New Website!

Water water water.....

It's very important to me and hopefully it's important to you. But I have come to realize a basic fact of life... again: "You can't expect people to feel the same way you do about anything. Period."  We all do that in some ways-- small and large: until we learn not to.

So... I decided that this movie still has to be remade-- just for the fun of it AND because it's growing so incredibly fast these days!! Yahoo! I looked the other day and there were 900!!! downloads that day. Now, I have already had the thrill of seeing that thousands of people have downloaded it before, but that was on a different site and somehow, seeing the one from Switzerland just makes my very happy!

If you have read anything from me before, you know that I am an x-waitress, now truck driver, always have some creative project going and usually having fun! But always caring about water. That will never change. ;-)

Am I sad about the change for the website? No. I am actually very excited. I was too burdened by hope and expectations, and now I'm free. I will use anything I get out of the movie for water, but that's all I can do. I was able to send a check (from my book sales) to have a well built in Cambodia and for that I am very very grateful! A dream come true.

Because the original intent for Did I Say Thousand Island?  was to get a message out to the general non-restaurant-working public to show how most of us live our wonderfully flexible and fun restaurant lives. Well....SUCCESS! Even The Oprah Winfrey Show hasn't been seen in as many countries as my wee no budget movie. AND all without any advertising, just word of mouth.

So I have faith that some day the right people will find this movie-- that has a huge niche market; see the possibilities and just remake the movie. No other reason. I will follow my path. You follow yours. It's all good.

What's the new site? Remake 4 Love. Corney enough? I thought so... why not?  Love of what? Restaurants. People. Movies. Fun. Money. Whatever you want. I just can't give up on this idea, which by the way was never MY idea. Anyone who has known me for any amount of time never ever ever heard me say: "I want to make a movie." NO WAY. Why on earth would I ever want to do that???

So in the meantime, watch the movie. Enjoy the story. Don't dwell on its faults: I was one person for crying out loud! ;-) Think about it being done by those who have the knowledge, money and people to remake it, and tell your friends. Go ahead... make my day! ;-)

Back from a break

Being burned out from being at the computer all day and night, everyday for years: it was time for me to pursue my original dream of driving a semi truck. So I did! For the past 2 years, on and off, I have been driving 2 different Peterbilts all over Canada and the north western States and loving it!

At first I was with a pal's brother in a brand spanking new 2014 beauty that we drove all over, in one of the worst winters in Canadian history! Talk about being thrown to the wolves! But thanks to my many years of mountain driving in Colorado, I did fine and avoided the ditches all winter long... and it was long! I took a break in the spring to go back to the flowers which I love and then started up with 18 wheelers again in the fall.

I hauled cattle mostly, but other things too: in a 1998 POS.  Wait, I mean POL---"poor old lady" and she was something. Barely meeting the safety requirements, and at the end I had to tie the seat belt around the passenger's seat to keep the door shut, but I was learning on my own, and it was a good experience to have for the future.

During this time, I thought about water usage many times—while cleaning out the cattle trailers and other vans after hauling fresh produce. As the water was gushing out of the fire hoses, I couldn’t help but think that almost a billion people around the world still lack fresh water. Even with all the hundreds of organizations that help--and that number continues to grow as people realize the magnitude of this problem—it’s still unbelievable that the modern world has this issue. Perfectly clean water was wasted on cleaning out cattle poop and it just rubbed me the wrong way.

There is still such an important message that HAS to get to the general public!!

The message? If we don’t change our behaviour about wasteful water usage, it’s not going to be only states like California and Texas who are severely suffering from water shortages, drought and conservation troubles. It’s not just a small issue anymore and hasn’t been for years, but people ignore the reality of water situations in their everyday life, and continue to be wasteful. They will change when they have to change, and it might be too late.

Yes there are many people who know and care about issues like tap water vs. bottled water, water shortages, ecosystems that are shot because of water abuse, and lots of other problems, but they're the same people who watch documentaries about it and do things to help. They are NOT the everyday general population who really has to be informed because it will affect future generations to years to come!

What better way to get people to learn, than for this message to be inside a fun movie. People watch movies all the time! And I don't mean documentaries. But use it to teach and raise money to help... By the way, "Did I Say Thousand Island?"  has now been seen in 202 countries----there are only 196 recognized countries! Think about THAT! Somewhere on some remote island, in some remote sea, there are people who have seen this movie! Really unbelievable, but true.

This website “Remake 4 Water” has been up for a few years and although the format hasn’t changed too much, and I've kept current to some extent, I have now updated the old links and statistics that have changed. I will never give up on this.

People have to start becoming more responsible about water usage. Big troubles will happen sooner than most people know. Plain and simple.

"I Am" " Happy"

Notice the quotation marks.

These are the titles of 2 movies that, while not being brand new or block busters, should be seen by every person on the planet! Ok so I have a strong opinion about it, but really, they are great movies and the information is applicable to all of us, no matter where we live, how we live, or why we live. Actually they both address that last part in entertaining, honest and meaningful ways.

"I Am" is a doc by Tom Shadyac. Of course I had heard of Tom, who is a Hollywood heavy weight, through his big movies, but it was when I heard a few years ago that he sold all his stuff and completely changed his life that he got my attention. "I Am" is his documentary about the bike accident that changed everything. His entire view of life took a 180 and now he teaches others what he has learned, and what really is important in life and I just happen to agree with him in a big way. We need to be cooperative, help others and be a part of the solution, not the problem.

