluxe, like the Vacuum!

2008-10-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is the scene where Margeaux has become very sick with her cancer, and husband David attempts to raise her spirits. The song is very rhythmic. The mood is happy, an instant party where things are pulled from the back of the stage like a closet. At the end of the song, the audience will see Danny, who "comes out" to his parents. They embrace him, and the song stands as a parable to "...use or lose it.", even love?

Narrator
Time, time, time!

(Orchestration: Let’s go Deluxe)

David
Too much reality, too many sames.
I want, well—the Ritz, but for now I’ll take
A tux
A top hat
A good song
Anything deluxe!

MARGEAUX
I want to have a party, a place for
You and me
To celebrate the doldrums
The Days of Winter
Let’s reach deep inside us
Deluxe!

DAVID
Deluxe? Like the vacuum?

MARGEAUX
Exactly!

DAVID
Deluxe? Stored in a closet?

MARGEAUX and MAID
Yes! Deluxe! There for the Taking! Deluxe!

MARGEAUX
Always there. Unnoticed!
Like a great Couture with feathers
The closet surely a Netherworld of Rare wear Pain

CHORUS of MAIDS
The cedar! The scent of Old yet Cedar
The dress in the back of the closet
You always meant to wear!
Now it wastes away.
There!
In the closet!

DAVID
Deluxe?
Stored in a closet?

MARGEAUX and MAIDS
Yes! Deluxe!
There for the Taking!
Deluxe!

MARGEAUX
Always there. Unnoticed!
Like a great Couture with feathers
The closet surely a
Netherworld
of Rare wear
Pain!

CHORUS
Let’s go deluxe!
It’s about good storage!
Deluxe!
It’s the “…one day, I’ll use it,
To toss would be abuse it,” pain!
Deluxe!
And yes, just like the vacuum,
These maxims
are drivin’ us mad!

MARGEAUX and DAVID
(in full regalia, dressed formally)
Deluxe, like the sayin’
These clothes were made for prayin’
And wearing for special ‘casions

DAVID
Deluxe! Not just for storage
Or a Pity Party Porridge
The things we really should ‘cast aside?
I’m for givin’ it a once, then ‘bide.

MARGEAUX
Deluxe, like the sayin’
These clothes were made for savin’
And wearing for special ‘casions
(spoken)
Lookie here, what we have?
The parcel’s unopened…
A cancelled stamp marked Hobokken!
Look! A wild and feathery hat!

DAVID & CHORUS
Well, that’s Deluxe!
Throw it back into the closet, who knows?
One day sure it’ll make deposit
Or make a smart investor row!

To last until the show!
To last until the show!

Voices Offstage
Margeaux!
Margeaux!
Last until the show.
Last until the show!

(small Orchestral break)

DAVID
(picking-up the silence as something he’s missed…)

That’s Deluxe, store it!
Someday would be worth some bucks?
To toss would be “Ahhw shucks!”
You coulda’ been Deluxe!

CHORUS
You coulda’ been Deluxe!
You coulda’ been Deluxe!
The choices we make, Baby burn!
This Life’s a Run From Funeral Urn!
Better to have chosen Deluxe.
Better to have chosen Deluxe!
Time is just a seethin’
Pulled from closets,
disbelievin’…
It’s Poor Taste from where you’re bleedin’!

MARGEAUX
Mothballs.
Highballs.
Musty smell…Tennis Balls?
Oh yeah I feel Deluxe!

DAVID
Suck it up!
You’re my favorite Dame
For you I’ll play these games…

MARGEAUX
The Games? The games stored in the closet?

DAVID
(He peers inside the closet, and a light appears across 3 faves…)
Life? Clue? Sorry!

MARGEAUX
(spoken)
Well played!
And that’s the way it goes.

DAVID
…too much reality! Too many sames.
Wanted a Ritz but was Shot Down in Flames
For the moment I’d take
Some quiet time
A good tux MARGEAUX
A baseball hat… a Good Song!

DAVID
That’s Deluxe, store it!
Someday would be worth some bucks?
It’s not a thing, but Luck!
To toss would be “Ahhw shucks!”
You coulda’ been Deluxe!

CHORUS
You coulda’ been Deluxe!
You coulda’ been Deluxe!
The choices we make, Baby burn!
This Life’s a Run From Funeral Urn!
Better to have chosen Deluxe.
Better to have chosen Deluxe!

COMPANY
Time is just a seethin’
Pulled from closets,
disbelievin’…
It’s Poor Taste from
where you’re bleedin’!

MARGEAUX
(spoken)
…excuse me Staff and David and Family and Family of Dogs.
I guess…we’re having a party!
A Deluxe Party.

STAFF
(…looking aghast but playing along)
Smalltalk

DAVID
Like the Vacuum...the Deluxe?
Stored in the closet?

STAFF
(Giving them odd looks, they disperse)

DAVID
(to Margeaux)
…it’s always there.

MARGEAUX
(knowing he is speaking of their love)
Unnoticed…in the back, but still with you.

DAVID
…the stacking and storing

MARGEAUX
…of Love?

DAVID
…of wealth!

MARGEAUX
…too much stored in a closet!

DAVID
…and for Love?

MARGEAUX
…too much stored in a closet!

DAVID
…the stacking and storing away.
(spoken)
I’d rather not deal with some things.

MARGEAUX and DAVID
Too much Guilt overflowing these closets!
This closet we call Our Love?

(Orchestral break, whose feeling should express “are we meant to stay together?”)

The closet suddenly opens to reveal DANNY, at the direct back, sitting on the floor.

DANNY
Mom? Dad?

MARGEAUX
Danny?

DAVID
My Son. You’ve been gone…so long.
(DAVID falls to his knees, sobbing)

MARGEAUX
(through tears)
My Darling!
Welcome Home.
I’m so sorry.
So very, very, sorry.”
We love you just the way you are, and always will.

DAVID
(mumbling)
Yes, yes…
(weeping)

MARGEAUX and DANNY
Too much emotion
…stored in a closet.

Too much Guilt.
Stacked, neatly stored away.

I’ve reached a New Time.
I want to move forward.

MARGEAUX DANNY
I’ll change! I’ll choose!
…Deluxe!
…and get over this Pain!

CHORUS
Better choose Deluxe!
Better learn Deluxe!
Time is just a seethin’
Certain disbelieving’
Rotten, smelly Closet Guest…
Better choose Truth!

COMPANY
I see you chose Deluxe!
Deluxe, like the sayin’
These clothes were made for prayin’
And wearing for special ‘casions

DAVID & CHORUS
Well, that’s Deluxe!
Throw it back into the closet, who knows?
One day sure it’ll make deposit
Or make a smart investor row!

COMPANY
To last until the show!
To last until the show!

Voices Offstage
Margeaux!
Margeaux!

DAVID
(insisting MARGEAUX and DANNY hug him as tight as possible, the next lines are partially sang and spoken)
That’s Deluxe,we stored it!
Maybe not so worth such bucks?
It’s not a thing, but Luck!
To toss would’ve been “Ahhw shucks!”
…and even when Life Sucks
You’ll always be Deluxe!

COMPANY
Deluxe,we stored it!
Incalculable bucks?
It’s not a thing, but Luck!
…and even when Life Sucks
You’ll always be Deluxe!
You’ll always be Deluxe!

(Orchestral fade)

(whispered, fading…)
…and now to the Crossing!

Networking-the Musical

2008-10-15T18:47:00.001-07:00

Over the last day I have written 10 pages. You're going to love it.

Working on Stuff for Editor

2008-10-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

This week I have a personal deadline to get some stuff over to my Editor Phillip King.

To read a preview of my story, Manley, with Horns! go to this blog: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com

Just Ask for It-A Lesson From Atlanta Cotillion

2008-10-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

I played the role of Vale Camile "Cammy" Beauchamps at the end of an exhausting 7 fundraiser parties which lead to 2007's Atlanta Cotillion Benefiting AID Atlanta.

There's a magic 3-letter word that was taught to me by The Members.

The word itself---ASK---seemed insanely simple. However, in the World of Business, this one word of advice has evoked millions and millions in exchanged dollars.

That year I made a lot of speeches on the Atlanta Networking Circuit, using these as opportunities to rally others for the Cotillion's cause. Most parties were $20.---not a lot to pay for catered food, cocktails, and entertainment.

From business breakfasts to charity functions I invited people to these small parties. We had two fashion events (including Designer Bill Hallman and Actor Princess Charles) a block party, a gambling night on 7/7/7 and a couple of others things that are now blurred in retrospect.

Around town I made my pitch as to how the strength of a real service organization was shown in the number of people It could help who arrived at the front door, when help was needed most.

I retold a story of how AID Atlanta actually took a homeless man to Piedmont Hospital and paid for some $5,000 in emergency care. Homeless people view GLBT Service Organizations as people empathetic to their cause. This is a good thing.

The monies raised during the Cotillion Season go to help in extra moments like that, when quick money is unavailable.

One day, at the end of my Cotillion Fundraising Season in 2007, an older gentleman, a bank president, came up to me after a speech. He asked "...how much do you have, and how much do you need to make your goal?"

"I have $22,000---want to raise at least $25,000" I smiled.

"Follow me to my car," he said, and there wrote me a $3,000 check. He got tears in his eyes, "...your speech, it, uh, moved me."

That's when I realized that asking was the first step in getting to the big help!

MORE: Stay Tuned for Discussion of The Lucky (Break) Principle

Update: Extravagance play

2008-10-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

There's two more transitions needed for Act 1. Other than that, it's brilliant.

The 2nd Act sucks. It has to have more written into it. I'm currently worried about the 2nd Act.

I am trying to get it ready for Composer Larry Court.

By the way Larry Court took me around Outwrite Books the other day with Owner/Friend Phillip Rafshoon. He gave me 3 of his books and a CD of his music, sang by an Angel of a Tenor.

It's great to know writers, musicians and artists.

They Tossed TippyToed and Bench Pressed Him

2008-10-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Our Renter TT and I watched the RUGBY TEAMS play on Saturday, near Little 5 Points. Atlanta Bucks VS the Nashville Something.

What a great time, seeing all these guys with their tree trunk legs all hugging and pushing each other around the field! It's rough, though!

They do these head on the shoulders lifts, and several other rules we had to figure out on our own. "What's he doing?" "Where's the ball?" "We have the ball , right?" and "Why'd they do THAT for?" ...was the common confused theme!

Anyway they are playing Charlotte North Cackalacky on the 25th..Saturday at 1pm at Sammy Coen Middle School. We'll be leaving from my house at 12:15 so we can catch the warm-up. Usually the event is followed by a big beer drinking fiesta at FROG'S.

Last Saturday the guys tossed 94 pound John (Pissant/TippyToed in HSL) up and about. One guy, who looked as Irish as one of your Grandfathers, BENCHED HIM, in front of the crowd!

So yesterday TT awoke with bruises on his legs. Anyway, that's gotta make the Calendar! And it's FREE.
----------
Also next Sunday from 2-5pm each of our Fall Ball Teams have to "give up a team member stripper" to dance on the bar at BJ Roosters (LaVista/Cheshire Bridge) against the other teams. This should be a blast! Each of the 9 teams have to have speedos which match a "best costume" is being given. The Red team has already threatened their hunk would be wearing red sequins on his trunks!

From Dark Green----We volunteered TippyToed because he can fit into an earring sleeve and look like it's too big for him! Anyway, he's acting like he doesn't want to do it, but what a HAM! Hope you guys can make it!

Pitch for SoVo Column Ask a Business Person

2008-09-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

ASK A BUSINESS PERSON

I ran into the Editor of the Southern Voice recently at a GLBT Travel Expo.

"..how does one become a Columnist?" I asked "...I have an idea for a column."

He was gentle spirit. He slipped me his card. "Well, send me an email," he said "...what's your idea for a column?"

"It's a cross between Dear Abbey and that feeling if you don't get advice soon you're going to bash the competition ---or better yet a Co-Worker---in an upcoming business presentation."

The Editor smiled.

"I write all the time, and would bring in re-enforcements to make sure I was giving the best advice."

"Shoot me an email," he said, "...we'll talk."

Long Strange Trip

2008-09-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sticking with me. Since we've last talked I have been involved with a bunch of projects!

The biggest news...my softball team traveled to Seattle, Washington and won 2nd place at the GSWS.

More news to follow!

Blog Sabbatical

2008-04-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

I have taken a "Raise..." Sabbatical to create and publish "Manley...with horns!"

In December of 2007 my Editor, Judy Bozarth, suggested:"...write something from experience, something you totally believe in."

"...I've been through brain surgery. Hell, I believe I'm lucky, in a sense." I had whispered.

For a brief moment, she and I looked at each other. We exchanged the silent familiar heartaches.

"WRITE about IT." Judy said. "You may have to start over. But write it."

Here is the Prologue to my story, about a 7-year old boy who awakes one day with antlers. It's a story for anybody who is still a kid, and on the inside fears the old game, OPERATION.

------------
PROLOGUE (Atlanta) Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet!

It looked like I had antlers.I wondered what it would be like to wake up and have a pair of horns---like antlers?

I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers above would move with me! Ridiculous.

As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort.

That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.

Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.

As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason.

I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,".

It was scary.I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.

So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manley---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.

Imagine:
Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death!

Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.

The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone.

However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
For a Preview, visit: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com

Read my latest report on Southern State Madness

2008-01-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

Manly---with Horns! by Ray Macon

2008-01-13T05:24:00.000-08:00

Imagine waking one day with a pair of antlers!

...You sleep on your back, don't you?

http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com

Synopsis: Manly---with horns!

2008-01-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap from my forehead to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet! It looked like I had antlers!

I wonder what it would be like to wake up one morning and have a pair of horns like antlers? I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers would move with me! Ridiculous.

As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort. That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.

Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.

As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason. I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,". It was scary.

I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.

So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manly---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.

Imagine: Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death! Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.

The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone. However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR

---(for complete story go to http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/

It Begins

One warm spring morning Joseph Manly awoke with a pounding in his head! The pain was mainly on his forehead. "Momma," he called "...I need an aspirin."

He upped from the bed and ran into the bathroom. For several minutes, he ruled the family- sized mirror.

The image showed a boy.

A normal boy in pajamas.

A normal boy except that he had HORNS!

They were small antlers, but horns nonetheless.

Manly's mother, a woman who never missed the small moments in Life, came into the bathroom. When she saw Manly, she screamed! "Darling, what has happened?"

"I dunno!" Manly shrugged and ran back to his bed in a flutter of socks and blankets.

(continued: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/ )

The Page Family Influence

2008-01-11T17:54:00.000-08:00

Those of use without vast resources for college must circumvent the Masters degree and MBA by finding a real "winner" to model. One can learn a lot by truly listening to the minute-by-minute conversations from a person we see or observe as "truly successful".

Some families breed success. One such family are the Pages, with four sons.

I work for one of the Page brothers, David Page, owner of Page Enterprises Printing Solutions. At 36 and 200 pounds of bodybuilding muscle, he is a good person.

According to him, he has no enemies. Who really says that?

I have seen him "...take the high road" too many times before to know less!-- David Page has great character.

I owe much of what I have become the past 6 months, since the Cotillion, to David Page. I was tired of being a follower. One day last summer, I awoke resolved to be a leader!

And what a better role model to follow---David was a brave individual, and a self-made man.

David has been very patient with me, and seems to like me "...without borders". My Life is better today because of his friendship. Thanks to David I have learned a whole new industry and am on my way to being a successful businessman as well.

