random stuff, and save american dreams!
Mar. 31st, 2005 02:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fearlesstempI have been back for a week and I keep meaning to write about my adventures in Europe, but instead I find myself watching General Hospital or reading about how Cory and Shawn were so totally in love on Boy Meets World or obsessing about Battlestar Galactica and NOTHING GETS DONE. There are other important things I'm supposed to be doing, but I lack focus! And drive! As usual!
Right now the thing I'm supposed to be doing but obviously am not is: revising my mother's resume. Pretend I put the accent there. In the next few days I'm supposed to help my brother with a cover letter for a summer internship, too. Why does my family have such faith in my abilities in this area? I've been out of college for three years and have no non-temp-agency-procured job to show for it! I can't get a job for myself! Why would I be able to get one for others?
I told this to my mother and she just waved me off, saying I was being ridiculous. This was one of the rare cases where I think I was being logical instead of ridiculous, but then I remembered that I did get called in for interviews a lot (you know, before the job rejection destroyed my spirit and I gave up the dream of being hired for a job I liked), so I mustn't be so bad at it. That prompted my mother to say, "That's right! You are good at this!" until I followed that up by saying that it must be my personality that's subpar, not my resume (again, pretend I put the accent there), which caused her to backtrack and be all, "No! It must have been the resume! Or! Something! Don't force me to acknowledge your persistent failure!"
Anyway. It DOESN'T MATTER because I got into the MAT program I was hoping to get into, so off to school I go in June! I'm not really going off anywhere, since I'll be commuting, and it's the college I went to for my B.A. (oh, I'm so adventurous!), so I won't even be exploring wild new territory, but - it's happening. I'm excited and also kind of scared. What if I hate it? What if the kids don't respond to me? What if I can't get up early?
Career Pros:
-Vacations and snow days
-Being paid to ramble about random historical facts I find interesting
-Possibly, someday, earning enough to pay for another car
Career Cons:
-Getting up early
-Scary adolescents
Three beats two! So I become a teacher.
(at least that's the plan for now)
A few more anecdotes for the There Are Only Thirty People In The Tri-City Area; They Just Use Trick Photography Learned From RNC Campaign Commercials To Get Money From the State File:
-The other day on the news the lead story was road rage - Driver A cut Driver B off; Driver A and B exchanged words; Driver B called her boyfriend; Driver B's boyfriend followed Driver A through traffic until Driver A stopped; Driver B's boyfriend stabbed Driver A's passenger SEVEN TIMES. The passenger is doing okay, miraculously enough, and was: the nephew of my mother's closest friend at work, the son of someone my uncle Kevin works with, and the nephew of one of my uncle Terry's oldest friends.
-Yesterday I went to get an oil change and when I gave them my name, the oil change guy asked if I was related to Jim MyLastName. I gave my traditional answer ("Probably, he's either my brother, father, grandfather, or second cousin once removed"), and found out that the guy used to do yard work for my grandfather. Random!
-Today I met with R. for a tutoring session, which went pretty well. His girlfriend was picking him up after, so I waited with him to say hi (we've talked on the phone a lot, but never met, and I was feeling friendly). When she pulled up, I introduced myself, and she asked if I was related to Jim MyLastName. Turns out my father represented her through a really tough divorce and helped her out. Random again!
I have to file another progress report for R. soon, which is stressing me out because we missed a bunch of sessions between my vacation, his overtime at work, and frequent foul weather. I'm sure it will be fine (he says he's getting good feedback at work), but I keep worrying that he'll get FIRED and end up LIVING ON THE STREETS all because I WENT TO EUROPE.
I gave him homework! Haphazardly drawn up, sloppily written, but homework nonetheless! And he kind of did the homework! Sort of!
Okay. Enough rambling from me. Oh, but before I go, a quick PSA for American Dreams, which I really really really don't want to be canceled! I read this on a message board and thought I'd pass it along, since I know there are other people out there as determined as I am to continue to get their regular J.J. fix:
To the Friends and Fans of "American Dreams" –
When I first wrote the pilot script for our show, I had no idea where the series might lead. (In fact, I had no idea we'd even make the pilot at all) But I knew that I wanted to create a show about families. A show about raising children. A show that might provide a safe place for families to sit and watch together. One that provokes discussion and provides an entertaining and emotional distraction. An hour to get your son off the Xbox, your daughter off her text-messaging, and you and your spouse away from the TIVO...
