Walks While Sipping Lattes

A while back, A Brother walks and sips his latte with peace and satisfaction.  His power comes from the fact the he knows that the world will be ok. . .  for at least the moment.  While walking I spotted a most curious situation-A couple holding hands strolling leisurely down the street.  Typically it's a dime a dozen situation on the streets, but this couple drew dirty looks/glances, and one person nearly walked into the street to avoid these guys.

No big deal, you say?  Welcome to the south where you ARE judged by appearances. I gave that couple kudos 'cause they knew they were going to be judged and walked down the street just the same.  Also I'm not hating on nobody for being in love. I kept this scene in my head so you know one day it will be a story I write.  

Sometimes I wish all it took was giving someone a latte to calm them down, but ironically lattes will boost you up.  Perhaps some herbal tea instead?

Bust That Thing

For those not in the know, I am an artist.  I'm skilled in drawing, painting, photography, printing, and writing.  I'll need to dust off my drawing skills because I feel they are a part of me with equal standing to my writing.  This can't come soon, although I wanted to work on my skills during the weekends. Thesis Fridays rules my weekends as does screenwriting.  This does not mean I won't get back to the basics someday.  My goals must have order.

The second part of this post is about what kind of artist am I? been thinking of how to get outside the box.  Ever notice how some marginal talent percolates while some legit talents simply simmer in the eye of public.  I sometimes wonder what it would be like if someone suddenly became a little pretentious, audacious, and a little naughty then busted the stuff outta the box.  Just wondering.  Creativity should be fun, otherwise it's boring.

Ha!

Ok y'all know a brother does his Starbucks run all the time.  Spend more money there than I care to admit.  Part of it is the walk to Starbucks as I get to move about.  Feels good.  Anywhoo went there the other day and this chick was checking me out.  I caught her, and she tried to pretend she wasn't. She couldn't be any more obvious.  Her eyes couldn't lie, and she didn't hide well.  I'm like if you're not interested, that's cool with me, but for God's sake don't think you're unnoticed.

The Lazy Post

Not chillaxing as I normally do.  Been having some odd sleep issues.  Wake up early, fall back asleep.  Get up late.  Let's hope this passes because that's it.  Perhaps cutting back on the (gasp) lattes will be another step.  Too bad I can't Jedi Mind Trick myself to sleep.

Get Organized

Spent last night off the net with the exception of a few peaks on the Blackberry.  I needed to relax a little.  In spite of charging the laptop, I never turned it on to type.  I did jot down a page full of notes for the thesis, which I am glad I did.  I felt even a small amount of effort on my part was worth the time to complete.  Now I have to make sure I organize myself because I wish to do a lot of writing that needs to get done.  So below is a list of things that will be worked on this week.

• Blog Posts (6)
• Thesis
• Screenplay 
• Idea Development

For those not in the know I write here, for Several Deadly CINES, and Tastes Like Comics.  I sincerely want to add a few more cinema posts to CINES.  I will settle for no less than two written for this week.  I may get to post them on the weekend, but I feel that writing them will work for me.  I've been updating thesis info of late.  The blog feels naked without some fresh essays.  I have the perfect films I want to look at and discuss.

I also have a collaboration to complete, which I'm excited about.  That's tomorrow's priority.  I need to get cracking.   Thesis needs a lot more research, but that's part of the charm of thesis.  You work those suckers with some intensity.  The screenplay needs some plot adjustments.  I have to thank my buddy Thor for that.  Check out his site, Caffeine-Fueled and forums as well.  The film and game reviews are hilarious as well as good. I have fun visiting.    

Saturdazed But Not Confused

Watching the Nolan Batman films while working on my thesis.  I have a few articles to read so I can use them as scholarly sources. Sometimes this becomes a labor, but I like trying to understand the genre of comedy and a few of its sub-genres. Managed to get a new Tastes Like Comics article written.  I'll have to post on that a little later, since its not up yet.

Dealing Meals

I dunno if I can get this all done, but I have several meals planned to be made this weekend.  Now I won't be eating them all in one day, however I seek to have several dinner for the upcoming week, and spend less on dining out.

