Calling

Spoke to a few peeps on the phone today. It's nice to talk with them. I love being able to communicate with people. Some can talk longer than others, but I enjoyed having that moment. With there was more time off. Time off seems to come and go with the blink of an eye. Thank God the holiday break is upon us. Many people spend days upon days shopping. I just want to relax and visit some family and friends.

Also did some editing for a friend. I have a couple more pages to go so I decided to break it up a little as I have a few other things to take of. Will complete those edits tomorrow.

What's For Dinner?

I'm cooking today. I'm making field peas and rice. Yes, my southern roots are showing. Called my Mom for a few cooking tips. Mom's cooking knowledge and skills really makes food golden. It's truly a treasure to have someone important to give support when needed.

I used simple seasonings: onions (red and yellow), salt, Cayenne pepper, ham, and garlic. Nothing I found too complicated to complete. The one mistake I nearly made was adding the ham too soon. If you let it cook with the peas, it will become tasteless and shred in the pot. Thanks to Mom's for correcting my mistake.

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.

Good morning world!

Waiting for students to catch the bus. Man this drags out. Time is a game. A sad game.

I am hoping to sleep well tonight. I need to have my strength for class and work.

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.

Making a List, Checking it Multiple Times

From last night I went into making my writing list more clearer. Many of the stories/concepts have a sentence or two about what they are, and their genre. I tried making distinctions between screenplay and television show. A couple of them are prose short stories. So far I don't think I'll change the prose stories.

I feel the list and content still needs a LOT of work. Part of me edits for content, the other part begs for clarity. I want to get the tentative protagonists AND antagonists on the list. This may help me see the story better, and develop a stronger plot summary for each potential project.

The Delayed Birthday Post

I wanted to say that life's a little different now. Woke up knowing that I had a lot of things I wanted to get done, and be done with. Want to break away from the old ways of goofing off. For those not in the know, I have two quarters left in graduate school. I'm nervous, excited, scared, and sad at the same time. I'm so scared of the future, yet it makes me happy to know I'm progressing beyond where I was. It makes me scared to take on an unknown chapter in life. It saddens me to know that I will be leaving some things behind.

I keep asking myself, what am I gonna do? How do I handle life now? I know I will be OK, but worrying about it is part of the deal. Gonna pray about this.

I was having one of those moments when I didn’t know what to do with myself. It’s a lazy Saturday. I started the morn with congestion, and I also wanted to make a baked Mac & cheese dish for the first time. Of course, I didn’t have enough ingredients and made a pit stop at the grocery store.

I took some meds for the congestion, forgetting that they make me drowsy and sluggish. I slept through No Country for Old Men, and woke up feeling weak. So now I know what the deal is to my sluggishness.

Watched Law & Order: SVU. Had the feeling the daughter would kill again. She had “damaged” written all over her.

It was Shisho who correlated the economy with the lack of posts among the lot of us. Has anxiety robbed us of our voices? Have we turned to sheeps?

Again I should put mire effort into serious posts. As it stands I fail to impress myself. I need my OCD streak to work for me and get postings on the page.

Interesting: the older I get the less I worry about what others think.

I should have prayed more, as I went to work today with a migraine. Well thank the Lord that the pain went away, and the weekend refreshed me!

I was very stressed and tired. I felt as if I was gonna run down and fall apart from being so busy and needing more sleep. Classes and work have me hopping like mad.

Then the weekend came. I got up late and I simply watched movies and rested my nerves. Didn’t spend any heavy time thinking about much, which of course, meant while I was lying down, a lot of ideas came to me.

So I feel renewed and hope that I can keep the energy I have from the weekend, until I get another weekend to rest.

Q & M

Migraine notwithstanding, Today’s topic is “questions and methodologies.” I find myself asking “what questions do I want answered today?” Now this may seem like a bother, but as a writer I often write on impulse. I’m answering questions I am not fully conscious of. These answers come fourth, but nowhere do I think about where they come from.

Well now I wonder out loud about what I am asking, and how does this affect what I write. Let me start with both my nonfiction and fiction material changes at this point. Why am I writing this blog? What is its purpose in the past and now?

The answers could stun me.

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.

Outside right now enjoying some fresh air. Gotta go open the windows and let some air inside.

Should have wrote more of a blog entry. I have been most lazy. I shall endeavor to write something worth posting. Today I'm loafing on my couch.

I drank water this morning. Not the usual sugar based goodness I crave. Need to write more blog posts. Hope day stays ok.

