THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS was one of my favorite films from this past year’s SXSW film festival. Co-written and directed by Austin filmmaker John E. Bryant, THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS is finally getting its chance to be seen by a much wider audience. Starting Februrary 17th, THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS will be available through IFC Films ON DEMAND. In the Austin area, IFC ON DEMAND is only available on Time Warner. Check it out.
JOURNEY OF THE WORKING ACTOR – SAG LIFERAFT
February 6th, 2010 by txactor No comments »Tuesday, February 9th
LifeRaft Live Stream presents
JOURNEY OF THE WORKING ACTOR
Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Screen Actors Guild are delighted to continue offering innovative “business of acting” seminars to Guild members across the nation at no charge, via live video stream on the Internet!
LifeRaft Live Stream allows you to participate online and submit questions to panelists every Tuesday, 6-8pm (PT) through April 27, 2010. To learn more about the program, view the current 2010 LifeRaft Live Stream schedule and to participate in these events online, simply visit the SAG Foundation LifeRaft Live Stream show page at www.sagfoundation.org All LifeRaft Live Stream events are available for later viewing here as well.
The next LifeRaft Live Stream event is:
Journey of the Working Actor
6-8 p.m. (PT), Tuesday, February 9
Join accomplished Los Angeles actor/author Michael Bofshever www.michaelbofshever.com), along with his stellar panel of familiar-faced working actors, as he discusses a variety of questions pertaining to the many aspects of what it takes to succeed and live the life of a working actor. Topics to be addressed include the Foundation to Having a Career, Audition Know How, Life on Set, Agents and Managers, and the Art of Perseverance.
Michael has taken “Journey of the Working Actor” to over half the SAG branches across the nation and has garnered wonderful feedback – now, LifeRaft Live Stream is happy to share his professional insights with Guild members everywhere.
Guild members who wish to attend LifeRaft seminars in person may visit www.sagfoundation.org to register for seating at the events held at:
SAG Foundation Actors Center
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Mezzanine Level
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(parking will be validated)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2010, the SAG Foundation is proud to assist, educate and inspire SAG members in their careers, lives and communities. See you online!
Please note: If you are receiving multiple SAG Foundation notices you may have indicated a preference for more than one Foundation email region list. You may review and adjust this option at any time by logging into www.sagfoundation.org and viewing the “Email Notices” setting on your User Account page.
The Real Deal on Actor Reels from SAG
January 31st, 2010 by txactor No comments »This is an excellent video from the SAG Foundation LifeRaft series that was originally available only to SAG members. Whether you’re putting together your first actor reel or getting ready to re-edit and add your latest credits, there is information here for you. Top industry guests including casting directory Gary Zuckerbrod and highly sought after editor Wayne Rawley of Secret Handshake Entertainment tell what they’re looking for in a demo reel and offer sage advice on how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Headshot Depot – My Latest Experience
January 25th, 2010 by txactor 2 comments »On March 13, 2008, as part of my little treatise on headshots, I related a very positive experience I’d had, ordering headshot reproductions online from Headshot Depot.
Following that post, I received a few comments…4 to be exact…that were less than flattering for the company. Fact is that every business will have missteps and slip ups along the way. Actors are like any other consumer: we want what we’ve paid for. Simple as that. Unfortunately, all transactions over the internet don’t go smoothly. When that happens, when the level of trust that is necessary to complete an online purchase is somehow diminished, we consumers get a bit worried at the least and often we get downright angry. All that is understandable.
I know from experience how expensive it is for an actor to keep supplies of headshots, demos, etc. When we spend our hard earned money on these necessities, it really gets perturbing when it seems we may have been scammed.
Now, I don’t know exactly what went wrong for the people who posted negative comments about Headshot Depot on this blog. But I do know that I paid attention. It made me rethink my positive comments and it made me reluctant to place a subsequent order.
Recently I found myself running low on a particular shot I use so I needed to get some new prints. For a number of reasons, I prefer to do this type business over the internet: it’s convenient and I can do it at 1:00am if I want to, the cost is reasonable and the quality of reproductions I’ve received has been excellent.
