Jason Haskins's Blog, page 48
September 22, 2015
5 Free Agents Worth Signing Other than Tim Tebow
Tony Romo. Jay Cutler. Drew Brees.
NFL quarterbacks are racking up the injuries through the first two weeks of the 2015 season. Some will miss multiple games, as with the case of Romo and Cutler. Others, such as Derek Carr, already missed parts of games due to various ailments.
This is nothing new in today's fast-paced, hard-hitting NFL. Injuries to star players are becoming more and more common place in recent seasons. As we see, quarterbacks are not exempt from this list. In some cases, they even have a higher risk in receiving a devastating hit, leaving a team scrambling to find a replacement. When this occurs, fans immediately begin to clamor for one man: Tim Tebow.
Fans from Dallas and Chicago are no different. Placing the success of the franchises on the shoulders of Brandon Weeden and Jimmy Clausen are not sitting well with fans. The Cowboys seemingly solved their backup quarterback situation by trading for Matt Cassel. (Sorry Kellen Moore. Maybe one day you'll get that shot. At least you should be active this week while Cassel learns the playbook.)
As for Bears fans, I ask this: Why Tebow? After an excellent college career at the University of Florida, Tebow has failed again and again on the pro level. Sure, he has an 8-6 career record, going 7-4 and leading the Broncos to the playoffs in 2011. That Denver team was led by a top-tier defense. Tebow would struggle for three quarters while the defense kept the game close. Then, in miraculous fashion, Tebow would have an amazing fourth quarter by throwing five-yard crossing routes that got taken sixty yards for a score.
Yes, Tebow is a leader. There is no discrediting that. Even at the NFL level, though, you need to show a little bit more consistency. Tebow's mechanics have never been great and teams have figured out ways to limit the success of running quarterbacks. His window has closed.
If one needs more proof, one can take a look at his stats. He has thrown 17 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He has thrown for 2422 yards. Throw in a career completion percentage of 47.9% and what you have is a quarterback not worth the time.
With that being said, here are five players worth signing to be your next backup quarterback that are better options than Tim Tebow.
Rex Grossman
Teams: 3Stats: 56 career touchdowns, 10,232 career yards
Rex Grossman last played a snap in 2013 but that doesn't mean he's not worth a look. Old "Train Rex" himself was the very man that led the Bears to their last Super Bowl appearance in 2007. Maybe he's the one that can right this ship for the 2015 season. Oh, wait, they'll probably need a defense first. Matt Flynn
Teams: 4 (regular season)Stats: 17 career touchdowns, 61% completion rate, one hefty contract
Matt Flynn, one may remember, struck it rich after his 6-touchdown performance in the final game of the 2011 season with Green Bay. He signed with Seattle, didn't even start a game, and has been bouncing around since. On second thought, he has the same problem Tebow did. He couldn't even secure a roster spot with the Jets. That's a big red flag right there.
Christian Ponder
Stats: 38 td's, 36 int's, and a career-record of 14-21-1.
Christian Ponder never really caught on with Minnesota. And he has the same problem as Matt Flynn, except you need to replace the word 'Jets' with the word 'Raiders'.
Jeff George
Stats: 12 years, Over 22,000 yards, and 154 career touchdowns.
Jeff George, the original "arm for hire", can most likely still sling it around the field at the age of 48. I'm sure if he was called, he was would answer.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Stats: 8-12, 143 yards and 7 td's.
LaDainian Tomlinson threw the half-back pass like no other. Plus, look at those numbers. He can easily lead the Bears to glory. Now, all you have to do is get him out of retirement.
There it is. Five players that can uplift the Bears to greatness other than Tebow. Or any other team, for that matter. It's time to move on from the man that lost relevancy on the field years ago. A relevancy that he never truly earned at least in the NFL.
NFL quarterbacks are racking up the injuries through the first two weeks of the 2015 season. Some will miss multiple games, as with the case of Romo and Cutler. Others, such as Derek Carr, already missed parts of games due to various ailments.
This is nothing new in today's fast-paced, hard-hitting NFL. Injuries to star players are becoming more and more common place in recent seasons. As we see, quarterbacks are not exempt from this list. In some cases, they even have a higher risk in receiving a devastating hit, leaving a team scrambling to find a replacement. When this occurs, fans immediately begin to clamor for one man: Tim Tebow.
Fans from Dallas and Chicago are no different. Placing the success of the franchises on the shoulders of Brandon Weeden and Jimmy Clausen are not sitting well with fans. The Cowboys seemingly solved their backup quarterback situation by trading for Matt Cassel. (Sorry Kellen Moore. Maybe one day you'll get that shot. At least you should be active this week while Cassel learns the playbook.)
As for Bears fans, I ask this: Why Tebow? After an excellent college career at the University of Florida, Tebow has failed again and again on the pro level. Sure, he has an 8-6 career record, going 7-4 and leading the Broncos to the playoffs in 2011. That Denver team was led by a top-tier defense. Tebow would struggle for three quarters while the defense kept the game close. Then, in miraculous fashion, Tebow would have an amazing fourth quarter by throwing five-yard crossing routes that got taken sixty yards for a score.
Yes, Tebow is a leader. There is no discrediting that. Even at the NFL level, though, you need to show a little bit more consistency. Tebow's mechanics have never been great and teams have figured out ways to limit the success of running quarterbacks. His window has closed.
If one needs more proof, one can take a look at his stats. He has thrown 17 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He has thrown for 2422 yards. Throw in a career completion percentage of 47.9% and what you have is a quarterback not worth the time.
With that being said, here are five players worth signing to be your next backup quarterback that are better options than Tim Tebow.
Rex Grossman
Teams: 3Stats: 56 career touchdowns, 10,232 career yards
Rex Grossman last played a snap in 2013 but that doesn't mean he's not worth a look. Old "Train Rex" himself was the very man that led the Bears to their last Super Bowl appearance in 2007. Maybe he's the one that can right this ship for the 2015 season. Oh, wait, they'll probably need a defense first. Matt Flynn
Teams: 4 (regular season)Stats: 17 career touchdowns, 61% completion rate, one hefty contract
Matt Flynn, one may remember, struck it rich after his 6-touchdown performance in the final game of the 2011 season with Green Bay. He signed with Seattle, didn't even start a game, and has been bouncing around since. On second thought, he has the same problem Tebow did. He couldn't even secure a roster spot with the Jets. That's a big red flag right there.
Christian Ponder
Stats: 38 td's, 36 int's, and a career-record of 14-21-1.