Stomach growls. Eyes feel heavy. Want to sleep. Need to stay up. Options most annoying.

Does one write to be liked and popular, or does one feel express ideas through words that may not fit the norm.

I have 15 mins before I pick up my new glasses. Very excited. Still waiting for my contacts to arrive.

Gone to the eye doctor for a new pair of glasses. Hadn't worn glasses since mid 2005. I intended to keep it that way but eye allergies make contacts a pain.

Getting my screenplay rewrites on!

Charleston looks nice. We are supposed to ha e a cookout today. I marinated steaks and chicken. We'll see how that goes.

Wrote and did research yesterday. Started a review for the CINEs blog but kept having to stop to help others. Decided on Thai food for lunch.

Having lunch. Wanted to take something from home but I wake up too late to get things done. Last minute cramps my style. Gotta improve my productive time.

Odd. In spite of doing exhaustive papers for finals, I have a need to write more.

Visiting my Grandmom. She's in good spirits. Everyone in Charleston seems busy but I managed to see the right people. I want steak as a reward!

Savannah's traffic gets congested. Felt most irritated took nearly an hour to get from point A to B. Want to go see Inglorious Basterds with my HG.

Clothes drying. Ready to write. Maybe I needed days away from it to form a vision.

It's laundry time and I feel inspired to write today. After doing laundry I will do at least three pages today for my paper. Will do more later in the night.

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?

Its been raining all week, mixing the heat with water to make things all muggy. Not pleased with the outcome. Hungry as can be today. Gonna wolf down a burger!

Yaaaaay! Abstract/paper topic approved! Gonna go some wicked writing this weekend! Gonna be my best paper!

I have a paper topic now and an abstract. Hoping my prof will not gonna reject it (fingers crossed). That way I can get this thing done.

OMG! The car is so hot today! Opening it made me feel like I was baking some clay. Not the best of sensations I'd like to share, but a sensation nonetheless.

Convinced that I need a nap, BUT may not get one as I am busy. Picking up some salad for a meal before working. I feel it will help in the long run.

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.

Edited some of my screenplay while I waited on car repairs. It was a mixed bag of news as the compressor for the AC needs replacing. Big boooo to this.

Car Repairs

For the summer the AC in my car wasn’t working. I didn’t have the money at first to repair it, so I endured many hot days to work and classes. For the record I need circulating air on me. Especially when it rains, and I have to wind the windows up.

Needless to say last week I decided that I would take my car in for an oil change and have the AC looked at. Well that extended to today, and I found out that I need to replace my car’s battery, the belts, and the coolant needs cleaning.

So today this gets done while I type this out. I keep hoping all the AC needs Freon only! PLEASE need freon only. Don’t know how high I can go with the repair bill.

I still need to buy some grocery. I should have made a list which I may do while I wait.

Love August

I need to post, and not the usual five sentences post, but something more significant post.   Needless to say we’re gonna start with the five sentence post as a warm up to life.  It’s the new month, and I want to put some good entries on the map.  Let’s hope between classes and work that I have something to talk about.  You know, that thing called life should be worth discussing.  

Tired...

I needed an online break. Eyes are tired. It bothers me not to read so I will rest.

Really, I think I'm overworking myself, which can be embarrasing.  Still its nice NOT to do anything other than relax.  I feel better now and I'm willing to work on my projects as well.  I have a cover letter to complete. 

Let's hope this new month brings on good vibes. 

Feeling ok. House sprayed for bugs. I am falling back on being tired.

Watches clips from "Strangers in Paradise."

Power's out. Darn it! Hope it will be on by morning.

Top Ten Reasons I Know I Need AC in My Car During This Hot-Ass Summer:

Top Ten Reasons I Know I Need AC in My Car During This Hot-Ass Summer:

1.    The Human Torch died of heat exhaustion while riding shotgun with me.

2.    Iceman melted, prompting a “very special X-Men” comic in which Wolverine & the X-Men trash my ride. 

3.    The devil tapped on my door and told me,  “Why you torturing yourself? Not even Hell’s that hot!”

4.    Dr. Manhattan said he’d rather make out with Laurie’s Mom than sit his blue ass on those hot seats.

5.    My skin tone was like Casper’s before I got into the car.

6.    Went to the pick up some bread and cheese.  Came back home with toast and soup. 

7.    My latest mixed CD straightened itself out.

8.    When I closed my eyes, it was like a day in Baghdad.

9.    I have the worlds most expensive EZ-Bake Oven! 

10.    When I open the windows I can hear the car say “hallelujah!” 

My tummy growls in class. Its got a mind of its own. Damn I'm sleepy too.

