tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18475647941990545682024-03-18T22:03:07.402-07:00Reel WritingLivin' large on my journey toward a screenwriting credit, one blog entry at a time...Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-31624871651644691242015-03-12T16:07:00.001-07:002015-03-13T04:08:52.490-07:00Fight the Power!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AhObboOwyk/VQIasLX-qxI/AAAAAAAACdU/wdZHtn0pBWg/s1600/AmeriMania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AhObboOwyk/VQIasLX-qxI/AAAAAAAACdU/wdZHtn0pBWg/s1600/AmeriMania.jpg" height="135" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today, I started a new novel, a satire of sorts, because sometimes satire is the best weapon writers have. It’s called AmeriMania and it’s about a middle school kid named Jake who is empathetic and kind, which is a really big problem in a country run by “Socios.” Here’s the first paragraph:<br />
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“Jake sat inside the principal’s office, studying a portrait of his country’s current president, a shiny black building in the shape of a thick bullet, known by everyone as the Homeland Corporation. President Homeland Corporation was the only president Jake knew. He was too young to remember the last one, President Yummy Food Industries....”<br />
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What’s so startling (and heartbreaking) about this project is that it will write itself. Time to channel Dr. Strangelove and all the forces of literature to fight against one of the most selfish, fear-based, hypocritical, sick and twisted, depressing and demoralizing periods in America’s history. Not that any of this will matter, but at least I’ll get some of the angst out of my system. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-23406087517268284762015-03-11T09:50:00.001-07:002015-03-11T10:10:08.495-07:00Luke Skywalker v. The Death Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So I've been thinking a lot about this documentary and this book.<br />
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I've also been thinking about what this country stands for versus the illusion of what this country stands for. I'd like to think we still stand for something. I'd like to think these two words still have meaning:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYy-Cj4RqP0/VQBqP3dneyI/AAAAAAAACcc/Nlax9xFWlPM/s1600/freedom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYy-Cj4RqP0/VQBqP3dneyI/AAAAAAAACcc/Nlax9xFWlPM/s1600/freedom.png" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mark my words, when we are all dead and gone, many years from now, Edward Snowden will be hailed as a hero and a patriot and as fine and loyal and upstanding an American as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Paine, Frederick Douglas, and every other exceptional spokesperson for Freedom, Justice, and the principles this nation is supposed to uphold. What a brave, courageous, unbelievable thing he did. It sickens me that we have sociopaths and evil monsters in incredible positions of power who are not held accountable for systematically dismantling these two words from the breast of every citizen in this nation. If we are truly an exceptional nation, than we need to start acting like one and figure out exactly what it is we truly believe. I don't want my life collected and used against me by any government agency. Ever. For any reason. And I'm tired of being so profoundly disappointed in government officials who refuse to stand up for basic decency and the right thing to do. Prior to spending time learning about this entire NSA fiasco, I was as far from anti-government anything as a citizen could possible be. Now? I don't know what to think anymore. Ever since 9/11, it seems our "best and brightest" are going out of their way to play into all the fears and evil tendencies that topple great nations. I will never support the Death Star or Darth Vader ever in my life, but I have to say, having spent a good chunk of time absorbing and fully understanding Edward Snowden's intentions, reasons, and methods in exposing the most unbelievable, evil, insidious and shocking government over-reach in our nation's history, I have come to the conclusion that Edward Snowden is Luke Skywalker, the lone champion who has dared to stand up for what is right and just and honorable. And the forces against him are supporters of tyranny, totalitarianism, abuse of power, oppression, villainy, and everything Darth Vader and the Death Star stand for. <br />
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I have always been a huge supporter of President Obama. I have always been a huge supporter of Hillary Clinton. But I have to say, I am in TOTAL disagreement with both of them on their characterization of Edward Snowden. He did every citizen in America a HUGE favor, and when our leaders aren't articulating that, they sound profoundly out of touch with reality. Maybe they have to say that, but I'm tired of listening to politicians saying what they have to say versus saying what is right. I'm tired of this country acting like such a hypocritical thug. I'm tired of sociopaths getting their way with no accountability whatsoever. I'm tired of all the greed, selfishness and petty authoritarian secrecy, lying, crazy hopeless wars and all-out insanity that has been going on for the past 13 years, all because of terrorists with box cutters. When will this low-point in our nation's history begin to trend back upward?<br />
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Leaders of the United States of America, please for the love of God, quit acting like you're working for this<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0d9RDeD1LT0/VQBwxduCb-I/AAAAAAAACc0/YaX1xtCKKig/s1600/death%2Bstar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0d9RDeD1LT0/VQBwxduCb-I/AAAAAAAACc0/YaX1xtCKKig/s1600/death%2Bstar.png" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
