Can a dream really come true - twice? The Final Saga

So the time had finally come. Being my first attempt at trying to sell my book to Hollywood, I was more calm that maybe I should have been. I just don’t know how to explain the feeling. When I walked in the room, there were 7 tables in a horseshoe type layout in a room that looked identical to the photograph of the room, from yesterday’s blog.  Table #1, a female with red curly hair and a green and gold strip scarf. She greeted me like we were long lost college roommates. I immediately felt comfortable, read my pitch and she went on to ask me the ever warned about, never answer no matter what question. If you had to pick someone to play you, who would it be?  Now I had only spoken two three people about who I thought (PERSONALITY WISE) would be an excellent actress to play my part – Charlize Theron, but the last thing I was going to do was say a name. So what does one do when the person you are speaking too, insists on a name – YOU STILL DON’T PROVIDE ONE! That is a big red “NO-NO” in the business. So now, the executive decided to give her opinion and what does she say – Charlize Theron. “SAY WHAT!?” 

OK, so now I am in total belief that I am being scammed 100%, or on some kind of “Punked” show. No way would she know what I was thinking. All I could do was laugh and at the same time went on full guard mode,  but I had to remember, there was a great probability that none of these people have ever heard about my book, let alone picked it up and read it. I smiled and simply answered as many of the executives questions as I could and when the time was up  I moved on to the next executive. To describe this process in two words, just think of - Speed Dating. Another gentleman asked what genre is was. This was though, as it could be listed on many types such as; romance, mystery, religion, medical, cancer survival. I kept saying it was multi-genre, but he wanted one answer and I think I blurted our Medical thriller. I should have said “Multiple. You know, as in orgasm.” Yep he would have really remember me then. Wink, you know what they say…sex sells.

 I sensed that all of them understood what I was trying to portray. I guess I’d know in a few days if any of them liked it.  With all of the executives in the room, overall, it was like they had all been old friends and that is just how I acted with them. I was myself. I didn’t get into the theatrics of crying or into the drama overload. I was just me. If they liked me and what my story was about, they’ll ask for my manuscript when the time comes, if not, then it’s just the No’s I need to get to the most important part of my journey – when someone finally takes a chance on my writing and my story and says – Yes.  

I had a total of fourteen minutes, two minutes for each table, to wow them. What I had come to do, was now done. All that was left was the crying or the cheering that maybe I could move to the next step.  I walked out of the room with no regrets. No need fretting over something that was in their hands now, and I told myself before I ever walked in the door, “Hollywood is filled with produces, who’s to say these executives will be the ones, maybe they are not even connected with any productions company, maybe they were paid actors to play the part to make me believe my dreams could come true. As you can see, my duel personality is still in a fight with itself. Half of me say’s to believe that this is all really happening and the other half says, question, question, question. When I left the room, I was overjoyed to see my husband and Mr. Ogorek enjoying a nice leisurely chat about Nebraska football and what happens when you wear the wrong color to a red game. The three of us chatted briefly and then my husband and I decided to go back to our room to get changed for the closing remarks that would bring “Pitch Fest Las Vegas 2012” to a close later that evening. I had decided that since I had been in dresses and wearing very uncomfortable shoes, because they matched, I wanted something still casually dressy with a comfortable heel. Wow that's an oxy-moron - comfortable heels. Ha-ha to funny.  If I only knew what was in store for my husband and I after the event, I would have opted to bring my exercise shoes.

I call this outfit - my closing ceremony clothes

My husband and I sat at one of the table and as things wrapped up, our eyes started to twinkle - PARTY TIME! Now the event ended sharply at 6:30 that Saturday night and we were on the monorail by 6:45 heading to the Bellaigo to watch their Dancing water show. We were so disappointed to find out that the 7:00 show that was just a small sampling of what the real show had in store. You see, we were unaware that the big show was scheduled for 8:00 that night, not 7:00. Well guess it's just another thing to add our to-do list when we go back out that way this summer with family.

We decided to take in the Vegas strip on foot and boy did we see some sights. Many were stunning in the dusky of a soon to be evening sky. Other sights, well folks, all I can ask is that you trust me when I say we saw a lot of things, good and bad. The good were the lights of each hotel so uniquely different from others, with each having their own way of enticing you to come through their doors and enjoy a night on the town. 

