It didn't take long to get an answer to my question of the value of continuing this blog. I received an email the next day after my post and I hope to share some of that in the next few days. Suffice it to say for now I got the answer loud and clear and I will be continuing this blog and hopefully improving it. Stand by...
John Duffy
Showing posts with label Personal Ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Ramblings. Show all posts
Friday, April 08, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - A Role Model
At a time when we are bombarded with the ongoing tales of Hollywood dysfunction represented by charlie sheen and lindsay lohan, t's refreshing to stumble upon a different story about someone who is polar opposite the self absorbed, privileged, spoiled children that populate Hollywood.
This story is about a young man who is truly a role model of greatness and possibility. Capt. D.J. Skelton age 26 was pummeled by grenades in Fallujuh, Iraq. His injuries were so bad he he shouldn't have recovered but after 60 operations and seven years he has recovered and now age 33 is headed back to rejoin his military company.
That's amazing in itself but here is the mind blower. During those seven years of operations and recovery Capt Skelton managed to teach himself Mandarin Chinese, graduate from West Point military academy, complete a Harvard University fellowship, and write a book — a caretaker’s guide for wounded service members. In addition, he served as a military adviser and co-founded a non-profit organization to help physically disabled individuals participate in outdoor sports.
Now in his own words he puts it best, “I can either dwell on what happened and be miserable and pissy and complain or I can look at what I do have left and figure out how to make the most of my new life… how to make what I have work while always looking for creative ways to make up the difference,”
What a contrast to the narcissism and selfishness too often displayed nowadays especially in Hollywood. It couldn't be clearer. Who represent's the best? A charlie sheen or a Capt. Skelton? Hope you don't need a lifeline call to figure that one out but call me if you do.
Capt. Skelton is clearly a example of courage and inspiration and truly a role model of possibility. charlie sheen on the other hand is.... well I'll leave that description to you.....
John Duffy
Monday, October 04, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - "Waiting For Superman"
Just saw a depressing yet hopeful, poignant, powerful and emotionally moving Documentary "Waiting For Superman". It hits the nail on the head and exposes the reason for the failure of the public education system.
The film resonated with me personally as I dropped out of Catholic high school at the age of 15 in the South Bronx. I attempted to attend public school but the public high school in my area was Morris High School which was a drop out mill and was overrun with heroin dealers. I chose to work instead of waste my time failing in that environment. I never regret making that decision.
Geoffrey Canada the leader of the Harlem Children Zone also spoke about how he was lucky to not attend Morris High School or he would never have achieved what he did in his life. He went on the graduate from Harvard and create one of the most effective charter school in the country.
I agree with the analysis of what is the main cause of the problem and that is the teacher's unions who are stuck in the past with a 1930's paradigm that places the interest of the union and teachers even incompetent ones above those of the children.
I remember an experience I had many years later when I received a substitute teaches certificate and taught for a few days at a school in the Bronx. The regular teacher greeted me by telling me "Not to waste my time trying to teach anything but just keep order". Well I didn't listen to them and for three days I brought my passion and excitement for writing to these elementary children and i fired them up and they were competing to read their class compositions. Now that's just one personal anecdotal experiences but it confirmed what I saw happening in the public schools in the Bronx.
From the movie and from what I've read about some of the successful charter schools across the country the forces for reforming the school system are growing and there are some real heroes portrayed in the film including the charter school movement represented by Kipp, Green Dot, Harlem Children Zone and individuals like Geoffrey Canada, Bill Strickland, Michelle Rhee and many more
I can't recommend this movie enough. You must see it.......
John Duffy
http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/?gclid=CM7L8_f5taQCFQEBiQodK37rzQ
The film resonated with me personally as I dropped out of Catholic high school at the age of 15 in the South Bronx. I attempted to attend public school but the public high school in my area was Morris High School which was a drop out mill and was overrun with heroin dealers. I chose to work instead of waste my time failing in that environment. I never regret making that decision.
Geoffrey Canada the leader of the Harlem Children Zone also spoke about how he was lucky to not attend Morris High School or he would never have achieved what he did in his life. He went on the graduate from Harvard and create one of the most effective charter school in the country.
I agree with the analysis of what is the main cause of the problem and that is the teacher's unions who are stuck in the past with a 1930's paradigm that places the interest of the union and teachers even incompetent ones above those of the children.
I remember an experience I had many years later when I received a substitute teaches certificate and taught for a few days at a school in the Bronx. The regular teacher greeted me by telling me "Not to waste my time trying to teach anything but just keep order". Well I didn't listen to them and for three days I brought my passion and excitement for writing to these elementary children and i fired them up and they were competing to read their class compositions. Now that's just one personal anecdotal experiences but it confirmed what I saw happening in the public schools in the Bronx.
From the movie and from what I've read about some of the successful charter schools across the country the forces for reforming the school system are growing and there are some real heroes portrayed in the film including the charter school movement represented by Kipp, Green Dot, Harlem Children Zone and individuals like Geoffrey Canada, Bill Strickland, Michelle Rhee and many more
I can't recommend this movie enough. You must see it.......
John Duffy
http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/?gclid=CM7L8_f5taQCFQEBiQodK37rzQ
Thursday, September 09, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - "Life's Biggest Debt"
The question posed isn't "Should you repay the debt but how do you repay the debt?'. That was the opening of a speech last nigh at my local Toastmaster's group.
The speaker was a visitor, a young man from Toastmaster's in Saudi Arabia. He went on to tell a story and touch everyone's hearts speaking about the debt we owe our parents. He talked about how our parents and parents give us life and then give us their life. He spoke about wrestling with understanding the debt we owe our parents and how do we repay it.
He shared a personal tale of discovering his young son had Asperger's Syndrome and doing everything in his power to allow his son to communicate and finally making a breakthrough. He told us how he discovered the answer to his opening question when his son was able to communicate and told him one night, "Daddy I love you." He discovered in that moment that parents need to know that their children are safe and that you appreciate what they have given you.
He ended with a call of action to reach out that night and tell your parents you are safe and you love them.
He brought a deeper message of how we are all the same all over the world and we want the same things. A powerful message of appreciation of our parents and love from a young Toastmaster from Saudi Arabia.
