Author Archives: Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker

About Alan O’Hashi, Whole Brain Thinker

I’ve been involved with community journalism since 1968 when I wrote for my junior school paper, the "Tumbleweed," through high school and college and then wrote for the "Wyoming State Journal." I put aside my newspaper pen and began Boulder Community Media in 2005. There wasn’t much community journalism opportunity, so I resurrected my writing career as a screenwriter. My first short screenplay, “Stardust”, won an award in the 2005 Denver Screenwriting Center contest. I've made a number of movies over the years. Filmmaking is time-consuming, labor and equipment intensive. I recently changed my workflow to first write a book and make a movie based on that content. - Electric Vehicle Anxiety and Advice - This is a memoir travelogue of three trips covering 2,600 EV miles around Wyoming (2022) - Beyond Heart Mountain - Winter Goose Publishers released my memoir in February (2022) - The Zen of Writing with Confidence and Imperfection - This is a book recounting how luck planed into my signing a book deal after a 15-minute pitch meeting. (2020) - True Stories of an Aging Baby Boomer - War stories about living in a cohousing and lessons others can learn when starting their communities (2021) - Beyond Sand Creek - About Arapaho tribal efforts to repatriate land in Colorado (PBS - TBA) - Beyond Heart Mountain - Based on my memoir about my childhood in Cheyenne facing overt and subtle racism toward the Japanese following World War II (PBS - 2021) - New Deal Artist Public Art Legacy - About artists who created work in Wyoming during the Great Depression (PBS - 2018) - Mahjong and the West - SAG indie feature which premiered at the semi-important Woodstock Film Festival (2014) Over the years, I’ve produced directed, filmed and/or edited several short movies, “Running Horses” (Runner Up – Wyoming Short Film Contest), “On the Trail: Jack Kerouac in Cheyenne” (Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival, Top 10 Wyoming Short Film Contest), “Gold Digger” (Boulder Asian Film Festival), “Adobo” (Boulder International Film Festival), “A Little Bit of Discipline” (Rosebud Film Series), and two feature length documentaries “Your Neighbor’s Child” (Wyoming PBS and Rocky Mountain PBS), and “Serotonin Rising” (American Film Market, Vail Film Festival). He also directed and produced the award winning stage play “Webster Street Blues” by my childhood friend Warren Kubota. Boulder Community Media is a non-profit production company dedicated to democratzing media in all their forms - large and small screens, printed page and stage by providing sustainable and community-based content. I mostly work with community-based media producers, organizations, and socially-responsible businesses to develop their content via – the written word, electronic and new media, the visual and performing arts in a culturally competent manner – I’m what’s commonly called a niche TV and movie producer. Along with all this is plying my forte’ – fund development through grant writing, sponsorship nurturing and event planning.

‘Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux’ premieres May 6, 2024

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The screening in the Boedecker Theater at the Dairy Center is free, but attendees must get a ticket for a headcount. Watch for the registration link.

https://thedairy.org/event/the-arapaho-covered-wagon-redux/

Boulder Community Media (BCM) presents “The Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux” (Arapaho Redux), a documentary by Alan O’Hashi, which retells “The Covered Wagon,” an epic 1923 silent film.

The movie screens with an intermission in the Boedecker Theater at the Dairy Center on May 6th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.. A question-and-answer session happens after the movie.

What makes the Redux new is a new soundtrack recorded by the Northern Arapaho Eagle Society, led by Michael Ridgebear, and the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, led by Music Director Devin Hughes. The soundtrack was recorded live before an audience during Indigenous Peoples’ Month in October 2023.

The music retells the story from a tribal perspective and reverses negative Native American stereotypes perpetuated over six centuries. The Arapaho Redux provides a safe space for diverse and collaborative voices to support the Arapaho people as they pass on the tribal language and ceremonies to their children.

The screening is two hours with an intermission and a Question and Answer session with the filmmakers, Alan O’Hashi and Michael Conti, Boulder Symphony Director Devin Hughes, and invited Arapaho Tribal Representatives.

In 1923, “The Covered Wagon” included a prologue called “Pioneer Days” featuring Arapaho tribal members in full regalia telling stories in sign language translated by Cowboy actor, Tim McCoy.

Similarly, “Arapaho Days” is the Redux prologue about the making of the new soundtrack, Arapaho reversing negative tribal stereotypes in an effort to regain land from the city of Boulder.

The movie is about settlers traveling in wagon trains from Missouri to Oregon. Director James Cruze hired several hundred Northern Arapaho to be background actors.

The pioneers encountered conflicts with tribes along the way who were protecting their homeland. The mixed-genre music retells the story from a tribal perspective to reverse negative Native American stereotypes perpetuated by popular media over three centuries.

The Arapaho Redux provides a safe space for diverse and collaborative voices to support the Arapaho people as they tie the tribal language and ceremonies to their traditional homelands in Northern Colorado through their young people.

Thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts, Boulder Arts Commission, Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming Humanities, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, and many individual supporters like you.

‘Beyond Heart Mountain” is now an audiobook

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Buy the “Beyond Heart Mountain” audiobook.

Beyond Heart Mountain by Alan O’Hashi is now an audiobook. Buy it today from Rakuten Kobo.

The story is an offbeat memoir of the American West based on his childhood in Cheyenne, Wyoming, after World War II and his experiences living around the state until he moved to Boulder, Colorado, circa 1993.

Alan’s original story is available on the Boulder Community Media website. He relates his experiences in the context of the current social and cultural divides prevalent in the United States today and the consequential need for greater civility.

Social change happens one person at a time. After Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which established the War Relocation Authority that ordered 120,000 Japanese-Americans to uproot and be transported by train to 10 relocation centers.

Japanese, including Alan’s family members, who resided in the U.S. interior, including Wyoming and Colorado, were considered “Interned in place.” They avoided life in camps like Heart Mountain near Yellowstone National Park and Granada in Southeast Colorado.

Nonetheless, Alan and his family were still subject to the subtle and overt racism toward Japanese residents during and after the War. He recounts his experiences and weaves them with the history of the once vibrant Japanese neighborhood in the 400 and 500 blocks of West 17th Street in downtown Cheyenne.

‘My Chat with GPT’ An Artificial Intelligence Handbook for Cyber Citizens released

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My Chat with GPT is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Handbook for Cyber Citizens in eBook form, and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The hard copy will be available soon.

The handbook is based on a personal conversation with ChatGPT about where computer programming and the human environment intersect. I’m a user of Artificial Intelligence (AI) but don’t know much about how it works other than prompting GPT and asking for responses to questions I pose.

I recently gave an AI workshop at the Audio Video Expo in Denver, Colorado. Since the audience comprised people involved in digital technology, I presented how AI affects individuals and the creative industries. The open conversation was dynamic, including healthcare, financial, and banking vulnerabilities.

Human error is the general entry point for bad actors infiltrating an organization’s computer network. Those include opening an alarming email that releases digital entities, including AI, that enter and compromise operating systems.

Over a few days, I went to the source and interviewed ChatGPT about my concerns about AI and its effects on everyday people.

Beta readers needed for ‘Libby Flats’

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Wyoming Writers – I’m wondering if any fast readers are interested in at least thumbing through my book.

If so, you can download the Libby Flats draft HERE

I finished my first novel, “Libby Flats” which is set in 2006 Colorado and flashes back to past lives in New Jersey and Wyoming during the 1960s and 1970s. It’s about that time in the twilight of your life when your friends are closer than family.

Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux Soundtrack Recording Session October 14th

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Be a part of the recording session for an original movie soundtrack on October 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the Pine Street Church 1237 Pine Street, Boulder, Colorado. Buy tickets now since there is limited seating.
Join Artistic Director Devin Hughes the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, and the Northern Arapaho Eagle Society as they record a new and inspiring reimagining of the soundtrack for “The Covered Wagon” (87 min).
The epic 1923 silent film about settlers traveling in wagon trains from Missouri to Oregon. The pioneers encounter conflicts with Arapaho along the way. The music retells the story from a tribal perspective and reverses negative Native American stereotypes perpetuated by popular media spanning three centuries. The Arapaho Redux provides a safe space for diverse and collaborative voices to support the Arapaho people as they pass on the tribal language and ceremonies to their children.
Boulder Community Media (BCM) and Off-Broadway Arts present a documentary film by Alan O’Hashi – Author and Filmmaker, Director of Photography and Editor – Michael M. Conti.
Thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts, Boulder Arts Commission, Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming Humanities, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, and many individual supporters like you.

‘The Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux’ green lighted

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“The Covered Wagon” is a 1923 silent film. BCM and the Boulder Symphony are collaborating on a new soundtrack that retells the stereotypical cowboys and Indians movie with a tribal perspective featuring the Northern Arapaho Eagle Drum and Singers.

Boulder Community Media (BCM) had great success in 2022 and wants to keep it up through 2023. BCM was awarded a highly competitive $10,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for “The Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux,” four years in the making.

BCM is seeking matching funds to record a contemporary soundtrack for the 1923 epic “Covered Wagon” silent film. The original score compiled by Anne Guzzo will be performed by the Boulder Symphony led by Devin Hughes in remembrance of the 160th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre. Most of the funds will pay musicians and the Northern Arapaho Eagle Drum. For information, watch the trailer.

When “The Covered Wagon” screened, tribal members appeared before the audience while casting directors Ed Farlow and Tim McCoy provided information about why they hired 500 Native Americans, mostly Northern Arapaho to perform in the film. Ironically, the realism they wanted to purvey added to tribal stereotypes.

Your tax deductible contribution will make an impact by undoing old stereotypes whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. We previously raised $500 for the project.

BCM is a 501c3 production company dedicated to make media in all their forms accessible to all.
If you’re a facebook user, BCM has a year-end fundraiser happening through the end of 2022.

