THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

I'm reading a book my dad's generation saw as one of the most important "self-help" books of the day, THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. Published in 1978 I must say the book has some very good, mature, difficult things to say. In fact, the first sentence of the book starts out, "Life is difficult." Once you accept that, things get easier and the possibility exists for one to become truly mature and eventually truly loving. It requires discipline to become mature. It's hard work. It's difficult. (Once in a while he'll use an example that verges on sexism, racism, or homophobic and nearly offends my 2012 sensibilities. I'm looking for the wisdom in-between the lines. It's definitely out-dated socially, but some truths remain timeless. And I'm finding some real gems.)

At this point on my artistic and personal journey we've explored the good stuff, it's the hard stuff -- all the administrative stuff -- that will take things to the next level. I understand I'm creative. But without the disciplined hard work (and long-term continuous sobriety), things will not improve. So showing up and following through are the things I will continue to work on.

I see Julia Cameron has a new book out called THE PROSPEROUS HEART. I'm sure it has a lot to say about artists being fiscally mature and disciplined. But what does is say about ARTIST AS PRODUCER? I see artists all around me that retain the "poor me" attitude that keeps them from truly getting their creativity out there -- and thus, keeps them from earning at what they love to do.

Today I'm focussed on the Salt Lake City run of CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY on Jan 20th, Phillips Academy Andover on Feb 5th, and Theatre Lab Houston on Feb 8-12th. We've got MISSIONARY POSITION brewing for late February in Salt Lake City. Still working on Sao Paulo, Brazil run in March. April/May brings THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY to Los Angeles at the Hudson Theatre. Just began negotiations for a Denver run later this year. There's the off-Broadway run of THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY in the fall. Hoping to do it in London later this summer . . .

I've got a Kickstarter campaign about to start for MORMON BOY documentary. I'm working with my co-producer/director/editor for MORMON BOY COOKING SHOW pilot. And the book proposal for MORMON BOY A Memoir is slowly materializing. Need to edit the audio CD "book" of CONFESSIONS LIVE FROM LONDON (Charing Cross Theatre).

Just emailed with my designer for CONVERSATIONS WITH HEAVENLY MOTHER: An Uncommon Diva about the the dress. And there's stand up to continue to write for WHEN ALL ELSE FALES . . .

So if all of this seems impossible . . . it is. Unless I chip away at it with discipline each morning.

I'm on THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. And even though my dad might not like what I'm writing and producing, I watched and listened as I saw him work hard in my youth. My dad had discipline if nothing else. Thanks for the passion and talent, mom, that I can back up with dad's discipline. I am grateful to be me. I'm looking forward to having a partner someday who can appreciate me. And I'm learning to be the kind of person that will appreciate HIM.

Note to kids: Sorry I get on your case sometimes. Inspite of my faults, I want you to have discipline, too. Once you graduate from high school, I will stand back. But until then, it's my job to be your dad, not just your friend. I won't be just a Disneyland Dad. I love you.

Business Wish List for Mormon Boy Productions, LLC

As I continue to establish my office in the midst of the Rocky Mountains there are many things I still need. If you have any of these items you would like to buy or donate, please let me know. These things add up quickly.

1. Printer (with ink and paper)

2. Scanner

3. Photoshop, Adobe, and other programs for in-house graphic design.

4. A second laptop for sound cues on the road.

5. Programs for editing sound and video clips.

6. A new computer and monitor for the office.

7. A good video camera for filming on the road.

8. Frequent flyer miles.

9. New luggage for national and international travel for touring.

10. A keyboard or acoustic piano.

11. CD for burning files.

12. An acoustic guitar for the studio.

13. Microphone for MP3 player and other recordings.

14. Office supplies from post its to file folders.

Thank you for your consideration. Please email me at mormonboyprod@aol.com.

Back in Utah!

I am so glad to be home in Cottonwood Heights where I can sleep in my own bed, cook in my own kitchen, work from my own desk in my own office. "The best thing you've done in the last ten years, dad, is get this apartment!" That's what my son told me last fall. And it's true. An artist cannot exist long without a proper place to call home. I've sacrificed a lot to pay traveling dues. I sacrificed my sanity! And so things are calming down. The cities are magical. I need them. But they are relentlessly manic. One must be able to get away.

That was my graduate school formula. I was living with my little family in Storrs, Connecticut while going to graduate schoool. I could drive into Hartford or New Haven. And then an hour north to Boston or two hours South to New York. I could get away to the city and work hard and play hard, but then return home. I love the country quiet. Now to find civilazation I just hop on a flight an hour or two east or west. I need the rural and urban balance. Too much urban and I begin to lose myself trying to keep up . . . and then I'm susceptible to my demons. (Although I could call the "Utah" voices demons, not just the "Chelsea" voices.)