John Duffy
The speaker was a visitor, a young man from Toastmaster's in Saudi Arabia. He went on to tell a story and touch everyone's hearts speaking about the debt we owe our parents. He talked about how our parents and parents give us life and then give us their life. He spoke about wrestling with understanding the debt we owe our parents and how do we repay it.
He shared a personal tale of discovering his young son had Asperger's Syndrome and doing everything in his power to allow his son to communicate and finally making a breakthrough. He told us how he discovered the answer to his opening question when his son was able to communicate and told him one night, "Daddy I love you." He discovered in that moment that parents need to know that their children are safe and that you appreciate what they have given you.
He ended with a call of action to reach out that night and tell your parents you are safe and you love them.
He brought a deeper message of how we are all the same all over the world and we want the same things. A powerful message of appreciation of our parents and love from a young Toastmaster from Saudi Arabia.
John Duffy
Saturday, September 04, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - "You Got to Work"
"Life is a daring adventure or it is nothing".
-- Helen Keller
Looking back on my life I have been very creative in finding a way to survive. I was always looking for a better way and a way to improve myself. I was clearly working hard for the money.
I got my first job as a grocery clerk/delivery boy when I was fourteen years old. I quit high school a year later . It seemed like the best option at the time.
I would go on to hold many, many jobs in my life as I tried to craft a life. Here are many of the jobs I've held in a somewhat chronological order:
Grocery Store Clerk
Paint Factory Worker
Truck Driver
Cab Driver
Shipping Clerk
Telemarketer
Oral History Interviewer
Postal Worker - Mail Handler
Substitute Teacher
Research Interviewer
Youth Organizer
Community Organizer
Aerobics Instructor
Health Club Salesman
Arson Prevention Organizer
Actor
Commercial Acting Instructor
Mortgage Loan Agent
Counselor - Runaways
Mental Health Counselor
Production Mager- Rap Video Co.
Director's Rep
Motivational l Sales Rep
Line Producer
Producer
I'm still moving forward, still exploring new possibilities and opportunities and I believe my best days are still ahead of me......
-- Helen Keller
Looking back on my life I have been very creative in finding a way to survive. I was always looking for a better way and a way to improve myself. I was clearly working hard for the money.
I got my first job as a grocery clerk/delivery boy when I was fourteen years old. I quit high school a year later . It seemed like the best option at the time.
I would go on to hold many, many jobs in my life as I tried to craft a life. Here are many of the jobs I've held in a somewhat chronological order:
Grocery Store Clerk
Paint Factory Worker
Truck Driver
Cab Driver
Shipping Clerk
Telemarketer
Oral History Interviewer
Postal Worker - Mail Handler
Substitute Teacher
Research Interviewer
Youth Organizer
Community Organizer
Aerobics Instructor
Health Club Salesman
Arson Prevention Organizer
Actor
Commercial Acting Instructor
Mortgage Loan Agent
Counselor - Runaways
Mental Health Counselor
Production Mager- Rap Video Co.
Director's Rep
Motivational l Sales Rep
Line Producer
Producer
I'm still moving forward, still exploring new possibilities and opportunities and I believe my best days are still ahead of me......
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Taking Up the Pen... Cont...
Yesterday I sat in Starbucks rereading "Writing Life Stories" for the 3rd time and writing in my journal. I observed this guy enter and this is what I wrote as I watched him....
Men and Cellphones
"He throws his book down to reserve a comfortable chair and reaches for the bathroom door. It is occupied. He immediately takes out his Blackberry and looks at it to fill the moment before the door opens. He has nothing new on it and he knew that before he took it out so he puts it back and waits for the door to open. The door opens and he immediately takes out his Blackberry again with one one hand while reaching for the open door with the other and enters the bathroom while looking down at his Blackberry. There still isn't anything new on it......"
John Duffy
Men and Cellphones
"He throws his book down to reserve a comfortable chair and reaches for the bathroom door. It is occupied. He immediately takes out his Blackberry and looks at it to fill the moment before the door opens. He has nothing new on it and he knew that before he took it out so he puts it back and waits for the door to open. The door opens and he immediately takes out his Blackberry again with one one hand while reaching for the open door with the other and enters the bathroom while looking down at his Blackberry. There still isn't anything new on it......"
John Duffy
Monday, August 16, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Coincidence or a Message
Yesterday when i was leaving my friends pool party I saw a license plate frame that said " Winners Find a Way", today as I was getting my tires replaced a guy walked by with a t-shirt that said "I'm Resolute" and then I went in to Starbucks and a guy sat in front of me and opened his computer and the screen saver was " Dream Big" and a Eagle. The saying under it was " Your attitude not your aptitude will determine your altitude" -- Zig Ziglar.
Okay all these positive message could be coincidental or just a reflection that those are the messages I uphold in my life so I am aware of them or maybe a little message from the universe to step up even more and keep moving in the direction I am headed boldly. Or maybe all of the above but I will choose to take the most empowering explanation and run with that..... Boldly of course....'
John Duffy
Okay all these positive message could be coincidental or just a reflection that those are the messages I uphold in my life so I am aware of them or maybe a little message from the universe to step up even more and keep moving in the direction I am headed boldly. Or maybe all of the above but I will choose to take the most empowering explanation and run with that..... Boldly of course....'
John Duffy
Saturday, August 14, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Take Up the Pen
There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.”
=~ William Makepeace Thackeray
I come back from my trip to Ireland inspired to take up the pen and continue writing my memoir and get busy on a screenplay that has been waiting to come out for a long time.
I was further fired up by my conversation with author James Hayes and both his philosophy and discipline of writing.
I also just checked out a blog by the author of " A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and I like how he uses his blog to create his next book. I may borrow that technique as well.
So I begin to read memoirs again and I begin to write. There are stories to be be told and stories to be lived......
John Duffy
=~ William Makepeace Thackeray
I come back from my trip to Ireland inspired to take up the pen and continue writing my memoir and get busy on a screenplay that has been waiting to come out for a long time.
I was further fired up by my conversation with author James Hayes and both his philosophy and discipline of writing.