Christian Ponder never really caught on with Minnesota. And he has the same problem as Matt Flynn, except you need to replace the word 'Jets' with the word 'Raiders'.
Jeff George
Stats: 12 years, Over 22,000 yards, and 154 career touchdowns.
Jeff George, the original "arm for hire", can most likely still sling it around the field at the age of 48. I'm sure if he was called, he was would answer.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Stats: 8-12, 143 yards and 7 td's.
LaDainian Tomlinson threw the half-back pass like no other. Plus, look at those numbers. He can easily lead the Bears to glory. Now, all you have to do is get him out of retirement.
There it is. Five players that can uplift the Bears to greatness other than Tebow. Or any other team, for that matter. It's time to move on from the man that lost relevancy on the field years ago. A relevancy that he never truly earned at least in the NFL.
August 29, 2015
I Wasted my Saturday Morning. The Reason Will SHOCK You!
You ready for this?
You think you can handle this?
Saturday mornings, like many of my mornings, are spent on the internet. I check emails, I check playwright opportunities, I check up on news from the sports world, and I look for other writing opportunities.
Today, I clicked on a headline I knew I would ultimately regret. "30 Awkward Child Stars Turned Insanely Hot" (Click on the link at your own risk. I'd advise against it. I simply put it here for source material.)
I was intrigued. I like to look at awkward photos from our youth. The same photos are present in all of our lives. This might be fun.
Don't get me wrong, part of me knew what clicking this link would entail. As with many Buzzfeed or Huffington Post articles with similar headlines, I knew ultimately clicking this link would provide a letdown of sorts. I knew what I was getting into yet my mouse rolled over the headline and clicked.
I clicked because the photos they used made no sense. They used a picture of Minkus (Lee Norris) of Boy Meets World. The present day picture, next to the photo of a young Norris, was that of a blonde that was certainly not Mr. Norris. Any fan of One Tree Hill knows that Norris does not certainly look like a blonde female in her 20's.
I arrived at the site and clicked "Begin Slideshow". Things started off okay, with a picture of Taylor Swift now placed next to a picture when she was, I don't know, in the sixth grade. A side by side comparison did in fact prove that maybe she was a little awkward.
From there, it went downhill. I made it through about 20 pictures/celebrities and maybe one more could be considered awkward. Some of these celebrities, even as children or young teen performers, I have never considered awkward. Others, like Alyssa Milano, weren't awkward. These celebrities, especially as kids, were simply the byproduct of the fashion of the 80's. In that case, everyone was awkward in the late 80's.
Yet, I kept clicking. I moved ahead, seeing a picture of Justin Timberlake. His awkward photo? Taken from his days from 'N Sync, Timberlake had his platinum blonde hair. How awkward!!!
I stopped at 20. I didn't even get to see if Lee Norris was actually on the list. Out of 20 clicks, there were a total of two I'd consider awkward, two I'd give a "I can see that", and the rest as not awkward at all. Natalie Portman in The Professional? Nope. Hilary Duff? Nope. Zac Efron? Maybe.
I understand. It's all very subjective. You might very well decide to click on the link and decide for yourself. Maybe the last ten photos were of entirely awkward kids that validated the entire headline. Or maybe you'll judge them as all awkward child stars.
No more will I click on these types of headlines. I am never satisfied and end up angry at what constitutes "article" writing on the internet. Headlines need to grab the attention of the reader. I understand. What I don't understand are articles that don't provide any actual insight into what the headline is about or the headline is horribly misleading. At least create content that is relevant to the headline and not just a list with photos or videos.
I am taking a stand. No more will I click on these headlines that say "You Won't Believe" or "25 Things That..." It's the world we live in. I understand. I enjoy shutting the mind off once in awhile (Hence one of the reasons I clicked on the link to begin with). I enjoy seeking information, knowledge, and trivia but no longer will I click these links.
I am taking a stand. Will you stand with me?
You think you can handle this?
Saturday mornings, like many of my mornings, are spent on the internet. I check emails, I check playwright opportunities, I check up on news from the sports world, and I look for other writing opportunities.
Today, I clicked on a headline I knew I would ultimately regret. "30 Awkward Child Stars Turned Insanely Hot" (Click on the link at your own risk. I'd advise against it. I simply put it here for source material.)
I was intrigued. I like to look at awkward photos from our youth. The same photos are present in all of our lives. This might be fun.
Don't get me wrong, part of me knew what clicking this link would entail. As with many Buzzfeed or Huffington Post articles with similar headlines, I knew ultimately clicking this link would provide a letdown of sorts. I knew what I was getting into yet my mouse rolled over the headline and clicked.
I clicked because the photos they used made no sense. They used a picture of Minkus (Lee Norris) of Boy Meets World. The present day picture, next to the photo of a young Norris, was that of a blonde that was certainly not Mr. Norris. Any fan of One Tree Hill knows that Norris does not certainly look like a blonde female in her 20's.
I arrived at the site and clicked "Begin Slideshow". Things started off okay, with a picture of Taylor Swift now placed next to a picture when she was, I don't know, in the sixth grade. A side by side comparison did in fact prove that maybe she was a little awkward.
From there, it went downhill. I made it through about 20 pictures/celebrities and maybe one more could be considered awkward. Some of these celebrities, even as children or young teen performers, I have never considered awkward. Others, like Alyssa Milano, weren't awkward. These celebrities, especially as kids, were simply the byproduct of the fashion of the 80's. In that case, everyone was awkward in the late 80's.
Yet, I kept clicking. I moved ahead, seeing a picture of Justin Timberlake. His awkward photo? Taken from his days from 'N Sync, Timberlake had his platinum blonde hair. How awkward!!!
I stopped at 20. I didn't even get to see if Lee Norris was actually on the list. Out of 20 clicks, there were a total of two I'd consider awkward, two I'd give a "I can see that", and the rest as not awkward at all. Natalie Portman in The Professional? Nope. Hilary Duff? Nope. Zac Efron? Maybe.
I understand. It's all very subjective. You might very well decide to click on the link and decide for yourself. Maybe the last ten photos were of entirely awkward kids that validated the entire headline. Or maybe you'll judge them as all awkward child stars.
No more will I click on these types of headlines. I am never satisfied and end up angry at what constitutes "article" writing on the internet. Headlines need to grab the attention of the reader. I understand. What I don't understand are articles that don't provide any actual insight into what the headline is about or the headline is horribly misleading. At least create content that is relevant to the headline and not just a list with photos or videos.
