Thankful to Be a Poor, Free-Thinking Filmmaker

I'll tell you....

I have to be honest. I take living in this country of ours WAY too much for granted. Just look at what's in the news right now....violence and death in Tehran because your vote is not counted with their government corruption; those 2 girls filmming a project for Al Gore's film company in North Korea, and being sentenced there to 12 years hard labor....and the list goes on...

It's things like this; simple things; like being able to vote; being able to freely speak your mind; being able to just live and let your independent voice be heard; that make really value living in this country. Granted, people around here think I'm a nut; a freak because I'm a vegan in Bible-thumpin' cattle country; a pervert because I film truly alternative movies about my liberal, outspoken Mother, an old stripper; a bum because I'm not working a regular 9-5 job for the next 50 years; a queer because I'm in my 40's, never married, being a single independent hermit, and not already a Grandpa, married for the last 25 years...I could go on and on....

But I can't say how happy I am that I'm able to live this life, and let people make their judgments about me the way they do.

I wouldn't want it any other way. And to be honest, it truly scares me the direction our country is heading.

Look at this culture. The reality show loving, internet crazed, obese, lazy, self obsessed, fast paced nation we're living in. Everything's all 'Me, me, me'....the only time you hear from someone is when they need you for something and can use you....people would rather be fat, lazy and live a short life, instead of being healthy, vegan, environmentally active, and trying to save the planet. Those 2 girls in North Korea...over there filming about modern day slavery....they knew how that country thinks about that....should have never gone over there. I think there's enough going on in our own country that filmmakers can keep busy with getting their messages out before risking their lives globally. I think we need to start with our own country...then go from there.

That's what makes this country of ours so great. You may not agree with everyone; in fact, you may be like me; and not agree with about anyone; and be in a deep minority; but we have the right to think the way we want, and live our lives the way we want.

I'd rather be a poor, liberal, vegan, broke filmmaker in the most obese per capita area in the country, saying what I think, living how I want, and getting my messages out....

Thank God, if there is one, that I'm a poor, free-thinkin' filmmaker....

My Mother, Opal, THE X-RATED GRANDMA, talking about shit:



Get Mother's new STRIPPER book only online at:

http://thoughtsofastripper.webs.com

Our new documentary film THE OLD STRIPPER:

I Really Wanted a Beer Yesterday....

Man....

I don't know why, but yesterday, I was really craving a beer.

I don't get the cravings that much....since May 9th (67 days ago), I've only had a drink one day. This is the first time in my adult life that I've got this long of a period without drinking. I know this rehab's good for my body.

I'll be 43 next month....and for the last 25 years, I've been drinking regularly. I don't know how I lived through some of those drinking, partying years in college, living in Dallas, Chicago, Kansas City....man....those years are a blur. But I guess I'm not a true alcoholic, or I couldn't go without it. I'd find a way to be drinking.

I think it's good for my body being stuck out here in the country right now, without transportation or an income....or I'd still be getting drunk like a fish every day. I think about my rehab days I'm going through out here....and about how much money people spend to go to a rehab center. I guess when it comes down to it, I'm better financially and health wise being stuck out here.

Thank god I'm vegan....

Tomorrow I go to the dentist to get 2 teeth pulled. Mother and I will be paying my neighbor to drive us 50 miles so I can go to the free dental clinic to get these teeth pulled. I'm not looking forward to it. It'll be the first teeth I've had pulled as an adult. I don't think that's too bad for 43 years....

THE X-RATED GRANDMA aka my Mother: Talking about Shit

30 Days without a Drink...and Counting...

Well....the rehab continues here in farm country....

Today makes 30 days without having a drink. I can't remember the last time I've gone more than 30 days with no liquor. I can think of times I've gone 2 or 3 weeks; but never this long.

That's not a good thing. I remember back over the last 25 years of my drinking since I graduated high school in 1983...in the last 25 years, I always remember having a drink....this rehab time out here in the boonies is a much needed time.

It's probably a good thing I'm not in NYC right now for the AMC screening of my film PHONE SEX GRANDMA. If I was there, I'd probably be getting shit-faced with the free booze at the parties. I know this time is a good time for my body.

You'd think with me being vegan and so health-conscious, that I wouldn't drink either, because it pollutes my body. Isn't that something?

These last 4 weeks, I've had so much trouble sleeping too. In the last week, I don't think I've slept a total of 10 hours. I just toss and turn at night, and my mind won't stop working while I'm in bed. These last few days, My head and face has been numb and throbbing a lot. I sometimes have to take aspirin or Benadryl to make myself relax and go to sleep. I wonder if this is a withdrawal symptom from not drinking?

If it is, I just have to have the withdrawals...I'll get through it. I can sleep when I'm dead.

I just have to think of my life, my films, and PHONE SEX GRANDMA:



It makes it all worth it....