In deciding where to place my most recent order I looked around at some of the competitive sites that provide headshot reproductions. After an admittedly quick survey of a few sites, I found that I still preferred Headshot Depot for several reasons.
The primary thing I like about the site is their interface. I can upload a photo, adjust the framing to a certain extent, change the background from light to dark, see what it looks like with and without a border…and all in a very few minutes. There may well be other sites that make the ordering process as quick and as easy as Headshot Depot…and I’d love it if you guys would clue me in….but I didn’t hit them in my search. So, with a little reluctance, I placed a new order.
Now comes the slightly negative part of the experience.
I order a lot of things online. I have become accustomed to receiving almost instantaneous responses following placement of an order. If I order computer parts from Newegg, for instance, there is an email confirming the order – in full detail – practically as soon as I hit the ’send’ button to complete the order. Same with most other sites from which I purchase.
Not so from Headshot Depot. I placed an order rather late at night, so I didn’t get upset at the lack of an instant response. When there was still no response the next morning, I started to rethink my decision.
But, not to worry, I did get an email response and it contained my ‘proof’. I was to approve and reply and I was told I’d receive another email regarding payment for the order.
Okay…not the smoothest way to handle the transaction, but I wasn’t being ripped off. Of that I was convinced.
Then…more waiting. I waited for a day or so and when I hadn’t received the email about paying for my order, I emailed the company. I was told the order was actually ready and I should be receiving a billing email shortly.
Later the same day I did, in fact, receive an email instructing me to pay via PayPal and I was good to go.
After paying, I’m accustomed to receiving notification from the vendor that they have been paid, with shipping details included.
Not so with Headshot Depot. Of course I did receive a notice from PayPal, so I knew the transaction was complete on my end. And so I waited.
About a week later the headshots arrived. They actually arrived on the day I had decided it was time to reach out again and find out the status of my order.
So…final opinion: Headshot Depot needs to upgrade their process of communication with clients and completion of orders to match the excellent impression they make with their ordering interface. The product I received this time lives up to the excellent quality of photo reproduction that I previously experienced.
Will I order from Headshot Depot again? I will. The service could definitely be better…smoother at least…but the product is excellent and the pricing is competitive with any other service I’ve utilized.
Today I received a follow up call from the owner who wanted to make sure my order had arrived and that I was satisfied. Now that’s good customer service. I relayed my ‘problems’ and suggestions to him and he seemed receptive.
If you have a good or bad experience with Headshot Depot let me know. I certainly don’t want to be in the position of recommending a service or business that is not delivering on their promises.
Bottom line: caveat emptor.
Demo Reels, Pictures and Resumes – Getting Your Act Together
January 22nd, 2010 by txactor No comments »The AUSTIN ACTORS CONSERVATORY PRESENTS
“GETTING YOUR ACT TOGETHER”
Demo Reels, Pictures, and Resumes
JANUARY 24, 2010 – Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballroom on 3rd Floor
Join the Austin Actors Conservatory for a candid discussion of what works and what doesn’t and learn how to market yourself in today’s climate.
COST: Members of the AAC: Attend for FREE. Please bring your SAG/AFTRA card for admittance (as a reminder all members of AAC must be paid up and in good standing with their unions). FREE for St. Edward’s students (must show student ID for admission) * Fans of the AAC: $20.00 *All others: $25.00.
Please RSVP for this EVENT: AustinActorsConservatory at gmail.com
Moderated by Tommy G. Kendrick
Our Panelists Include:
Pictures and Resumes:
DAMON WILLIAMS – Former Casting Director for Ricki G. Maslar Casting; Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting – in Los Angeles, Damon is a recent transplant from Los Angeles, currently casting: “Twisted Proverbs”, “The Everyday Sun Tzu”. Past projects include: “The God Project”, “Going Postal”, “Manfest”,”The Year That Trembled”, “Black Hole”, “My Best Friend’s Wife”, Speechless”, “XCU: Extreme Close-up”, “Always Greener”. Damon is also a SAG actor, AAC Committee Member and 2010 Script to Screen Chair.
