S: Is for taking a stand

For years my friend Cammy and I have been trying to end child abuse and to change the laws that make it so easy to commit the crime. A typical sentence for an abuser is 1 year. For the victim a lifetime. In cases that even make it to court the victim is put through another torture while the perpetrator watches. The court system is unequipped to handle this epidemic that is effecting every aspect of society. It is time to take a stand. Tonight's column is not for everyone and definitely not for the faint of heart.

Do you remember February 1993 when a 3 year old was taken from a Shopping mall in Liverpool,England by two 10-year-old boys? Jamie Bulger walked away from his mother for only a second and Jon Venables took his hand and led him out of the mall with his friend Robert Thompson. They had been stealing from the stores all day and needed a new thrill. They took Jamie on a walk for over 2 and a half miles, along the way stopping every now and again to torture the little boy who was crying constantly for his mom. Finally they stopped at a railway track where they brutally kicked him, threw stones at him, rubbed paint in his eyes and pushed batteries up his anus. It was actually worse than this...

What these two boys did was so horrendous that Jamie's mother was forbidden to identify his body. They then left his beaten small body on the tracks so a train could run him over to hide the mess they had created. These two boys,understood what they did was wrong, hence trying to make it look like an accident. This week Justice Butler-Sloss has awarded the two boys anonymity for the rest of their lives when they leave they will be given new identities. We cannot let this happen. They only served a little over half of their sentence. They are getting away with their
crime with just a slap, thus sending a message that this is OK.

They disgustingly and violently took Jamie's life away - in return they get a new life.

This is real and to read more about this case here's the link: http://www.crimelibrary.com/classics3/bulger/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bulger

We have the opportunity to speak back by sending a letter to Justice Butler-Sloss @
www.cust.ser.cs@gtnet.gov.uk. Make sure that you put it to the attention of Justice Butler-Sloss. We need to protect our family and friends from people like Robert and Jon. One day they may be living next to you and your small children, without your knowledge. If Robert and Jon could be so evil at 10 years old, imagine what they could do as adults! IF YOU HESITATE FOR EVEN A SECOND...THINK OF YOUR SON, OR DAUGHTER, NIECES OR NEPHEWS! IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CHILD!

I know this case is England but it sets a precedence here. Also the statistics of them moving to the US are high. It is a F.A.C.T. that child abuse is happening. It is a F.A.C.T. that the statistics are 1 in 3 females and 1 in 4 males. Imagine the voices to be heard if we stopped accepting blame for crimes that were not of our own choosing. F.A.C.T.

T: Is for the total power of numerology

Numerology is the relationship between numbers and all things. It is an integral part of the cosmic plan. Each letter has a numeric value that provides a related cosmic vibration. The sum of the numbers in your birth date and the sum of value derived from the letters in the name provide an interrelation of vibrations. These numbers show insight into your character, purpose in life, motivations, and where talents may lie. Though often associated with alchemy and the occult it is a science. Numerology dates back thousands of years and is a Universal language offered as confirmation of the truth. Everything has a numerical relationships and it was up to man to seek and investigate the secrets of these relationships. I will be devoting a series of columns intermittently to this subject. Here is the basics.


DAY OF BIRTH: The Day of Birth Number is a powerful indicator of your point of view and general stance in the world. It is the day of the month on which you were born.

BIRTHPATH: The Birthpath Number is arrived at by adding your month, day, and year of birth. The Birthpath Number reveals who you are, what you do best, and whatever natural abilities you have.

DESTINY: It is in this number that the numerical values of your birth name come into play. The Destiny Number is the sum of your first, middle, and last name at birth. Just as the word "Destiny" suggests, this number reveals the purpose, the goal, and direction of your life.

REALIZATION: This is the sum total of your Birthpath and your Destiny numbers. The Realization Number shows you what you might accomplish, given your Birthpath and Destiny.

HEART'S DESIRE: Sometimes we convince ourselves we should or should not do certain things. Yet despite these intellectual considerations, there are certain desires, certain qualities that seem to influence our lives. Will your Heart's Desire (the sum of the vowels in your name) help or hinder you along life's path?

PERSONALITY:Your Heart's Desire (the vowels in your name) examines the inner you (what you most cherish). Your Personality Number is the outer you and is obtained by adding the consonants in your name. Of course, it is always best when the inner and outer parts of you are in harmony.