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and start acting like you're working for this:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LaeIX2jjdU/VQBxazJxiRI/AAAAAAAACc8/nDct9ya9H3Q/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LaeIX2jjdU/VQBxazJxiRI/AAAAAAAACc8/nDct9ya9H3Q/s1600/flag.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-2774642775920485622014-11-21T08:49:00.002-08:002014-11-21T08:51:31.141-08:00Monster in the Box<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've always been fascinated with monsters who create such a genial, non-threatening image for themselves.<br />
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Fictional monsters are one thing. Real-life monsters are another.<br />
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No one has mastered the illusion better than Bill Cosby. We all loved him. He was a master comedian and all-around great guy, funny, goofy, in tune with how kids thought, and a self-proclaimed expert at being a father. How painful the truth has become this week. At some point, the accusations become so numerous and overwhelming that the odds of every woman making up such stories are statistically impossible. It's sort of like Holocaust survivors making up their stories to bring down a nefarious Nazi. I tend to believe the Holocaust survivors and I'm finding myself completely believing these women. Added with their testimony is the evidence that Bill Cosby was in real life a not-very-nice man and a narcissist. He actually fits a profile from this book:<br />
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Actually, this whole messy, ugly, truly sad affair brings up another messy, ugly truth that I’ve been in denial about for the past 20 years.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvEUlClsi5o/VG9tB_G8lQI/AAAAAAAACDg/UVJK2fDAkqw/s1600/manhattan-woody-allen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvEUlClsi5o/VG9tB_G8lQI/AAAAAAAACDg/UVJK2fDAkqw/s1600/manhattan-woody-allen.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
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It’s so hard to acknowledge that some of our greatest artists may in fact be sexual predators worthy of our contempt and revulsion. The issue isn’t how quickly we judge, but how easily we turn a blind eye. <br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-70450501360963292622014-09-15T23:05:00.001-07:002014-09-15T23:09:12.468-07:00Bill Maher's Jerrymandering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bill Maher's Real Time is a marvel to me. It's funny, on point, insightful, funny, relevant, necessary, and oh so damn funny, especially when Jerry Seinfeld is his special guest. These two together are as good as it gets. I look forward to seeing Bill Maher on a segment of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee very soon!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"People should be more sophisticated? How are you gonna get that done?"</td></tr>
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-10344047446534285052013-08-19T13:44:00.000-07:002013-08-19T13:50:07.550-07:00The Master is Back on Top<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Of all my impressionable moments as a writer, none are as endearing (and enduring) as watching a great Woody Allen film in a movie theater. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXD9FaF2FyI/UhJ8QWIm1zI/AAAAAAAABVM/KBP7LPi_QB0/s1600/blue+jasmine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXD9FaF2FyI/UhJ8QWIm1zI/AAAAAAAABVM/KBP7LPi_QB0/s1600/blue+jasmine.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woody Allen's latest film is also one of his best</td></tr>
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According to my questionable records, I've seen 19 Woody Allen films in movie theaters, dating back to 1982 with a double feature a few weeks after my high school graduation at the Picture Show in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham, WA.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4mnCSOtAYs/UhJ73DDILnI/AAAAAAAABVE/affGuvLfYZc/s1600/anniehall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4mnCSOtAYs/UhJ73DDILnI/AAAAAAAABVE/affGuvLfYZc/s1600/anniehall.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Hall & Manhattan, 6/29/82, w/ Neal, Kevin & Brenda</td></tr>
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I remember leaving the Picture Show in awe. It was the first time I'd really appreciated the storytelling gifts of Woody Allen. I wanted to know how he did it, how he told his stories so well. I guess I've been pursuing his magic touch ever since.<br />
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The same sense of awe happened again in 1983 with Zelig, 1985 with The Purple Rose of Cairo, 1986 with Hannah and her Sisters, 1987 with Radio Days, 1992 with Husbands and Wives, 1995 with Bullets Over Broadway, 1997 with Deconstructing Harry, 2005 with Match Point, 2011 with Midnight in Paris and now this past weekend with Blue Jasmine.<br />
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For over 30 years, I've had the pleasure of going to a Woody Allen film in a movie theater and experience a compelling, engaging story about adults, for adults. In a way, his films have influenced me more than any other collection of stories. He's our Chekhov. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jasmine, 8/16/13, w/ Alice</td></tr>
