I won! I'm done!

Oh YIPPIE-TIE-ONE-ON! I'm done with the crazy script. It won't play anywhere but in my head, most likely. I had to invent all sorts of rediculous stuff to finish it. But now I know I can write a script. Next time I will have a plan or an outline or a least a plot before I start. Wow! Now I can work on that script I've been thinking about for years. I have the confidence to do it. I really love this feeling of being done. I feel great!

Blocked!

It's happened. I have come up against a genuine bit of writer's block. I know what to write and where to go with the plot but I don't want to. So far I've replaced all my wandering jewelry back into it's case, washed the dishes, scrubbed the kitchen counter, lit a fragrant candle in the bedroom, entered all my purchase receipts from the last three days into Quicken (there weren't that many), upgraded iTunes, purchased two tunes, and cleared away all unnecessary peripheral junk from around the computer. Oh, and degaussed the monitor and cleaned away all the dust from it (after first finding the right kind of cloth). Crap. I have written some words. About 300. I still have about 4,000 to go before midnight if I'm to be a Script Frenzy "winner."

It's the winning that's driving all this. I can't lose after winning NaNoWriMo. I must press on. And all that.

Well, maybe if I take a shower and get dressed ... and have a trip to CVS ... and then, maybe ... it's so nice outside, ... sort of

25% Zombie Proof!

25%

I'm just too nice and I'm not into guns and quite possibly I should shoot first and ask questions later. And, come to think of it, I have absolutely no zombie experience what so ever.

My 15 Minutes

The article that mentions my name, quotes me a bit, and talks about Script Frenzy and NaNoWriMo. The online version doesn't have the photo of me, but believe me, you aren't missing a thing.

3 Fools 4 April - not yet totally viewed

My copy came in the mail during the week*. With it came THIS THAT and THE OTHER. I know this is bad, but first thing I must note is that if you have Recent Forgeries you can make it without THIS THAT AND THE OTHER and Coincidence of Memory. There's a lot of overlap. I'm sure there must be other publications of Mr. Mortensen's work that don't have overlap but those three do. On the other hand, 3 Fools 4 April has no overlap.

I haven't viewed the entire DVD yet (it's a CD/DVD set) because I am absorbing it slowly like wine or mead. It's not the sort of thing I can absorb all at once, like, say Van Helsing. I can never take in poetry all at once. I have to read it slowly and reread it. Before I got this set I hadn't heard of or heard Scott Wannberg. He is definitely a highly skilled poet. Around here there's a sort of style that all the poets (with very few exceptions) like to use when they read. It's not like Scott's so that's a good thing. A poem is so personal and all poets shouldn't be reading the same way. I think it's the Richmond rap influence.

So far I've been blown away by Hank Mortensen's reading of "white hot heart." I've watched it twice. After I heard it the first time I had to stop the DVD and go away so I could comprehend what I had heard and felt. The next poem to affect me so strongly was Scott's reading of "kingman run", which is about the death of his mother. It's an emotional and beautiful saga listing all the little details of the journey.

I'm a little disappointed with Viggo's readings. They seem to be in monotone almost like he was just getting through the evening. I'm hoping the remainder of his readings will be more expressive. I find it odd as the readings on Recent Forgeries are so full of feeling and nuance. I will continue to expect a return to something close to that level of emotional revelation as I watch the remainder of the DVD.

I haven't decided if I'll come back when I'm done and give you more of my thoughts. Probably doesn't matter anyway.

*I wish now I hadn't said anything about the handwritten label on my first shipment from Perceval Press. The two shipments since then have had printed labels (in ALL CAPS!!). The hand-written label was quite nice actually and something I expect from small companies: personalization. In fact, every order from Perceval Press should be personalized in some way. At least with a "Thank you for ordering" note (an email is not the same at all). Autographed copies would be lovely. I bought some shareware from Soleau Software (Gem Jam) years ago and got the most enthusiastic letter (signed by the programmer) thanking me for my purchase together with an ink jet print out of their complete catalog. Perceval Press could at least include a "if you like X you might also like X" letter. Oh well. It's not a perfect world is it?

... back to slogging away at the screen play, which looks like it will play only for me. I have little hope that the plot will salvage itself before midnight Saturday.

very very very hard

Just got back from having my picture taken for the Style Weekly article about Script Frenzy that's coming out next week. The photographer took a lot of shots. I hope he got at least one that's not too horrible and doesn't show my batwings. :::sigh::: I am so envious of famous people who can be so nonchalant about the whole thing.

