Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 4

CHRISTMAS CLUMSY

INVARIABLY, when the Holidays approach, I become clumsy. Why, I’ve no idea, but it’s like a holiday ritual; something, I can count on, like taxes in January, but much more pleasant. Not that I resent paying my fair share to keep the USA, well, American, and my neighborhood worth living. No, I don’t resent taxes or the Holiday clumsies (by March and tax payment, I’m no longer clumsy). They’re just little hooks upon which I can hang my Christmas and New Year’s feelings on, while I get on with enjoying the actual holidays.

Here in Hawaii, “The Holidays” are literally one six-week festivity, beginning with the lighting of the Big Tree, the unmistakable appearance of “Shaka Santa and Mrs. Claus,” and the municipal trees display in city hall. Oh, and I shan’t forget holiday malasadas and the electric light decoration of downtown Honolulu. Then on First Night (of the new year), there’s the Parade of Lights, fireworks and firecrackers to scare off any residual dragons (repeated with more vigor the Chinese Lunar New Year).

At home, we’ve a lighted, plastic coconut tree (used to have a real one but it outgrew the condo lanai), presents under the tree, a YouTube fireplace crackling and popping visually warming the 68 degree evening trade winds. And don’t forget the winter Hawaiian moon over the beach at Waikiki. After our “traditional” afternoon baked salmon holiday dinner with pupus and poi, it’s off to the beach to enjoy a stunning sunset (well, it’s always a stunningly beautiful sunset here) made special by the holiday spirit.

So, in anticipation, actress Setsuko Tsuchiya, and actor Daniel S. Janik (aka Raymond Gaynor, author) wish you a fond Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) and a friendly, if somewhat clumsy Hau ‘oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year).



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TO THE “HOLIDAYS”

IMAGINE lifting a curvaceous flute filled with the finest bubbly (either champagne or fruit juice depending on your wont and disposition), before a blazing, crackling fire (in a fireplace, please), intimately toasting your BBF or BGF (you decide). That’s what I think of initially, easily forgetting the stress of all the preparation that would have to go into making just such an imaginary scenario into reality. Forget the tree, the trimming, the holiday cards (or, these days, emails), the shopping, the meetups with countless preceding non-BBF/BGF’s and heretofore unknown relatives (the frogs before the prince or princess), the working-to-the-last-moment in order to fund all of the above before entering the kitchen and spending all day cooking in anticipation of that few seconds of ecstasy, imagined or real.

Now imagine sifting through all that’s happened the year before and selecting out which you wish to reveal to each different letter-writing, emailing, phone calling, texting individual who writes, emails, calls or texts over the two to four weeks preceding. What was the year like, and how to frame it appropriately to each different contact? Or would a single summary of the most memorable milk-toast, completely inoffensive events, be better to send to everyone alike? Personally, I don’t enjoy the latter. It leaves me feeling less than not receiving such a letter at all. And what about all the ex’s (if one has ex’s)? Or unrequited loves that have left their indelible imprint from years past? Is it better to not contact them at all, or more honest and supportively send sincere greetings once every year sparing all the days between?

Now, turn off the imagination, the needs, wants and desires of the holidays and “all the days between,” and search the heart for the truth (not recommended for most, as it often brings up more painful than happy feelings, we humans being constantly testing our feelings for others individually and collectively). It’s said humans are, if nothing else, decidedly confused social creatures, always searching for something that isn’t there and, frankly, doesn’t matter. After all, it’s the journey not the destination that determines who we ultimately end up becoming. Perhaps the Holidays are, at best, just another day, albeit one we emotionally elevate in expectation, in our life journey. One to be simply enjoyed, that enjoyment simply shared with others who want sharing. I’m for that, I say, lifting a curvaceous flute filled with grape-flavored mock champagne, before no fire at all (I don’t have a fireplace, and besides, I live in Hawaii), toasting my BBF, BGF and anyone in my authoring or acting circles who wants to join me. Salute! https://janik.yolasite.com/



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GOOD GNUS

CLEVER, huh? In this world of increasing extinctions, “Any gnus is good gnus.” And with that little play on words, I am pleased to bring you some really, really good news: THE MALTESE COLLECTION — https://ksmediagroupinc.com/maltese-c... — just advanced in the Washington DC International Film Festival from “selected” to “bimonthly awarded” and is further advanced in the final run for two major 2023 awards — https://filmfreeway.com/WashingtonDCI.... I am especially pleased, as William Maltese and I have been author-friends for quite some time, having co-authored TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2006) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1434403556 — and I was fortunate enough to appear as myself, an interviewee in the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION.

