Dan & Robert talk

Today Dad and I spent some time in front of the camera together, something we did a lot of in the first documentary, but haven't done much of so far. Part of this has been because I've been one-man-banding this act and really focussing on shooting dad's process. Part of that is very freeing and interesting, especially since I am far more camera/image focus than I was in the past. The other side, though, that is missing, is the connection between us, literally, on screen. To that end, I offer today's video.

We talked about a number of things - golf and giving it up, which may sound antithetical against our process of trying to get my dad back to it, but if you watch the video you'll get it. We also talked about the things we take for granted, like walking and the value of said simple things. And, of course, we talked a little A's baseball - which is quite enjoyable right now with the boys tearing up the league!

We also had a very interesting meeting with Zen Master, Thomas Pastor. He's one of the teachers at the Zen Center of Las Vegas. Dad's going to begin to learn how to meditate. There are many studies, especially in the last couple of years, that point to the specific scientifically provable benefits for the brain by meditating. Almost nothing could make more sense for my dad to engage in and we're excited to start the process. 

Lastly, we talked about Giuseppe's graduation from preschool. While it might sound like a silly idea to have a graduation from preschool, if you know his medical history, which included a rough start at birth, and understand he's been there at UNLV's preschool for three years now, you'll know this is a great thing to celebrate. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

As always, we appreciate your comments and hope you'll take a look at our book, Simple Stuff, which is still a free download for the next two days. 

Simple Stuff Introduction - Dan Cochrane

Our new book, Simple Stuff, is available for purchase for $2.99 as an ebook on Amazon (click here). This book was written in 2002-2003, before the trip for the original documentary "Boys of Summer" was even conceived. It was a key point in our relationship, however, as it drew us together, literally, over an artistic venture. Below is the original introduction my dad, the illustrator, wrote for the book. 

Dad’s Intro (written in 2005)

How do we know we can do things? There may be many different avenues. For me it has come primarily from being around people who were doing things, which makes the process very real, very concrete, very doable. My first memory of creating art work came from my Aunt Libby. She would draw greeting cards for birthdays or special holidays and that seemed magical to a five year old. The same kind of magic my grandmother would use to bake a fresh loaf of bread. Nothing abstract, just put your hands in the flour and create. 

School work always seemed to me to be a much more abstract learning process that did not capture my interest until my sophomore year of college. Actually it was either get interested or get out. I decided to get interested. Graduation, marriage, a family and a business career followed. From time to time I would draw greeting cards for family members and they were always well received. I never expected to develop my efforts any further but when you have children and they become a source of energy and creativity the genie is out of the bottle.

The genie in this case was my son, Bob, who proposed the idea of working together on an idea he called Simple Stuff. This would be a departure from projects we worked on in the past that usually involved such things as bundling tree pruning or building a sport court in our back yard. As Bob explained it, he had some observations about life that I would illustrate. I had not read any of his thoughts so I didn't really understand what the project would amount to. The idea of joining Bob in a creative effort sounded too good to miss. Bob had a very wise approach: in the beginning, he didn't mention how many illustrations would be involved. He only sent me ten at a time. That kept me from becoming overwhelmed by the prospects of doing something as daunting as "a book". Quite the contrary, I found myself energized, trying to interpret Bob's ideas.

Thank you, Bob, for being my genie and for trusting me with your magic.

Love always,

Dad

Baseball - my first love

The Boys of Summer - Second Base, sequel to the award-winning first documentary, begins principal photography on March 13, 2014. We need your help. Please visit our kickstarter page and share it with your friends and family.

Legendary sports announcer Jack Buck wrote a great poem about the eternal nature of baseball called “365”. It’s worth clicking on the link for a quick, great read before reading on here.

It’s been a long time since I’ve loved baseball the way Jack suggests he does in this poem. There have been moments – flashes when the game meant everything. I was a “superfan” in the 80’s when baseball represented freedom to me and my friend Jonathan Okanes. That wasn’t just about my beloved A’s being a great team, which they became in the late ‘80’s and early 90’s. No, I watched with every bit of passion those middling teams of the mid-80’s who were led by guys like Dave Kingman, Curt Young and Jay Howell.

How could I love such a bunch of average champs? They were mine. And I saw them at a place that felt like home and freedom all at once. My adopted family of misfit fans lived in left center, back when there were actually bleachers in an Oakland Coliseum that favored an ivy-filled patch over the monstrosity that is Mt. Davis. I listened to Bill King and Lon Simmons call baseball games covertly in my high school classes via a transistor radio with an early, makeshift ear bud run up a long-sleeved shirt.

