Paul Coussens

My friend died.

He was a lion if I ever met one. Fought cancer for seven years, and ultimately didn't die of it. In fact, I didn't even know he was sick. He was my best friend Valencia's father, and a really cool guy. Free spirit. Lived life with gusto.

Paul was incredibly kind and supportive of me. Very proud. He, Valencia and his ex-wife and son ended up in the film, too. One of the days he was on the set, he was so concerned about my stress levels and how hard I was working, he took me for a long ride through the vineyards and told me to scream. How great is that?? Let me tell you, on a movie set you have to have your own friends shipped in to notice you and take care of you, because no one else is going to.

God, I feel so guilty. I was supposed to be with them in Tahoe just three weeks ago, and he was so excited because I was going to come up and show them all the movie, but instead I stayed longer with Todd and kept editing...

And Valencia's 6 months pregnant with her first child...

I feel awful. My heart is all shriveled up.

Can't believe I was thinking of Valencia all last week and didn't call.

I should have learned this lesson in spades by now, but please people, put your people first in your lives...