Jeffrey Messineo

Be courageous

There are times when it would be easier to say, “No.” Not do the thing that makes you nervous.

But you can step in to growth or stay in safety.

In truth, crowds aren’t too terribly bad for my temperament. However, I’m more intimidated since my short term ride has come into my life. (This isn’t the place for it but as a white dude I have learned how much representation matters.)

Be courageous, you may find it suits you. Be bold and try. The caveat is you have to be doing all the things to be ready when that opportunity arrives.

As a young man, I jumped many times and it didn’t always work the way I wanted but I’ve been better for it everytime.

As I said, I’m more reticient because of the wheelchair. Do other people care? Probably not. None of them know me either way. It’s my ego. And I’m learning to be better. I have learned much.

Saturday, March 22, 2025 I read at a meeting of Noir at the Bar, an occasional reading series.

Such a fun event. Great writers. Attentive Audience. Talented Emcee. Sharing a stage with terrific writers such as organizer Eric Beetner as well as Adam Sikes, Caitlin Rother, Sean Jacques, DC Frost and John McMahon was an absolute blast.

I even had laughs where they should be and a positive response to the excerpt I chose from Bumped Off.

Wins all around.

It was a vibe.

Check out some pics:

Noir at the Bar

I am excited to share a reading I’ll be participating in on March 22, 2025.

Noir at the Bar is organized by Eric Beetner and this Los Angeles iteration is located at The Book Jewel (6259 W. 87th St.) at 7 pm.

In addition to Eric Beetner and myself, Adam Sikes, Caitlin Rother, Sean Jacques, DC Frost, John McMahon will be reading.

Listen to stories, hang with cool people. It’s a vibe, as they say.

A New Part of the Journey

I’m starting production on audio versions of all three of my books.

Embarking on this journey isn’t an entirely insane proposition. As some of you may know, I am a professional grade commercial and music video editor. As a film schooler, I’ve taken my fair share of acting classes (with good marks) and voiced over more than a few industrial videos.

I am comfortable with the technology and game, even a little excited, to test my skills at telling my own stories. Heck, in grade school, I was excited for my turn to read aloud. As my brother says, I like to be the center of attention.

Each of these stories has been read aloud many times, to myself and my wife, and, to be honest, I enjoy reading them.

Also, as a person with current disabilities, I have learned about helping others. I never understood that some people were unable to read a book because they can’t turn a page or hold the book or hate it because of dyslexia or can’t see it or a thousand other reasons that I don’t even know about.

Now, I understand and now I’m hoping some people can have a little respite in their lives.

Stories matter.

Anyway, I’m going to record some notes on how I do this along they way. For myself, so I don’t forget, and for you because maybe you’re bored and want to read something.

Today I recorded a test track and worked on the set up. The mic, of course. I’m using Adobe Audition for recording and editing. I’ve also worked on the proper effects, levels and all that gobbly gook to make sure I sound reasonably professional.

On a side note, once back in the day, I edited for Jordan Scott a commercial for The Roots – it promoted their new album on MTV and the like – and I added a bit of video feedback, image decay color rainbow thing to the cut. It looked really cool. In fact, when we sent the commercial for the final recording at the online suite, the post supervisor called to find out how I did it. No one could figure what I did and, to be honest, when I told them all the tech heads freaked out. They’d never heard or seen anything like it.

This is a long way of saying, sometimes I break things to make things.

Should be fun …!