With over 250 publications including DARE TO LOVE IN OZ (Savant 2009) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984117547, WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER: #1-Book of Answers (Savant 2010) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984555242, and WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER: #2-Book of Ascendancy (Savant 2020) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693875, THE MALTESE COLLECTION bio-documentary film is a reprise to William Maltese’s many inspirations, his achievements, and his lifelong support of erotica, LGBTQ authors and readers.

Check https://ksmediagroupinc.com/maltese-c... for the latest premier information, or https://janik.yolasite.com/thewilliam... for behind-the-scenes photos and photovideo vignettes from the filming.



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THE MALTESE COLLECTION RECEIVES ITS FIRST KUDOS

I’M pleased to report that the K. Simmons’ Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION — https://ksmediagroupinc.com/maltese-c..., recently out of post-production, has been selected to appear in the Washington DC International Cinema Festival — https://filmfreeway.com/WashingtonDCI..., a bi-monthly film Festival, culminating in a 30 April 2023 Gala Awards Ceremony! Congratulations to world-acclaimed, multi-award-winning author, screenwriter and now lead actor, Mr. William Maltese, about whom the bio-documentary film centers. The Maltese Collection is a reprise to William’s many inspirations, achievements, and his lifelong support of erotica, LGBTQ authors and readers.

And let’s not forget two of my personal book favorites: WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER #1 Book of Answers — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984555242 — and WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER #2 Book of Ascendancy — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693875 — both purchased by KS Media Group Inc for cinematic treatment. FLICKER 1 and 2 chronicle “the rise of one all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful teenage Grand Master Magician, and the battles fought by old and young, by magic (black and white), by demons, beasts and humans,” and speak to William’s incomparable literary diversity.

I’m proud to appear in the film as myself, one of several interviewees who’ve known William over the years, and having the opportunity to express my own support for LGBTQ authors, literature and readers. Follow me behind-the-scenes as THE MALTESE COLLECTION continues its journey around the world — https://janik.yolasite.com/thewilliam....

Teaser: https://vimeo.com/753162996

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THE LEGACY OF A. G. HAYES

ONE of my author-friends, A. G. Hayes, recently passed. It was a sad day for me and his many action/adventure affectionados. A. G. authored tens of books, short stories and screenplays during his lifetime, epitomized by his seven-book Koski and Falk series — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... as a seven-book, two-volume printed book, also available from Amazon in printed two volumes as THE COMPLETE KOSKI AND FALK VOL I — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693832 and VOL II — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693840 — and as one book in ebook format — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086Z87Z9K. We often discussed plots, characters and presentation, co-authoring the fifth of his seven Koski & Falk books and the first in the Kate Keenan Special Assignment series, QUANTUM DEATH (2016) by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0996325530. I also had the pleasure of helping conceptualize 68 VIA CONDOTTI: ETERNITY LTD — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999463349 — the third in his Kate Keenan Special Assignment series delving into the relationship between Artificial Intelligences and humans, the first being FINDING KATE — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997247215 — currently in production by K. Simmons Production as a six-part, made-for-television movie scheduled for release in early 2023. In it, A. G. actually appears in the part of one of his principal characters, Tom Stewart, head of the ultra-secret Cerberus organization -- https://ksmediagroupinc.com/finding-kate.

Thinking of a Holiday gift that will also honor one of the great thriller writers? May I suggest any of the above as a place to start while waiting for FINDING KATE, the movie, to come out?

I often hear that great authors a born such, but having worked for over 15 years with A. G. Hayes, I feel I can safely say that, while they may be born such, perhaps as a “natural” storyteller, it is only through years of dedication, devotion and hard work that one acquires a unique style and “natural” seeming presentation. It’s a little known fact that A. G. Hayes worked his way up not only the author ladder, but also as an actor, which I think led to the vibrancy of the dialog in his books. He was and remains a mentor to me in my acting career as Daniel S. Janik. It is to one of my personal author-friends, A. G. Hayes, I say, “Hail and farewell,” while his legacy through books, ebooks, audiobooks and forthcoming movies continues to live on.



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DANCE AWHILE, SMILE ALL DAY

AS our opportunity to film Daniel S. Janik and Setsuko Tsuchiya doing an honor dance in the K. Simmons Production of FINDING KATE — https://ksmediagroupinc.com/finding-kate — approaches, we’re working hard on the presentation with champion professional choreographer and coach, Mr. Albert Franz, to original music by Hawaii’s Ambassadors of Aloha, Leon and Malia. It should all be coming together soon ready for filming on a Hawaiiwood post-production party set. Go ahead: Ask me if I’m excited and I’ll immediately answer absolutely! I’ve always wanted to perform a dance for a film, and FINDING KATE is poised to more than meet all my expectations. Ever since Setsuko and I danced in the TV series, FANTASY ISLAND 1998 – Episode 4 – “Dying to Dance” – (39.00 through 42.00 minute mark) --https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php, we’ve talked about doing a feature dance, starring the two of us: Fred and Ginger. Gene and Vera. Danny and Vera. Donald and Vera. Ha, ha! My Vera-Ellen being Setsuko Tsuchiya.

