PC #59 – An incident in Leon (book teaser)

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I thought I might post another little teaser for the upcoming book.

This describes an incident in a coffee shop in Leon – where I bumped into a bloke named Mike whom I’d met previously on the Meseta.

Mike was intending to go to Poland after he’d finished the Camino, because over dinner one night I’d happened to mention to him that my wife and I had recently visited Poland. He asked if the girls there were pretty and I told him that yes, in fact they were very beautiful.

Mike was interested in girls, you see.

So on hearing this, he immediately ditched his plans to walk to Muxia and decided to go to Poland instead. This excerpt below describes my walking into the Leon coffee shop and seeing Mike –

I looked around, and there was Mike sitting at a table with a bunch of his buddies. He got up and walked over. Shook my hand.

Dude, the chicks in Leon are unreal, he said. Jeeez.. Wish I was staying here longer. But Poland calls, man. Poland totally calls.

He punched me on the shoulder, playfully, then returned to his table. I wasn’t sure where Santiago fitted into his plans. It must have been merely a stop along the way between the chicks in Leon and the chicks in Poland.

I then heard him say to the table – See that guy over there? He makes movies. And guess what the name of his company is? BJ Films!

The table erupted into laughter, and the rest of the coffee shop turned and stared at me.

Previously, I’d told Mike that my production company was called BJ Films. B for Bill, J for Jennifer. Jennifer is my partner in the company. This reduced Mike to fits of near hysterical laughter. For you see, Mike lives in the porn capital of the world – the San Fernando Valley in California – and around his parts, BJ doesn’t stand for Bill andJennifer. It stands for something else.

When Mike told me this, it all made sense.

When I first established the name of the company, I tried to secure the domain name of bjfilms.com, but it wasn’t available. It turned out that bjfilms.com was registered to a film company in… of all places… the San Fernando Valley.

At the time, I thought that was a very odd coincidence – that there’d be a Bill and Jennifer making movies over there. I mused that perhaps it was Brad and Janet, or maybe Bobby and Jules – surely it couldn’t be Bill and Jennifer. But thanks to Mike, I now knew differently…

During the time that Mike and I walked together, he tried to convince me that I should make porn on the side. When I expressed my reluctance, telling him that it might not be consistent with my previous body of work, he told me that even Steven Spielberg was doing it. His porn was with aliens.

After I finished the Camino, I returned home and on opening some credit card statements, I did for a moment wonder if I should take Mike’s career advice and move into producing films more befitting the name of our company. I’d make a lot more money – but I finally discounted it, thinking that it wasn’t really consistent with being a pilgrim. 

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164 thoughts on “PC #59 – An incident in Leon (book teaser)”

  1. I cannot wait to read this book! I hope someone else asks you what “BJ” stands for besides Bill and Jennifer!

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  4. Hilarious! Even nuns know what bj stands for!What would possess a guy like that to walk the Camino? Maybe he had a thing for sweaty, tired women. Thanks for the laugh, Bill. Needed it!

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  6. That is hilarious! Thank you so much for the laugh! I can’t believe that you didn’t know what BJ was….it is actually easier to believe a guy walking the camino just to meet chicks.
    I can’t wait to read your book.
    Emily

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    • hi Emily –

      it’s actually true. For years and years I didn’t know what BJ meant.

      I remember once going through Immigration in Los Angeles. I was tired and jet lagged, having flown from Australia, and the US Immigration official asked me what I was doing in the US. The conversation went something like this:

      Me: I’m here working. US: What do you do? Me: I make movies. US: What kind of movies you make? Documentaries? Me: No, I make movie movies. US: You make adult movies? Me: (jetlagged, not fully understanding) Yeah. I make adult movies. (meaning, movies for adults.) US: You have a business card? I hand him my business card. US: Your company’s called BJ Films? Me: that’s right. US: Come with me sir…

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      • Ha! Ha! this just keeps getting funnier and funnier LOL I want to hear the conversation after they took you away. LOL

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        • Emily, And why would you be surprised that Steve has not jumped in? The first time I saw BJ Films, even I figured out that it was Bill and Jennifer, so what’s all the fuss about? Bill had been doing great with his harem. He didn’t need me for anything. And besides, what does BJ mean if not Bill and Jennifer? Am I missing something here??????? Steve

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        • haha –

          well, I then of course twigged what the misunderstanding was – stupid jet lagged me – and they didn’t take it any further.

