Sunday, May 27, 2007
Upside Down and Backwards
Last week I made a trek from HOLLYwood out to INGLEwood. "But why", you ask? Well, I'm gonna' tell ya'. on Tuesday the 29th I will be giving a youth drug abuse prevention seminar to the kids and teachers at Inlgewood High School. Now some of the more solvent schools and groups can, and have paid me quite handsomly for this one hour presentation. But this school is really struggling, as many others are and I just didn't want to turn 'em down. The kids out there still need what I got and I don't think it's right to ignore them just because their school can't pay. Evenso, I still have to eat, and I can't keep giving away prevention books which cost me at least $3.00 each to print. So, I decided I would go over there and petition the business community to sponsor my little show. The kids get the seminar and the books, the businesses get some good PR, and I get to keep eatin' beenie-weenies for lunch! Its a win-win for everyone. So I went over there and laid down my pitch. Spent two days going from place to place, group to group. One of my stops was at the Police Department. I know what you're thinking, "Ha, bet they arrested your dumb ass!" Well, in a word: "No". In fact I had a great meeting with the Lead Officer of the Community Affairs Division, Officer Robert Cavasos. We had such a great talk during which he expressed great admiration for what I was doing and offered his support! He said he would, in addition get me a meeting with his Commander so I could talk to her about speaking to all of their community Block Groups! Wow huh? One of my next stops was at Broadway Federal Bank where I spoke with the Branch Manager, Clark Smith. Mr. Smith read the material I brought with me and said he would run it by their coporate Marketing division and get back to me. "Yeh, o.k", I thought, "let it go and don't hold your breath". Few days go by, and then Friday evening I get a call from Mr Smith. The good news is that Broadway Federal Bank has decided to give me a Grant to conitnue my work and are sending Mr. Smith out to the school to hear the seminar and hand me a check! "So", you're probably asking, "The police that used to arrest you for robbing the banks who are now paying you are instead, now supporting you in the communities they protect"? Well, in a word: "Yes". See what I mean when I say, "I Live a magical life." I'm not just saying that. I live a magical life where miracles happen . Over and over again. All I do is show up and do my part. What amazes me so is that for so many years I was engaged in full scale pursuit of personal gratification and wealth, and even got pretty close some times. And yet, I know now that back then I had it all upside down. All upside down and backwards. The reality is the more I am in service to this world, the more it GIVES me. I don't have to TAKE it. All I have to do is give what I have to offer and the rest is already arranged for me in perfect order, rightside up, forwards, not backwards.
Whadya' Do When Your Massage Therapist Breaks UP With You?
The day began with a splitting headache. One of those that starts down at the base of my neck and shoulders and radiates, no, penetrates into the center of my brain like a hot knife. Worked out hard the day before, muscle sorenes, tension, pain. "Gotta go get a massage today", I tell myself. But first, it's off to a meeting and then work. Work: Nose buried in a computer screen, typing loan agreements, sending emails, designing print ads, learning about "search strings", tracking web traffick on my admin. page and blah, blah, blah. So tedious. I'm just not feelin' it today. Technology has never been my forte. I find it's learning and use a bit of a challenge. I always enjoy my time more if it's spent involved with other people, and yet, I'm not really up for THAT either today. But none of this is the real issue. Last night I learned that the two guys I was in tretament with BOTH relapsed, and, one of them had a stroke. Both of them had more time than I do and I thought they were o.k. It's scarey. The monster lies in wait, hideous, insidous, deadly devil. To top that off, I also learned that someone whom I thought was a close friend had some ulterior stuff going on that I didn't know about, and, which may make impossible any continued friendship. I'm delfated, my sobriety dampened, the luster knocked off my world like cheap, gold plating. Is this what happenes when "Life" shows up? Yeh, I guess it just is. What does one do when everything one thinks is true turns out to be false? I don't know. what I DO know is that I need a massage. I pick up the phone, dial the number. "Carmen? Can you work me in about two-thirty? I ask. "No" she says, "I'm moving to another practice, didn't you get my email?" "Email, what email?", I cry out! "The one I sent everyone... I'm moving to another practice, and yada, yada, yada." I hear nothing after "moving to another practice" and my mind launches into MY version of what I think she's saying to me. "She's breaking up with me!" "What am I gonna' do?" "It took me months to find just the right touch", and, "yada, yada, yada." I'm pulled from my internal dialogue by her voice: "Craig." "Craig?" "Uh-huh", I mumble. "You can come in Friday to my new office, o.k.?" she says. "Yeh, yeh, sure, sure, Two 'o clock" I reply. "Thanks Carmen." Click. "Well, I could go to someone else today, get some immediate relief", I think. "No, I can wait. New therapist, fifty bucks, probably wouldn't even do it right", I answer myself. Whew! That was close. Thought I was really losing something there for a minute. And so it is, was, with my two friends who lost their sobriety, and with my other friend who has, all along viewed me in a light I don't welcome, nor do I share. I have no control over what others do, feel, think or see. All I can do is be my most authentic self, be honest, give love and and hope for the best. And sometimes when I think I'm losing something its really just changing shape, form and texture, and also entirely out of my control. So I dropped in on my buddy, Mike N. down at Lucy's El Adobe today for lunch, and I ask him, "Hey Mike, whadya' do when your massage therapist breaks up with you?" "I dunno, what?" he replies. "Sometimes Mike, the best thing to do is absolutely NOTHING" I say.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Who The #!*@!$#!* Blew Up Hollywood Blvd...or, Who's Jimmy Choos are Under My Bed...or, Whatever!