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I hope the magic never ends!</div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-74212876982158943952013-07-31T18:26:00.001-07:002013-08-19T13:46:14.558-07:00Gold!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finding a literary agent to represent your book is a little like finding gold on an island. You gotta dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, then dig some more, then hop on over to another island and continue digging. And hopping. And digging. Until one day, you find gold. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQOlDAd81qw/Ufm45Pd8TAI/AAAAAAAABRk/Rp1dAe7P9Bk/s1600/belcastro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQOlDAd81qw/Ufm45Pd8TAI/AAAAAAAABRk/Rp1dAe7P9Bk/s1600/belcastro.jpg" height="85" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found gold!</div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-11282626047054254002013-06-07T15:18:00.001-07:002013-06-07T15:19:22.606-07:00My First 99-Day Novel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I leave for Alaska tomorrow with Alice and the only thing I need to worry about is not worrying about anything at all.<br />
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That will be tough, actually, because in the past three months I've lost touch with lazy Michael and become addicted to workaholic Michael. Hmmm...Yeah, that's not good, either, I guess. But I have to say, workaholic Michael sure knows how to work.<br />
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Don't Eat the Zombie Cookies, a novel I started after leaving mom's place in Arizona back in late-February/early-March, is on paper and ready for a major revision after I return from a week aboard the Star Princess. This will be my first cruise ever and the timing couldn't be better.<br />
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Right now, aside from this picture...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKPo0p4CnRk/UbJbrBab6YI/AAAAAAAAA_g/99LWVk_Drd0/s1600/Hubble+Deep+Space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKPo0p4CnRk/UbJbrBab6YI/AAAAAAAAA_g/99LWVk_Drd0/s1600/Hubble+Deep+Space.jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></div>
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...which is still my current favorite picture of all time, this picture...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uzwLtA6XMbM/UbJb3oiePHI/AAAAAAAAA_o/8cbDZmeWkdU/s1600/final+list.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uzwLtA6XMbM/UbJb3oiePHI/AAAAAAAAA_o/8cbDZmeWkdU/s1600/final+list.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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...is my second favorite!<br />
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Now if I can just turn off my mind and relax for a week instead of plotting out the next book I plan to write. I've got the sickness bad!<br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-28553936302803856832013-05-02T06:30:00.000-07:002013-05-02T10:04:42.126-07:00Stockton Pro-Am 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's time to take a break from writing and hang out in Stockton for the weekend to play a little racquetball and see the best players in the world battle it out in the Stockton Pro-Am.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RhlI614Ags/UYKcmyTlodI/AAAAAAAAA34/QEI7xdXvz74/s1600/SPA2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RhlI614Ags/UYKcmyTlodI/AAAAAAAAA34/QEI7xdXvz74/s1600/SPA2013.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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I have five sections left of the new novel I'm writing, so I'll take my mini HP with me and knock out a few pages each morning. My shoulder's a lot better than it was last week, so hopefully I'll win a few matches in my singles division. <br />
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I can't believe how quickly the first 100 days of my thousand days of writing has flown by. It's all captured here at <a href="http://1000daysofwriting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">1000 Days of Writing.</a><br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-68014461693442623482013-03-25T11:44:00.000-07:002013-05-02T10:05:18.067-07:00Stockton Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLe5GojR1yI/UVCaS8bZmiI/AAAAAAAAAzI/eAW38ZZQPd4/s1600/Pro+Racquetball+Academy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLe5GojR1yI/UVCaS8bZmiI/AAAAAAAAAzI/eAW38ZZQPd4/s1600/Pro+Racquetball+Academy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro Racquetball Academy Camp</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
What is the Stockton Style?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a form
of racquetball domination that unnerves opponents with aggressive play, deceptive
serves, center court control and laser-guided passing shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also the style of play being taught at
the most dynamic racquetball camp in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stockton’s three-day Pro
Racquetball Academy camp is a game changer for any racquetball player who’s
ready to take their game to the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether you’re a club novice, junior’s champ or open tournament regular,
legendary pro John Ellis, USAR national team coach Dave Ellis and their
renowned lineup of the best young IRT pros in the world teach the Stockton
Style with so much fun and passion that the weekend feels more like fantasy camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located at the nine-court In-Shape
West Lane Athletic Facility in Stockton, California, the PRA camp begins Friday
at noon with videotaped play of all 18 camp participants, followed by
introductions, situational drills, stroke mechanics and game time with the pros.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday’s full-day session focuses on serves,
return of serve and doubles play, while Sunday is all about shot making,
practice drills, limited serve games and indispensible one-on-one video analysis