"Happy" is a doc created by Roco Belic and produced by Tom. It's a movie that states what I have been saying to people for years and is one of the underlying themes to my movie "Did I Say Thousand Island?". People who work in the restaurant industry ARE happy! My research showed that 95% of the people I talked to loved their jobs. The funny thing is that the impression formed (falsely it seems) by many people is just the opposite. Maybe those people need to watch Happy to readjust their way of thinking! Maybe they need to learn what in life actually and statistically makes us happy....

So I have this movie, that has been seen all over the world, and keeps being downloaded every day which thrills me to no end! After being told by so many people that I need to remake it, a couple of years ago, I decided to set out on a new mission to find the right people to remake it. I, I repeat, I, do not want to be a filmmaker, but there are people who do and are. I've been praying for many years that God leads me to the right people. Maybe, just maybe I am coming across them. They need to be the type of people who will keep whatever it is in the movie that makes people still download a no-star-no-professional-actors-no-budget-no-razzmatazz-just-a good-story movie after almost 8 years of its release. I think it might have something to do with our heart. A subject in both of Tom and Roko's movies.

Water has been my heart's passion for hmmm, let see... probably my entire life. I played with a spoon, a cup and a sink with a bit of water in it, when I was three (easily entertained but that's ok) and have always yelled at people when they waste water-- before it was fashionable to do so. What. It's not fashionable? Well maybe not yet, but if we continue as we are headed, it will become that way. Soooo I want to use my movie which focuses on restaurants--which can't run without water, to make people aware of our water situation. It's way past time. It's like the stoplight at an intersection. How many people have to be killed before they put in a light? How many towns, cities, states (can you say California or perhaps Texas or... or...) does it take to have major water problems, before we decide that we need to change our everyday behavior, on a big scale, in order to preserve and conserve water? And that's just one side of the water troubles in the world, but you already know about the millions of people who don't even HAVE fresh water to drink...but we'll save that for another day. It's the Christmas Season and we don't really want to think about all that. Do we?

So instead, let's be grateful that we live in countries that do have fresh water and try to not waste it. Peace out, as we say in Canada, but Peace on Earth is a better "see ya" for now!

WHAT'S UP with DOCs?

Documentaries I mean...

If you want people to get a message about something, it seems that docs are NOT the way to go. How can I say such a thing? Research.... They are sadly down in popularity.

Ok, so I haven't been blogging or doing much on the computer about R4W in over a year, even though I always tell people about it. I was just totally burned out with computers and research on water and all, and decided to do what I have wanted to do for a living since university, so I have and I am. But suddenly I am on a break and have been steered back to water.

Coincidentally (nothing with God is a coincidence), a Calgary based production company, Nomadic Pictures is shooting here in High River, so I went down there to see whom I could talk to about R4W. I ended up meeting a cool guy named Zoltan Barabas--(cool name too eh?) who understood my reality about "Did I Say Thousand Island?" and how I am not a filmmaker...nor do I want to be. I told him my story, gave him the movie and he said he would pass it on.

From some of the things Zoltan said, I was totally re-energized again. It had already started with some promptings and whispers (great book by Bill Hybels incidentally), so I was getting back to my project anyway. When I went to update my website, I learned these things: documentaries are way down from the year before--which puts them far far into the basement of popularity, more celebrities are joining in the cause of water, and people still want to be entertained way more than they want to be educated...at least by movies.

In 2012, there were 696 movies made and docs were 9th on the list with 144 made. So docs were roughly 21% of the total movies made but brought in only 1.21% of the revenue. But in 2013, there were 735 movies made, 161 of them were docs, but they ended up 2nd from the bottom (only multiple genres were lower) with only .47% of the revenue! Did you get that? Not even a half of a percent! Very sad. Here's the website if you want to see for yourself: The Numbers

So, that brings me again to the point I have been saying all along. There's a message that has to get out to people, and no matter how many great and wonderful documentaries there are (and there are many about water and how it's crucial that we change our relationship with it), people don't hear the message! But if we incorporate it with a fun movie and make it entertaining, they will start to hear. But why "Did I Say Thousand Island?" ? Because restaurants can't operate without water, everyone goes out to eat and the movie has already been seen all over the world, which is amazing for a "no-budget-no-name-non-marketed" movie!

Well (a deep subject that 3rd world countries need more of), I better sign off for now and get back to truckin'--my new career. Oh and by the way, I'll let you in on one of the cool Whispers I heard... So I was reaching for an album--you know, LP's... they spin on a turntable...and I have over 600 of them...anyway, I picked Kansas, but an unfamiliar one, put it back as I wanted one I knew better, but ended up getting this one: "Masque", which is also not the most played, but I took it anyway.

While listening, I was curious about the cover art and looked at the back. What do you think the title is? Hard to guess by appearances...

"Water" by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, courtesy of Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.    ;-)

California or bust!

Yeah... Lets go to California where the grass is green all year long, the sun is always shinning and life is great!

Well, maybe things aren't so great there at the moment. Matter of fact they're terrible. The worst drought since records have been in existence... I have read in some articles.

Been a long time since I have blogged, but I still care very much about the state of water affairs in our world today and frankly, it stinks! I went to a meeting back in October that featured Maude Barlow, who chairs the Council of Canadians. I was shocked to see that the number in attendance was sadly small considering the importance of the topic. She recently launched her latest book: Blue Future, and she talked about the water situation in Canada as well as the rest of the world. It's worse than I even thought and I have done a considerable amount of research on the subject ever since starting my Remake 4 Water project.

