Thursday

Sister Cities - Windy City White City

Here's a documentary I created about the Sister City program: Chicago (Windy) and Casablanca (White). 

Layalina Prods presents, written and directed by Richard Martini; "White City, Windy City." In the Eisenhower era, the Sister City program began pairing cities from across the globe with cities in the U.S. Two of the oldest members are Casablanca (White City) and Chicago (Windy City). 

This is the pilot episode for a series that would focus on the similarities of cultures, rather than their differences. For example, Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, yet was the first country to recognize the United States as a country. The head of the Jewish museum in Casablanca is interviewed, and he talks about the history of Moroccan tolerance. 

Casablanca considers itself a "melting pot" for all religions as does Chicago In this documentary, the Imam of the largest Mosque outside of Mecca is interviewed and his sentiments echo the same words that the Mayor of Chicago has when asked about the Sister City program. There are many females working in positions of power in Moroccan society there are interviews with a female Judge, Member of Parliament, and a Doctor who detail what it's like for a woman in their country. 

There are interviews with Casablancans living in Chicago and Chicagoans who live in Casablanca. The former Mayor Richard M Daley is interviewed, and the documentary looks at the long cultural history between both cities.  Enjoy!



This program is available through Layalina TV. For more information please contact President of Layalina, Leon Shahabian. (Layalina Productions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public diplomacy initiative based in Washington, D.C., that develops, produces and distributes television programming throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Inaugurated in March 2002, Layalina aims to dispel negative stereotypes of the other and help increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and Arab-speaking countries. The organization's following has been notably bipartisan, with leading foreign policy veterans and media experts from both Republican and Democratic backgrounds making up the organization’s Board of Directors and Board of Counselors including Henry A. Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Sam Nunn, and former President George H. W. Bush.)

Sunday

Audio reviews for "Flipside" on Audible

Perusing the reviews for the audio version of "Flipside" - yes, it was me reading the book, yes, I do have a cat that meows from time to time, and yes, occassionally I do "P" or pop the sound.



But it's like the "Nechung Monks" CD I made in India.  You can hear birds chirping and people pouring tea. The floor boards creak.  The clock cuckoos - but you hear them in their temple, in their unvarnished truth... I have tried to eliminate all the clicks and pops, but at the end of the day you're going to hear me.  My voice.  Occasionally I choke up while reading these stories. But it's real.  Which, like the accounts in the book, are also real.

I made the cd "Nechung Monks" in this man's monastery - the State Oracle of Tibet


By the way, there is a film George, that you won't want to see - it's called "Flipside: A Journey into the Afterlife" and it's on Amazon and Gaiam TV.  And it also contains glitches, pops and what not.  I'm sorry Christopher that you feel I "pissed away" the opportunity for greatness... but hey, it's my path, I chose it.

Name dropping in Kashmir


I have a sneaking suspicion that people who make a living reading books might be writing these reviews... but if not, I apologize for not following the normal rules.  And now there are two new books to listen to my cat meow and me choke up over - "It's a Wonderful Afterlife: Further Adventures in the Flipside" volume one and two!!!!

Of course - there's always a refund.  I know that audible offers that option.  Either way, thanks for tuning in!!!
Here are some excerpts for the reviews from "Flipside" the audio book:


from "Johnny Ringworm" and "George"
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
The story was great the book itself was well done, just the reader shouldn't read a 2 year old a bedtime story let alone an actual book. Guy really need to learn to read to people, he can read just not to anyone else. It takes a special type of actor to do books...that dude was terrible

(ha!  a special kind of actor! love that).

How could the performance have been better?
He should have hired a professional story teller. I don't mind hearing his cat meowing in the background, but I felt like he was cutting corners to save a buck.

(aw, I will mention this to our cat Bonnie).

I hear dead people.


If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Flipside?
People in the film business are always dropping names to bolster their credibility. For me, it does just the opposite. A solid script doesn't need to be over stuffed.

(I only drop names that I've worked with.  Even then when I drop the name I say "I'm going to drop the name now!"  But wait till the next book - more names are dropped than bombs over ... fill in the blank)

Any additional comments?
Aside from the reader being horrible? not really...People don't waste your money or credits on this version, buy it for your kindle or whatever you read on and do it yourself...You will be able to actually enjoy the story...You could tell between lip smackings the reader was board and didn't like the story. Seriously Audible if you guys put out another book that is read this bad I will drop this app...total waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(They missed this one, as they just published my next one. Sorry)

from "Christopher Corry"
Would you try another book from Richard Martini and/or Richard Martini?
I would recommend reading this book to ANYONE, but the manner in which it was read was very disheartening. I want to listen over and over, but it comes off as breathy, rushed and unprofessional. I'm wondering if it was done in a home studio and in one or two sessions. The words written required patience and flow and they come off like he was late for dinner or needed to do something else that was more important at the time.Overall, I would STILL suggest it, but damn... Just damn. I hate half-ass work.

What did you like best about this story?
The message.

How could the performance have been better?
It could have been professionally done, with patience and aptitude.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No.

Any additional comments?
Damn... You were "this close" to greatness and pissed it away. Sorry, but Richard Martini also knows it's true. He has to.

(Dude, have you been talking to my spirit guide?  If you read "Flipside" there's actually an account of me saying the same thing to my spirit guide.. on camera and in the book!  "I just wish I had picked a soul with more talent." )

Meanwhile, so I don't have to wring my hands....

Diana:
"Enjoyable, Expanding, Human, & heartfelt delivery"
This book can stand on it's own as a book examining and sharing after life and in-between lives experiences.

Beautifully narrated by the author, I really enjoyed his descriptions of the photographs or illustrations that must be at the beginning of his chapters.

John Steele: 
"Interesting and well done w/only a minor complaint"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would recommend this book to friends. The stories are interesting and give a person hope for what awaits all of us.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I could listen to this book all in one sitting. Richard Martini is an excellent story teller. Very natural style that I enjoy. Listening to his book is like sitting with a good friend and listening to him tell you stories. Well done.

Paul in San Antonio:
"Great materials, unbiased, factual, grounded."
Would you consider the audio edition of Flipside to be better than the print version?
I did not read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?
Throughout the book he references to numerous situations that are substantiated with objective facts, and same facts from different therapists, authors, patients. I read Michael Newton's 3 books some 15 years ago, and respect his approach:- question and answer format, that requires tremendous work; detailed, comprehensive, unbiased, acute observation, with the benefit of doubt at hand.

Have you listened to any of Richard Martini’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No. I have not listened to his other performances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Defending your Life.

Any additional comments?
Reading subjects like this, life after death, (including bible), requires our outmost Critical Thinking skills, Intuition, inner sense, insights and Mindfulness, keen observational skills; to separate the wheat from the chaff. And in my view, both Michael Newton's and Martini's work stand on solid ground. I give 5 stars. Thank you Richard Martini for your great work, and putting yourself through this ordeal.

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