I also just checked out a blog by the author of " A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and I like how he uses his blog to create his next book. I may borrow that technique as well.
So I begin to read memoirs again and I begin to write. There are stories to be be told and stories to be lived......
John Duffy
Saturday, June 12, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - The Power of Negative Thinking
I recently was forwarded an article entitled "The Power of Negative Thinking" by Barbara Ehrenreich and was amazed by her attempt to paint "positive thinking" in a simplistic and negative light. She uses loaded adjectives to denigrate positive thinking by calling it; "delusional optimism", " and deluded optimist". She starts out by linking" positive thinking" with "greed and it's crafty sibling, speculation" and blames it for the financial crisis. A pretty extreme attack and devastating if it's true but it's not true and her simplification demonstrates her own bias. She creates straw men to argue against.
She goes own to contrast Calvinist thought as one extreme and "positive thinking" as the other extreme and she offers "realism" as an alternative to both. I think her analysis of both "extremes" are off base, simplistic and hides her point of view.
Ms Ehrenreich is no fan of individualism, capitalism, entrepreneurship, American exceptionalism, success or personal development.
Ms Ehrenreich is a leader of the Democratic Socialist of America. She supports "wealth redistribution" and she doesn't support personal success and personal wealth so it is no surprise that she dislike an optimism that leads to personal success and not so called group "empowerment".
So I say what is realism? Is there a middle ground between the two outlooks of optimism or pessimism? i don't think so. Both optimist and pessimist can be realist. Take a look at an example; If you lose your job you make a realistic assessment that you lost your job. Now what? Do you take an optimistic point of view of a negative point of view about the future and do you get busy turning it around or do you give up. A realistic assessment is a given but optimism or pessimism is a choice that will determine your future results.
Ms Ehrenreich lumps all schools of "positive thinking" together everyone from Oprah, megachurches, Tony Robbins and self-help best sellers. Yet they all have different approaches and perspectives on "positive thinking". I agree with some and disagree with others.
My optimism is always based on a realistic assessment of the situation at hand and a specific plan to achieve the results I am aiming for. I recognize there are no guarantees but I believe there is a solution to every problem and if it isn't the 1st one I try I will keep trying other ones until I achieve a positive outcome.'
My perspective incoporates the good in the Calvinistic hard work ethic together with the the need to make a realistic assesment of the situation and combined with that an optimistic mindset. I prefer to see it as a Optimistic Succcess Mindset.
So Ms Ehrenreich is welcome to her "realism". I will choose optimism over pessimism and realism any day
Read her article and draw your own conclusions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/opinion/24ehrenreich.html
She goes own to contrast Calvinist thought as one extreme and "positive thinking" as the other extreme and she offers "realism" as an alternative to both. I think her analysis of both "extremes" are off base, simplistic and hides her point of view.
Ms Ehrenreich is no fan of individualism, capitalism, entrepreneurship, American exceptionalism, success or personal development.
Ms Ehrenreich is a leader of the Democratic Socialist of America. She supports "wealth redistribution" and she doesn't support personal success and personal wealth so it is no surprise that she dislike an optimism that leads to personal success and not so called group "empowerment".
So I say what is realism? Is there a middle ground between the two outlooks of optimism or pessimism? i don't think so. Both optimist and pessimist can be realist. Take a look at an example; If you lose your job you make a realistic assessment that you lost your job. Now what? Do you take an optimistic point of view of a negative point of view about the future and do you get busy turning it around or do you give up. A realistic assessment is a given but optimism or pessimism is a choice that will determine your future results.
Ms Ehrenreich lumps all schools of "positive thinking" together everyone from Oprah, megachurches, Tony Robbins and self-help best sellers. Yet they all have different approaches and perspectives on "positive thinking". I agree with some and disagree with others.
My optimism is always based on a realistic assessment of the situation at hand and a specific plan to achieve the results I am aiming for. I recognize there are no guarantees but I believe there is a solution to every problem and if it isn't the 1st one I try I will keep trying other ones until I achieve a positive outcome.'
My perspective incoporates the good in the Calvinistic hard work ethic together with the the need to make a realistic assesment of the situation and combined with that an optimistic mindset. I prefer to see it as a Optimistic Succcess Mindset.
So Ms Ehrenreich is welcome to her "realism". I will choose optimism over pessimism and realism any day
Read her article and draw your own conclusions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/opinion/24ehrenreich.html
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Bucket List # 2 - Where I've been
JD - Life's Bucket List Done To date
This is a work in progress that I will keep updating. I did it to look back to see where I've been so I can see where elese I want to go. It's not complete but it's a snapshot of my life.
Some Highlights - Moments in my Life - A Story of who I was, who I became, turning points, forks in the road and what I've done. Cha Cha Changes.......
