It's been five years since I did my last "signing" at a convention and today was final prep day--hair cut, cleaners, pick up extra movie stills, promo poster, talk to the promoter and I suddenly felt this angst. I signed for four years starting in 2000 and flew all over the world and to every city in America (or so it certainly seemed) and I got the Big Burn Out. I was still in L.A. and working so it did not seem like the "Has Been Highway" (Although that's what I called it to make sure I said it before somebody else did!) and hell, I saw Japan, England, France, Germany, Holland Belgium etc but when I quit I did not think I'd ever "sign" again. If I had not just made a film in Maui that I love and have another offer on the table I think it would be harder on the ego (cause at least I AM working again) but I DO LOVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENJOYED MY WORK!. That was never the problem. It's airports and setting up my Dog and Pony Show in a Convention Hall. Made me feel like a merchant but that's just not how I'm looking at my appearance in Nashville this weekend. I really want to see the southerners who are fans. I rarely ever signed in the South. Only once in Atlanta and an Orlando and a Miami appearance, but Nashville I love and it will be like the southerners I grew up with--I even lived in Tennessee for a year as a kid so I am forcing myself to change the way I look at this experience and go out and shake hands (and wash my hands--it's Flu season!).
The MAIN thing is I quit smoking almost three weeks ago and these things always gave me nicotine fits--SO, I am blogging out my fear with this announcement that I will go to Music City and see a Zillion smokers and return without having had one damn cigarette. That is a promise I am making out loud on this day's Blog. Gonna go have fun with movie fans, tell my tales, sign autographs and movie merchadise and when I get back to Birmingham next week I will walk into my smoke-free home not have had ONE of those damn death sticks! Thanks. I feel better now. If you are in the area and want to say hello here's the link with the info:
http://comiccitytn.com/.
I just listened to your podcasts on natsukashi and have been browsing through your site. I wish I was closer to Nashville this weekend. Hope to see you in a movie again soon!