I am taking a stand. No more will I click on these headlines that say "You Won't Believe" or "25 Things That..." It's the world we live in. I understand. I enjoy shutting the mind off once in awhile (Hence one of the reasons I clicked on the link to begin with). I enjoy seeking information, knowledge, and trivia but no longer will I click these links.
I am taking a stand. Will you stand with me?
August 22, 2015
Saturday Means One Thing: A New Movie Premieres on Lifetime
Saturday. The perfect time to go to the Farmers Market. Maybe have a late morning cup of coffee on the porch. Have a picnic. If you're in Idaho, take a trip to the Western Idaho Fair. Perhaps meet up with friends for a drink. Or, if you select the smart option, you can settle in for a night of t.v. and watch Lifetime's The Unauthorized Full House Story.
That's right. After the success of The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story , Lifetime is bringing us a behind-the-scenes look at another television staple from the 1990's. This promises to be a television event that can finally bring closure to all the questions posed to us over the years. Questions like: Why did Bob Saget settle into this family sitcom after such a racy stand-up comedy career? Did Dave Coulier really piss off Alanis Morissette that badly in which she had to write songs about him? Should members of the Beach Boys been given "Special Guest Star" status on every episode, much like Heather Locklear was for Melrose Place?
This movie arrives just as most of the cast has reunited for the Netflix launch of Fuller House. That's right. The gang is back (sans the Olsen Twins). I don't really know why both of them would need to come back. The two of them played one character. Bring one of them back and call it good. It's not like they are off filming New York Minute Two: Electric Boogaloo.
Lifetime has shown a propensity to focus on the late 80's/early 90's so I have a pitch for their next project. It may seem a little out of the box but it fits the era perfectly. The drama is built right into this comedy that featured the perfect family that had three kids (later a fourth and eventually a fifth. Adoption!), a picket fence, and a character named Boner. That's right, I'm talking about Growing Pains.
There is enough material with Kirk Cameron, who played Mike Seaver, to probably take care of 1/2 of the movie. He went from teen heartthrob to deeply religious man, allegedly getting his character's girlfriend, a real life Playboy model (Julie McCullough) written out of story lines because of her prior work.
Drama behind the scenes is inherently built in when the star of the show is the teenager, not the two actors playing the parents who had worked their entire life to achieve steady work in sitcoms. The show was probably steeped in jealousy and plays for power when popularity of the show increased. In Lifetime's "Unauthorized" movies, that's simply how it goes.
Sure, much of the drama surrounding this cast took place long after the series ended. Cameron is a maker of Christian films and other religious propaganda. Tracey Gold, who played sister Carol, has battled various health issues and run-ins with the law. Andrew Koenig, the actor who played Boner, unfortunately ended his life in 2010. At least Sam Anderson (Principal DeWitt) went on to appear on many television shows, including LOST.
Let's take it one step further. It is time to reboot Growing Pains. Let's see what those crazy Seaver kids are up to these days. Maybe they can all once again be living in the same house, with Mike Seaver living with his own family in the apartment above the garage. Or even better, the Seavers have now moved to California and are next door neighbors with Tanners of Fuller House.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Jason, the Seavers wrapped up everything nicely in the 2004 movie Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers. There is no need to bring them back."
That was 11 years ago! It's time to see if the Seavers succeeded in everything they set out to accomplish. Nostalgia is at an all-time high and the time to bring back Growing Pains is now. Hop on the train before audiences give up on the past and start demanding new content.
Let's get Joanna Kerns, who played matriarch Maggie Seaver, back on the small screen. Jeremy Miller, younger brother Ben, could probably use the work. I know Ashley Johnson, youngest sister Chrissy, is a Joss Whedon player now but I'm sure she'd hop right back in the fold. I haven't seen this Leonardo DiCaprio fella, who played runaway/adopted son Luke, in ages so I'm sure he's available. The one trouble spot might be Alan Thicke, who played patriarch Jason Seaver, who is currently on a very successful reality show on the TV Guide Network (TVGN to the hip crowd) called Unusually Thicke.
Time to make this happen, world.
I will start working on the pilot episode of Still Growing: Pains immediately after this blog post is finished. After that, I will work on the script for The Unauthorized Growing Pains Story. Lifetime (or other network executives in case of the pilot) can contact me via my website: haskoy2j.wix.com/jason-haskins. I should have those scripts finished shortly, though I will be taking a break to watch The Unauthorized Full House Story later this evening.
Time to get writing. Until next time, world.
That's right. After the success of The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story , Lifetime is bringing us a behind-the-scenes look at another television staple from the 1990's. This promises to be a television event that can finally bring closure to all the questions posed to us over the years. Questions like: Why did Bob Saget settle into this family sitcom after such a racy stand-up comedy career? Did Dave Coulier really piss off Alanis Morissette that badly in which she had to write songs about him? Should members of the Beach Boys been given "Special Guest Star" status on every episode, much like Heather Locklear was for Melrose Place?
This movie arrives just as most of the cast has reunited for the Netflix launch of Fuller House. That's right. The gang is back (sans the Olsen Twins). I don't really know why both of them would need to come back. The two of them played one character. Bring one of them back and call it good. It's not like they are off filming New York Minute Two: Electric Boogaloo.
Lifetime has shown a propensity to focus on the late 80's/early 90's so I have a pitch for their next project. It may seem a little out of the box but it fits the era perfectly. The drama is built right into this comedy that featured the perfect family that had three kids (later a fourth and eventually a fifth. Adoption!), a picket fence, and a character named Boner. That's right, I'm talking about Growing Pains.
There is enough material with Kirk Cameron, who played Mike Seaver, to probably take care of 1/2 of the movie. He went from teen heartthrob to deeply religious man, allegedly getting his character's girlfriend, a real life Playboy model (Julie McCullough) written out of story lines because of her prior work.
Drama behind the scenes is inherently built in when the star of the show is the teenager, not the two actors playing the parents who had worked their entire life to achieve steady work in sitcoms. The show was probably steeped in jealousy and plays for power when popularity of the show increased. In Lifetime's "Unauthorized" movies, that's simply how it goes.
Sure, much of the drama surrounding this cast took place long after the series ended. Cameron is a maker of Christian films and other religious propaganda. Tracey Gold, who played sister Carol, has battled various health issues and run-ins with the law. Andrew Koenig, the actor who played Boner, unfortunately ended his life in 2010. At least Sam Anderson (Principal DeWitt) went on to appear on many television shows, including LOST.
Let's take it one step further. It is time to reboot Growing Pains. Let's see what those crazy Seaver kids are up to these days. Maybe they can all once again be living in the same house, with Mike Seaver living with his own family in the apartment above the garage. Or even better, the Seavers have now moved to California and are next door neighbors with Tanners of Fuller House.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Jason, the Seavers wrapped up everything nicely in the 2004 movie Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers. There is no need to bring them back."