with John Ellis.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp is well-organized,
fast-paced and geared toward the player who prefers learning on the court
instead of listening to lectures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The degree
of personal attention every player receives is phenomenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each morning, Pro Academy instructors go over
the day’s schedule and cater their instruction to each member of the camp so
that everyone gets as much out of the day as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so many top-tier instructors eager to
offer pointers, the potential for improvement seems limitless. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IRT #4 ranked player Jose Rojas
made minor adjustments to my drive serve, resulting in more power, accuracy and
deception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California State singles
champion Bobby Horn showed me a reverse drive z-serve that is already throwing
off my opponents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National Juniors champion
Jose Diaz modified our practice drills in such an intuitive way that the drills
have become an integral part of my practice sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Junior World champion Markie Rojas encouraged
me to elevate my lobs serves for a higher arc, making them more difficult to
cut off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coach Jody Nance gave me
valuable tips for doubles play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
Ellis demonstrated the effectiveness of favoring the cross-court passing shot
in order to set up the down-the-line pass, and Dave Ellis offered pointers when
playing against an opponent who likes to cut off ceiling balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there’s IRT pro Jose
Serrano, who’s so articulate and enthusiastic when presenting his ideas that I
wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually sets a new standard for racquetball
instruction in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s that
good!</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PRA’s in-house trainer Jesse
Serna covers conditioning and tournament preparation with an efficient 30-minute
warm-up routine.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My one-on-one video analysis
with John Ellis was a real eye-opener and helped identify small corrections
that have already translated into an extra point or two in my singles game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s mindboggling how much is
covered in a weekend, but racquetball improvement is only part of what makes
PRA’s camp so special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
distinguishes this camp from all the others is that unless your name is Kane or
Rocky, there’s an instructor here who can beat you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, unless you’re a top-20 pro, six of
these instructors can beat you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No other
camp in the country can make that claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was given so many pointers and new ideas from these amazing players
that within one week after camp I was already elevating my game from “A” to
“Elite.”</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s one more component to
the Stockton Style that makes a weekend in Stockton an absolute must for any
racquetball enthusiast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not just
camp, but participation in a vibrant extended family that reaches beyond the insights
of John and Dave Ellis, the delicious lunches provided by John’s mother Pat
Ellis or the friendly banter with former pro Nick Irvine who sells racquets and
gear from his makeshift pro shop.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens at the In-Shape
facility after hours when a camp day is done can only be described as
magical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The courts come alive with
racquetball play that spans the spectrum of the sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the best players in California, along
with racquetball newbies, hit the courts ready to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On court 4, a father and his happy young daughter
hit the ball back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On court 2,
Jose Diaz played left-handed against an accomplished handball player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On court 1, two of Chile’s finest young
racquetball players played doubles with 14-year-old Daniel Rojas (another
future racquetball star) and open champ from Hawaii Rob Collins, who plans to
make Stockton his home later in the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On court 3, 13-year-old junior camper Mitchell Turner from Oregon played
singles with another young prodigy his age, and for a few minutes in court 2
after Jose Diaz took the game left-handed in a squeaker, I tapped the ball to a
young toddler so new to walking that he still had sea legs but was already
holding a racquet and chasing down the ball as if his life depended on it.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s this kind of atmosphere
that makes the PRA three-day weekend so memorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My camp experience ended Sunday
afternoon after three quick singles games with John Ellis, who ran me around the
court like a confused beginner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used
all the shots he and his pros had taught us, including his ruthlessly effective
cross-court passing shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After scoring
a handful of points to his 45, I was completely exhausted, my legs spent and my
head overwhelmed with new serves, new drills and new ideas to plug into my game.