Back in my old apartment as of last night. So many memories. But I seem to have slipped right back into it like a familiar old garment. My things, my space. So, it's out to the donut shop around the corner for my coffee early this morning and the first thing I see from the front steps is that Hollywood Blvd. looks like someone dropped a bomb on it last night! It's gone, er, well it's dirt now and there's these big trucks running up and down and bulldozers and...what the !#&*$#! happened ? Is this WWIII?! Then I realize they're just doing road construction and then my next thought is, "Why the !#&%^$ didn't they tell me?! As if I am so significant that the City of Los Angeles would send me a special notice to advise me of the pending mess. I have to laugh at myself, as I know you will.
Back inside, swilling the java, and, "wait, who's shoes are these under my bed?" "Women's shoes, Jimmy Choos no less, must be four hundered bucks! "Who the hell left these here?" I look 'em over, black high heels, "evening wear" I think. What woman would flee so hastily from my apartment that she would leave behind a pair of shoes like this? And more importantly, "why".
"Was it me"? "Or maybe my disgusting bathroom." Listen up guys, nothing will drive a woman from your arms faster than a filthy bathroom. And believe me, when a woman goes to the bathroom it's never just to pee. It has a three-fold purpose, the first being to pee. The second is a two part fact finding mission. First of all she's looking for evidence of another woman; contact lens fluid, (and she knows you don't wear contacts), "feminine" products, one too many toothbrushes, or "Secret" deoderant. The second thing she's looking for is filth. Filthy bathroom and you're done. It tells her all she needs to know about you and your romantic future together, which will be zero if you have a filthy bathroom. And be sure to get the walls and BEHIND the toilet...and always lift the seat when you pee and put it back down when you leave so as to provide a soft, inviting perch for her pretty little rump when she returns to pee again and search your medicine cabinet. I know, sooo much to remember.
But back to the shoes..."Oh, I remember the girl...and the fight." "Honey, you've got me fucked up with that weenie you were dating before me, the one you spent most of your time scraping off the bottom of those Jimmy Choos... the one who put up with it. " "Like I'm gonna' let YOU dictate my life?!" "Puh-lease" "Can't we just be who we are and get along." "No, you fucker!"
So much for that. God that was only three months ago. Seems like a whole 'nother lifetime ago now.
I hate"dating". I enjoy the discovery part of it, the finding out who the other person is, the unlayering, the slow revelation. But what I really like is the other side of that, the comfort and ease of just being with someone whom I enjoy, who makes me laugh and smile, who tantalizes my mind and curiosity, someone who "gets" me and is comfortable being loved.
I'm getting motivated to start looking around again. I just don't want any high drama. Why can't women be more like men? I want a woman who's in touch with the little girl inside of her, a woman who's down to earth, but smart. That mind being the sexiest thing of all. A woman who has her own life and knows how to live it without needing me to fit into it PERFECTLY and spend every waking moment together, someone who trusts me and knows I trust her and who doesn't have to be in full make-up and Jimmy Choos every moment, who already knows that she's the most beautiful thing in the world to me.
What I need is a full-time, "part-time" girlfriend who will let me do what I gotta' do and support me in THAT without trying to change me into some trendy, stereotypical, LA party scene asshole who's more worried about HIS hair than she is! Although , I sure like wearing my black, Bill Blass blazer and slacks. Most of the time I just want to wear my favorite pair of jeans and scuffed up work boots three days in a row!
I need a woman who likes and loves who I AM, right now. Who wants to share the spiritual journey of who we're both becoming as we travel THAT road together.
Oh, I almost forgot, we're in LA. Good Luck with that.