That was 11 years ago! It's time to see if the Seavers succeeded in everything they set out to accomplish. Nostalgia is at an all-time high and the time to bring back Growing Pains is now. Hop on the train before audiences give up on the past and start demanding new content.
Let's get Joanna Kerns, who played matriarch Maggie Seaver, back on the small screen. Jeremy Miller, younger brother Ben, could probably use the work. I know Ashley Johnson, youngest sister Chrissy, is a Joss Whedon player now but I'm sure she'd hop right back in the fold. I haven't seen this Leonardo DiCaprio fella, who played runaway/adopted son Luke, in ages so I'm sure he's available. The one trouble spot might be Alan Thicke, who played patriarch Jason Seaver, who is currently on a very successful reality show on the TV Guide Network (TVGN to the hip crowd) called Unusually Thicke.
Time to make this happen, world.
I will start working on the pilot episode of Still Growing: Pains immediately after this blog post is finished. After that, I will work on the script for The Unauthorized Growing Pains Story. Lifetime (or other network executives in case of the pilot) can contact me via my website: haskoy2j.wix.com/jason-haskins. I should have those scripts finished shortly, though I will be taking a break to watch The Unauthorized Full House Story later this evening.
Time to get writing. Until next time, world.
August 10, 2015
The Dog Days of Summer
Chances are, I've already titled a previous blog post this very same title. I did not bother to look. Too many blog posts, too many years, not enough time...
I figured I'd drop a quick update here on my blog rather than my website. That's right, I have a website. Technically two websites, if you count this one. Does that mean I've made it to the big time? Nope. I'm just a man with a goal. (Not all updates may be covered in this forum. Please refer to website for previous updates.)
The summer has been a productive one, though personal successes have seen little progress (at least monetarily. Though I don't necessarily write with the goal of making a butt load of money, I do aim to make money from writing because it's my career.)
A new ten-minute play, The E-6 Debacle, was given a reading at HomeGrown Theatre this summer. It was part of a ten-minute play festival that included five other ten-minute plays. I have submitted this play to a few other places since the reading in hopes of publication or production somewhere.
The Latitude of Life, my third full-length play, received a reading at Alley Repertory's summer reading series. The process of submitting this play will begin as soon as I give it another edit. It won't be the last edit but hopefully one in which the story and the life of the play will become tighter.
My original plan of completing a draft of The Blue Gem has not come to fruition. There's really no excuse as to why that hasn't happened. Life, I suppose, gets in the way of plans. I have now set a goal of completing it by the end of the year.
As always, The Dragon Princess is still available for download at the Amazon Kindle Store. My seemingly endless pursuit of an agent and/or publisher has produced only a few nibbles. Looking for that big catch...
The same can be said for many of my plays, screenplays, short stories, etc...
If you're looking for a one-act play to produce, you can read about mine over at Heartland Plays.
I continue to write. And write. And write. Probably to the point in which I have forgotten what a social life looks life. Though I did make it to California for a few days. This allowed me to see my sister and her family, who I hadn't seen in six years.
Thankful...
"There is a bridge that links what I do with what I would like to do... Slowly his dreams take over his everyday life, and then he realizes that he is ready for the thing he always wanted...Then all that is needed is a little daring, and his two lives became one." Excerpt from Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho
I figured I'd drop a quick update here on my blog rather than my website. That's right, I have a website. Technically two websites, if you count this one. Does that mean I've made it to the big time? Nope. I'm just a man with a goal. (Not all updates may be covered in this forum. Please refer to website for previous updates.)
The summer has been a productive one, though personal successes have seen little progress (at least monetarily. Though I don't necessarily write with the goal of making a butt load of money, I do aim to make money from writing because it's my career.)
A new ten-minute play, The E-6 Debacle, was given a reading at HomeGrown Theatre this summer. It was part of a ten-minute play festival that included five other ten-minute plays. I have submitted this play to a few other places since the reading in hopes of publication or production somewhere.
The Latitude of Life, my third full-length play, received a reading at Alley Repertory's summer reading series. The process of submitting this play will begin as soon as I give it another edit. It won't be the last edit but hopefully one in which the story and the life of the play will become tighter.
My original plan of completing a draft of The Blue Gem has not come to fruition. There's really no excuse as to why that hasn't happened. Life, I suppose, gets in the way of plans. I have now set a goal of completing it by the end of the year.
As always, The Dragon Princess is still available for download at the Amazon Kindle Store. My seemingly endless pursuit of an agent and/or publisher has produced only a few nibbles. Looking for that big catch...
The same can be said for many of my plays, screenplays, short stories, etc...
If you're looking for a one-act play to produce, you can read about mine over at Heartland Plays.
I continue to write. And write. And write. Probably to the point in which I have forgotten what a social life looks life. Though I did make it to California for a few days. This allowed me to see my sister and her family, who I hadn't seen in six years.
Thankful...
"There is a bridge that links what I do with what I would like to do... Slowly his dreams take over his everyday life, and then he realizes that he is ready for the thing he always wanted...Then all that is needed is a little daring, and his two lives became one." Excerpt from Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho
July 16, 2015
An Open Letter to Barry Bonds
Dear Mr. Bonds,
Good afternoon. I hope today finds you in good spirits and that you are continuing to enjoy your retirement. It sure looks like you are having a lot of fun, especially when taking selfies of yourself and a sleeping Willie Mays.
My name is Jason Haskins. As a kid, and even into my early 20s, the San Francisco Giants were my second favorite baseball team (Go Red Sox!). When you signed with San Francisco, my love for the Giants only grew. Near my 18th birthday, I was given your rookie card as a gift. With a stellar career and a terrific baseball lineage already under your belt, I imagined this card could one day fetch me a pretty penny.
That is why I'm writing you today. After you broke the single season home run record, the rookie card I held in my possession was valued at $700. At this time, I imagined a future in which you broke the all-time home run record and were an unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame, thus growing the value of the card. Then the bottom fell out.
Through allegations of steroid use and your association with Victor Conte and Balco (hey,we've all hung with some shady characters from time to time. Guilt by association, am I right?), the card's value drastically fell. Yes, you can also argue that an over saturation of the market also led to card values declining, but that's not the point. These days, your rookie card is valued at anywhere between nine and thirty-five dollars. This is despite you being the undisputed home run king.