When are people going to realize that we need to DO something and on a big scale!? Hopefully before it's too late to fix the damage. What about the kids in the next generation? Like the 2 little girls in this photo, Gina (8) and Sydney (9). (Photo credit  goes to Rich Pedroncelli/ AP) What's going to happen when they are older and raising families? Is there going to be clean water for them? California or elsewhere....?

They are walking on rocks that are usually at the waters edge.

People have to learn to conserve water now and get used to saving water everyday. It's much easier to modify behaviors on a smaller scale when they need to, and avoid such drastic measures when droughts hit. Public awareness is sadly lacking despite all the warnings. I still believe that a movie that is relatable to everyone (we all go out to eat), and about a subject that is closely related to water (restaurants), would be a great way to get the message out that we need to change our relationship with water, and sooner rather than later!

Speaking of the movie, on one site alone--and it's downloadable on many sites, but on Mininova which tracks countries, it's been seen in 195 countries. Considering that there are 196 countries recognized by the UN, not too shabby for a no budget indie effort! Yahoo, only 1 to go!

Ok, that's about it for now. I will never quit in my search for the right person to remake my "still growing after 7 years" movie, but I have been very busy with my new career, so back to it. What am I doing rather than wasting time blogging? What I have wanted to do for many years but it wasn't time yet.....till now........driving the big rigs! Yup! 18 wheels a turnin'! So catch ya on the flip side....We gone ba bye!

Colorado Drought

Not only was I able to see the incredible drought in the Midwest this year,  now, unfortunately, I've seen it in my beloved Colorado. I lived there for about 15 years and saw variation in water levels of Dillon Reservoir, but this year was especially a down year. Why is this important? Because it's part of Denver's water source. Actually it's about 40% of it, and many people in Summit County and Denver know this.

But not everyone knows their water source, and from this article by The Nature Conservancy it appears that most people don't. What does that translate to? Public Awareness. Oh yeah... that! Again. 

If you know what my mission is, you are not surprised by this information, if you don't know what my mission is, here you go: To remake a movie that has already been seen all over the world, and use it to bring funds and AWARENESS to the Global Water Crisis. Simple idea really, and a very timely one with all the drought situations in the world.


"Denver Water invests millions of dollars into conservation programs to encourage customers to reduce their use." Found this line when making sure I had the right info about Denver water. It's all about learning, then being aware, then changing behavior. Just like smoking (see below) is a behavior, so is water conservation. And if it becomes an addiction, wow, what a great addiction that is! I've had it for years and it's served me well. My record for water use when I lived in my cabin on the side of a mountain in Colorado was 68 gallons of water for 6 1/2 weeks, including 25 plants and a thirsty dog. (not including showers which I took short ones elsewhere).

When I was just there visiting, I had a few "water police" moments with 3 different people. Two of them know about the water project so I was quite surprised! One didn't remember so he was forgiven... actually I hope he forgave me when I reached over and turned off the water that was running while he wiped around the counter top! And when I was doing the dishes at another place, I put a bit of water in a pan, added soap, and this is what happened:

"What are you doing? my friend asked.
"I'm doing the dishes."
"Why are you using the pan?"
"Because I don't fill up the sink, I just use a pan or bowl."
"But it's a dirty pan."
"No it's rinsed. Why, how do you do dishes?"
"I just do them under the running water."
"You let the water run?!?!"
"...Ah...yeah..."

IN Denver! Where there is a drought!! So it's just not just a matter of awareness, but finding a way to make people change their behavior. But can "Hollywood" do this? Do people actually pay attention to celebrities? Ummm let's see...

We all know that humans are influenced by famous people and especially by "Hollywood"--good or bad. Remember the old movies when everyone smoked? Well, it was cool to smoke back then because the actors in all the movies did it, and... hey wait a minute! I just looked up smoking in the movies and was shocked to see that it still goes on! (ironically I actually don't watch many movies) But look at this site, and if you search: "smoking in the movies facts" you'll find a bunch.

People magazine pretty much is all about celebrities right? And Time magazine is about serious news. Even though many printed magazine numbers are declining somewhat, here are statistics from the Audit Bureau of Circulations:  by June 30, 2012 People was at 3,563,035, and Time was at 3,276,822 -- not a lot of difference, but while People increased .2%, since 2011, Time decreased 2.9%. AND, for the Top 25 U.S. Consumer Magazines by Single-Copy Sales, Time didn't even make the list! People was at #4 with Cosmopolitan, Woman's World and First For Women on top. (Newsweek wasn't on any lists at all.)

By the way this goes along with what my friend said about escapism in the movies: "We are in the longest period since Vietnam." Yup, that is why people don't go to see documentaries as much as the "Hollywood" narrative movies. People don't want to get depressed and serious, they want to be entertained!

Bottom line? Same as I have been saying all along. Why not use the platform that is already established to do something good! Messages can be very effective if placed in movies...we know that. People pay attention to celebrities. We know that too...Wouldn't it be great if "Hollywood" had a campaign where instead of being cool by collecting all the __________ from the _________series, (which end up in a landfill anyway) you could be cool by helping people get water and learning how you can help yourself? How? By being entertained and going to see the "Did I Say Thousand Island?" series. Wouldn't that be cool?

What Colour is Your Washing?

Green or pink? Are you confused? Well, this has to do with social responsibility, social awareness and giving: which is what my mission is all about.

These are from Wikipedia:

Greenwashing:  Marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that an organization's aims and policies are environmentally friendly.

Pinkwashing: The promotion of consumer goods and services using the pink ribbon that represents support for breast cancer-related charities.