In his Honor---and as a Token of Thanks, I offer the following poem to everyone who is in the middle of a career change:

The Litany Against Fear

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me and through me, like a reed on the wind.

And when it has gone past I will turn to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer...

(Taken from DUNE by Frank Herbert)

---------------
*=Puck is often thought of as a mischievous nature spirit. However Puck is also a generalized personification of land spirits. Puck is known in throughout some lands and regions by other names and titles such as the Irish animal spirit.

Write a Letter to Your Staff

2007-12-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you are challenged by the task of having to write a letter to your staff?

Recently I wrote the following letter to our law firm staff.

TIPS:

Be sincere.

Be Precise: Your written "voice" should be reflected in your words, to get your point across.

Mention the "painfully obvious" even though some staff members will not appreciate
it. Remember, if you don't say "Stop" people will keep going. We had parties in the
past where staffers got drunk, acted crazy, or disappeared during clean-up.
------------------------------------------Letter Follows----------------
Good morning All,

One week from today is the PERSILY & ASSOCIATES HOLIDAY PARTY. It is being held at The Four Seasons Building (Thursday, December 20th at 75 14th Street, from 7:30-9:30pm).

This is not a party for US, but a private function for our shared Client Portfolios. We are expecting 80 guests but it would not surprise me to see between 100-150 guests.

Therefore it is mandatory we help each other that evening as we greet our 2008 Persily Family of Business. This means arriving early for set-up and staying until the party ends to help with clean-up. Working as a team, this short party will be easy.

Every staff member is important. We have worked hard in 2007 to build relationships with our customers, and this night we will put a "face" and a smile to our company's reputation for quality. You are a testament to this.

I have included instructions below on how you can help. Thanks again for your hard work and support for marketing.

RRay
--------------
When you arrive: Please arrive by 6:35pm. The party is being held on the 50th floor.

Valet park your car and bring the ticket up to the party with you.
This gives us 55 minutes to go over last minute details. We will have guests arriving early, we always do.

Guests must check-in at a Persily table as they exit the elevator. There will be food areas, a dessert area, and a bar area. These areas will be catered and manned. So you won't have to do much, but help us keep the area clear of trash.

But you will have to "network". College professors call this "social capitalism" but it's basically "making money with your mouth open".

The time for us to chat with each other will come later. Please speak with our guests and "engage" them. People love to talk about themselves! "How's your company? What about this crazy market? Can we help your business somehow?"

These are all conversations business people have daily. Please show a genuine interest though, or do not engage. Nothing is worse than someone asking a question and then not listening to my answer. It gives a poor impression. We want our clients to trust us more and see how much we care for them. Showing this is easy for all of you, I know this. It just needed to be emphasized. Thank you for this.

When guests arrive, Lynn will greet them and make sure they either drop their business card or sign-in with Name, Company, email, & phone. EVERY GUEST SHOULD RECEIVE A GREETING. Folks let's make it different each time. "Hello" "How's it going?" "That's a great coat, welcome" "Long elevator ride to the top, eh?" "How is everybody tonight?" "Did anyone bring me a present?" Make 'em smile. Keep it jovial. All of these comments keep the "general effect" of the party warm from the moment of arrival.

Please dress-up for this event. Consider it a Black Tie Affair. Men are expected to wear suits and ties. Everyone should have their name tag. Bring your own business cards and hand them out. We are a boutique firm and have to work together this night. I would like to see everyone give me a short report the week afterward on who we might pursue for additional business in 2008.

You are my eyes and ears in four rooms next Thursday!

Thanks again for your support.

Ray Macon
Client Relations Manager

Write a Simple Effective Marketing Letter

2007-07-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

I recently received a marketing letter from a good friend whose company specializes in computer cable organization. It's something everyone needs, but is hard to explain to the consumer or business owner that they need it.

His letter follows:

"How would you respond as a buyer to the service of Workstation Cable Organization?

Workstation Cable Organization as a service is the idea that Cable Systems Management, Inc, was founded on.

CSM specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables.

ROI and CBA is spending less with IT professionals tracing cables to the source, creating a more ergonomic workspace by mounting the PC to the underside of the desktop, as well as correct orientation for the user with respect to the workspace."

---------
Now read my response to him:
---------
Hi Pal,

I hope you are well. Again, I apologize for not having my normal schedule flexibility last week so I could meet your beautiful wife.

I want you to succeed. Or I wouldn't give you this piece of light criticism relating to the marketing email from you below:

From a writer's perspective...spell out the acronyms you are presenting. When I read the third paragraph I got lost, and was perplexed at the meanings of the abbreviations because I am outside of your industry (and PC Stupid!).

Like I said I want you to make a lot of money at this, but to most people, it's something they only notice if the computer is NOT working.

Use this formula when sending marketing letters.

1.Present problem---2. offer a testimonial---3.then present your product---4.then your product facts.

Using that order, it's easier to build marketing sentences.

Example: "You innocently put your feet under the desk daily, but where are your toes resting? On the cables? The conduits carrying electricity to your computer are not foot rests. "I shocked myself one day," says Mable Ragsdale of Atlanta, "...my employer had to call the ambulance and check my heart." Then her employer came looking for us---a company which will eliminate the problem and the insurance concerns later. Our company specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables...." etc.

On my blog, I give examples of "How to Write a..." offering advice on everything from Writing a Glowing Reference to how to write a professional letter with a "fuck you" impact (yes, we have to fire the clients who don't pay, right?)

Buddies for Life,

Rayray
Don't fear the Writing Process: http://www.raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/

Throw a Company Party: the Persily VIP Pavilion

2007-06-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

Last week we were working to complete our design for a corporate party, the Persily VIP Pride Pavilion along the Parade Route.

It was pretty--- and turned-out well as you will see in the photographs (coming next post).
Our company owner rented a beautiful and classy restaurant---Silk, on Peachtree.
His plan was to use the space for a lovely Pride gift to his friends and clients.

My intern Jessica Studstill and I went to work on the design and event plans.

The company colors are navy blue, silver & white...which made a tasteful color palette.

We worked for a week on the contents of the invitation. The design called for an olde-world "ticket" which we used with a "Broadway" font. I used the cutting board to make each ticket, and a directions for parking card as well.

Three weeks before the party, with invitations mailed, we had a guarantee of 250 people to give the restaurant..

We had to order banners (2 x 12 feet) and spec the site for the auto poles we would use to hang the banners.

Blowing balloons is fun, and obnoxious depending on how you hold the balloon filler nipple!

To get around the cost of glass bowls for centerpieces we chose navy & silver to-go rice paper containers. We then added contrasting papers, the Persily Ferris Wheel ad, blow horns, hats, rings, and 3-4 balloons.

We bought various hats, like police, fire, construction, pirate, and top hats. Women wanted the visors and princess hats.

I wore different hats throughout and saw others doing the same. It's the cost of promoting your own party maybe!

By the time it was over we had clients walking around the place as the Village People! What a fun afternoon!

Here's some tips for throwing your own chic affair.

1. Always secure venue FIRST.

2.Ask for extras BEFORE a contract* is determined with the venue.

3.Create two Excel spreadsheets: TO DO LIST and INVITE lists.

4.Make sure everyone's address is listed in your Outlook Contacts.

5.Merge list of contacts from INVITE list and print address labels.

6.TO DO LIST should list responsibilities for staff. Post for everyone to see duties.

7. Encourage creativity during the entire process. Know when to stop.

8. A dab of this, a dab of that...gives the illusion of more. Get some kid toys for adults.

9.Something's missing rule: How important is the item? Can you do without it? Minutes before the party remember to Let it Go.

10. Make sure the event is staffed. This will help you to relax and enjoy marketing to your invited guests for future business.

*An insurance rider is required for most venue rentals. Especially during charity events. See if someone can sponsor this cost. In our company's case, the insurance waiver was covered by our owner.

Welcome

2007-06-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

This is a blog about writing and a premier writing ideascape. There is information about Leathers & Macon and the projects we have produced on the LEFT. In this column we will present new works of art. Presenting...

More on D.G.L. Concept...

2007-06-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

The Dorothy Laboratory Dream

The experiment opens as a crowd gathers outside a club.

From the street it’s any other city place. Except this place is wide and narrow. And is hidden? Clearly it has a couple of foreboding towers reaching into the trees!

A single light shines in the tower above,

The audience gathers on the porch and into the parlor. The place looks like a set from a scary movie.

Tonight’s audience gathers in a beautifully decorated sitting room. It looks like any other funeral parlor. Except for the outline of lights--- which we later realize are bubbling beakers and test tubes. Strange.

This is the famed DOROTHY G. LABORATORY!

Suddenly with great noise and evil laughter---an elevator opens and a Grand Host (“Princess” Charles Kollock) appears!

PRINCESS

Welcome.
Don’t be afraid!
(gets an audience reaction)

I’m your Grand Host!
Welcome
(Says Welcome in many languages)

Our Grand Host interacts with the audience. There are many different gays and lesbians with their opposite counterparts and couples. Jokes are made. A sense of trust is established. Charles recognizes many people in the audience. Straight and gay (which is the general theme of this experiment), each stand in support of each other. The line moves quickly to keep under the sound of the Grand Host’s direction. He finally reclaims his serious composure.

PRINCESS

Let’s proceed to the next level!

Princess laughs an evil rap.

All lights fade. The elevator moves upwards very fast! Then eventually slow to a near stop.

As they go up the elevator, the wall panels reveal a story. Each story is short and lyrical. Our first story asks the audience to worry. (The preferred affect is an eventual build of “bridge of caring” extending to the audience, which all ends in the elevator bathed in RED.

PRINCESS
Red. The color of blood. We all Bleed Red My Darlings. Black to brown to cocoa to Whitey to yellow man and back to red man!
Our experiment starts with this commonality!
RED!
I’ll change and meet you later in the laboratory.

(Laughs)

When the lights come up, PRINCESS is gone!

Suddenly the elevator opens to reveal a seating area.

Scene 1
A Farm

The next scenes are told as if “Music Videos” with corny fonts in the corners.

SCENE 1 The Disturbance at the Farm
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring --------
Costumes/Sets by ---------

Setting: A farm in Oklahoma. The sky is purple green. The few treesWhich are growing are tossed about. A storm is coming.

CHORUS
Crows! They ride the Western Front!There goes…the corn and pumpkin!Damn crows!

FARMER
…wind ‘gonna blow…I hope I’m ready

CHORUS
Crows!

WIFE
…John, come inside the shelter!

FARMER
…just another minute…wind ‘gonna blowThere goes the dream

CHORUS
Wind Blows!Bring Crows!Devastation!

WIFE
Get inside, you fool.

FARMER
No, This time I’m ready.
The scene fades, revealing black curtains.

Lightning shakes room to reveal a screen with close-ups of Princess’s eyes, ears, lips? Forehead!

(OVERHEARD)
PRINCESS
How many storms?
That’s what I want to know Darlings!
Hard times, we know all about it don’t we Honies?
None of us are different when it comes to hard times.
How many hard times must I weather and keep my shit together?
This is the second of 3 experiments.
And I look fucking fabulous!

SCENE 2 The Flying Machine
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring Charles Kollock as Captiva-
Costumes/Sets by ---------

The entire proscenium becomes an airship, as we meet our heroine, CAPTIVA which is really Princess Charles! She is surrounded by uniformed soldiers. Occasionally, the vehicle is rocked by weather.

OFFICER

We’ve got to find a place to land. This front is too large to go above, or outrun.

CAPTIVA
Must be some place…

SOLDIER

Velocity increasing...

OFFICER

ome place close. We’re losing time to be picky.

SOLDIER

Wind speed has risen 5 knots

CAPTIVA

We’ll be over land soon. There’ll be a place.

OFFICER

If we don’t get pushed into the deep first!

CAPTIVA

Button your lip and fly this damn thing.

OFFICER

Yes Ma’am. (to soldiers) I want full reports!

CAPTIVA

(Looking confident, then privately worried)Wait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn the clouds I just gave back to youWait for me to reach the landAnd tell my grandkidsHow I escaped youThis storm of the centuryNot an air current occurrenceLike I’ve ever seen before…And I’ve been flying a whileI should know!

SOLDIER

Speed continues to increase

OFFICER

Madame, I’m taking us lower

CAPTIVAL

and is just aheadI can feel itYet the smell isn’t to us yetWe’ll hear the waves crashingThe daylight is ‘gonna wait on us, too.This ship has flown the skiesBefore, and knows howTo find a safe berthingWe’ve landed in the dark beforeSo that’s not an issueIt’s just a freak current occurrenceLike we’ve never seen beforeYou’ve been flying awhileYou should know.Wait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn the clouds I just gave back to youWait for me to reach the landAnd tell my grandkidsHow I escaped youDamn wind!

OFFICER

There…land!That’s Reef Crater beyond it.(to soldiers) Take us down into thatBowl

SOLDIER

Many trees below…It won’t be easy…

CAPTIVA

Make it so.Protect my ship from weatherWait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn clouds I just gave awayTemporarily give awayAnd don’t leave much damage in your wake.

OFFICER

That’s a wish! It can’t be so.(to soldiers)

Take us DOWN I say!

Lights fade.

(OVERHEARD)
PRINCESS
After this I felt all alone!
We have then our Third Assumption!
...The sons bon marché de tinter de cuivre et casser le verre !

...the cheap sounds of tinkling brass and breaking glass!
We all have to find a spot of dignity to land our pride. And our nerves!

SCENE 3

The Bone Cave
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring ---
Costumes/Sets by ---

The scene opens with MANNING, a runner, building a firein a cave made of tree roots. The beams stretch high to the ceiling, resembling the ribs of a huge, forgotten fish. However, they are real in that they live and breathe like ghost lungs, offering an omniscient and dogmatic chorus.

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry wood.Hardly enough to last the night.But maybe if I can block theSideways rain! (he laughs)But this whole escape hasn’t been easySo what’s a little waterAnd what is that approaching sound?Maybe an engineYes a very LOUD engineAnd the screech of equipmentBut this is the deep endOf no whereSo what could it be?And what does it wantDoes it want me?Did it come to find me?Damn the rain, just small dry woodWhat’s with that sound?And whose engine?

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry wood

CHORUS

Condamner la pluie, ne non sécher de bois.

MANNING

And what is that approaching sound?

CHORUS

Et qui approche le son ?

MANNING

Damn the rain, Damn that sound!

CHORUS

Que ce pourrait-il être ?

MANNING

Yes, what could it be?

CHORUS

C'est le son de danger! It is the sign of danger!

MANNING…of danger? I am ready!

CHORUS

C'est le son de tinter de cuivreIt is the sound of tinkling brassThat hollow sound of loss and life laid waste!

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry woodDamn that sound, those sounds above!
CHORUSLe Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING

Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face.

CHORUS
Le Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING
Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face!

(A shadow covers the stage…)

GRAND HOST

(low laughter off stage, plus effects, then whispered)

Come Out...

Come Out

(The airship lands hard, near atop MANNING!)

Come Out and Play

Creatures of this world

this land!

SOLDIER

There seems to be a man, not one of ours...

SOLDIER 2

...Trapped...under our Gondola!

CAPTIVA

The luck, the luck!

(Laughter)

MANNING

Help!

CAPTIVA

The dirty rotten luck!

(laughter, subsiding to...)

Who the Hell are you?

MANNING

Help!

SOLDIER

Shim over the side with a rope and see.

SOLDIER 2

(To other soldiers)

You heard him! He wasn't talking to me idiots!

The other men scramble to tether and reach MANNING.

SOLDIER

Well..

