MOD MAN #8 Origins

In the first year playing for the Dodgers Malcolm continued to impress. He was soon getting people expecting him to break more rookie records. Unfortunately the team at that time wasn’t entirely that good. It had turned into a frustrating season with the shining spot being Malcolm’s play. The season was long so there was time and hope for them to turn it around and make a run for the playoffs. 

At around this time the team was headed out on a long road trip that would take them through Texas playing both the Rangers and the Astros. This also in a way meant a homecoming of sort being Malcolm was alumni of the University of Texas. He could visit some of the people he had known before. This definitely included Candace. She had been watching his performance rather closely becoming a bit of a baseball fan in her own right. She had been tracking Malcolm’s progress and comparing it to other rookies throughout the year even the ones he was most compared to. She, herself, was coming up on her final year in school and was expecting to take herself overseas to do a Masters course, but with all of these ideas, hopes, and dreams everything was still up in the air. One thing she knew was as Malcolm’s team was coming to town she needed to be there and see him, as it had been too long. 

They had been corresponding by phone, mail, email, and social media. Yet the most heartfelt messages were the hand written letters he’d write her of his travels writing them on hotel stationary, dinner napkins, or even hand made cards made of a mogpog of items. She kept at him about taking photos and working his creative eye, which sometimes turned into secret messages that showed how much they really missed each other. This would be Malcolm’s teams only stop in the area unless they made it into the post season, which was seeming like a long shot so the two devised a plan. They would find some way to meet up while the Dodgers were in Texas. This would mean Candace would have to do some driving as Austin, TX where she was about a two and a half hour drive to Houston, TX home of the Astros. This they decided was the better of the two as Arlington, TX where the Rangers played was a three and a half hour drive. Candace would drive down after her last class of the day, which after checking in to her hotel and freshen up she could be at the field come batting practice with the intent of meeting up for drinks if not dinner after the game.

The days leading up to the trip they were in daily contact. He had some trying thoughts he shared with her after a particularly tough game, which made it seem like old times. Now being a professional ball player yes there were perks one being the attention they would garner everywhere they would go. Another was the access they received and even another was the crazed fans. Malcolm would tell Candace about these occurrences at clubs, bars, and after games and at hotels, but sensed she had a hard time hearing about them so he kept that part of his professional athlete lifestyle to himself making what they had rather special.

As the trip continued to near Malcolm’s play heated up and he was batting .384 with 35 RBI’s 20 HRS and no errors in the field. His play alone was keeping his team in many of the games they played, while their pitching was the one letting them get away. The game just before their Texas trip Malcolm hit for the cycle against the D-Backs putting him front and center in the rookie of the year talks. Candace watched that game from beginning to end, which in the end the Dodgers lost in extra innings. It was a heartbreaking loss, but at least the trip into Texas came with some benefits for Malcolm and hopefully for the team as both the Astros and Rangers were teams the Dodgers were expected to beat. 

For more from Able Able studios make sure to check out these great links ableabestudios.com , Able Abe photography , Able Abe Z store , Able abe fan page , YouTube Channel.

HERE'S TO THE WEEKEND #57

MY NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEWS #83

David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. He is an uncomplicated man stuck in a monotonous life. Day in and day out he drives an armored vehicle, transporting millions of other people's money with no escape in sight. The only glimmer of excitement is his flirtatious work crush Kelly Campbell who soon lures him into the scheme of a lifetime. Along with a group of half-brained criminals led by Steve Chambers and an absurdly faulted heist plan, David manages the impossible and makes off with $17 million in cash...only problem is he foolishly hands the money over to this wild group of double crossers and has been set up to take the fall. With the bandits blowing the millions on lavish and ridiculous luxuries, they leave behind a glaring trail of evidence. Now on the lam and in over his head, David must dodge the authorities, evade a hilarious hit man, Mike McKinney, and try to turn the tables on the ones he trusted most. Written by Relativity (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

MASTERMINDS was an interesting film cast with some rather big names in comedy to play roles in a story that was basically true. I’m all for heist films, but I see films that take a different direction by showing dumb criminals. I laughed all the way through and I felt the story was told well as not to give away too much before it happens. So for MASTERMINDS I give it 3 ½ stars.

ART SHARE

He lay awake in bed looking at the ceiling trying to decipher what his neighbor had recently offered him. She had come out of nowhere with a very risky idea that could be exactly what he had been looking for. He tossed and turned reflecting on his journey to that point remembering the catalyst to his entire life change, which was his seeking the alter to some random church. 