There was one area where tall slender women stood with their high feathered headdresses on with tight sheer body suits covering their toned bodies and high heels that made them look like heeled ballerina slippers. My husband nearly fell into a patron walking in front of him when one of these beauties caught his eye. For myself I found it humorous to see him fall over himself like a teen age boy looking at a Playboy magazine for the first time.  See him loose control of his thoughts  - funny. Seeing his face when I noticed and informed him that those very tall women were in fact, I'm trying to contain my laughter, hard to type, belly hurting, OK I'll type it, men in drag - PRICELESS. His excitement of being eyed by a beautiful "WOMAN," was quickly lost. Like how I emphasized the word man in the word woman. He he he.  Feeling guilty that I had spoiled his fun, I knew exactly how to cheer him up and gets his pride back with four magic words – “Let’s go to - Hooters?" He turned and gave me a sheepish grin as the twinkle quickly returned in his eyes. Our walk immediately felt more like a sprint in my heels. As we moved together, hand in hand, we quickly made our way up the strip to "Hooters" casino and resort, with only one pit stop along the way because I was in dire need of BLISTER first-aid. He sat on a flowerbed wall and I went into one of the gift shops to find Band-Aids. I had assumed he was going to just sit outside and wait, so understand my extreme surprise when I turned around and he was standing face to face with me. He had informed me that once again, someone had come up to him, sat down and began to share their life troubles with him. I think he must have been a confessional priest in another life.

I got my blisters fixed and off we went. It was like being in a Cavalry, a bugle had sounded and then the words – CHARGE!  I can’t believe I am about to say this, but I was so happy when I saw the word “HOOTERS” across the street in front of us. You could see his sheer excitement. Now it is no secret that my husband is a boob man, but seriously this casino was nothing like the commercials or how the movies make it appear. This place felt rather dumpy. The actual “Hooters” restaurant was way too confined and too much lighting.  Oh fella’s I’m hearing you chomping at the bit, you want to know about the boobs and babes in the place.  Hold your horses I’m getting to that. Ladies, your probably wondering why I am so casual in talking about my husband being a boob man. So let me say this for the record. He can look at all the boobs he wants, but the minute another woman makes her boobs available to him for some personal time, I'll have something to say about it. OK, moving on. Where was I, oh, yeah...Let’s just say my “hooters” were bigger than the girls walking around getting drinks for the patrons of their casino. I should have applied – NOT! Ha-ha. My husband just sat at a penny slot machine looking as if he has just lost every bit of money he had. When the women came up to get us drinks…they were flirting with me more than him. What’s up with that? We sat and had a couple drinks as we played about $20.00 in slots – and lost it all. On the flip – it was in this casino that we ate at the Mad Onion. One word to describe it – Delicious! I had the prime rib and it was out of this world. My hubby decided that something from the breakfast menu would be what tickled his fancy.

We were very somber when the Sunday morning sunlight began to filter into our room. This would be the last day to see the things we wanted to see and do the things we wanted to do before returning our car at 4:00 that afternoon.  I had gotten to see an old friend that I knew in my middle school days. It was great to spend time with her and her family. Thirty years and many states had come between us, but the moment I saw her, that gap was instantly gone. We enjoyed a great brunch and believe it or not, we spent another four hours just standing in the parking lot talking about her upcoming wedding and the quirks of men and raising boys into young men. It was great to get caught up and I was sad to say good-bye, but with the help of Facebook we remain connected.

The time had come and we headed off to return our beautiful Mustang on wheels. But you know me, how could I let this moment go without getting some great shots of our final drive.

It was hard to see the mountain to the west and not want to just forget about things and drive to the California coast to watch the sunset.  California was the place where I found my life, or should I say, when it really began.  It was my platform that put me where I am right now.  I was feeling proud that I had followed through with publishing my book and the ultimate reason why I had a story to tell in the first place was doing his best "Tom Cruise - Days of Thunder" impression as we zipped down the highway to the rental car facility. I couldn't help but smile as I pondered that all of these precious memories became a reality because of a dream about my sexy military cowboy man twenty years ago.

So, I hear you all wondering what happened with my book pitch. Well as Mr. Chait, Mr. Kosberg and Mr. Ogorek stressed over and over again, this process takes time and patience. It was about a week ago that I finally received my reviews back. This is what I had been waiting for. I was disappointed as I read each review one by one, saying it was not what they were looking for at this time. I became more and more upset until I came up a review by executive #6. In the comments it read: I want to read this book because it's a great story that is true. It's inspirational and romantic. At the bottom the most important box had been checked: Please have Author Solutions, send a copy of your book for further consideration.  WAAA WHOOO!!! One out of nine, not bad, I'll take that and pray that it will be a working partnership one day soon.