I know that I'm not a square as long as they're not around
but I find it very, very, very, very, very, very hard —Paul McCartney

Song of the Day: Feet in the Clouds

things that bring tears to my eyes

1. The New Apple Mac OS X - Leopard. You must watch the fabulous tour and see the new Finder with stacks, Quick Look, Spaces, totally unbelievable Mail and outrageous iChat backgrounds. But my very favorite: Time Machine. Never lose a file again – ever! And find it easily, too. The only drawback: you need an external drive. No problem. I have one. I'm ready.
2. The New Improved iPhone. The darn thing isn't even released yet and already they've improved it! This tour shows you YouTube. I may throw my computer away, or at least my laptop. If I had one.
3. The Pantone home page flash highlighting 56 new spot colors. It's super "touch" sensitive. I don't know how they did it. It's not just a pattern, it's an algorithm. A new home page is not on the same order of magnitude as the Apple stuff, but even little improvements need to be celebrated. I love the whole Pantone site. It's very smart.
4. MirrorMask (2005) makes me wonder where I've been my whole life and why I wasn't first in line at the theater when this came out. The marketers stupdily missed my demographic completely. Fire the marketers! This is the most innovative movie to come out in this or any century. The story, the plot, the sets, the effects – it's all highly creative and like nothing else anywhere. I don't like horror and don't read Neal Gaiman but there's something in his collaboration with Dave McKean that catalyzes an entirely new reality. One which I not only wish to live in, but to die for and invest in. I may need a 3-day cooling off period.

I guess what's really going on is others knocking themselves out for me. It's so endearing. Ah, yes. I have put the "Queen" in alien drifter.

I don't need a swimming pool.

All I have to do is go outside. The weather is now the way it usually is at the end of July and beginning of August, hot soup. It's like stepping into a steam bath out there. It's really quiet, too. The birds are hiberating, no one is outside. The only other time I see cars parked like this is on Sunday night. Two maniacs are out jogging. Jogging! They'll be sorry.

I'm trying not to think about what August will be like if its like this already. Yikes!

Stalled in 1969

Back from the shadows again... which is where all good entertainers go when they aren't entertaining. Not that I'm an entertainer or anything. Have suddenly realized (or finally admitted) that doing yardwork is not he same as script writing and I must give up one if I am to make it to 20,000 words by midnight on June 30. Somehow 50,000 was easier to achieve because there was more of it and I had to work like a bee to get it done. 20,000 doesn't seem like enough. But that's all bull. I'm just stalled in a flashback and I've lost my way. :::sigh::: I'm going nowhere so I have lots of time to make the word count higher and to remember that new succinct title I came up with.
Current Fads
Listening. Memory Almost Full Paul McCartney; No Title Ten Years After; nightingale and mourning doves; my jazz collection
Watching. starlings, wrens, cardinals, finches; Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Activity. desultory script writing
Gadgets. various Macs
News Source. ain't got no time for news
Reading. The Murder at The Murder at the Mimosa Inn - joan Hess; Self-Editing for Fiction Writers - Renni Browne & Dave King; scriptfrenzy.org; MacWorld; Style Weekly; Fortune; the blogs in my multiverse (Yes, I really am reading them all right now—I'm a reading addict. What can I say?)

and now for something

I woke up this morning from a dream about not getting a flight. I kept looking at my watch as I waited in the airport lounge and kept looking and then suddenly realized it was nearly six and not nearly five. I then went to the ticket counter and told the flight attendant, "I missed my flight." She said, "You sure did, Elaine." and began typing things on a keyboard while she looked at a monitor and smiled. I realized it could all be fixed, that my return fight was still good, if I could just remember where I had put my ticket. Possibly in a locker with my suitcase. I knew that any minute now she was going to ask for it. Had I left it in the car? No, I remembered having it in the airport. Fortunately I woke up.

I've had a lot of dreams like that lately; about losing things. Strange. Usually my dreams are lovely or adventurous. Oh well.

I see Perceval Press has added some fancy flash to the site. Makes it hard to read the news links but it almost fits in a screen now. Also, they've finally posted a list of upcoming books. The sale is still on! Hurry on over. You only have until Sunday.

I was interviewed by Style Weekly today about my participation in Script Frenzy. Nothing like a little attention to get me back on track. Yet here I am assiduously not writing my script. Normal, I think.

Well, I'm off to do that now. Later.

Memory Almost Full

This morning in a TV Interview (an ABC exclusive), Paul was asked about the title of the album being an anagram of "For My Soul Mate LLM." He replied, "Yes. It is." Long pause. "But not one I intended." So there. He's a real practitioner of things meaning whatever you think they mean. As you might already know, he got the title from his cell phone (his message box was almost full).

I've been enjoying the album, DVD and "making of" since yesterday. It's great! There is more unique stuff on the album site (link above). However, the digital insert is a bit of a rip off as it needs to be folded and I am not about to sweat over printing double-sided, cutting and folding. They should have just put the animation into the digital disk instead of the PDF and then put in one page that is a facsimile of the folded cover so you could print and cut that out if you burn an "official" disk. Also missing from the site are a screensaver and a desktop. The screensaver is too much for me but I did make a desktop. Here's a copy for you! It's widescreen so you traditionals will have to adjust. Just click on the image to download.

Naturally I was going to do a real review but instead I'll list my favorite songs: Dance Tonight (should have named it The Mandolin Song), Ever Preset Past, You Tell Me, Vintage Clothes, That Was Me, House of Wax. I don't like Gratitude. It's corny and thin. And I don't like See Your Sunshine. It doesn't sound true somehow.

Don't get me wrong, this album is a real tour de force of McCartney's talent. He can write a song about anything. This album is well worth owning.