SOLDIER 2

Well...

SOLDIER 3

We got 'em. He's uh...Dead!

(Continued...)

Write a "Save the Date" Reminder Letter

2007-05-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

For our wonderful Kersey-Gladney team2 within the Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta, I was asked to send a letter reminding our friends of the dates where we may need their attendance or assistance.

I agonized over this for days until a real "business principal" occurred to me, which was "...clearly ask for what you want."

As you read the initial correspondence below, please keep in mind that I was trying to be gracious while also avoiding too many details about the event, which could confuse the contributor.
-----------------
Dear Friend,

Once again thanks for your support of me and our Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta. The actual event is September 15th, but we will be holding small fundraisers through the summer to reach our goal of $25K for the group's goal of $100K.

We need our foot in the door with corporate donations. The best part? 100% goes to AID Atlanta, and 100% is tax deductible. Please email me if you have contacts at a big company who might help our team. I need them!

Please save the following dates and we will send you invitations.

Thursday, June 14th "Greater Tuna" Play at Theater Decatur. 8pm. All proceeds go to the Atlanta Cotillion Benefiting AID Atlanta. Go to http://www.atlantacotillion.com/ and click on Events to buy tickets. Please remember to give my team credit. And thanks!

Saturday, June 16th "Visionaries" show at Buckhead's trendy Trinity Gallery courtesy of our friend Alan Avery. Includes wine, fusion apps, beautiful people, dueling DJs, and a fashion show by Bill Hallman Designs, Inc.

Saturday, July 7th (7/7/7) 7-10pm "Lucky" Private Party at the home of John West & Michael Lappin. Gambling for prizes, 2 Chefs, fusion apps, & a wine tasting.

Saturday, July 21st "Jocks Itch for Joes" 12noon-8pm ...an all-day sports party at Joe's on Juniper. Bottomless beers and a prize given every 5 minutes.

Your Friends,

Ray Macon AKA "Cammie" Beauchamps, Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta Deb 2007
J. Gladney & Bo Kersey Team Leaders

Concept to Completion: The Dorothy Gale Laboratory

2007-04-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for tidbits of our exciting "new experiment in adult entertainment"...the Dorothy Laboratory!

As a Tribute to The Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta we present 4 "parties of good mannered repute" and the best in hip "the Dorothy Gale Laboratory."
100% of proceeds tax deductible and benefit AID Atlanta Cotillion 2007!
Reservations: teamedward@yahoo.com

Now booking acts. Nothing distasteful. For information, write to : teamedward@yahoo.com

Record: The Clock Tower, The Bone Cave, The Flying Machine

2007-04-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

“Dévastation”
A Lyric Play

The Clock Tower, The Bone Cave, The Flying Machine
(La Tour d'Horloge, La Caverne d'Os, La Machine Volante)

Synopsis: In the City a momentous achievement---a Clock Tower, with
an ever changing façade of figures celebrating the ironies of Life.
Beyond, the clock workings reveal a parallel world, where
The humor from the front of the clock tower has the exact opposite effect
On the Characters in the back…

Opening: Music fade-up to Prelude

Setting: A farm in Oklahoma. The sky is purple green. The few trees
Which are growing are tossed about. A storm is coming.

SCENE 1 The Disturbance at the Farm

CHORUS

Crows! They ride the Western Front!
There goes…the corn and pumpkin!
Damn crows!

FARMER

…wind ‘gonna blow…I hope I’m ready

CHORUS

Crows!

WIFE

…John, come inside the shelter!

FARMER

…just another minute…wind ‘gonna blow
There goes the dream

CHORUS

Wind Blows!
Bring Crows!
Devastation!

WIFE

Get inside, you fool.

FARMER

No, This time I’m ready.

SCENE 2 the Flying Machine

The entire proscenium becomes an airship, as we meet our heroine, Captiva.
She is surrounded by uniformed soldiers. Occasionally, the vehicle is rocked
by weather.

OFFICER
We’ve got to find a place to land. This front is too large to go above, or outrun.

CAPTIVA
Must be some place…

SOLDIER
Velocity increasing...

OFFICER
Some place close. We’re losing time to be picky.

SOLDIER
Wind speed has risen 5 knots

CAPTIVA
We’ll be over land soon. There’ll be a place.

OFFICER
If we don’t get pushed into the deep first!

CAPTIVA
Button your lip and fly this damn thing.

OFFICER
Yes Ma’am. (to soldiers) I want full reports!

CAPTIVA
(Looking confident, then privately worried)
Wait for me. Wait for me storm…
Let me get out of your way
And on to mine
That’s what I’ll do
Just slip on by
And watch you go flow above me
On the clouds I just gave back to you
Wait for me to reach the land
And tell my grandkids
How I escaped you
This storm of the century
Not an air current occurrence
Like I’ve ever seen before…
And I’ve been flying a while
I should know

SOLDIER
Speed continues to increase

OFFICER
Madame, I’m taking us lower

CAPTIVA
Land is just ahead
I can feel it
Yet the smell isn’t to us yet
We’ll hear the waves crashing
The daylight is ‘gonna wait on us, too.
This ship has flown the skies
Before, and knows how
To find a safe berthing
We’ve landed in the dark before
So that’s not an issue
It’s just a freak current occurrence
Like we’ve never seen before
You’ve been flying awhile
You should know.
Wait for me. Wait for me storm…
Let me get out of your way
And on to mine
That’s what I’ll do
Just slip on by
And watch you go flow above me
On the clouds I just gave back to you
Wait for me to reach the land
And tell my grandkids
How I escaped you
Damn wind!

OFFICER
There…land!
That’s Reef Crater beyond it.
(to soldiers) Take us down into that
Bowl

SOLDIER
Many trees below…It won’t be easy
CAPTIVA
Make it so.
Protect my ship from weather
Wait for me. Wait for me storm…
Let me get out of your way
And on to mine
That’s what I’ll do
Just slip on by
And watch you go flow above me
On clouds I just gave away
Temporarily give away
And don’t leave much damage in your wake.

OFFICER
That’s a wish! It can’t be so.
(to soldiers) Take us DOWN I say!

Scene 3 the Bone Cave

The scene opens with MANNING, a runner, building a fire
in a cave made of tree roots. The beams stretch high to the ceiling, resembling the ribs of a huge, forgotten fish. However, they are real in that they live and breathe like ghost lungs,

offering an omniscent and dogmatic chorus.

MANNING
Damn the rain, no dry wood.
Hardly enough to last the night.
But maybe if I can block the
Sideways rain! (he laughs)
But this whole escape hasn’t been easy
So what’s a little water
And what is that approaching sound?
Maybe an engine
Yes a very LOUD engine
And the screech of equipment
But this is the deep end
Of no where
So what could it be?
And what does it want
Does it want me?
Did it come to find me?
Damn the rain, just small dry wood
What’s with that sound?
And whose engine?

FRENCH CHORUS (repeat of same)
Condamner la pluie, ne non sécher de bois. A peine assez durer la nuit. Mais peut-être si je peux bloquer la pluie de travers ! Que
est-ce mais cette évasion entière n'a pas été facile Si quel est une petite eau Et qui approche le son ? Que est-ce peut-être un moteur
Oui un moteur très BRUYANT Et le cri aigu d'équipement Mais ceci est la fin profonde De non où Si ce pourrait être ? Et que veut-il le
Fait me veut ? Est-il venu me trouver ? Condamner la pluie, le juste petit bois sec Quel Est avec que solide ? Et dont le moteur ?

MANNING
Damn the rain, no dry wood

CHORUS
Condamner la pluie, ne non sécher de bois.

MANNING
And what is that approaching sound?

CHORUS
Et qui approche le son ?

MANNING\
Damn the rain, Damn that sound!

CHORUS
Que ce pourrait-il être ?

MANNING
Yes, what could it be?

CHORUS
C'est le son de danger
It is the sign of danger

MANNING
…of danger? I am ready!

CHORUS
C'est le son de tinter de cuivre
It is the sound of tinkling brass
That hollow sound of loss and life laid waste!

MANNING
Damn the rain, no dry wood
Damn that sound, those sounds above!

CHORUS
Le Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING
Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face.

CHORUS

Le Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING

Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face!

Slay them with a Well-Thought Business Presentation

2007-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Okay you have a lot to say and you have a limited time slot in which to say it...what to do? Last year three of us made an attempt to get in-house with Keller Williams, and divided our show into three parts. We call this one "Good to Great".

Keller Williams Presentation
Tyana

Good morning.
What a GREAT crowd this is! Did you come for the free bagels?
Me too. Me too.
Seriously, I am Tyana Crowe with the Persily & Associates Law Firm.
We’re honored that you have invited us here today.
Please note we’re wearing Keller Red!
This is a friendly way of showing our ongoing commitment to Keller Williams.
Plus we wanted you to see us coming!

That’s because we know that Keller Williams and the Persily Law Firm are both growing forces in the Georgia Real Estate Community.
Your color is RED, and ours is Blue.
We’re two American companies striving for superb customer service, integrity within our industry, and repeat real estate transactions!

To do that we also are like you---we hire the right people!

But our boss makes sure of that. Seth Persily serves as the Managing Partner for our firm. He is a Harvard Law Graduate and worked at Sutherland, Asbil and Brennan before opening his own practice in 2002. Realizing early-on that his company could do it better, Seth became determined to change the landscape of the Closing Industry As We Know It.

Seth

Hi I’m Seth Persily.
Poof the industry is changed!
You and I both wish it were that simple, right?

We are here today to touch upon some of the things BOTH of our companies are doing to make buying the American Dream easier and less stressful for ALL.

Gone are the days of good service, it seems, much less GREAT service.
Gone are the kind voices which bellow “Welcome. May I help you?” Or even these alien phrases after a purchase “…Thank you. We’re glad you came. Please come again.”

These words are still spoken daily at our two businesses. We know that great service means you and I will get repeat business. AND referrals. People talk. Atlanta can be a real small town when it comes to real estate buying and selling. Hopefully they will tell their friends about Keller Williams and come back for their investment properties! I hope so.

And---like you---we at Persily & Associates have repeat customers. After experiencing great service, people don’t want to use anyone else!

Today we’re here to make a business proposal so that we may bring Persily Law into your Keller Williams locations. To do this, we have a solid plan to share with you today.

For the opportunity to work within the KW Intown office, we are happy to pay $3,000/month rent and earmark an additional $1,200/month towards marketing and making KW Intown agents happier and more industrious.

I myself will conduct a monthly lunch-and-learn on such topics as Conveyances by Legal Entities, 1031 Exchanges, and Ethical Issues Facing Real Estate Agents. We will also sponsor a Guest Lecture Series with our business associates on such topics as Fraud Detection & Prevention by Lawyer’s Title Company, and Understanding the Title Abstraction Process by Attorney Title Services.

In addition, for those agents who are interested, we will replicate our very popular in-house “Good to Great” book discussion series. (Say something about the book, while Tyana and Ray pass out copies)

Ray

Good morning, I am Ray Macon, Client Relations Manager for Persily Law.
I’m lucky in that I get to meet Keller Williams agents throughout the city. They are ALL my Clients. I want to play a short phone messaged I received this summer from Scott Eaves, one of your Keller Agents located in Hapeville:

(play tape) "...Ray, I just left your office, and I have never had better service or been morerelaxed at a closing. I will use your company again and again."

Scott is a terrific individual, and that was a very kind message.

Okay so what about the PERKS? We are all-about the Perks for the Keller Offices!

We will commit to make KW Intown agents more content, productive, and successful. Among the events we will sponsor are Second Monday Massages in the office by a licensed massage therapist, monthly Mix-and-Mingle Happy Hours, a Holiday Party for agents and their families at the Four Seasons 50th Floor Skyroom, a Wine Tasting Party, and Listing Parties for individual agents selling specific homes.

Persily & Associates will staff KW Intown at all times with an attorney (who will be made a Persily & Associates partner to help ensure stability and accountability) and a client relations support specialist. In addition, Seth himself will be present to help oversee the satellite office and conduct closings. We will provide computers (which will be fully integrated with our main office), fax and copy machines, and, of course, plenty of fine chocolates for the closing room.

As is the Persily tradition, wrapped champagne bottles are given to both Buyers and Seller at the end of each closing.

Seth

We currently conduct 50-70 closings per month. We consider our staff to be the most likable and competent in the city, currently comprised of 5 contract attorneys, 4 paralegals, 2 client relations specialists, and one in-house title abstracter who can provide next-day title searches.

We invest in the latest technologies, and our infrastructure allows for seamless integration between our main office and a satellite office; should the staff at our satellite office ever become overwhelmed, our main office will be able to step in as if they were personally present.

In addition, we carry the latest version of LandTech (allowing us to provide Settlement Statements via email), “never-busy-signal” fax lines, and client relations cell phones for 24-hour availability.

We do not currently have an alliance in another real estate office, which is why this is such a significant opportunity for us. We are very excited to go “above and beyond” what has ever been done before to ensure that the KW Intown satellite office is a tremendous success.

Tyana

Now we’d like to open the floor for questions.

Write a Bawdy Comedy Show

2007-04-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Until 2006 I had the privilege of writing and co-producing three successful fundraiser "pageant" shows for the Hotlanta Softball League (at that time the second largest NAGAAA adult league in the USA).

We produced Who Will Be the Next Hotlanta Idol, HSL Penthouse Party (a tribute to Henry Mancini) and HSL Project Runaway ( a parody of Bravo TV's Project Runway).

Idol was, expected, a take on the American Idol phenomenon which had the country stuck by its goose pemples.

Our parody show was a great success, earning more than any previous show. I had my partner, Ron Leathers, to thank for his genius set design--- a perfect American Idol set! Built with the passion of a true fan, with no doubt!

Also Who Will Be the Next Hotlanta Idol was the last major sports club show produced at the infamous Backstreet Atlanta club in 2004.

A bulldozer took that club in 2005.
---------------------

That year, we had (what a Midtown queen would call) a whimsical musical logistical nightmare.

With a cast of 30 (every team wanted in the show) and back-up dancers/casts totalling 72, we needed a piece of music we could use to "bump-in" and "bump-out" of scenes.

The DJ was already angry that he had to play 15 different scene CDs!

So Denton Graham, notorious as Kitty Kari-All, insisted we all take a serious ear to the recent Henri Mancini Anniversary Compilation Pink Panther's Penthouse Party album. It was incredible.

We later adapted the show around the music.

Our premise was this: "...what if the best members of the best sports club in the U.S. came up to the best penthouse in the town for a party? What---or who--- would they be wearing?

Posters for the show read something like:

"High above the clouds, haute' couture and character assassination..."

Denton borrowed sets and my crew built a realistic and modern elevator. Our moment of glory came and went as the curtain opened.

What a trophy, the stage looked like the most swanky penthouse you had ever seen!Do I need mention the best looking people were in the show?

----------------------

Anyway, a zillion ideas forward and pat myself on the back for my volunteer work and patience. What's that? ...keep working, eh?

I came across the scripts to the show open of Project Runaway. I wanted you to see how bawdy writing has to be to appear comical for an adult crowd!

PRESENTATION
Script

Please welcome Contestant Number 1,

Tim Word of the B Division Xtreme Team.

Yeah, that’s Kitchen’s Guys.

Obviously someone on the team is

Hogging all the food.

Tim is appearing tonight as “SHY BOY”

He’s also very friendly at the fields.

Look at that chest!

That’s Hunk Contestant Number 1, SHY BOY.

And here comes Contestant #1 for the “MISS”

That’s really Myron of the C Division Steel.