If, Mr. Bonds, you could find it in your heart to donate $700 to this penniless writer, your gratitude would be much appreciated. I have worked hard to accomplish my goals, something you know a lot about. The former high-end value of this card would go a long way in helping me to continue my pursuit of living as a writer.
I hope life finds you well. I do have one other question. Is your head still growing and your body still getting bigger? I noticed it happened to you in your mid-30's and I fear that will happen to me as I inch towards my 40's. I know you're not a doctor but does this happen to all men? Aging sucks, right?
Thanks again for your time, Mr. Bonds. Please consider my request and I'll even mail you my Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card. That's an eight dollar value. If you'd like, you can put the $700 directly into my PayPal account. Private message me and I'll provide the info.
Say hi to Willie for me!
Sincerely,
Jason
P.S. Do you know how I can reach Roger Clemens?
Good afternoon. I hope today finds you in good spirits and that you are continuing to enjoy your retirement. It sure looks like you are having a lot of fun, especially when taking selfies of yourself and a sleeping Willie Mays.
My name is Jason Haskins. As a kid, and even into my early 20s, the San Francisco Giants were my second favorite baseball team (Go Red Sox!). When you signed with San Francisco, my love for the Giants only grew. Near my 18th birthday, I was given your rookie card as a gift. With a stellar career and a terrific baseball lineage already under your belt, I imagined this card could one day fetch me a pretty penny.
That is why I'm writing you today. After you broke the single season home run record, the rookie card I held in my possession was valued at $700. At this time, I imagined a future in which you broke the all-time home run record and were an unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame, thus growing the value of the card. Then the bottom fell out.
Through allegations of steroid use and your association with Victor Conte and Balco (hey,we've all hung with some shady characters from time to time. Guilt by association, am I right?), the card's value drastically fell. Yes, you can also argue that an over saturation of the market also led to card values declining, but that's not the point. These days, your rookie card is valued at anywhere between nine and thirty-five dollars. This is despite you being the undisputed home run king.
If, Mr. Bonds, you could find it in your heart to donate $700 to this penniless writer, your gratitude would be much appreciated. I have worked hard to accomplish my goals, something you know a lot about. The former high-end value of this card would go a long way in helping me to continue my pursuit of living as a writer.
I hope life finds you well. I do have one other question. Is your head still growing and your body still getting bigger? I noticed it happened to you in your mid-30's and I fear that will happen to me as I inch towards my 40's. I know you're not a doctor but does this happen to all men? Aging sucks, right?
Thanks again for your time, Mr. Bonds. Please consider my request and I'll even mail you my Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card. That's an eight dollar value. If you'd like, you can put the $700 directly into my PayPal account. Private message me and I'll provide the info.
Say hi to Willie for me!
Sincerely,
Jason
P.S. Do you know how I can reach Roger Clemens?
The Dragon Princess One-Week Sale
"Whether you like fantasy novels or not, this book will grab your attention. An easy read that leads people through a tale of courage and perseverance. A fresh look into a new world filled with evil and a twist at every turn"- Review from Amazon
One year ago, The Dragon Princess, my first novel, was published with Kindle Direct Publishing. Though the book has still not found a home for publication in hardback/paperback form, the book is still available for download for the Kindle and Kindle apps. And yes, there is even an app to download to your home PC.
Even better? Now through July 21 the book is on sale. For the low, low price of $1.99, The Dragon Princess can be all yours. Grab those savings while you can before this sale goes away!
Follow this link and you'll be only a few clicks away from entering a fantasy world in which Elves, Druids, Demons, and Man battle for existence and the stability of a future.
One year ago, The Dragon Princess, my first novel, was published with Kindle Direct Publishing. Though the book has still not found a home for publication in hardback/paperback form, the book is still available for download for the Kindle and Kindle apps. And yes, there is even an app to download to your home PC.
Even better? Now through July 21 the book is on sale. For the low, low price of $1.99, The Dragon Princess can be all yours. Grab those savings while you can before this sale goes away!
Follow this link and you'll be only a few clicks away from entering a fantasy world in which Elves, Druids, Demons, and Man battle for existence and the stability of a future.
June 19, 2015
Time to Retire the Confederate Flag
Ten.
The number of states that allow vehicle owners to request a state issued license plate with a Sons of Confederate Veterans logo which incorporates the square Confederate battle flag.
Five.
The number of states that in America that use a variation of, or parts of, the Confederate flag as their state flag.
Zero.
This should be the number of states that are allowed to continue to use this flag, which symbolizes slavery, racism, and treason. These states fly their flags high, notably on capitol buildings, as a symbol of pride and history.
The horrific shootings in Charleston, S.C., an act of not only racism but domestic terrorism, do not necessarily have a direct link to the Confederate flag. You can argue, though, that this flag plays a part in the deep-rooted racism that is especially prevalent in pockets of the south.
In fact, while other flags flew at half-mast at the capitol building in South Carolina, the Confederate flag still flew high above the others after the shooting.
This is not a freedom of speech issue. This is about flying and displaying a flag that represents an era in our country that was filled with bloodshed and hate.
This is not a matter of pride. By taking pride in the Confederate flag, you are supporting social injustice and racism. Where is the pride in believing in hate?
The Confederate flag might have been long retired if not for the KKK and white supremacist groups of the 1940's that resurrected it in order to protest desegregation. Is that something to take pride in?
Look, I understand. By waving the flag or putting it on your license plate, you are making a personal choice. It is a personal freedom guaranteed to you by the Constitution. When that flag is flown above capitol buildings, buildings that represent not just a state but the UNITED STATES, it's time to rethink a few things.
Are we not the same country that is trying to repair the Caucasian's views and disrespect to Native Americans? As one small example, sports teams are removing derogatory names like Redskins and Indians in an effort to remove disrespect to Native Americans. (At high school and college levels, anyhow. Still no luck with the professional teams.) Isn't it time to do the same as a sign of respect and tolerance to African Americans by removing the Confederate flag?
Racism and slavery are all part of a reminder of bleaker times in United States history. Events, wars, and shootings will never be erased from the annals of history and will always serve as a reminder of the struggle that minorities faced in this country. By flying a Confederate flag, those states and people are saying, "Yep. We're white and here's the reminder."
There is nothing wrong with knowing your family history. Relatives may have fought for the "grand" cause but that was 150 years ago. Times change. There are better ways to honor family history than by displaying a flag that immediately evokes racism and hate.
Have a conversation. Remind people, relatives, children, and even strangers that times were much different back then. Tolerance has grown considerably since those times, but it is still a long way away from being the norm. If we're not careful, it we continue to be blind to little things like the Confederate flags, and to larger issues like the events of Ferguson and Charleston, then this nation will continue to slide backwards.