It had been a rough road along the way some remnants of his old life still remained, but nobody's perfect. The dawn was turning to morning as the pale blue light was becoming a warm orange tone. He rose from bed earlier than usual and sat in his kitchen brewing a cup of coffee and making a pros and cons list to help him decide.

Each time he would and one he'd add one to the other side. He was deadlocked. He thought some more with another cup of coffee now sitting on his couch and still his list was deadlocked. He tossed the pen and pad his caffeine rush building. He tried to just think with his heart on what he really wanted, yet still nothing. 

He hopped in the shower and continued to think. He eventually realized he had become attached to his job at the steakhouse like a surrogate family as he lost the family from the job he was let go from. It was like a rebound, it feels good, but may not wholly be good for you. 

Then it hit him, his basic fear was that he'd have to go this food truck venture alone, but in reality it came with a built in partner that would handle the financials, which was her expertise leaving him to focus on the cooking. With that frame of mind the choice was clear and he couldn't wait to share it with everyone. Looking to the heavens he began to get tremendous feeling all over as he saw things working out for the good.

HERE'S TO THE WEEKEND #56

ART SHARE

He was now coming up on the 3rd month of managing at the steakhouse. He had taken to the challenge rather well. Yet there were some hiccups along the way that seemed to make the transition impossible like dealing with customers face to face. 

Another slight bump along the way was the dress code for the steakhouse was a bit more high scale requiring he to get more regular hair cuts and shaves. His neighbor in 35 B even came out with him to the mall to advise him on some dresser looks. She thought it was cute he'd asked her to accompany him. Ultimately he purchased a few shirts, ties, a pair of slacks, and a versatile blazer to bring everything together. 

The two continued to draw closer to each other. His plan of working nights and coming home to cook and her taste test also continued when possible. She was seeing his hardwork leading up to something, but as his role at the steakhouse grew it was hard for him to maintain both with the same intensity. 

He had developed a small menu that he felt would knock anyone's socks off if they tried it, but for now it was only between him and his neighbor. One night as he had made it home he was beat so when his neighbor came over happy to taste another new dish they sat on his couch sipping beers and talked. She showed him something she'd been working on on her own. She showed him an ad for a vehicle that could be turned into a food truck with some work.

She knew she had been coy, but she revealed to him if he really wanted to go that route she could help him finance the vehicle and get it up to code. The only condition he'd make her a partner and let her try her hand at cooking from time to time on the truck. 

He in no way saw this coming and knew a choice had to be made. The risk loomed large as he was gaining respect at the steakhouse and it felt good, but it even felt better to have someone believe in him and his dream and want to help.

MY NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEWS #82

Robert Trench, an undercover DEA agent, takes advantage of gunman Michael Stigman's idea to rob a bank to bust him and a mob boss. However, it proves too successful with much more money seized than anticipated with Trench's forces not stopping the getaway. Complicating things still more, Stigman turns out to be a Naval Intelligence agent who shoots Trench and takes the money. The interservice debacle suddenly finds Trench and Stigman in a bloody web of corrupt clandestine rivalries as they are hunted, blackmailed and isolated for the money on both sides of the law. Now, the fugitives must work together to find a way out of this situation with no one to turn to but themselves. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)  (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

A fan of both Denzel Washington and Mark Walberg I couldn’t imagine 2 GUNS being a film I couldn’t like. Upon seeing it my question was this were the two actors playing characters or were they actors, whom we’ve come to know and love, playing parts as their namesake? Maybe a better way to say that is I felt each actor played their role in the same manner they’ve played it as in other roles. I also wasn’t completely sold on their chemistry in the film, which is based on a graphic novel of the same name. So for 2 GUNS I give it 3 stars for an interesting story.