Growing Up - South Bronx:
Grew up in Mott Haven section of South Bronx - "One of the poorest areas in America then and now"
Almost got thrown off Willis Ave Bridge between Harlem and Bronx @ Age 13
Dropped Out of High School at age 15
Studied Kung Fu Wu Su @ age 15. became student instructor
Designed and created own pants styles @ age 15
Had a gun put to my head 5 times - never shot
Lower East Side
Lived on 4th St and Ave A in Lower East Side in the 70's
Killed a rat with a stick in my Lower East Side Apartment
Observed the Blackout in 1977 on LES
Education;
Dropped out of HS at age 15
Received GED - General Education Diploma at age 24
Graduated Empire State college with a BA
Attended two years of MA program @ CCNY
Radical Years;
Became a leader in a Maoist Party @ age 25
Led a youth tour to the People's Republic of China in 1978 at age 25
Walked on the Great Wall in 1978
Became an ex-Maoist @ age 28
Working Life:
Worked 1st job as delivery boy @ local grocery @ age 13
Worked in Paint Factory as shipping clerk in the South Bronx
Worked in Chinatown as a shipping clerk
Worked in Post office as a Mail Handler for five years
Worked as a substitute teacher in the Bronx for 3 days
Worked as an Oral History interviewer for Lehman College
Drove a gypsy cab in the Bronx for 1 week - the summer that there was a wave of murders of gypsy cab drivers in the Bronx
Drove a truck for one week
Trained as a phone installer for NY telephone company
Wrote as a Youth Organizer in the Northwest Bronx
Worked as aerobics instructor and salesman for Jack La Lanne for 1 year
Worked as anti-arson organizer with The People's Firehouse in Brooklyn
Worked as a Research interviewer
Worked as a loan office for mortgage company in LA
Worked as a counselor for runaways @ Covenant House in LA
Worked as a overnight counselor at a mental health home
Worked as a counselor at a Food Shelter in South Central LA
Acted in theater, murder mystery dinner theater and films
Worked as a production manager on rap videos
Worked as a rep for music video directors
Worked as a line producer on feature films
Worked as a producer of feature films
Oral History;
Worked as an Oral History Interviewer with Bronx Oral History Project @ Lehman College
Conducted over 12 interviews that are part of Bronx Oral History Collection
Interviewed Oral Historian Studs Terkel
Was interviewed by Studs Terkel and interview appeared in his book "The Great Divide"
Acting;
Acted in Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in LA and Palmdale
Acted in 10 Theatrical Plays in New York and LA
Performed in play based on interviews conducted entitled "The Bronx Speaks Up"
Wrote and performed autobiographical piece entitled "Goodbye My Friend" in honor of friend/girlfriend Cookie who died of AIDS @ LA theater
Acted in over 10 feature and short films
Filmmaking:
Created, Produced and Hosted 12 Public Access Show's "Take Two"
Created, Produced and Hosted 10 Public Access Show's "Bronx to Hollywood"
Filmed and directed documentary "V" about Puerto Rican female basketball player from Far Rockaway, NY
Produced/Line Produced 15 features, 4 shorts, 8 music videos, 2 commercials and training videos
Filmed feature films in South Carolina, Georgia "Who's Your Caddy?" and New Mexico "Unspeakable".
Line Produced a series of training videos with US Marine Corp @ Camp Pendelton, Beuford SC and Quantico VA
Motivation:
Walked across hot coals over a dozen times @ Tony Robbins' Fire-walks
Attended 2 week Tony Robbins Seminars in Maui 2 x
Writing:
Wrote monthly article for Bronx radical newspaper "White Lightning"
Wrote Drama Screenplay "Waiting for Fidel"
Wrote autobiographical theater piece "Goodbye my Friend"
Wrote short film "Goodbye My Friend"
Created and wrote a daily Motivational Blog - "The Glass is 3/4's Full" since 2007
Created and wrote a Irish-American Blob " Duffy Square"
Wrote 1st draft of my memoir "Black irish - Not Your Average White Boy"
Wrote and created Doc series and Non-Fiction Book "American Dreamers'
Family:
Got married in Long Island NY 17 years ago
I held my daughter in my arms and cut her cord when she was born
Attended many Mommy and me groups with my daughter
Rode horses with my 3 year old daughter on top of Hollywood sign
Vacationed with family in Maui
Vacationed with family in Santa Fe New Mexico
Had snowball fights with my daughter in Santa Fe on her first encounter with snow
Attended family reunion in Foxford Ireland St. Patrick's Day 2008
Rode horses with my daughter thru Ashford Castle and the standing sets from John Wayne's "The Quiet Man" 2 separate times.
Read to my daughter almost every night since she was little
Created and wrote in a series of Journals for my daughter that capture the Magic
Travel:
Walked on the Great Wall In PRC in 1978
Traveled and visited the following States: 1. Oregon, 2. Hawaii 3. Nevada 4. New Jersey 5. Connecticut 6. Mass 7. South Carolina 8. Colorado 9. Vermont 10, Mich. 11. Illinois 12. New Mexico 13 Georgia 14. California 15. Penn 16. Utah 17. Texas 18. Ohio 19. Florida 20. Virginia 21. Maryland 22. Indiana 23. Wisconsin 24. Washington and Wash DC and Puerto Rico
Traveled and visited the following Countries: 1. China 2. Yugoslavia 3. Dominican Republic 4. Mexico 5. France 6, Bahamas 7. Canada 8. Ireland 9. Northern Ireland 10. Malta
Visited friend in Dominican Republic and stayed at Casa del Campo Resort
Rowed a row boat in San Francisco Harbor
Vacationed with girlfriend in Puerto Rico
Vacationed with girlfriend in Quebec
Went on Helicopter ride in Maui
Went Scuba Diving in Maui
Scouted for movies in the Bahamas, Eleutria, Tijuana Mexico, Puerto Rico and Vancouver Canada
Stayed @ El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan Puerto Rico
Visited parent's country Ireland 2 times in 3 years reuniting with my Irish family from 5 countries
Stayed in Presidential Suite @ Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
Reading:
750 -1,000 Books on
Acting
Film
Memoirs
Fiction
Empowerment/Motivation/Success/leadership/Entrepreneurship/Business
Non-Fiction
Theater:
Saw numerous plays on Broadway and off Broadway including some of the following:
Glen Garry Glenn Ross
Cuba and His Teddy Bear starring Robert Diniro
Contribution:
Volunteered @ Anthony Robbins Foundation Youth leadership Camp
Volunteer @ Operation Gratitude
Public Speaking:
Overcame extreme shyness
Gave 1st public speech in 1970's in Chicago
Spoke of Filmmking Panel for Flash Forward
Gave warm up speeches for sales seminars for Tony Robbin's reps
Joined Toastmaster and gave 3 speeches
Like Helen Keller said "Life is a Daring Adventure or It Is Nothing". My life has been a Daring Adventure and the adventure continues as I continue to create and recreate myself
This is a work in progress that I will keep updating. I did it to look back to see where I've been so I can see where elese I want to go. It's not complete but it's a snapshot of my life.
Some Highlights - Moments in my Life - A Story of who I was, who I became, turning points, forks in the road and what I've done. Cha Cha Changes.......
