President Obama on the radio…

Since I was out of town last week and have been sick every since I got home, I didn’t have the pleasure of watching President Barack Obama — Wow! Still so cool to type those words! — take the oath of office in our nation’s capitol until last night. Yep, last night. Thank God for Tivo!

But just because I didn’t see the inauguration does not mean I didn’t hear it. My Slamdance roomie, Tyler, and I happened to be in his car en route from Coalville to Park City, Utah when the inauguration began. So, as we made our way through the snowy, sun-dappled mountains of Utah we got to hear Dianne Feinstein start things off with a bang…then lost reception completely.

The radio kicked back on in time for us to hear a bit of Aretha singing (did not get to see her crazy hat till later!) and most of the amazingly-moving “Air and Simple Gifts” composition. OMG…when those Copeland refrains started up…wow, not a dry eye in the Toyota, man. Powerful shit!

Then, magically, the reception on our radio cleared and remained clear for the entire time as Barack Obama took the oath of office and gave his rousing, heartfelt address to the country. I tell you what, amigos, I might not have seen that speech till last night, but I have been feeling it in my bones every day since Obama gave it. That thing was downright electrifying!

And though I videotaped the view from the car during the entire duration of Obama’s speech — it’s not very exciting footage and made me kinda sick in a couple really wobbly parts, so I’ll spare you the pain of posting it here — the few pictures I took of the radio on our drive were flooded with glorious sunlight. I know it sounds crazy, but if that’s not a sign of brighter things to come, I don’t know what is…

Que viva Presidente Obama!

Slamdance or bust!

Hola, amigos! Just wanted to remind you guys that my movie “Not Forgotten” will be having its world premiere this Saturday night at the 15th Annual Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Hooray!

I’ll be staying at the posh Best Western in Coalville, which I hear is where all the big Hollywood stars bunk up. Not! But hey, hotels in Park City proper are expensive, yo! But seriously, if you’re thinking of coming out for the festival, the floor in my room in swinging Coalville is all yours, baby!

Sadly, Christine will not be coming with me this time as she is what we call “very pregnant” and for some reason, the idea of riding on a plane to Utah and then trying not to slip and fall on snowy Main Street is not exactly appealing to her at the moment. Weird, huh?

Actually, I don’t blame her, I can’t tell you how many times I slipped and fell in snowy Santa Fe last year…yikes! Guess I’m more of a warm weather walker…or maybe I just shouldn’t wear my flip-flops in the snow…hmmm.

Anyway, if any of you are seriously considering making the trek to Park City for Slamdance (or Sundance for that matter!) you can purchase tickets to either the Saturday or Monday screening here. Also, there will be a filmmaker Q&A after both screenings, so if you’ve ever wanted to heckle me…now’s your chance.

And if you really wanna throw tomatoes my way, make sure and swing by the WGA-sponsored Screenwriter Fireside Chat on Tuesday the 20th at noon. Since most of America will be watching our first African-American President take the oath of office around that time I think the crowd at the Fireside Chat will be a little lean…so, you’ll be able to throw shit at me pretty easily. Yay!

Hope to see you there!