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the racquetball player who
wants to take their game to the next level, John Ellis and his team at the Pro Racquetball
Academy offer the best racquetball camp in the country at an incredible value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a weekend every racquetball player should
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to do it again!</div>
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-26665047046747354572013-03-03T18:44:00.000-08:002013-03-03T18:44:52.067-08:00Visiting Mom in AZ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's nothing like hanging out with mom for a few days at her wonderful house in Mesa, AZ. <br />
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I arrived Monday evening and stayed until Friday night. We watched three films (Side Effects, Django Unchained and Quartet), a couple of new TV shows (America, Veep, and Enlightened), played plenty of cribbage, ate great food and enjoyed the comfortable weather. <br />
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Mom's so good at putting together a house and coordinating everything. Both she and Gwen are incredible decorators. I don't have that skill at all.<br />
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Mom's had her AZ place for three years now. She and Craig will sell their Bellingham house this summer. <br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-91891659082564121692013-02-08T17:08:00.001-08:002013-02-08T17:08:20.002-08:00RIP Sandy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My sweet little dog died yesterday. She was 14. Rhonda, Biff and I are having a Sandy Celebration on Sunday. It will be a good day to remember such an adorable, loving little dog.<br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-1341589766935705192013-01-07T08:09:00.002-08:002013-01-11T12:11:41.868-08:00Vancouver - Day 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Chris and I had the morning to ourselves while Alice and Elizabeth shopped at Metrotown. We outlined Bad Uncle, talked about family matters, and shared a few stories of our parents as a means of brewing up ideas for our present project. When I'm home I'll put in place a rough outline that Chris and I can fill out. <br />
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We watched the Seahawks/Redskins game in the afternoon. The Hawks overcame a 14-point deficit to win the game 24-14. Very impressive. For dinner, we went over to Chris Jr. and Natalie's condo in the city. Their place is warm and comfortable with a spectacular view of Vancouver and the mountains. We ate at the Afghan Horseman a few blocks away. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very good and very full!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Natalie</td></tr>
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It was delicious. Chris and I mentioned hosting an unsung heroes party for our cousins in the summer. All aunts and uncles are welcome! I've love to see a few cousins I haven't seen in years...Lisa, Bobby and Leo. Kim and Gwen would be all over it.<br />
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After dinner, we drove back to Chris and Elizabeth's where we watched the two-hour season premiere of Downton Abbey. The intrigue and melodrama sometimes border on the contrived, but it's still a lot of fun to watch Maggie Smith deliver her signature lines. Sad to see the Bates storyline completely stalled in prison, but delighted to see Mary attempt to self-sabotage her wedding over a 20-second conversation that by its very nature demands a series of discussions and debates. The petulant, quixotic Mary is much more preferable to season two's calm, reasonable Mary.<br />
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Bed at 12:30, late for us. <br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-63383905673697096082013-01-06T09:27:00.002-08:002013-01-11T12:02:08.336-08:00Vancouver Days 3 and 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Friday: Chris and I had a short writing session in revitalized new shopping center in New Westminster while Alice and Elizabeth walked through the various shops and boutiques. We also had lunch there...Alice and I had beef brisket and chips. Very good. I also ordered a Golden Autumn Oolong tea and bought $20 worth to take home. After New Westminster, we settled home for a few hours before heading out to a Chinese restaurant to meet Alice's cousin Florence and her husband Howie. We met them at 7 and had a delicious meal that included Winter Mellon Soup, a duck dish, general's chicken, rice, a sizzling beef dish and green beans. Afterward, we went to Florence and Howie's house for another hour or so of socializing. They are very pleasant people. Like Chris, Howie has lived in Vancouver all his life. <br />
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Day 4 - Chris and I brainstormed for a few hours in the morning before we all headed out to UBC where I walked around the clusters and saw the house I lived in when I was 4-5. <br />
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We also saw the apartment complex I lived in on Toronto Road when I was 3-4. <br />
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The Clusters are either being torn down or renovated. It's unclear exactly what's happening to them. They're surrounded by blue fence. Chris showed us his former office at the UBC Alumni Center (Cecil Green Building...very nice), and we went shopping around his old stomping ground near 12th Ave. Chris Jr. and Natalie came over for dinner. <br />
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It was wonderful seeing them. We'll see them again tonight after the Hawks Redskins game. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-22362219297447524392013-01-03T22:17:00.003-08:002013-01-11T12:06:46.906-08:00Vancouver Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We got up at 5, had tea, then oatmeal at 7. <br />