To all of you out there, always know that if you Dream it, Believe in it, you can Achieve it. Have a great weekend and blog you Monday.

Could a Dream Come True - Twice? Part Three

My first realization, that I was really in Las Vegas, was when our plane touched down. The realization as to why I was there set in as I walked through the MGM Grand hallway into the convention center all dressed in my finery with the person who was the whole reason for my story in the first place - my sweetheart, my best friend, my husband, by my side.  The walls were adorned with dozens of large pictures of all the great names that had graced this place. Some of the photographs that I recall were, Sting, Robin Williams, Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffet, Carrie Underwood and so many more. It all felt surreal as a piece of music entered my thoughts of how I was feeling at that very moment. I have put the link to the music below so you can feel what I was feeling.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-DpLqrNUIg&feature=related. The sounds of the people, the lights, the music and the rush of the unknown, danced vivaciously around me – yet I found my focus to remain professional and of all else – Calm.

As my husband and I arrived at the registration location at about 5:10pm. Immediately I was asked to review and sign a contact that gave the agency authorization to utilize any video footage that may be captured during the event, which I did agree too. I was given a name tag and a folder that housed all of my scheduled event details and then, who knows why, maybe to sweeten the deal, there were two boxes of candy, which my husband enjoyed tremendously. Last thing I needed was to suffer a sugar overload as I tried to deal with the rush of adrenaline that pretty much kept its grips on me until the closing of the event. It was like being a kid again, sitting up on Christmas Eve waiting with the wonderment if you would see Santa Claus. Hoping that he was real and if he was real what gift would he leave you.  My concerns, in all of this craziness – Would someone really want to make my story a movie?

As I finished signing in, we were directed to the location of the meet and greet cocktail party. I was calm again, when I turn and my husband stood before me with one of his very special smiles. It was then I knew deep down, even though he doesn’t like to stand out or get dressed up with all kinds of bling, he was happy to be there and was proud that we had come this far as I had seen that smile many times through-out the years when we were faced and overcame many challenges in our lives and our marriage.

I didn’t want to be rude and take pictures,
 so here is a picture of the room the day after.
We used it as a pitch practice room the next day.

As we crested the top of the escalator to the party, you could hear the sounds of low toned conversations and laughter. “Here you go lady” I thought. “You can do this!” As my husband and I walked through the doors, a very elegant setting met our eyes. Candles dressed the long black table clothes that were draped over tall standing tables and tables with chairs. To either side of the room were to bars that were stocked with wine and top shelf liquor. I will say that my mind had gone blank when the bartender asked what we wanted. My husband went with his favorite, Bud Light. For me, I had initially asked for an amaretto sour, but then changed my mind last minute and decided on a screwdriver – delicious! We chose to stand around one of the intimate type bar tables. I was too nervous to sit. I had done my research, and watched the door, as if I was on an undercover mission. When the men of the hour would walk into the room, I’d know exactly who they were – and I did.  In the middle of the room, a large stage and a large oak podium with the MGM Grand Lion insignia crested in gold on the front of it.  For the back drop, it couldn’t have gotten any grander. 

Now try to imagine the above photograph during an evening setting. Soft mood lighting shown down from the ceiling above, candlelit tables and then the floor to ceiling windows with the view of the MGM Grand Resort and its magnificent illumination shining through. Waiters in black uniforms as sophisticated as a tuxedo, carried silver platters of hour dorves while they walked around the room serving people. I was in an aura of amazement. Shortly after 6:00 PM, the men of the hour walked into the room. Actor - Marcus Chait, King of Pitch - Robert Kosberg and VP Marketing Director of Author Solutions - Keith Ogorek, who was the person I worked with on Saturday to enhance my pitch before meeting with the executives. The three of them and the associates that, I assume, helped to put this event together, mingled in a small cliquish circle of importance. They eventually branched out and made their way around the room, and the bar. Smile. Hey, that is the first place I went when I entered the room. Guess a drink in my hand kept my thoughts at bay? Nah. A few minutes before the introductions began my husband’s phone rang. You could see his look of utter shock and a face that said, "Who the Hell is calling me?"Adak, and suddenly to hear a voice that helped me through the worst of times with my command, immediately took my thoughts right back to the island. It was a Supervisor and fellow Seabee from the Adak, Public Works paint shop that I had worked with for about a year. He had heard about my current book-to-screen endeavor and was calling to wish me luck. Again, trying to be polite so that people would stop staring at me, I stayed professional and thanked him for the well wishes, but that it wasn’t a good time to talk and we’d chat again soon. The eyes of the room returned to other subjects when I ended my call and turned the phone off.