Why am I bringing these rather negative terms up? Recently by chance, I saw a great documentary about 'buying to help others', named "Philanthropy Inc."  The tag line: How the new world of strategic marketing has turned charity into a profit center. It was very informative and educational and is one to watch for sure. So I am discussing this because it shows how the idea of R4W will work.

I have 4 pages of notes from the film but I'll just touch on what is pertinent to my mission. First, this is a new wave. The whole "shared value" idea has certainly taken hold, so the time for a benefit movie is perfect. They mention the power of marrying brands to raise awareness and making positive changes, so having a movie that serves as a tool for raising funds and awareness fits right into this new formula.

As much as many people don't like Walmart for some of it's practices, when Katrina hit, Walmart beat the government in getting aid to the people, and regardless of how cynical some people reacted to that, the bottom line is that help was where it needed to be. Walmart went from a dragon, to a rescuer, which exemplified the power of corporate philanthropy.

Water was a huge issue when the documentary mentioned the partnership of the WWF and Coca Cola and unfortunately not much was positive. The water wars in India and China are especially a concern and although this film was made in 2009, there are still issues going on. So awareness about partnerships is very important.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the breast cancer awareness leader and has its pink ribbon on many products, but there was quite a story about Yoplait yogurt and the rBGH hormones that was in the milk used in its production. A controversy grew. A foundation that supports cancer research was partnering with a product that contained an ingredient that actually caused cancer? Think Before You Pink fought this and won. rBGH is no longer in Yoplait. It was very inspirational that people can make a difference when they believe in something.

The filmmakers showed both sides. Corporate philanthropy was criticized in the film, more than once. It's just marketing. Are they really altruistic?  They're just benefiting from good press.

So. What about Remake 4 Water? What about a movie that would raise awareness and funds for the Global Water Crisis. Is it going to be green, pink or even brainwashing? NONE of the above!

1. Hollywood already has the market on movies. There isn't any competition.
2. People already go to see movies. There isn't any controversy.
3. It would look good for Hollywood. (Not a bad idea.)
4. People already go to see movies. They aren't changing behaviour.
5. Water and restaurants have a natural relationship. No hormones needed. (Just seeing if you're awake!)

Water is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed. Hollywood is seen as a single entity. Not many people on the outside speak in specifics like studios or publicity companies. It's all lumped together. So this Hollywood "corporation" wouldn't be criticized because it's Celebs Doing Good and people would know they are helping by going to watch a movie. We all like to be part of a good thing.

You know that march on Walstreet? I have been saying for a long time that it will eventually happen to the entertainment world like, sports and Hollywood. So how about if we beat the "Holiday Rush" and have some good things come out sooner rather than later? Sounds good to me. C'mon. Let's Do It!

Massive Drought

Having been in the Midwest and South in the States recently, I saw the massive damage that this drought is causing,  From Wisconsin to Florida and back, what I saw was worse than I personally had ever seen. Is this photo typical? It is of the drought! This is in Wisconsin in July where it's supposed to be green. Anyone in those places and pretty much the whole land east of the Mississippi knows what I am talking about. Oh wait, forgot Texas. Can't even imagine.

This reinforces the mission of raising awareness of water conservation within the general public. Sure they're thinking about it right now because it's "in their face" but water conservation needs to be a way of life all the time, every day, not just when it's bad. People need to be aware of the ways in which they can conserve and steward their water. Here on this page is an e-book that gives you about 100 practical and easy ways to save water.

Flying back to Western Canada and seeing how green it is here was amazing. It's exactly opposite of what is normal for this part of the world. Climate changes are real no matter what you call them or how you use them for your own agendas. Here's an article that was in The Globe and Mail, a newspaper here in Canada. It talks about climate change and some of the factors. Interesting read.

This is a sad topic today. Not the usual upbeat "let's do it" emotion. Maybe it's because sometimes this problem of water seems so huge that there's no way to fix, help, change, modify or address it. But then I remember that almost a year ago I was at the UN for the water forum and has anything happened? Is there any big public plan going on that people are talking about? Do you hear about a public movement to change water issues? Nope, nope nope. Don't hear it. Only the problems.

So I quit. I quit thinking that it's too big. Why?? Because it's too important. Water is just too important. So I am going to keep on telling people about the mission and am going to contact those Hollywood people who have the power to influence the masses and we're going to make this happen! 

We need to be aware. We need to be educated. We need to change our behaviours to protect our valuable resources like water or it's not going to be pretty and I'm not talking just landscapes...


Hi Family! No one reads these blogs, so I am putting a link to the family reunion book that I made. Enjoy! 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

For The Record

Blogging used to be a simple way to share thoughts with others. It's escalated into so much more but I never caught on so back to basics and sharing thoughts just for the record.

Water. Always been my thing. Always been on water patrol everywhere I went.

Waitressing. Loved it all my life. Yup, got the university degree, and from a great school by the way, but stayed out of the corporate world. Just didn't fit my life (and I'm not alone).

Movies. Fun to watch, but never wanted to be in the biz. Still don't and won't ever be.

Why these three things? No idea. Just the way it happened. Now my mission has to do with all three.

You know? I just want to help servers to be seen in a way that isn't degrading. I want to tell the public in a nice way, that they might want to consider changing their opinions about servers. (AND I heard it again on Friday night) "People are waitresses because they can't do anything else."  Really? But I loved my job and made good money, even though I always hated filling out my tax forms and wished I didn't have to put "waitress" as my job. I hate to admit it that I allowed others to influence my feelings, but I always felt inferior, and I'm not alone it that either. "A real job"? Tried them. Made less money. Had more stress. Had less fun. I was miserable. Sure if I stuck to them for years I would have made more money, but it was never that important to me. My freedom and quality of life has always been worth more. Call me crazy that's fine with me--always have been, but it's kept me from goin' insane. Sing it Waylon!