Growing Up - South Bronx:
Grew up in Mott Haven section of South Bronx - "One of the poorest areas in America then and now"
Almost got thrown off Willis Ave Bridge between Harlem and Bronx @ Age 13
Dropped Out of High School at age 15
Studied Kung Fu Wu Su @ age 15. became student instructor
Designed and created own pants styles @ age 15
Had a gun put to my head 5 times - never shot
Lower East Side
Lived on 4th St and Ave A in Lower East Side in the 70's
Killed a rat with a stick in my Lower East Side Apartment
Observed the Blackout in 1977 on LES
Education;
Dropped out of HS at age 15
Received GED - General Education Diploma at age 24
Graduated Empire State college with a BA
Attended two years of MA program @ CCNY
Radical Years;
Became a leader in a Maoist Party @ age 25
Led a youth tour to the People's Republic of China in 1978 at age 25
Walked on the Great Wall in 1978
Became an ex-Maoist @ age 28
Working Life:
Worked 1st job as delivery boy @ local grocery @ age 13
Worked in Paint Factory as shipping clerk in the South Bronx
Worked in Chinatown as a shipping clerk
Worked in Post office as a Mail Handler for five years
Worked as a substitute teacher in the Bronx for 3 days
Worked as an Oral History interviewer for Lehman College
Drove a gypsy cab in the Bronx for 1 week - the summer that there was a wave of murders of gypsy cab drivers in the Bronx
Drove a truck for one week
Trained as a phone installer for NY telephone company
Wrote as a Youth Organizer in the Northwest Bronx
Worked as aerobics instructor and salesman for Jack La Lanne for 1 year
Worked as anti-arson organizer with The People's Firehouse in Brooklyn
Worked as a Research interviewer
Worked as a loan office for mortgage company in LA
Worked as a counselor for runaways @ Covenant House in LA
Worked as a overnight counselor at a mental health home
Worked as a counselor at a Food Shelter in South Central LA
Acted in theater, murder mystery dinner theater and films
Worked as a production manager on rap videos
Worked as a rep for music video directors
Worked as a line producer on feature films
Worked as a producer of feature films
Oral History;
Worked as an Oral History Interviewer with Bronx Oral History Project @ Lehman College
Conducted over 12 interviews that are part of Bronx Oral History Collection
Interviewed Oral Historian Studs Terkel
Was interviewed by Studs Terkel and interview appeared in his book "The Great Divide"
Acting;
Acted in Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in LA and Palmdale
Acted in 10 Theatrical Plays in New York and LA
Performed in play based on interviews conducted entitled "The Bronx Speaks Up"
Wrote and performed autobiographical piece entitled "Goodbye My Friend" in honor of friend/girlfriend Cookie who died of AIDS @ LA theater
Acted in over 10 feature and short films
Filmmaking:
Created, Produced and Hosted 12 Public Access Show's "Take Two"
Created, Produced and Hosted 10 Public Access Show's "Bronx to Hollywood"
Filmed and directed documentary "V" about Puerto Rican female basketball player from Far Rockaway, NY
Produced/Line Produced 15 features, 4 shorts, 8 music videos, 2 commercials and training videos
Filmed feature films in South Carolina, Georgia "Who's Your Caddy?" and New Mexico "Unspeakable".
Line Produced a series of training videos with US Marine Corp @ Camp Pendelton, Beuford SC and Quantico VA
Motivation:
Walked across hot coals over a dozen times @ Tony Robbins' Fire-walks
Attended 2 week Tony Robbins Seminars in Maui 2 x
Writing:
Wrote monthly article for Bronx radical newspaper "White Lightning"
Wrote Drama Screenplay "Waiting for Fidel"
Wrote autobiographical theater piece "Goodbye my Friend"
Wrote short film "Goodbye My Friend"
Created and wrote a daily Motivational Blog - "The Glass is 3/4's Full" since 2007
Created and wrote a Irish-American Blob " Duffy Square"
Wrote 1st draft of my memoir "Black irish - Not Your Average White Boy"
Wrote and created Doc series and Non-Fiction Book "American Dreamers'
Family:
Got married in Long Island NY 17 years ago
I held my daughter in my arms and cut her cord when she was born
Attended many Mommy and me groups with my daughter
Rode horses with my 3 year old daughter on top of Hollywood sign
Vacationed with family in Maui
Vacationed with family in Santa Fe New Mexico
Had snowball fights with my daughter in Santa Fe on her first encounter with snow
Attended family reunion in Foxford Ireland St. Patrick's Day 2008
Rode horses with my daughter thru Ashford Castle and the standing sets from John Wayne's "The Quiet Man" 2 separate times.
Read to my daughter almost every night since she was little
Created and wrote in a series of Journals for my daughter that capture the Magic
Travel:
Walked on the Great Wall In PRC in 1978
Traveled and visited the following States: 1. Oregon, 2. Hawaii 3. Nevada 4. New Jersey 5. Connecticut 6. Mass 7. South Carolina 8. Colorado 9. Vermont 10, Mich. 11. Illinois 12. New Mexico 13 Georgia 14. California 15. Penn 16. Utah 17. Texas 18. Ohio 19. Florida 20. Virginia 21. Maryland 22. Indiana 23. Wisconsin 24. Washington and Wash DC and Puerto Rico
Traveled and visited the following Countries: 1. China 2. Yugoslavia 3. Dominican Republic 4. Mexico 5. France 6, Bahamas 7. Canada 8. Ireland 9. Northern Ireland 10. Malta
Visited friend in Dominican Republic and stayed at Casa del Campo Resort
Rowed a row boat in San Francisco Harbor
Vacationed with girlfriend in Puerto Rico
Vacationed with girlfriend in Quebec
Went on Helicopter ride in Maui
Went Scuba Diving in Maui
Scouted for movies in the Bahamas, Eleutria, Tijuana Mexico, Puerto Rico and Vancouver Canada
Stayed @ El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan Puerto Rico
Visited parent's country Ireland 2 times in 3 years reuniting with my Irish family from 5 countries
Stayed in Presidential Suite @ Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
Reading:
750 -1,000 Books on
Acting
Film
Memoirs
Fiction
Empowerment/Motivation/Success/leadership/Entrepreneurship/Business
Non-Fiction
Theater:
Saw numerous plays on Broadway and off Broadway including some of the following:
Glen Garry Glenn Ross
Cuba and His Teddy Bear starring Robert Diniro
Contribution:
Volunteered @ Anthony Robbins Foundation Youth leadership Camp
Volunteer @ Operation Gratitude
Public Speaking:
Overcame extreme shyness
Gave 1st public speech in 1970's in Chicago
Spoke of Filmmking Panel for Flash Forward
Gave warm up speeches for sales seminars for Tony Robbin's reps
Joined Toastmaster and gave 3 speeches
Like Helen Keller said "Life is a Daring Adventure or It Is Nothing". My life has been a Daring Adventure and the adventure continues as I continue to create and recreate myself
Monday, May 17, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Taking Responsibility
I was watching an interview with rapper TI and was impressed by his responses to Larry King's questions about responsibility. He stated " I'm responsible for my life. I'm not a victim. You make your own life. Society doesn't owe me anything."