Free ebooks by Alan O’Hashi on ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ November 28, 2022

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Support local independent artists this holiday season. Author Alan O’Hashi is offering three Kindle books on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, November 28th!

True Stories of a Mediocre Writer is Alan’s memoir about his unique writing style and process that resulted in the publication of his first book, Beyond Heart Mountain released by Winter Goose Publishing in February 2022.

He explains how he overcame perfection that made him more confident.

In his case, luck plays a big part. In June 2019, he attended a writing conference and talked to Winter Goose Publishing. He was asked to submit a full manuscript. He wrote 80,000 words and signed a contract in November.

True Stories of an Aging Do Gooder is another memoir about his journey through life living in accidental and intentional community settings. Those began with a large extended family in Cheyenne, Wyoming, living four years in the same dorm room at Hastings College, a “Golden Guys” house in Gillette, Wyoming, an apartment above the Ace Hardware store in downtown Lander, Wyoming and a Buddhist-centered coop house in Boulder, Colorado.

Those housing configurations set him up to finally move into the Silver Sage Village cohousing community. The book relates his experiences and war stories for anyone who wants to overcome loneliness.

 On the Trail: Electric Vehicle Anxiety and Advice is Alan’s real-time travelogue about a “Beyond Heart Mountain” book tour he took driving his Nissan Leaf 2,600 miles on the open roads of Wyoming.

The first leg was a 178 mile drive to Casper that took 15 hours.

He recounts his “range anxiety” navigating through wind , cold, and snow with no charging stations in many Wyoming communities.

Beyond Heart Mountain is Alan’s memoir published by Winter Goose Publishing. He doesn’t have control over those book sales, but if you’re in Denver, Alan will be signing copies at the Tattered Cover Book Store on Colfax on Black Friday, November 25th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

His book is about growing up Japanese in Wyoming after World War II and the demise of the once vibrant Japanese community on the 400 and 500 blocks of West 17th Street in Cheyenne.

Wyoming was the site for the Heart Mountain War Relocation Center, one of 10 camps set up in the U.S. interior.

Even though his family didn’t spend time in a camp, they had to endure the subtle and overt racism toward Japanese. The upshot of the story is to close economic and social divides, Americans should become more civil.

 

Black Friday ‘Beyond Heart Mountain’ book signing at the Tattered Cover on Colfax

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If you’re in Denver on Black Friday, November 25th, author Alan O’Hashi will be signing his memoir Beyond Heart Mountain at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The book is Alan’s story about growing up and living in Wyoming after World War II. He recounts the subtle and overt racism he and his family had to endure. His family was spared from living in a War Relocation Center because Japanese individuals who resided in the U.S. interior were deemed as being interned in place.

The Beyond Heart Mountain documentary aired on PBS and available as a DVD for sale and on PBS Passport.

‘On the Trail: Wyoming Electrical Vehicle Adventures’ book now available

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I wrote a new book that was just released by Boulder Community Media entitled, On the Trail: Wyoming Electric Vehicle Adventures. It was written in real-time between May 16th to July 2nd on three road trips totaling 2,600 miles around the vast sparseness of Wyoming.

Here’s the third person blurb from the back cover:

On the Trail is a memoir recounting author and risk-taker Alan O’Hashi’s reflections on his experiences with the automobile over the years and how his life evolved along with those vehicle choices. Now in his twilight years, he trekked 2,600 miles around Wyoming in a 2021 Nissan Leaf SV Plus electric vehicle (EV) 62 kWh at a time (that’s the battery size).

If you’re curious about EVs, he explains some about the different kinds of vehicles in the marketplace, but more about how to overcome “range anxiety” when there is no charging station nearby and the battery is about empty. He explains, in lay terms, about charging station subtleties, general details about battery efficiency, and the pitfalls drivers may encounter on short trips around town and longer drives over, say, 100 miles, including confusion around the three levels of charging stations and different types of plugs.

Alan was not the first driver to embark on a long-haul EV road trip but was a pioneer in navigating the road in the sparsest state in the Lower 48, having to figure out how to keep moving forward despite numerous setbacks including snow and 30-degrees.

His sojourns weren’t as arduous and rustic as they would have been in a covered wagon or a handcart but navigated gravel roads and isolated ribbons of highways in search of 50-amp power at campgrounds, motels, and businesses with external electrical outlets.

Joining the EV movement meant a big lifestyle change, mostly around slowing down

the pace of his life. “Maybe there’d be less road rage if traffic moved slower and drivers put less pressure on themselves to get from place to place,” he said. “I’ve been reimaging ‘Superman’s American Way” and changing my material consumption habits.”

The cover photo is of Alan’s Leaf charging at the Indian Campground in Buffalo,

Wyoming. He found that campgrounds consistently offer 50-amp power in the hook-up pedestals. Plan to stay someplace overnight and wake up with a full charge.