Watches "Cloverfield."

Summer Screeenplay Updates!

Still working on my screenplay.   I was happy with getting to page 80 a while back, BUT it’s not finished.  Since I felt like I didn’t have any ideas to finish it, I decided to edit the screenplay for clarity, grammar, and dialogue.  So far I found a couple of characters’ voices.   I’m more than pleased for that.   Learned to C-U-T!   It’s hard but there are lines and scenes I could see that had to go.  Some of the scenes were too long, and went nowhere. 

I can say with these edits I now have ideas about the ending.  I got a lot of work before I get there, however, I know that I can reach the end.   I’m dedicating my weekends to getting at least ten pages done.  So far I got twelve!  I will get at least four more done tomorrow.  If I go over that mark, I am more than happy.  So nervous, excited and petrified about the progress!

Making dinner and then loafing. May finish off this red wine bottle while I wait.

Working on getting organized better. Will make a stronger effort to write more stories. Will post full entries at least twice week. I feel good about this.

Reaches the "don't give a damn" zone! It feels fantastic!

I Was Thinking

I was thinking what are my short and long-term goals?  I do have them, but I never think about them.  I ignore the progress of the goals, and every now and then, I have to remind myself of the things I want to do. 

I need my goals defined so that I can get things done in an efficient manner, as opposed to the carefree, it will fall into place manner I am used to doing.   I need to be able to revise and update all plans as needed. 

So what do I want to do? 

• I want to have my MA before I turn 40.
• Do I want a PhD?
• I need four scripts ready for potential agents.
• I need FYZ finished
• I want the beat outline for TG completed.
• Loose weight/eat healthier
• Get Machismo completed/published
• Create several comics (independent), including expanding the Machismo universe, and all-ages title, and whatever else comes to mind.
• More spirituality in my life.  Update my resume.

I need a meal and to keep my place clean. I'm rather chaotic right now but a little structure won't kill me. Also I I should lay off the fraps.

Feel a little tired today. Would like to veg out with sleep but that won't happen. Need a new pair of pants for work too. My feet hurt.

I am happy that I got some editing in today. Will work on it some more.

Very soon I'm a need a latte or frap. Either one will do.

Got out of bed. Went to class. The day is good so far. Craves a snack and a nap.

Must learn to replace fear with control.

Watching "Play Misty for Me" damn that chick was serious about having that Coke.

Ok its hawt outside and I need to cool down . Forgot to send "Midnight Cowboy" back to Netflix. Will do that on Monday. I need to relax.

Realizes that the DIY method goes hand in hand with making things happen.

Feeling a bit hungry. Decided on salad today. No its not for eating healthy. I simply want to eat my greens.

I am hungry. Getting a meetball sub. Hunger will fade away like a dream.

I don't know what to do with myself. I will have to remedy this ASAP!

I am tired already. Got some homework projects to complete. Its. Ot an all nighter, so it can be done today with no stress. Beside I thought it out ready.

Empire Strikes Back is uncommonly clear on Spike tv today. I'm rather fascinated but will move on.

Don't have much to say. It was hot as I ran errands. Glad I came back home and chilled. Literally. Ate leftovers. RSI NY is on. Drifting into sleep.

Must learn to keep the writing simple & clear from now on.

Break time. Will have a cheesesteak for dinner. Left off the soda as I had a lot of soft drinks today and I need to top off the bottle of water I bought.

Anne Rice II

Let me elaborate outside of a post from my BB.  I loved reading Anne Rice novels.  Then the quality kinda failed.   It got boring to me.  it was time to go as a reader.  At the time I took her books up My family was going through a lot of changes:  My parents separated, and my Mom had cancer.  I needed something to fill my mind.  Rice fit the bill.  The crisis passed, and I still read her books.   All was good.    Then the well dried up.  Nothing of hers enchanted me anymore.   Its not to say she could not write.  i was not feeling the material.  I suppose it happens to all of us.   I don't think I ever found a writer I was willing to read several of their books like I did with Rice Let's see what I read:

• Queen of the Damned
• Tale of the Body Thief
• The Mummy
• Memnoch the Devil
• Pandora
• Belinda
• Violin
  

I tried Armand, Taltos, and Violin, but the magic was gone by then.

Having an Anne Rice moment. I miss reading her books. I used to love them. Drama and supernatural hijinks.

Almost tine to sleep. Thinking of a worthy dvd to fall asleep to. As it stands watching "Turu the Terrible" makes me want to sleep.

