Longing for Longer Posts

In an effort to pump my blogs up once more, I'm looking at longer posts.  Began one already that's over one page long single spaced. It's still in the infant stages, and this time I'm looking for more quotable sources.  Also I'd like to work on a second longer post for film reviews.  One at a time I suppose.  Should keep my notebook ready, just in case I'm inspired.  Also more themed writings.  I've seen several films but let's talk about something specific about them now.  So a new chapter of writing begins.

Looking for ways to use citation and NOT be too long a post.  You see, I'd like for the new cinema post to have a bit more bite than I'm used to writing.  This means looking up sources. If I used them, I want to cite them, but since this is not an academic paper or an article I was wondering how in depth I would need to make the citations.  Certainly I want to give credit where credit is due.

Perhaps if I allude to the sources instead of directly quoting them.  I will for sure include info of the title and info I can for people to look up the parent source. For example, I am referencing the movie, and I do give information on the movies. Why not any essays, articles or books?  This is a work in progress, but I need to make some adjustments to my writing style as my demands increase.  

Decisions, Decisions.

Trying to make this day a productive one. I'm writing for thesis, SDCS, and TLC.  I've run into a wall where I felt my strength was going down. I can't have that.  It makes me feel like I'm not participating in my own success.  It's time to take on the things that I need to get done without fear.  That means making tougher decisions.

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One day I shall learn not to wait until I'm outta clothes to do laundry.  It's too much of a hassle and rather a two day affair.  I stocked up on quarters, but its too expensive to do all of this.  It's time-consuming, yet necessary.  Would it have been so bad to take last week to, say wash all the polo shirts?  I should have doled this out proper.

No need to cry about it now.  I will either take the lesson in hand, or disregard it.  Expect a post sometime soon about how I didn't heed my own advice.  The worst part is the dryer.  Brrrr.  The cost and time is staggering.

That being said, after that its lotsa film-watching time to where I am taking notes to review the material. This shall be coupled with me finding the time to soak these Ribeye steaks in wine, and bake some taters. Somewhere else in this day I will take a few moments to actually write down either some notes or paragraphs for scripts and stories I'd like to complete.  I say a simple paragraph or two in the notebook should be very sufficient.  

Also I've had this kind of desire to want to put together a couple of comic book stories, however, I need to get those stories together.  It's just a pipe dream at the moment.

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.    

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  

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.

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.  

New Black Swan post at SDCS

I realize not everyone reads both of my blogs, but I do post to this and Several Deadly CINEs.  For those not in the know, CINES (or as I call it SDCS) is my Cinema Studies blog.  I created in part to dedicate it to media, while keeping this blog a bit more personal.  

The goal isto update both frequently.   While it won't be planned posts, the updates will be done a lot more frequent.  

So for those a little curious about the Black Swan film, I have the post ready for you to see.

Dreams and Early Start

Woke up early this morning and I remember some kooky dreams.  I'll go write them down cause they felt like they have story potential.  I did make myself go back to bed.  I felt that I should not be so eager to get up and waste precious sleep time.  At first I thought I wasn't going to fall back asleep, but then it happened.

Take that early morning!

I worked on my thesis some more.  It was a paltry display of work effort today, however, I managed to back up my material, so I feel that alone is worth the efforts.  Oh, I need to eat a meal.  I can't live on good thoughts alone.  I may go write and research some more.   I saw a good article on Douglas Sirk I want to read through.   I also have a couple more articles I'd love to read.

The Works Cited page is done, or at least all the info is on one page.  I will need to fine tooth comb this sucker cause I want it to stand out.

Had to run a couple of errands today.  One of them being going to the post office, and I left one of the packages at home.  I am really a hot mess this week.  I think I need to make a list of the things I need done, then work at them.  As it stands I am not organized this week.

The new quarter starts this week.   I really love the rush of new people.  I however know that rush has pros and cons.   Lord help me.    

Halloween: My Life So Far

It's been a busy, busy month and I have yet to slow down and give my blog a decent update. How embarrassing. Well it is Halloween. No, I'm not dressing up in a costume. It is also the start of the film festival in Savannah. It lasts for about a week, and I will see three films. All of which I hope to enjoy. Will keep you posted.

Finals are here, and I have a lot of writing to do. This quarter I have TWO Cinema Studies classes (World Cinema & Narratology) so that's two 15 page papers (thirty pages total). I promise not to stress out. I must retain control for the sake of order.

Was There, Did That

I've been offline for the bulk of the weekend. I decided that there were things I needed to get done that could not be done online. Some of it was simply going outside and enjoying the sunlight. Other parts were cooking (made a vegetarian chili, which turned out good, BTW) and watching films, which is what a CS major does. Currently watching and enjoying Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

The New Academic Adventure

It’s been a hectic week, as classes begun, and I was busy, busy, busy! Kids from all over needed help, and I was there to lend a hand. It’s what I do. It’s who I am! I was worried about my stress levels going up, and they did, but I’ve been in tougher situations before. I’ve dealt with them in a professional manner. I know I can do the same here.