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We left for Vancouver Center and Chinatown at 10. We ate delicious noodle soup, pastries, walked around town, then returned to Chris and Elizabeth's by 4. <br />
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Played crib with Chris and Alice, had a scrumptious dinner, watched Looper, and ended the day by 10. <br />
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Chris and I spoke briefly about Bad Uncle and will continue tomorrow. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-30993795292906657422013-01-02T22:58:00.002-08:002013-01-11T12:04:26.657-08:00Vancouver B.C. Canada - Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Alice and I arrived in Vancouver at 11 a.m. after a 45-minute delay at our SF gate. Chris and Elizabeth were there to pick us up. We Ate lunch at their house, then went on an hour drive through Vancouver to the mountains overlooking the city. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Vancouver at Cypress Point with Alice and Chris </td></tr>
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From there, we drove to Granville Island and ate butter tarts and cinnamon buns. So good! We came back for dinner. Chris created a "Jamie Oliver"-inspired meal using chicken, tomatoes, potatoes, and herbs. We ended the evening with a movie on demand, The Beasts of the Southern Wild.<br />
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Wonderful day. Clear skies. So good to be with Chris and Elizabeth! Their house is so comfortanble and warm, featuring a five-star guest room with six-star shower. Off to bed in preparation for a full day of eating, brainstorming and sightseeing tomorrow.<br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-36150021589663673832013-01-01T20:56:00.004-08:002013-01-11T12:14:18.624-08:00Welcome 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I just finished Julian Barne’s The Sense of an Ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line that most struck me was toward the
end in which Tony writes that back when he was young a man married a woman he got pregnant who didn't abort the child because that was the rule. The themes in this short book are similar to
a book I plan to write this year about my first 11 years from 1963-1975.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked The Sense of an Ending.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alice and I began our day at Starbuck’s and Noah’s Bagels on Lakeshore,
then drove to her house in the Sunset district around 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to Jill, Dad and Gwen on
FaceTime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the afternoon I
talked to Steve and Judy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FaceTime is
becoming my default phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The telephone never did anything for
me, but facing the person I’m talking to makes all the difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow, Alice and I fly to Vancouver to visit Chris and
Elizabeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be one of those
magical five-day trips that I’ll always refer to for the next couple of
decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather will be cold but
clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain comes Saturday.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just saw on my iPad that the House passed a bill to avoid
the fiscal cliff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that drama for
passage in the midnight hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way to go,
Congress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope and pray the next
generation of leaders are more mature and responsible than what we’ve had to
endure these past few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
difficult for me to even read about them without rolling my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They couldn’t come up with a solution in
early December because that would have been way too practical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope, they had to wait until the last minute
to pen a deal. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s stunning to me how much unnecessary drama and chaos
there is out there for no reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, I have a lot of material to write about this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Austin15 and No Sweat are my first
two projects for 2013.</span></div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-87380840143057744592012-12-14T04:34:00.002-08:002012-12-14T04:35:12.233-08:00Last Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The nice thing about last days is they're so steeped in the awareness of conclusion that they feel more like the first of something than the last of anything. That's how I feel today. With such a large amount of time to claim as my own, I'm already thinking beyond today. And yet, I'm going to enjoy every hour as it passes, reflecting upon my time at Wendel and the great friends and memorable characters I've met. Today will be fun. 20 years in the corporate world is a large chapter I'm happy to close.<br />