Demo Reels and Other Marketing Tools:
PAMELA WEAVER – Actress, Filmmaker, Film Editor. Another transplant from Los Angeles, Pamela has been performing on stage and screen since the age of 6 years old, touring with the “Weaver Sisters” at USO shows, private clubs, aboard ship, army camps. She has performed in over 100 stage plays on both the east and west coasts, 15 films and 6 television shows. In 2006 she went behind the camera learning film editing, shot her first documentary which is currently in post and creates demo reels for actors. Her first paid gig as a film editor and DP was working for ESPN in 2007. Between acting gigs and chairing the Austin Actors Conservatory, she films and edits virtual auditions and demo reels for actors, internet advertising.
JONATHAN GRUBBS – Film editor, motion graphics designer and published writer, Jonathan has spent the last 5 years editing at a boutique post production facility in Los Angeles where he worked on trailers and television spots for major studio film releases. He now freelance edits and designs motion graphics for television commercials for markets across the nation. His current plans are to expand into visual effects, feature title design and feature editorial in the near future. Past clients have included Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, major pharmaceutical industry firms, a rock band, documentary and a local Austin independent comedy.
What the Professionals That Hire You Are Looking For – How to Get Their Attention!
MARK LANE — Producer, Capitol Motion Pictures — In 2000, Executive Producer Mark Lane produced the independent Film, The Cure for Boredom, starring Judd Nelson, Seymour Cassel and the late Joe Vitterelli. Fusing all his talent and abilities, Mark went on to form Capitol Motion Pictures, focusing on the production of quality feature films. His feature, the comedy “Checking Out” starring Peter Falk, Laura San Giacomo, David Paymer & Judge Reinhold, was released in September, 2006. Mark’s present position in the film industry culminates years of expertise both behind and in front of the camera. Mark started out as an actor in New York, eventually producing and acting in over twenty off-Broadway plays. Following the path of numerous talented New Yorkers, Mark headed west to Hollywood where he quickly gained recognition working as an actor on such network television shows and feature films such as Hill Street Blues, McGyver, Capitol, Miss Lonely Hearts, Chud 2, Friday the 13th, Fire in the Night, Mass Appeal, Sex & Bullets. Desiring to expand his creativity, Mark began working behind the camera on numerous projects for the three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC; as well as for several motion picture studios, including: Paramount Pictures, Universal, Warner Brothers and Lion’s Gate, to name a few. Quickly, Mark rose to Producer, heading up three feature shorts for HBO/Showtime: When Angels Cry, Galatea’s Wish, and Hope’s Creek. He also produced and directed the nominated documentary, Our Father the Bank Robber. Mark studied acting in New York City under the tutelage of Lee Strassberg, Warren Robertson, Uta Hagen & Herbert Berghoff and Alan Rich in Los Angeles. The completion of two films this year ”Bittersweet” won highest honors this years at World fest 2009 Houston starring James Brolin & Kip Pardue and “Shadows” starring William Hurt & Cary Elwes are slated for release this year. The Tribeca Film festival has requested Shadows to have our world premiere for their festival this April 2010.
