Wouldn’t it be nice in everyday life to have a “Hide” button like on Facebook? You could “Hide Annoying Boss” when you’re trying to drink eat your lunch or “Hide Nosy Neighbor” when you run out to the mailbox in your bathrobe.
I’m a recent convert to Facebook, browbeaten into membership by my lovely and talented wife. I dragged my feet, whining, until I tried it. Then I became an instant Facebook junkie. This is the usual pattern at our house. Kelly goads me into some breakthrough step and, next thing you know, I’m handing out pamphlets on street corners like the whole thing was my idea.
I have many Facebook “friends,” some of whom I’ve even met in real life. We keep up with each other by posting little snippets on the scrolling bulletin board that is Facebook. Just as in real life, some people are annoying, and you’d rather block their posts or something they’re doing (you know who you are, Easter egg people) from your daily Facebook intake. That’s where the “Hide” button comes in. I find that hiding stuff is my main Facebook activity. I hide all the unnecessary gibberish and keep it boiled it down to the necessary gibberish.
The social networking part of Facebook really does work, though, and here’s a real-life example: Facebook is how I first heard that there would be a screening of “Lonely Street” at the Newport Beach Film Festival later this month.
“Lonely Street” is the film version of one of my Bubba Mabry private eye novels, and it stars Jay Mohr, Robert Patrick and Joe Mantegna. The movie’s “in the can,” as they say, and in need of a distribution deal, last I heard. It’s only been shown a few times so far, at festivals.
I’ve never seen it.  I didn’t write the screenplay and haven’t been involved in the filming. I’m “from the novel by.” I was sort of waiting for the world premiere . . .
Anyway, I heard “Lonely Street” was coming to this very large festival, and it’s only a short flight away and what the hell. Kelly and I are going to go see it. We’re not expecting a red carpet. We just want to be in the audience when my story plays out on the screen in Peter Ettinger’s movie. We will, of course, post full reports about our Hollywood (okay, Newport Beach) Extravaganza.
Unless, of course, I spend the entire movie curled up in a fetal position on the popcorn-littered lobby floor. Newport Beach seems a long way to go for a panic attack, when I could just as easily have one at home.
The film festival has a very nice webpage dedicated to “Lonely Street,” which includes a two-minute trailer video you might like to see. Click here.
So we’ll be jetting down to Southern California soon. “Hide Screaming Toddlers.”
Tips appreciated: Send news tidbits (that aren’t about me, me, me) to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.