I agree 100%. Now I don't know if he will walk his talk and keep to this but I hope he has truly learned some life lessons and steps up and takes full responsibility for his life.
I can identify because I didn't always have the mindset of taking 100% responsibility. I grew up in the South Bronx and didn't have any role models for success. I went down the path where I blamed society and the fact that life wasn't fair for my place in life. Now that did made me feel better for awhile but it didn't make me become better or successful. Luckily I didn't end up in prison like TI for me to wake up but it took me awhile to grew up and learn that I was 100% responsible for my results and my life.
When I finally got it and began to change my mindset and my actions my life changed for the better. I wish young people were educated to understand the role their beliefs and actions have on the quality of their life.
Now I know I am the Master of my life and not a victim. That idea alone is empowering and liberating. You will never hear me make a excuse. I take full responsibilty for everything I am involved in.
So I salute TI and hope he continues to carry this message to young people......
I agree 100%. Now I don't know if he will walk his talk and keep to this but I hope he has truly learned some life lessons and steps up and takes full responsibility for his life.
I can identify because I didn't always have the mindset of taking 100% responsibility. I grew up in the South Bronx and didn't have any role models for success. I went down the path where I blamed society and the fact that life wasn't fair for my place in life. Now that did made me feel better for awhile but it didn't make me become better or successful. Luckily I didn't end up in prison like TI for me to wake up but it took me awhile to grew up and learn that I was 100% responsible for my results and my life.
When I finally got it and began to change my mindset and my actions my life changed for the better. I wish young people were educated to understand the role their beliefs and actions have on the quality of their life.
Now I know I am the Master of my life and not a victim. That idea alone is empowering and liberating. You will never hear me make a excuse. I take full responsibilty for everything I am involved in.
So I salute TI and hope he continues to carry this message to young people......
Saturday, May 15, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Looking Back - Looking Forward
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2007
Make Your Life a Masterpiece. A simple philosphy for life
That's how I started this blog "The Glass is 3/4's Full" over 3 1/2 years ago. I didn't know exactly what I was going to create or where I was going with it. It was an experiment and I wanted to share a little of what I've experienced and learned over a very interesting life. I had kept a regular journal since the 80's and had filled close to 50 large journals and I saw this as a public journal.
Since then I have posted over 1,000 entries. It has evolved into a a daily motivational thought for the day, weekly motivation videos and eclectic Youtube music videos. I am trying to write more and share my own thoughts in a "Personal Ramblings" column.
My blog is one way I show up publicly and share my philosophy of life. I have shared the things that interest me including personal empowerment, motivation, psychology, business, entrepreneurship, success, heath and fitness, technology, filmmaking, storytelling, memoir writing and much more.
It's also a legacy to my daughter of my thoughts on how to live a happy successful life.
I hope to motivate, empower and inspire the readers of the blog to live your best life. So I will continue to write and look for new ways to improve the blog.
John Duffy
Make Your Life a Masterpiece. A simple philosphy for life
That's how I started this blog "The Glass is 3/4's Full" over 3 1/2 years ago. I didn't know exactly what I was going to create or where I was going with it. It was an experiment and I wanted to share a little of what I've experienced and learned over a very interesting life. I had kept a regular journal since the 80's and had filled close to 50 large journals and I saw this as a public journal.
Since then I have posted over 1,000 entries. It has evolved into a a daily motivational thought for the day, weekly motivation videos and eclectic Youtube music videos. I am trying to write more and share my own thoughts in a "Personal Ramblings" column.
My blog is one way I show up publicly and share my philosophy of life. I have shared the things that interest me including personal empowerment, motivation, psychology, business, entrepreneurship, success, heath and fitness, technology, filmmaking, storytelling, memoir writing and much more.
It's also a legacy to my daughter of my thoughts on how to live a happy successful life.
I hope to motivate, empower and inspire the readers of the blog to live your best life. So I will continue to write and look for new ways to improve the blog.
John Duffy
Friday, May 07, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Power of Intention
It never ceases to amaze me how by stating your intentions that they find a way to happen. A year ago I stated an intention to find a way to contribute more of my time and I wanted to volunteer at the VA hospital. I did a little research but let it drop after not finding a way to make it happen. So it stayed on my list of things to do and life moved on. Two months ago some folks invited me to spend a day with the Vets @ the VA hospital in West LA. So I volunteered for a day program. A elderly Vet in a wheelchair called me over and asked if I could arrange for him to speak on the stage. I talked to the program people and helped him up and he shared his story.
Well he has a amazing story and an incredible life. He is 95 years old and was the longest held POW. He was held 7 years by the Japanese in WWII. He went on to be an actor and member of SAG and a lawyer and much more. He has since called me and we are going to try and capture his story on video. So he found me and I found a new story of life to share.
So to get back to my point of intention a lot of my life has worked that way where I have put something out there and a door opens and I walk through. The great thing about this is that every time I experience something new, learn something new and expand as a person.
So don't underestimate the power of intention. Life has a way of pleasantly surprising you. I know I have had many pleasant surprises......
John Duffy
Well he has a amazing story and an incredible life. He is 95 years old and was the longest held POW. He was held 7 years by the Japanese in WWII. He went on to be an actor and member of SAG and a lawyer and much more. He has since called me and we are going to try and capture his story on video. So he found me and I found a new story of life to share.