I’ve taken my days off with the proper attitude of relaxing. Stress reduces itself so well. Things fall into place. I am so feeling good. Had Chinese last night. Now way I was cooking. LOL.

Watched a few movies. Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2, Lord of the Rings The Two Towers, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and a few episodes of Teen Titans.

Classes for me also began. It’s not hectic yet, but I’ve got two 15-page papers to deliver. I know I’m gonna be burning the midnight oil on several days. I have to get myself organized or I face the stress of class and work taking over. It’s all about self-control.

Stuck In the Throat

Like a fish out of water, I seem to be out of place as we head into my weekend. Finals are here, and I have yet to put together cogent projects. In fact my mind cannot wrap itself around the concept of working these pages out. I am so mad at this. I need to be prepped and completing projects. I made myself sit down and write, but I feel so limited. So used. So bland. I haven’t even gotten the words on the page yet. How can defeat come before trying?

Several Deadly CINEs

I have a new blog, as the title suggests, called Several Deadly CINEs: My Life in Cinema Studies and Screenwriting. I will keep both blogs going with fresh material.

I want you all to know that the blog you're reading is my personal blog, and CINEs focuses more on my Cinema Studies experiences. Personal can be random, but it remains at its core, a blog about my life.

I'm very excited about the new blog. I hope you will follow it as well.

A Brother Has A Plan

Been thinking of revising my final papers for cinema studies to make the publishable.  Something tells me that a hard worked paper should not lay in a box while no one sees them.  If I can turn the Blade Runner/Metropolis paper into gold I can get the FSM paper and BSD papers in top shape.   My paper writing skills are growing, and I'd like to see myself becomming more proactive with paper writing.   I have a lot more to get done.  At least five more classes (not including the screenwriting and professional writing classes I took or will take.  

The Quarter is Over

Thank goodness, another quarter has passed.  I worked hard on my papers, and I feel the time was well spent.  What is new for me is even though I turned my paper in, I have a strong desire to revise it.  Not in an "its not good enough" way, but rather I have a LOT more to say about this paper.  I want more time.  I met the requirements, BUT I do have a voice that needs to be heard.  Who knew Bram Stoker's Dracula could be so ripe with ideas for me to discuss? 

Disconnected

Been working on my scripts for my "Writing for Comics" class, and I've been failing at the latest story.  My plot is rather boring, and I am so wrapped up in it being acceptable, and worried about keeping my "A" average that I've missed the boat all together.  I've been so preoccupied with getting this story completed that I've stressed myself.  I do hope I can turn this plot around.  After a third draft of my story I feel disconnected.  It's not me writing.  Its me trying to please others.  Why am I backing down from a challenge?    Why am I hiding myself and talent.  I should shine everyday, not somedays. 

I need to be honest with myself.  I have a twisted mind.  Now I'm chaste all of a sudden, like I turned myself into a writing virgin.   My spelling's gotten worse, I feel distracted, and my voice up and left the room.   What happened to me?  Who reflowered me? 

Needless to say I've got to get my third draft, look it over, and make it read like a "Stacy" story or I cannot claim to be writing at all:  I'm just dablling, playing writer.   That can't happen.  I'm far better than that, and I know I have  the chops.  

The Warm Up

I have to keep writing.  I have this paper due and its twelve to fifteen pages.  Needless to say I need to get off my duff and put the time and energy into serving up this paper proper.  The way to start is to write.  I need to put at least five sentences into this entry, and more if possible.   I hope to post several warm ups.  yeah they're filler, but they are writings. 

The music playlist is very ecletic today.    Everything from Mariah Carey's "Can't Let Go," to Meshelle N'Degeocello's "Bitter."  It drowns out the outside world some, allowing me to focus on the task onhand.  

Cinema Studies

I am working on my research paper for my class.  It's on the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  It's an offbeat comedy, and a littly odd to categorize.   Is it a Judd Apatow comedy? Is it a screwball comedy?  Is it a romantic comedy?  If its an Apatow, then it's almost a genre by itself.  If it's the latter two, then it's roots trace back to old Hollywood films.    I got my work cut out for me.  

Midtempo Day

Today has been on the midtempo side with me not getting my feathers ruffled, which is good. Having a bit of nostalgia with me remembering the cartoon, Blackstar. I so want the 13 episodes, which is on DVD. :-)

It stormed like crazy today with rain everywhere. I loathe to think of being trapped out there. I came to work at the time. The rain came down hard, and the wind was raging like crazy. I know I'm not taking the parkway home tonight. Too much rain and curves in the dark.

Did not work on the research paper, but I swear its going to turn into my thesis paper because I keep researching and adding to it. It's nice to find something worth exploring with a deeper prospect.

I'm off to write something, so later folks.