I want to help people know that water is a concern that has to be addressed. We really can't waste much more time on this fact. So how do we address it? Stars! With stars! Not the kind that twinkle, the kind that billions of people have to know what they do. The kind that everyone wants to follow, copy or be associated with. If you put a Hollywood star and a Nobel Peace Prize winner in the same room. Who do you think will get the most attention? Who draws the crowds?

So remake a movie that has already been seen all over the world. Put together a soundtrack that has music that crosses generations (which is easy to do these days), and open it on World Water Day or during World Water Week and get money for water orgs. After that, everyone can make their money.

I haven't written this down, but have told some people: when I got back from Ireland where I lived while I was writing the script, I happened to watch "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" when it was released on DVD. I ended up watching it twice in a row-- listening to the commentary the second time. I had 4 pages of notes. Nia and I were thinking and feeling the same things when we were writing our respective movie and how we hoped people would feel when they watched it! I was amazed and very happy at the time. I was on the right track, and now I know my movie hits a nerve--in a good way.

Is it crazy to think that any good clean movies, fund raising events (outside of politics) or generous group actions can come out of Hollywood anymore? I don't think so. Despite what so many people on the street say, I think there are a lot of good people there who are getting involved in social issues even more in innovative ways. Use up and coming stars. Use interns and film schools to supply the crew. Use the companies that are water conscious to have product placement. Use existing music from musicians who care about water. Have the CD sales go to water. Advertize who is involved and showcase their generosity and concern. We seem to do it with all the bad, why not with some good for a change?

My friend cautioned me as what to write here in this blog, but I just want to shout: IT'S SO EASY, THIS WOULD HELP! IT CAN BE DONE! I ALREADY HAVE AN AUDIENCE! As a Hollywood movie this would be popular. It already is. Here's an idea. We already have: get this free action toy at _________when you buy a ________. Some plastic thing that is played with for a day and ends up in a land fill. Let's try: get this refillable water bottle at ___________ when you buy a  large salad  (promoting healthy eating while we're at it) during opening week. Let's use social media to promote and not spend millions on advertising. Word of mouth works we all know that! There are loads of ideas and ways to make this happen that would benefit so many people.

Being raised in the burbs of Chicago but born on a farm, my dream was always to live in a cabin in the mountains and have a horse. Well I've had that for years so I have to default to one of my other dreams. That was: to do something big that would help a lot of people. Never had a clue how, what or if that was even possible. Well it is and this is it. So crazy as it might be, I will persist. There will be someone who discovers Remake 4 Water and says, hey, she might have something there.

Last Call At The Oasis

Wonderful. Shot beautifully. Very Interesting.

That's the impression from the trailer and the reviews concerning the latest documentary about the water situation in the world. This film however doesn't focus on Third World countries, rather on the US (in particular the Western States), Australia and even Palestine. The Toronto Review states:

The Bottom Line:

Doc about more-urgent-than-you-think water issues wisely focuses on their relevance to the U.S.

Erin Brockovich (remember her... the Julia Roberts movie? of course you do), Peter Gleick (yes I know he's in hot water at the moment) and Patricia Mulroy are the main speakers in this film that is praised by both critics and viewers. Rotten Tomatoes website gave it a great rating --85%. And the info about the movie sounds like a movie that could be interesting: "The global water crisis will be the central issue facing our world this century. We can manage this problem, but only if we are willing to act now. Last Call at the Oasis is a powerful new documentary that shatters myths behind our most precious resource."

It's not all doom and gloom about the world water shortages as many docs are. But even with this beautiful and positive spin on a problem that affects ALL of us, here are the box office numbers for a movie that was screened at 4 film festivals: After 3 weeks at the theatres, it's has earned...drum roll please.... almost $41,000! WOW....

Even "What To Expect When You're Expecting" which was rated at 22% by Rotten Tomatoes earned $22.1 million. Ok, it had a wide release and Oasis had a very small release, but that fact in itself reveals another point of Remake 4 Water. People don't go and see documentaries no matter how great they are. They go and see Hollywood movies, no matter how not-so-great they are! Not everyone in the world is going to get pregnant, but WE ALL ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY WATER! We already are. Most of us just aren't aware.....

Yet.

Time for putting a serious message into a fun movie which by the way has already been seen in 185 countries. (Just added another this week!!) Then people will go and see it and afterwards think about it, and not feel they were hit over the head. "These things must be done del-i-cate-ly....." Quote from a green faced women who scared me as a child... C'mon! Let's Do It!

World Water Day Documentary

It came and went. Did you know? If you're like most people, you didn't.

Many thanks go out to Zoe Slusar and Bailey Kerluke of Untitled Productions who made a short documentary that brings up the issue of water awareness. You can see it on their website. It's a pretty awesome short and you can certainly tell the difference between people who want to be and who are film makers, and someone who had no idea what they are doing--like Did I Say Thousand Island? . But I did know that I would never quit.

So it is with Remake 4 Water.

Did you watch the video mentioned above? Did you notice what was said between 5:43 and 6:15? This was just a regular gal who said exactly what Remake 4 Water is all about! I was there when they were shooting to talk to people after their shot, but not before hand--they had no idea about R4W. How great is that? Sooner or later the right people will find out about this and see the validity and marketability of this concept involving restaurants.

Things are still changing. Movies that are made outside the big studios are being seen by the public in masses. October Baby is one that is doing well. It's a story that touches on a social issue, as does the movie Bully . Both of these are narratives which have higher attendance than documentaries, which is good, but they're not happy movies and some say too political or religious, depending.