Women! Well, guys, if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in companionship with one of these beautiful, complex, precious, resilient and delicate creatures hang onto her, albeit loosely
and don't sweat it if she gains a couple 'o pounds or has a strange little quirk. Sometimes a woman's beauty is defined by her imperfections. Just be glad you're not out here "dating" in fucking LA again like me, and finding Jimmy Choos under your bed. Let the adventure begin.
I gotta' go rescue Hollywood Boulevard and clean my bathroom.
Back inside, swilling the java, and, "wait, who's shoes are these under my bed?" "Women's shoes, Jimmy Choos no less, must be four hundered bucks! "Who the hell left these here?" I look 'em over, black high heels, "evening wear" I think. What woman would flee so hastily from my apartment that she would leave behind a pair of shoes like this? And more importantly, "why".
"Was it me"? "Or maybe my disgusting bathroom." Listen up guys, nothing will drive a woman from your arms faster than a filthy bathroom. And believe me, when a woman goes to the bathroom it's never just to pee. It has a three-fold purpose, the first being to pee. The second is a two part fact finding mission. First of all she's looking for evidence of another woman; contact lens fluid, (and she knows you don't wear contacts), "feminine" products, one too many toothbrushes, or "Secret" deoderant. The second thing she's looking for is filth. Filthy bathroom and you're done. It tells her all she needs to know about you and your romantic future together, which will be zero if you have a filthy bathroom. And be sure to get the walls and BEHIND the toilet...and always lift the seat when you pee and put it back down when you leave so as to provide a soft, inviting perch for her pretty little rump when she returns to pee again and search your medicine cabinet. I know, sooo much to remember.
But back to the shoes..."Oh, I remember the girl...and the fight." "Honey, you've got me fucked up with that weenie you were dating before me, the one you spent most of your time scraping off the bottom of those Jimmy Choos... the one who put up with it. " "Like I'm gonna' let YOU dictate my life?!" "Puh-lease" "Can't we just be who we are and get along." "No, you fucker!"
So much for that. God that was only three months ago. Seems like a whole 'nother lifetime ago now.
I hate"dating". I enjoy the discovery part of it, the finding out who the other person is, the unlayering, the slow revelation. But what I really like is the other side of that, the comfort and ease of just being with someone whom I enjoy, who makes me laugh and smile, who tantalizes my mind and curiosity, someone who "gets" me and is comfortable being loved.
I'm getting motivated to start looking around again. I just don't want any high drama. Why can't women be more like men? I want a woman who's in touch with the little girl inside of her, a woman who's down to earth, but smart. That mind being the sexiest thing of all. A woman who has her own life and knows how to live it without needing me to fit into it PERFECTLY and spend every waking moment together, someone who trusts me and knows I trust her and who doesn't have to be in full make-up and Jimmy Choos every moment, who already knows that she's the most beautiful thing in the world to me.
What I need is a full-time, "part-time" girlfriend who will let me do what I gotta' do and support me in THAT without trying to change me into some trendy, stereotypical, LA party scene asshole who's more worried about HIS hair than she is! Although , I sure like wearing my black, Bill Blass blazer and slacks. Most of the time I just want to wear my favorite pair of jeans and scuffed up work boots three days in a row!
I need a woman who likes and loves who I AM, right now. Who wants to share the spiritual journey of who we're both becoming as we travel THAT road together.
Oh, I almost forgot, we're in LA. Good Luck with that.
Women! Well, guys, if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in companionship with one of these beautiful, complex, precious, resilient and delicate creatures hang onto her, albeit loosely
and don't sweat it if she gains a couple 'o pounds or has a strange little quirk. Sometimes a woman's beauty is defined by her imperfections. Just be glad you're not out here "dating" in fucking LA again like me, and finding Jimmy Choos under your bed. Let the adventure begin.
I gotta' go rescue Hollywood Boulevard and clean my bathroom.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Invisible Thread
So, I keep getting these letters and posts from people all over the country whom I've never met talking about how my book changed their lives or helped them in some way! Wow!
Last night I was talking with a group of people and someone brought up how we deal with loss and so on and I started talking about losing my mother and father so close together. When people bring this kind of stuff up it really opens the wound. Still fresh. So I'm talking and I look over and the poor girl next to me is wiping away tears, and I'm patting her on the back thinking, "oh crap, look what you've done now Craig".
So Mother's day has passed and mine is gone from this earth, but she still speaks to me through others. I have these two really great women in my life, surrogate mothers, or sisters really, who care for me in a way that's very special. Thanks M. and N. And even a couple of men who've taken a fatherly kind of role in my life. I hear my Mother's and Father's voices in these people at times, and when I do I smile just a little knowing that they're o.k., and I'm o.k., and that we're still connected by the invisible thread that connects us all.
