Explanation of what this is

There are hundred's of waiters that call themselves actor's. That guy making your soy frappucino is a musician. You know that because he tell's you almost daily. So from this day forward I will call myself a writer. I may make money on the television and radio but I am choosing to call myself a writer.
From what I can tell in order to call myself a "writer" I need to do one thing.......write

Ive been blessed to have so many jobs from MTV's Headbangers Ball , WCW Wrestling,NASCAR TV & Radio host, Creator of some of the most succesful nightclubs in L.A mainly the CATHOUSE,3 years on Loveline,Talk Radio Host, reality shows from Daisy of Love, Charm School and the Rock of Love Reunions. Ive seen some of my friends become the biggest rock stars in the world. I have interviewed 1000's of the most unique people from sports and entertainment. Ya the boasting is making me sick too.
Ive also lost everything, filed for bankruptcy and had to get a job as a car salesman just to keep the lights on. That is what I do and what I have done but that is not who I am.

One more thing. Kid's or very sensitive folk should not read my blog's just in case I say something a tad risque.



Wednesday, April 6, 2011

My first college writing assignment

April 6 2010- Deep down inside I think I have always wanted to be a writer. I have posted blogs before on My Space and I always paid attention to see how many readers I had. The comments were validation that I held the readers attention. When I do tv shows I'm a host but there are producers and camera men and thank god editors. Even a good tv segment never gave me the satisfaction of having 600 people read a blog I wrote. When I write for better or for worse it's all me.

    2 weeks ago I began a writing course at U.C.L.A. You need to understand I am not sure I even graduated  High School. I have a hard time focusing and never achieved a grade higher than a C. Usually it was a D or F. So the concept that I would actually sign up for a college course when I didn't have to  would seem pretty far fetched. I'm sure I will go into greater detail another time. There was a homework assignment. A homework assignment that was not mandatory. Did you hear me ? I didn't have to do it but I did. You may not understand the power of that statement. I did homework and I didn't even have to.

   The assignment was to describe my surroundings and start with the words "I remember". One problem I had was keeping the story under the set limit of 2 pages. So I gave it a shot and I really do appreciate your comments. My first writing assignment-

                                                   A Small Window of Blue Sky



            I remember the sun fighting its way through the many branches and leaves that intertwined like a road map above me. There was a small window of blue sky between the many branches of the Eucalyptus tree that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Elm and Oak fighting for possession of the earth and sky. Laurel Canyon Blvd is a congested 2-lane road that connects the over crowded San Fernando Valley to the carnivorous world known as Hollywood. This thoroughfare slithers through many trees as dense as one might find in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Where there is not a tree you will find homes of every shape size and monetary value.
      I stood in my front yard. A blanket of manicured grass in an area no bigger than a basketball court. My hand held out in the way one might use for a karate chop. Gripping the top finger were 2 grayish claws. Each  digit was the diameter of a pencil with talons the color of coal. The claws belonged to my African Grey Parrot Voodoo. He was 12 inches tall with feathers displaying every shade of gray. In stark contrast his tail feathers were a brilliant shade of red. Calling him a pet dilutes our bond. Friendship does not even scratch the surface. Voodoo was a part of me. If I was watching the Shield, Californication or any T.V. program related to NASCAR Voodoo was with there. There was even a perch in the shower. This bird had been by my side for 15 years. His vocal capabilities were astounding. Contrary to the white coats findings birds do more than mimic at least Voodoo did. He used words at appropriate moments whether it was calling each of the 4 animals in the house by name or just giving you a greeting when you walked into the room. He was the source of constant sound in the house. I had become used to the chirps, occasional shrieks and ever expanding vocabulary. The sound became as familiar as the sunlight as it filled up each room throughout the day. Every morning Voodoo was the first sound you heard and it gave the house a sense of playfulness and whimsy. I learned to take caution when the house would fall silent. It usually meant Voodoo had left his perch and was sneaking down the hall, staying close to the wall so not to be spotted. He would take great pleasure causing the scream only produced by a human stricken with the shock and slight pain of a beak being clamped on the naked toe.
     Badger my Australian Shepherd began his military like pace in front of the door signifying one thing. “Open the door or I’ll piss all over your precious hard wood floors”. I offered my hand to Voodoo and like he has routinely done for year’s climbed on to my outstretched finger. Badger, Voodoo and I walked down the stairs towards the front yard. Badger was much more brisk in his stride undoubtedly due to the urgency to relieve himself. While Badger proceeded to water the plants I brought my hand slowly in front of my face so that my feathered compadre and I were eye level. His eyes always cut through the stress that eats at me.
           A humongous dump truck barreled down the private road adjacent to my home. Large thick clouds of dust and exhaust escaped from beneath the truck like massive fists. The 2 ton steel monster lunged forward as the deafening sounds of small boulders in the payload slammed against its metal walls. The mammoth sized creature came to an abrupt stop.
        I remember the sun fighting its way through the many branches and leaves that intertwined like a road map above me. A small window of blue sky between the many branches of the Eucalyptus was filled with the silhouette of a startled bird soon to be swallowed up in the labyrinth of this urban jungle Once Voodoo had overcome the terrifying sound he was stricken with the fear of being struck by the rushing automobiles beneath him. He was experiencing this terror for the first time in his life. He began to fly higher escaping each new fear that confronted him until he was lost behind the thickness of the trees on Laurel Canyon forever