GARY CHASON, Director, virtually grew up in the theater. He and his two sisters, from the moment they could walk and talk, put on shows for family and friends. He studied classical ballet at Houston Ballet’s academy as well as vocal music, singing in the chorus of the Houston Grand Opera’s production of Tales of Hoffman. He took up directing at the University of Texas and set his sights on becoming an avant garde, experimental writer/director. He created Houston Laboratory Theatre in 1970 and directed an innovative Romeo and Juliet that received excellent notices. He produced and directed one of the most controversial stage productions in Houston during the Seventies: The Beard, an erotic one-act staged at an art gallery in the Montrose District. He also directed two of his original plays at the Equinox Theater: Charlie’s Ear and Denizens. He has had a distinguished career in motion pictures as a Casting Director and Dialogue/Dialect Coach. His casting credits include: The Last Picture Show; Paper Moon; The Getaway; Pretty Baby; and Paris, Texas. He has worked closely with directors Robert Altman, Peter Bogdanovich, Sam Peckinpah, Michael Ritchie, Louis Malle, and Wim Wenders. As a Dialogue/Dialect Coach he has tutored Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Cloris Leachman, Brooke Shields, Tatum O’Neal, C. Thomas Howell, and Ann-Margret. His first feature film as a Writer-Director, Charlie’s Ear, won the Critics’ Prize at Mannheim and all the top awards – Best Film, Actor, Director, and Cinematography – at the IMAGFIC festival in Madrid. He produced The Trust, an award-winning feature film starring Karen Black and Sam Bottoms, and has produced, directed, and/or written numerous shorts: Mama Icy’s House; From Nowheresville; Ink on Paper; Little Beauties; A Few Letters Off; More Than Two Dollars, and My Name Is Jeffrey and I’m a Serial Killer. In the field of Corporate Training Videos his clients include Service Corporation International, Shell Oil, The American Bar Association, The Texas Young Lawyers Association, Liveris Digital Productions, Hoefler Associates, and The Escape School. His first book, Acting for the Real World: Notes on Television and Motion Picture Acting, will be published soon by FSE Publishing and his screenplays, Succubus Crystal, My Princess, and Faces of Stone, won, respectively, gold, silver, and bronze awards at WorldFest Houston. As an actor, he has appeared as a supporting player in the feature films Brewster McCloud, Zombies of Sugar Hill, Burger Wars, and My Best Friend is a Vampire. His first starring role as “Dusty” in the indie feature Dear Pillow has earned rave reviews in Variety, The Orlando Weekly, Film Threat, Indie Slate Magazine, and Playback St. Louis. He produced and directed Everything or Nothing, an HD feature starring Natasha Melnick in ’04, which was finished in ‘06. It was written by Sue Rock. God Thinks You’re a Loser, an HD feature he wrote and directed, was completed in 2008.
Rhett Butler Box Set – Helps Brother Fight Brain Cancer
December 22nd, 2009 by txactor No comments »Saw a little story in today’s Austin American Statesman about Dallas guitarist Rhett Butler helping his brother, Ashley in the brother’s fight against brain cancer. Butler has a great box set for $45 that would make a great Christmas or other holiday gift. The money goes to help defray medical expenses for his brother who has been battling brain cancer on and off since he was 2 years old. He’s now 28, I believe. Check out the link if so inclined. I ordered this morning and I hope you do as well.
Go to Rhett Butler.org to order.
Dirty Bomb Diaries -Interview with the Creators
November 8th, 2009 by txactor No comments »
Still from Web.Files interview with creators of BMB: Dirty Bomb Diaries
We’re at the beginning of a new age of ‘television’ and ‘film’ production and distribution. Some of the old models of content delivery are getting some competition and some are likely to fade altogether. For actors and all creatives this new model offers some great opportunities. No longer will it be absolutely necessary to live in one of the major markets in order to work in and hopefully, make a living in, ‘the business’. Take a look at this interview, check out some of the episodes of this and other web series on strike.tv or your favorite distribution channel.
Director Tim McCanlies Makes ALABAMA MOON Shine
October 27th, 2009 by txactor 1 comment »
Alabama Moon Poster
But how many times have you gone to a film based on a book you love, only to be disappointed in the results? Too many, sad to say.
McCanlies, who directed from a script co-written by Key, had more than a few challenges with this project. Mix together a limited budget, a relatively short shooting schedule and a story that requires kid actors to carry the film and the ingredients for a less than stellar result are all at hand.
Not to worry. ALABAMA MOON the film more than lives up to the promise of the novel.
For those who aren’t familiar with ALABAMA MOON, it’s the coming of age story of an eleven year old named Moon who has been raised in the Alabama wilderness by his survivalist father, Pap. Pap, distrustful of all outside elements, particularly ‘the government’ has raised Moon in his own image – friendless, self-sufficient and able to live off the land. This is ‘home schooling’ in its rawest form. Moon can read and write, but he can also trap game, start a fire without matches and has a rudimentary knowledge of medicinal herbs. Moon has been raised to distrust anyone but Pap and to live on his own.