Saw Transformers 2 today. Not sure how to digest this film. On one hand its got action, however the plot gets weaker. I'm a bit tired of mindless stories.

Did some editing to one of my scripts. A lot of thought went into eliminating passive verbs and how some scenes played out. Cut out some scenes. Felt good too.

Must not be scared to cut scenes from my scripts.

Just got outta class and I am tired. I will pick up a meal and run on home for a power nap. Its what I need. Will wake up and go to wk. Love a routine.

Wrote a little bit more during my break today. Tried to clear up some scenes. Felt like I am making slow and steady progress. Slowly getting sleepy.

Honesty

Is writing about being honest?  At least to yourself what the story is and about should be honest.  Should there be a claim of innocence or ignorance in the mix. 

Been thinking of a new blog idea. Hope to male it real and seen soon. I'm a dervish of ideas I am.

Its lunch time. Will have a burger and fries. Then chill for a bit before work. Class went well. Hope this quarter will be as smooth.

Day two of classes begins. I am very sleepy. Will take. Power nap later. Today os talk of the new Hollywood cinema. Should be fun.

I am gonna try and get mt power nap on. First day of class is smooth. Ready for next class. For now I must sleep. Almost time for work.

I don't feel like sleeping. Will be working tomorrow so I want a good night's sleep. Will break out the sleepytime tea to push m in the right direction.

Satur-Dazed

It was too hot outside.   I had to do a second errand run for some things to make a dinner today.  I also needed paper goods.  I waited too late to drink something cool.  It seems that when I got home at last, I  was fine up until I felt so sleepy.  I know I wasn't really tired, BUT I felt the touch of sleep all over me.  I fell asleep woke up to make dinner, but I should have bought some water with me.   Made sure to buy some bottled water from the store.   

For dinner I'm having steak, mixed veggies, and sauteed onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers.   I let the steaks marinade last night in a sesame ginger sauce.   When its doen it should be fantastic.   Certainly smells good.   Tried the sesame ginger sause before, so I know that it will be ok.  The one aspect of cooking the steak i refined is not putting too much sause on the mean, and watching the hear carmelize and brun the sause to the pan.   

The line at the bank was tedious. It was hot and tiring. I got what I needed done.

Decided the beard had to go. Shaved it off with no hesitation. It was too unmanageable. It was also getting itchy. I'm glad its off my face.

Blah

I need to relax a bit more.   Time to chill and watch a few movies.  Misplaced a few of my DVD's.  Can't find vol 1 of my Utena DVD.  I'm rather irritated.  Want to see it and now I can't.  At least for the moment.   Feeling a tab bit creative.  Better go grab my notebook.   Currently watching Blade II. 

Storm came through last night. Woke up to thunder and lightning. Made myself get up and unplug the electronics. Replugged this morning.

Should have made a post sooner. Went to work feeling positive. Hot outside. A tour horse pooped on the block. Muggy air carried the smell. Yuck.

I have an appointment today. Don't know how long ut will be, but I'm not worried. Its really hot outside. Its a humid heat I can di without.

I feel like I don't know what to write about today. Its rather sad. Perhaps I need some sleep. Playing music hoping for inspiration.

Camp

Was looking for a definition for this term.  Heard it used a few times, and found it to be a little confusing when some peeps used it.   Got the definition from  Mirriam-Webster online.   BTW the use camp has been used to describe writings and films.  Some of the stories were mine that were being described,  hence my curiosity. 

CAMP:  a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture.

So just looking at this, we see one aspect of my writing.  We know that I have a vivid imagination, and I know how to think outside the box.  Let us see if I can put it all onto the paper.     

Late in the morning a thunderstorm raged outside. There was plenty of thunder, lightning, and hail. Got up and unplugged all the electronics. Went back to bed.

Will try to chill for the rest of the night. It feels good to lay down and relax.

I told someone I wanted to chang my style of dress. She asked me if I had a girlfriend. I don't but the need for change is strong. What has come over me?

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.  

Neglect

How I have failed to keep up with demands of updating this blog, when I was once faithful to it.  Let's do a recap worthy of my time.   I've been doing a lot of writing for classes.  Spec scripts, final papers (which ALL need revisions), scripts for comics, movies, and even looking to work my way back to prose.   So yes, I've been a writing fool.  Don't want to give up on something that has brought me so much pleasure in the past.   Updates should be in order soon.  

I hate waking up early. My internal clock is so off. I hope it restores itself.