          But that’s true, when the bloke asked if I made adult movies, and I said yes. I thought – I don’t make children’s films. I make films for adults.

          it ended up being very funny.

          Bill

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    • Debra –

      thank you. It’s taking much longer than i thought.

      I thought I was just going to dash something out, but I find I just can’t do that.

      If I’m going to write a book, then it has to be something that I’m proud to put my name to.

      Bill

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      • Absolutely-once it’s out there, it’s out there, no taking it back. I wrote a book a couple of years ago-how to make cheese :)-my gosh, I never would have imagined the work! It stressed me out for almost a year! But it was nominated for an award, and the ceremony was in Paris…soooo…that kinda made up for it 😀
        Debra

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        • Wow – Debra – good for you.

          To write a book about cheese, and it be nominated in the cheese capital of the world!

          that’s an achievement.

          bb

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  10. Thanks Bill. I am gratified that it is doing well in the (small) marketplace. I spent January working on the second edition. As a matter of fact, royalties are paying for my Camino! So I am thankful for that.
    I am wondering how you can concentrate on your book with all this chit-chat going on :).
    Debra

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    • hi Debra –

      I work crazy hours – I usually start writing at 4:30am or 5am, then work through to about 9am – then do blog stuff and forum stuff – then work steadily through the day.

      I was trained as a journalist though, so I have no problem working with distractions around me!

      That’s great that your royalties are paying for your Camino by the way! I hope I have that kind of success with my book…

      Bill

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  11. I waited for a good while before I added my 2 cents.

    Firstly – where the heck is Steve when you need him? – Only women responding to this post???? I’m perplexed!

    And then all I can say is REALLY?????????????????????

    I like all the others cannot wait for the book to be published.

    Bill, promise me, even if I am on Camino, to let me know. I want, no NEED, to get this book the moment it is available. I have my Kindle app on the phone and ithe app will be downloaded to the new tablet before I leave.

    Is that a promise I can hold you to?

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      • Dear Sister, not that I can actually see what sort of ‘smiley’ ‘they’ put up, but when I type ‘):’ that will show as ): – namely an unhappy face (… you following me here? 🙂 ). So is there someone in smiley land out there, who can tell us how to do an evil smiley? With this extraordinary group of PGS people, harem, sheik’s an’all, surely there will also be a ‘smiley’ expert?

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      • I switched from mobile to desktop and could see that my email was messed up
        Don’t know how it happened,but once fixed I got the “sign up for comments ” back again. And are you sitting down?
        Because there’s a slight chance I may no longer run out of room at the end of the reply box!

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      • Sorry I’m coming in late to this ….. Or perhaps I’m early being in Australia. We did do well last night in the Ashes. Lets hope tonight’s session is as good.

        I’m not sure if I should ask Bill this or Sister Geek. 🙂

        What is the trick to getting your photo as your avatar. I’ve tried several times to upload my photo and it just sits there and does nothing.

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        • Watching The Ashes now we have to get another 18 wickets to win this match!

          The way I did it with Sister Simon, I signed her up to a WordPress account through her gmail account – then uploaded her photo through Gravatar as a result.

          Hope this makes sense!

          Bill

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          • We have to win this one to keep it interesting.

            It does make sense but gravatar doesn’t seem to like me. I wonder if it’s because I’m using a yahoo address which is linked to my WordPress rather than a gmail account.

            I’ll play around next week. I have to get some sleep for my big hike tomorrow. I’m going to pretend it’s The Pyrenees I’m climbing.

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  17. OMG. Am I really reading all this on Bill’s blog – PGS. Cannot believe it.
    Bill, look what you have done to us – you really are a torment as we wait anxiously for the book to be on our Ereaders. Remember – I will be in Leon from 22nd September. May need some additional advice!
    To all you wonderful Bloggers, thanks for the laughs tonight, just when I really needed them after a very demanding and challenging week. Exhausted after dealing with our most precious and vulnerable youth.
    Blessings
    Anne

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  19. I tend to be rather bored by the comments string in most blogs, no matter their area of interest. The repartee on this one just rocks. Extremely witty, always kind. Kind of like the Algonquin Roundtable but without the snark.

