FIREWORKS

It was getting late last night and I turned on the television. The satellite was down and I had to shut everything off and reboot the system.  It came back up on a PBS station showing the Fourth of July Celebration at the Capital.  Barry Manilow was performing and then Neal Diamond was singing Coming to America.  Paying some attention to the television and more to the ever increasing noise outside, I stepped out onto the deck.  The frogs were happily croaking joyously at the nearby pond which was at near overflow, thanks to the nearly 30 days of rain we’ve experienced.  Overhead, the sky was just turning purple, and the first volley of fireworks doted across the sky. 

                Our town, like so many others, did what they could with a limited fireworks budget.  Schools, police and other expenses were rightly on the list above fireworks and local celebrations.  Many of my neighbors took it upon themselves to fill in the gap and gave us a mighty display of patriotic fireworks.  Appreciation goes without saying!  The cows are still in hiding, though.

                While watching this great local outdoor display, the Capital fireworks were being illuminated off the television screen and the window and I could see both displays simultaneously.  Obviously, the fireworks on the tv screen were spectacular and worthy of our country’s independence celebration as were those of my neighbor.  But,  I just couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

                Many military bases in this country were unable to have fireworks this year due to budget cuts.  This was unfortunate but other than a disappointment, harmless.  Many communities helped out to make great celebrations happen in spite of the cuts.  Starting Monday, thousands of National Guardsmen and civilians who work with them will be furloughed for one day a week.  They will be living with 20 percent less pay over the next three months as the Defense Department carries out automatic, federal budget cuts.  Obviously, this will affect not only the economy of the military families but also the economy of the community surrounding the bases involved.    Economic issues aside, this also means that there will be fewer guardsmen available to fly those helicopters over heavily forested areas  looking for fires and putting them out before reaching the homes of nearby civilians.  There will be fewer early responders available in case of natural disasters. 

                I think we all agree that certain budget cuts need to be made but we must hope that whoever makes these decisions stops to think things through. 

                Hope you all had a good 4^th of July.  Let us keep America strong.

Sharon

FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY

            For many of us the Fourth of July celebrations started the last weekend in June with local fireworks, family gatherings and GIGANTIC, STUPENDOUS STORE SALES!!!  What a lucky bunch of people we are.  Most of us are starting the work week anticipating a holiday on Thursday, perhaps even Friday.  A four day holiday would be a joyous occasion.  Part of whatever amount of holiday we get will be spent reflecting on the generosity of those responsible for this event.  Sure!

            “Why can’t we get along?”  This country was built by a fiercely independent, opinionated group of people who did not play well with others. They wanted to be left alone to raise their families, have some chance of financial success and worship the way they saw fit.  These people were tired of an aristocratic, overseas government telling them what to do with their lives and what they could not do.  The thirteen colonies legally separated from England on July 2, 1776 and on July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson and others prepared the Declaration of Independence as an announcement of and an explanation of why this separation was necessary.  This turned into more than just a shouting match between us and them and many lives were lost, families separated and homes destroyed.  Yet in the end, a new nation was born.

            We’ve had a few years to consider the actions of these people. Did they do the right thing?  They could have left well enough alone, allowing King George III’s emissaries to continue overseeing this fledgling group of colonies however they saw fit.  Those who worked well in the system and acquiesced to the British reign would be treated well and those who did not would not.  Hmmm.

            If you haven’t read the Declaration of Independence recently, here are a few points that are covered in the indictment section. 

            Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

            I hope we all have a safe Independence Day, full of parades, sports events and fireworks.  As you spend time with your families, take a moment to consider the bravery of some who chose to make this day historic.  Consider these final words taken from this most important document.  Occasionally, we can agree on some things.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

 Sharon

THE SURVIVALIST MARCHES ON

            Thanks guys for all your input in recasting THE SURVIVALIST characters; taking them out of the 80s and bringing them into the present day.  The one major thing I’ve learned from this is that I spend too much time watching movies on TCM.  The majority of people you suggested for the various roles, I have never heard of!  Ok – Hugh Jackman can play anyone he wants to play and I’ll make sure I see him.  Kurt Russell is the right age and build to play John Thomas Rourke and a fine actor but after Captain Ron and Snake Plissken, I more imagine him as Hank Frost, the one-eyed mercenary with the horrible jokes in the THEY CALL ME THE MERCENARY series.  Mel Gibson and Dolph Lundgren – I don’t know! 

            Russell Crowe’s name has come up a few times as Rourke and once as Wolfgang Mann. Bob Anderson, co-writer of the new SURVIVALIST series thinks Mark Harmon or Mathew McConaughey would both be excellent choices.   Mark Wahlberg was another suggestion.  What do you think about Alex O’Loughlin from HAWAII FIVE-O?  I think he’s got that “normal guy look” that a lot of people like. 

Some of the unknown to me actors suggested for Rourke – all quite good looking, by the way – were Jeremy Renner, Thomas Jane, Josh Holloway and Timothy Olyphant.  Those of you who live in the modern era may have heard of them or have seen their works.  I had to look them up on Google.

            When we originally came up with the characters, John Thomas Rourke was a combination of Clint Eastwood and Charlton Heston.  We could imagine him both logical and patient as well as, when necessary, a killing machine.  We always tried to make his character one who was put in the ultimate survival situation; a situation that did not necessarily get resolved with logical solutions.  He was no better than anyone else; he just used his brain and with all things, planned ahead.

