I study the International Cannabis & Hemp Film Festival’s (ICHFF) logo and poster with great curiosity because Blake’s movie “We Need Rent Money” was selected to be included in this year’s IC&H film festival. This poster also frightens me. There’s a brunette with her eyes bulging out in deadly horror, her red lips parted as if she is about to yell or scream. I wonder, “Had she attended the festival? “Had she partaken in smoking too much weed?” Like Sherlock Holmes, I search the painting for clues. First, I focus on the white perfume bottle or is it a medicine bottle centered in the picture. There’s a white marijuana leaf right in the middle of the bottle. I think, “Medicinal marijuana?” That brunette looks like she could use some. I guess that the white bottle was superimposed on the picture.

Then I examine at the side of the painting where three “F” words are in mirror image. These words play tricks on my brain until my brain unscrambles them. Fantastic, Futuristic, and Fatalistic. I wonder, “Why did the artist incorporate those three word in his painting?”

I realize that even if I were stoned or if I possessed Sherlock’s skills, I couldn’t solve this mystery.

I yell, “Who made this crazy painting?” “Why did someone select this picture for this year’s poster?”

Then I move on to learn more about ICHFF. Yellville, Arkansas is the home of this four-year-old film festival.

Yup, you guessed it. Yellville is also the home of the annual “Turkey Trot Festival.” I had totally forgotten.

But as I stand to dance the turkey trot, I smile realizing that I have solved the mysteries.

The brunette is terrified because she’s stuck in Yellville. Her fantastic life, once looked so promising and futuristic but turned out to be fatalistic. If only her doctor had prescribed those little white pills found in the perfume-shaped bottle with the marijuana leaf on it.

Congrats Blake and the WNRM team for another win.

“We Need Rent Money” was honored to be selected to be shown at this year’s Poor Life Choices Comedy Festival.

PLCCFF is a four year old festival based out of west LA.

Here’s what PLCCFF says about itself:

The Poor Life Choices Comedy Film Festival is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the best and boldest comedy has to offer by showcasing comedic writing, directing, sketch, improv, shorts, and feature films.

This festival is so cool that it even has a “stoner” category.

This festival is also very unique because it donates 100% of All-Access Ticket sales to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles which is a wonderful and charitable organization. How cool is that.

This festival’s logo seems to pay homage to the great Groucho Marx. Yes, he was a member of the Marx Brothers. Remember “Duck Soup.” On radio and TV, he hosted the quiz show, “You Bet Your Life.” Remember the duck that flew down when someone said the secret word. That fake duck had Groucho’s, eyebrows, eye glasses, bow tie and a cigar hung out of his mouth.

Well, it must be said,” That when it comes to selecting the best and boldest comedies, PLCCFF makes great choices like selecting WNRM.

WNRM is Now available on tubi (Free) and Amazon Prime.

After my youngest son’s (Blake) film, “We Need Rent Money” won acceptance into the Poor Life Choices Comedy Film Festival, I asked ChatGPT, “How do I avoid making poor life choices?”Again, I was blown away by the speed, the clarity and the wisdom that spilled forth on to my computer screen. I thought, “We are living in some crazy, amazing times. It’s as if this artificial intelligence (AI) machine is sending messages from the heavens.”Here’s what ChatGPT preached:Avoiding poor choices can be challenging, but there are some steps you can take to improve your decision-making skills and make better choices:

1. Identify your goals: Clarify what you want to achieve and keep it in mind when making decisions.
2. Gather information: Gather as much relevant information as possible before making a decision.
3. Evaluate alternatives: Consider multiple options and weigh their pros and cons before deciding.
4. Consider the consequences: Think about the potential consequences of each option, both short-term and long-term.
5. Listen to your instincts: Trust your instincts and listen to your intuition, but also be aware of biases and blind spots.
6. Seek advice: Consult with trusted friends, family, or colleagues for their perspective and advice.
7. Take your time: Don’t rush into a decision. Take the time you need to weigh your options and consider the consequences.
8. Learn from your mistakes: Analyze your past poor choices, identify what went wrong and learn from your mistakes.

By following these steps, you can improve your decision-making skills and make better choices. However, remember that making poor choices is a part of life and it’s important to learn from your mistakes and move forward.

ChatGPT’s last sentence astounded, comforted and felt as if it came from a higher source. As if, AI had a level of compassion for us poor, mere mortals. As if, AI had feelings.

For this poor, mere mortal, who is possessed with a knack, a skill and a propensity for making poor life choices, artificial intelligence spoke to me and said, “That’s okay son. That’s the way Hashem intended it. Just remember to learn from your mistakes and to move forward.”

I paused, rested my chin in my hand and created a new bracha:

Thank you Lord for granting us your miracle of ChatGPT. Thank you for challenging us with new realities. Thank you for allowing us to make poor life choices. May we learn from all of your creations, your wisdom and your kindness. Amen.