We are still in a long era of escapism in the movies and I know that a fun movie that has an important but subtle message that affects all of us would be successful. By combining the subject matters while still being light hearted, it will draw people who want to be entertained. By addressing an issue that absolutely needs our attention, it will serve a purpose. C'mon. Let's Do It!

World Water Day and water.org

It's getting close to that wonderful day: March 22, World Water Day! Celebrate the fact that you have water and don't have to walk 6km to get it. You can just turn on a tap and voila, water! By the way, that's about the average that you'd have to go to get water if you lived in a water deprived area.

I'm celebrating WWD in a new way this year by starting a fund raising page with water.org. They make it really easy to donate and I like what they are doing. Last week I listened  to the presentation about water credit and how great that's going. It's amazing yet sensible what an effect pride of ownership has on the people, wells, and solutions to water and sanitation.


My mission is to raise awareness and funds so I figured that I might as well raise funds in the name of Remake 4 Water. Having discovered that my movie is being downloaded thousands and I mean thousands of times a day for free, I just have to believe that someday, the right person will see the potential in using it to help others. People will want to see the remake out of curiosity at the very least!

These are screen shots of one of the many sites where the movie is available for free. The second one is a close up. Notice the 5th listing that says "added by request". This movie is spread out far more than anyone knows! Check this site out here.

If you'd like to donate to water.org in the name of R4W, my donate page is here, and thank you for any amount you can donate to help. They'll send you a receipt to your email, so you can deduct it from your taxes. We can all do a little bit to help, and hopefully someday you'll be able to do what you already do and not have to reach into your pocket for more. So...C'mon. Let's Do It!

Brand New Website

During last year's Superbowl commercials I thought it was time to leave my website host, but just didn't ever do it. Then this year's commercials prompted me to jump ship. I had been with Go Daddy for almost 6 years, but it was time to say bye. I'm not a prude but I don't appreciate their style.

2 weeks after I returned home from my big trip out east and the great International Water Forum at the UN, I was hit with severe vertigo and am still recovering, so am very behind in what I want to be doing. World Water Day is in one month and there's so much to do. Having hoped to be farther down the path in my mission, I have to be content in knowing that everything happens for a reason, and it's not my timing that matters.

The new website is lots more fun and even reminds me of George Jetson. That was a great cartoon, and when I'm on Skype, I think of Spacely Sprockets. Imagine that we are that advanced and more. Torrent sites and downloading movies to phones. What will they think of next? I'm just glad because the movie is so far spread around the world and the messages are getting out there! Now it's time to work on the water troubles and help more people.

Chuck Fishman says: Water First!   I say: Let's Do It!

They ALL Said It...

Yes sir! They all said AWARENESS. I already went over that in the last blog, but I think you need to hear it from them. It's so crucial to solving the problems, and oh yes, there are solutions. But how can the average Joe Screwdriver or Jane Cupcake try to help when they don't have a clue? By the way you can switch the last names if you want, but please keep it related to restaurants. The point is that the general public really is clueless when it comes to water. Watch this video and see for yourself, and this time it's not me telling you, so please pay attention.

The world really is changing and you just can't help but notice. Like this idea I found the other day: Go Halfsies-helping fight obesity, food waste and world hunger. Check it out! It's ideas like this one and Remake 4 Water that are going to make a difference in the world. And it's such an easy idea: go to a movie and help people get water, and learn about the water crisis in a fun way. What crisis?! We don't have a water crisis in America. Oh yeah, I forgot.

With intentions of spreading the last press release and new videos all over back in November, suddenly and I mean suddenly, a strange creature named Vertigo creeped into my cranium and wreaked havoc. Anyone who has had severe Vertigo can relate. I wish this mission was further along, but as I truly know, everything happens for a reason. Being able to only listen to talk radio, and finding a local radio station with daily Bible studies (don't worry any friends of mine who might read this, I'm not thumping, just living), I am gaining the Strength that I know I'll need for this "impossible" mission. But why is this so difficult?

Well, it really was a great event and thanks again to Jim Thebaut with the Running Dry series for organizing it. To be in a room full of people with the same mission is really encouraging, and even though it can be looked at by others as preaching to the choir, it was a fantastic chance to network and share ideas. Now it's out and into the public with the messages, and who better to influence people than Hollywood, hmmm? C'mon. Let's Do It!

Jane Seymour or Money?

Neither!

You might think it was Jane Seymour because she's so involved with certain aspects of the water crisis. But she wasn't it. You might think it's money because all the water charities are always asking for donations. But that wasn't it either. So what was the main topic at the International Water Forum at the United Nations in September, the main issue that every single one of the speakers mentioned? AWARENESS! That's right. So many people in the world have no idea that there IS a problem with water. And most of the people outside the water sector who know that a Global Water Crisis exists, only believe it to exist in 3rd World Countries.

What do you think of when someone says Global Water Crisis? Chances are that you picture a scrawny child sitting by a mud pool with sadness screaming out of their face. Or maybe you picture a woman walking while balancing a jug on her head with little children in tow. Am I right? Well did you know that there are loads of water issues and troubles right here in North America? Did you know that Georgia and Tennessee are having a "water war"? A dispute over the line between the two states and where the real border is-- which affects the Tennessee River water rights. What about Chicago. What? They have Lake Michigan right there! Really. Well,  read this. Even Canada has it's share of issues despite plenty of fresh water. What about the American Southwest and California? But you probably already know about that.

