Leaping into March

Okay, so today is Leap Day, that weird extra day we get every four years. It's an intercalary day (like my big fancy word? yes, I had to look it up) that we add periodically to adjust the Gregorian calendar. February is the strange month anyway (why is it so dang short?) so we add it here. Leap day sucks for people born on February 29th since they only get a birthday every four years and apparently most websites won't let you register since a lot of them don't recognize 2/29 as a valid day. It is good, however, for guys who get married on Leap Day since they only have to remember an anniversary every four years.

One of the longest standing Leap Day traditions, going back to at least the thirteenth century (yes, I had to look it up) is that on this day women are allowed to propose to men. Okay, it's the 21st century now and women can now propose anytime they want but for a long time they couldn't and so Leap Day became the great equalizer. I wonder how many guys back then found a way to be 'out of town' on Leap Day? Of course, men could always say no, but if they did they had to pay a kind of 'consolation gift' to soften the blow. This could be a kiss, money or a silk gown. Not a bad deal, actually.

Of course today we aren't nearly so archaic. Today we celebrate this most unusual of days by getting free McSkillet Burrito's at McDonald's (during breakfast hours only, with the purchase of a large beverage, so you'd better hurry) or the big "Leap Year Mattress Sale" at RC Willey. Much more civilized. But I like the idea of Leap day being a kind of "Opposite Day'.

So, in the spirit of Leap Day's past, I would like to take this time to formally propose to actor Owen Wilson. Yeah, I know, you'll probably say no. So contact me and I'll let you know where to send my consolation prize.

Why?

Okay, so I wrote some lyrics yesterday. Why? I have no idea. I'm not a lyricist and I certainly don't know how to write music. But this 'song' and the words kept playing in my head so I wrote it down. Part of the 'year of writing dangerously' is to examine the creative process and do what feels natural as a writer. So here are the lyrics to the song that was floating around in my head. I wish you could hear the music that goes with it but short of jumping into my brain I don't know how that can happen. So, think of it as a weird poem, I guess. And if anyone knows someone who wants to set it to music, let me know!

I think I miss me
I'm not the girl I used to be
I was a poet, and a painter
But you thought that I should try
To put my foolish dreams aside

I think I lost me
When I found you
I'm not blaming anyone
But it's time for me to run
And find the me I used to know
The girl I was so long ago

You thought you'd fix me
And for a while I didn't see
But I think we can agree
I wasn't broken
Just not what you had in mind
To make your perfect kind of life

I need a partner
To stand beside me
Not in front of
Or behind me
Who believes in what I am
And wouldn't want to change my plan

I think I lost me
When I found you
I'm not blaming anyone
But It's time for me to run
And find the me I used to know
The one I was so long ago

Hump Day

Boy, does that phrase have multiple meanings or what? Hump Day. Sorry, it just makes me laugh. (And brings to mind my little dog, Java, trying to assert her dominance over her much taller and heavier cousin, Pax.) Hope you have a good hump day as you cruise on to the end of the week.

Week Two

Okay, I'll be honest. It still feels like I'm playing hooky. Don't get me wrong, I've been working, writing these two daily blogs, working on my scripts, re-writing another, trying to find networking opportunities, etc. But I still feel a bit like someone is going to be calling me, wondering why the hell I'm not at the office. And I miss the daily interaction with my friends at work. So I'm still tweaking my schedule, trying to find put what is going to work the best for me. And I'm making and sticking to my 'Do' lists so that I stay on track. The deadline for the Nicholl Fellowship is May 1st so I need to have my re-write and another script done by then. So it's back to work for me (and probably for you) so thanks for checking in. See you soon!

And the Oscar Goes To....

Okay, last night was one of my favorite nights of the year, the Academy Awards. I though Jon Stewart did a great job. His opening monologue was funny but he kept the show tight and I though it was quite nice. I was a little disappointed in the fact that Americans seemed highly under represented - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Suporting Actress all went to Europeans. I think they are great actors but c'mon, not one American?