Added 6/8: Having written all that, I must add that the two tracks I like the best are from the 2 CD version: In Private and 222. Both are free flowing and fresh. In Private is a collection of syncopated loops synthesized into a sort of strolling flow. There's something Palestrina about it as if Palestrina would make something almost like this if he were composing today. 222 is a sort of continuation of In Private except that now there's a destination for the strolling and it's more like jazz than motets. Reminds me of Soft Machine. In between (trackwise) is Why So Blue which some fans think makes the three tracks a medley. It makes the three tracks a modern rock/pop symphony, if that's what it is. But Why So Blue doesn't seem to fit. It's almost like a pause or interruption. But then I haven't studied classical composition so that may be right on. Anyway, get the 2 CD version. It's worth it.

My Favorite Men

For those of you keen on knowing which actors and other famous men I would consider dating, here's the list. Now, not saying I'm ready to do more than have a first date, mind you. There is no regard for marital status. Here they are in no particular order.

• Viggo Mortensen Artist and poet, good looking, enjoys horses but he smokes. Still I would give him a shot. Especially if the date involved listening to him read his poetry. His acting surprises me. He's unpredictable and very private. Somehow I feel like only I have the key. Intriguing. Ah, sweet mystery!
• Paul McCartney You know I've always had it for The Beatles. And this one is available now, isn't he? A bit too much of a showman for me. I'm afraid I'd never know his secrets. Still, it just one date and I bet it would be fabulous. Especially if he showed me round his studio and played a bunch of instruments. I'd love to talk music.
• Harrison Ford Kind, considerate, collaborative, creative, handsome - what's not to like? I've enjoyed every role he's ever played. My favorites are Indiana Jones and Deckard. This man is deep but open.
• Pierce Brosnan This one had me from "Hello." One look on the small screen was all it took. He was robbed of his full Bond turn - too little, too late. And they hid his greatest asset, his smile.
• Bernard Hill Such rugged good looks and so healthy in an outdoors way. Here's a guy who means what he says and is firm but understanding - a rock. Also, great with horses. Just watch the documentary showing him "getting used to" his horse for LOTR. No doubt who and who's horse was in charge there.
• Nicolas Cage The word "fey" was invented for this man. It was "Moonstruck" that did it for me. Looks good in "National Treasure", too. His voice has such a wide range of expression. Being with him would be quite the ride.
• Hugh Grant This one is on the young end. However, having seen him in "Music and Lyrics" I can see he has the level of maturity I require. It's the posh voice, you know. Also, he must be a real nice guy when he can throw baked beans and everyone thinks its justified.
• Hugh Jackman Just a date. That's all. Nothing serious. He's a bit young but he might do. I think I would just sit and drool. A talented actor who can play some really strong quirky characters very well. I'd like to hear him talk about his acting career.
• Val Kilmer I couldn't take my eyes off of him in "Willow." Didn't recognize him in the next show I saw. Again, just a date. Just to have a conversation. I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to keep up but I would learn a lot.
• Arnold Schwartzenegger Married, I know. But I'm so attracted to Germans. Okay, I know he's Swiss. Same thing. Sort of. Gentle giant. Forget the politics.
• Jeff Bridges A guy who will keep secrets. Sensitive. Lovely voice. Knocked me out in "Starman." He's so comfortable with feelings and very deep.
• Bruce Willis It was "Die Hard" and "The Fifth Element" and then he showed his sensitive side in "The Sixth Sense." And I lived in New Jersey for a year. Somehow that makes us neighbors. Yeah, I guess he is sort of the guy next door, the one that drinks beer and has all the guys over for football.

gumby

i see you twisting
in the visible wind
    following the spirals
   chasing the vanishing pathways
   shrinking and swelling to fit the traces
all that "i am" "i am not" thing happening
are they all blind?
she isn't

i hear the silent anger
of twisting ribbons
   like daggers cutting both ways
   you can't hold them – you can't leave them
no matter where you hide the curlicues
they slash and stab, springs that have sprung
but she doesn't notice

i see you wincing soundlessly
mincing each step
   calculating the cracks
   missing the seams
answering the challenge
to become a personal play dough
but it's not a contest
there are no winners

– Elaine Greywalker

Back in the saddle again ...

 out where everyone's your friend, and the vegetables are so green you can ... oh, sorry. I am after proving yet again that I am totally daft. NaNoWriMo wasn't enough. I am now an instant screenwriter. As I write this, I am up to 1366 words. I was out earlier getting inspiration. Do you know that most of the alternative art galleries in Richmond are closed on Sundays? I ended up at Art Works. Not bad but I would have prefered something a tad more professional. Always gets me going.

Once again I am finding that having a clear goal really focuses my mind. All sorts of things are easier to do, like clean the windows and blog. I also get real eager to socialize. At least I'm writing in between. It is so nice to feel virtuous doing research watching movies and reading scripts. heh heh

That list of mature male movie stars I would like to date and the review of my new water heater will just have to wait.

myth of the happy relationship

I've written about love not being enough and it isn't. Finally it's news. And I'm also right that in the end it's just two old people in a room. That's what you have to deal with. With warts on.