    B

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    • Brendan,

      That’s wonderful to hear.

      There is snark here though, particularly from those in this blog that are llama-inclined, often flamed by, of all people, a nun, which makes it really hard for me to both defend myself vigorously, as is my natural wont, or to snark back, which can sometimes be emotionally scarring for those on the receiving end.

      So I am restrained, out of courtesy to the aged (llamas) and respect for Canadians, (nuns), because really, we all have to cut Canada a bit of slack, don’t we… After all, they bought us Tim Hortons coffee and Tim’s Tid-Bits…

      (Personally, I love Tim’s Tid-Bits)

      .

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      • Bill –

        I always cut Canada some slack. Years ago It was because of their beer. After lots of early mornings on contract work, Tim’s added to my appreciation. However, it was the Camino that informed me of one of their best exports ever – The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean – podcasts from the CBC.

        Llamas are no problem as long as you give them a wide berth. Bad at keyboarding, worse at speech but within 20 feet they can put a foul-smelling gob on you.

        Nuns? I was under their thumb from age 6 to 14. The nuns at Carrion and Leon were a delight so I guess I am now recovered from the early trauma.

        You’re own your own with the ever-hovering (though not necessarily angelic) Sr. S.C., buckaroo. Consider it your penance for starting this blog. “No good deed goes unpunished” and all that.

        Brendan

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      • I’m sorry, but my cultural standards of excellence reqiure that I point out they are, in fact, ‘Tim -bits’, Bill. Not ‘Tim ‘s tid-bits,’or just ‘Tidbits’. “Timbits” is the correct term.

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          • I have absolutely no idea what you people are talking about, or who this Oruji guy is, or whatever his spelling is –

            he must be someone famous in Canada that the rest of the world has never heard of.

            Most people who are famous in Canada fall into that category

            (I should be careful here, because the majority of people logging onto this blog lately have been Canadians!!)

            Actually, I have some very good friends in Canada – whom I’ve met while working there, or going to the Montreal or Toronto film festivals.

            Both wonderful festivals

            Bill

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    • Brendan, does the CBC broadcast the Vinyl Cafe over Sirious, or whatever the shortwave (is that antiquainted?)signal is called?

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      • No idea about Sirius presence or what AM/FM radio presence is, Sister. I listen to the podcast from the CBC website.

        B

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      • My instinct here is to ask what language you’re speaking.My mind begins to wander when all this “pod ” business gets started. Eye-pods, you- pods ,schmoo- pods.Nothing at all wrong with shortwaves or broadcasts!Why, when I was a girl………..

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      • Sister –

        I am speaking the same language that has always divided US citizens from the rest of the world. Do not think I am getting “techie” on you.

        My phone is 8 years old and lots dumber than I am – an extraordinary achievement. My home computer is a year older than that. I have no “I-stuff” in the house. I use tech as a blunt instrument when it is absolutely required. I just go to the CBC website and download from the VC site. So simple even I can do it.

        You apparently know about Sirius. I remain deeply suspicious of having any added noise in my car as it can interfere with my hearing how the valves and gears are performing.

        Definitely uncomfortable with e-comms as I am just settling in to a fountain pen and paper.

        BTW- I do not think that Dave and Morley would have said “Et tu…?” Maybe you mistakenly picked up on Jim Scofield or Mary Turlington?

        Just sayin…

        B

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        • Brendan, I should confess that I am, at the moment,extremely miffed with the techno world. I was reduced to inability by last nights avatar fiasco( again Bill, thank you), and today this blogs refusal to notify me on either of my email addresses. So all I can say is, that while Dave and Morely might not have said, “et tu”, they certainly could have if they had wanted to.

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  20. Ingrid –

    I can easily see how you arrive at that conclusion based upon all the string above. However,
    I have a general rule of not imbibing combustibles. (Not being moralistic on the point but I have precious few brain cells I can afford to lose.)

