— Well. July 2012 will certainly be one for the books. It’s too soon to make announcements but the percolating is actually coming to a boil, in so many areas. Business meeting with producers who want to rep my play. A meeting with an agent. To quote one of the producers, “You need an agent. Yesterday.” And I am learning that it is a powerful position, to have written something, to have created something. To be “grateful” that people are interested in it is the incorrect response, at least publicly. Own the fact that you have created something that people want. This is all new for me. I try to remember Tina Fey’s words: “It’s okay to be self-deprecating, but you can’t be self-deprecating about your work.” Mitchell texted me on my way to the meeting and said, “False modesty will get you nowhere.” This is, ultimately, very true. So the ball is in motion. No stopping it now.
— I had such a funny conversation with my cousin Mike earlier this week. I felt I needed advice going into these meetings. I needed to fill him in. I hadn’t even told him about the reading itself, and the triumph of it. I sat on a bench beside the Hudson River and we talked. It went something like this.
Me: Mike, oh my God, the reading. I wish you had been there.
Mike: I would have appreciated a phone call the next day, you know.
Me: Oh. Right. Sorry. I was overwhelmed.
Mike: You can call me any time of the day or night. [Beat.] If you want to talk professionally, I mean. I don’t care about your emotions. Don’t call me about your emotions.
Me: [going into the bit] But Mike, I have a crush on someone —
Mike: No interest. None. But your career? Your script? You can talk to me about that.
Me: But Mike, I have all of these EMOTIONS —
Mike: I don’t care.
Mike also said: Here’s the deal. You need to revel in this now. Don’t put it off. Because things are going to start moving fast, and you will have disappointments, and you’ll forget – you’ll forget what this moment feels like. So take that time.
Me: But I can’t because I have a crush on someone —
Mike: No interest in that.
[The O’Malleys can beat a bit into the ground.]
Me: And Mike, the last scene … it was so fucking uncomfortable … I was watching it and I almost couldn’t believe I had written it.
Mike: [gruffly] Well, what can I say. You’re a disturbed individual.
[We both started roaring.]
Mike: I remember when Three Years from Thirty [Mike’s first play] was produced in New York, and everyone was there, our whole family, my whole life, and it was this huge night for me, just huge. And I remember my father walking around at the party afterwards, and he KEPT SAYING, to anyone who would listen, “I don’t know who wrote this play, but he clearly has emotional problems.”
If you’re looking for traditional warm fuzzies, you would do well to stay away from the O’Malleys.
— I’ve been slowly making my way through Stephen King’s Under the Dome: A Novel
— Had drinks at the Algonquin Hotel with Farran (aka Self-Styled Siren) and James Wolcott from Vanity Fair. We certainly miss Scribbler and his joint, which has unfortunately closed, but it was a beautiful cool dark-wood-paneled space, and of course I love being there because it reminds me of that wonderful scene from They All Laughed. We drank, and talked, and toasted those who have passed, and discussed everything under the sun. It was lovely. Ed Asner somehow came up, and Wolcott said pointedly to me, “And, of course, who can forget Ed Asner in Change of Habit?” I roared. Yes, it was his best role, as the cop in one or two scenes from Elvis’ last movie. That’s the fun thing about being writers. We sort of track each others’ obsessions. It’s one of the funnest things about it. And no matter what, I feel safe and content with someone who knows/remembers that Ed Asner was in Change of Habit. It was a hot sticky night, and we were cool and happy inside that storied hotel lobby.
— I yearn for the beach.
— I had dinner with my friend Ted last night and we worked it out that it had been six months since we had seen each other. That is not right! I FEEL like I see him more often because I read his site, but there’s nothing like a little face to face. I naturally babbled my head off about everything that is happening, and he got about 10 minutes at the end to fill me in on his life. Well, that’s an exaggeration. This is friendship. It’s give and take. He’s excited for me. It’s all been so mind-blowing what’s going on. I have known him for so long. It is always so good to see him.
— Ever since I got my bed delivered, all of this great stuff has come into my life. I should have gotten a new bed years ago. If I had known that all my problems came from that old bed! On the sidewalk, with you! The new bed is huge, comfy, and symbolic of a new beginning. Hope loves it too.
Silo! I loved that new bed the second I saw those angels carrying it up the stairs for you on that humid Friday afternoon. Congrats on all the good energy coming into your life – you deserve every molecule of it!
Thank you, love. It was so special, watching that bed arrive with you on that crazy hot day.
Can’t wait to see you out at the lake house.
Yes I said yes I will yes.
Yup yup!!
So happy for you Sheila! You’ve worked hard, you’re brilliant and I’m not a bit surprised! Do avoid Alec Baldwin’s “Irish Negotiating Techniques” (per Tina Fey) – “They offered me more money and I told them to go fuck themselves.”
Haha. Well, it may come to that at some point, and I am certainly ready!!
right back at you. I am so excited for your goings on!
btw, looks like I’m covering another neuroscience talk for Capital NY.
Ted – wow, we made it come true just by talking about it!
Ok, I’m having shit luck lately, and I abhor my bed. Hmmm. What kind of bed is it? Is that too personal a question?
Kristen:
It’s a Crate & Barrel Colette Bed: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/colette-bed/f1480
Many thanks! Will see about the bed as soon as I replace the roof…
Very very excited for you! Wonderful!
Thanks, Bill. Would love to catch up with you soon!
Oh, it’s always about the bed. Let’s don’t kid ourselves.
DBW – exactly. The second I get a new bed, all this great shit goes down? I mean, come on.
I’d pay good money to see a guy say that to a woman he wasn’t related to. Bonus points for a deadpan delivery.
I can guarantee that Mike and I will continue this bit every time we see/talk to each other for the next 15 years.
Let’s not forget one of my favorite performances in CHANGE OF HABIT: Regis Toomey as the always angry Father Gibbons.
I have a couple friends who I can randomly drop CHANGE OF HABIT quotes to and with. It’s a special bond for a certain breed of Elvis fan. “He died, half way around the world. -beat- Now let’s go get some ice cream!”
“the always angry Father Gibbons”. hahaha. I love Regis Toomey. The Big Sleep!!
How bizarre that Elvis would be in a movie that obliquely deals with Vatican II. Like, how strange is that.
Laughing at that moment you reference – “let’s go get some ice cream!” Elvis in sweatshirt and hi-tops.
Wonderful news! I wanted to go to your last reading but couldn’t get out of a shitty waitress shift! I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now and think you are an original voice, and so smart and funny. I look forward to seeing your play, go, go, go Sheila!
Thank you, Regina!!
I just enjoy how much you treasure your family, Sheila–I mean everyone, but the men (big & small!) are so special to you.
Happy New Bed to you and Hope!
Oh the O’Malley men are the best men on earth!!
Thanks, Kate P!
So happy for you Sheila and all the amazing things that are coming your way. When your play comes to San Francisco, and I know it will, I will be there opening night, turn to the person sitting next to me and say ” the playwright and I have talked about Barbara Stanwyck and Cary Grant online before”. Of course they will think I’m a nutball but I will not care :)