For years, Pap and Moon have inhabited a dense growth of Alabama forest that is owned by a paper company. When the paper company sells of a portion of the land to developers, their solitary world is threatened. Then the unexpected, and to Moon, the unbelievable happens.
Pap is injured in a fall, suffering a compound fracture to his leg. Moon does his best to doctor Pap, but he is a kid after all. With no medical treatment, the unexpected becomes the undeniable truth. Pap dies and Moon is left to fend for himself. In his final instructions to Moon, Pap tells him he has to get away from the encroaching development. Run from ‘the government’. Pap tells Moon to go west, preferably to Alaska where Moon can hook up with other people who are self-reliant and who ‘think like we do’.
Thus Moon is set off into a journey of discovery. A journey that quickly has him in trouble with the outside world. But a journey that brings him into contact with people his own age for the first time in his life.
ALABAMA MOON is something of a ‘throw-back’ film. The film is refreshingly free of helicopter searches, infrared scopes and and night vision goggles. This is a film that seems more in the mold of the classic Disney pictures that mined similar territory. And that’s a good thing.
McCanlies keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace and elicits first class performances from a uniformly strong cast.
Jimmy Bennett, as Moon, has the acting chops to go well beyond the surface of this nicely written character and he delivers a first rate performance.
Casting of Clint Howard as Moon’s nemesis, Constable Sanders, was a stroke of good luck for the production. In the after-film Q&A, Howard told how he served as sort of an on-set ‘uncle’ figure to the child actors in the film. How lucky for them! Howard also discussed a conversation he had with Don Knotts not long before that legendary comedic actor passed away.
Howard described Constable Sanders as ‘Barney Fife on steroids”. Howard, a former child actor himself (duh!) , added just the right amount of off beat humor along with his character’s threatening impatience and lack of empathy for Moon without ever going too far over the top. Don Knotts would no doubt approve.
Rounding out the recognizable names in the cast, John Goodman brought just the right tone and, pardon the pun, weight to the character of Mr. Wellington, the new owner of the land where Moon and Pap have been living. At first, Mr. Wellington appears to be at the root of Moon’s problems, but instead turns out to be something of a guardian angel.
Supporting actors add mostly solid performances and all are more than ably supported by the outstanding cinematography of Jimmy Lindsey, a surprisingly rich score by Ludek Drizhal and sure handed editing by Mark Coffey.
The biggest disappointment of this production from a Texas-centric POV is that it was shot in Louisiana. ALABAMA MOON was filmed prior to the passage of the latest Texas film incentive legislation and the Louisiana incentives won the day. McCanlies has been quoted as saying he could have shot much of the film on his ranch in Bastrop. If only.
ALABAMA MOON, the production, is in some ways a good template for filmmakers who must contend with modest budgets.
Start with a good story. Add a solid screenplay that has at least a few roles that are so engaging that they can attract name talent for a limited number of days work.
If you somehow manage the first two, add a director who can do good work while working at a fast pace. If you’re really looking at this as a template, you might want to avoid a story with child actors. You’d have to be really lucky to pull together a group of young actors who will perform as well as those in ALABAMA MOON.
For all of you who wonder where all the good family films have gone, look no further than ALABAMA MOON. Hopefully you can look no further than your local multiplex.
In a move that makes one wonder about potential distribution of this terrific family film, the producers have set up an online petition where fans of the film can use to urge American distributors to pay attention to ALABAMA MOON. Link to the petition HERE.
Hopefully, the presence of Goodman and Howard along with the strong following for Watt Key’s novel will result in the distribution this film deserves.
The Mamma Jamma Ride – My Thoughts
October 12th, 2009 by txactor 2 comments »
Getting ready to ride
When I signed up for the ride, I made an initial commitment to raise the minimum $500 required to participate and to ride a 13 mile course. Once I began training for the ride, I realized I could do much more.