I got to honor them yesterday by helping this kid who was just seven days clean and homeless and messed up and needing something to hold onto. I did what I could for him and I hope it was enough. Today, I have EXACTLY the life my parents wished for me, the life they tried to teach me how to live, and I know they see that now. Well, There's a couple other things they would have liked for me, but...well, they're just gonna' have to be patient. Hi Mom and Dad.
Last night I was talking with a group of people and someone brought up how we deal with loss and so on and I started talking about losing my mother and father so close together. When people bring this kind of stuff up it really opens the wound. Still fresh. So I'm talking and I look over and the poor girl next to me is wiping away tears, and I'm patting her on the back thinking, "oh crap, look what you've done now Craig".
So Mother's day has passed and mine is gone from this earth, but she still speaks to me through others. I have these two really great women in my life, surrogate mothers, or sisters really, who care for me in a way that's very special. Thanks M. and N. And even a couple of men who've taken a fatherly kind of role in my life. I hear my Mother's and Father's voices in these people at times, and when I do I smile just a little knowing that they're o.k., and I'm o.k., and that we're still connected by the invisible thread that connects us all.
I got to honor them yesterday by helping this kid who was just seven days clean and homeless and messed up and needing something to hold onto. I did what I could for him and I hope it was enough. Today, I have EXACTLY the life my parents wished for me, the life they tried to teach me how to live, and I know they see that now. Well, There's a couple other things they would have liked for me, but...well, they're just gonna' have to be patient. Hi Mom and Dad.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Kaleidescope
"This man LOVES women-the way women love to be loved. It's never about a body part, it's about the style, the spirit, the energy, the laugh. He 'gets' them.
www.marcolmsted.com/blog
Wow Marc, where did you glean all that from?! You gay guys just blow me away. Another straight man never would have said something like that to me or about me.
I feel very blessed to be surrounded by so many different kinds of people from different walks and their varied experience of the world. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a closed off, bigoted individual, afraid of the difference in others, angry and hateful. These differences, these unique perspectives of others have enriched my life so, and in so many ways. It's the difference between looking through a glass of muddy water and Kaleidescope.
Been a tough day. Morning meeting, gym, massage, kazillion phone calls, afternoon meeting. God, that sounded so ungrateful. A lot of people would kill to have a day like I just had. I just meant that it was tough internally. Started out in my head too much, me reverting back to old ways of thinking, trying to control outcomes, old behavior.
The big difference in me today is that I recognize and catch this stuff quicker now. I can spot it, own it, and seek a spirtual solution for it which is the only answer that works for me. Big Gift.
Received some very sweet emails from people today. Hey Rich Neumann, hang in buddy. You're top drawer stuff and I love ya'.
I gotta' thank Big Drew out at Fire Breathing Industries Custom Harleys. Thanks from the kids too! You're Da' Bomb.
Had a great interview with Greg Horvath at www.Letstalkrecovery.com last night. Donnamarie is in New York shootin' a movie. She's the next big thing, just watch! Whats up "Bring It On Girl"? Also met a guy on the show from The SO-CAl Youth Alcohol and Drug
Recovery Foundation. Seemed interested in doing some work together.
Not much esle to report. The saga continues.
www.marcolmsted.com/blog
Wow Marc, where did you glean all that from?! You gay guys just blow me away. Another straight man never would have said something like that to me or about me.
I feel very blessed to be surrounded by so many different kinds of people from different walks and their varied experience of the world. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a closed off, bigoted individual, afraid of the difference in others, angry and hateful. These differences, these unique perspectives of others have enriched my life so, and in so many ways. It's the difference between looking through a glass of muddy water and Kaleidescope.
Been a tough day. Morning meeting, gym, massage, kazillion phone calls, afternoon meeting. God, that sounded so ungrateful. A lot of people would kill to have a day like I just had. I just meant that it was tough internally. Started out in my head too much, me reverting back to old ways of thinking, trying to control outcomes, old behavior.
The big difference in me today is that I recognize and catch this stuff quicker now. I can spot it, own it, and seek a spirtual solution for it which is the only answer that works for me. Big Gift.
Received some very sweet emails from people today. Hey Rich Neumann, hang in buddy. You're top drawer stuff and I love ya'.
I gotta' thank Big Drew out at Fire Breathing Industries Custom Harleys. Thanks from the kids too! You're Da' Bomb.