So to get back to my point of intention a lot of my life has worked that way where I have put something out there and a door opens and I walk through. The great thing about this is that every time I experience something new, learn something new and expand as a person.
So don't underestimate the power of intention. Life has a way of pleasantly surprising you. I know I have had many pleasant surprises......
John Duffy
Saturday, May 01, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Kung Fu Fighting
Here is some old grainy footage from the Alan Lee Kung Fu Wu Su school where I studied Kung Fu when I was 15 years old. It was and is on 28th St on the west side of Manhattan in an old factory building. I studied for close to 2 years in the late 60's and became a junior instructor until while sparing with two other instructors I got kicked on my wrist. It took over a year for the injury to heal and that was the end of my Kung Fu studies.
it was one of the defining experiences of my life. I was exposed to Chinese traditional philosophy and people with high standards of ethics and conduct.It was very positive experience that helped shape me and planted seeds for a lifetime.
it was one of the defining experiences of my life. I was exposed to Chinese traditional philosophy and people with high standards of ethics and conduct.It was very positive experience that helped shape me and planted seeds for a lifetime.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Roots: It All Began Here - 400 E 141 St. The South Bronx
The first 18 years of my life were lived in this apartment building on 141st and Willis Ave in the South Bronx. My Irish immigrant parents lived here. I was brought home from the hospital to our third floor railroad flat apartment. My father was a butcher in a meat plant and my mother was a domestic and a factory worker. Both have them never finished grammar school. My father died in this apartment when I was four years old. My widowed mom raised my brother and me here on two checks. She received a Veteran's check for my father's service in WWII and a Social Security check.
I lived here when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. I lived here when Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1964. I lived here during the big blackout of 1965 and the race riots of 1964 and 1968. I lived here during the days of the Black Panthers and the Black Muslims. I lived here during the heroin epidemic that swept New York in the 60's. I lived here when they coined the term urban decay to describe my neighborhood in the South Bronx.I lived here during the beginning of "White Flight" and was one of the few remaining white families in the neighborhood. I lived here when the Bronx was burning during the arson epidemic. My neighborhood the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx was one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country at the time and still is today.
I lived here and dropped out of high school at the age of 15 years old. I survived a gun aimed at my head at age fifteen when I was working at a neighborhood grocery store. To the rest of the country and the world it was "Fort Apache - The Bronx" or a symbol of the worst of urban decay in America. Yet to me it was my neighborhood where I had lots of great friends and a fun childhood.
I moved out when I was eighteen to the Northwest Bronx. My mother remained in the same building for a few more years until 1976 when I was able to convince her to move to the North Bronx. The building was burned in an arson fire sometime after she moved out but before it was demolished I was lucky to have a friend take a picture of the building.
The picture above is on my wall as a reminder of where I came from. It's been a long and interesting journey from the South Bronx to today. I went from the Bronx to Hollywood and to Ireland. I walked through my parents childhood homes and my life has come full circle. I've often wondered how I got here from there and have begun to explore it in my blog but also in a memoir that I am writing entitled "Black Irish - Not Your Average White Boy".
I will continue to share moments from my journey in the future....
Monday, April 26, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Monologue - God's Ears
Sometimes you come across some great words of motivation or wisdom in a movie and as I listened to this monologue in a friends film I found these words inspiring and moving...
Actor/Boxing Coach John Saxton in movie "God's Ear"
"No matter how many great things you do in life. it's the one great thing in life you didn't do that wipes all the other off the board"
"I would take every punch to my face a thousand times over to have two seconds back for some blown chance.... two seconds just long enough to say , Yes I will when I wasn't able to...
But no matter what you do, take that wrong turn or step up to the plate. Hold her hand forever or breathe that lovers last breath. make sure yo do it with all your heart because at the end of the road that moment of truth is all we will ever own."
We all come from different worlds but in the end we manage to create our own..... That is life, that my friend is love."
Writer/Director Michael Worth
Check out the trailer:
Actor/Boxing Coach John Saxton in movie "God's Ear"
"No matter how many great things you do in life. it's the one great thing in life you didn't do that wipes all the other off the board"
"I would take every punch to my face a thousand times over to have two seconds back for some blown chance.... two seconds just long enough to say , Yes I will when I wasn't able to...
But no matter what you do, take that wrong turn or step up to the plate. Hold her hand forever or breathe that lovers last breath. make sure yo do it with all your heart because at the end of the road that moment of truth is all we will ever own."
We all come from different worlds but in the end we manage to create our own..... That is life, that my friend is love."
Writer/Director Michael Worth
Check out the trailer:
Thursday, April 22, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Man Up
I just read a depressing story about how over 3/4 of children in parts of England will be born to unmarried mothers. No matter how you look at this it is not a good situation. Families with single mothers tend to be poorer and be condemned to poverty for generations. Kids without dads have a harder time in life and tend to have more problems adjusting. Now I know this is a very complicated problem with no easy solution and I don't plan on trying to address it here but there is one facet that I would like to touch on and that is the role of men.
I speak from experience having my father die when I was 4 years old and being raised in poverty by a widowed mom. Life is harder in a one parent family. The issue I want to address and is one factor in the situation is that men are not acting like real men and stepping up to their responsibility as a fathers. I think there is a need for society, peers, schools, churches and the culture to demand that men "Man Up".
What does it mean to be a man. It's not just a biological reality but it's about acting like a man should with courage,values, role modeling, and sacrifice. When a man becomes a father he needs to step up his game. It's no longer all about him, it's about the family and especially his responsibility to his kids. If he can't handle it or isn't ready then he shouldn't have kids cause he's not a man but just a big kid. Or as a friend of mine put it he just might be the king of the midgets but he's not a real man.
I know in my life after having a child I was called upon to step up and be a dad and a leader in my family. I had to let go of behaviors that got in my way of being a great father. Of all my accomplishments and successes in life I consider being a good parent my greatest accomplishment. To me being a man is to be a leader, to hold your self to higher standards, to have character, to take responsibility, to role model the best you can be so your children learn from your actions, to have courage, to sacrifice if necessary for your family and to protect them. That's a man.