My dear friend Julia Cameron ("The Artist's Way") and I talk frequently on the phone. She recently moved back to Santa Fe while I moved here to Salt Lake City. We both love getting away from it all. New Mexico and Utah both have it's mountain and desert charm.) But we both lament the challenges. Sometimes people in the smaller towns don't "get" her. Same with me. And so it can feel lonely here in a more provincial environment. But that is when you book a flight for an outside gig and get away to feel the thrill of connecting with other artists! Then I return to my hovel to report and write.

It's going to be a great day. My canteen is filled! So many projects to have fun with and accomplish. Psst! Looks like that pilot for THE MORMON BOY COOKING SHOW is still in the works. It's going to be so much fun!

The Miracle of Recovery

I am amazed at the beauty of recovery. I'm grateful I was able to meet with so many new and old faces in recovery here in Los Angeles. It helped me renew my committment.

Addiction is an illness, a disease if you will. But there is solution. It's physical and spiritual. Don't use or drink or sex or drug or eat . . . whatever the compulsion is. And increase your spiritual life.

Off to LAX for a New Year in Salt Lake City and beyond.

Great Meeting and Great Date

Yesterday started off with a great meeting with a theatre company about co-producing THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY in Los Angeles in April/May. Very exciting to potentially work with real theatre professionals here in Los Angeles.

Then a really good date at the Grove last night with a very cool and creative guy.

Los Angeles has been kind to me in the past even when I wasn't kind to it. I'm looking forward to a great working relationship with L.A. now that my learning curve is done and the honeymoon is over.

Off to see my sponsor in Hollywood now. 20 years sober. I'm in good hands. It's good to have someone to run things by . . . but I have certainly learned that ultimately it is up to me and my H.P.

Cheers! I keep saying Cheers! My heart must still be in the U.K.

Long Beach

I'm here in Long Beach staying with my friend Audrey. Got lots of great sleep last night. My cold is nearly gone. Just don't want to stress myself too much. I have my first "date" in a long time tonight. I'm on the broke side post-Christmas. Okay, I'm flat broke! Lots of emails to get out, lots of things to put into motion. Looking at possibly doing THE MORMON BOY TRILOGY at The Hudson Theatre on Santa Monica Blvd in April or May. They seem enthusiastic to discuss the possibility since they saw CONFESSIONS at the Coast Theatre several years ago. Cool. It's been good to see so many friendly faces and feel the sunshine of Southern California. But I am very anxious to get back to my home and office and my kids in Salt Lake City. It is a really great place to base. There is no sophistication there, but there is also no distraction. There's a lot of wholesomeness if you look beyond the opression. I have the urban t-shirts. I can get things done in Salt Lake. My prediction for Iowa tomorrow: Romney will win. Please let him win. It will help my career! :) Which will help the economy, right? Cheers!

Happy New Year 2012

There comes a time in every creative's journey when they must make a major choice after their first big success. My first success was the off-Broadway run of my first one-man show "Confessions of a Mormon Boy." The choice I had to make was either to stop and wrap it all up or keep going. In the midst of some huge personal and financial set backs in the last few years, my choice was to keep going. The choice wasn't always deliberate or clear. I made it intuitively little by little, sacrifice by sacrifice, inch by inch. But I am so glad I made the choice to continue. I am now poised for bigger things to come.

I've created so much artistically: new solo plays, new songs, new poems, new books, new plays, etc. When you are down and out, create! And for me that means write. I am so glad I decided not to change careers and go into real estate or simply teach, I decided to continue a career I chose when I was in high school. And I'm so grateful for the mentors and "believing mirrors" I met along the way who kept inspiring me to continue in the midst of so many "Utah" voices that would have had me give up on my dreams long ago. Most of those "Utah" voices came from family (immediate, in-laws, and out-laws), other blocked creatives, and old "church" voices--not to mention the voices within that would say, "You're too old, sick, untalented, poor, bad, wrong, ugly, grandiose, etc."

So I'm amassing a body of work. 2012 is the year for getting it out there in a bigger, brighter way. 2012 is the year to be a businessman. I have let the poet have free reign for several years. That, too, was a choice. To put the artistic above the administrative. Now it is time to take the poet by the hand and lead him to financial freedom. I have a vision board of all kinds of projects up on my office wall and a business plan ready to put into action.

I'm grateful for the creative journey. I never knew the ups and downs could be this up and down. But now that I've experienced both, I think I can navigate what lies ahead. I have a VISION of what is possible having worked in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Time to spin it all from the Rocky Mountains where I have calm and kids. More will be revealed as I back up my faith with hard work and discipline. And then to export it on a national and global level.

I've started the New Year from Los Angeles where I've been inspired by so many friends and the openness and optimism that only comes from the West. Anchored with substance and dues paid back East, I'm gonna find much success in 2012. Off to attend Church at MCC LA. I cannot do this alone. I need affirming friends, affirming family, and an affirming God. Non-affirming is not welcome this year. I welcome only affirmation in 2012. And don't worry, 2012 will be a whole new level of personal and professional accountability as well. Like so many, I have lots of debts to pay.  And let me just add, there will be lots of love to make this year as well! This is a year to date as well as create! And the plan is to do it sober, one day at a time.