Jane Seymour certainly does. Yes she's still beautiful and she spoke to me in passing, as I took a photo of her when she was leaving. She's good friends with Jim Thebaut (who organized the event) and was the narrator on his "Running Dry" documentary about the American Southwest. She talked about education and what we as individuals can do, because it's up to all of us to take measures and do our part to help. Sometimes that can mean a small behavior change like turning off your taps, or it can mean a life commitment to something you believe in and are passionate about. Here's a snippet:

During the forum, I kept turning to my new friends Hame and Kadia (who are originally from Africa but who now live in DC) and smiling. I had told them about R4W and my ideas surrounding the project and as speaker after speaker talked about the problem of how to get people outside the water sector to be aware of the GWC, they just returned my gaze while nodding their heads. Get Hollywood involved and people will pay attention. It's such a simple idea and everything I'm suggesting has been done before! In these incredible times we are in, with marches on Wall Street, social responsibility coming to the forefront in corporations and Hollywood making remakes anyway, why not? The difference is that this remake will be new and will help many people in many ways. It's all about AWARENESS! Water and respect. C'Mon. Let's Do It!

International Water Forum at the United Nations

I was planning to be touring around the Maritime Provinces, but when I found out about the International Water Forum at the United Nations, there wasn't even a second of hesitation about changing my plans.

Jim Thebaut is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker who has done and is continuing with the "Running Dry" series of documentaries. He is the organizer of this amazing event and we spoke this past Saturday. His work concerning the Global Water Crisis has definitely made an impact but even he says: "I’m not sure that public awareness has really penetrated deep into the psyche of the mainstream citizenry." This is where engaging known actors and musicians will change this.

I ask you. Have you heard about the "Running Dry" series or the movie "Tapped" which deals with the bottled water problem which is certainly a big problem too. Well, have you? Chances are you haven't. But I bet you have an idea what Sandra Bullock or Brad and Angelina or Taylor Swift or Justin Beiber are doing (and they are doing good by the way). Whether it's bad news or good news, it's news because people are so obsessed with what the stars are doing. Even if you don't really care, you can't get away from it. Imagine the impact if you cared about what they were doing? So let's get that group of people to work together and help elevate awareness about the Global Water Crisis!

Jim was a wonderful conversationalist and we are of the same thoughts and sentiments when it comes to the Global Water Crisis. I couldn't be more excited about the possibilities. It's going to be such an incredible gathering of people who really care about the water situation in the world today and people who want to take innovative and drastic actions to fix this problem that is one day going to change the way you think, use and feel about the most precious resource that we have. C'mon. Let's Do It!

Not My Idea

It's winter again here in southern Alberta. Well maybe not winter, but close! Even though summer made an appearance yesterday (and I was thinking that maybe summer really was here, and would know if we actually had 2 days in a row that were summerish) it seems to be gone again. Personally I don't mind because I have to be inside on the computer anyway and I really don't like to be hot. As I said in the last post, there really is a reason why I moved back to Canada.

There actually are a few reasons and I am going to share another one. Part of my love for the restaurant industry is because it allowed me to be the gypsy person I truly am. I moved an inordinate number of times for someone not in the military or one being transferred for jobs all over the place. I simply like to experience lots of different cultures, meet interesting people, and I was just generally a restless and high energy person. But while living in New Zealand, I decided that it was time to go home. It was time for me to settle down and establish roots.

Ok, for the rest of this post, if you don't believe in God, you may as well stop here or you'll think I'm full of baloney, which I'm not.

So I came here with the intention of looking for the place where I would live the rest of my days and even meet a man to do that with. I was ready to settle down and make cookies. I have never been married and agree with a snipet I read years ago that said you don't meet the person whom you are supposed to be with until you get where you are supposed to be. Wise words eh? E-Harmony here I come! Well...

Not so much. Just as I know I was called to make the movie in the first place--despite not ever wanting to make a movie--now it all made sense when this current idea popped into my head. Mind you I fought this one for much longer than the movie because it's really crazy! But, like the movie, I'm committed to it and will see it to the end. I just have to remember at all times where my Help comes from.

The world situation concerning water is just incredible and something needs to be done about it. We are all part of the whole and we need to help others.

But it goes beyond that thought. We need to also help ourselves! The water crisis is not only in other places. It's here too. I have supplied loads of information on the site and wanted to add this link to a great site where you can find ways to save water in your own home--therefore saving you some money too!

So why did I title this "not my idea"? Well because this is NOT what I had in mind for my life, and that is precisely why I know it comes from God. I have been listening to a lot of "self discovery" type information and am finding that many people are doing something they never thought they would be doing, but know it's what they are meant to be doing. People finding their true purpose. How do they know? Because they're happy! Genuinely and absolutely happy and it doesn't necessarily have to do with money. It has more to do with helping others. It's about time that greed gets the boot!

I have always found that most restaurant people are happy and like their life. It's a great job and lifestyle for either the long haul or temporarily, and there are millions in the business who would probably agree with me. Think about the place you go to hang out with your friends. Do you like the staff there? Do they work hard to get you everything you need and have a fun time doing it? Probably or you wouldn't go there. The hospitality industry is a great one and by combining it, through this movie, with the need for water, this will help so many. We just need to find the right people who will help make this a reality. We can do it! That's all for now. Gotta brush the snow off the bbq grill! (Not really, but maybe in the morning...)

North American Ideas

There are still many lakes in the fields where usually the crops are starting to lift their stems to the sky and it's a constant reminder of the fact that while we're not wanting the water, others in the world are so desperately needing it. Unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about that situation, but hopefully it makes us think about water nonetheless. Come fall, we'll be needing the water and will probably be put on water conservation levels.

