Daniel Wood

Apparently, I actually have a person who checks in on this site. Why? I am unsure. OK, I could understand if it were a NKOTB ("step by step, ooh baby") fan checking in hoping that danielwood.com is the adult Danny Wood's site, but even then, why check back? I obviously do not update, other than to tell tales of squirrels and show off photos of Sonny Bono statues (by the way, what is the general opinion of the rumor of Sonny being murdered on the slopes?).

The last update was in June of last year, which means that I am now going to give some quick info on what has gone on the past 11 months. In order to try and make myself post more often, I am going to center this entry on travel.

In July I made my second trip overseas in as many years, this time to London. You see, I have discovered the way to get Jade to travel: see where Duran Duran is going to play: the Concert for Diana thrown by the Princes and Live Earth. We overslept and missed Duran at the Concert for Diana, but there was no way in hell Jade was going to miss them at Live Earth. Other things done in London: a walk through Hyde Park (where you are not allowed to feed squirrels), a visit to Buckingham Palace, going on the London Eye. OK, fine. I'll say it. We were tourists.

In September we went to Canada for the Degrassi High fan festival. No, actually we went for the Toronto International Film Festival. As can be expected, many films were shown. Comparing this to my experience at Sundance (I've gone twice now, in '07 and '08), Toronto is ALL business. Sundance you want to go and be seen, hit the parties. Toronto is where you walk by and know that there is serious business going on behind the closed doors.

This trip was followed up with a visit to Talladega, 'Dega for those in the know. Why would we go there with a bunch of family and friends? One reason only: we were looking for Ricky Bobby. That's right, we were at a NASCAR event, probably the only time that I've ever seen tobacco samples given out to anyone with proof of ID (don't matter none if it is real or fake). Don't believe that I was there? Look at the newest edition of Rovin with Per at http://youtube.com/watch?v=p2D3b_Monog.

Was this it for the year? No. Remember when I wrote that the best way to get Jade to travel is to see when Duran Duran is playing somewhere? Let's just say that not even having her appendix burst a few weeks before was going to keep her from seeing them perform on Broadway. That's right. I finally made it to New York, where my first Broadway show was . . . Duran Duran. The good thing is that we went back in December to spend the holidays there (as well as a quick day trip to PA to visit Jade's family) so I was able to see more than the theater that they played at: Coney Island, the bull in the financial district, 30 Rock, the Rockettes and Gordon Ramsey's restaurant. We also hit a couple of Broadway shows: "Spring Awakening" and "Hairspray." The best thing about the later was not seeing how bad Norm from "Cheers" looks in drag, but that Tevin Campbell was in the cast.

Was this the only travel? Nope. I had a weekend in Santa Barbara, a weekend in Vegas (did I mention Duran Duran's on tour?). I also went a few times to New Orleans, a city that I've come to love so much that I now have a home there. Hopefully when it is all set up I'll be able to spend more time there - and not just when Duran plays there Jade.

Any other non-travel updates to make?
-The house is still not done. Hopefully it will be in the upcoming month - two at the latest.
-I've discovered the best restaurant in Los Angeles: Osteria Mozza.
-I'm learning to fly.

The biggest of all? I'm getting married. Yes, I asked Jade to marry me weekend after her birthday while we were in Vegas. She said yes before I was able to finish asking.

While Jade and I were awaiting the final two pieces of Luke Chueh's show in Palm Springs we discussed late night dining options with one of the art gallery owners. The main thing to note here is the fact that if you are open after 10:00 in Palm Springs, you are late night dining (or at least that is the way it seems). One of the places that he mentioned caught our attention as the owner mentioned it was near a statue of the city's former mayor Sonny Bono. As if that is not enough, to peak our curiosity, he mentioned that it was abnormally huge.

I guess it is safe to assume where we went the following morning. Although some say that it is life sized, I would have to beg to differ. Sonny never appeared to have as strong a physical presence as he does in his statue. In fact, I have to wonder if they decided to do one of Cher beside him what that scale would be. The sad part of it all is not the fact that he is sitting along the edge of a fountain ready for the photo ops from tourists, it is the fact that he seems to be resting his arm on a pot that has now become trash.