MOD MAN #7 Ms. Arguello

Malcolm didn’t know what to think as he politely shook Ms. Arguello’s hand. They all had now been introduced and were looking to get down to business. Nicole took her seat at the table silencing her phone for the moment. Malcolm quickly gathered his thoughts as Ms. Arguello looked at him with nothing but smiles. She seemingly could sense he was thrown for a loop by her presence so she sought to take the tension down by sharing a joke she knew. "A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A rabbit asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?" The crow answered, "Sure, why not." So the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow and rested. A fox jumped on the rabbit and ate it. Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very high up." Everyone laughed at the impeccably delivered joke to which seeing the client having a sense of humor made Malcolm more relaxed. As he sought a good segway to enter the business at hand he commented on their like in common for the coffee shop down the block. Part of him was wondering how the innocent glance in passing sat with her as she began speaking on how grabbing an actual bag of coffee beans was more of a souvenir than something she’d actually open and use. Still smiling and being pleasant Ms. Arguello questioned him on his favorite roast to which he explained he truly enjoyed a Peruvian blend which was delicious both hot and cold. She agreed as their commonality made it easy to proceed into the business at hand. 

Ms. Arguello was in great shape physically and stunningly beautiful seemed a bit older than Malcolm whom secretly carried a torch for several older women throughout his life. Upon finally reaching business talks Ms. Arguello explained why she had selected their agency and what she was expecting. Her first request was that their image gets a youthful makeover. What they sold was a family recipe for tequila, which was a robust part of her countries many export to the U.S. Ms. Arguello, also wanted to see her brand Toro Perfecta or “perfect bull” become a bigger player in the market and raise revenue in a matter of months. Malcolm admired her ambition and that her faith in his agency to do what she was asking for. Come to find out she was the eldest daughter of Mr. Arguello and had been around the family business since very young and watching how her father ran the business and now that the business was going to be officially be turned over to her she had the chance to make the changes she wanted to implement. 

All of this began to make sense to both Malcolm and Nicole as this had conspired in only a matter of days before. Malcolm began to get a better understanding and feel for the business, as he was again feeling in control of the situation. The meeting continued and Ms. Arguello and her team liked the possible direction Malcolm discussed in his pitch for the brand. From ad buys targeting a more youthful audience and the marketing strategy focusing on an age appropriate consumer. Ms. Arguello was all ears and a perpetual smile as she watched Malcolm intently. There were some questions Malcolm wanted to ask, but he requested a tour of the company and it’s factory to get a better feel for what he would be getting into, which meant a trip to Peru. So they began to talk dates for this researching trip over the conference table. As this trip would be out of the country the question of an up to date passport was a question to which Nicole had already ventured out on her phone to pull that information up. Malcolm cherished the idea of the trip and the opportunity to meet the man who had started it all. Malcolm then turned to Nicole whom nodded that things were in process and the earliest a trip could be secured would be by the following week. The Arguello team would be heading home the next day so the timing would be worth it as the ideas discussed that day would still be relatively fresh in everyone’s mind. 

As the Arguello team rose from the table and exchanges of handshakes shared Malcolm inquired about their dinner plans to which the lawyer and accountant would be unavailable as they had other business to attend to, which left Ms Arguello whom Malcolm invited her out and would schedule a car to pick her up at 7pm at her hotel. They both smiled as Ms. Arguello gracefully accepted as her and her team walked out of the conference room. Malcolm then had Nicole make reservations for Lavender House a restaurant know for it’s fresh fish served Mediterranean style and then excused her for the remaining of the day. Malcolm then stood in the conference room alone wondering how he should approach this dinner date with his beautiful companion and new client.

For more from Able Able studios make sure to check out these great links ableabestudios.com , Able Abe photography , Able Abe Z store , Able abe fan page , YouTube Channel.

HERE'S TO THE WEEKEND #55

MY NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEW #81

A small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives. Written by imran (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

I chose this film because I wanted to see the entire catalog of  David. O. Russell. Not familiar with his work see FLIRTING WITH DISATER, SILVERLININGS PLAYBOOK, AMERICAN HUSTLE, and JOY. The common thread with each of those films is the comedic aspect that for me makes each of those films unique and memorable. Some may even also say the blend of actors he used worked well together like in SILVERLININGS PLAYBOOK, AMERICAN HUSTLE, and JOY. Having said that I don’t know what to think of THREE KINGS as I feel it was a film to make a comment about the Gulf War that basically was a wonderment of why were we even over there. Ultimately I like the cast and even the heist aspect of the film, but it just was a bit hard to really believe this could happen and if was indeed a possibility then I must ask why were we really there? So for THREE KINGS I give it 3 stars.

ART SHARE

Upon inviting his blonde neighbor in 35 B to taste test his concoctions they began spending more time together. He treated her to street style tacos, chicken and waffles, short ribs, and chilli & jalapeno cornbread. She was a willing participant which he liked easy on the eyes yet the most important thing was that he began to like was her articulate, and honest critique. 