Let's talk fashion for a brief moment. Helen Mirren looked FABULOUS, proving that an older woman can be elegant and sexy at the same time. I loved her ruby dress with the glittering sleeves. Worst look has to go to Tilda Swinton. What in the hell was she thinking?!? She looked like an androgenous alien wearing a garbage bag with one armhole cut out. I couldn't figure out if it was a dress or some weird performance art piece (you know, like the ones where the artist emerges from a bag to represent some rebirth bulls@#t). Her stylist (and her makeup artist and her hair stylist/colorist) should all be taken out an summarily shot. It was really, really bad, like beyond that swan outfit Bjork wore one year.

I was really wondering where Ben Affleck was. Jennifer Garner was there, sitting next to Casey Affleck but no Ben. His brother was nominated for an award, his wife was presenting an he couldn't even show up? I think it was way wrong of the Academy to not nominate him for Best Adapted Screenplay but still, he could have showed up. He could do Jimmy Kimmel for cryin' out loud but not show up for the big show? Ben, I'm dissapointed in you. Even Owen Wilson showed up and you have had a much better year than he has. And I'm not buying the 'someone had to stay home with Violet' story. Hire a babysitter.

My least favorite moment was when Diablo Cody won for Best Original Screenplay. It wasn't because I didn't think she deserved to win, I loved "Juno" and thought it was a terrifically witty and thoughtful film. But Diablo (I'm hoping that Diablo Cody was just her stripper name, not the one her parents gave her) seemed manic throughout her speech and honestly, I though she was really disingenious. She seemed to 'tear up' at the end of her speech when she thanked her family but as soon as she turned away she looked almost angry. She grabbed the envelope from Harrison Ford and sort of stomped off stage. I thought it made the whole speech look faked. One reviewer of the Oscars though she looked glum and wondered if Harrison Ford was taking her to detention instead of just winning an Oscar. If it had been me, I would have been jumping through the roof (an award AND Indiana Jones, it don't get much better than that!) To all future winners, just remember that the cameras are ALWAYS watching.

My favorite moment of the night was when Jon Stewart let Marketa Irglova come back and finish her acceptance speech. I was delighted to see Glen Hansard and Marketa win for Best Original Song (restoring my faith in the Academy) and not just because now I can say I have hung out with two Oscar winners but because it as a great song from a great film that truly deserved to win. But Glen's exuberance led to Marketa's portion being cut off by the band once his thirty seconds was up. Jon brought Marketa back out after the commercial break to take her moment in the spotlight. Not only as that well done of Jon, but it was one of the most touching speeches of the evening.

I watch the Oscars not only to celebrate the movies and see my favorite celebrities, but to reinforce my dreams of making movies and writing good films. I look to many of the winners for inspiration. So I'd like to thank Marketa for the words in her speech that I will look back and reflect upon in the days ahead as I struggle to reach my dreams.

"This is proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up." -Marketa Irglova

Thanks and fair play to you too.

Friday With No Meaning

Friday is a day that has always had some kind of connotation. It is the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. It was that way when I was in school, you looked forward to Friday because school was going to be out and Friday night was the night I hung out with my friends and went to the football game or to the movies. For the last seven years I have worked a Monday through Friday job with weekends off and Fridays again took on the significance of being the end of the long week. Fridays always seemed a bit more relaxed, as though everyone were mentally winding down. But now that I'm a self-employed writer, Fridays don't seem as important as they once were. Yes, tomorrow will still be Saturday, but I'm still planning on writing, and because of my less structured environment I can do whatever I need to do any day I want to do it. So Friday doesn't seem as large and, frankly, as fun as it used to be. On the other hand, maybe Mondays won't suck as bad as they used to. I'll have to let you know.

For those who were concerned about the situation in Wells after my last post, George and Marina Yan are fine as are their home and businesses. Their television didn't survive however as it was thrown from the entertainment center during the quake. Services will be private.

Keep an eye out on www.smidgits.com for the new series, The Jerseynaut, which I have co-written and directed. It;s a quick and funny new series and Jimmy Germano is hilarious. You go, Jimmy G! It has been awesome working with such a talented actor and as always such an amazing creative group.