Mayor or no mayor, singer or no singer, skiier or . . . .

Let's just say that no one deserves a statue of themselves to serve as a trash can.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a dog for some time now. At first it was going to be a breed that would jump into the pool with me. Then it was the idea of a French Bulldog, even though Jade pointed out that they looked like gargoyles (but in a good way). After this weekend the only thing that I do know is that the dog I end up getting will likely be smaller than a Golden Retriever. How do I know this? Because I spent this weekend Hud-sitting.

True, there is nothing like the ego boost from Hudson (a Golden Retriever if you are unable to figure that out) greeting you at the door. He is all twirls and spins, excited to run off to find something to retrieve for you. There is also no way to describe the morning greeting from the boy, other than to say some people may be right when they say that there is nothing like a dog kiss, however I am not one of those people.

Time with Hudson was interesting this time around. My previous experience with him was merely sharing some bratwurst from a German restaurant (he's a big fan of the brat). I had heard that he had a fondness for ball, but it wasn't until Friday that I truly discovered how much he enjoyed it. Let's just say that if there were rehab for ball, he would be a prime candidate as he never seemed to tire of playing, no matter the time of day.

By the time he tried to jump on my lap I realized that a smaller dog would be better for me. With a smaller dog I wouldn't have to worry about the air taken out of me if he stepped in the wrong place. I also wouldn't have to play ball all day either.

Luckily, I still have time to decide as construction has yet to begin on the house. I could get a dog now, but that wouldn't be fair for him. Plus, I am enjoying my bonding time with my squirrels.

"Do cats eat nuts?" This is the question that has been rattling in my mind lately. No, this is not a result of reading too many articles in Mental Floss, but rather because of the territory fight that Sandy (my squirrel) seems to be in with a stray cat.

Sometimes I see the cat near the food, at night, but when I go out I scare him away so I can never see what the cat is doing. I do see a rat from time to time in the back yard too. It could be that the cat is after the rat, instead of the nuts, which would be good, but that wouldn't explain why Sandy gets so territorial when she sees the cat invading her backyard space.

First it was Sandy screwing around with the cat while he tried to nap - sneaking up ready to swat at the his tail, only stopping when the cat would lift up his head to see what was going on. Now she making hissing "what up Bitch!" type noises as the cat sleeps near the area that Sandy usually uses to capture my attention to feed her.

I may have to roll the cameras if there is a turf war between the two.

DISCLAIMER: I am unsure of the sex of the cat. As for proving that Sandy is a female? Well, that is an assumption too. Just coming clean so that you don't Frey me if it is proven that the cat is a female and that Sandy is a male.

I've been meaning to update, but have been busy with other, "more important," things lately. What, you may be asking, might be more important than updating my tens of readers with the details of my life?

-Work: as mentioned before, I am working on a Katrina project that requires my attention, as well as a few other projects in various states of production.
-Home: after going back and forth with the contractor with plans, and then waiting for approvals for permits (which of course requires further tweaking of plans), I am hopeful that renovations will begin soon.
-Travel: for work (Park City, UT; New Orleans, LA) and pleasure (Las Vegas, NV; San Francisco, CA, etc.).
-Directing: I have been taking advantage of my access to HD video cameras by making shorts I have been posting to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dwood1999).

True, I should have time to update in the middle of the activity above, even if it is to brag of my growing relationship with my squirrel that my niece Morgan named Sandy, or even of seeing David Sedaris at one of his appearances. I promise to update more - or at least make a better effort than updating once a year.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

It’s been a few months but I’m back. I’m ready to blog and tell the world about my humble little slice of life. Where do I start?

My House

I bought a house just north of Culver City in the Westside Village. It’s a lovely home with a pool, three bedrooms and on a big lot. It was built in 1959, and it needs to be updated. So I hired Bagwell Construction to help me remodel. Currently we are working on issues with the power lines in my backyard that we need permission to build into. I’ll post some picture when I have a chance.

