Posts Tagged ‘Mister Rogers & Me’
The Miracle Of Showing Up
We rarely do much of anything in Nantucket, and I like it that way. A typical day might involve a good run, a real breakfast (eggs, pancakes, etc), a trip to the beach, magazines, books, puzzles, and the ever-essential mid-day nap. We rarely leave our little corner of the island save for trip to Cisco…
Read MoreSaving Mister Rogers
I’m blessed and lucky for my brief but meaningful time with Mister Rogers, and the wheels those few moments set in motion. When I need a dose of calm, or insight on managing my anger, sadness, or fear in the face of this crazy, crazy world, I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything.…
Read MoreTim Russert (1950-2008)
The New York Times just confirmed some sad news: Tim Russert has died of a heart attack. You’ll recall that Chris and I visited Tim in his NBC offices in November, 2006 to interview him for our documentary, “Mister Rogers & Me.” We scored the interview courtesy of my uncle, with whom Tim had worked…
Read More“Mister Rogers & Me” Applies To Independent Film Week!
I don’t know much about gambling, or numbers, but I like to think that submitting our Independent Film Week online application at precisely 7:11 is somehow fortuitous; these two seem pretty good together. In addition to two DVD screeners, and a $60 entree fee, the application called for a 25 word logline, 60 word synopsis,…
Read MoreThe Miracle Of Suffering
“I think you’re gonna’ have to throw up to feel better,” he said matter-of-factly. The morning began at the iTunes music store. Such is my voracious appetite for substantive public radio podcasts that I’d already burned through “This American Life,” “Studio 360,” and two episodes of “Fresh Air” on my twice-daily, fifteen-minute commute — and…
Read More“Mister Rogers & Me” In 25 Words Or Less?
I’ve been drafting our Independent Film Week application as Chris fine tunes our submission. We’ve made some elegant revisions tonight, including the addition of a cute piece of footage of Ethan and me, some evocative driving b-roll, and a song by Davy Rothbart’s brother’s band, The Poem Adept, “Bear & Raccoon” (though we haven’t officially…
Read MoreExtra Pickles, As Always
Years ago, when I was recording the first of two albums (“Almost Home” and “Love & Other Indoor Games”) at my pal Kevin Anthony’s Control One Studios, I began most sessions with a delicious, toasty Turkey Ranch Sub from Quiznos on 23d Street. Tonight, Chris and I are editing just a few blocks from there,…
Read MoreDear Mister Rogers
Dear Mister Rogers, My memory isn’t the best, but one moment I’ll never forget is meeting you. It was September 4, 2001. I’d arrived on Nantucket just a few hours prior. I remember going for a run, then swimming in the bay at sunset. By the time you walked over from The Crooked House, there…
Read MoreSerendipity, Baby
Brace yourself; the following story may blow your mind. Just this past Sunday, Nada front man Jason Walsmith and I were sitting around his Beaverdale, Iowa, living room recovering from the previous night’s show and preparing for the next. We’re watching TV when he said, “Lemme’ show you this documentary.” He surfed around his Tivo…
Read MoreGiven To Fly
There are three major flight paths outside my window: Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK. With the frequent buzz of tourist helicopters and Hudson River air traffic, the skies above me are constantly crowded with jet engines, propellers, and blinking red lights. It’s an apt metaphor for New York City, really. Or, for that matter, my brain.…
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