Had a great interview with Greg Horvath at www.Letstalkrecovery.com last night. Donnamarie is in New York shootin' a movie. She's the next big thing, just watch! Whats up "Bring It On Girl"? Also met a guy on the show from The SO-CAl Youth Alcohol and Drug
Recovery Foundation. Seemed interested in doing some work together.
Not much esle to report. The saga continues.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Blanket Of Stars
I've had the enormous pleasure of co-designing and creating this beautiful travertine patio and chaise adjacent to my living room. It's now adorned with foliage and pottery and huge throw cushions and candles. I love these warm L.A. nights, cuz now I can sleep out there under a blanket of stars. And I am.
Dropped into the Burgouis Pig on Franklin next to the Daily Planet book store tonight. Strangers just walk up and sit at the tables outside and talk with each other. Tonight I had a great conversation with Lisa, and this older gentleman named Matt whom I always chat with up there. He showed me all these photos he'd taken at the DEA's Museum in New York. I gave him a copy of DK&C so he's been carrying those photos around to show me next time we met. We have an easy companionship with each other and I enjoy him. Hope someone talks to me when I'm an old man.
The bunch of us sat around and talked about books and language for a couple of hours. This one guy brought up how as a culture we have begun to mock certain words in our vocabulary .Words like "Honor", "Loyalty", "Chivalry" and "Romance". Come to think of it, I haven't heard those words used much lately, too old fashioned I guess.
I love words. They have such enormous power. One thing I have learned is that to make things happen in your life you have to speak it, you have to SAY it, put it out into the physical world, into the universe. Our words continue to reverberate throughout the universe causing things to happen constantly.
Had a conversation with another friend today. I have a lot on my plate, and at this stage in my life, there are people (not all), but some, who say I shouldn't try to live so much of my life right now. "Easy Does it" and so on. So I was telling him that, Life is so short, and that I don't want anymore regrets about what I did or didn't do, what I "could've" done or "might've" experienced if I had just seized each day as it presented itself to me. And so he said something to the effect that ordinarily, he would've agreed with some people who thought I should take it slower, and then he said, "But it's clear that you're not an ordinary person." That's so uncanny cuz someone else just said almost exactly the same thing to me the other day! I hope they meant what I think they meant! Ha-ha-ha.
Stay tuned. Bet I have another surprise for you any minute.
Dropped into the Burgouis Pig on Franklin next to the Daily Planet book store tonight. Strangers just walk up and sit at the tables outside and talk with each other. Tonight I had a great conversation with Lisa, and this older gentleman named Matt whom I always chat with up there. He showed me all these photos he'd taken at the DEA's Museum in New York. I gave him a copy of DK&C so he's been carrying those photos around to show me next time we met. We have an easy companionship with each other and I enjoy him. Hope someone talks to me when I'm an old man.
The bunch of us sat around and talked about books and language for a couple of hours. This one guy brought up how as a culture we have begun to mock certain words in our vocabulary .Words like "Honor", "Loyalty", "Chivalry" and "Romance". Come to think of it, I haven't heard those words used much lately, too old fashioned I guess.
I love words. They have such enormous power. One thing I have learned is that to make things happen in your life you have to speak it, you have to SAY it, put it out into the physical world, into the universe. Our words continue to reverberate throughout the universe causing things to happen constantly.
Had a conversation with another friend today. I have a lot on my plate, and at this stage in my life, there are people (not all), but some, who say I shouldn't try to live so much of my life right now. "Easy Does it" and so on. So I was telling him that, Life is so short, and that I don't want anymore regrets about what I did or didn't do, what I "could've" done or "might've" experienced if I had just seized each day as it presented itself to me. And so he said something to the effect that ordinarily, he would've agreed with some people who thought I should take it slower, and then he said, "But it's clear that you're not an ordinary person." That's so uncanny cuz someone else just said almost exactly the same thing to me the other day! I hope they meant what I think they meant! Ha-ha-ha.
Stay tuned. Bet I have another surprise for you any minute.
What!?: May 8th
Great workout at Gold's yesterday! I love my gym! So sore. I get to see May Rager out at MClay today. Just one of those people who transmits love and makes you glad to be alive. The rest of the day? So much work, and this is one of those days when I'm wondering if I'm gonna' be able to pull it off. I often get this way a week before it's time to pay the bigger bills that are right around the corner.
GREAT meeting with John Casey at Covenant House Youth Rescue yesterday! They've spent weeks reviewing my book, Drugs, Kids and Crime and I finally got this meeting where I'm thinking I might sell some books. Met John, finally in person and was touched by his love and dedication to the kids he serves as Director of Crisis Intervention and Outreach.
