The Secret Handshake

About three years ago, our 9 yr old daughter McKenna told me she wanted to create a "secret handshake" with me. At first, I was like "whatever", but then I realized it was a chance to have a special thing with her that we could carry on for years and years.

The Handshake: A Brief History

Most people think that the handshake
has always been a cordial greeting,
but the some sources say the truth is the opposite.
The handshake supposedly originated when
opposing enemies came together for talks.

The second they would set aside their weapons,

they would grasp the other's arm to keep them
from picking up their weapons again.

This later evolved into a sign of trust and has passed on from
culture to culture, generation to generation,
to become the casual greeting it is today.

(My theory is that the warrior on the left still had significant leverage
and threw the other man into the nearby well, but I have no proof.)

(images stolen from the classic film short, "We Do It Because")


Anyway, now I have separate secret handshakes I do nightly with McKenna and our seven yr old son Sky. Maddie, our 5 yr old, likes to play pat-a-cake and call that our "secret handshake", but I know sometime soon, we'll come up with our own "real" shake.

I'm still working on our 14 yr old. No interest there yet. Maybe if I put on a viking helmet, he'll be into it?

Okay, so while we're at it...

Here's a slideshow I put together for Chana's birthday a couple of years ago for her birthday. Obviously I'm biased, but I love this slideshow, and I could watch it over and again. The combo of song ("Comfortable", by Fleming and John) and images is perfect. Hope you enjoy it!

(BTW - I promise not to make you watch all of our family movies.)

Sleeping Cutie

We made this in 2003, and I just recently dug it out. We were playing around, and it kinda turned into a video shoot. I love it because it took no coaxing to get the kids to participate. These days, they're much more self-aware.

Sending Out an S.O.S.

Since I have never blogged about The Police (your eyes may now roll), I thought I'd treat you to a short film my wife Chana put together with our kids and some of our friend's kids. She has always wanted to ask some of these questions to the band (the questions start about halfway through), and since she couldn't get to the band when they came through town, she thought this might one day produce some answers.

Miscellaneous Creativity - Blogging 101

This is post #101 for Miscellaneous Creativity,
not a class on blogging.

Not that you couldn't use a class. I'm sure you have a lot to learn about blogging, or you wouldn't be here reading my posts and trying to glean what wisdom you can from them. I resent it not, as I feel it is my calling to pass along as much temporal glee to your lives as possible. To quote Lina Lamont from "Singing in the Rain",

"If we bring a little joy into your humdrum lives, it makes us feel as though our hard work ain't been in vain for nothin'. Bless you all."

To celebrate the momentous occasion of reaching 101 posts, I have decided to revisit my three favorite posts I've produced since starting this work of art.

Timpani roll please...

#3 Drumming For A Lifetime, pt.4


#2 My Trip To Outer Space



And the #1 post:

#1 I've Got A Fever

Film & Hollywood History Blog

Hollywood Lost and Found is a site I have referred you to a few times as a good source of accurate film sound and history facts.

They also have a BLOG, and Steve Lee, the head of Hollywood Lost and Found and seasoned film sound historian, has asked yours truly to be a contributor to it. That's an honor, so I jumped at it.

The pressure's on, because I've never "written" for someone else. Well, here goes. Please stop by and check it out.

More Miscellanious WB Photos

Here are some pictures from the WB main lot. This is the theater. I have always enjoyed walking by this beautiful place. The WB water tower stands in the background, which is now a historical landmark.


These vehicles arrived yesterday to be used in some unmentionable iconic film. I can't say the name, but the title has something to do with a state in the upper midwest, and it's the fourth film in the series. You're on your own.




This is an old diner they brought onto the Ranch lot. It sat about 100 feet from my door, so it was interesting watching them dress it for a shoot. (i have no idea what production this was for)



Finally, this is a mural WB Animation had painted. It literally sits just outside my office. My phone camera doesn't do it justice, but the renditions are impeccable. The men are (L-R) Iwao Takamoto, Joseph Barbera, and Bill Hanna. So, obviously this is a Hanna/Barbera tribute. We have other murals with the Warner characters on them, etc, but this one is cool, 'cause it's brand new.