They were mine. It was young love. The truth of the relationship mattered little to me. The visceral feeling was everything. They were the only of my teams I was a fan of that I actually lived in the same town. The Broncos and Sonics were deeply beloved, but in an age before the Internet, that meant at a deeper distance than most today could likely understand. I grew up with the A’s at my fingertips.

So when I listened on opening day, claiming the pennant for the green and gold, it was tangible. Summers were glorious in the Bay, hot enough to do all of the wonderful things summer-heat implores us to do, but not so hot as to be too miserable not to do it. And sure, the game gave way in fall, to football. My visceral was caught up with my personal insomuch as having played and been deeply impacted by football and basketball, where I left my playing days of baseball behind me in the 7^th grade.

It took a spell longer than Christmastime to get the summer magic back. But when it came back, yes, hot dogs for dinner with nachos for my graduation party and we were all amazed by small hits – some as small and insignificant as one by Carney Lansford that drove in Bruce Bochte for an A’s win that was inconsequential and completely forgettable, most likely, to everyone except me and my pal Jon. We can still do Lon Simmons’ call today – but don’t ask us unless you want to see us laugh and be left, yourself, staring at us wondering why we’re laughing so hard.

The A’s were mine. And it was love. It still is today.

The Boys of Summer - Second Base, sequel to the award-winning first documentary, begins principal photography on March 13, 2014. We need your help. Please visit our kickstarter page and share it with your friends and family.

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #133

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Two more letters of recommendation for our movie:

Domino’s Pizza

Sept. 13, 2005

Robert,

I apologize in my delayed response to you. I have been traveling quite a bit lately and didn’t have a chance to watch the DVD you sent me until this weekend.

I have to tell you that I was extremely moved by it. It has made me have a whole new appreciation for my dad and the relationship I have with him. Your film made me want to spend more time with him. 

You and your family are truly special. I fell in love with your Dad watching the documentary. I feel like I know each of you after watching your two-month adventure unfold. You have captured and told a very special story. 

I really liked how you thread the story together with shots of you and your dad playing catch. I also really liked how you wove in stories from other people while you were on the road, some about baseball and some about their experiences with Parkinson’s Disease.

Thank you very much for including Domino’s several times...I wish more people would have shown up for the tailgate in Detroit, but at least you and your dad had some warm food to keep you going. Hopefully the gift certificates came in handy throughout your journal. 

Also, that was a great picture at the end in a  Domino’s store. That was really nice of you to include your sponsors at the end in the way that you did with the short vignettes and pictures. We are honored that you selected a photo of Domino’s Pizza. 

Also, thank you for including me in your credits. You certainly didn’t have to do that...including Domino’s would have been plenty...but it is greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for sending me the DVD for an advanced screening. I feel very honored and privileged to have seen it before it hits the big screen.

Sincerely,

Holly Ryan

Domino’s Pizza Corporate Communications

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Fox Sports

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to lend my support to a wonderful film called, “Boys of Summer.” I believe this piece is both necessary and timely for a disease that has affected do many in this country. It is a film about a journey a father and son take across the country to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. Their trip takes them through this land as they follow their own baseball schedule, enjoying stadiums in far away places for the first time. What strikes me about this film is the love these two men share. It can be found in their cross-country conversations, or during a roadside game of catch, or their spontaneous hugs and kisses. It hit home with me because I traveled the same path with my dad late in his life.

My father, Jack Buck, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the early 90’s, just about the time I joined him in the Cardinal’s broadcast booth. I saw first hand how this terrible disease can cripple a human being who is otherwise in good health. The frustrations and difficulties which follow make the simplest things, like buttoning a shirt in the morning, so tough and sometimes humiliating. These two central figures keep the pedal to the metal as they keep late hours driving from city to city and ballpark to ballpark learning more about each other with every mile.

My understanding is that there has been remarkable progress made toward a cure for this affliction. If that is the case, what better way to send out the message that more can be done, while at the same time reminding everyone of the special healing nature of the great game of baseball. The smiles the two men share as they walk into a stadium for the first time are priceless, and the generosity shown by so many inside Major League Baseball will make those involved in the sport proud. This is a neat film, with a great message that needs to be heard. Thank you for your time...

Joe Buck

Fox Sports