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September 23, 2023
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That's fantastic. I particularly loved 'The Living.' If you haven't yet, you might read 'The Ice at the Bottom of the World' next. Peter Christopher and Mark Richard were students together in Lish's program.

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September 29, 2023
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Thank you, and the Parkway Theater. The stories I told about how Amy Hempel rescues dogs and tries to save them at the brink of death... those made a person in the front row weep. At most events I fixate on one person in the audience and tell most of the anecdotes to them. It feels less phony to me; otherwise, I become a barking donkey on that stage.

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That shot was epic Mr Palahniuk. Made my day.

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Now I have the trick to rule the world. thanks.

happy trails.

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It’s insightful psychology to consider how people intentionally and unintentionally move their bodies when they’re on camera.

I’ve also appreciated your attentiveness to such in writing and speech, and so much so that I can’t help but gaff at how you found a way to tangentially connect the Hero Shot with the Money Shot in your anecdote today.

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Doctors are very good at noticing "tells" in posture and gesture. The stuff I cite about looking right v. left was taught to me by an osteopath in the 90s.

And I loved how you connected Hero Shot to Money Shot.

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MTV played that Bengals video ad infinitum in 1986 but I watched it every time just to see that part with Suzannah because it was so cool.

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Right? Now it's a catalog of 1986 celebs. Mark Gastineau!

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Married to Brigitte Nielsen! They were on Oprah and she was ripping on Stallone, even though I think her best performance was in COBRA. 1986 was great.

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Beverly Hills Cop 2 was just on tv two days ago! But, I didn't think of her at all when I caught a glimpse of Gastineau.

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Best. Mullet. Ever.

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I don't know about that. As I was shopping online for Weber Smokers yesterday, I came across a dude on Youtube who was rockin' one, and didn't even take off his hat to show it in all of its glory. But, yes -- Mark wore it well -- and he might still be sportin' it today!

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Is it my left or your left?

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September 22, 2023
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Thanks for the nose bleed...

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Whatever you do, don’t look down and to the right or up and to the left

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Yours.

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Is that my yours or your yours?

Jk, I've been struggling with this since I was 6. Thanks!

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You should have done the Bull/Kubrick stare (face tilted down, eyes looking up towards the eyebrows) at the camera throughout the interview so that you came off seeming deranged.

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Looking forward to seeing you in KC tonight!!

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That was fun. I'd no idea the arts fair was also happening. Sorry the getting around was so hectic. Big special thanks to the four kangaroo helpers.

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Oh we knew it would be crazy down there haha. Got lucky on parking and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t a $20 fee! Payed nothing. Maybe it was because it was the garage by the Unity Temple. Come back on your next tour. PLEASE.

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Funny you mention Bret Ellis. I was watching an interview with him where he talked about Robert McKee being bullshit, getting death threats because of American Psycho, how he outlines his work, and at one point he kinda turns away from the mic slightly annoyed and comments on why do you get to be on Joe Rogan but not him. LOL! He would make a wonderful guest.

Also, I thought about something. When you compare something gross with food, like how you did with the hot dog bun on a string smeared with ketchup, does it make it more gross? There's something about comparing nasty things with food that makes it more grounded for some reason. Maybe it relates to the concept you talk about in Consider This, how you gradually bring someone from the known to the unknown? I don't know lol

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Hey, I can't help but back Ellis for the Rogan show. Maybe I get asked because I tell anecdotes? The British have a phrase, "stories you dine out on." Meaning that if you've got a lot of intense anecdotes and you can tell them well then you get asked out.

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Oh gosh, you're like a damn library of stories at this point! You probably have an anecdote for every occasion.

If only I had a decent memory...

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See you shortly. Im stating the obvious, as always, but all of this body language is great for action/gesture.

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Thank you for the kangaroo-ing.

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Here are the photos I have. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DeE23KDwqDRmGejQ6

Come check out the gargantuan art fair at Country Club Plaza if your flight time permits. Im currently down here playing music on the street. Head back east in a couple hours.

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I have 2 tickets to the event tonight in KC. I'm heartbroken that I won't be able to attend, but would love to donate them to a member of this group. First person to comment and is able to attend tonight is welcome to them.

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I don't know if it's possible to have more of a hero look than David Caruso in CSI: Miami.

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That side-eye moment was the only thing I always remembered about that video. I can’t believe I completely forgot about all the people doing the Egyptian hand jive. Oh the 80’s!

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My therapist informed me that when you appreciate someone, or find them relationally pleasing to be around, your right eye will drift to theirs. Ever notice that you don't just stare between someone's eyes, the technical-center of the person you're looking at? You can't look at both eyes, simultaneously, either. You have to pick one.

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Head down and to the left.

Head up and to the right.

Hero Shots.

Doesn't sound like Reptile Dysfunction to me.

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Thanks for the Bangles reference. I've done a couple of interviews--historian and writer--and the directors had me do the look down, look left move. That move made me look smart and gorgeous on camera.

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In that way, directors (good ones?) must be able to communicate a layer of storytelling with every aspect of the shot. It's that kind of intuition I always push for. Like with the Contest Photos. There has to be a tiny gap for the audience to fill in.

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