Through the generosity of family and friends my total raised eventually hit $1595 and on ride day I completed the 46 mile circuit.
And we’re off
The ride wasn’t easy. It was cold. The forecast of a 70 degree high was way off and temps were in the 50s throughout the ride. But cold or not I figured I would warm up once I started peddling my hybrid bicycle, a Fuji Sunfire 1.0, over the hills and dales.
In fact, about 3 miles into the ride I was wondering if I would really make it. I was hurting like I had not hurt before so soon into a ride. Between the cold and the fact that 2-3 weeks prior I had pinched a nerve that caused pain in my left leg and numbness in my left foot, I wasn’t feeling so good to start the ride.
But by mile 10 I was feeling good enough that passing the first pit stop with a wave to the volunteers manning that station seemed like a reasonable decision. I could make it to the 20 mile pit, no problem, I told myself.
As rider after rider blew past me on their sleeker, lighter road bikes, I thought more than once that ‘next time’ I’m doing this on a road bike.
About mile 13 I glanced down at my back tire. Is it low? It looks a little low. I’m prepared for a flat but I really don’t want to stop even to air up the tire. Ahead is a turn and a couple of ride volunteers.
“Does my rear tire look low?” I ask as I slowly pass by. “No”, they say. “Looks Fine.” Whew…that picks me up a bit.
A few miles ahead, I breezed down an incline and around a curve to see a long asphalt ribbon climbing far into the distance as it reached the horizon. Yikes. “That looks steep”, I thought. Then I remembered one of my training ride lessons. DON’T look too far ahead. Focus on the ‘now’.
That was good advice I gave myself because the next leg of the trip seemed to be one climb after another. To be sure these climbs are nothing for the Lance Armstrong’s in the ride but for this over 50 year old with a pinched nerve, they were becoming somewhat daunting.
BUT, I reminded myself, “the next pit stop is coming soon”. A glance at my odometer and I see that I am nearing the 18 mile mark. Cool. I can make it another two miles and then I can rest.
A turn ahead. A sign.
“Pit Stop – 5 Miles”. WHAT?
Apparently my assumption that there would be a second pit stop 10 miles from the first was wrong. The pit stop was actually, logically, at the half-way point in the ride. At 23 miles. Time to play some positive mind games.
Happily there was some beautiful scenery along the ride route. More than a few times I wished I were out for a more leisurely ride (in a car) with my DSLR so I could stop and take some shots of the beautiful landscapes and the old barns and farm equipment I was passing. Slowly, passing.
At the 20 mile mark there was yet another hill. A biggie in my eyes. At this point I’m really feeling the problem from the pinched nerve. Even though I’m hydrating and taking electrolyte supplements, I’m on the verge of cramping. My left foot is almost completely numb.
What was I thinking by committing to a 46 mile ride? Are you crazy? Then I think about why I got involved in this ride.
Jane Kendrick.
Oh yeah. It’s about her. And the other survivors who will benefit. It’s not about me. Yeah, this is a little bit hard. But, it’s not CHEMO hard. If Jane can do chemo and surgeries and radiation, this is a walk in the park for me.
I shift into ‘granny’ gear. I’m trying to keep my legs moving so I don’t cramp up and do what I can to get to the top of this incline. At the top, there should be relief. A flat stretch, or maybe even some downgrade. I make it to the top and see that I should be only a mile from the pit stop. THANK GOD. I will most certainly NOT be passing this pit stop.
At a turn ahead, an enthusiastic volunteer claps and waves as I follow the right turn arrow. “Pit Stop” she shouts out as I peddle by, trying my best to look like I’m not actually about to croak. Turn the corner. Pit stop ahead. At the top of another, thankfully short, climb.
A large sign says LUNCH. Sounds good to me. But first a real pit stop.
Leaving the latrine area I see colorful signs and food tables set up on a small rise. Volunteers have some games organized and riders, all of whom seem to look much fresher than I’m feeling, are eating or throwing darts (at a board, not each other) or playing ring toss.