The Confederate flag is a small limb on the fiery beast that is racism. Removing its presence, especially from capitol buildings and state flags, will be a small step in turning the conversation of tolerance and justice into a positive one.
All lives matter. If we as a nation can't unite and help put an end to violent discrimination and racism, then surely divided we will fall.
Jon Stewart says it better than I ever can. *Video courtesy of Comedy Central
The number of states that allow vehicle owners to request a state issued license plate with a Sons of Confederate Veterans logo which incorporates the square Confederate battle flag.
Five.
The number of states that in America that use a variation of, or parts of, the Confederate flag as their state flag.
Zero.
This should be the number of states that are allowed to continue to use this flag, which symbolizes slavery, racism, and treason. These states fly their flags high, notably on capitol buildings, as a symbol of pride and history.
The horrific shootings in Charleston, S.C., an act of not only racism but domestic terrorism, do not necessarily have a direct link to the Confederate flag. You can argue, though, that this flag plays a part in the deep-rooted racism that is especially prevalent in pockets of the south.
In fact, while other flags flew at half-mast at the capitol building in South Carolina, the Confederate flag still flew high above the others after the shooting.
This is not a freedom of speech issue. This is about flying and displaying a flag that represents an era in our country that was filled with bloodshed and hate.
This is not a matter of pride. By taking pride in the Confederate flag, you are supporting social injustice and racism. Where is the pride in believing in hate?
The Confederate flag might have been long retired if not for the KKK and white supremacist groups of the 1940's that resurrected it in order to protest desegregation. Is that something to take pride in?
Look, I understand. By waving the flag or putting it on your license plate, you are making a personal choice. It is a personal freedom guaranteed to you by the Constitution. When that flag is flown above capitol buildings, buildings that represent not just a state but the UNITED STATES, it's time to rethink a few things.
Are we not the same country that is trying to repair the Caucasian's views and disrespect to Native Americans? As one small example, sports teams are removing derogatory names like Redskins and Indians in an effort to remove disrespect to Native Americans. (At high school and college levels, anyhow. Still no luck with the professional teams.) Isn't it time to do the same as a sign of respect and tolerance to African Americans by removing the Confederate flag?
Racism and slavery are all part of a reminder of bleaker times in United States history. Events, wars, and shootings will never be erased from the annals of history and will always serve as a reminder of the struggle that minorities faced in this country. By flying a Confederate flag, those states and people are saying, "Yep. We're white and here's the reminder."
There is nothing wrong with knowing your family history. Relatives may have fought for the "grand" cause but that was 150 years ago. Times change. There are better ways to honor family history than by displaying a flag that immediately evokes racism and hate.
Have a conversation. Remind people, relatives, children, and even strangers that times were much different back then. Tolerance has grown considerably since those times, but it is still a long way away from being the norm. If we're not careful, it we continue to be blind to little things like the Confederate flags, and to larger issues like the events of Ferguson and Charleston, then this nation will continue to slide backwards.
The Confederate flag is a small limb on the fiery beast that is racism. Removing its presence, especially from capitol buildings and state flags, will be a small step in turning the conversation of tolerance and justice into a positive one.
All lives matter. If we as a nation can't unite and help put an end to violent discrimination and racism, then surely divided we will fall.
Jon Stewart says it better than I ever can. *Video courtesy of Comedy Central
June 16, 2015
7 Things That... (or What Has the Internet Done for Me Lately?)
The original title of this post: 7 Things You Never Knew That Ross Said to Rachel While Taking A Quiz to Find His True Soulmate in an Attempt to Discover His Super Hero Identity While Counting the Number of States He's Been to on Saturdays in June.
I sat down to write this new post with that singular goal in mind. It would have been the ultimate list to top all lists. Buzzfeed would have been put to shame.
Instead, I have stalled. I have perhaps scrolled through too many quizzes, ridiculous posts on political candidates, lists, and spoilers that my mind no longer functions. (For starters, not all of us have caught up on Game of Thrones. We all don't have streaming services, HBO, or are willing to illegally download season 5. If you are going to reveal what happened, please say SPOILER ALERT. I am only through season 4 and simply can't avoid the internet for the next 8 months to avoid all spoilers. Two words. That's all. SPOILER. ALERT).
Where... was... I... See, I've done it again. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Donald Trump is once again running for president. (I've got 99 candidates and a president ain't one.)
Steph Curry is on fire in this fourth quarter. Despite LeBron James epic Finals performance, it's not looking very good for the Cavs. (Has anyone ever live tweeted on a blog before? I guess it's not "tweeted", it would be called "blogged". Wait. That doesn't make sense, either.)
Seriously, the Splash Brothers want this series to end tonight. 14-point lead for the Warriors with 6:32 remaining. (Whatever happened to the Bash Brothers? This night needs a little Canseco/McGwire action.)
I don't know why I keep going to Yahoo. Their headlines are horribly misleading. (Oh yeah. Fantasy sports. They run a good ship over at Yahoo! Fantasy Sports. I need to learn how to bypass the front page.)
Seth Rollins called Johnny Manziel "Johnny Idiot Face" last night on Raw. It was hilarious. (Seriously. I laughed. The last time I did that was when Dean Ambrose delivered the Ice Bucket Challenge to Seth Rollins.)
I went camping for the first time in 15 years this past weekend. I enjoyed it immensely. It felt good not to be reaching for my phone every five minutes checking for messages, notifications, and emails. (Disconnecting from technology can be good for the soul every now and again.)
It's seriously not looking good for the Cavs. (Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha...)
Why are websites constantly embedding videos in the articles. Or foregoing articles altogether and just showing videos. If I wanted that, I'd watch T.V. or search out the videos. (There are people in the is country that still like to read. Am I in the minority?)
Cat videos. Still funny. (See previous sentences.)
It's been over a year since I quit my job to focus on writing in a full time capacity. It is a choice I haven't regretted for a single day. (Do I waste too much time on blog posts? Maybe. This little writing session, though, has help grease the gears of my mind and I'm ready to knock out a few chapters on The Blue Gem after this post is complete.)
I'm done. (The one-year anniversary of the release of The Dragon Princess is fast approaching. Only $2.99 to download for your Kindle or Kindle App.)
I sat down to write this new post with that singular goal in mind. It would have been the ultimate list to top all lists. Buzzfeed would have been put to shame.