Number Assignments
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z -

The Numbers Revealed! 1 is ambitious, independent, and self-sufficient.
2 is supportive, diplomatic, and analytical.
3 is enthusiastic, optimistic, and fun-loving.
4 is practical, traditional, and serious.
5 is adventurous, mercurial, and sensual.
6 is responsible, careful, and domestic.
7 is spiritual, eccentric, and a bit of a loner.
8 is money-oriented, decisive, and stern.
9 is multi-talented, compassionate, and global.
11 is enlightened, intense, and high-strung.
(Also read the "lower" vibration of 2 above.)

22 is goal-oriented, a global planner, and inspired.
(Also read the "lower" vibration of 4 above.)

Everything that we can do that gives us insight into our inner selves can help us relate better to each other. Hopeully this will help demystify the F.A.C.T.S.

C: Is for Courtroom Coercion

Tis the season for pilots. What that means is that the shows you watch on TV, film. If they are good enough or have enough backing behind them, they move on to where you see them. By your watching them they either stay or go. These projects are done either by unions SAG (Screen Actors Guild)or AFTRA (The American Federation of TV and Radio Artists) or non-union. There was a time that I was both these unions and more but I gave up my cards (long story). Though getting my Equity card back was simple enough and anyone can buy into AFTRA. SAG has been my Achilles heel. They say we go through things for a reason and I believe I now know mine. I have always been vocal and have stood up for the underdog. Working Non-Union has definitely shown me who the underdog is and nobody is standing up for them. WHY!

I never knew the plight of being non-union as I became SAG and AFTRA early on in life. I just assumed everyone was treated fairly and reasonably. Not true. In the past year I have been blessed and cursed. In Law and Order CI (SAG) I was hired union as was paid and treated well. The same goes with 3 of the pilots I recently filmed (all AFTRA), and a couple of industrial and a debunked series. However I did a student film through UC Berkley and became involved in a mail fraud case that the police have. It took me almost a year to be paid for a Bollywood film I did. There have been projects where I have never seen the money and some high power projects can take up to 2 months to see and believe me the pay is not that great.

What makes me write this column is I was recently hired through a well known agency to work on a courtroom pilot. I was sent my contract. I agreed to it. Turned down a better paying gig because that meant I would of broken the contract. I showed up at the appointed time and was coerced into signing a confidentiality agreement. The reason I say coerced is because I would not of been paid had I not signed it. Normally this would of been fine except they broke their contract with me and all those who were hired by the same agency. Ironic considering that it was a court show and breach of contract is one of the things they decide. Because I signed this agreement I can not tell you the name of the show or anything about the cases, however, I can say TV is going the way of Borat. In other words completely fake. The cases are suppose to take place in California yet it was NY. Being from California I can tell you the look is very different and there is a difference in clothing styles. The people in the cases are coached by side teams that egg on the litigants. It was nauseating the lengths they went to. This isn't reality unless you are in the Stephan King novel the "Running Man". Jokingly I was picked by the producer to talk on camera about what I thought about the show. Even that was faked. I told the producer I hated the show. She asked me to find the positive only. The problem was, there was none. This is a show for those who have the mentality of Jerry Springer and the tabloids. To get around it without losing my sanity I kept saying it was so real and not like Borat. Anyone who knows me will know I was being sarcastic as I think Borat was the worse piece of film to be shown. Humanity should be up-held not degraded by false reality. It seems people can't tell the difference between real and falsified and some don't care. I do.

The beauty of writing your own column is you have a voice. You can stand up for what is wrong even if nobody listens, but maybe somebody will. Maybe somebody will do something about this. Maybe me. New York is a mecca for the filming community and there should be laws for everybody. Breaching of contracts should be illegal union or non and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the art of Augustus Goertz

I was introduced to the art of Augustus Goertz by his manager David Grossman. Normally when people want to introduce me to their clients I am reticent as I never want to disappoint and my taste in art is extremely individualistic and specific. I know what I like. When David showed me Augustus work I was intrigued. He works in several mediums including sound, sculpture, photography, video, printmaking and word making, though painting is his heart. To quote him "I see and do everything from the point of view of a painter. Painting is the philosophical/scientific, mystical/intuitive, athletic/aesthetic, meeting place. The texture of the universe is right there in the paint. Memories of conscious existence reverberate in fading color and dusty surface. The physics of the soul are explored in the lines and marks of intuition. Art, especially as expressed visually usually forge ahead or parallel independently scientific proving".