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Tomorrow I'm playing in the Toys for Tots Racquetball Tournament in San Ramon. It's one of the best attended tournaments in the area. I missed last year's event, so this one will be particularly enjoyable. There's really no reason why every day can't be a perfect day. That is so sweet! <br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-71108925110578449712012-12-06T15:46:00.000-08:002012-12-06T15:53:15.663-08:004 Days Left!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have four complete days left of work. What joy. What incredible freedom. To have the rest of my life to write stories, articles, screenplays and non-fiction pieces is about as satisfying as finding a check in the mail for $1 Million or having Obama win re-election or Hilary win in 2016. Pure satisfaction is how I'm feeling right now. It's hard to appropriately put into words how happy I am to see this phase of my life come to an end, a long 20-year stretch in which I needed time to mature and work through my issues while devoting so much time and energy toward other people's work. I will not miss that for one second. I'm grateful, however, for the skill set I've learned in the corporate world, the work ethic I've adopted and the effective life lessons and time management skills I've incorporated into my daily routine. What I won't miss is the tedium and blandness of corporate life, the detachment from what matters most to me. I don't believe I will ever have another boring day in my life, even though so much of the future will be spent in front of my monitor at home, banging away at the keyboard or taking a nap on the couch. I have tomorrow and Monday off, then Tuesday-Friday -- my final four days -- until 7 p.m. on December 14 when it's all done. <br />
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My first official day of writing will be January 14, 2013. My 1,000 Days of Writing will go until October 10, 2015, the day before my 52nd birthday. I'm eager to see what I can accomplish with 1,000 days of uninterrupted writing time. <br />
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From Dec. 14 - Jan 14 I'll connect with family and friends, clean, read, organize, prepare and play lots of racquetball. <br />
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Sara told me to revisit Introducing Girls a few days ago and from that she gave me a great idea that I've been kicking around all week. No Sweat: an Elementary Memoir. Before I write Austin15, I need to put on paper the source material for everything, the first 10 years of my life, my crazy wonderful childhood and all its secrets. I knew there was a reason why I kept everything. I'll need it all to write this book. I'm ready to make so much noise. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-41734285205921137312012-12-03T07:58:00.001-08:002012-12-03T07:58:13.749-08:008 Days Left<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have 8 days left of corporate life. How sweet is that! This week I work Monday through Thursday, and next week I work Tuesday through Friday. I'm already loading up my schedule with writing projects, books to read and family to visit. This year is going to be wonderful.<br />
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Yesterday, Alice and I went to Emery Bay to exchange an ipod nano for Alice (hers stopped working). I checked out new books in Barnes and Noble and bought three, plus I'm reading another about mentally ill leaders who excel in crisis when compared to more normal leaders.<br />
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The Thomas Jefferson book has been on my mind all week. I'm glad I finally own it. I don't know as much as I should about him. After Martin Martinez, I find myself drawn to the histories of presidents. Cowboys Full is great research material for Austin15. I'll start that in January.<br />
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Yesterday morning it rained so hard there were two small rivers zipping down Erie and Mandana streets. It was something else. Today it's calm and clear. <br />
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Dorian and I played Tiger and Glenn in racquetball this morning and we were clicking. He made some beautiful shots and we were unstoppable. <br />
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Jon Meecham is only 43. That blows my mind!<br />
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Off to work for the eighth-to-last time!</div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-1894985742047395112012-11-25T17:02:00.002-08:002012-11-25T17:02:25.031-08:00Post-Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thanksgiving 2012 - A very relaxing enjoyable weekend spent in Oakland and San Francisco. Alice and I spent Thanksgiving morning at her house preparing for our visit to Richard & Lisa's at 4. We took our time preparing appetizers, cleaning, reading. At the Youngs we feasted on delicious everything, cheese, nuts, crackers, hummus, then turkey, potatoes, rolls, green beans, more turkey. It was the Youngs, Rodney & Spike and me and Alice. I had three pomegranate champagne cocktails. Wow, they were good. We stayed until 10:30, the time I can barely keep my eyes open. I've become such a morning person. Friday was another Thanksgiving at Alice's with her family and another round of non-stop eating. I feel heavy all over. Saturday and Sunday have been leisurely and enjoyable. Last night, Alice and I finished up our viewing of Pillars of the Earth. This morning we played badminton until noon. I went to the library later today and checked out Julian Barnes's The Sense of an Ending, which I've been wanting to read all year. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-63503398185460676302012-11-20T07:15:00.000-08:002012-11-20T07:15:15.820-08:00Thought On the Election<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two weeks after the election, I'm struck by the various reactions from Republicans over the election. Newt Gingrich said it best when he acknowledged the President deserves our respect over his great victory. He was shocked that Obama won, as was Romney. Romney's concession speech on election night was graceful and poignant; however, his remarks a few days later over the reason he lost -- the gifts Obama gave to his constituents -- has been criticized by everyone. Apparently, he's still reeling from the defeat. Did he really think he was going to win? Still last year, I really thought he was going to lose. Romney had one core conviction throughout the campaign: I want to be president. That's all he really believed in, and he would say anything to make it happen. No one told him that strategy doesn't work in this country. You have to believe in something and stick with it. That's what we respect. You can game the electorate, at least not on the national stage when running for president. I'm glad we will no longer have to listen to another Romney political speech in our lifetime. <br />