Instead, I have stalled. I have perhaps scrolled through too many quizzes, ridiculous posts on political candidates, lists, and spoilers that my mind no longer functions. (For starters, not all of us have caught up on Game of Thrones. We all don't have streaming services, HBO, or are willing to illegally download season 5. If you are going to reveal what happened, please say SPOILER ALERT. I am only through season 4 and simply can't avoid the internet for the next 8 months to avoid all spoilers. Two words. That's all. SPOILER. ALERT).
Where... was... I... See, I've done it again. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Donald Trump is once again running for president. (I've got 99 candidates and a president ain't one.)
Steph Curry is on fire in this fourth quarter. Despite LeBron James epic Finals performance, it's not looking very good for the Cavs. (Has anyone ever live tweeted on a blog before? I guess it's not "tweeted", it would be called "blogged". Wait. That doesn't make sense, either.)
Seriously, the Splash Brothers want this series to end tonight. 14-point lead for the Warriors with 6:32 remaining. (Whatever happened to the Bash Brothers? This night needs a little Canseco/McGwire action.)
I don't know why I keep going to Yahoo. Their headlines are horribly misleading. (Oh yeah. Fantasy sports. They run a good ship over at Yahoo! Fantasy Sports. I need to learn how to bypass the front page.)
Seth Rollins called Johnny Manziel "Johnny Idiot Face" last night on Raw. It was hilarious. (Seriously. I laughed. The last time I did that was when Dean Ambrose delivered the Ice Bucket Challenge to Seth Rollins.)
I went camping for the first time in 15 years this past weekend. I enjoyed it immensely. It felt good not to be reaching for my phone every five minutes checking for messages, notifications, and emails. (Disconnecting from technology can be good for the soul every now and again.)
It's seriously not looking good for the Cavs. (Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha...)
Why are websites constantly embedding videos in the articles. Or foregoing articles altogether and just showing videos. If I wanted that, I'd watch T.V. or search out the videos. (There are people in the is country that still like to read. Am I in the minority?)
Cat videos. Still funny. (See previous sentences.)
It's been over a year since I quit my job to focus on writing in a full time capacity. It is a choice I haven't regretted for a single day. (Do I waste too much time on blog posts? Maybe. This little writing session, though, has help grease the gears of my mind and I'm ready to knock out a few chapters on The Blue Gem after this post is complete.)
I'm done. (The one-year anniversary of the release of The Dragon Princess is fast approaching. Only $2.99 to download for your Kindle or Kindle App.)
June 3, 2015
Memory Lane
"We might be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us."- Magnolia
Over a month ago, I started on the journey of a new writing project. Given the task of completing an original television pilot by June 2nd (mission accomplished) to submit for consideration into a writing program/contest with ABC/Disney, I scanned many notebooks for ideas. It took a few fruitless hours of searching but eventually I found the notebook I desired. This notebook held the first scene of a television script I'd written nearly ten years ago.
The idea was basically an hour-long drama that brought together elements of Freaks and Geeks and The Wonder Years. My script centers around a boy in the 8th grade and his circle of friends. Taking place in 1991, the pilot script examines the paths, trials, and tribulations the boy encounters in what's supposed to be the greatest year of his life.
Per my usual process of writing, I began searching for music from 1991. Soon, my Pandora station was littered with songs from The Scorpions, Vanilla Ice, Boyz II Men, and her:
Later in life, another Paula Abdul video would serve as inspiration for this:
That's a story for another time. Back to the story at hand.
Writing this script, of course, brought me back to my 8th grade year. That was in 1992. A year later than my script is set in, but my memories served as inspiration nonetheless.
8th grade holds a collection of memories for me involving dances, parties, first kisses, break-ups, basketball games, heartache, the pain of others losing loved ones, Jurassic Park (it opened about a month after 8th grade), and a very special Science Club trip to Death Valley. Good times and bad, these are memories that have popped in and out of my brain over the years.
In 8th grade, I was lucky enough to be part of a vast collection of close friends. We numbered high, but we were very tight knit, at least as far as I was concerned. There were fun times, sad times, and perhaps even dull times, but the one thing that mattered was that we were there for each other. At least that's what my memories tell me.
I'm gonna bet that's a silk shirt I'm wearing.
As it is, high school led us down different paths. Some people moved away, some flocked to different cliques, some to older friends, and some to different high schools. It didn't happen immediately (at least for the people that weren't at different schools) but the group of friends drifted apart. Not everyone did, of course. Clusters of the group remained. I still went to school with a few of them and remained friends with them throughout high school. I saw a few others at Church and played sports against a few. Minor communication was still in play but that dynamic that existed in 8th grade was never the same. Life choices, different paths, and a mountain got in our way.
As I traveled down the rabbit hole of memories, I felt no regret. Nostalgia took over and I was transported back in time. I looked upon lost opportunities with girls, missed opportunities with friends, and a desire to live in that time once again. I wanted to time travel with what I'd learned as an adult and recapture that period of my life. Life was not perfect in the 8th grade, by any means, but being with those friends reminded me I was part of something bigger than just friendship. Could have I done more to stay in contact or made an effort to hang out with these friends post-8th grade? Certainly. To think about those times is perfectly fine. To dwell on it can be harmful.
Many of those friends I never heard from after the 8th grade. More fell to the wayside after 10th grade. A few lasted into my late teens, but after that communication fell by the wayside. Sports and FBLA only kept us in contact for so long. No one to blame because that's life. Paths and choices are forged, made, and decided each day.
With social media, pockets have friends have once again grown. Even if conversation is limited, social media has provided ways to be connected with those old friends. There are opportunities to become friends and to see how life begat life, to see what careers have been achieved, and to see what accomplishments have been had. Paths...
That word brings me back from the memory of 8th grade. I slowly climb the stairs from the recesses of my mind and once again arrive back to the here and now. In the present. Though the years have long passed, I cannot help but smile at the impacts these friends and cohorts from my Junior High years have had and will continue to have on my life. Simply put, I want to say to all of them. "Hello. How are you? I sincerely hope life has treated you well in the last 22 years (or less). Remember that time in the 8th grade..."
Over a month ago, I started on the journey of a new writing project. Given the task of completing an original television pilot by June 2nd (mission accomplished) to submit for consideration into a writing program/contest with ABC/Disney, I scanned many notebooks for ideas. It took a few fruitless hours of searching but eventually I found the notebook I desired. This notebook held the first scene of a television script I'd written nearly ten years ago.
The idea was basically an hour-long drama that brought together elements of Freaks and Geeks and The Wonder Years. My script centers around a boy in the 8th grade and his circle of friends. Taking place in 1991, the pilot script examines the paths, trials, and tribulations the boy encounters in what's supposed to be the greatest year of his life.