13 comments:

  1. poor voodoo was so scared. :(

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  2. good verbal visualization,really brought a more vivid interpretation of a morning routine.Good stuff,this is the start of your writing journey,don't be afraid of throwing more thoughts out.Have a good one!

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  3. Riki, I really admire you putting that out here for all of us to read.

    Secondly, I love what you've done in your assignment. You are far more creative and talented than you give yourself credit for.

    Well done! I really enjoyed reading this!!

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  4. Very well written Riki, I love your play with words and your discriptions of the area. I am so sorry about VooDoo I hope he finds his way back to you.
    I too had a great disintrest in HS was glad I graduated got out and never had to go back.
    You have a gift so you should pursue your dreams of writing. I could see myself buying one of your books on The seedy side of Hollywood.(fiction of course) Thanks for Sharing. jo

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  5. Riki that almost made me cry! You recounted the event in vivid detail. Grammar/puncuation lack, but it was not lacking on heart and feelings! It is a very good recounting of one of the most terrible days of your life, it must have been very tough to put down on paper.

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  6. Great writing man, felt like I could see it unfolding. Sending good vibes to you and yours, you never know when Voodoo might show back up.

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  7. christ, Riki, that made me cry. when it started, i had no clue where it was going to go. when you brought Voodoo into the story, my heart sank. and the last paragraph, and the way it tied into the first paragraph (where we're all ignorant of the tragic ending) is like a punch to the gut.

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  8. Very descriptive. I've never been to California but I could get a very good picture in my mind's eye of the surroundings. I'm sorry about Voodoo, it's hard losing someone you love.

    Keep writing, you're doing well.

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  9. I read your posts on Twitter about Voodoo and was so sad for you. However; here, where you've shared the story in such alive and moment to moment detail...wow...I saw it all happening as if I was right next to you. I'm sorry for your loss. Losing something that loves you unconditionally, it's devastating. You were very lucky to have him and he you.

    Great job with the assignment. Please keep this up!

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  10. Riki,
    The fact that you didn't "have to" do that homework assignment (but you did it anyway) means that this writing class is the perfect place for you right now! Glad to hear that you are really getting into it! Keep up the good work, man. Lots of us out here in cyberland are proud of you for following your dreams.

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  11. Gripping. Sure, there are grammar and syntax issues, but that's what editors are for. You built the tension and captured both the emotions of the situation and your audience. I wanted to know more. It's always a good thing if your reader finishes and says "Well, what happened next?"

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  12. An essay can do this in many different ways such as exploring a topic in depth, construct a clear and strong argument. A persuasive essay on the purpose and structure of essays will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.

    Thesis Help

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  13. i trully enjoy all your blog as well as your different point is really good.very thanks.

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