Here, she appears as RuPauls’ Evil Step Sister, RE-CALL.

They may Re-Call RUPAUL next!

RuPaul would BEAT YOU DOWN Girl.

We asked ReCall about her “model diet” …

She says she owes her body to Magnum Extra Larges,

K-Y Jelly, Silicone, and a VASECTOMY.

VASECTOMY? Men HATE that word…

Get ‘Outta Here RECALL!

Now time for MORE MEN’S!

Presenting Hunk Derek of the B Division Sluggers.

He’s Mr. Hunk #2.

He calls himself “D-NASTY”

As in---- “doin’ the nasty?”

Derek says his Coach made him appear in tonight’s pageant because everyone else on his team is UGLY.

SAD, really…

Emerson, you need to draft more like Derek!

That’s D-NASTY of the Sluggers.

Women’s Contestant Number 2 is a familiar face.

That’s 2003’s Mr. Hunk, Mike Crocker, a Coach of the Atlanta Venom A Division Team…

How FAR we FALL, Honey.

Tonight she’s “SHELITA CORNDOG”…

…whatever the Hell that implies…

Of course she’ll eat a corndog!

Shelita pizza, shelita sausage!

But CORNDOG? Her mother was cruel.

Shelita said when she was a teenage child
She had her “monthly time” and a
Family of Cats followed her to school.

Men’s Contestant Number 3 is

Michael of the C Division Steel

He’s called “Mr. FINESSE”…

…and YES! He’s known for his

uh…endowment.

He refers to it as “the SCHLONG”.

He says it often slips out of his shorts

While exercising at the gym.

What gym is that again???

“MISS” Contestant Number 3 is Peter, of the

NEW D Division Team, The Eagle Talons.

She’s called “P-LO TOPASS”

And she’s got the greatest hobby.

P-LO told the show producers he like to

Sit and eat ice cream while

Watching rainbows.

So sickeningly sweet, I could die!

She’s been imported from the far away planet

Of Puerto Rico.

Please give another hand for P-LO TOPASS!

Next year she should take my cram course on

Picking a good drag name!
Coming in NEXT is Hunk Contestant Number 4.

He’s quite a man.

That’s Venom’s BRIAN as
“MR. HOSSIER DADDY.”

Yep, he’s from the country of Indiana.

His model diet consists of beer and sugar packets.

He says he once got kicked-out of a softball tournament for telling the Umpire he “had a nice box.”

Uh…OH!

That’s Brian, as “Hossier Daddy”.

Naughty Daddy, naughty!

For Miss Number 4 we have a former
Porn actress who once slept with RON JEREMY.

She’s really called Tony, but tonight

Please welcome the scandalous “MISS CARRIAGE”.

She’s a country lass…with chickens and goats at home.

The real kind.

Her model diet consists of Little Debbie Cakes and sweet tea.

She said she went to a seedy Nashville night club once

And had sex with KITCHEN.

Girl---some things are best kept secret!!!

Let’s have more MEN!

Here comes Contestant Number 5, Hunk KYLE, as “RAMSHACK RAMSEY”.

Sexy man, that name sounds dirty!!!!

He normally has vodka for dinner and an occasional Tic-Tac.

Kyle says he’s played with HSL for 2 years, and

He used to date Walter from last year’s show.

You didn’t want to borrow Walter’s chaps?

Welcome Kyle as RAMSHACK RAMSEY.

That’s Miss Contestant #5

She’s Jason of the Blue Knights Team

This year she’s called “TINA TOOTIN”

Really she gets the Susan Lucci Award

For being in this pageant 20 out of 21 times.

When asked by the producers to name

Something UNIQUE about herself, she said

“I have THREE nipples.”

Please don’t show us.

Next we have Mr. Hunk #6

That’s Neon John as the DIGITAL COWBOY

Neon is the HSL Webmaster

And all-around computer geek!

We love her.

He’s got landing lights on the inside of his

Hairy legs!

John plays for the D Division

Whackers Team, as Short Stop.

Contestant Number 6, Hunk John, as the Digital Cowboy…

Miss Contestant #6 looks a lot like a real woman

But the Whackers drafted her before taking a

Look at her cup…or lack of a cup!

That’s Stacey as LEZZIE MCGUIRE.

LEZZIE as in comfortable shoes?

For the first time in our 21 year history,

A real woman up for MISS HSL.

The times, they are a changin’!

More men, More Men!

Contestant #7 is no stranger to HSL

That’s Hunk Jim Fox as “RIDE ‘EM COWBOY”

He’s also Bam-Bam’s other half.

In fact, when the producers asked him about his diet, he said he “…eats all Bam-Bam, all the time.”

Now I’m gonna heave.

You’re looking at RIDE ‘EM COWBOY…

…Hunk Jim, sponsored by the D Division Cowboys.

Our MISS Contestant Number 7 is
Gary, of the C Division Grizzlies.

She’s called “FREDA LAY”

Freda says she’s on the Karen Carpenter diet.

She’s a model because she says she’s not qualified to do anything else.

Freda Lay has been a member of HSL for 5 years.

Men’s Number 8 is up next!

He’s a newby to HSL…

Yes, a show virgin.

That’s Hunk Dustin of the C Division Sharks as “EAZY D. LITE”

He looks easy. He looks lite.

This just might work!

He says his diet goes like this---Eat in Public, throw-up in private! Duuuuuhhhh!

Eazy D. says he wanted to be a model since the first time he tried on Momma’s underwear.

Welcome our last Hunk Contestant, DUSTIN, as Eazy D. Lite.

MISS Contestant Number 8 was in this contest last year.

That’s Shawn of the D Division Stingrays.

She’s really called “SHAWNDRA LEER.”

Shawndra says “Move over bitches, momma is here.”

She never gets embarrassed.

Her model diet is a simple formula…

…One bump of Tina for breakfast, two bumps of Whitney for Lunch, and a sensible Chicklet for dinner.

Contestant Number 8, SHAWNDRA LEER.

Last and Least is the great granddaughter of Constance Le Cruising…

By day he’s CLIFF of the D-Division ROOKS team.

By night, he’s CHERRI COLA.

This is his first year in HSL.

Cherri says she’s got the 3-F’s going for her: FABULOUS, FIERCE, and FRISKY.

She says three days before a pageant or photo shoot she eats nothing but Ex-Lax and Water.

Please welcome Cherrie Cola.

(HOSTS: BRING EVERYONE BACK OUT on STAGE EXCEPT first 2 women contestants!!!)

And that’s PRESENTATION!

(Welcome Guests, welcome to HSL, welcome your show Production team of Macon-McCracken)
--------------------------

Run of Show Follows:

HSL Project RUNaWAY 2005

PRELUDE Show CD TRACK______)

(BACKSTAGE) Smoke machine starts behind Shadowbox.

ACT 1 (RUNWAY)

(OPENING NUMBER)

Curtain closed (SHOW CD TRACK #1 ) (:00 TRT)

(OFF STAGE) At cue, curtain will open just enough to give way for the Shadowbox, and an entrance/exit space.

Art’s voice on microphone will introduce Kitty, in Shadowbox…

…Then Art introduces Gary Durden, behind Denton in Shadowbox with a knife.

BOTH HOSTS walk out of the Shadowbox to the runway. They then will go off stage______ and immediately begin introducing the Presentation Contestants.

(HOSTS please keep the introductions as short as possible, and talk in the same place every time, so the DJ can raise and lower the volume of the music. (Note: DO NOT, for ANY REASON, ask the DJ to stop the music for the Contestants/Between the Contestants.)

KITTY: Contestant #1_______________________

JENNA: Contestant #2 From the ___________team….

ETC.

When the last Contestant is introduced, the music will fade.
Kitty & Jenna say “hello” and welcome to the show, talk about this fundraiser, and the purpose of the tip buckets.

KITTY: Now it’s time to meet your show producers and judges…(introduce the Production Team of McCracken-Macon. Please mention 2003’s “Who Will Be The Next Hotlanta Idol?” and 2004’s “HSL Penthouse Party”)

KITTY and JENNA exit, change slightly for Women’s Talent)

Kitchen & RR chit-chat about the Hotlanta Softball League
The 2005 Show Committee, then introduce Judges.

(BACKSTAGE) Women’s Talent #1 is READY.

RR & Kitch re-intro Gary & Denton (SHOW CD Track)

KITTY & JENNA enter thru side of curtains, then chit-chat about the couture show they have just seen, and what is coming-up. Re-establish TIP BUCKET policies…

Curtain OPENS For Women’s Contestant #1_____

ACT 2 TALENT
Women’s TALENT begins

(See OTHER SHEET for Act CDs & Track #s)
There will be 16 different CDs lined correctly in SHOEBOX.)

(KITTY & JENNA come out on front of stage. They make funny remarks after every act.

At the end of the MISS Talent, the show will go into intermission.

INTERMISSION

(BACKSTAGE): Art & Crew restore Original Shadowbox+ Light

(BACKSTAGE) Tabulation of Women’s award

Act 3 Re-Open of Show TBA

Curtain Opens to Runway Set (AGAIN)
Men’s Bathing Suit (music Tracks TBA repeat if necessary)

HOSTS bring ALL Male Contestants Back on Stage at the End for Applause. Men, stay in swimsuit, and be prepared to come back out that way later. Men exit.

(BACKSTAGE) Tabulation ofMen’s award

(BACKSTAGE)Tabulation of People’s Choice

KITTY comes up in front of curtain, introduces the last walk of Jenna Tellya.
(No Music Here)

ACT 4 (Last Walk, Awards)

KITTY talks more about HSL then introduce Jenna Tellya

Last Walk Jenna Tellya (__________CD Track#___)

HOSTS: chit-chat.
Then they will then bring all of the Contestants back on stage, as they did in the beginning. (Music Tracks TBA repeat if necessary)

HOSTS: give-out the People’s Choice Award.

Crowning (Music tracks TBA ---)
(End of Show)

(BACKSTAGE)Winners/Talent/Producers proceed to Silent Auction Area for handshakes.

Should I Self Publish?

2007-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Self Publishing must be the topic of the month because instances of it keep coming across my desk!

Thanks to my Writers Group, I got the best link, with tips on how to submit manuscripts for Self Publishing.

Setting the process up takes a while, and is a bit costly. But depending on your project, it might be a viable option.

As an experiement, I'm going to ask around and see if my local writer friends have done this.

The only two people I know who have Self Published include my boss and a dead guy. The former Self Published to save himself the pain of shopping it around. The later passed away and his partner and mother made sure that his story Lightning Bug Land got a fair treatment. It is wonderful, and I wish you could read it.

Here's the helpful site: http://www.coldtreepress.com/publish/moreinfo.html#manu .

Revamp Your Web Site With These Ideas

2007-04-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Your web site can make money. It's really possible.

The trouble? We are all familiar with our own sites, which makes it pretty easy to miss the obvious problems. Are people getting enough out of your site? Does it overwhelm with one element or the other?

We renovated a friend's site over the weekend. She is a very smart client who had a lot more information on the site than was needed. She agreed a lot of what she listed was there simply as a "...journal for her own research".

I told her "...we want shoppers to come to the site...give them a tease at what your company can do for them...then find a way to gather their information for follow-up."

These are the tips I gave her:

A. Strengthen overall "look" of site.
B. Edit the writing.
C. Add better graphics or less common font styles. Free fonts at:(http://simplythebest.net/fonts/)*
D. Add visual elements (photographs) Free photos at: (http://www.flickr.com)**

To do this yourself, print each page of your web based site.

1. Go through it and find the blank spaces and mark them with boxes. These will represent all of the "wasted space" on your site. Could these be strengthened with visual elements?

2. Now identify all font problems. Is the font too small? Too boring? Could the style be changed to reflect more energy or readability? Just try visiting a site offering "free fonts"* and you will see hundreds of choices available.

3. Most of us overwrite. By this I mean "...we write TOO MUCH." On several of my friend's paragraphs I even wrote "...too deep." This is because she was including concepts and theorems the common person would not understand. Most of the materials related to courses she offers. I convinced her to include these in the form of "Download a Syllabus" keys.

4. Now go to the free photograph site** and put in a key word relating to your site. You will probably see hundreds of photographs you can use free of charge. You've heard the cliche' '...one picture is worth a thousand words'. That truism continues to be heard because one photo can say what hundreds of words cannot.

At CNN video edit supervisors used to say "...we have more of a power to mislead people than to lead them." That is because when dealing in the visual realm, your choices are limitless. However, whether or not the chosen photograph or graphic confuses the viewer is a different story!

Experiment with these additions, then re-print the new design a couple days later and take a fresh look. Hopefully, you will increase your traffic on the site!

Edit Testimonials for Your Marketing Materials

2007-03-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Small business owners who are gathering materials to market their products often ask "...do I need to include testimonials in my hand-outs?"

My answer is a definite YES.

This is because I know from experience undecided buyers will respond to a testimonial rather than a real live human being in their face saying "...buy now! I did and love it."

Marketing Truth: Testimonials sell products when Buyers are undecided!

However buyers will still be skeptical if they only see a previous buyer's first name listed as "I loved it. Ray M./Atlanta".

That's because the assumed thought is "...he must NOT like the product THAT much, or he would have included his LAST name."

Sadly this is because dishonest marketers and writers will "make up" testimonials, just as some bad newspaper writers occasionally "make up" quotations when they can get away with it.

I know someone who once was covering the opening of a theme park ride and made-up a quote because it was 'safe'. He included this sentence, supposedly from a park attendee: "...I loved it. The ride is fast."

Now who, getting off a roller coaster, doesn't say "it's fast" ? The writer, who had not attended the event, had a good laugh. And an easy paycheck!

To me, it was lazy writing!

Part of the fun is in the actual participating in the experience. Even at the level of experiencing the product. Do you not agree? There is a great amount of respect in knowing how I felt while experiencing the product (...or process, or event?)

On the opposite coast....on Truth Beach----(my beach)---Friend Leah Henderson, a nationally respected counselor and personal coach, sent a letter to all her clients and said "...I'm looking for some honest testimonials, can you help me?" Needless to say she got more than she could include on the site!

Below are some examples of true testimonials from our business. Keep in mind I was very particular that the comments were not alike, and that each was as short as possible. Please note I included each business owner in bold font.

Q: What would bring you back to Persily & Associates?

"...Wonderful staff! Very pleasant to work with!"
Karen Cash, Prudential Georgia Realty

"...Efficiency with the paperwork!"
Scott Zampach, property buyer

"...the champagne gift from the firm was VERY classy."
Ken Murray, Freedom First Mortgage

"...the personal approach and the ability to answer
my questions and concerns."
Dora Capers-Penn, property buyer

“…I had a very GOOD experience with Persily & Associates.”
Linda Bridges, Re/Max Advantage

“I just wanted to thank you for your good service. My
Closing went very smoothly. All of your efforts were appreciated.”
Tim Walsh, Developer

"...outstanding customer service. Very prompt, and this was
the fastest closing I have ever experienced, thank you!"
Stephen Jenkins, JBK Investors Group

"...they explained in detail all of my documents."
Raphael Downer, property owner

"...terrific service, and a friendly atmosphere."
Valerie Kong-Kwee All-N-One Mortgage

"...they provided an organized, clear description, of each item to be signed."
Ken Johnson, property owner

“…your exceptional front desk---gracious each time I called,
helpful, courteous, and
delightful.”
Helen Brown, Re/Max Executives

Elevator Speech Example 2 & 3 "Divorce" & "Rainbows"

2007-03-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon…you’re probably thinking “…now THERE’S a guy who loves Broadway Musicals” and you are right.