Per my usual process of writing, I began searching for music from 1991. Soon, my Pandora station was littered with songs from The Scorpions, Vanilla Ice, Boyz II Men, and her:
Later in life, another Paula Abdul video would serve as inspiration for this:
That's a story for another time. Back to the story at hand.
Writing this script, of course, brought me back to my 8th grade year. That was in 1992. A year later than my script is set in, but my memories served as inspiration nonetheless.
8th grade holds a collection of memories for me involving dances, parties, first kisses, break-ups, basketball games, heartache, the pain of others losing loved ones, Jurassic Park (it opened about a month after 8th grade), and a very special Science Club trip to Death Valley. Good times and bad, these are memories that have popped in and out of my brain over the years.
In 8th grade, I was lucky enough to be part of a vast collection of close friends. We numbered high, but we were very tight knit, at least as far as I was concerned. There were fun times, sad times, and perhaps even dull times, but the one thing that mattered was that we were there for each other. At least that's what my memories tell me.
I'm gonna bet that's a silk shirt I'm wearing.As it is, high school led us down different paths. Some people moved away, some flocked to different cliques, some to older friends, and some to different high schools. It didn't happen immediately (at least for the people that weren't at different schools) but the group of friends drifted apart. Not everyone did, of course. Clusters of the group remained. I still went to school with a few of them and remained friends with them throughout high school. I saw a few others at Church and played sports against a few. Minor communication was still in play but that dynamic that existed in 8th grade was never the same. Life choices, different paths, and a mountain got in our way.
As I traveled down the rabbit hole of memories, I felt no regret. Nostalgia took over and I was transported back in time. I looked upon lost opportunities with girls, missed opportunities with friends, and a desire to live in that time once again. I wanted to time travel with what I'd learned as an adult and recapture that period of my life. Life was not perfect in the 8th grade, by any means, but being with those friends reminded me I was part of something bigger than just friendship. Could have I done more to stay in contact or made an effort to hang out with these friends post-8th grade? Certainly. To think about those times is perfectly fine. To dwell on it can be harmful.
Many of those friends I never heard from after the 8th grade. More fell to the wayside after 10th grade. A few lasted into my late teens, but after that communication fell by the wayside. Sports and FBLA only kept us in contact for so long. No one to blame because that's life. Paths and choices are forged, made, and decided each day.
With social media, pockets have friends have once again grown. Even if conversation is limited, social media has provided ways to be connected with those old friends. There are opportunities to become friends and to see how life begat life, to see what careers have been achieved, and to see what accomplishments have been had. Paths...
That word brings me back from the memory of 8th grade. I slowly climb the stairs from the recesses of my mind and once again arrive back to the here and now. In the present. Though the years have long passed, I cannot help but smile at the impacts these friends and cohorts from my Junior High years have had and will continue to have on my life. Simply put, I want to say to all of them. "Hello. How are you? I sincerely hope life has treated you well in the last 22 years (or less). Remember that time in the 8th grade..."
May 19, 2015
A Hug, A Smile, A Coke
Mad Men said good-bye on Sunday night.
I will not spend time delivering an all-out think piece on the subject. That has been tackled plenty here, here, and here.
Many of my thoughts on the finale, and a series as a whole, has been said in those links. Well, bits and pieces from each one, that is.
I thought the episode was everything I expected and more. Before the episode began, I desperately wanted my prediction of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) returning home to his family, leaving us with a final shot of him looking at his kids and smiling, to come true, it was clear pretty early in the episode that it wasn't going to happen that way. And I'm glad the episode took the route it did.
Over the years, we have seen Don bottom out and find a new solace in life (i.e. swimming, writing in a journal, sobriety, a family man), only to fall further into the abyss than the time before. This final season put him through the wringer one final time. There was a finality in people pulling away from Don. His inability to control and fix problems in his own life led to him running away and falling deeper into the abyss. The final shot leaves me to believe he finally came out the other end finding the peace he needs in life. And I do believe he got his job at McCann-Erickson back and helped create this iconic Coke ad.
An ad that truly was created by a man at McCann Erickson.
The reasons I see Don finally digging out of his eternal abyss is because of what occurred in Don's previous scene. To me, that is the scene that reaffirms my belief that Don came out of this experience a changed man, fully shedding the evil and loneliness that he was cloaked in for all this years. For the first time in his life, he was able to fully give love and not just receive it. That moment he gives a hug to the other man at the retreat is everything I wanted from Don and more. This scene, in addition to the last line with Don chanting "Om" on the cliff, provided a series finale that ended with a bit of hope. In a finale that was filled with characters moving forward in their lives and/or careers, this is the first time I ever felt Don was truly moving forward and possible creating a positive chapter in a life fraught with booze, cigarettes, women, and bad decisions.
A hug. A smile. A coke. Brilliance.
I will not spend time delivering an all-out think piece on the subject. That has been tackled plenty here, here, and here.
Many of my thoughts on the finale, and a series as a whole, has been said in those links. Well, bits and pieces from each one, that is.
I thought the episode was everything I expected and more. Before the episode began, I desperately wanted my prediction of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) returning home to his family, leaving us with a final shot of him looking at his kids and smiling, to come true, it was clear pretty early in the episode that it wasn't going to happen that way. And I'm glad the episode took the route it did.
Over the years, we have seen Don bottom out and find a new solace in life (i.e. swimming, writing in a journal, sobriety, a family man), only to fall further into the abyss than the time before. This final season put him through the wringer one final time. There was a finality in people pulling away from Don. His inability to control and fix problems in his own life led to him running away and falling deeper into the abyss. The final shot leaves me to believe he finally came out the other end finding the peace he needs in life. And I do believe he got his job at McCann-Erickson back and helped create this iconic Coke ad.
An ad that truly was created by a man at McCann Erickson.
The reasons I see Don finally digging out of his eternal abyss is because of what occurred in Don's previous scene. To me, that is the scene that reaffirms my belief that Don came out of this experience a changed man, fully shedding the evil and loneliness that he was cloaked in for all this years. For the first time in his life, he was able to fully give love and not just receive it. That moment he gives a hug to the other man at the retreat is everything I wanted from Don and more. This scene, in addition to the last line with Don chanting "Om" on the cliff, provided a series finale that ended with a bit of hope. In a finale that was filled with characters moving forward in their lives and/or careers, this is the first time I ever felt Don was truly moving forward and possible creating a positive chapter in a life fraught with booze, cigarettes, women, and bad decisions.
A hug. A smile. A coke. Brilliance.
