Thursday, September 27, 2007
One-Third Done!
As of now, I am one third of the way done with the semester at Out of Town University. Woo Hoo! Only 6 more weeks until T'giving break, then classes are over on Dec. 7 or some such thing. And in three weeks, JEB's wedding in Boston!
The ESL class continues to go well, but every day there is some reminder of why it's not the optimal situation. Today, the air con was busted on the 2nd floor of the building where I teach, so the classroom was 85 degrees (not exaggerating). The poor students - I felt bad for them. It was not a pleasant learning or teaching environment.
I've decided to scale down my office hours, form 1-2 instead of 1-3, twice a week. I'm still doing the required hours - and of course on the weeks I have conferences scheduled, I'll be there after 3:00 anyway, and conferencing before class as well. But today I left at 2;00 and it made all the difference in the world, getting home by 3:15. I was able to stop on the way home and get some gourds for the fall window dressing (next to the gargoyle) and some locally grown Concord grapes (Mmmmm, Bitch!).
And now it's time for some food and then to grading. Yipppeeee!
P.S. Ghosthunter's season premiere was on last night. Not bad. Not bad at all.
The ESL class continues to go well, but every day there is some reminder of why it's not the optimal situation. Today, the air con was busted on the 2nd floor of the building where I teach, so the classroom was 85 degrees (not exaggerating). The poor students - I felt bad for them. It was not a pleasant learning or teaching environment.
I've decided to scale down my office hours, form 1-2 instead of 1-3, twice a week. I'm still doing the required hours - and of course on the weeks I have conferences scheduled, I'll be there after 3:00 anyway, and conferencing before class as well. But today I left at 2;00 and it made all the difference in the world, getting home by 3:15. I was able to stop on the way home and get some gourds for the fall window dressing (next to the gargoyle) and some locally grown Concord grapes (Mmmmm, Bitch!).
And now it's time for some food and then to grading. Yipppeeee!
P.S. Ghosthunter's season premiere was on last night. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Eureka/Clean it Up!
I couldn't decide on a title for this post.
1. Eureka: I think I found my way out of the conundrum re: my sci fi script. Woo hoo!
2. Clean it up!: Our dining room and the attached closet are like new. I got rid of all the crap that had accumulated in those spaces - it was starting to look like Sanford and Son in there. I now have a cozy writing desk in the "dining room" area - not used as a dining room, per se.
Complaint of the day: Fucking Salvation Army doesn't take printers or computers older than 5 years old. Can you believe that? My Macasaurus still runs like a top, just needs a modem. Grrr. So now I have the 300 ton Macasaurus in my back seat and I need to find a way to dump it.
1. Eureka: I think I found my way out of the conundrum re: my sci fi script. Woo hoo!
2. Clean it up!: Our dining room and the attached closet are like new. I got rid of all the crap that had accumulated in those spaces - it was starting to look like Sanford and Son in there. I now have a cozy writing desk in the "dining room" area - not used as a dining room, per se.
Complaint of the day: Fucking Salvation Army doesn't take printers or computers older than 5 years old. Can you believe that? My Macasaurus still runs like a top, just needs a modem. Grrr. So now I have the 300 ton Macasaurus in my back seat and I need to find a way to dump it.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
IDidItIDidItIDidIt!
I submitted my short script to BlueCat Screenwriting Lab! In a couple months the results are announced. Fingers crossed.
Some bad news from yesterday, although I'm trying not to over-react. Momazoo went to yet another specialist to get a bone marrow test done. She has protein in her blood, which isn't good. Turns out she has pre- or proto-myeloma cells. These are cells that MAY go into full-blown myeloma (bone cancer) or they may sit there and do nothing for years. I understand that it is very treatable if it does become cancerous, and even better, many people live years with the proto- cells that never develop into cancer. So there is a lot to be hopeful about. I am visiting her on Sunday and will cheer her up by playing Scrabble (at which she will no doubt trounce me).