We spent an hour together and at the end of the meeting John asked me if I would come in on a regular basis to TRAIN THEIR STAFF in prevention and intervention ! "What?!" I think to myself, I'm signed up as a volunteer over there, and I know the book works, but Staff Training? I just thought I was gonna' sell some books!" Unbelievable.
Just goes to show, once again, that someone's got a plan for me that far exceeds anything I could plan for myself. Where I come from in life this is a miracle. Oh, and of course, they are gonna' buy some books from us too!
What was it I said just yesterday when I signed off? Um, let me see, Oh, I know what it was, "stay tuned and read about the next miracle right here".
Don't have to say it again today do I? Well, you get the idea.
GREAT meeting with John Casey at Covenant House Youth Rescue yesterday! They've spent weeks reviewing my book, Drugs, Kids and Crime and I finally got this meeting where I'm thinking I might sell some books. Met John, finally in person and was touched by his love and dedication to the kids he serves as Director of Crisis Intervention and Outreach.
We spent an hour together and at the end of the meeting John asked me if I would come in on a regular basis to TRAIN THEIR STAFF in prevention and intervention ! "What?!" I think to myself, I'm signed up as a volunteer over there, and I know the book works, but Staff Training? I just thought I was gonna' sell some books!" Unbelievable.
Just goes to show, once again, that someone's got a plan for me that far exceeds anything I could plan for myself. Where I come from in life this is a miracle. Oh, and of course, they are gonna' buy some books from us too!
What was it I said just yesterday when I signed off? Um, let me see, Oh, I know what it was, "stay tuned and read about the next miracle right here".
Don't have to say it again today do I? Well, you get the idea.
Technorati: May 7th
Adrenaline and sweat! Dropped into one of my favorite little hole-n-the-wall dance clubs last night and just went off! There was this wild DJ in there spinnin' the sickest techno/rap mix I've ever heard in my life! These local guys kept coming in off the street to rap along with, and the whole place just went nuts. Fun, fun, fun. "Stress Management"
. Heard from a professor who teaches addiction studies over at L.A City College- Glendale. He said that they are really impressed with my book, Drugs, Kids and Crime and think they want to include it in their syllabus as a required supplemental text for their classes!
Meeting today with the Director of Covenant House Youth Rescue in Hollywood. He's been reviewing my book for weeks and asked for a meeting to discuss using the book in their efforts to stop youth drug abuse. Such a big problem in this area.
DK&C is now on sale at Skylight Books at 1818 N.Vermont Ave. in L.A
The day begins
. Heard from a professor who teaches addiction studies over at L.A City College- Glendale. He said that they are really impressed with my book, Drugs, Kids and Crime and think they want to include it in their syllabus as a required supplemental text for their classes!
Meeting today with the Director of Covenant House Youth Rescue in Hollywood. He's been reviewing my book for weeks and asked for a meeting to discuss using the book in their efforts to stop youth drug abuse. Such a big problem in this area.
DK&C is now on sale at Skylight Books at 1818 N.Vermont Ave. in L.A
The day begins
High Octane: May 6th
Wow! What a ride! So much has transpired since I took the reins of this company, both professionally and personally. I've always lived a high octane life, but now it's turned into a supercharged, high octane life and I'm hangin' on.
I was recently in a meeting with a Producer from one of our iconic, youth oriented television production companies, discussing how we might make a documentary film about Over The Wall. She asked me to tell her our story and so I did, and she just sat there with her mouth open, nodding her head and saying, "wow", "wow', "wow". And then she asked me how it was that out of two million people in our country's prisons, I was the only one she'd ever heard about who'd done something like this? I gave her some facts, but didn't really get into the REAL stuff, the power I was able to harness within myself that drove the whole thing. People keep asking me this question and so I think I should start answering this.
I found and began using an amalgamation of technology, science of the mind techniques that have been assembled by a number of different modern day teachers, who have learned to tap into innate powers that we all have, but have become blind to because of the ways we've all constructed our frameworks within, and contexts of the world around us. This is really all ageless wisdom that has been passed along in many books over 100's of years through thousands of people. None of it is really new. It just gets reframed, rewritten and re-spoken in various ways over the years and penetrates our awareness somehow.
In my book you will see that each chapter heading begins with a quote. Some of those quotes are attributed to "Unknown". But that's not exactly true. All of the quotes attributed to "unknown" are things that I said, ideas or concepts that came from myself. Why I didn't take credit for them then isn't important for purpose of this discussion.