A while back I came across this website that addresses the question "What Does it Really Mean To Be a Man". I recommend you check it out: http://www.abettermanbook.com/
I just heard a story about a man who's marriage broke up because of his cheating and he doesn't want to make child support payments even though he can afford it. What message does that give his kid. What kind of man is this? I think you know the answer.
I think it's time for many men, to put it in my old street vernacular "To Man the F' Up".
I speak from experience having my father die when I was 4 years old and being raised in poverty by a widowed mom. Life is harder in a one parent family. The issue I want to address and is one factor in the situation is that men are not acting like real men and stepping up to their responsibility as a fathers. I think there is a need for society, peers, schools, churches and the culture to demand that men "Man Up".
What does it mean to be a man. It's not just a biological reality but it's about acting like a man should with courage,values, role modeling, and sacrifice. When a man becomes a father he needs to step up his game. It's no longer all about him, it's about the family and especially his responsibility to his kids. If he can't handle it or isn't ready then he shouldn't have kids cause he's not a man but just a big kid. Or as a friend of mine put it he just might be the king of the midgets but he's not a real man.
I know in my life after having a child I was called upon to step up and be a dad and a leader in my family. I had to let go of behaviors that got in my way of being a great father. Of all my accomplishments and successes in life I consider being a good parent my greatest accomplishment. To me being a man is to be a leader, to hold your self to higher standards, to have character, to take responsibility, to role model the best you can be so your children learn from your actions, to have courage, to sacrifice if necessary for your family and to protect them. That's a man.
A while back I came across this website that addresses the question "What Does it Really Mean To Be a Man". I recommend you check it out: http://www.abettermanbook.com/
I just heard a story about a man who's marriage broke up because of his cheating and he doesn't want to make child support payments even though he can afford it. What message does that give his kid. What kind of man is this? I think you know the answer.
I think it's time for many men, to put it in my old street vernacular "To Man the F' Up".
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Personal Ramblings - Favorite Magazine
What's your favorite magazine? I still like to read hard copies of magazines even though I only read newspapers online.
I regularly read everything from: "Inc" , "Fast Company", Wired", "Markee" , "P3" "Movie Maker" "DV", "Filmmaker" and "Success".
I read a few others as well. I would have to recommend "Success" as my favorite magazine.
http://www.successmagazine.com/
I regularly read everything from: "Inc" , "Fast Company", Wired", "Markee" , "P3" "Movie Maker" "DV", "Filmmaker" and "Success".
I read a few others as well. I would have to recommend "Success" as my favorite magazine.
http://www.successmagazine.com/
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Big Five For Life
Revised April 15th.... Re revised April 17th I knew I had to add more...
I came across the idea of a Big Five for Life after reading about John P. Strelecky's Book. He describes the Big Five for Life as
something you get to choose. They are the five things you most want to do, see, or experience in your lifetime. The five things so powerful to you, that if you do, see, or experience them before you die, then you will feel that your life has been a success by your own personal definition of success.
So I created my Big Five for Life well My Big Seven for Life....
1. Write and Publish My Memoir "Black Irish"
2. Produce A Documentary Series I"ve created called "American Dreamers"
3. Write, Direct and Produce Feature Film entitled "Goodbye My Friend"
4 Become a Professional Motivational Speaker
5. Buy my daughter a horse
6. Attend my Daughter's Wedding
7. Produce/Work on a Feature Film in Ireland
8. Write and Publish Motivational Book based on my life's experiences
9. Big Hairy Audacious Goal. (To Be discovered or created...._)
Of course I had to add a few more and may add more. I'm sure Five isn't enough for me. I encourage you to create your own Big Five for Life or Big Nine or......
For more info check out :
http://www.bigfiveforlife.com/public/department35.cfm
I came across the idea of a Big Five for Life after reading about John P. Strelecky's Book. He describes the Big Five for Life as
something you get to choose. They are the five things you most want to do, see, or experience in your lifetime. The five things so powerful to you, that if you do, see, or experience them before you die, then you will feel that your life has been a success by your own personal definition of success.
So I created my Big Five for Life well My Big Seven for Life....
1. Write and Publish My Memoir "Black Irish"
2. Produce A Documentary Series I"ve created called "American Dreamers"
3. Write, Direct and Produce Feature Film entitled "Goodbye My Friend"
4 Become a Professional Motivational Speaker
5. Buy my daughter a horse
6. Attend my Daughter's Wedding
7. Produce/Work on a Feature Film in Ireland
8. Write and Publish Motivational Book based on my life's experiences
9. Big Hairy Audacious Goal. (To Be discovered or created...._)
Of course I had to add a few more and may add more. I'm sure Five isn't enough for me. I encourage you to create your own Big Five for Life or Big Nine or......
For more info check out :
http://www.bigfiveforlife.com/public/department35.cfm
Sunday, April 11, 2010
John Duffy's Personal Ramblings - Best Days Are Ahead of You
When you're young you take it for granted that your best days are ahead of you. As you age there comes a time for most people that their best days are behind them. They look forward to retiring and in the words from Bruce Springsteen:
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
I guess I always was a little different but I can't wrap my mind around the concept of retiring. I've lived a very colorful and adventure full life yet I don't think my past is my glory days. I believe my glory days are still ahead of me.
I have so much I want to do and accomplish that I believe in life you keep challenging yourself until eventually you run out of time. I still believe my best days are still ahead of me. I have a huge bucket list and it keeps growing.
I met an elderly veteran last week who is 95 years old and he is talking about wanting to write a book. So I offer you the idea "May Your Best Days be Ahead of You"
John Duffy
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
I guess I always was a little different but I can't wrap my mind around the concept of retiring. I've lived a very colorful and adventure full life yet I don't think my past is my glory days. I believe my glory days are still ahead of me.
I have so much I want to do and accomplish that I believe in life you keep challenging yourself until eventually you run out of time. I still believe my best days are still ahead of me. I have a huge bucket list and it keeps growing.
I met an elderly veteran last week who is 95 years old and he is talking about wanting to write a book. So I offer you the idea "May Your Best Days be Ahead of You"
John Duffy
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