My husband could tell that I had been knocked off my foundation for a moment and with a supportive voice told me not to fret and get back in the game. That it wasn’t a mystical sign or some phenomenon of what things good or bad could happen over the weekend.  That people really do care and want to see this be just as successful as we do and that I needed to stop letting the past keep me from moving forward. Yes, there are still days when the battle to marry my husband, even though we were from two different commands on a remote island in the Bering Sea and fighting an illness in the military will haunt me and the more I try to block the bad, I understand that good things and good people were and always will be a part of our lives. Standing there I felt like I was in a glass box screaming and nobody could hear me. I guess that is a possible P.T.S.D. symptom, that doctors casually suggest that maybe I should seek attention for, shining through. I was overwhelmed, scared and filled with an extreme amount of self-doubt. Like clock work, when I started to sense a twinge of fear, I began to play my ever popular game of – What if, in my head. My thoughts “What if I mess up my pitch? What if I forget what to say? What if…and then it happened.  I hear the sweetest voice whisper into my ear, “you’ve seen this in your dreams Stacey, and it’s your time to shine. What are you so afraid of? You can do this. ” My breath was gone, but I could breath. The room was empty, but it was full.  I was alone, but people were around me. “Nana” I mouthed softly as I felt a ghostly hand placed upon my forearm and then it was gone. In that moment, I became grounded and knew why I was there and no matter how long the journey would be before me, I am following a dream to go from three important men in my life, to four - My husband of now 20 years, my two sons and a little golden man named Oscar.  I love you Nana and I miss you so much.

Now what was supposed to be a meet and greet, for 90 minutes, turned into a multi-mass of authors all with the same topic – When would they start getting paid. Even one gentleman was brazen enough to express that he had paid a lot of money to attend this event, how much more would he have to pay before his book started paying him, to which Mr. Orgorek replied “You shouldn’t have to pay anything. If people want you, it shouldn’t cost you anything,” which was a comment that was an immediate red flag in my husband’s mind, but kept his comments to himself for a private discussion between the both of us later. For me, I didn't feel that this was the time and place for anyone to question sales, money, success, stardom or what have you. How shocked we were when what they had planned for this social was clearly going over. How rude. Didn’t people understand that was what the Saturday morning presentation, with Mr. Kosberg, was all about? Now please don’t take offense to what I write, with 100 or so at this particular part of the two day event, it must have been about a dozen or so that kept this train of many questions steaming onward. My husband and I, had gotten all of this information before we had even left for Vegas. I personally knew exactly what the scheduled and times were and where I was to be on what day. I am anal about details and fearing this event may or may not be on the up and up, I grilled the agents at the publishing company for all details including the guest speakers so that I do as much research as I could before we left. Even with knowing the layout of the event, I had planned for the evening to run a little past its time when I purchased dinner and show tickets in the New York, New York, casino weeks in advance. We decided that since we had purchased the dinner and show tickets for later that night, and they were nonrefundable, 7:30, whether things were wrapped up or not, we were out of there. Finally one of the guest speakers remarked that this could all be addressed in the morning and wished everyone a great evening. Mr. Chait and Mr. Kosberg were immediately inundated with a line full of endless questioning. I felt bad for them, even though I am sure they would say – It’s all part of the business.  I decided that I would not cater to this, I walked ahead of people in the lines, I extended my hand to both men individually and took a professional approach by thanking them for taking time out of their busy schedules to help assist with our dreams of our stories becoming more. They smiled, guess it was nice to just have someone generally thankful they were there and be content with that. However, my feeling on inside - I was trilled to know that I was going on a romantic date with my hunky husband to Gallagher’s Steakhouse and then to see the Vegas show Zumanity.

http://www.vegas.com/video/shows/zumanity/full_index.html

On Saturday morning at 8:00 AM the event started with a three hour presentation given by Mr. Kosberg,  then we would go upstairs to pitch our book ideas to either Mr. Chait, Mr. Kosberg or Mr. Ogorek, then we would be let go for an hour lunch.  I was in the group with Mr. Ogorek.  Now I had already gotten my pitch written long before I ever arrived in Las Vegas, and trust me when I say how speechless I was to find that of the fifty people in my group, about a dozen were not fully prepared. But again, that was the reason behind this gathering before meeting with the executive. I found myself going against my original pitch, which I think could have hurt me. What I knew by memorization was now changed in areas that I needed to read from a page when I finally got my chance to Pitch my story.  The Original pitch read as follows and I know this by heart:

Pitch Copy right: Feb 26, 2012. All rights reserved.

Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves 

By: Stacey L. Bolin

A shy naive girl from picturesque New England follow’s a premonition about a mysterious military man in a red van needing her help. She is enthralled into a military life that forces her to face a war like none other. Her war is the choice between fighting the government or her cancer.  Her choice – both! With her new found G.I. Jane Strength, she triumphs over tragedy while unlocking the mystery to her premonition and finds her love of a lifetime.

***

When I sat before Mr. Ogorek in the center of the room, it was a sheer Deja Vu moment all over again. I had seen this, I had sat here, I had seen him before, but only in my dreams. How strange I felt, and yet, I was comforted.  Without hesitation, I began. I spoke not only to him, but to the on lookers in the room as well, making eye contact with anyone willing to hear me. To close my pitch I had added, "The best part of the whole story is that I am now 18 years remission and I still have and still deeply in love with my mystery man and he still has his red van." When I was done, I was at a loss for words. As my husband would say with joy - SHE IS SILENCED! IT'S A MIRACLE! Smile. Mr. Ogorek simply remarked, “No need to worry about being emotional, we've had a lot of that here today. That's what happens when you talking about a true story and you’re the person who went through the hardships in the story. From my professional stand point, there is nothing to change with your pitch. Leave it just the way it is.” He went on to ask about the man in the red van, to which I had remarked, that my mystery man is here with me today, but he’s in a red mustang driving the Las Vegas Blvd. I forgot we opted for the blue Mustang when the agent said the red gets a lot of attention from the Vegas police, especially with a California tag on it.

Mr. Ogorek and the others in the room chuckled. He went on to ask if my husband could come back and join him for lunch as he wanted to hear more about the 1964 Ford Falcon 4 on the tree, red van.  As soon as our group was done, I quickly got on the phone to update my hubby with the great news and the request for his presence at lunch – which was not open to the public or guest of the individuals attending the “Pitch fest” event. For some reason, when I called him, I could not hear him very well, but he could hear me fine. I told him how things went and that he was asked to join us for lunch, but if he couldn’t make it, I would certainly understand and I meant that most sincerely and I was so happy that he was off having fun, not stuck in the hotel watching TV. I could not hear a reply and figured he was out on an exploratory adventure somewhere in Vegas. I was kind of right. He was to off to explore – the "Hooters" Casino across the street and that when I called he was in a blocked signal area just leaving the MGM Grand. He had called me earlier in the day driving the strip and went to Pawn Stars. I just assumed he was still on the road with the bad signal he had. Don’t worry fella’s, both he and I got to go to Hooters Saturday night, but don’t get so excited there is more to this tale later in the story.

I felt my breath steal away when I came down the stairs and there my sexy cowboy man stood. I felt bad that  he chose to give up his plans to go to Hooters, to come and eat a, not so great, lunch. My husband is a steak and potato's man, if you have to look up the name of something before you eat it, most likely, he's NOT going to try it let alone, going to eat it. If he does, he'll pretend to enjoy it all while wondering how much he can hold in his mouth before excusing himself to spit it out in the restroom. For myself, I do pretty good with all kinds of foot presentations, but even this one was a bit to be desired. My only thought, "It came from the MGM Grand Buffet." How relieved he was when I told him, "if you don't like it, please don't eat it. Trust me, I understand". Now because everyone wanted Mr. Ogoreks attention to improve their pitch, the request for a lunch get together never took place, but they met up later in the day when I went in to deliver my pitch. 

Finally the time had come, the most important time of the whole trip - 3:05PM. There I sat with seven other hopefuls waiting for their one big break, before I knew it the door opened and a voice said, "We are ready to see you all now." I took a big breath and said to everyone in the line, "Good Luck Everyone. Here we go."  To be Continued....

Like any writer, we all save the best part for last. I'm sure you didn't expect a part four and were surprised to see the words, To be Continued...Join me tomorrow for the Final Chapter of "Could a Dream Come True - Twice?" and find out for yourselves what happens. Did I get a movie offer? Will it be a Movie of the Week? Did anyone like my pitch? And the question on most men's minds..."What Happened at Hooters?" Thanks for reading and I'll blog you tomorrow. :)