Fortunately she liked everything he had prepared for her, which enhanced his confidence in taking the risk of moving on with this cooking thing. 

One night after he had made her jerk chicken salad sliders she questioned him on what his endgame was. With wide eyes sitting accross from him at the kitchen counter he explained how this was a childhood dream to be a chef in his own restaurant and how losing his job found him out job hunting and he came up on the food truck that served gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

Then he told her his plan to get himself entrenched in the business and begin to really live that life. The first step in his plan was to find work in the industry where he could learn as he went. While after work into the wee hours he'd perfect his cooking craft get some sleep and repeat. 

The timing would probably take a matter of months, but he'd give himself three. He knew there were people out there with the same dream, more experience, and probably more of everything than him yet he was game for the challenge. 

So upon going back to the steakhouse to humbly take the dishwasher position he was notified it was filled, but a manager position had just come open and without another word he took it. 

Continuing to meet with his neighbor a few times a week still getting to know eachother into the wee hours of the morning she was becoming a real inspiration to him. Yet her greatest help to him was yet to come as she was yet to share that her day job was in financing.

MOD MAN #6 Summer

He walked into the studio feeling a little sluggish, definitely not the way he wanted to start the morning. Yet there he was with so much to do, to relax now would make the eight months leading up to this day a loss. “Finish strong", he told himself. He had to resolve a number of issues with his upcoming art event, and it varied from a final cut on a short film, the last brush strokes on art pieces, and the clothes. Oh my, the clothes. So he dug in. Sitting in front of his power Mac, He began to watch the current cut of the short on the 27-inch screen. The flow was impeccable and with a few minor changes to the intro, He felt it would grab the audience and bring them into his world.

At times like this, when he’d get into the zone, He’d think about the journey to the present moment. This time he thought about Summer. It wasn’t any specific thought of her that jumped into his mind. It was more like a mash up of everything from the island resort stay to their trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Amongst the backdrop of the good times there was all the hiccups that resulted in their taking the dreaded step of deciding to call it quits. They say all good things come to their appropriate end and just like that, it was over. A few short months after the breakup, He ran into her on the set of a video shoot and they were cordial and all, but there was this look she gave him biting her lip just a little that struck a cord with him. He called her the next day. That was relapse one. 

There was a knock at the sliding glass door to his home studio that looked out onto the crystal blue waters of his pool. Sometimes when working, he would have to close the blinds to keep focus as, Kimberly and Okoye would be out there sunbathing. The knock was Ricardo. He came by to help with the logistics of the art installation and assist in making everything as magical as possible. Seeing him as he slid open the glass door reminded him of the link he had in common with Summer, and now she was back in his head like a catchy hook to a song that won’t go away.

The second relapse with Summer started at a coffee shop. He was getting that afternoon fix and there she was looking as amazing as ever, legs crossed sitting in a corner by herself. He debated whether or not to go over and say hi. It was one of those awkward moments. His resolve was to order his drink and go, leaving it up to her to approach him, real grown up right. He ordered my small iced coffee with room for cream because he enjoyed watching the milk mix with the coffee, as he would slowly pour it in. In that time, standing at the condiments station and not thinking it would be his undoing, Ricardo would walk into the joint recognizing him off the bat. At that point in time, they hadn’t seen each other in years, basically since college. To know Ricardo it was to know his boisterous laugh and his way of talking. He explained to him as they talked, that since college he’d traveled to Europe and Spain, got married, and ended up here working as a curator for another local gallery. They sipped their coffees and continued to talk as his wife, Dawn, had come over with their drinks. Before they left, Ricardo invited Malcolm over for dinner; he told him he’d love seeing his extensive library of art and design books. They agreed, as that sounded really cool. Energized by the chance encounter he saw Summer out of the corner of my eye, looking in his direction. Malcolm watched Ricardo and Dawn walk off and turned toward Summer. She smiled. He stood there as if he was naked, exposed to her alluring capabilities. She still sat off in the corner, slowly sipping her tea while people watching, which was something he never could understand; because he always felt people should be watching her. 

