I met the producer last night -

[gina164]

I saw TDADJ for the seond time last night in Berkeley (the first time I saw it was in Feb '05 at the SF Indie Film Fest).

Henry Rosenthal (the producer) was there, to my surprise.
It was interesting to speak with him afterward.

I know Dan's family has issues with him - and I am glad that I don't know what those issues are...because I realize that I don't need/nor want to be a go-between for anyone with Dan's family.

I did learn some 'disturbing things going on behind the scenes,' though...and I have only one thing to say:

I only hope that Daniel's best interests are being put in the forefront by all concerned parties.

My opinion about what is in Dan's best interest:

Get the film shown to as many people and at as many venues as possible -

The film MUST be shown, and as widely as humanly possible - this is my opinion...not only because it will bring Dan's music and art to more people...but because it serves GREATLY to raise awareness about severe mental illness.

I have applauded Dan's family on here before for their participation, and I have applauded them in person at their dinner table.

I do so hope that they will solve whatever issues they have with Henry without disrupting the film's distribution/etc....

[gina164]

I have not felt fully OK about posting this thread - I have thought, "Was it the right thing to do, given that I don't truly know details of things?"

I also have thought WHY didn't I just e-mail Dan's brother with my concerns?

The answer is: I heard some stuff from the producer that made me want to post a public request that the family doesn't try to disrupt anything that can add to Dan's story being told/spread - such as the soundtrack -

I now want to add: I don't know reasons behind things, I don't know details of decisions made, nor do I even know all of 'the issues,' on both sides, and I don't want to know -

I only want to be Dan's friend now - end of my involvement/desire -

So, I am going to bow out of this public forum, as I did/tried to do once before, but this time for the right reasons -
I haven't anything left to say here - and I know myself - ADD leads to impulsive posts - best for me to not post at all.

My distant friendship to Dan ('distant' in miles between us) will continue, because I made a friend in him... someone I care about. Although he is quite ill, he is a good friend to people he loves - he truly expresses genuine concern, and receives it well, too.

Best wishes to everyone here, even Jeff T - I know so many of you love Dan, too, and have brought/continue to bring joy to his life - Those of us who have gotten to know him intimately have been blessed, as you well know -

For the rest of the fans, keep on writing to him, etc - he needs all of the love, even though he gets lots from his family, too!

Signing off - Gina

[Poonhead]

I don't think you should actually leave the forum.  Gee Whiz lady, keep it superficial if you have to, you are a good contributer.  And that forum housewarmer pretty much made you a hero to us posters who aren't likely to be visiting the States, let alone Texas any time soon.
Anyway, don't bother debating me.  Stay or don't stay.  My vote is stay.

[gina164]

Hi, Adam -

Your post was cute, kind, and appreciated - but this Lady truly needs to not post publically anymore -  I need to keep my friendship with Dan private now - Wickedwill is close with Dan, too, and has MUCH better stories to tell, anyway

And, thanks for the 'hero' comment - I am glad that the housewarming gift project made others happy, too - there were times, at first, when I felt like I was being 'a pest' about it, and moments when I fretted about whether or not we'd actually receive the signed print we picked out together, or in time to 'present it' in person - but it all ended up being OK, of course, and best of all Dan was VERY happy about it all, so all of the feelings I went through about it were well worth it -

My best wishes, and my last post here  ;- ), to you - Gina

[wickedwill]

Thats a shame.

[lonelyloner]

Gina, don't leave!! We all make mistakes. Stick around? 

[Poonhead]

You heard the lady Wickedwill, make with the stories.... pronto.

[wickedwill]

You heard the lady Wickedwill, make with the stories.... pronto.

Ummmm.....the first time I met Daniel I was so nervous! My nerves were shot!
It was like 45 minutes from my moms house to Dans house! I stopped to get Mrs. Johnston some flowers and off we went. The closer I got the more nervous I got! All of a sudden out of the blue I made my wife pull over and I puked!
Would Daniel think the guy he had been speaking to on the phone for over a year was just a nervous mess of a fanboy? Would I just numb up and not be able to talk?
When we got there Daniel was waiting outside in a stained shirt just grinning.
When I got out of the car he said "Wow you look nothing like I expected and you brought me flowers"....wild laughter...."my mom will really like those."
And she did! She immediately made Mr. Johnston get a vase and set them on the table. Daniel held court for a bit and I noticed right off that he very rarely makes eye contact(I already knew this because a friend who owns a record store that Daniel goes to told me this in one of my many QandA sessions on Dan.....he also went on to tell me that he has no doubt in his mind that Daniel is a genius)
Anyways I spent the whole day with him and my wife. We had a blast. I sat and watched him being interviewed over the phone, I sat at the piano he writes songs but I did not dare touch it........dont know why but it just seemed like it was not my place to touch it. On a later visit I did do a little two key ditty on it.
Yep so somewhere between Tomball and Waller is a pile of Wickedwill puke on the side of the road!

I remember when I got out of the car to meet him he shook my hand and that night as I was leaving he shook my hand and gave me a hug and the wife got one also..........maybe we made the grade...who knows?!

[Poonhead]

Well done man, keep up the fine work. 