One of my favorite shows is Urinetown where a dying Bobby Strong laments “Why did I listen to my heart? I heard its call and made this revolution start.”

Ahhh…love. It stirs up all kinds of emotions inside, eh?

Two men who came into our firm last week were once in love. Sadly, they had come to the end of a nine-year relationship and were splitting property. One took the house, the other---the pool condo.

Just last night the younger fellow called me and said “Ray, the condo isn’t ready, the floors and kitchen are not in and he is KICKING ME OUT of the MAIN HOUSE. What are my rights?”

Now you know I only play a lawyer on the Hellivision, so I put him in touch with our Litigation Department to see if they could help.

However, that’s a downer---let’s go back to being in love! Now, imagine ______ and I are a couple and we are in love. Don’t ya just love, love?

And we’ll probably be together forever, I just know it. But hey, while I’m still happy I should discuss this situation with _____.

What if we break up? Can I still leave this relationship with my stuff? Do I still owe you half?

At P& A, we can help with these decisions.

We sell Partnership Agreements, similar to Pre-Nuptials, where you can protect yourself and your love’s assets.

Don’t wait to protect yourself, or you might be lamenting like Bobby Strong!

“Relax, we’re closing at Persily.”
-------------------

You know---a person once told me---as a hobby---they liked sitting outside eating ice cream and watching rainbows! And whereas I think they were being sarcastic, I said “So do I, so do I.”

But I got to thinking, if you are going to be that type of person, you need a couple of things: You need a comfortable chair to sit IN, and a big porch to sit ON.

By the beach, in the mountains, in the burbs, by the city beat---you need a HOUSE to sit AT.

And with heavy perspiration, and I see it daily---you’ll close on a house.

It’s my job to make sure that closing is easy and care-free.

I like to say I am the last handshake BEFORE the American Dream. I’m that guy who hands you a bottle of champagne, right before your realtor hands you the keys to your front door.

As you make your way back to your big porch today and your comfortable chair…Please think of me, and think of the Real Estate Agent who helped you buy your American Dream. I want to meet them. We would be great business partners, AND---I can buy them a lot of ice cream!

I’m Ray Macon… “Relax---you’re Closing at Persily.”

Write an "Elevator Speech", Spinners/Choosers and Cornball Speach for Smart Crowd

2007-03-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Many people wonder "...what is an elevator speech?"

It's not a phrase you hear very often.

Yours should be a choice in the spectrum of Who What Where When and Why that you can use while speaking with fellow riders on an elevator.

For instance, ask yourself "...what can I say to this person to make he or she interested in buying my product or service?"
.
I've tried, it's hard.
.
I have made a conscience effort to try, and have passed many business cards.
.
"Do you work in this building?" was the foremost comment.
.
I made the most of it: "...yes, I work for this really great closing firm," smiling a sheepish (albeit convincing) smile.
.
Basically, when you hear the phrase think: "I have exactly one minute to hook 'em!"

Most elevator speeches are given at luncheons. Here is one I did recently:
----------------
According to Peggy Hill, Substitute teacher at the Arlen County Middle School in Arlen, Texas, “In the Game of Life…some people like to SPIN and others like to CHOOSE.”

The Spinners like to think that some FATE played a part in their decisions whereas CHOOSERS like to debunk fate and say they themselves had everything to do with the decisions they made in their life.

Lisa Whitstein with AllState Insurance will tell you that some drivers don’t have perfect auto records. These folks have to SPIN and let another bad driver’s rates determine their fate.

Then again those people who never have an accident, knock on wood—those like me---get to CHOOSE what programs they buy and at better prices. By the way I scratched every one of your cars trying to park today.

But in the Closing Business, our business, there are also Spinners and Choosers. Some people have bad credit, or poor credit, and so programs for them are limited. Others choose a Mortgage Broker or Realtor off the Internet, and leave their future to CHANCE.

But the majority of my clients, Realtors and Brokers, are Choosers. They don’t pick Closing Attorneys out of the phone book, or use the ones their boss suggests.

These people know it takes a long time to earn someone’s trust. And they wouldn’t let you make a bad decision. So they hold you like a little baby through the whole process.

They choose someone like Persily Law---Harvard Law---because they know they will get exceptional service at fair prices. And they know that we know people like you, who can also be a resource for their future purchases.

Please introduce me to your Realtor and Mortgage friends. I want to meet them. Before you SPIN, let me CHOOSE: Relax, we’re closing at Persily.

---------...and this one, appropriately named "Cornball 1 Minute" for a special "nerdy" crowd:

Good Morning, I’m Ray Macon…Persily & Associates, Residential Closers.

I really wish my Family and Friends could be here this morning, because---for a change---I’m not going to talk about Myself!

I would however like to speak about my PowerCore Team, the MidTown Powercore Team.

If you’ve ever visited my team, you know it is similar to yours, in that we Laugh and like to enjoy our time together. Yes, we clap more than you guys, but you have us beat on humor.

But let’s face it---there are more of you! We’re looking for new people who “…have the Clap”.

I’d like to enlist your help today in giving us one name of a new business owner or Marketing Director whose business is growing, would benefit from joining a motivated PowerCore Team.

We’re full-up on attorneys, financial advisors, insurance agents, and real estate professionals. But every other business is open game and another opportunity for us.

I have personally benefited from being a visitor on this team, and a Member of the MidTown PowerCore.

If possible today, Please give Me, as a rep from my team, some ideas so that we may grow as successful as InTown PowerCore.

…And did I mention Persily is the best dang Closing Firm in Town?

I’m Rainmaker Ray Macon
*** & Associates

Write a Thank-You Letter for Someone

2007-03-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

Pensacola Christian College
Attn: Miss Lydia A. Fotter
Re: Intern Kenny Cao

October 11, 2006

Dear Miss Fotter,

I apologize for not having sent this evaluation sooner. Currently our company is in the middle of a location change, and I have been very involved with this transition.

Kenny Cao was a terrific intern for our company and we do miss him. We want to make sure that Kenny gets the great grade he deserves for helping us this past summer.

Mr. Cao worked directly with the Managing Partner of our law firm, Seth Persily. Mr. Persily is a Harvard Law Graduate and former Publisher of the Harvard Law Review. He is a demanding perfectionist and entrepreneur who also serves as city court judge for Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Mr. Persily commissioned Kenny Cao for two projects; to re-brand “Persily Concierge Closings” and to create business cards with a modern design for all of our employees. Mr. Cao finished these projects on time and they were excellent.

From the very beginning, Mr. Cao was dressed professionally and conducted himself in a manner which would afford him any job in the Unites States. I was proud of his ability to express himself, and follow instructions closely. He also used humor as a way to diffuse stressful deadlines, which was appreciated by the other staff members. They wanted to have their picture taken with Kenny before he left us!

Please accept my humble thanks to Pensacola Christian College for allowing Kenny to work with us. I would accept any intern the college suggests. We are currently looking for two interns over the next two semesters in the following areas: “Marketing for Small Business” and “Graphic Artist for Small Business”. If you know of anyone looking for an internship, please send them our way.

Thanks to you and God Bless.

Sincerely,

Ray Macon
Director of Marketing
Persily & Associates

Write a Recommendation Letter for Someone

2007-03-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Question: "...Ray, how do I go about writing a recommendation letter if I want to get my friend into a good college?"

This was a hard one because it's been a while since I did it. I had to pull notes from 2004. I do know that my Intern got into the college, so it must have worked!

Writing letters is just a re-configure of the 4-5 W's-1 H Rule. Follow this method in this order, and you will find it a pretty easy letter to compose:

1. Who wants to get in? Who am I anyway?
2. How long have I known them?
3 What did they do for me, and where.
4.What type of performance did they give?
and the last question
5. Why I think they should be able to achieve entrance into this college or organization or position.

Looking back at it, the writing is a little homespun. But sometimes that is exactly the "putt-in" one needs when looking for a job...a good, honest testimonial.
----------------------

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Suite 302, Intercultural Center
Box 571004, Dept. FSER
Washington, D.C. 20057-1004
December 2, 2004

To Whom It May Concern,

Please consider this a letter of recommendation for applicant Valentine Flegal.

For 16 years I was a television producer and intern mentor for CNN. I chose Ms. Flegal out of a long list of applicants to work as intern for CNN International’s Q&A television program.

I can honestly say that Ms. Flegal was the most intelligent person we have ever hired for that position.

As you know, News Television is “detail rich”. I was impressed that within a week, Ms. Flegal was doing the work of two people and at a quicker pace than others before her. She required very little training.

As her Mentor and Trainer, I found that Ms. Flegal was exceptionally talented at making wise, quick decisions, and that was important during breaking news situations. She most often had done the work before we had asked her.

One important aspect to include was the program content of Q&A. Constantly we were called upon to produce 30-minute programs of topics boring in nature for the general public, but otherwise “smart television” that would appeal to international leaders and diplomats.

Examples of this would include “What is the Future of the World Bank?”, “Is the Hague War Crimes Tribunal Really Working?” and benchmark shows about the success of the Euro monetary system. Ms. Flegal found all of these topics interesting, and gave us ideas on how to make them appeal to a larger audience.

Unfortunately, our “Q&A” program was canceled in early 2004 after an 8-year run.
Since February, I have changed careers, and now work for a law firm in Atlanta as a corporate development strategist.

Ms. Flegal was a friend to me during my job search, and often called to check on my mental well being. This gave me another reason to respect her.

I would be happy to talk with you more about my admiration for Ms. Flegal’s work ethic. Please give me a call if I can be of any help.

Sincerely,

Ray Macon
404-643-8215

Editing Biographies for Speaking Engagements

2007-03-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

For those of you wanting to increase your edit skills, I was reminded by a writer friend just yesterday at the gym "...less is more."

I volunteered to help an organization recently with their awards banquet. I think I got the two best assignments "read and edit the bios of Allen Jones, who was to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and also edit the bio of the Blues Singer Francine Reed. Without boring you with the long winded versions, which were over 5 pages each---here's how they turned-out!
------------------
Host MELISSA CARTER: AND NOW I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING A LADY THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THIS A TRULY MEMORABLE NIGHT FOR ALL.

Born into musically rich family of singers in Chicago, Francine Reed’s gospel-singing father was her first musical influence. While growing to regional fame in Arizona, she became known for her magnetic performances, opening shows for such greats as Miles Davis, Smokey Robinson, and Etta James. While in Phoenix, a virtually unknown singer by the name of Lyle Lovett was so impressed he hired Reed. In addition to her eight year stint as a featured backup vocalist with Lovett's Large Band, Reed's velvety rich vocals appear on four of his releases. Lovett returned the favor to his longtime friend by contributing and appearing on the lead track of Francine's 1995 debut release "I Want You To Love Me". The release debuted at an impressive #7 on Billboard's Blues Chart.
Francine lived in Phoenix for over 20 years. Her recent relocation to Atlanta has been great for her career. She coincidentally moved right across the street from the city's premier Blues Club, Blind Willies.
She has signed with Ichaban International Records and is still touring the world---gaining new fans everywhere she goes. PLEASE WELCOME MS. FRANCINE REED!!
------------------
JON: THIS YEAR WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO START A NEW TRADITION FOR THE AWARDS DINNER. AMONG US ARE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO HELPING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY SURVIVE AND THRIVE. TONIGHT WE RECOGNIZE ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
A Georgia native born in Conyers Allen O. Jones’ life is a story of quiet compassion, faith and strong community involvement.

His professional education began with paper routes for the AJC. He graduated Georgia Tech and was later a policeman for the Air Force Reserve. In the 1960s, when after returning to civilian life and insurance sales, Allen pursued politics. He was elected Chairman of the Georgia Young Republicans and in a 1963 an Atlanta Journal Article had this quote: “Two young DeKalb Republicans are battling for the presidency of the Georgia Young Republican organization. They are Newton L. Gingrich, an Emory University student and Allen O. Jones, President of the DeKalb Young Republicans and an insurance salesman.” As it tuned out Allen beat Newt Gingrich in what was his first election loss.

During his campaign for President of the U.S. Young Republicans in 1964, Allen included an African-American, Dr. Lee Shelton.

Ten years later, Jones began building his enterprise. In 1977, Allen formed a partnership with two friends to own and operate Shelly’s Bar and Restaurant, the first gay establishment outside of the downtown area at Peachtree and 25th. Of course the community was smaller back then. Allen made sure the bartenders and wait staff introduced every patron that walked in the door to each other!

In 1981 Allen became aware of the great need for help for those suffering from the symptoms of full blown AIDS. He saw Ken South, then head of AID Atlanta, in a television interview. The report focused on how people who had contracted AIDS were showing up at the doors of the center. Some had little money, some families had thrown them out; they were treated as lepers and urgently needed help. Allen asked Ken South Executive Director what they needed. They had no salaries and little money to operate the organization. Ken said they needed $45,000 to pay operating expenses and provide seed money to apply for grants. Allen said he would get it, and with friends---he did.

Leaving the securities business in 1982, Allen developed a luxury retirement community in Chesterfield County, Virginia. In 1988 he returned to financial consulting by forming ARI Consultants.

In 1992, Jones co-founded the Atlanta Executive Network, bringing gays & lesbians and straight business people together for networking, inviting the Atlanta power players to be speakers. The Atlanta Business Chronicle published a front-page story about the 600-member Atlanta Executive Network in Atlanta coming out for the world to know that they were empowered and ready to take their place as the leaders in business and community service.

Allen Jones served as Chairman and President of AEN for five years leading it to a record-breaking 1,106 members – at that time the largest business networking group of any kind in the United States.

Allen is the recipient of a special humanitarian resolution of the Georgia House of Representatives, The Atlanta City Counsel President Award and Atlanta’s top award, the Phoenix Award

His mission is to help business people be a success as they define it for themselves. This often involves taking people who want to start a business through all the components of operating a business resulting in a business plan and a five-year financial forecast.
Allen continues to work with his clients after the business is operating as needed. Allen has served over 140 businesses. On a personal note, he has helped me sell two of my businesses and is a personal friend.
Please join me in welcoming to the stage Mr. Allen Jones.

Simple Touch of Fate Magazine entry: "...Submissions should be true stories involving people who were in the right place at the wrong or right time."

2007-03-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

As a sophomore in college I was used to wild fraternity weekends, where girls came and went through the house as quick as beer.

On one such occasion my girlfriend Wendy was especially imbibed and had grabbed a frat brother's bicycle. As she circled the house singing Madonna's "Holiday" I got tired of trying to keep up with her on foot, and decided to go see what the brothers in the house were doing.

Call it fate---call it bad timing----but as I walked into the back door a stereo speaker was falling out of a third story dorm room. I guessed my nut head fraternity brother Buxton had knocked it out the window as an accident!

But it hit me square on the top of the noggin, and as it did, the edge of it pierced the skin on my head.

Be hit on the head and you find that nothing on your body bleeds faster. I was quit surprised, having been born a C Student, that my brain carried that much blood! I fell into the fraternity house grabbing my head.

The problem was it was also Halloween Weekend, and many people were already covered in fake blood. In fact, as I walked by everyone yelling "help, I need somebody to take me to the emergency room" people laughed! They really thought I had poured a bunch of red dye on my head and was faking the injury.
Even when I said "I'm not kidding" people in the living room just pointed and smiled!

That was when I decided to run out the front door and wave down my drunken girlfriend and have her take me to the infirmary on the bike. After all, the college hospital was just a few blocks away.

And there she was...circling the house humming "...we need a Holiday-hey".