Malcolm walked over, sat down, and talked with her for a bit. She had just signed on with a new modeling agency and was determined to get on a cover of a magazine, which for a model was an important step in creating longevity in the industry.  He looked at his watch. It was 2:45pm. He needed to be back at the studio by 3pm that day. He looked to wrap the conversation up as they were getting along better than expected. The events of the first relapse played in the back of his mind, not yet manifesting itself in his speech or body language. Then she touched his hand that was casually placed on the table between them. He looked into her eyes and all the tender and intimate moments came rushing back like a tsunami. He questioned himself. Was her hold on him that strong? It couldn't be. She broke up with him. He tried to feel hurt. He was the jilted lover, but with the chance of sex with an ex on the table, He played it as if he couldn’t care less. She then informed him she could come over that night if he liked? He said nothing, but reached into his brown Louis Vutton bag and pulled out his extra set of keys, the same keys he once took back from her to hurt her. Now it was to use her. He got up telling her he’d be home at 9pm and not to keep me waiting and walked back to the studio with a confused heart.

Ricardo looked over the film footage, himself feeling the same way about the intro and a few other minor spots. It felt good to be working at this level doing what he undoubtly loved doing, creating. They then moved to look over the actual art pieces hanging from the wall opposite Malcolm’s Mac computers in his home studio. They just looked, for a good few minutes in silence at the work, mentally piecing together the artwork that felt coherent and looked as if it was meant to be together. Ricardo and Malcolm discussed their personal take on the pieces hanging on the wall when he got a call. Figuring it would be a good moment to pause, they took a break. The sunset was gorgeous at that moment so I walked out the sliding glass doors to the pool and patio to think. A cool breeze blew as he looked out at the landscape in front of me, which lead him to think of her again.

As he left his downtown studio a little after nine, he had to be honest. He wondered if she’d already be there waiting on him. He drove the usual route back to his house with that thought on his mind the entire way. He laughed to myself thinking that his move of giving her his keys was a real pimp move. He pulled up into his driveway. Her burgundy camero was parked where she usually would park it. He walked inside to find her looking at some of the changes he’d made to the place since the break. They talked a bit, real surface stuff nothing to deep. He made her a drink, and they continued to talk. He turned on some music while both of them were waiting for the buzz to kick in. They circled each other like a predator does its prey. He’d have to say in this day and time, hooking up with an ex seemed part of the adventure of human life. Much the same as the journey to finding love carried its own unexpected twists. He was sure he loved her when they were in it, but now it was just about revisiting the familiar one more time to get back that feeling so things didn’t seem so lonely. They walked back to his bedroom with the sounds of Coltrane playing over the Bose speakers. They undressed, as if in a doctor’s office feeling a hint of self-consciousness and took to it with a kiss. They, after what seemed like an eternity of fumbling around, fell into that familiar rhythm as she enjoyed herself gyrating on top of him, her opened hands pressed flat against my chest. She then leaned back, arching her back, taking me deeper breathlessly shouting out his name, and trembling. They held each other like before their perspiration co-mingling, her head on his chest, and his arm around her. It felt good, maybe a little too good. Because when she broke the embrace, it felt like the ripping of a bandage from a wound. She got dressed, and she told him that she had a good time. They kissed out of routine and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her place his extra set of keys on the nightstand and she left.

The next morning was a blur, yet it was very significant not that Malcolm was leaving to New York to meet with some interested brokers in a developing script he was working on, but for the realization he was yet to have. Kimberly was going to drop him off at the airport. With everything packed, he reached for his iPhone and Ray Ban sunglasses from the kitchen counter, and it hit him. She had said his name when she came. She in their entire relationship had never said that. Maybe she talked a little dirty, and they even got really kinky, but never did she say his name. And the way she said it oh! he was perplexed as he tried to recount all the times, but this was the first. They got to the airport. Kimberly gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He walked through security trying to get his head around it all, while looking at all the lovely stewardesses wondering if they’d rekindled for a night with an ex to curb the feeling of loneliness. Ultimately, he came to the understanding that its certainly bound to happen in an age where everyone is so controlled by their devices, and that sometimes getting the best out of a person doesn’t come till it’s over. 

For more from Able Able studios make sure to check out these great links ableabestudios.com , Able Abe photography , Able Abe Z store , Able abe fan page , YouTube Channel.