Today we spent an hour at our studio rehearsing our dance, adding technique from our recent “lessons” with Seiji Yuki and Hiromi Suzuki during our brief trip to Japan. Being a retired physician, I especially appreciate Hiromi’s anatomical/physiological understanding and approach to dance.

Perfection in anything is typically hard won, and we’ve been working hard to make our part in FINDING KATE unforgettable, in memory of my dear friend and author, A. G. Hayes, who wrote FINDING KATE — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY5WYTE. Book five of seven in the riveting Koski and Falk Thriller series, book one in the Kate Keenan Special Assignment series and the widely anticipated prequel to the award-wining sixth Koski and Falk Thriller series novel, QUANTUM DEATH, FINDING KATE promises adventure and thrills galore in addition to our dance. Long-ignored computer genius Kate Keenan has designed a computer program that will put Hollywood and Bollywood out of business overnight. Suddenly everyone wants her…and her program. To stay alive, Kate goes into hiding, barely keeping ahead of a lethal hoard of pursuers with only one thing in mind: FINDING KATE and possessing or destroying the program.

Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZe_A...

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FORGET THANKSGIVING IF YOU’RE A TURKEY

IF not, then it’s definitely past time to prepare. I went to the grocery yesterday, and was struck by the presence of actual food lines, not for feee food, simply to get inside the store and have a few seconds to grab what I could of what’s left. Interestingly, the one thing there was plenty of was turkeys. Raw, pre-cooked, stuffed, half and even TV dinnered. Lots of turkey(s). Everything else seemed in limited supply. What’s going on? Is the turkey abundance in response to the President’s pardoning this year’s turkeys? Or simply a mark of evolving animal intelligence? A plot by ham producers (everything porcine seems to have hit new highs in terms of price these days)? Or does it represent a national shift to insects and/or vegetables? Then again, maybe the portended rail strike is secretly already underway? It’s hard to know anything for sure these days. On the other hand, if you’re a turkey and still alive, rejoice!

Me? I’m planning a traditional turkey dinner but without the turkey: You know, mashed potatoes, instant brown gravy, cranberries in mandarin orange juice, instant stuffing, yams with marshmallow topping, green beans and, of course pumpkin pie with whipped cream. And that’s just the holiday meal. As for the holiday itself, my partner and I will both be working all day and we’ll be truly thankful for that. If it’s a mail holiday, we’ll be thankful for no bills. If not, we’ll be thankful to receive our paychecks (please send us paychecks to be thankful for). Add thankfulness that we recently received two awards for the STATIC movie, we’ve finally paid off our mortgage, car and all fifty credit cards (at least it seems like fifty), didn’t dabble in BitCoins and our retirements are not subject to the Stock Market. Thankful that the mass shootings aren’t happening in our neighborhood (knock on wood), that our local police are still intact and, yes, very caring, and we’re not participating in the proffered world war, at least, not yet.

Even with all that thankfulness flowing about, I do feel sorry for our planet. Earth didn’t deserve us. I fear its regular “breath” is becoming more of a terminal rattle, and would be wildly thankful if the so-called leaders and managers of this world would get their stuff together, and lead and manage a new wave of stewardship in which everyone could proudly participate. Sigh.

And, if you’re a turkey, well, you can still be theoretically thankful in general and existentially so that there are no turkeys in space or on other colonizeable planets for humans to eat, at least as yet.



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THE ETERNAL WAIT

“HURRY up and wait,” seems to be the new colloquialism of the 2022’s. There’s so much that needs to be done, but seemingly little desire to personally take part. Call it the post-sueism era, where one can find more legal reasons for not doing anything than doing something, no matter how small. Or, call it simple nihilism, where anything good that can be done can also be undone or reoriented to the dark side. Or, being simply overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. Then again, there’s modern slothism or postponementism. Anything that could be done today can be done later. But what I can’t abide is the contemporary substitution of money for beneficial activity. That is, don’t do anything, just send money.

I’ve made it a rule to offer help, but not money to the literally hundreds of organizations with hands suddenly out. Call me unfeeling, crass or just critical, but it seems if help won’t do it, more money likely won’t either. Then, there’s the adage that giving an alcoholic or addict may kill. I’m inclined to say the same about politicians and money/power these days. Why isn’t my vote ever enough these days?