Look at page 193 of the book and read that quote. This idea, this awareness is something that got through to me somehow and was the impetus of my writing and publishing endeavors, and which became part of the new foundation upon which I began my new life. There's a group that teaches these techniques called Landmark Forum and they can be reached at http://www.landmarkeducation.com/. It's experiential learning that will absolutely, positively GET YOU HIGH! Landmark science is at work all around us all the time in major corporations, medicine, the arts and every other facet of our daily lives. When you know it, you'll see it all the time and go "oh, I know what that is." Really wild.
Since I started using some of these tools, and others, my life has just taken on this ENORMOUS POWER! I have a friend who tells me, "God just sprinkles you with love everywhere you go Craig Farris." And it's true! I can't deny that. In fact, I own it! I own it and ask for it and repeat it and it just keeps happening.
I've met the most amazing people in these last few years, more in these last six months. Rich Neumann. Here's a guy we used to pay $1,000 a week to work for us, who now donates his time and money to help keep Over The Wall going!
Donald Layman. Incredible human being, mentor and friend who's guided me through the most gut wrenching changes and hardships and shown me how to handle them with grace and gratitude.
Met the most AMAZING woman named Donnamarie Recco, who's had me on her radio show twice already at http://www.letstalkrecovery.com/, and has invited me back for an in studio, one-hour interview on May 16th. This girl rocks! one of those magnificent beings who's spirit just exudes beauty and power. She's already applying some of this science in her own life. When you know it you can spot it in others a mile away. She's an accomplished actress and musician and you should check her out on MYSPACE.com
Also just met a fascinating writer/blogger named Marc Olmsted who's doing some work for Over The Wall and has provided me with enormous inspiration and support. You should check out his blog. He already has over 600 loyal readers. www.marcolmsted.com/blog
Then there's Lorraine Weiner and Greg Pollack out at Inglewood High School who are using my books to help keep there kids drug free! Lorraine once told me, "You were born to do this work" (drug prevention). Her and Greg are having me out to the School on May 15th and 22nd to do a prevention seminar for their kids. If you'd like to sponsor a drug prevention book to a child out there then please email me for info. We need the community's support to help these kids!
Oh, and I have to tell you about this incredible woman named Mary Rager out at Mclay House Rehabilitation in Sylmar California. She's not only the Administrator of the program, she's also a strong and loving house mother to all her guys and their wives and children. She spends HOURS after work taking care of them and their unique problems. Some nights she's up past midnight dealing with someone else's crisis and her dedication and commitment to these people is astonishing!
Just talked to the Book Editor, Kristen Mathews at the CBS Early Morning Show in New York about them doing a segment on Over The Wall!
And it just keeps coming! There's another text that I often refer to for guidance in my life, and one of the things that stands out in it is that all through the text it talks about "we" and "us" and "together", how we learn to, and live better lives as the collective, never alone, never "I", but "WE". My life now is a testimonial to that age old wisdom.
Another passage from that text talks about how as we apply certain principles "We now walk in the sunlight of the spirit". This is the transformation that happens, that intangible, ethereal "thing" that one can only truly understand if it's happened to them as a result of some work we do, some faith we invest in as we plunge ahead in spite of all that appears to be against us. But believe me, it WILL happen and when it does, we become channels for a power which allow us to perform miracles!
All of this wisdom is related, no matter what book we find it in or whom we receive it from. It's all science and it's all spiritual in nature as well.
I'm seeing this wisdom being passed along today in newer froms, like the best selling book and hit film, The Secret. New package, new framework, but some of the same technology which is once again penetrating the collective consciousness.
I still worry about the bills, and the deadlines and the pressures seem enormous for me at times, but somehow, the money just seems to show up! The problem seems to get worked out, and WE move forward just one more day. Today, people literally walk up to me and hand me money!
A guy walked up to me last night and handed me a hundred dollar bill. Almost every day someone walks up and hands me a fistful of cash to support the work We're doing and the people we're helping! WE.
So here WE go! Stay tuned and read about the next miracle right here.
I was recently in a meeting with a Producer from one of our iconic, youth oriented television production companies, discussing how we might make a documentary film about Over The Wall. She asked me to tell her our story and so I did, and she just sat there with her mouth open, nodding her head and saying, "wow", "wow', "wow". And then she asked me how it was that out of two million people in our country's prisons, I was the only one she'd ever heard about who'd done something like this? I gave her some facts, but didn't really get into the REAL stuff, the power I was able to harness within myself that drove the whole thing. People keep asking me this question and so I think I should start answering this.