MY NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEWS: #80

A day in the lives of a group of average teenage high school students. The film follows every character and shows their daily routines. However two of the students plan to do something that the student body won't forget. Written by Anonymous  (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

Having been a fan of Gus Van Sant for his avant-garde approach to making films it was a must that I eventually see the film ELEPHANT. Upon refreshing myself with the dated trailer I view this film. I enjoyed the breaking down of each character’s day and how in the day-to-day life of a High School a student lots of time is spent making it from class to class or avoiding class all together. Again I enjoyed the visual approach taken by Van Sant and the slow methodical pace he used in unraveling the story. So for ELEPHANT I give it 4 stars.

ART SHARE

He sat at a nearby plaza bench and savored the gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. He felt this was feeding the hunger feeling he was having yet it only fueled it as he began to analyze the ingredients and how he might make this experience even better. Sharp cheddar, buttermilk bread, real butter, cooked till golden brown and crispy and sprinkled with coarse salt. There were a few other items on the menu that tempted his taste buds, but he sought a recipe that would top what he was eating then and there. 

Feeling his pulse rate rise he understood the feeling of hunger he was having it was the yearning to do something new, something he knew he once loved. Playing with the idea he headed to a local market and excitedly began pairing items for his own version of the grilled cheese sandwich. Finding a selection of cheeses, sourdough bread, real butter, guacamole and a few other items. 

Upon heading out of the market on his way home he began to see his being let go from his last job as a blessing in disguise feeling that finding the love of cooking again might be a risk, but it would change his life forever. Mentally thinking of a strategy to make all of this a reality he began looking at his options. 

As he pulled into his complex he saw the blonde from apt. 32 pull in at the same time. Inspired so heavily to make this transition he invited her to a taste testing dinner of sorts that very night. She joyously obliged excited to see what he'd come up with. 

After a shower and change she arrived at his apartment which was alive with music and tempting smells. There was even a twinkle in his eye as he explained to her what he had been going through and how this was going to be the thing that helped him to continue on. A final few touches a sprinkle and he served her a golden brown grilled 3 cheese sandwich with guacamole, cured meats and a gracious smile.

MOD MAN #5 Harumi

The next morning he awoke with the sunrise creeping through his bedroom window to see Harumi still asleep. He was still in awe of her intoxicating beauty, her hair tussled and thrown across the pillow, her arching back and curvaceous booty. Maybe exiting that door was her moment to be in the limelight or maybe it was his. Whatever the case, as he looked at her sleeping there in his bed, the only thought in his head was to gently wake her so he could seize her for another day.  

As she began to wake, he had already slipped back into bed next to her. He played as if he was still asleep and watched her with one eye open. She moved like a model. The morning sunlight glowed on her pale skin. She put on her Jimmy Choo red suede heels becoming a matter of inches taller. She walked around the bed to the balcony doors and opened them, letting in a flood of warm morning light. This is where he started each day, meditating drowned in the morning’s gift of light. Today he got to watch Harumi. She stood there in nothing but her red suede heels letting her nude body absorb the heat from the sunshine. It was a perfect picture, which sparked in him an idea.

She then, after a few minutes of just being and contorting and stretching out her body with yoga or Tai Chi like movements, began getting dressed. He made noises like he was just waking up and saw her standing there adjusting her black lace bra. He said “Good morning,” and she replied with the same. “How long have you been awake?” He continued. She replied, “Long enough to feel you eyes on me”. He laughed.

She jumped back onto the bed with the sunlight casting a halo effect around her head, another perfect picture. They lay there looking at each other for a beat, not saying a word. He moved his right hand and touched her left hand, flexing and extending her well-manicured hand. It was 9am. At that moment, the thought came rushing back into his mind. Looking her over from the soles of her feet to the top of her head with a few intermittent stops on the way, the idea screamed to him again. He told Harumi, “Give me one minute, and I’ll be right back.” He jumped out of bed, a little stiff still, and went down the hallway to his studio while wearing his scarlet pair of Ralph Lauren boxers. He entered the studio and grabbed the first camera he had ever used which was a Nikon SLR. He loaded it with black and white film, took two other canisters of film, and headed back to his bedroom. His intent was to make “MAGIC”. She smiled at my return and smiled even more when she noticed the camera in his hand.