While researching around about water issues, I came across an article about a clever young boy named Mason Perez in Reno, Nevada. He had a thought and it became an experiment then a project and now a wonderful way to save water. It's a great article and I hope people see it and start thinking about other ways to save our precious water.

I have very often thought of ways to stop wasting so much water in public places. Like those automatic flushing toilets that are everywhere now. What a waste of water! I have experienced them flushing when I walked into the stall, flushing as I'm getting ready to make a deposit of some sort and then again as I am making the deposit acting like a bidet, only to be flushing again as I'm getting myself back together and then leaving the stall! Seriously, 5 times it flushed while I was in the area! Ok, now that was the most I had, but it's usually 3 times and always flushing more than necessary. Yeah I know why they are there-- to avoid germs in touching the handle, but c'mon, that's just ridiculous. There should be an adjustment!

What about those tub faucets that blast out water like a fire hose and can't be turned down. Think how much water is wasted when you're adjusting the temperature for your shower. Sure some people turn on the shower head right away and that helps if there is a water saving head, but not everyone does it that way. I've thought about that for years, ever since I was in a hotel that had those installed. I think they should all be replaced, which I know won't happen, but hopefully those hotels have a grey water recycling system installed. There are so many ways to save water and here's just one of the many sites that will give you ideas for your home water usage.

That's all for now. Enjoy the summer if you are having it. We here in southern Alberta seem to be stuck in the cold. I don't mind at all. It beats the 90's that are elsewhere! I moved back to Canada for a reason! ;-)

They call it High River

There's a reason why places are named as they are. The first people to live in the town where I live had a really good reason. At least that's what I am suspecting after this past weekend!

Friday we were declared a state of emergency as the river went roaring through town taking many huge trees with it as it crashed into the bridges and escaped it's banks. I watched as heavy equipment removed the massive trees that were stuck in front of the bridge--glad that I didn't live along the banks of the river. People were evacuated and roads were closed, and the snow in the mountains hasn't even begun to melt yet!

As I watched this flooding, I couldn't help but think how there is a severe drought going on in parts of Ethiopia, the Somali region to be specific, and it's too bad they couldn't have our water. I guess I'm always thinking about water in one way or another and trying to figure out ways to spread the word about Remake 4 Water.

Now that the website is up and running although I'm sure it will be changing now and then, it's time I really get down to it and start blasting out my mission. When I think that "Meet the Parents" started exactly as my movie did and look what happened, and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" started as a play, was discovered and redone, I know that somewhere is the person who sees this and realizes the market niche and fact that just as everyone has a family, everyone goes out to eat!

"Did I Say Thousand Island?" isn't setting to be out to make the rich Hollywood people richer, it's going to help people get water and let others know that water is a precious resource and we better be careful or we'll be in trouble! Besides, I just had some new friends watch my movie and they loved it! They had just been out to dinner and experienced the separate check scene exactly. They were laughing! Hollywood seems to be missing out on a whole group of people. The baby boomers who still enjoy a story without all the computer generated graphics and fast action. Oh wait, maybe not. They did just remake "Arthur"....

National Waitstaff Day!!

What a beautiful day! I'm not talking about the weather, I'm talking about the fact that today is the day to celebrate all those people you know who help you while you're out on the town. Your favorite waiter or waitress! These people are not only the ones who bring you food, drink, and all the necessary things you ask for as you dine out-- while you relax, they're the ones who help you have a great time!

Think about it. You go out to eat with your friends or family and you go to your usual place with your favorite waitress or waiter. How does that make you feel when you're greeted with enthusiasm when you sit down and you know that they're going to do whatever it takes to bring you everything you need, and do it with a smile. You know the person, and maybe even know about their family. You have a relationship with them.

Today I want to celebrate my life as a waitress. I was one for over 25 years and I sincerely loved my life. I use past tense as I really can't (shouldn't) waitress anymore because of a horse accident, but that's not what I'm thinking about today. I'm remembering all the fun I used to have when I went to work. I worked at one restaurant in Colorado for almost 14 years, and I'm still in contact with co-workers spread out from Oregon to Florida to the Chec Republic and places inbetween. The friends I made are ones I will have probably for the rest of my life. See, servers as we are called these days--although I really don't like that term (too close to servant and that gives people the wrong idea...)--are a certain breed of people. Unless you've spent time in the business you don't know what I'm talking about. If you have then you know.

Oh man we had fun, but we also made good money! I remember one night in particular for some reason. I had made really great money-- maybe because I had waited on a lot of friends that night. I remember walking through a room to turn the lights out thinking "I can't believe they paid me for doing this!" It was like I had been at a party and happened to be the one making sure everyone had everything they needed. No big deal! Matter of fact my old boss and owner Bobby used to say that was how he felt every night. People were just coming to his party and it was our job to make sure everyone had a great time. He was 100% right!

I want to keep this post a light one today as it's a great day! But I do miss the fun I had and all the people I met every night. I've been feeling like a hermit in a way by working on this project, but if, when it's completed I will have helped people outside the biz respect those of us in it, and those of us in it to be proud of our chosen career, and to those people who work-in-an-office-40-hours-a-week-with-only-2-weeks-vacation-a-year-until-they-work-up-to-more-after-years-in-the-same-job-and-spend-those-2-weeks-doing-what-we-can-do-any-day-we-want ask us when we are going to get a real job, we say "I have a real job. The difference is, it's a real fun job!" So treat your waitress and waiter with respect today. It's their day! Cheers!