After riding 3 blocks on the handlebars then 8 stitches tot he wound---I decided I was really pretty lucky. The stereo speaker could have really hurt me, and I couldn't blame the bloody costumed frat brothers for not responding to my pleas!

I always kept that moment in my mind and decided to turn a negative memory into a positive one. In 2004 when I left a 16-year career at CNN, one of my colleagues bemoaned that I had NEVER missed a deadline. "...you have good timing," she said.

I thought of the stereo speaker head injury and smiled "...It's strange but...if you only knew," I shrugged!
------------------------------------

Welcome Back to Me/Us/We

2007-03-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've been away for several weeks taking care of some family business. I've also just finished a group project with the Atlanta G&L Chamber of Commerce.

It couldn't have been easy for the Project Manager listening to my occasional gripes. However, I think overall I was more of a Help than a Hindrance.

I wrote some of the scripts used in the show "Step Into the Spotlight 2007".

In honor of my friends and boss who were nominated for awards I wore my cuff links made from old typewriter keys.

More to come!

Hello to Fellow Writers

2007-02-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Over the last few days I have met some really great ladies.

People like me who have the same inspiration and desire to help other writers.

They certainly helped me!

So here's a shout-out of luck and friendship to Jennifer and Beverly of the Atlanta Writers Group...

Hi Hey Holla Out!

Rayray

Valentine Promotion

2007-02-12T11:26:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend two employees and I stuffed 600 bags of candy for a Valentine Promotion. Needless to say I will be back after I hand it all out!

In the meantime visit http://coffeedevil.blogspot.com for Taylor Hartley's angular (and spot-on) view!

The Show so Far

2007-02-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

Extravagance

Act 1

Prelude: Fly/This is what it Means to be Alive
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991

Act 2

Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land/This is what it Means to be Alive

Prelude/Extravagance

2007-02-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

Open (Years from now)

A man (Lover) and woman (Love), stop at the edge of a tennis court

which is close to the beach. In the distance, they see an island.

Love

(wiping her forehead)
That was a set! You lose!

Lover
Or maybe I win? By beating me you’ve won me.

Love
Is that so?

Lover
So.

Love
They say…

Lover
Who say?

Love
They say if you can hit a ball from here, with a good racket…

Lover
Oh, we’ll make a racket.

Love
They say…if you can hit a ball to the shore of that island, you’ll live forever. Somehow.

Lover
That island? It’s quite a distance.

Love
Ferry used to run here. They turned the parking lot into a tennis court. Ironic. The island owners were obsessed with the game.

Lover
Irony is my favorite aperitif. Now about that hit…

Love
Take your racket…

Lover
…Uh huh?

Love
Now throw your serve like normal, but really hit the ball.

Lover
Hit to the island?

Love
Of course!

Lover
…and we’ll…live forever?

Love
Well, you will.

Lover

(raising racket)
And...I will...first try...I'm lucky!

…But what of you? Won’t you be with me?

Love

(shrugs)
Yes, well I dunno.

Show-off!

I mean...but it's a long way!

Well,maybe.

I have to do it on my own...

Lover

...and you will.

Synopsis

2007-02-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon

An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.

Aging television celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War.

Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through poor health, war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact?

There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”

Editing: Thinking through Extravagance Transitions Part 2

2007-02-08T05:16:00.001-08:00

Since the last entry, while explaining a transitional problem with the 2nd Act, I spotted transitional problems in the 1st Act.

The first version is listed here:

Act 1

Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991

I realized that I should list all musical components including the Prelude.

Also, I want to keep the audience alive, so I need to add a couple more "peppy" numbers. While getting coffee this morning I knew I had to write a song about extravagance, that the main lesson was missing.

Here is the latest:

Act 1

Open: Flight
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991

Editing: Thinking through Transitions between Songs in a Musical Play

2007-02-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a video editor (and now writer) was come to terms with my story transition frustrations. As a matter of observation: most changes in script/story just don't seem natural to me.

There is an advantage in television and screen because in the Editing Room they add some natural sound break which jars the viewer back to the story. I know this because I did it thousands of times for multiple stories. Yes, modern trickery and visual slight of hand older-than-the-book! As editors our thought was: "...it was available and so I used it"

Whereas we share the infinity of sound, and therefore sound effects---in musical theater it is often the musical script-to-numbers which "don't fit the transition"; extracting huge amounts of believability/credibility from the storyline. Imagine the wrong character singing the wrong lamentation and this can ruin the "run of story".

Keeping in mind that the best movies often have the most smart transitions, in Musical Theater we should look to each story as if we can see it on film---at least between scene transitions.

For instance, the last object of focal point on stage should be the actual opening point from the next scene. Fading to black is usually accepted but a modern day cope-out in artistic circles when a clever transition can usually be experimented with during rehearsals.

Now add a musical theater component where---as a rule we "keep hope alive every other act" ---we will easily spot weak points in the script.

I'll use Extravagance Act 2 as an example:

Originally I had these three elements back-to-back:

Act 2

Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)

Okay so I liked the numbers and I knew they had to come in this particular order. I didn't know where I wanted to go with the transitions. I only knew I had to make it to these three points within the plot line.

Another problem...two of the three songs are bittersweet melodies. How does one "sell" that. They don't, without losing the audience!

As I thought about it I realized the 3 needed to be cushioned with a lot of script and a couple of get up on your feet and dance numbers.

I decided to add some funny song about the odd jobs actors do after their careers fade called No Work for Old Hollywood?

The other song choice came from a totally wacky party idea from the mid 90s. The challenge was donning that old outfit under plastic you'd been meaning to wear for years beside your closeted Deluxe Vacuum. The night included drinking out of plastic cups stuffed into antique high heels.

I figured it could actually be a hit if we consider the large amount of crap we carry in our closets. It could also be a transitional song of acceptance (and coming-out) after Danny returns from war.

The new play now looks like this:

Act 2

Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)

(...continued)

-------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Extravagance, the Musical by Ray Macon

An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial new “Cancer Musical of Hope”.

Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their only son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Not accustomed to failure; how will they make it through war, career layoffs, Hollywood politics and keep their love intact? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”

Songs written for this work include:

Act 1

Prelude: Flight
The Crossing
Let’s Go Play Tennis
Stars on an Island in the Sea
Road Dog (my light fearing Lovely)
The 25th Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government (...a soldier's song.)
First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Advertisement: Zodiac Commercial, 1991

Act 2

Extravagance
No Work for Old Hollywood?
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (a requiem for war heroes)
Go Deluxe
When I Miss My Hair (written by music artist Derek Toomey)
We no Longer have to Fake it
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive
Extravagance reprise
The 40th Anniversary Song
Advertisement: Metro sexual Male 2006
Postlude: Land

Create an Outline: Ghosts of Baby Lake

2007-02-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1 "...She wasn't blind after all!"

Chapter 2 Red's Morals

Chapter 3 Lester's Premonition

Chapter 4 The Lake Dies

Chapter 5 "...the back of your heair looks pretty."

Chapter 6 Village Meeting and Tornado

Chapter 7 Aftermath & Exploring

Chapter 8 The Birmingham Post Herald Reporter

Chapter 9 Invitation to a Social

Chapter 10 Walking with Red

Chapter 11 The Macons

Chapter 12 Someone Complains About the Lake

Chapter 13 Body Found

Chapter 14 Raymond

Chapter 15 Martha

Chapter 16 The Macons

Chapter 17 Lester

Chapter 18 The Twins

Chapter 19 The secret meeting

Chapter 20 Village Picnic "...no one will eat my pie?"

Chapter 21 Red & the Mines

Chapter 22 The Macons

Writing Backwards:Trapped in Time

2007-02-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Q: Could you give me an exercise for writing backwards on the time line?

This is a fun section. Be aware of the older places you visit which need renovations or structural makeovers. Is this place or room "trapped in time?" And what decade is it?

It's harder to guess the exact year than decade, but you can refine your knowledge of object-clues, allowing you to instantly remember what year the owner stopped caring for the place.

Taking it back to the page, we often are afraid to finish a scene because you want the character to open a refrigerator or washing machine but think "...what TYPE of washing machine did they have back in those days?"

To overcome these problems I will leave a blank line on the page:

"...she opened the Whirlpool _______ and pulled out a Fresca."

When you are in re-write to near completion, go back and fill in the blanks. Research everything, so to look knowledgeable. The Internet is a great tool for period research.

"...she opened the Whirlpool Duel Frost Spectrum and pulled out a lukewarm Fresca."

Don't put the project down because

you are unfamiliar with the time line!

Professional Writing

2007-01-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

Q: Do you ever send professional association letters, and how do you go about composing them?

Yes, I send professional letters all the time. A good rule of thumb is to always ask yourself: what is the purpose of the correspondence? Is it to invite attendees? Is the purpose to update members (such as the examples from Cindy and I below) on the association's events or work?

You can be personal but not be too personal. For instance, start with a sincere sentence like:

"Hi (your name here),

I hope everyone in your family is well.

Procede to what you really want:

I just wanted to remind you about our Writing Workshop which we will be holding in the Clubhouse of our Complex this coming Saturday.

End with a sincere tagline and sign-out:

If there are any questions or concerns, please call my cell. I know you mentioned a previous engagement, but you are always welcome to join us!

Sincerely (or better yet---) Your Friend,

RR Macon
Atlanta
---------------
Another good tip is to keep it simple. Cindy keeps her letters more compact than me, but I make up for that by including helpful links.

In the example below Cindy and I wanted our Urban Professionals Network to set-aside certain event dates.

However, always trying to go that extra mile with writing---I also used the letter to compliment members who have business tools our entire group could share.

So it accomplishes both goals:

-----------------------------------
Hi Urban Professionals (UP)!

I just want to commend David Page on his company's growth to an Internet-Based business. Check out this link to his web site: http://www.page-enterprises.cceasy.com/index.cfm.We have seen David's web site grow from being an info-only page to a business where you can receive your own login and customers discounts. You can shop, and browse hundreds of products. David this must have taken a long time and as one of your fellow UP Members, I compliment you.

In the world of mortgage news---have you ever wanted to "watch" a housing market from as far as two states away? The other day Lonnie Schatz and I compared notes and we both are interested in watching the South Florida real estate market. AHM has a great tool which you can use to watch other real estate markets. Locally I use their Home Buyers Marketplace "Scout" to keep my eye of the 30306 area code. If you know ANY realtors, send them Lonnie's way. Believe me, they need this tool more than ever. (To inquire, send Lonnie an email Lonnie Schatz lonnie.schatz@americanhm.com).

Also congratulations to Leah Henderson's son Adam Arcuragi for getting recognized by ABC News. Adam is a very talented musician.
I play Adam's demo CD all the time and I am happy he is getting the recognition he deserves: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/index?section=entertainment&id=4528277

We hope to everyone at the breakfast on February 7th at Huey's (8-9am). UP Members please feel free to bring a guest.

At UP we celebrate small business and the many steps it takes to be successful. And we can be successful. Keep climbing higher everyone! Cindy Caldwell's Monthly email follows...

Your Friend,

Ray Macon
Persily & Associates
"Now a full service law firm!"
404-352-1100
http://www.persilylaw.com/
http://raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/

-----------------------------------------
Hi everyone...

Please save the dates for our February events!

Wed, Feb 7 from 8 - 9am at Huey's on Peachtree in Midtown--invite guests for coffee, beignets & professional networking! We will do one-minutes and set up our speaker schedule for '07. We encourage you to invite guests to speak for future meetings!

Thursday, Feb 22 - margaritas at El Azteca (close to Huey's on Peachtree) from 6 - 8pm -- casual networking!

An email will be coming from Ray shortly that you can use to invite guests to these events.

--Cindy

Cindy D. Caldwell
Creative Consultant/Business Development
Randstad Creative Talent
"Good to Know You"

http://www.us.randstad.com/
http://www.randstadinsight.com/ (National Employment News)

Creating an Outline

2007-01-26T05:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best way to finish a story is to think through the entire story in one-line sentences. Then, allow each sentence to represent a chapter. If you already know where you are going with the story, simply by knowing what is expected from each small segment can lead your book to finality.

This is a half list of chapters for my RAISE outline. Part of the book takes place in the Present, the other in 1950s. Some of the flashbacks have not been completed by my Co-author.

It's a great example of how to start a story, nonetheless:

Raise My Town My Love

Chapter 1 The Accident

Chapter 2 The Diner

Chapter 3 The Old Man

Chapter 4 David Unwinds

Chapter 5 Chopping Cotton

Chapter 6 Home Life with the Leathers

Chapter 7 David Awakes---Crystal Comes Home

Chapter 8 More Rest and Art Supplies

Chapter 9 Our Big Town

Chapter 10 Tension: Will It Rain Before Harvest?

Chapter 11 Cotton Trailer Line Wait

Chapter 12 Weigh-In of Trailers and Bales are Formed

Chapter 13 Friend Killed Stompin’ Cotton

Chapter 14 Funeral for a Friend

Chapter 15 Hunt Day

Chapter 16 The Hunt

Chapter 17 Christmas at the Leathers

Chapter 18 Modern Day: Hunt Day Goodbyes

Chapter 19 Crystal at the Diner

Chapter 20 David at Home with Trumpet

Chapter 21 Flashback

Chapter 22 Flashback

Chapter 23 Flashback

Chapter 24 David showers and goes for coffee and to see Crystal.

Chapter 25 The Marketing Expert Stranger

Chapter 26 Conversation with a Stranger

Chapter 27 Tour of Town with the Stranger

Chapter 28 Flashback: The death of Stan Leathers

Chapter 29 Flashback: L.E. our new dad?

Chapter 30 Flashback: Life on the farm

Chapter 31 Day Off---Trip to City

Chapter 32 Meet Marketing Expert for Dinner

Chapter 33 Flashback: Children Begin to Leave

Chapter 34 Flashback: Child #2 Leaves

Chapter 35 Flashback: Children 3 & 4 leave…well kind of leave.

Chapter 36 David dreams of a “last wagon train to Hollis.”

Chapter 37 A Walk in the Park with Crystal

Chapter 38 Tour of Dallas with the Marketing Director

Chapter 39 Dull day back at work in Hollis

Chapter 40 Mexican Birthday Party

Chapter 41 Flashback: The Leathers family takes in 5 strangers

Chapter 42 Flashback: Brothers go hunting together with strangers

Chapter 43 Flashback: Oldest Brother Trey becomes a policeman

Chapter 44 Flashback: Davey becomes a policeman

Chapter 45 Flashback: Hard Times Ahead: Pills...and kids to boot.

Chapter 46 Policeman Dave and the Weird Smell by the Bridge

Chapter 47 David in the Library researching American Roadside Attractions

Chapter 48 David meets friend, Douglas, who helps investigate smell.

Chapter 49 David finds the body of a Latina

Chapter 50 Consoles Crystal. Several days of his following her home.

Chapter 51 Flashback:

Chapter 52 Flashback:

Chapter 53 Flashback:

Chapter 54 Clue: "This ole town, people going down."

Chapter 55 David and OBI meet to discuss case.

Chapter 56 David & Deputies beef-up control of town

Chapter 57 Fashion Shoot in Hollis

Chapter 58 Conversations in the Diner

Chapter 59 Missing Model

Chapter 60 Flashback:

Chapter 61 Flashback:

Chapter 62 Flashback:

Chapter 63 Missing Model found dead

Chapter 64 David is questioned by his old boss, the Sheriff

Chapter 65 David is questioned by the press

Chapter 66 David meets a reporter

Chapter 67 David plays trumpet after reading his "bad press", finds clue.

