(VIDEO) ACTOR POET CULLUM

Emily Frankel reminds John of things he's written, and praises him for creating memorable lines, phases that stay in her mind.

Shrugging off her compliments, John insists he's a "rhymer" and describes what he learned from Alan J. Lerner when he was working with Alan, in rehearsals for "On A Clear Day."  

KEYS TO YOUR KINGDOM

Hey, is the way you lock your front door going out of style?

3D printers can make keys that will open standard locks and, yes, high security locks.

Two MIT students have developed PHOTOBUMP -- software that lets people order a "bump" key from any online 3D printing service provider. All you have to do is unload a photo of a keyhole.

Lock pickers use bump keys. 

They insert the key, which they have designed to touch all the pins in a lock, and bumping it. tapping it with a mallet, they can get the pins to align with the key.

Last year these students demonstrated PHOTOBUMP at a conference. They sent a key to a 3D printing service that complied. (Later, the service said if they had known the students' purpose, they would not have printed the key; subsequently, they instituted a policy stating they would not print anything that posed a security risk.)

Jos Weyers, a champion lock picker and vice president of the Open Organization of Lock Pickers (aka ToooL), said anyone with the right device and software can make a bump key.

Unpleasant facts: A normal lock you buy at Home Depot can be picked. Even locks sold as "bump proof" can sometimes be bumped open. Already high quality printers can produce copies of standard household keys; soon, as 3D printers get better, anyone will be able to print a high security bump key.

In Europe there are hundreds of different types of locks. With just a few brands of locks dominating the US home lock market, our locks are especially vulnerable. Weyers said, "If the burglar has a bump key for one Schlage lock, another for Kwikset, he would own more than half the town."

What about "keyless locks" --are they reliable? No. Here's  a link: Home Logic --are Electronic locks safe -- it lists the various brands that cost $200-$300; also tech information about their reliability.

Based on what I've learned from this website, I am NOT going to change the lock on the front door of our building. We are a rather small building on a street full of others, the same size, with no lights -- our building's entrance door is lit night and day -- not a good bet for a small-time burglar. And each floor inside the building, has double doors with "fox locks" that are very difficult to open, even with the right keys.

I'm just sharing what I've learned to help you figure out what you should do if you are vulnerable.

LETTING GO...

Do you like this picture?

This picture fits what's on my mind. The kite you were flying is off on its own, going somewhere and nowhere.

Whoever you are, no matter what you do, (be it a job, or if you are retired), I know there are times when you're not sure where you're heading. An "itis" hits you -- a stuckness -- a sadness -- you can't rev yourself up to do what you ordinarily do to keep things rolling along.

Hey, my husband who's a legendary actor gets it. Our son who's an established actor in Los Angeles gets it. In between jobs, actors tend to think they will never work again and picture themselves in other professions, even as they're waiting for the phone to ring with the next audition.

I get a big itis sometimes. After a blog I publish gets a big response, I look at my list of ideas to work on next and nothing interests me. I think about other careers that I've tried that I didn't stick with -- like teaching, like acting. Sometimes, as a few days pass, I continue to feel out of ideas and sad because there's nothing to write about.

I think it's the child in us -- the dreams, hopes, the things we wanted, envisioned a long time ago. I deal with this, having committed myself at age five, to be a dancer, till death do me part. I am no longer a dancer, I am a writer, as well as a wife and mother.

I've learned that what we accumulate over the years -- experiences, memories, mementos, as well as clothes -- have to be winnowed down every so often to fit the current you. You need to discard what doesn't fit -- pack it away, or give it away. It haunts you. You'll miss what's gone, but missing things inspires you, sooner or later, to accrue other things, and go on with your life.

You cannot erase child dreams, hopes, visions, of success, money, fame, glory -- they're in your blood, in your skin, muscles, and bones -- your dreams are you -- you are your dreams.

If you've got an itis, go for a hike, see a film, buy something-or-other that you have to learn -- and let it distract you for a day or two while you look around.

Sooner or later you will see something interesting. Sooner or later your mope becomes a rope to hang onto that's pulling you, or you're pulling it and going somewhere.

(VIDEO) OUR SUPER GREAT MAID

Emily wants to talk about Agnes. It's an iffy subject that makes John uncomfortable since Agnes is Cullum, their uncomplaining, utterly devoted maid who does most all of  the clean up chores.

The Cullum's agree -- Agnes, a southern mammy maid, is incorrect politically, but Agnes-John never complains, works for no pay. and gets them both laughing when it's time to take care of the seriously nasty jobs that have to be done once in a while.