From what he still could remember from the night before, he didn’t remember telling Harumi what he did for a living. Yet she moved as if she knew what was coming next. She began to move more seductively arching her back and running her hands through her hair. He would press the trigger snapping her pose and then she’d move, snap, move, snap, move, and snap. At one point she began tearing at the sheets and throwing them from the bed, while grabbing another and covering herself. He raised the sheets with his left hand and snapped off a few more shots with his right as she posed provocatively under the covers. At the moment that roll of film was spent, Harumi grabbed the camera from him saying, “Your turn”. Her soft voice and broken English pattern made for an intense segway.

He reloaded the camera for her and showed her a few pointers and settings to shoot with. He remembered when he was learning the manual camera process. It was like one of those “BIG IDEA” moments or like the discovery of fire for him, as it opened up a whole other world of creativity. Harumi snapped off a few practice shots. He was feeling a little self conscious and hesitant, as he was always the photographer behind the camera. He asked her, “What do you want me to do?” This was a classic line he’d heard from many an aspiring model and subjects in his photo series. Yet he wanted her to direct him, as she looked around the room gathering ideas of where to place him. She would then say, Move over there. Put your hands on your stomach. Smile. With each excited direction she gave him, it was difficult not to be aroused. He grabbed a pillow from the bed shielding himself. “Put that down”, she said with a stern voice. He put the pillow down. He looked at her with an excited glare. He was becoming the submissive. They both soon began to enjoy it, as she continued to bark orders at him, telling him how to move this way and that, contorting his body and using it as a prop. She finally told him to remove his boxers and lay on the bed. From that moment on she shot the most provocatively intimate poses of him. The Magical moment had arrived.

They finally took a break, walking out to the balcony and to the afternoon sky. It was 3:30pm. He felt lighter. He felt like he had just conquered some kind of fear, or like stepping out from an emotional sauna. As Harumi shot, she began asking him questions. They started out easy and gradually began to dig deeper into his psyche. As they got more familiar, she would ask him to act out certain roles or place him in hypothetical situations and have him act out of those feelings. When it was right she would capture the moment on film. If someone gave him a stack of bills at that moment it would pale in comparison to the feeling he had after exposing himself to the point as he did with Harumi. It was cathartic.

They kissed, went back inside, partially dressed, and moved through the house to the kitchen. In the kitchen he found a pair of heels, which had to be either Kimberly or Okoye’s next to a pair of cowboy boots. He threw them in the adjoining guest room. As he made a late lunch early dinner Harumi told him she’d be leaving California to go to New York in a few days and that he should come. He didn’t say, yes right away, he guessed he was still holding on to something that was making me hesitate. He knew he was scheduled to meet with some brokers on a script he had to finish, but that wasn’t for two more weeks.

She proceeded to tell him of the amazing places she’d be staying at that had quite the view of the New York skyline, making the offer that much more intriguing. They ate out on the back balcony, continuing to converse deeply about life, love, and happiness being as honest and free as could be after their unique photo session. He asked her what he had wondered since running into her at the gallery exit asking

“Where were you thinking you were going when you went out that exit at the gallery?

“I was looking for you”, she replied.

He then asked, “How did you know I was outside that door?”

She replied with “You are wearing glo in the dark shoes”.    

For more from Able Able studios make sure to check out these great links ableabestudios.com , Able Abe photography , Able Abe Z store , Able abe fan page , YouTube Channel.

HERE'S TO THE WEEKEND #53

For more from Able Able studios make sure to check out these great links ableabestudios.com , Able Abe photography , Able Abe Z store , Able abe fan page , YouTube Channel.

NETFLIX MOVIE REVIEWS #79

The American West in the 1870s. A European settler, Jon Jensen (Mads Mikkelsen), has just welcomed his wife and son to the country when they are kidnapped and murdered. He takes revenge on the murderers, only to discover that one was the brother of a local land baron, Henry Delarue. Delarue runs the local town with a brutal hand. Now he wants vengeance on the man who killed his brother and the local townspeople are too scared of him to stand up to him. Jon is fighting more than just the local thugs, he is facing the entire town. Written by grantss (Courtesy of Internet Movie Database)

I know Westerns may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy them immensely. THE SALVATION to me in the description seemed like a great choice for my taste and it delivered in bunches. I felt the story was simple, yet complex enough to keep me interested. I felt the characters were fantastic and the actor portrayals were on point. Yet mostly I felt the pace of the film created an added sense of urgency and danger to the already harsh world of the Old West making the story that much more intriguing. Furthermore Mads Mikkelsen, the main character, was a stone cold boss in this film. So for THE SALVATION I give it a 4 ½ stars.