Chapter 68 OBI reveals a connection and warns of a loose "madman".

Chapter 69 David on patrol

Chapter 70 Flashback:

Chapter 71 Flashback:

Chapter 72 Flashback:

Chapter 73 David follows a stranger

Chapter 74 Killer traps Crystal

Chapter 75 David confronts and kills murderer

Chapter 76 David is cleared, consoles Crystal

Chapter 77 David & Crystal spend time together, magazine spread arrives

Chapter 78 Movie company calls for shoot

Chapter 79 Leathers children return to Hollis

Chapter 80 Leathers new:

Chapter 81 Leathers new:

Chapter 82 David asks Crystal's father for her hand in marriage

Chapter 83 David on patrol, reads positive article about town

Chapter 84 Movie studio comes to town, changing city scape and rundown look.

Chapter 85 Crystal & David become engaged

Chapter 86 David becomes Catholic

Chapter 87 David & Crystal speak of moving

Chapter 88 Wedding Town

Chapter 89 Reality & the town today

Working on a Baby Lake chapter.

2007-01-25T19:20:00.000-08:00

This might be interesting: watch me edit this chapter throughout the week. It still needs about 3-6K words.

For the longest time I have wanted to bring in my mother's brothers to the Baby Lake story. They were notorious about fighting. In the book I am making them twins.

I have made the brothers characters who believed in the art of pro wrestling long before it was ever popular. In fact, Jim and John attain popularity and money by making it as believable as possible.

Chapter 18 The Twins

Fists crunch.
Hands of young men---just as calloused as working men---clash together, sharply cutting air pockets with fast hands.
Grunts, the sounds of carefully placed feet.

Again, the bare scraping of skin …the closest the DNA had come in 17 years since separation? These guys loved to wrestle.

Since no other boys their age were as sinewy, much less cocky…the Ellis boys knew how to fight. But better yet: they knew how to fake a fight.

Oh, and the crowds it would draw: two physically exact men, …in total mirror form as they clashed and controlled the interact.

“Wormy” Jim said. “…get the bets?”

“You assholes need to wear different shirts”

“I thought you were blue,” John said. His muscles stretched the fabric Red.

“You got the bets, ass shit? And I’m Red dumbass. I have a worse temper. I’m always Red Dipshit.” Jim loved to curse. It was the best way to express an opinion. Out curse the guy, and you’re the bigger man.

“Well tonight’s we both Red Jimbo.”

Jim answered with a punch.

“Owwh. Damn Jim. That wasn’t a fake.”

“Damn right you sonofabitch. I’ll punch your…”

Almost in a flash, the crowd of boys and even bigger boys from Minor High School appeared. “…there they are. Fucking twins.”

“Gentlemen place yor bets,” Wormy---the small boy with a large forehead, said. He was always good for an improvised moment--- “…Red VS Red today…”.

John interrupted. “Red VS Shirtless. Jim is Red on Thursdays.” And with that he stripped his shirt.

John had a better physique than Jim anyway. Jim liked the biscuits and gravy, and even though the crowds couldn’t tell---John knew there was a weight difference between he and his twin brother.

But one thing remained--- they loved to put on a good show. Especially for the older boys. And what a show!

"...damn those boys are crazy."

Later that night, after counting their winnings and mending their ever-so-slight scrapes, the boys laughed in the same evil way. The way they always laughed when they knew something others didn't.

The goal was understood and unspoken.

Make them fear us. Make them worship us. High school would be simple.

“…gonna take that fucking Minor High School.” Jim smirked.

Hearts Aflame Away from the Firehouse

2007-01-24T19:43:00.000-08:00

My friend Yvonne's birthday this last August was so big it required renting a cabin by the lake.

Her husband, a fireman, was all for it. They had purchased a boat and planned to take guests around the lake "tubing".

For the weekend Dave invited all of his buddies & their wives. Yvonne invited her family and friends. Yes the Midtown guys came up from the big city.We had a really fun party.

And I had something up my sleeve.

A couple weeks before I asked Yvonne to tell me how she and Dave met. I thought if I could write something with more truth to it than lies I might also get them to teach their friends a little more about them. It's really a wonderful story, and I'm glad I got it on paper---as crazy as it reads.

As a special treat, I wrote a play for all of us to "roast" the happy couple.

This was a big surprise for Yvonne and Dave! We passed-out dolls and made them act as themselves in front of the crowd of friends.

One of the other surprises was that we gave her a "Fireman Billy" doll which, well...you'll have to look that one up on the Internet.

Keep in mind we wanted their friends to participate by having a couple lines. We also had several people for parts and an overabundance of super hero action figures in addition to the Barbies, Kens and Billy's.
---------------

Hearts Aflame

Love away from the Fire House

By Ray Macon

Cast: 2 women, 7 men. (4 major roles of 2 males & 2 females).

NARRATOR
Some of you know Dave.
And some of you know Yvonne.
But do you know the story of how Dave and Yvonne met?
Well, once upon a time there was this beautiful young Georgia Girl who came to Michigan to get an apartment. She met a Leasing Agent and found some places she really liked…and could afford!

YVONNE
Wow, what a lovely apartment. Is this real balsa wood? I love the Formica counter tops.

LEASING AGENT
Why yes, (((whispered loudly)))circa 1980.

(((SPIDERMAN wanders on to stage)))

SPIDERMAN
Excuse me; is this the set of Spiderman 3?

LEASING AGENT
No. The set for “Spiderman 3-The Garden of Good and Evil- Devil Went down to Georgia” is across the lake.

SPIDERMAN
What’s this, then?

LEASING AGENT
A play called “Hearts Aflame---Love Away from the Fire House”.

YVONNE
Oh, it’s a story about me, Me, ME!

LEASING AGENT
Will you please excuse us; I’m trying to rent an apartment here.

(((SPIDERMAN leaves stage)))

LEASING AGENT
Now, the carpet in this apartment is just 5 years old.

NARRATOR
To make a long story short, Miss Yvonne takes a tour of other apartments, and sees Dave Dwyer, the Michigan Maintenance Man.

DAVE
Why hello there. I’m Dave the Michigan Maintenance Man, and I’m bending over fixing somethin’ so you can see my tight butt.

YVONNE
Well it’s working. I’m Yvonne. I’m from Georgia.

DAVE
That makes you a peach.

YVONNE
No one has ever seen a peach in Georgia. I’ve moved to Michigan so I can get my own apartment.

DAVE
Well, if you take this apartment Miss Yvonne, you’ll never have to worry about things being broken.

(((SILVER SURFER wanders on to stage)))

SILVER SURFER
I’m here to help Spidey rid the world of those ruthless aliens!

(((S.S. makes a move towards Dave, who punches him in the face)))

DAVE
I’ll kick yer ass!

YVONNE
No, he thinks…would everyone in the audience help me? Every time a super hero, uh---other than you Dave---comes out here please help me tell them “The set for Spiderman 3 is across the lake.”
On three…1-2-3

YVONNE, CAST & AUDIENCE
“The Set for Spiderman 3 is across the lake.”

SILVER SURFER
Sorry about that.

(((Silver Surfer wanders off stage)))

DAVE
Now as I was saying…Miss Yvonne, if you take this apartment I’ll keep an eye on you.

YVONNE
Thanks Dave…I have so much to think about.

NARRATOR
Meanwhile, Yvonne goes back to her old place to decide.

YVONNE
Decisions, decisions…I’m so tired. I’m getting sleepy.

NARRATOR
Cut to: Dream Sequence! Dave the Michigan Maintenance Man is bent-over, fixin somethin’.

DAVE
(((talking very, very slowly)))
Hi Miss Yvonne. Want to come over here and squeeze my arm muscles? They’re called biceps and triceps.

YVONNE
(((talking normally))))
Why are you talking so funny? And---and---being so fresh?

DAVE
(((taking very, very slowly)))
Because this is the Dream Sequence and you’re my Little Peach!

YVONNE
(((waking-up from sleep)))
Oh, my gosh. I must have been dreaming. I was dreaming about that apartment. The 26th one I looked at. Oh, I just can’t get that Maintenance Man out of my head!

NARRATOR
Yvonne tells her friend Kim the whole story.

KIM
…he’s probably a HO.

YVONNE
Men can’t be HOs.

KIM
Girl, men are HOs. Shall I remind you of all the men who tried to date you and you said no?
There was the Army, the Navy, the Marines…

(((Enter TWO EXTRAS for Spiderman 3)))

EXTRAS
Is this the set for Spiderman 3?

YVONNE
(((to audience)))
On three 1-2-3
The set for Spiderman 3 is across the lake!

EXTRAS
Sorry

(((EXTRAS exit stage)))

KIM
As I was saying, everyone wants to date you…the surfers from Lake Michigan, even the gay guys.

YVONNE
Yes, I’ve always been attracted to happy people. But I have never given my heart away. At least---not yet!

KIM
Oh, he will come along.

YVONNE
But---this Michigan Maintenance Man, he’s such a Hottie.

KIM
Girl, let’s go get the apartment so you will shut up.

NARRATOR
Meanwhile, Michigan Maintenance Man Dave tries to find out more information about Miss Yvonne.

LEASING AGENT
Hi Dave.

DAVE
Hi Leasing Agent.

LEASING AGENT
What are you reading?

DAVE
The VISITING FIREMAN. It’s an annual publication of Fire Service Enthusiasts from across the world who all share a common interest in the Fire Service.

LEASING AGENT
(((yawning)))
Uh huh.

DAVE
I’m studying to be a Fireman.

LEASING AGENT
Oh, I see.

DAVE
Look, I can’t stop thinking about Miss Yvonne. If that Georgia Girl comes back, would you at least come and get me? Is she going to take the apartment?

LEASING AGENT
I don’t know. She’s coming by this afternoon. This gives me an idea. I can’t wait to rent that dump---I mean---that apartment. Will you swing by the office? You might just be the key in renting the place!

NARRATOR
So that afternoon, Miss Yvonne comes back to sign the lease. She brings along her friend Kim.

YVONNE
Hello Leasing Agent. This is my friend Kim.

LEASING AGENT
Welcome. I’m sure you remember Dave, the Maintenance Man.

DAVE
Hi Kim. Hello there Miss Yvonne.

YVONNE
You’re talking normal.

DAVE
Hmmm?

YVONNE
Nothing. I have the punch list for the apartment. The only thing wrong is the holder for the toilet tissue roll.

LEASING AGENT
Oh yes?

YVONNE
Yes.

KIM
(((yelling/angry)))
I told her not to take the apartment if the toilet tissue roll holder is not fixed immediately!

DAVE
Oh, I can come up right now and fix it. Anything for you Miss Yvonne.

(((EVIL DOER enters stage)))

EVIL DOER
I’m here from Omicron 3 to rid the Universe of Spiderman and Do Gooders everywhere!

EVERYONE
The set for Spiderman 3 is across the lake!

NARRATOR
And that is the true story of how Miss Yvonne met Maintenance Man Dave. They moved back to Georgia, the Land without Peaches and you know the rest. Yvonne got her own superhero---Dave became a fireman. They got married and Yvonne at least got a job on Peachtree Street.

YVONNE
I just love my Fireman Dave.

DAVE
I love you too Miss Yvonne. Happy Birthday.

NARRATOR
The end!

Create an Outline: Raise My Town My Love

2007-01-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

Hollis, Oklahoma.
Present Day

Story begins with a Policeman and an accident; where four adults are killed. None of the adults are wearing belts. One baby survives.

In the second chapter we see Policeman David drawing with a piece of charcoal--- while on duty. He's drawn the baby seat from the accident site! An old man interrupts his silence and David follows the old man, a local crazy, back to the man's home.

Q: Why write it this way?

Two juxtaposing situations back-to-back early-on creates empathy and eventual trust for our protagonist, David.

He witnesses something horrible that could have been prevented. As the first on the scene David saves one life, a baby.

In the second scene we witness David's otherwise boring life as a policeman and general good guy.

Might as well go ahead and give him up to the forces of evil: He's one of those---he helps the elderly.

Yet we must suspect David's going to be wounded by this opening scene nonetheless.

Tip: Visualize entire scene from top to bottom. You've already began taking infant steps toward the story. What happens second by second?

If I am driving down a road and start to dodge objects in the road, the road is certainly opening a story for me, ...just ahead?

Russian Ads for Niche Market

2007-01-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

This week I have set a goal to help a colleague produce some advertising collateral to sell legal services to Russian speaking clients.

Thankfully he provided me with copy, which brings a terrific point: sometimes, when you don't know the language of the ad but it is handed to you, remember---if it's the last thing you do---check it. I'm looking for a person who speaks Russian so I can check my own ad!

In the photo: A woman holding a paint roller has painted the floor and ceiling red, pink and mauve. She stands facing the corner, with a few still unpainted steps behind her...

I started with a humorist approach (still attempting to load picture, sorry) to which he had a general freakout. "...I told you I started in Left Field," I said. "She's painted herself into a corner, and has legal needs. Great colors of red."

The colleague shook his head 'no'.

"Well, it's okay. I have more ideas, I like the color red. Everything we normally feature is navy blue." I walked away mumbling"...she's painted herself into a corner and so have I".

As the hour progressed the ad got more conservative. It's funny how the more conservative it gets, the more the ad screams for---at least---some sort of irony.

If I can't have gut wrenching humor God give me irony.

I will publish this interesting creative process by steps later in the week.

Examples of "Legalese" or "Legislative Writing"

2007-01-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

Q: Have you ever done any formal writing for Associations or Organizations which required a specific "tone" or authoritative stance on behalf of the Organization's Bi-Laws or Mission Statement?

Yes. I once had the privilege of serving as the Parliamentarian of a sports club for three years.

Luckily, the national director of the Organization was local and I could ask him advice. He told me "...an Organization's Constitution should stand the test of time and not be frequently changed."

To that end, we went over our local sports organization's documents with a sifter.

We pulled-out any dated materials, references to anything which would be seen as making it old "...if your check bounces..." (I mean who writes a check these days anyway).

Whereas I was not the only writer of the document, I was a major writer and influence on making sure it didn't have to be changed for the next 10 seasons. I am happy to say that it hasn't had more than a few word changes in the past 4 years. That document can be seen here: http://www.hotlantasoftball.org/constitution.php

One of the things I am most proud of is the legalese writing I had to do for that same Organization's Rules of Play.

"...One thing is guaranteed when men get together for sports," the Commissioner said to me on the first week of the volunteer job, "...winning is their only purpose. Given the chance to cheat so they can win, they will look for every possible way to take a short cut to that trophy. Rules exist because men cheat."

In this particular club the male species had to be rated so to keep the better players from wiping out all of the teeth and various hambones of their opponents. It's probably the only sports club in America whose rule of ratings was created-by a drag queen!*

The problem had been that the Executive Council could never get any work done because of the number of ratings meetings they were having to attend!

So the Commissioner tried a "Jury of Peers" approach to solve some bitch fights after the season ended.

Over the winter I wrote the following: legalese we added to the Rules of Play documents, which would in itself "legitimize the Jury of Peers" to keep anyone in their sports club from complaining they didn't get a fair shot or have options.

