Duncan's Blog

It was a job I once had when I first moved to Los Angeles and wanted to do all things HOLLYWOOD.

Casting Talent Resources

Most of the things I was in were single episodes of shows that are no longer on television. Some were short-lived programs that never got off the ground. Here and there I was in some scenes from movies.

It is not easy work. Sometimes takes can be taken over an hour or even longer. Imagine what it must be like when you are walking up stairs and the scene needs to be taken over and over again. "Put some pep into it," we'll be instructed. And sometimes you'd just be sitting at a table and pretend you are talking to someone nearby. Look animated, but not off-the-wall!

From time to time I think of signing up again. It doesn't pay much, but you do meet some curious characters. Unfortunately, I don't have much of a wardrobe anymore and I don't look young or trendy. But sometimes they just need a warm body with a pulse...

I am now a man of a certain age. I'm getting the calling. Well, at least there are those who offer to share with me.

I went to an andvertised meeting that was run by a woman who sells insurance. There was only one other participant. Thing is, I'm still working and will be continuing to work probably for another 6½-7 years. So far I've to plan A. I'm guessing MEDICARE will make itself aware to me for quite some time to come.

I'm not an out-doorsy person.

While I was in Yucca Valley at Starland, I was asked if I would want to join a hiking group. It was light weight. A few of the participants were familiar with the flora and fauna of the region. When they didn't know somehting about a flower, or a fruit, or a vine, they would snap its picture and look it up online. We'd get instant response. It was like following a docent at the botanical gardens.

During the trek I was reminded of the indigenous folk who inhabited the land before it was colonized. I can't imagine how they must have had to struggle with learning about the native plants and fruits and flowers. So much out there is toxic.

I was aware of the fact that I didn't have good shoes for the trek. In addition, I live in a city that is mostly built on a low grade (quite different than my urban walking in my younger San Francisco days). I was worried about ascending and descending earth that is sandy (typical of the arid desert floor).

Well, I'm here to write about it so I can safely say nothing untoward occurred.

I heard that said of someone today.

My aspiration is that someone might describe me as such.

I don't remember what the context was, but the phrase simply resonated with me. Is it something that I need to/want to write down or ocmmit to memory? I think it more something to share with my therapist. The goal in my life is to bring more joy into my soul and not be filled with easy-to-access anger or annoyance.

delightful [dih-lahyt-fuhl]
adjective

1. giving great pleasure or deligtt; highly pleasing.
   a delightful surprise.
   
   Synonyms: delectable, enchanting, charming, enjoyable, pleasurable, pleasant, agreeable
   Antonyms: disagreeable

I think the delight begins with the smile. Some folks can muster up a smile quickly and easily. I don't. It's as if the muscles were strained to make it happen. And when I look at myself in the mirror with the smile I wonder if I want to show teeth or not show teeth. I also am aware that the smile makes my eyes squint. There's nothing delightful about that. We call that weasel eyes.

What else happens? The mustache covers the upper lips and the crows feet become more noticeable. These days the lips also seem dryer if I'm not well hydrated or treated with Chapstick. In other words, the lips will crack or hurt when I attempt the pose.

But there's something more to being a delightful human being than just smiling. One has to make the onlooker feel welcome(d) or important. I tend to be quiet. Quiet folks are suspect. They're as questionable as those who opt out of FACEBOOK.

Maybe that will be my goal. Have someone say that phrase about me.

I am headed to the desert for a five-day/four-night men's retreat in the desert.

According to the geography on WiKi, the venue is in the "... Homestead Valley of the southeastern Mojave Desert. The nominal elevation of the community is 3,100 feet (940 m) above sea level; its highest point is the top of Goat Mountain that rises 625 feet above the surrounding area."

CMEN – Community of Men Enjoying Naturism

The venue is generally the meeting grounds for a California Men's Group known as CMEN.

...

The retreat has come and gone. It started on Wednesday at 1600 and ended on Sunday after noon. I was assigned a bunkbed in a large bunk that could accommodate five bunkbeds. Fortunately there were only three of us in the Bunk Room so we each slept in the bottom bunk and used the upper one to spread out our baggage.

I'll start with the negative aspects. I slept on two gym-style mats that were the size of a twin mattress. Even using two pillows that were folded, my head remained tilted (I sleep on my side). I had stuffed sinuses at night and due to excessive mouth breathing, I also had dry mouth in the middle of the night. The half bathroom was a bit of a distance from the bunk and I had forgotten to bring my handy-dandy plastic urinal. I found some dirt outside that was not going to be the fertile soil of desert vegetation and took my wizzes al fresco. In my behalf, I did apply tap water to the site before heading in for breakfast.

There were a variety of activities; trail hiking, heart circle sharing, tie dying tee shirts, butt painting, massage, and even BINGO.

Considering how large these events can be, this one seemed manageable. There were 26 participants. I had opportunities to chat 1:1 with select(ed) participants. Some conversations were pleasant and interactive. Others seemed to be challenging and one-sided. I couldn't tell if the person was sending body language messages by offering such short answers. I had seen from a close distance that I was not the only one who was communicated with thusly. Perhaps he is shy or has a(n) healthy sense of paranoia and therefore doesn't choose to share a lot. I--after all--can be that way as well.

I left with a sense that this would be a nice place to re-visit. I also don't feel the need to do that with any sort of frequency. The lifestyle was a bit too rugged for my taste. I'd prefer a bed that doesn't run the risk of my banging my head against the bottom aspect of an upper bunk. I also don't feel the need to be outside my comfort zone (i.e., my urban metropolis) for extended periods of time. I am not the outdoorsy type.

I would nonetheless recommend the place to those who want a retreat with like-minded male spirit.