And "American Dreams" has become that show to so many of you. You, our friends and fans, are connected to the Pryors and the Walkers. You recognize these families that are struggling, but surviving in the difficult times of the 1960's. Little did I know that because of the tragedy of 9/11 and the war in Iraq, and because of the continued struggle for the rights of women and minorities in the workplace, that our period piece about the 60's would be one of the most relevant shows on television.
You embrace our fictional families with a flesh and blood connection that feels so very real. (Much in the same way I do.) You worried about JJ in Viet Nam. You get angry with Jack. You feel for Henry. You pray for Helen. You get annoyed with Patty. You hope the best for Meg. You're happy she has Roxanne. You empathize with these characters, as you and your family struggle to survive our own challenging time in history.
You love the actors and the writing. You love the music and the pop culture. You love the classic artists and today's artists re-interpreting the great songs of the 60's. You love the way the show makes you feel, while you're watching it. . . and for a while afterwards. How it makes you feel about the characters in the show, about the stories, and maybe even about your own family.
You love the same things about this show that I do. And when I read your comments on line, I'm moved by them. Influenced by them. Grateful that you're watching and writing and critiquing and commenting.
Your support has meant so much to me. And to our cast and crew.
Please keep it up. You can make a difference. Your emails and postcards are being heard and read. In fact, I recently printed the latest version of one of your on-line petitions, and plunked the 550 page document on the President of NBC's desk! So spread the word, have people add their names to that petition, as I will do it again some time in April.
You can help me keep this show on the air. Whether it's on Sundays or Wednesdays or whatever night NBC deems right...
And this week, if you're moved to do so, please send your emails after the show, (to AmericanDreams@nbcuni.com.) The folks at NBC are listening, they are looking to see this Thursday morning if we really do have the kind of organized fan support that I've been bragging about.
I hope you enjoy this Wednesday's Season Finale. I hope it breaks your heart a little bit. I hope it leaves you longing for more.
With gratitude,
Jonathan Prince
Right now the thing I'm supposed to be doing but obviously am not is: revising my mother's resume. Pretend I put the accent there. In the next few days I'm supposed to help my brother with a cover letter for a summer internship, too. Why does my family have such faith in my abilities in this area? I've been out of college for three years and have no non-temp-agency-procured job to show for it! I can't get a job for myself! Why would I be able to get one for others?
I told this to my mother and she just waved me off, saying I was being ridiculous. This was one of the rare cases where I think I was being logical instead of ridiculous, but then I remembered that I did get called in for interviews a lot (you know, before the job rejection destroyed my spirit and I gave up the dream of being hired for a job I liked), so I mustn't be so bad at it. That prompted my mother to say, "That's right! You are good at this!" until I followed that up by saying that it must be my personality that's subpar, not my resume (again, pretend I put the accent there), which caused her to backtrack and be all, "No! It must have been the resume! Or! Something! Don't force me to acknowledge your persistent failure!"
Anyway. It DOESN'T MATTER because I got into the MAT program I was hoping to get into, so off to school I go in June! I'm not really going off anywhere, since I'll be commuting, and it's the college I went to for my B.A. (oh, I'm so adventurous!), so I won't even be exploring wild new territory, but - it's happening. I'm excited and also kind of scared. What if I hate it? What if the kids don't respond to me? What if I can't get up early?
Career Pros:
-Vacations and snow days
-Being paid to ramble about random historical facts I find interesting
-Possibly, someday, earning enough to pay for another car
Career Cons:
-Getting up early
-Scary adolescents
Three beats two! So I become a teacher.