SECTION 14. JUDICIARY HEARINGS COMMITTEE

A.At the HSL Annual Spring Meeting, the Open Division Council will nominate and vote on a chairman to serve as head of a Judiciary Hearings Committee (JHC).B.This Chairman will preside over a "jury of peers" determined by the Open Division Council which will listen, debate, and decide on requests for ratings reductions and protests. C.The Open Division Council will nominate and then vote to determine two (2) Open Division HSL Members from each division of play and three (3) at-large alternates during the Annual Spring Meeting. Each of these Division Representatives will have one vote during JHC meetings, creating 8 available votes. (Quorum=5 voting members, not including Chairman).D.The Chairman will preside and keep professional order during JHC meetings, but will not vote, unless there is a tie. In the event that the Chairman cannot preside or attend a meeting, a Chairman Pro-Temp from the members of the JHC (including Alternates) may be assigned to act in his absence by the Chairman.E.The Chairman will call a meeting of the JHC and notify the JHC Representatives, the representatives of the team(s) involved in the protest or ratings reduction request at least five (5) days before the meeting as to the date, time, place, and reason for the meeting, including allegations.F.The Chairman will preside over the meeting. In the case of a game protest, a representative of the team filing the protest will present the case for the protest. The team representative of the team being protested will then respond. There will be a maximum of thirty (30) minutes allowed for questions and comments from the JHC. The team representatives will then leave the room for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to allow for discussion by the JHC. At the end of the discussion by the JHC, the Representatives will vote by secret ballot to decide whether the game protest is upheld or invalid. In the case of a ratings reduction request, a similar hearing process will take place with the exception that there typically will be no presentation against the ratings reduction request. The JHC at its discretion may allow the presentation of evidence against the ratings reduction request.G.A game protest will be upheld if 75% or more of the JHC representatives voting concur with the protest. A ratings reduction request will be granted if a majority of the JHC representative voting concur with the request. In the event of an upheld protest, the effect will be in accordance with ASA rules. H.At the end of the vote tabulation by the Chairman, the Chairman will assemble all persons involved and the decision of the JHC will be presented. I.Once the JHC has reached a decision the decision WILL BE FINAL; unless convincing new evidence is presented within three (3) days of JHC ruling, which would be appealed to the Open Division Executive Council. J.Any person or team who becomes ineligible for play within a division as a result of a JHC decision will remain so until they successfully appeal the JHC decision to the Open Division Executive Council.

*Atlanta Actor and HSL Member Jim Marks. It is estimated that under Marks's direction of the NAGAAA in the 1990s, more than 2 million conversations have since been spawned (and several thousands fights) because of ratings disagreements. However painful it was to endure the original implementation of this system, and until this day---very few people think it's a bad idea!

Coming Up With a Working Title

2007-01-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

Q: Why are you choosing Ghosts of Baby Lake VS Ghosts of Bayview Lake for the title of the book on Alabama Mines and Steel culture in the 1950s-1970s?

The only story I have ever seen close to some of the tales from the Bayview was from the 1987 movie Matewan. It's a true story of Common Man VS Big Coal Company. Also---the town of Matewan seems to be ruled by local militia thugs, similar to how the KKK once controlled Bayview. Whereas the movie doesn't actually follow historically---it's a fascinating story nonetheless. Read this link:

http://www.umwa.org/history/matewan.shtml

I am contemplating changing the name of the series book to Baby Lake because it has a hint of mystery to it. Also---some of the events are so true and things are so sad that the village of Bayview would not benefit from the attention.

Matewan History (courtesy of UMWA.Org)

In the early spring of 1920, unorganized coal miners in Mingo County, West Virginia began seeking to join the UMWA. The coal operators became alarmed by the organizing activity and locked out the miners. On May 19, 1920, twelve men were killed at Matewan, West Virginia in a gun fight in which the local police and the people of Matewan faced a group of hoodlums hired by the infamous Baldwin Felts Detective Agency at the behest of the coal operators to unlawfully evict miners from their homes.
In the Matewan battle, Albert Felts, wearing a badge as a "deputy sheriff" of Harlan County, Kentucky, fired the first shot but was killed by Matewan Chief of Police Sid Hatfield. Hatfield had warned the thugs that they had no legal warrants to evict the citizens of Matewan and that he would not permit eviction without proper legal procedures. Felts then attempted to forcibly arrest the Chief of Police. Felts had been one of the chief gunmen used by the coal operators in the Ludlow, Colorado massacre in 1914, in which twenty persons were killed, including twelve women and children who were burned alive in their tents.
Sid Hatfield, a hero to West Virginia miners, was himself killed in August of 1921 in Welch, West Virginia by C. E. Lively, a Baldwin Felts gunman. Hatfield's murder was in all likelihood a set-up. He was arrested on July 28 on an allegation that he had shot up the town of Mohawk more than a year before. He was taken from his home town of Matewan to McDowell County, West Virginia, a stronghold of anti-UMWA coal operators. As he entered the court house with Ed Chambers, who had been called as a witness, both were shot down in front of their wives by Lively and two other gunmen. No charges were brought against Lively or the other murderers.

Idea for a Story: "Imagined Letters to Robert Torti"

2007-01-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

Recently I saw Robert Torti in the role of Jesus in Showtime's "Reefer Madness, the Musical". He was very good. In fact, he plays the Holy One as a rather cool cat. And it was a thrill to see the piece in the Celestial Ballroom edited so that Jesus could be in the audience with a follower and watch himself on stage at the same time doing a great Wayne Newton.

I looked-up Robert Torti's impressive bio and found that he gives his personal email for his fans. I think this is really great and I was going to shoot him a letter.

But I had trouble composing the letter in my mind. What was I to say? "You make the Best Jesus" or something even cornier like "...I'm really a big fan of you and Jesus BOTH."

I mean, as dumb as it sounds, I thought for days about writing him, but having played about 10 scenarios in my head I finally chucked the idea; settling instead for the pure satisfaction that if I was an actor I would too make myself readily available for fans. I'd also not wait on my agent to collect opportunities!

Then, with all the sweet thoughts I was sending in Torti's direction I had a horrible thought: actors often are unemployed between roles. I hope between roles he doesn't have to stand on the highway with a sign reading "Homeless Omnipresent" or even worse---have to watch his money and eat generic brands like me. I mean, he played the Lord of Hosts! Surely that gig pays royalties into infinity?

Then I got an idea for a story: A man watches a show where someone plays the role of Jesus. The man meets the actor---who is really nice--- and the man convinces himself that the actor is really the Christ. Although the actor is just a man in need of more acting jobs and so he is friendly to his fans and allows them to contact him. It's a classic case of projecting and stalking which all begins with a guy blogging about an actor...!

HA. Gotcha!

Correcting a Friend's Press Release

2007-01-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a great example of how people with English degrees can help those less fortunate with MBA degrees. My friend and brother Andy Wolchko sent me his upcoming press release for some editing. You will see my notes afterward with the final copy added at the end.

------------------------Andy's Presser Before Edit--------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: info@realtyresources.org
Andy Wolchko, 757-490-7822
Michael Dahmer, 404-606-0908

RetailWorks of Georgia joins forces with Realty Resources
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Realty Resources Network, Inc. is pleased to welcome its newest member, RetailWorks of Georgia, Inc. to the network. RetailWorks is a leading real estate firm specializing in retail leasing and advisory services in metropolitan Atlanta. Its clients range from national chains and luxury goods retailers to local and regional retail tenants.
Michael Dahmer is the President and Managing Broker of RetailWorks. The company was ranked 6th by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors for retail leasing in 2005.
Realty Resources Network, Inc. is a national network of independently owned and operated full-service real estate brokerage firms representing the country’s leading retailers from coast to coast. Member firms provide expert assistance in areas such as tenant representation, retail leasing, property management, investment sales, advisory, disposition, land sales and all facets of the commercial real estate industry. Membership in Realty Resources is based on commercial brokerage expertise, established tenant, developer, and community relationships, reputation in the real estate industry, and, above all, a strong presence and dominance in each member's respective trade area.
###
MY REPLY:

GREAT JOB!!!
Okay here's a few ideas:

Masthead: Include an address. I have included a copy of our "draft" press release for the gay chamber event. Having a business address legitimizes any presser because it is the easiest source to check. I.E. "...do they have an actual company address? Or is this one of those P.O. Box businesses?" Think like a lazy journalist!

1. Eliminate the tag "...to the Network." You've already used the word and it's redundant. As a reader we may not know your company but we are to assume it's some sort of network and you are welcoming a new member. Therefore the paragraph will read:

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Realty Resources Network, Inc. is pleased to welcome its newest member, RetailWorks of Georgia, Inc.

2. The next sentence starting with "RetailWorks is a leading..." should be a new paragraph. Otherwise the wordiness makes us misunderstand the network mentioned at top of presser.

And I would add something that humanizes the company such as ""Recent reports indicate that RetailWorks has almost full occupancy at their newest project, the Aqua Pacific Building at 500 Peachtree."

3. Any more info on the CEO? Try and pin him down for a quote and replace the one I provided. Tell him what you have in mind.

Also since it's 2007, I wouldn't mention any year before 2006. So I rewrote the paragraph:

"We are excited about this partnership," says President and Managing Broker Michael Dahmer of RetailWorks, "... and the exposure Realty Resources will bring to our real estate portfolio." Just two years ago the company was ranked 6th for retail leasing by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. RetailWorks clients range from luxury goods retailers to local and regional retail store tenants.

Now add your Realty Resource paragraph and you got it.

Pals,
RR
-------------
Here's our AGLCC draft below. Notice that our real juicy detail sentence is actually located on the second paragraph...this is because we also know journalists are lazy and we wanted to make it easy for them by adding some personality to it:

(Insert AGLCC Logo/Masthead here)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (ATTN: Business and Entertainment Editors) Atlanta
Contact: Jon Wood
2007 AGLCC Awards Dinner Committee Chairman
2 Decatur Towncenter
125 Clairemont Ave., Ste 150
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404.836.1120
www.hlmmortgage.com
awardsdinner@atlantagaychamber.org

Gay Chamber Invites Community for Fab Fox Annual Awards DinnerAtlanta, Georgia -- January 12, 2007 – It may be hard to believe, but some business was once conducted in hieroglyph. Thankfully that’s no longer the case but over the next few weeks volunteer scribes will begin rolling out invitations on behalf of the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The lively group of serious business professionals is taking advantage of Atlanta’s brand of Egypt nonetheless for “Step Into the Spotlight 2007” at the Fabulous Fox.
The non-profit organization is heavily involved with plans for their annual Business Awards Dinner; which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, 2007 in the Grand Salon and Egyptian Room Theater. Tickets go on sale next week.
Since 1994, the AGLCC continues to be one of the fastest growing chambers in the country with membership that boasts business leaders, entrepreneurs, the self-employed, corporate Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Transsexual groups and others.
There will be a VIP reception to begin the fete with hors d'œuvres and Korbel champagne. Expect relaxing lounge music by local cabaret celebrity Robert Ray. A fantastic Silent Auction is being planned by Jason Harris, who has wowed Atlanta in the past with similar projects for the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.
Because of the popularity of shows like this month’s “Grease: You’re the One That I Want” and last year’s “Dancing With the Stars”, expect the “Step Into the Spotlight 2007” show to start with a high energy dance number. And here’s a change in format---this year’s awards will be given by last year’s winners.
Famed Cuban Chef Lucy Alvarez of Mojito Restaurant & Lounge will be the creative genius behind the exciting and authentic menu for dinner participants.
The entertainment lineup includes the locally favored diva Francine Reed, melodic sounds from Brent Reece and Actor’s Express has joined the show with highlights from “The Great Trailer Park Musical”.
“We are the up-and-coming organization for Atlanta’s GLBT Community,” says Dinner Committee Chairman Jon Wood, “…we’d love to see a full house. It’s a terrific opportunity for us to get together once yearly, support the community, and honor our peers who are doing so much for Atlanta gay business.”
There are eight awards up for grabs, including “Business Man and Woman of the Year”. To join the Chamber, purchase tickets, and to nominate someone for an award, visit the AGLCC web site (http://www.atlantagaychamber.org).
Known throughout the Southeast as the premier venue for musicals, plays, concerts and ballets, The Fox is also one of the finest locations to host award dinners, trade shows, corporate meetings and association functions (http://www.foxtheatre.org).

Garden Party Outline

2007-01-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

Last night, while watching some lame television, I outlined the first 17 chapters of The Garden Party.

This should be a pretty fun story to write, and must be comedic to work. There are currently not enough "serious" plot points to make it interesting. I figure since comedies vary in plot from being "tight in focus" to being "all over the place" this one is no different.

I have some concerns about Buddy wanting Leland and I to change his character. Buddy will be one of the laugh fodders at this point, but every character will be quirky in their own way.

Outlining the project made me miss those worry-filled "good ole days".

Update on Works

2007-01-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

Available Stories for Publication

The Garden Party Co-Authored with Leland Graham (coming July 2007) Seven people come together with money and time to throw a grand summertime birthday party. Little do these men know that the party will be the pivotal days from which they will set the course for the rest of their lives? And soon after the event, the hosts are forced to confront serious life issues, such as crime, divorce, coming out to old friends, AIDS, and the group's pact to stay together and keep each other laughing. Based on a true story.

Raise My Town My Love Co-Authored with Ron Leathers (coming May ‘07) A current story of an honest man the ghosts he is following into old age. Throw in a town which needs a truckload of siding and paint and a marketing genius, and flashbacks to the grand days of the town’s popularity and we see why the lead character gives a damn. Based on a true story.

Ghosts of Baby Lake (coming September 2007) This story about a town in Alabama in the late 1950s reminds us that “…change doesn’t bode well with some folk”.

Children of Baby Lake (coming November 2007) From a horrible event caused by zealot southern deacons to the murder and strange demise of cousins, the tales from Baby Lake continue. Yes, some of the same characters from the original are around, and the legacy of their blood kin continue to reveal much about the folklore in southern idealism.

Extravagance, the Musical! (Currently in Edit) An island in 1990 is the setting for this, the unofficial “Cancer Musical of Hope”. Aging celebrities Margot and David Fontaine think they have it all until Margot “begins to ignore” her breast cancer and their son runs away to the Persian Gulf War. Did I mention that their careers take a nose dive? There’s a surprise at the end which will leave one asking “why do I always doubt myself?”

Songs written for this work:

Let’s Go Play Tennis
Road Dog
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Song
Her Face
Workin’ For the Government
It Was Our First Christmas (Being Together)
Oscar’s been good to David
Something’s Wrong With The (Her) System
Zodiac Commercial, 1990
Extravagance
Coming Home in Dress Blue Blues (Requiem)
When I Miss My Hair
She’s got the Fire to Make It
Reprise “First Act Songs”
This is what it Means to be Alive

The Story of Andrew Pepper (completed) A boy becomes a man on the streets, losing his arm in the process. With this disability comes the agonizing process of learning to write with a different hand. One day he is given a paint brush, which becomes his phoenix.

A Coign of Vantage (completed) A man loves a woman deeply, even through her final days. Long hours are spent watching her and attempting to get a glance at some secret of her inner strength. Title and story based on my love for a painting by Sir Alma Tadema.

A Coign of Vantage (1895) It’s hard to tell from this angle, but the women await the arrival of their husbands and lovers on war ships, which are slowly making their way into the harbor.

The Pact of Surrender (completed) A suicide makes 3 men and their wives to question friendships and the annual rituals which have kept their club together. A dark past is uncovered, and sores are opened. What length would you go to keep a secret?

Fever (1986, completed) From a baby's fever to an angry man holding a town hostage we see how the southern heat can influence a person.

The Housewife & the Tree (completed) A fat woman devotes her life to watching a soap opera until she moves her television. It’s then we find she’s not the only fan of wasting time. This tree hugger of a children’s story is sure to motivate and start to participate!

Get Rigby Griggs