There's a throbbing surface tension and physicality in Goertz's work, brawny components brand his paintings and make them appear to pulsate before the viewer's eyes. Goertz pushes towards pure abstraction. His palette is earthy and urban as he exploits a wide variety of effects, from celestial mists of color to paint applied so thickly it almost qualifies as relief. In several of the paintings, alternating bands of dark and light pigment create an eternity of deep cavernous ridges.



There is a monochromatic feeling to his photography, though he uses color and sepia to surprise the eye. The process further involves painting over or around the photo-image along with other mixed media. While at the outset the content of these works is figurative and erotic, its as if the subject is being x-rayed and the viewer is allowed into the sancticy of human emotions. Internationally he is shown in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Copenhagen, and all over the US. Currently he shows at the Kim Foster Gallery.




The layers of form and color emit a ghostly hue of light. Goertz gives the viewer a sensory illusion of swirling light and dark against a wild and ravaged field. The paint itself looks torn by the passion of a soul wanting to be unearthed. his paintings make me feel like a child entranced by cloud formations. His creativity allows my creativity to take flight and that's a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for a find in the heart of New York

My friend Launa Eddy has just produced her 1st TV pilot staring comedian Elliot Chang. Who by the way was very funny. She invited me to attend the taping which of course I did. Her after party was at Latitude located at 783 8th Ave (btwn 47th & 48th). When Launa sent me the invite I was excited because I went to Latitude's website and thought ahh, there might be an article here. I was right there was. Latitude is a multi level tastefully designed venue that has something to offer on every floor. On the 1st floor you can sip on a delightfully creative cocktails at a 36ft bar or dine on a menu aimed to please everyone. The atmosphere was designed with comfort in mind as you can relax at a table or booth by a fireplace. Though I am glad winter is over it had me longing for a snowy night to do just that. The 2nd floor has a red vintage style billiards room, with classic furniture that also offers a fireplace and room to move. Across the way is a wooden based Mardi-Gras bar, with 10ft windows that look out onto 8th Ave. If you are looking for more exclusive atmosphere, the 3rd floor offers an Executive Lounge. Cooling and understated in its green/blue decor, this VIP lounge warms you with its beautiful lighting. There are 20 plasma flatscreen TVs making Latitude a perfect spot to catch a game. I have heard rumors of a seasonal rooftop terrace with a full bar which offers a terrific view of the New York City skyline. If that is true count me there on a balmy summer night. Just to tempt you they have 75¢ Wings (75¢ per wing, minimum 6 per order)Available with Honey BBQ sauce or Classic Buffalo (hot or mild) served with celery, carrots and homemade Blue Cheese dressing. I had them and they were juicy and succulent. Yum, is definitely the right word. I am looking forward to trying Spedino $7 Fresh mozzarella on bread, dipped in batter, lightly fried with a light white wine and caper sauce. For those of you looking for reasonable fare prior to a matinee or evening performance (They are right in the heart of the theater district) here are some items I found of interest.
Pulled Pork Sandwich $11
Slow roasted pork served on a fresh roll with a chipotle mayo & beer battered onion rings
Veggie Burger $8
Tuna Burger $12
Marinated freshly diced tuna burger with roasted red pepper aioli on a fresh roll
Pasta de Gallo $11
w/ grilled chicken $14 w/ shrimp $16
Linguine with roasted corn, pico de gallo & fire roasted peppers tossed in olive oil, fresh herbs & cracked pepper

If you are looking for a drink or a place to hang, check out these happy hour specials:

Tuesdays: Service Industry Night. Happy Hour until 9:00pm. ALL drinks half off between 9:00pm - 2:00am
Wednesday: "Treat Yourself" to Girls Night Out. All ladies drink $3.50 Coors Light and half price selected martinis from 7-11pm.

Happy Hour until 7:00pm starting May 22, 2007 which means $3.50 Coors Light and Miller Lite bottle and draft; Half Price Mojitos, Margaritas, and Select Martinis.

I loved discovering this newest venue especially when I saw that Latitude wants to be involved in your next charity event. They helped raise funding for Children, Cancer, Nature and "A Claire to Remember" helping to promote self-esteem and positive body image.

Thank-you Launa for introducing me to Latitude and allowing me to share it with you and that is a delicious F.A.C.T.