Earthquake in Wells

There was a 6.3 earhtquake this morning centered around Wells, Nevada. My friend Tina has parents who live and own businesses in the area (in fact, her Dad is the former mayor). I haven't heard if everything is okay yet but my thoughts and prayers are with them.

I love the stories that Tina tells about growing up in this tiny town pretty much in the middle of nowhere. But even I get confused sometimes and I remember her telling me about one time when they were in Chinatown. I thought it was strange that they had a Chinatown section of Wells, since not only is Wells small in population but the Yan family was the only asian family in the area. I just assumed that wherever there was a Yan in Wells, that was where Chinatown was at the moment. She looked at me quite strangely and said, "Shae, the name of my family's restaurant IS Chinatown." Duh!

I also like the story about her delivering food from the family restaurant to the local brothel to a large black prositute named Peaches. There is a sitcom there, I know it.

I hope the Yan's, Wells and Chinatown are all okay.

Day Two

Day One went fine, I got 10 pages written of my new screenplay. I had trouble getting my motor started (it's a little intimidating when the page is completely blank) but once I got going it came prety smoothly. Today I will continue on that screenplay as well as starting work on my second blog, Gourmand-Girl, which will be about all things food. (Don't fret, there will still be some recipes and food discussion here, but for a more in depth food analysis, history, etc. go to www.gourmand-girl.blogspot.com) I am also looking into writer's groups so that I can start to network, cuz I need an agent!

In other news, Fidel Castro is stepping down as President of Cuba becuase he's 150 years old and tired of being the last Communist dictator dammit! Completely irrelevant to my writing but a victory for democracy. Have some ropa vieja to celebrate. See you tomorrow!

Day One

Okay, I've started my 'job' as a full time writer. So I woke up (with an alarm, just like with my previous job), worked out, ate breakfast and now I am sitting at my computer writing this. Hey, writing is writing, right? Blogs count, especially since it's a way of getting me to write something every day. Seriously, I have 3 great ideas for what to write but I'm a little scared to actually get started. I mean, what if I can't do this? I have been dreaming and planning and hoping for this day to come and what if it is all for nothing? Aughhhhhhh! Breathe Shae, just breathe. Okay, panic attack averted for this morning. Now I have to go start a script. See you all tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the First Day of the Rest of My Life

Okay, here was the dilemma as I begin my writing life. Do I start today, or, because today is a holiday and it would have been my day off at my "real" job, do I start tomorrow?
I wanted a day off (I didn't sleep well last night) so I'm opting to begin my new 'job' tomorrow but today I'm organizing my workspace, getting used to my new computer (I bought a new iMac, love, love, love it - and I now have high speed internet at home, hasta la vista dial up), installing my screenwriting software, etc., paying bills with the last paycheck I'll have for a while, etc.
So, for those that care, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Today is a vacation day. Thank you, Mr. Presidents.

And So It Begins

The "Year of Writing Dangerously" has begun. Yesterday was one of the toughest days of my life when I had to say goodbye to my friends and collegues at the greatest job I ever had. Yes, I bawled like a newborn as I packed up my office to start what I now think of as an 'experiment in terror'. I have moved in with my mother and grandmother (a truly strange episode of the Golden Girls), quit my job and am now a full time writer and filmmaker (currently unemployed). Aughhhhhhh! What was I thinking?!? I had safety, security, medical insurance and a 401(k)! Now I have a Pilot G2 pen, a stack of blank paper, a gazillion ideas in my head that I now have to WRITE DOWN and just about enough in savings that while I won't starve to death I'll probably be existing on a lot of ramen noodles and day old bread. All in the name of 'pursuing my dream'. Okay, I'm scared but determined. I don't want this year to be a mistake so I'm going to hunker down and fulfill my destiny...what that destiny may be has yet to be revealed. Stay tuned dear readers, because the life on the ledge just became a life on a teeny tiny wafer thin ledge. Can she do it?

The Sweetest Day of the Year

It’s my favorite holiday. Life is truly sweet on this most special of holidays. Yes people, my favorite day of the year is February…..15th. Yup, the day after Valentine’s Day. No sappy cards, no wilted overpriced flowers, just candy – at 50% off. Life is good.

Happy Day After Valentine’s Day!