Bandit's Silver Angel

The year was 1993. I was holed up in a roadside hotel called the Hilltop Inn. This was in Monroe, NC. I was working as an assistant accountant on four back-to-back TV movies based on the film Smokey and the Bandit directed by Hal Needham. Hal was also directing the spin-offs and his hotel room was right next to mine. We got to know each other. I worked long hours, six days a week. Our accounting staff consisted of three people. My only free day was Sunday so I would drive my rental car to a sports bar in Charlotte to watch the Steelers. Monroe introduced me to the art of stunts, the cicada and minor league hockey. My sweetheart at the time was Penny. She was working in LA while I was in NC. Thinking about her kept me company. While researching this memory and going through my Bandit archives I found this headshot of Traci which basically explains everything else.

Bye.

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Introspection

The earliest picture I have of Eric and myself is from the 70s. We played sports together in the YMCA. Our team was called the Dodgers. We both lived in the San Fernando Valley. We enjoyed competition. Football, basketball, tennis, billiards, foosball, ping-pong. You name it. And it is an honor to say we remain true friends to this day. Although we talk less and less I will always consider Eric a faithful companion. My fondest memories were from the late 80's when he and I and my mom all lived together in Woodland Hills. If any of us had something we needed to bitch about we would talk it out. Patiently. With emotion. But we also loved to laugh and dance and smoke weed and play board games. We were a formidable trio. The thing I admire most about my dear friend is his loyalty. I could trust Eric. He was sensitive. He could always relate. And his love and generosity for my mom was remarkable. Probably the most compassionate gift I have ever witnessed.

Thank you, Eric. Godspeed.

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An Offering

So I've been working on this video project for the last two months. It's called Perpetual Tea, or, Preparing Our Minds for Anything. It will debut in the Asian Fusion show at the Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford, VA on August 21st and it will run through September 22nd. The installation is an offering of fifteen 1-minute meditation videos displayed in a tatami room. A zafu and zabuton cushion will be available for the viewer to sit and experience the tableau. I've been practicing yoga and meditation since 1986. Crazy.

Here is a sneak peek of the offering.

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Beginner's Mind

64 ounces of fresh pack. There was a time in my life when I thought a jalapeño was hot. Perhaps I was a bit more sensitive back in the day. Thanks to growing up in Los Angeles and New York City, I've seen a fair dose of heat. I'm simply used to being confronted in this manner. In fact, I can't remember the last time my senses were shocked. But I'm not a full-on tough guy. This doesn't appeal to me. Being a tough guy. Talking trash. Nah. Because the habanero. The habanero has my ass.

I whimper to that tempting fruit; humbled by its chemistry.

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Aromatherapy

In May, 2017, we bought 30 boxes of nag champa. Each box contained 15 sticks. Today we have 13 boxes left, which means, we burn 18 sticks of nag champa per month.

Carry on.

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Proper Relaxation

God I'm happy to be alive today. Is that too mushy, too pollyanna? Whatever. I don't care. I am going to be super compassionate today. I'm barely gonna say a word. I just want to take deep, deep breaths and be patient with everybody. Just tell me your dreams.

I will do yoga and listen.

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