I take this opportunity to do some twitter and Facebook updates. Soon I get a few encouraging responses from my supporters who see my posts. Now I’m feeling better. A turkey club roll, some fruit, some water and the old legs (to say nothing of my backside) are all feeling like I can make it through the last half of the ride.
I ride out with two young ladies on road bikes. We chat briefly and all decide that it’s actually getting colder. “See you when you catch us up ahead”, they say as they pull away. I did see them ahead once or twice. From the back. And then they were long gone.
Thankfully, the second half of the ride seemed to have fewer climbs. Or maybe I was just psyched that this was the home leg of the trip.
At about 30 miles the pain in my leg starts to crank up to where its more than ‘noticeable’. Reaching into the pockets of my jersey I realize I failed to bring along any Advil. UhOh.
At that point I let my mind wander and by the time I reach mile 35 I think I’ve written an entire novel in my head. It’s amazing how fast the (seemingly) creative ideas can come when you’re avoiding something unpleasant. Like pain.
At mile 36 there’s another pit stop. This looks familiar. I’ve seen you before. You’re also the 10 mile pit stop. Not wishing to offend any of the volunteers, I decide I should stop this time and take advantage of their good work. Sure…that’s why I stopped.
Some beautiful person had made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut up into small squares and several of these seemed to be calling my name. A fellow rider, apparently someone I had actually passed along the way (go figure), approached me eating a cookie. “I see you’re going for the protein. I’ve going for the sugar”. “Nah”, I say. “I’m just going for the peanut butter.” “Well, I’m heading out. See you when you pass me ahead.” “I’ll look for you”, I say. She took off down the hill. Never saw her again.
Nice how the other riders are encouraging, intimating that I’ll be passing them when I get going again. HA! Not likely. But it was a very nice gesture.
The last 10 miles were the easy part of the ride. I pass a guy in a Round Rock Express mascot suit. Yes, the whole suit. He’s peddling along in some kind of recumbent bicycle…and making really good time. I don’t think I could do that. But then again, he was probably the only guy on the ride who wasn’t cold.
At 5 miles out I pull my phone out of the jersey and call Jane. I want her to be at the finish line when I get there.
By this time I’m feeling pretty tired and still a bit cold but there’s comfort in knowing that I will definitely finish. I look at my timer and I’ve been riding about 3.5 hours. I’ve been out almost 5 hours, so I guess those two pit stops were a little longer than I’d realized.
Of course there was one last climb near the finish but by then I knew I could just throw the old bike into the easiest gear possible and eventually I’d get to the top.
The signs ahead point to the finish line. I hear people cheering ahead as other riders ahead of me move around a bend and down an asphalt drive.
I’m not too far behind and I end up coming through the ‘Finish Line’ alone.
And yes, I did raise my arm in victory.
There’s Jane. Smiling a beautiful smile. My reason for riding.
“Stop”, she says as I ride to clear the way for cyclists behind me. “You get a medal”.
Receiving my medal from David Smith
Some Final Thoughts:
At this time Inflammatory Breast Cancer has no cure. But with the benefit of research that has produced better medicines and better courses of treatment, IBC does not have to be the death sentence it seemed to be when Jane was diagnosed six years ago. At that time the life expectancy for someone with IBC was around 18 months. She’s been cancer free now for over 5 years. If you have Inflammatory Breast Cancer, DO NOT GIVE UP.
The Mamma Jamma Ride Against Breast Cancer has raised over $500,000 that will stay in Central Texas to help those diagnosed with many different kinds of breast cancer.
Ten different area charities and resources such as the Breast Cancer Resource Center will use funds raised through this ride to assist survivors as they go through treatment and beyond by: providing rides to chemo or radiation treatments, living assistance for single parents who can no longer work, by providing meals where necessary and many other forms of assistance to survivors who need a helping hand.
It was a privilege to participate in the first Mamma Jamma Ride Against Breast Cancer. The ride organizers did a fabulous job. The course was appropriately challenging and it was perfectly laid out and organized.
To all the readers of this blog, I encourage you to find a similar event in which to participate.