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It seems to me the problem with the Republican Party can be traced back to the Republican Primary debates and some of the extreme positions so many of the candidates chose to take. The competition to see who was the most conservative candidate became a contest to see who possessed the most extreme hostility toward the federal government, women, immigrants and Obama. If Republicans can remove their extreme hostility out of their primaries, they'll stand a better chance in 2016. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-60601377482997068242012-11-20T07:05:00.000-08:002012-11-20T07:05:02.423-08:00Giving Notice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After 2 1/2 years at Wendel, Rosen, December 14 will be my last day. After that, I'm writing full-time, starting first with a non-fiction book proposal with Chris called "Bad Uncle's Guide to Adult Life," followed by Austin15, an online poker novel. My year will be very busy. I plan to build my presentation PowerPoints to schools and write a few short pieces for magazines. I'm excited at all the time I'll have to produce. <br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-62188976383309849322012-11-07T10:30:00.002-08:002012-11-07T10:31:45.112-08:00We Got Your Back, Obama!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm in a GREAT mood today. Really great mood. Last night played out close to how I had envisioned back when I was watching the Republican Primaries last September 2011. Team Obama is simply one of the most incredible political machines in American political history. They played this game like clock work, running a campaign that exploited every weakness of their opponent and getting their voters to the voting booth. It was amazing. To have the race and Ohio called for the president at 8:15 p.m. Pacific Standard Time is a testament to the trouble the GOP faces in future presidential elections. They have a serious problem with their party. Every one of those Republican Primary debates from last year is still on the internet for voters to listen to. That's where Romney lost the election when he made the decision to become the severely conservative candidate who chose to go to the far right of everyone on immigration and women's rights. Romney gave an appropriate and moving consolation speech last night. It seemed genuine and heartfelt. I wish him well in private life. I'm so ready to move forward with our re-elected president and the rest of the country. Fired up, ready to go! Great call last night, America! It's why this country rocks!<br />
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Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-9321312351322428302012-10-08T22:32:00.002-07:002012-10-08T22:33:46.756-07:00Martin Martinez is Almost Here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been at work on a new novel since April while working a 40-hour/week job. I will never do that again. Not only have I been ungrounded for months, I've practically ignored all other aspects of my life. Work, write, racquetball, Alice, work write, eat, write, work, racquetball, Alice, write, shower, write, work, write, brush Sandy, write, work, send an email to someone, write, work, write, work, sleep, work, write...Needless to say, I can't wait to finish this thing. It's called The Arrival (and departure) of Martin Martinez, Future President, and it's all narration, most of it anyway. I write in the mornings and evenings before and after work, and sometimes during lunch or between rushes. Fifteen minutes here, an hour there. It's no life, that's for sure, at least not for me. It's not sustainable. I'm not happy when I'm not grounded. <br />
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All the chapters are on paper, all 36 chapters, each over 1,000 words long with the whole thing coming in at around 40k, but the last 12 chapters in particular need a few more passes, and the middle section is thick with explanation and short on excitement. In other words, there's so much left to do. <br />
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I was hoping to finish by August, then September, now October. I really hope to send it off to Sam on November 7, the day after the election. It's about a famous 21st century president who first gets into politics as a ten-year-old boy during the 2012 presidential election between Obama and Romney. He comes from a Republican family, so he's rooting for Romney to win, even though Obama pulls it out...at least in the book he does. The race was looking so good until Obama's lackluster debate last week. I still think Obama will win, but anything can happen. I've learned a lot writing this book. More than anything, I've learned I really do enjoy sitting down in front of a computer and banging out words all day. I never thought that would happen. It just sort of snuck up on me, like so many other things these days. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847564794199054568.post-49024127435348368022012-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:002012-09-07T13:56:17.482-07:00Our Man Joe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Vice President Biden looked into the camera last night and in so many words said, Paul "Voucher" Ryan, I am going to eat you up and spit you out in our debate! If Clinton is the big dog, Biden is our big hearted attack dog. His speech was Awesome!<br />
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What Biden said about GM's day of doom under Obama's Way versus the Bain Way was truly brilliant, truer than true, and the reason why Obama is the right choice for America. </div>
Michael Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935812710118028706noreply@blogger.com0