Is it possible to break out of this multi-layered cocoon of inaction, without becoming an an out-of-control activist? Is there a way to return to simply living one’s life fully and freely? Or, forget “return,” and just do it? I think so, but it’s not easy to break the bonds of psychological consumerism and kiss the earth, one’s family and friends. I’m not a 60s “flower child;” I don’t espouse picking flowers or killing animals, just appreciating and, where appropriate, stewarding them. Someone needs to or there won’t be any reason left to stay on the Earth instead of habitating the anticipated moon colony of the near future.

Instead of “Hurry up and WAIT,” I propose, “HURRY UP and wait.” Clever. Subtle. But altogether different ways of living. Or, as my more sarcastic friends say these days, “And don’t forget to smell the gun powder.” Humpf! Maybe I’m a 60s “flower adult?” Need a more instantaneous contemporary solution? Buy my latest Amazon-genre bestseller book, THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 -- or the multi-award winning movie STATIC in which I play lead character, Will Gardner -- https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ....

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WHAT’S AT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE?

WITH all the new discoveries being made as astronomers and cosmologists work together in conjunction with the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, we keep creeping closer, day by day to answering the supreme questions surrounding what our universe is all about, and what came before it. Personally, I love astronomy, and like Gregory Ranlin in William Maltese’s books/screenplays FLICKER 1 — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984555242 — and FLICKER 2 — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693875 — am particularly inclined to recurrently look to the skies with delight in our slow but continued pursuit of the answers to these greatest of all questions. But I have a peculiar feeling that, like in Douglas Adams’ HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1529044197 — the answers may prove surprising, and for some, downright alarming.

It’s been said that we spend our lives in search of that which we forgot at birth. In my opinion, what we instead hold onto until the day we die, is that we are the center of the universe. We are the epitome and reason for all that exists. Call it a pre-birth understanding from a time when we were, indeed, the center of our known universe (see my latest book THE EDGE OF MADNESS — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859, that charges adolescents with a feeling of immortality, adults with a longing for the days when they were children, and elderly staring into the seeming void of death. So what answers lurk at the beginning, center and end of the Hubble/Webb universe as we now know it? I think it’s the unsettling recognition that we are both insignificant and significant in the overall scheme of things: Significant as a fetus; insignificant as a senior, and, at best, simply awestruck at the combined simplicity and complexity of the universe as we “see” it.

Okay, call me a fence-sitter or tease, but I do believe that from our own unique perspective, the universe is all about us. Can you, thinking about it, imagine the universe after you die? I can’t. Therefore, I must be at its past, present and future center. On the other hand, as a rational creature, can this be so, given I’ve never personally known any person (other than a historic religious person) who died and remained the center of the universe as we humans today know it? In this context, perhaps the center of everything isn’t any one person, but a psychological quirk called “hope” or “choice.”

For today, however, I choose to believe I am indeed at the center of the universe, and I’m the sole reason for its being. I simply feels good.



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WHAT DOES ONE DO ON A QUIET SUNDAY AFTERNOON?

Actor Daniel S. Janik (aka author Raymond Gaynor/Gary Marine) here, nose to screen, typing at my computer on a fantastic sunny but pleasantly cool day. Posting about what? Film, of course.

Setsuko Tsuchiya and I have been filming scenes for Elias Perez’ 2-Liters Shady Films’ production of MOCOS, our first horror film, an especially notable film in that all is done by the actors and actresses (aliens, too?) use Elias’ script, and send their parts in to him for collating and editing. I was pleased to view a teaser upon our return from the Chicago Independent Indie Film Festival which I’ve added to my MOCOS website at https://janik.yolasite.com/mocos.php – just click on the image at the top of the page.

MOCOS has more than one interest for me, besides being my first horror film and first distance filmed work with actors and actresses I have never met before. It’s also my first experience with distance directing, relying heavily on a screenplay that I haven’t yet seen anywhere near in toto, reminiscent of the Lost television series.

But it bears another aspect of interest to me as a retired physician, especially a public health/preventive medicine specialist: I have felt from the beginning that the COVID pandemic was our warning shot across the bow, that our world is ill equipped to deal with infectious agents, primarily because population growth has left public health/preventive medicine far behind, be it sewage, air, water, food or psychological quality of life. It’s the next and the next and the next pandemic that I fear, specifically because we never took COVID seriously. Even now, we still don’t. Our government, communication, transportation, heath services, even businesses never “got it” and put in place the new kinds of infrastructure needed to support such a huge population as we have looming on the horizon.

So what DOES one do on a quiet Sunday afternoon? I sit at my computer and wonder what will come after COVID. Will it be MOCOS?



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