I found and began using an amalgamation of technology, science of the mind techniques that have been assembled by a number of different modern day teachers, who have learned to tap into innate powers that we all have, but have become blind to because of the ways we've all constructed our frameworks within, and contexts of the world around us. This is really all ageless wisdom that has been passed along in many books over 100's of years through thousands of people. None of it is really new. It just gets reframed, rewritten and re-spoken in various ways over the years and penetrates our awareness somehow.
In my book you will see that each chapter heading begins with a quote. Some of those quotes are attributed to "Unknown". But that's not exactly true. All of the quotes attributed to "unknown" are things that I said, ideas or concepts that came from myself. Why I didn't take credit for them then isn't important for purpose of this discussion.
Look at page 193 of the book and read that quote. This idea, this awareness is something that got through to me somehow and was the impetus of my writing and publishing endeavors, and which became part of the new foundation upon which I began my new life. There's a group that teaches these techniques called Landmark Forum and they can be reached at http://www.landmarkeducation.com/. It's experiential learning that will absolutely, positively GET YOU HIGH! Landmark science is at work all around us all the time in major corporations, medicine, the arts and every other facet of our daily lives. When you know it, you'll see it all the time and go "oh, I know what that is." Really wild.
Since I started using some of these tools, and others, my life has just taken on this ENORMOUS POWER! I have a friend who tells me, "God just sprinkles you with love everywhere you go Craig Farris." And it's true! I can't deny that. In fact, I own it! I own it and ask for it and repeat it and it just keeps happening.
I've met the most amazing people in these last few years, more in these last six months. Rich Neumann. Here's a guy we used to pay $1,000 a week to work for us, who now donates his time and money to help keep Over The Wall going!
Donald Layman. Incredible human being, mentor and friend who's guided me through the most gut wrenching changes and hardships and shown me how to handle them with grace and gratitude.
Met the most AMAZING woman named Donnamarie Recco, who's had me on her radio show twice already at http://www.letstalkrecovery.com/, and has invited me back for an in studio, one-hour interview on May 16th. This girl rocks! one of those magnificent beings who's spirit just exudes beauty and power. She's already applying some of this science in her own life. When you know it you can spot it in others a mile away. She's an accomplished actress and musician and you should check her out on MYSPACE.com
Also just met a fascinating writer/blogger named Marc Olmsted who's doing some work for Over The Wall and has provided me with enormous inspiration and support. You should check out his blog. He already has over 600 loyal readers. www.marcolmsted.com/blog
Then there's Lorraine Weiner and Greg Pollack out at Inglewood High School who are using my books to help keep there kids drug free! Lorraine once told me, "You were born to do this work" (drug prevention). Her and Greg are having me out to the School on May 15th and 22nd to do a prevention seminar for their kids. If you'd like to sponsor a drug prevention book to a child out there then please email me for info. We need the community's support to help these kids!
Oh, and I have to tell you about this incredible woman named Mary Rager out at Mclay House Rehabilitation in Sylmar California. She's not only the Administrator of the program, she's also a strong and loving house mother to all her guys and their wives and children. She spends HOURS after work taking care of them and their unique problems. Some nights she's up past midnight dealing with someone else's crisis and her dedication and commitment to these people is astonishing!
Just talked to the Book Editor, Kristen Mathews at the CBS Early Morning Show in New York about them doing a segment on Over The Wall!
And it just keeps coming! There's another text that I often refer to for guidance in my life, and one of the things that stands out in it is that all through the text it talks about "we" and "us" and "together", how we learn to, and live better lives as the collective, never alone, never "I", but "WE". My life now is a testimonial to that age old wisdom.
Another passage from that text talks about how as we apply certain principles "We now walk in the sunlight of the spirit". This is the transformation that happens, that intangible, ethereal "thing" that one can only truly understand if it's happened to them as a result of some work we do, some faith we invest in as we plunge ahead in spite of all that appears to be against us. But believe me, it WILL happen and when it does, we become channels for a power which allow us to perform miracles!
All of this wisdom is related, no matter what book we find it in or whom we receive it from. It's all science and it's all spiritual in nature as well.
I'm seeing this wisdom being passed along today in newer froms, like the best selling book and hit film, The Secret. New package, new framework, but some of the same technology which is once again penetrating the collective consciousness.
I still worry about the bills, and the deadlines and the pressures seem enormous for me at times, but somehow, the money just seems to show up! The problem seems to get worked out, and WE move forward just one more day. Today, people literally walk up to me and hand me money!
A guy walked up to me last night and handed me a hundred dollar bill. Almost every day someone walks up and hands me a fistful of cash to support the work We're doing and the people we're helping! WE.
So here WE go! Stay tuned and read about the next miracle right here.
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