I was searching for a late night job that would leave my days free to write — non-stimulating work, somewhere I could wear grey sweatpants and my “Jesus: That’s My Final Answer, Regis!” tee-shirt. Who doesn’t love a timeless pop culture reference spun into a religious ad? I discovered a business called Autopilots, Inc. looking to hire late-night chauffeurs. The owner is a guy named Barry who bought collapsible motorbikes from Italy. The bikes are sixty pounds of lean mass,... Read more

Thanks, Barbara. Glad to be a Red Sox fan. That’s hockey, no? For those of you not wise enough to quit reading this blog while Barbara suns herself, I look forward to sharing my deeply spiritual, Protestant insight. After a week of me, everyone will flock to Mass. Let’s start with my views on reality shows, since I’ve worked on four of them. You could call me “an insider,” though you’d probably be the only one. Reality TV offends me... Read more

Good friend and Act One alumn, Dan Ewald, has graciously consented to assume the coveted COTM chair as guest blogger while I am in the Caribbean (feeling guilty about being on vacation in this particular week…but that’s another post.). Dan has an extensive background as a writer of magazine articles, teleplays, and screenplays, and – with his writing partner Rajeev Sigamony (also an Act One alumn) – just inked a feature deal a few weeks ago of which I hope... Read more

Your Hidden Talent Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people.You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together.Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly.People crave your praise and complements. What’s Your Hidden Talent? And with that, I leave for a week’s vacation. I will be back the week of the 12th. Read more

Here’s an email heads-up I just got from a friend… Barb- I was listening to the latest podcast from (NPR affiliate) KCRW’s The Business and they devoted 15 or so minutes to interviewing the Details reporter and talking about “Hollywood’s new God Squad” While the host should have talked to, I don’t know, you… the Details guy was able to go into a lot more detail as well as express sympathy for act one’s cause. I’m guessing you could either... Read more

Here is yet another two-piece article on Act One, and specifically the book we have coming out. This one is from the Christian magazine World. Some new quotes in there from the usual collection of Christian Hollywood suspects: Karen Covell, Ralph Winter, Scott Derrickson, Leo Partible, etc. Here’s the snip in the first part with me in it… But why would a Christian want to work in the film industry? The people WORLD talked to and the contributors to Behind... Read more

[Well, here’s another one. This was another hour-long interview during which I feel sure I said many clever and cool things. But here’s what ended up in the story. I don’t think it is too bad. I do think it was somewhat lousy to pair my statement about the calumny about us being fetus-obsessed with the Christian value of the sacredness of human life. Doing that is a bit of editorializing by the Post, as though we really are actually... Read more

1593 There came a Wind like a Bugle —It quivered through the GrassAnd a Green Chill upon the HeatSo ominous did passWe barred the Windows and the DoorsAs from an Emerald Ghost —The Doom’s electric MoccasinThat very instant passed —On a strange Mob of panting TreesAnd Fences fled awayAnd Rivers where the Houses ranThose looked that lived — that Day —The Bell within the steeple wildThe flying tidings told —How much can comeAnd much can go,And yet abide the World! Read more

Five Hurricane: Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major... Read more

[PREFACE: This is the kind of post that enrages lots of you, and earns me scads of sneering comments and emails. I can’t help it. Every now and then, I just have to return to this same theme…not for myself (ahem…) but for my many friends and colleagues all of whom could write the same message. “Tis a far, far better thing I do…”] At any given time, I have a dozen email messages in my in-box, and another handful... Read more