            Natalia was easy for us to cast.  Picture a thirty-something Sophia Loren in a leather jumpsuit – with a lot of attitude.  Sophia Loren is still one of the most beautiful women in the world and still has that look.  Much later, after Jerry saw Milla Jovovich movies - over and over again - he envisioned her as Natalia.  Another contributor suggested Angelina Jolie for the role.  Some suggested Mariska Hargitay and Summer Glau.  Whoever played her would have to exude confidence and be as graceful as the ballerina she could have become. 

            Everybody likes Noah Wyle and wants him to play Paul!  Hands down, he got more votes than anyone else. We all watched him grow up on ER and are proud of him having his own TV gig now.  We even like him as THE LIBRARIAN movies.  He just comes off like a nice guy who could learn how to do anything and you wouldn’t mind him marrying into the family.  Michael Cera from ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT received some votes as did Paul Rudd. 

            Jerry and I had a real person in mind with Paul.  We knew John since before we were married.  He suffered through some classes with Jerry at DePaul University and the three of us would hang out together.  He was and still is a gentle soul which meant that Jerry and I picked on him unmercifully.  We always knew though, that in a pinch, John could step up and do what ever was needed.

            Sarah was a hard character to write.  She was like Paul, an average person thrown into a desperate situation but, unlike Paul, who had his mentor to show him the ropes, Sarah had to learn to survive and to be able to protect her then, small children, all by herself.  One day we applauded her bravery, the next we lamented her liberal naiveté   She was the character you wanted to hate but just couldn’t.  In some ways, Sarah had more sadness dealt to her than most of us could even imagine.  Eventually, she was as much a survivalist as her husband. 

            I don’t think either one of us ever had one person in mind for Sarah but looking back I can picture Geraldine Page in the 1953 classic movie HONDO being a Sarah type.  Some suggestions from you were Suzanna Thompson and Gwynneth Paltrow.  We also got some votes for Milla Jovovich.  Any thoughts on this?     

            Michael Rourke will always be pictured by me as that little boy who became a man overnight.  I guess we all know some real life Michaels.  You picked a diverse group of adult Michaels.   Channing Tatum got the most votes, then Chris Pine from STAR TREK fame and ARROW’s Stephen Amell.  Someone named Jason suggested that he was born to play the part.  I don’t know.

            Annie is the little girl who grew up to be this sensible, domestic diva who could blow your head off so fast you wouldn’t have time to blink  She could sew buttons on a shirt and concoct a recipe for incendiary devices at the same time.  My choice for Annie is Ashley Greene.  The first time I saw her in THE TWILIGHT movies I knew she was the one.  You guys like Piper Perabo, Drew Barrymore and Willa Holland from O.C., all good choices as well.

            I certainly wouldn’t consider Karamatsov a secondary character because he did so much to propel the story forward.  He was so good at being evil; you just want to hug him.  Aaron Eckhart name was put out there as a choice. The guy I think would be great is the tall, bloodsucking vamp on TRUE BLOOD, Alexander Skarsgard.  Picture him with dark hair and a sneer.  Another thought, James Purefoy who plays Joe Carroll on THE FOLLOWING.

            Didn’t get much action on some characters.  Russell Crowe has his pick of John Rourke or Wolfgang, whichever character he wishes to play.  Emma, who is now a major player in the saga had the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE actress, Michelle Monaghan suggested for the role.  Paul Blackthorne from ARROW was suggested for the part of Tim Shaw. 

            As you continue reading the series, you’ll meet a lot more characters.  I hope we do this again when you’ll have to come up with an actor to play future ETs and astronauts as well as new family members.  I had a good time compiling these results and I look forward to your comments.

            Remember to always plan ahead!

Sharon

THE BLADE SHOW IS COMING! THE BLADE SHOW IS COMING!

I just wanted to remind everyone that the BLADE SHOW along with the Living Ready Expo will be in Atlanta this weekend.  It is a great family event with plenty of seminars and demonstrations as diverse as knife throwing, survival tips, forging and the art of the Japanese sword.  There will be displays from many of your major knife companies as well as custom knife and sword makers who will be happy to talk with you and show you their latest projects.  

This will be the eleventh year for the BLADE SHOW and Jerry attended each and every one.  I missed last year and it turned into a father and son outing with Jason escorting his dad.  This year it will be a mother and son outing where we will be able to catch up with some of our friends in the knife world like Pat Crawford and his son Wes who make some of the neatest knives out there and the people at CAS Hanwei and Benchmade and many more.

If any of you can make it, you'll be happy you did.  Maybe it can become a family tradition for you and yours.  While you're there, go to the Martin Knives booth #319 and see the knives John Thomas Rourke is going to be using in THE SURVIVALIST #31.  They were designed by Jerry and Bob Anderson and crafted by the Martins.

Next week I'll be posting the results of a poll taken to determine who would be cast today in the movie version of THE SURVIVALIST. Votes are still open until then so get yours in.  Comment here or go to facebook and Jerry Ahern.

THE INHERITORS OF EARTH

             Book #30 in THE SURVIVALIST series is finally out!  THE INHERITORS OF EARTH has been a long and complicated journey for Bob Anderson and me; he as an avid reader of the series with lots of ideas concerning the continuing saga and me as the original co-creator now left in the position of deciding how Jerry would feel about the decisions made with our characters. This part of the series is based on a long term plan of action Jerry and I came up with quite some time ago so, Bob and I know where we’re going, it’s just all in the getting there. 

            This book is for those of you who have realized that perhaps some issues were not fully resolved in the series. This is also for those who read the last installment and were not satisfied that John Rourke seemed to be doomed to a new life, consumed with growing old and star gazing.  THE INHERITORS OF EARTH is especially for all the loyal fans and friends who cared for the Rourke family and for the Aherns as well.

            As Jerry would have said, “God bless you all.”