(at least that's the plan for now)
A few more anecdotes for the There Are Only Thirty People In The Tri-City Area; They Just Use Trick Photography Learned From RNC Campaign Commercials To Get Money From the State File:
-The other day on the news the lead story was road rage - Driver A cut Driver B off; Driver A and B exchanged words; Driver B called her boyfriend; Driver B's boyfriend followed Driver A through traffic until Driver A stopped; Driver B's boyfriend stabbed Driver A's passenger SEVEN TIMES. The passenger is doing okay, miraculously enough, and was: the nephew of my mother's closest friend at work, the son of someone my uncle Kevin works with, and the nephew of one of my uncle Terry's oldest friends.
-Yesterday I went to get an oil change and when I gave them my name, the oil change guy asked if I was related to Jim MyLastName. I gave my traditional answer ("Probably, he's either my brother, father, grandfather, or second cousin once removed"), and found out that the guy used to do yard work for my grandfather. Random!
-Today I met with R. for a tutoring session, which went pretty well. His girlfriend was picking him up after, so I waited with him to say hi (we've talked on the phone a lot, but never met, and I was feeling friendly). When she pulled up, I introduced myself, and she asked if I was related to Jim MyLastName. Turns out my father represented her through a really tough divorce and helped her out. Random again!
I have to file another progress report for R. soon, which is stressing me out because we missed a bunch of sessions between my vacation, his overtime at work, and frequent foul weather. I'm sure it will be fine (he says he's getting good feedback at work), but I keep worrying that he'll get FIRED and end up LIVING ON THE STREETS all because I WENT TO EUROPE.
I gave him homework! Haphazardly drawn up, sloppily written, but homework nonetheless! And he kind of did the homework! Sort of!
Okay. Enough rambling from me. Oh, but before I go, a quick PSA for American Dreams, which I really really really don't want to be canceled! I read this on a message board and thought I'd pass it along, since I know there are other people out there as determined as I am to continue to get their regular J.J. fix:
To the Friends and Fans of "American Dreams" –
When I first wrote the pilot script for our show, I had no idea where the series might lead. (In fact, I had no idea we'd even make the pilot at all) But I knew that I wanted to create a show about families. A show about raising children. A show that might provide a safe place for families to sit and watch together. One that provokes discussion and provides an entertaining and emotional distraction. An hour to get your son off the Xbox, your daughter off her text-messaging, and you and your spouse away from the TIVO...
And "American Dreams" has become that show to so many of you. You, our friends and fans, are connected to the Pryors and the Walkers. You recognize these families that are struggling, but surviving in the difficult times of the 1960's. Little did I know that because of the tragedy of 9/11 and the war in Iraq, and because of the continued struggle for the rights of women and minorities in the workplace, that our period piece about the 60's would be one of the most relevant shows on television.
You embrace our fictional families with a flesh and blood connection that feels so very real. (Much in the same way I do.) You worried about JJ in Viet Nam. You get angry with Jack. You feel for Henry. You pray for Helen. You get annoyed with Patty. You hope the best for Meg. You're happy she has Roxanne. You empathize with these characters, as you and your family struggle to survive our own challenging time in history.
You love the actors and the writing. You love the music and the pop culture. You love the classic artists and today's artists re-interpreting the great songs of the 60's. You love the way the show makes you feel, while you're watching it. . . and for a while afterwards. How it makes you feel about the characters in the show, about the stories, and maybe even about your own family.
You love the same things about this show that I do. And when I read your comments on line, I'm moved by them. Influenced by them. Grateful that you're watching and writing and critiquing and commenting.
Your support has meant so much to me. And to our cast and crew.
Please keep it up. You can make a difference. Your emails and postcards are being heard and read. In fact, I recently printed the latest version of one of your on-line petitions, and plunked the 550 page document on the President of NBC's desk! So spread the word, have people add their names to that petition, as I will do it again some time in April.
You can help me keep this show on the air. Whether it's on Sundays or Wednesdays or whatever night NBC deems right...
And this week, if you're moved to do so, please send your emails after the show, (to AmericanDreams@nbcuni.com.) The folks at NBC are listening, they are looking to see this Thursday morning if we really do have the kind of organized fan support that I've been bragging about.
I hope you enjoy this Wednesday's Season Finale. I hope it breaks your heart a little bit. I hope it leaves you longing for more.
With gratitude,
Jonathan Prince
