CineVegas Film Festival....Dwayne Johnson fans scream out for the "Rock" at premiere of Get Smart!

As they spied him approach the escalator at "The Planet Hollywood" fans suddenly lost their cool in a long line that snaked around the foyer and excitedly jumped up and down shouting - "Rock" "Rock" "Rock".

Then - amid a swirl of publicists and bodyguards - Dwayne Johnson (one of the stars of "Get Smart") strutted onto the red carpet to meet the swarming press who descended on him like flies to sh**.

The Theatre had scheduled a special screening of the Steve Carell feature (lifted from the old TV show) as a charity fundraiser for - "Knapsack" - the project that Mr. Johnson supports.

Mr. Johnson plays a bumbling agent in the comedy spy thriller (?).

Later in the day he received a star on Johnny Brenden's local Las Vegas "Walk of Fame". In the true spirit of the occasion, Mr. Brenden handed the "Rock" an oversize check in the sum of $2,500.00 for his cause.

Frankly, I've never seen the press gush so over a Hollywood celebrity.

But - before he had ventured halfway down the carpet to shake hands and answer questions put to him by the swirling paparazzi - he graciously slipped over to the screaming hordes and signed autographs.

A couple of media types followed the bankable movie actor to capture the adoration on celluloid - at which point - a rude female publicist in Johnson's entourage barked that they return to the red carpet.

Rock, the woman is bad for your image. Dump her!

Meanwhile, I stood on the sidelines surreptitiously listening in on the interviews.

A couple of cynical reporters warned me in advance that Mr. Johnson tended to be a bit full of himself; so with an open mind, I listened intently to determine if that was the case.

Well, he was gracious. And, articulate about the function of his charity. No, the ego wasn't too glaring, in spite of the fact he was all puffed up and his body language appeared to be transmitting the message:

"Yes, I'm Mr. Macho, aren't I?"

The press corps ate it all up.

After one female reporter finished up her segment and she turned in my direction, I noticed right away that her face was beet red!

"You sure are flushed," I laughed.

"Oh, it's so hot in here," she responded somewhat nonchalantly.

Or, was it your subject that got you all flustered, I teased.

"Caught me," she giggled as she started to wrap up her equipment.

An aggressive on-camera journalist in a sexy little number with a tiger print, dragged out a photograph of the "Rock" - naked from the torso up - and used her feminine wiles to wangle an autograph.

In spite of the fact it's rumored the "Get Smart" actor is trying to leave the "Rock" faze of his career behind, he scribbled his John Henry on the publicity still. And, she was thrilled.

Personally, I found the bodyguards a little unsettling.

One, had a quirky psycho look about him.

The other had a demeanor that was a cross between a Mormon and some character out of the horror flick "Night of the Living Dead".

Get rid of the goons, Rock. It's bullsh**.

Although he appeared cool on the surface, I couldn't help but notice that his hands were clenched and ill at ease.

But, his entrance was the greatest reveal of all.

When the Festival Director called out his name, he tripped over the curtain when he made his entrance, and stumbled into the room a bit clumsily.

In view of the confident image he threw off on the red carpet, I surmised at this juncture, that he must be a better actor than I thought.

In fact, I have to hand it to him.

In view of the way he was treated by the fans and the press alike, I think that it is quite evident that in the Hollywood midheavens, Mr.Johnson is a mega star on the rise that may burn brightly for quite a while if he plays his bungling - um - punches right.

Babies..."damaged goods" due to lack of parenting skills!

The other morning as I was exiting Starbucks, a woman strode up to the front door of the popular cafe pushing a stroller with a baby inside.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, she turned the buggie on its wheels and scurried off the other way. As I alighted from the cafe, I noticed her cowering in the corner near a table. Other patrons were staring at her oddly, too.

When I asked her if she'd like some assistance opening the door, she mumbled something incoherently.

Perplexed, I went on my way; but my heart went out to that child.

If the woman was on drugs or alcohol, the effect on a young tot could be devastating.

Many parents are unaware of the fact that in the formative years - one to five, in particular - their baby is most impressionable.

During that time span, most of their personality traits are formed, arising out of daily events - negative and positive - that parents unwittingly thrust them in to.

In some instances, a lack of proper care and nurturing may not only scar the young one, but result in a personality disorder that he or she may carry around with them for life.

I have been fascinated by the subject every since I took a course in psychology focusing on - "Personality Profiles" - a few years ago at St. Mary's College in Brentwood, California.

A number of prominent psychologists contributed to the fascinating course material in the compulsory text.

Eric Erickson - for instance - believed that personality develops in a series of stages and his intriguing theories zeroed in on the impact of social experience across the individual's entire lifespan.

One of the main elements of Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity, an interest shared by fellow colleague, Sigmund Freud.

Freud (who shared my birthday!) theorized that there are three basic aspects to that identity: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.

Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction. According to Erikson, our ego identity is constantly changing due to daily experiences and information acquired in our constant interactions with others.

Obviously, the quality of the relationship between mother and child in those early years is of paramount importance.

In addition to ego identity, the prominent scholar also believed that a sense of competence also motivated behaviors and actions.

In Erickson's view, there are a handful of stages that are intertwined with the task of becoming competent in a specific area of life. If the stage is handled well, for example, the person will feel a sense of mastery in their sphere. If the stage is managed poorly, the individual may emerge with a deep-rooted sense of inadequacy.

In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point in their development. And, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality.

During these times, the potential for personal growth is high, but so is the potential for failure.

Trust vs. Mistrust (Stage 1)

The first stage of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development occurs between birth and one year of age and is the most fundamentally important stage. Because an infant is utterly dependent, the development of trust is based on the dependability and quality of the child’s parents.

If a child successfully develops trust, they will feel safe and secure in the world. Providers who are - inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting - contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children they watch over. Failure to develop trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (stage 2)

The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes place during early childhood and is focused on children developing a greater sense of personal control and freedom in their environment.

Like Freud, Erikson believed that toilet training was a vital part of this process. However, Erikson's reasoning was quite different then that of Freud's. Erikson believe that learning to control one’s body functions leads to a feeling of control and a sense of independence.

In contrast, other psychologists mentioned in the course, felt that potty-training a child too early may result in the development of an anal retentive personality!

Other important events include selective control at meal times, preferences for playthings, and clothing selection.

Children who successfully complete stage two (moi) feel secure and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt.


Add a negligent parent, without parenting skills into the mix, and the end result is obvious: a troubled untrusting child unable to develop properly through the natural stages in the early years.

Something to chew on, parents.

Clarence Darrow once said,

The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children.