[notdaniel]

My best wishes, and my last post here  ;- ), to you - Gina

I saw nothing in the post that should lead to your even leaving this particular thread - but it's your decision to make. (And besides, noone who says they're leaving an internet forum ever does so for long!)

I have long meant to make a statement myself, however, reassuring anyone and everone in the film that no matter what they think, they DO NOT LOOK BAD OR UNSYMPATHETIC TO THE VIEWING AUDIENCE*. This is a typical, if not inevitable, effect of seeing yourself on the big screen in a documentary - people greatly overreact to their portrayal and picture strangers leaving the theatre thinking bad things about them, but in the case of this movie, NOONE comes off looking like a villain, trust me folks!

  - Notdan

*(The possible minor exception is Matt Groening, who comes off as very put out and annoyed - to my eyes, at least. In actuality, however, I suspect he was simply caught at a bad time).

[gina164]

I saw nothing in the post that should lead to your even leaving this particular thread - but it's your decision to make. (And besides, noone who says they're leaving an internet forum ever does so for long!)

I have long meant to make a statement myself, however, reassuring anyone and everone in the film that no matter what they think, they DO NOT LOOK BAD OR UNSYMPATHETIC TO THE VIEWING AUDIENCE*. This is a typical, if not inevitable, effect of seeing yourself on the big screen in a documentary - people greatly overreact to their portrayal and picture strangers leaving the theatre thinking bad things about them, but in the case of this movie, NOONE comes off looking like a villain, trust me folks!

  - Notdan

Ok. I thought about this - you guys are right - My post was OK...nothing to feel badly about...I just felt worried that I would hurt the family's feelings with this post (by questioning anything), and that is not anything I ever want to do...

I have to chalk this up to my Catholic guilt-syndrome, and my protectiveness of Dan (as Ebert rightly put it), and now ask for everyone here to forgive my goof-ball-ness... oh, gee...there's that guilt-thing again...

...what I've learned...I am part of this place...and want to stick around....I definitely cannot tell a story as well as Wicked can, though

So...in toll, "I'm back, again"...and, I must say, again, I really haven't any iota of knowledge as to why Dan's family would not want the soundtrack released, etc (which is one of the things Henry Rosenthal complained about)...but, having met Dan's 'main family members,' I know they have their reasons for their actions  involving Dan, and that they love Dan to bits  - so, that's that... I will trust that Dick, et al have Dan's back covered, and that they don't need me butting in...

I should have approached this like a reporter...stayed totally neutral - just reported what I heard, and kept my junk outta it...

Still learning the ropes of Net forums.
Thanks for reading this goofy-stuff -
Gina

PS - time for bed in Cali - but, it's already Friday in London!!!! Dan rocks 'tonight!' Woohoo!!!!!!!!

[Poonhead]

Well done lady, keep up the fine work.

[birds_cant_smile]

gina- i knew you'd be back 

[ondafritz]

I saw nothing in the post that should lead to your even leaving this particular thread - but it's your decision to make. (And besides, noone who says they're leaving an internet forum ever does so for long!)

I have long meant to make a statement myself, however, reassuring anyone and everone in the film that no matter what they think, they DO NOT LOOK BAD OR UNSYMPATHETIC TO THE VIEWING AUDIENCE*. This is a typical, if not inevitable, effect of seeing yourself on the big screen in a documentary - people greatly overreact to their portrayal and picture strangers leaving the theatre thinking bad things about them, but in the case of this movie, NOONE comes off looking like a villain, trust me folks!

  - Notdan

Ok. I thought about this - you guys are right - My post was OK...nothing to feel badly about...I just felt worried that I would hurt the family's feelings with this post (by questioning anything), and that is not anything I ever want to do...

I have to chalk this up to my Catholic guilt-syndrome, and my protectiveness of Dan (as Ebert rightly put it), and now ask for everyone here to forgive my goof-ball-ness... oh, gee...there's that guilt-thing again...

...what I've learned...I am part of this place...and want to stick around....I definitely cannot tell a story as well as Wicked can, though

So...in toll, "I'm back, again"...and, I must say, again, I really haven't any iota of knowledge as to why Dan's family would not want the soundtrack released, etc (which is one of the things Henry Rosenthal complained about)...but, having met Dan's 'main family members,' I know they have their reasons for their actions  involving Dan, and that they love Dan to bits  - so, that's that... I will trust that Dick, et al have Dan's back covered, and that they don't need me butting in...

I should have approached this like a reporter...stayed totally neutral - just reported what I heard, and kept my junk outta it...

Still learning the ropes of Net forums.
Thanks for reading this goofy-stuff -
Gina

PS - time for bed in Cali - but, it's already Friday in London!!!! Dan rocks 'tonight!' Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Don't worry, don't worry. His parents used to yell at me too! Gina, I love the picture of the kitty with the lime helmet. Is that a lime? Anyway, you did nothing wrong. If you want to see a war then go to my other site I mod at. AllGoodPeople.net It is a Yes fan site and this place is very peaceful in comparison.

[gina164]

...ha ha...well, they haven't yelled at me, yet...of course, I haven't called since this post...I'll call next week.

About the Yes site ...that url doesn't work for me...wanted to check it out...love Yes...saw them for my 40th Bday, with the San Antonio Symphony at The Majestic in SA...

Mine is no disgrace

Gina

PS - Hiya, birds...