New Career

The last day of May was my last day of work with Pricegrabber.com. It is a bit sad to leave the job that was so much fun, and rewarded me so greatly in many different ways. I’m now a producer. I’m executive producer for a film in post production called Deep Winter, look for it this winter at a theater near you. I’m working on two other film projects still in development. I’m also developing a drama about the Katrina hurricane in New Orleans, which is very exciting. All these projects are being done through my new company, Nuper Films. I hope that things work out and I’m successful, wish me luck and go see my films when they come out.

New Orleans

My work has brought me to the big easy. I’ve been coming here once a month since May. I think every American should come and see New Orleans first hand so they can understand how far our great country has fallen. It’s been nearly a year since the destruction and garbage still lines the streets. Whole neighborhoods have been abandoned, businesses are failing; life has been difficult in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Lack of leadership, I think, is the key to why New Orleans is still struggling. It is just not a priority in our government to mend all that is broken in this historic truly American city. If we just stopped the war in Iraq for one day, that money we save could help revitalize this proud city. It just makes me sick that the people in New Orleans have basically been abandoned, and that’s just New Orleans. What about the rest of the gulf coast that was hit by Katrina? I have not seen their struggles first-hand but I can only imagine they have it a bit worse getting less attention than New Orleans.

The media is to blame. Projecting a notion that New Orleans, or at least some parts, should not be rebuilt, because it cannot be protected by the levees which might fail again. I say let’s not rebuild Florida this year when it is hit by a hurricane, AGAIN. Every year Florida receives millions to fix damage from hurricanes, what makes it so much more worthwhile to rebuild than New Orleans? How come the media never question whether those rebuilding efforts are worthwhile?

The media also tries to portray the people here, particularly the blacks, and being worth less and criminal. When the reports about the fraud from the hurricane came out, the media tried to portray it as the people’s fault for being fraudulent or wasteful. When in reality it was poor oversight by our government giving aide to prisoners and other not worthy. Our government can do a better job.

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Sunday, February 26, 2006

The year two thousand and five has gone goodbye, I'm ready for a new one anyways. Two thousand and four was a good year, but when it ended and 2005 started the worst thing I could ever imagine happened. It was horrible and I'd never wish it on anybody, not even a worst enemy. I learned and grew, discovered what love is as life slaps you in the face.

I didn't know what love was until I wiped the tears from my mother's face as she lay in the hospital. Holding back mine as if that would make a difference in the outcome. Life on autopilot, worries none to speak of, feelings get in the way. When it comes to love, feeling are unavoidable. In less than a heartbeat you'd trade it all to get it back, but there is nothing you can do...

In every man's life there will be a hang-up, a whirlwind designed to slow you down. It cuts like a knife and tries to get in you, this Spooky Electric sound. Give up if you want to and all is lost, Spooky Electric will be your boss. What's I'm talking about is love and honesty, peace and harmony, Positivity. In a planet that's so bitter and cold, positive is where you gotta live, have you had your plus sign today?

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These are exciting times... Spring is nearing and Prince is about to drop a new album, and a tour. I'm set to where I'm ready to take advantage of what ever entertainment that Prince is willing to offer.

Did I mention I recently became a first time home owner? Yep, I'm living the American Dream. In fact, I'd love to buy more real estate, I think it is a great investment to earn income. It's fun being a home owner, I look forward to mowing my own lawn.

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I'm Daniel Wood, white and living in the 'hood. I'm a minority in the neighborhood where I live, right on the border of Inglewood and Westchester. When I visit the stores in my neighborhood, I'm often the only white person in them. In the liquor stores around the block they sell single cigarettes, and give, upon request, cups with ice so patrons can indulge in the parking lot. Nearly every car in the neighborhood is sporing fancy rims. I often see people sleeping in cars, and there is graffiti on walls.

Los Angeles is different from Mountain Home Idaho where I grew up. I never saw a pan handler until I got to LA. No one ever walked up to me in a drive-thru and asked for my change in Idaho. On the freeway off-ramps the selling oranges and peanuts just didn't happen either. People weren't murdered in my local grocery store parking lot. In Los Angeles beyond the palm trees and improving air quality things happen.