The meals should be simple to prepare.  I have several of the ingredients already and started the prepwork.  First off the three meals are, fettucini with  Alfredo sauce and vegetables.  I will explain the jazzed up sauce a little later.  Next is steaks and mixed veggies. Last is Collard greens and BBQ chicken.

I marinated the meats tonight.  The steaks in teriyaki honey, Montreal seasonings and fresh garlic.  The chicken soaks in wine and with fresh garlic, season salt, garlic powder and cajun seasonings.

I didn't get the collards today since the store was out.  I may need to pick up some more fresh garlic and sun dried tomatoes.

To Do Lists

The time has come for me to get more of my act together, and I know that takes more than saying I'm doing what I set out to do.  A brother needs to get organized.  I'm rather scatterbrained (typical artist behavior).  So now's the time to try out making tangible to do lists.

The goal is not to do everything in one day, but rather looking at what I want to do, and not getting overwhelmed with the process.  For example, I'm working on my thesis, but if I focus on getting a certain topic within the thesis covered, I can get that done, then work on the next.  

Also this should help with my fiction and blog posts.   I need to have a list of topics and worth them into my daily schedule.  The main thing is I'm not expecting perfection with this, but rather structure and results.  Even if something doesn't get accomplished, i can map my expectations and eventually fine tune what I'm doing.

The Smells From the Kitchen: Savory Goodness

Before I get into what smells so good, know that I earned this Klondike bar I'm about to scarf down. After a friend suggested making steak in the oven and my own love of steaks, I decided that I would make today's steaks in the oven.  This took a little prep work, but not too much.  It was really simple.

I started with seasoning the meat, then a honey Teriyaki marinade.  I added some fresh garlic to this and let it sit for a few hours.  When it was ready for cooking, I set the oven for 350.  In a baking dish (lightly coated in olive oil), I laid out the steaks. I cut a whole onion, two bell peppers, fresh garlic, and some mushrooms (drizzled in olive oil) to lay on top of the steaks.  They're in the oven now making my house smell so good.  

So this was for sure worth a try, as when I used the marinades on the stove, it tends to stick to the pan  They caramelize and burn too quickly.  The steaks taste good, but the pan is pure heck to clean.

Bad marinade adventures aside, I'm eating this Klondike bar and loving my Saturday.  It's the little things that make this day so good.  For sides I'm making some broccoli with cheddar.

Thursday Wrap-Up

Hello all. It's been an up and down week as classes started and the place is like a retail store in terms of business.  I really haven't devoted the time I need to writing properly.  That burns me up.  I promised myself an entry here, and now I'm gonna have one. 

Been looking over my ideas for my thesis and thought about changing it.  If I talk more about this, it has to be on SDCS.  Y'all know the drill.

Got a haircut on Tuesday and that in itself was a process.  Made myself get up early so I can get the cut, go back home, and take a nap, if need be.  Instead  I arrived to a CLOSED barbershop.  I went back home, took a nap and realized after I dozed off I should call the place to see if it opened.  I called, my barber wasn't there, BUT I needed a cut so I went.

While there I watched a documentary against Planned Parenthood and targeting Black viewers.  It was very politically-charged.  A brother hates having to deal with race issues before he gets his cut.  Some of it was made to incense me too (it worked BTW).  A brother did leave the shop irritated with what he saw and having an ok haircut.  Didn't fell 100% sexy (more like 90%).  It was bittersweet.  

Mondays Should Not Be Meh

Been sorting out a lot of things this week.  One is the appearance of my bedroom.  That floor needs a good vacuuming and I intend on that happening.  First I need to get all my dirty laundry organized.  I need to get this out of the way so I don't look back and get pissed I didn't handle this face one.   Next I'm getting rid of old paper/notes.  It must go.  Some of it will face the shredder.  It needs to get out of my apartment.  I'm looking forward to a dust free and clean bedroom.   

Thesis Day

It's good because my mind is on my thesis, and that meant getting an introduction page done, and getting the pages to follow.  The first few pages are all about defining a B-Film and its history.  My next step is to let the pages cool off.