    My sole intent was to express appreciation in my first post. The second was intended to avoid a devolution of an already wild string to an inter-continental flame war between two commonwealth citizens.

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      • Orujo, Bill, Orujo…. Don’t tell me you never tasted Spanish Eau de Vie! Lovely, soothing, Spanish Brandy made of the skins of the grapes… clear (wawoooom), oaked – smooth, or with herbs…. now those are medicinal of course and can be drunk for anything that ails you. Now, with figs – very sweet like candy and with dark strong coffee to pull your socks off, or chocolate, which of course then gives you twice the pleasure……

        You can see, aside from tea, I know my Orujo – life sustaining, a great chaser for Estrella and the necessary Voltaren pills to keep me going for the last 100km.

        You hang with me on the Camino – Dundee 😉

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        • Yeah Ingrid –

          You look like the gal to hang with!

          Now now mention it – I was aware of this drink, but didn’t realise that’s what it was called.

          Very drinkable.

          I got a hankering for white port while I was in Portugal. Delicious.

          Bill

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          • Oooh, I remember white port! Very nice with a slice of lime or kiwi, depending on the evening.

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      • Sister, I did not carry a bottle. I loved testing ‘tasting’ local brew. Each bar along the way seems to have their home made brew and of course the commercial one. I didn’t really clue into Orujo, until Galicia. I stopped at every rest stop, due to my leg. It needed constant pampering. Once I hooked up with my Scottish archangel Stuart and his German sidekick Andreas.. no matter when I showed up, they were sitting there, already slightly tipsy and cerveca/orujo combo was waiting for me. I remember Boente, you walk along the road a spell, you come around the corner and there is that tiny hamlet. Andreas and Stuart are sitting there, Stuart points to his watch and says “Women, we’ve been waiting for 1.5 hours for you… we are staying here tonight… I can’t walk straight anymore” Implying that his lack of balance was all my fault, having to have indulged in one too many cerveca/orujo combos. Did I already say one time Stuart was 81 years old. Oh how I miss him and his stories. 😉

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  23. Bill! Billl! Look at the line of teeny “LikeThis” squares at the top of the blog page!!!!!!!!

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    • Debra,please ignore Bills ravings. The North American bite bird,a sweet white feathered bird, is quite rare. It winters in Texas. The day Bill went to his foot doctor he found a dead, smushed bite bird on the road, and for some reason, took a picture of it to post on that days blog.Steve, who sees them on his backyard feeder, and I, a bird lover, were shocked and appalled.
      Bills current story is his weak attempt at diversion.

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  26. I don’t know where you would get such an idea, Bill! If you return to the beginning of the Saga of the Bite Bird, I think you’ll see that you, in fact were the vicious,hard hearted one in this scenario-arranging its slaughtered little body, still warm beneath its red-stained feathers….sniff…I can write no further….sniff..the tears, stinging my eyes…..

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    • i will have you know that the footy team I support, and who I championed on my Camino by wearing the club cap all the time, is the

      wait for it

      Sydney SWANS.

      Now what is a swan?

      A swan is nothing but a WHITE BIRD.

      In Canada, you pronounce them BITE birds, probably because it’s so cold there your lips are numb and you can’t enunciate properly.

      Bill

      (And don’t cry too much because the tears will form icicles down your face and you’ll have to use a blowtorch to get them off)

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      • Oh Bill, Bill
        Even on the coldest day, no Canadian would say “swan” when trying to describe the noble bite bird.Lame, very lame

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      • Bill –

        All I can say is you have the tolerance of a saint. I thought you were being a bit harsh about snark from some directions. As I am feeling your pain from the most recent interaction with a certain someone who is ‘in a habit’ of being difficult, I now see your point. (Possible that that “someone” swallowed Dorothy Parker’s works whole.)

        B

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        • Poor, dear Bill, right Steve? Someone has to keep him humble. And someone is not a fan of Dorothy Parker.

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        • Brendan,

          I am trying to write, because I need to have this book completed by the end of August latest, so it’s not saintly tolerance I’m employing here, it’s writers block – in the other sense of the term.

          Bill

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