Got the oil changed today and that was a smooth process.  I'm glad I decided to not wait for the weekend for this one.  Sometimes it's too crowded and uncomfortable on the weekend.  it feels like a nasty chore then.  Better to get up a little early, get it done today and be done.  I do have a few more errands to run but that can't happen today.

Let's see what else I can get done.  I do know I need a meal.   LOL  

Must Love March

It's been a while since my last post.  I'm more than trying to get back into the swing.  The weather's been warming up of late. Now pollen is out there.  Hello my old friend allergies.  I know they are around the corner.  Tomorrow's errands include getting some allergy meds.   I kinda hate that I need the meds, but love that they work.  Been in a bit of a fog.  I blame the weather as I haven't used the allergy meds yet.

Lazy night that is not to my liking. Its Monday, my unfun day. Let's hope Tuesday is my good day.

Wednesday and Roll With It

My attention was held by a two-part Dr. Who repeat.  Got up way too early yesterday, and I just had to see the conclusion today.   Those Weeping Angels are a bit odd are they not?  Still I wanted to see more.  I got my fix.   

Been writing on pen and paper this week, trying to organize my thoughts and actions.  It's time to step up my game.  

Been cleaning my apartment a lot too.  TIme to have this place looking like someone is clutter-free.  As my Brother says, "an uncluttered home is an uncluttered mind."  I love that thought.   I have got to clean off my dining room table soon.  It looks a mess.  

Gotta go.  Eye allergies.   UGH!   

Now That I'm Awake...

Now that I'm awake, I've been editing two cinema posts. It's a lot of work.  I still have to get some images of these films since I'm asking people to take note of some scenes. That will happen tomorrow.  I do think they are good posts and they need a little more info to put in there as well.  Should I add the third today?  

Haven't ate a thing yet so I need to do it quickly, or hold off till tomorrow.  

I Wanna Go Back To Sleep

Didn't want to get up this morning.  I'm still tired.  I really want a late start, but that may not do me any good.  Besides, I'm up now.


Made a mental note last night that the garbage has to get out of my apartment today, so that's next on my agenda.

Fiction writing took a little of a back seat today and last night.  My mind was elsewhere.  I don't like that, but it happens.  Made some strides in my nonfiction writing I'm more than happy to discuss.  
 
Managed to get a page of thesis done last night.  Hand wrote out the corrections, and should strive to make the effort to edit the actual page.  Tomorrow I'd love to have four completed pages done.  It's a better start than before, and I love that I have some of the work to show for the research.  

Gotta get to things done.

Looks Like Rain

Well outside looks gloomy, and I'm being as lazy as I wanna.   Watching Hellboy on DVD.  I love this film.  Then again I have an affinity for Gothic stories.  I do think I found my forth review for this week.   I'll be working on this soon.

Will finish watching The Tudors sometime this weekend.  On season two.  I'm a little disappointed that seasons 3 and 4 are not streaming.  They gave me enough to be addicted to.   The first season was fascinating.  My other weakness is costume dramas, which may lead to my fifth review.

Monday Happenings

Monday's can be tricky.  I tend to want to sleep later in the day.  I wondered about my writing today as I haven't done any.  Never to worry.  Wrote  some film reviews that I need to let marinate for a while before I go back and edit them.  They will be on my cinema blog, Several Deadly CINEs soon.   I hate not keeping up with posting, and I'm down for some new CINEs postings.

I'm also needing to get back up with the thesis.  Somewhere between now and the end of the week I need to do a stronger abstract and introduction.  

Working It Out

Today I'm determined to write something new.  Laundry is in the final stages, the floors are mopped, and I need to clean a little more as I mellow out to some songs.  Well I know I gotta make dinner today.  I have yet to eat breakfast.  I'd like some tea to mellow out with and then look at what's on my writing plate.

Last night I scribbled down some ideas, and woke up with some more ideas.  I how I hate that feeling that all of its there and in the vapors of my mind.  I will work it out.