Yesterday's book ends were pretty awful. Mom's news was the end-of-day book end. The morning started with getting stuck behind a FUCKING IDIOT going 45 in a 55, swerving all over the road, and finally HITTING A CAT when we got into one of the small towns on the way. She didn't slow down, didn't break, didn't even fucking look. She just ran over the cat, which survived to scuttle away somewhere, and kept on going. I was screaming my head off at this stupid woman, leaning on my horn and shaking my fist at her. After a couple blocks she turned left; whether to just continue on to work or to turn around and deal with the chaos she had wrought I don't know.
My class went well, but again, this kind of driving experience on the way to Out Of Town University doesn't do anything to endear the job to my already barnacled heart.
The good thing about yesterday was hanging out with PMP, doing some fun Target shopping, eating take-out Chinese food, drinking shiraz, and lighting the lamp. She and I both needed the bonding time and we're sad that it'll be two weeks until our next outing. I do hope she survived this morning's trip to the gallows.
Time to teach. TGIF.
Some bad news from yesterday, although I'm trying not to over-react. Momazoo went to yet another specialist to get a bone marrow test done. She has protein in her blood, which isn't good. Turns out she has pre- or proto-myeloma cells. These are cells that MAY go into full-blown myeloma (bone cancer) or they may sit there and do nothing for years. I understand that it is very treatable if it does become cancerous, and even better, many people live years with the proto- cells that never develop into cancer. So there is a lot to be hopeful about. I am visiting her on Sunday and will cheer her up by playing Scrabble (at which she will no doubt trounce me).
Yesterday's book ends were pretty awful. Mom's news was the end-of-day book end. The morning started with getting stuck behind a FUCKING IDIOT going 45 in a 55, swerving all over the road, and finally HITTING A CAT when we got into one of the small towns on the way. She didn't slow down, didn't break, didn't even fucking look. She just ran over the cat, which survived to scuttle away somewhere, and kept on going. I was screaming my head off at this stupid woman, leaning on my horn and shaking my fist at her. After a couple blocks she turned left; whether to just continue on to work or to turn around and deal with the chaos she had wrought I don't know.
My class went well, but again, this kind of driving experience on the way to Out Of Town University doesn't do anything to endear the job to my already barnacled heart.
The good thing about yesterday was hanging out with PMP, doing some fun Target shopping, eating take-out Chinese food, drinking shiraz, and lighting the lamp. She and I both needed the bonding time and we're sad that it'll be two weeks until our next outing. I do hope she survived this morning's trip to the gallows.
Time to teach. TGIF.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Week 4
Mid-way through week 4 of the semester. Are we there, yet?
My weekend retreat was fabulous - I wrote, went for walks in the woods and fields, meditated, sat on the patio, played Tai Chi, wrote, read, wrote some more, and got my center back in line.
Coming back was a little hectic but not bad, and of course I came home to Bizarro, so that's the best part!
I have decided to put my sci fi script on the back burner for now. It needs some time to percolate. I am going full throttle on the young adult mystery. I have finished the short script I started last year and will be sending that in to a couple places for competition.
I'm also hell-bent on getting my freelance writing up to speed. It's been much too long since I had anything published.
And a few other irons in the fire which I won't talk about until I have something more concrete to say.
The weather is gorgeous and I am eating it up, yo. Today I'm even wearing a skirt!
Congrats to B. for getting a new job so fast. I truly hope this one is a keeper.
My weekend retreat was fabulous - I wrote, went for walks in the woods and fields, meditated, sat on the patio, played Tai Chi, wrote, read, wrote some more, and got my center back in line.
Coming back was a little hectic but not bad, and of course I came home to Bizarro, so that's the best part!
I have decided to put my sci fi script on the back burner for now. It needs some time to percolate. I am going full throttle on the young adult mystery. I have finished the short script I started last year and will be sending that in to a couple places for competition.
I'm also hell-bent on getting my freelance writing up to speed. It's been much too long since I had anything published.
And a few other irons in the fire which I won't talk about until I have something more concrete to say.
The weather is gorgeous and I am eating it up, yo. Today I'm even wearing a skirt!
Congrats to B. for getting a new job so fast. I truly hope this one is a keeper.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Friday, September 07, 2007
Pondhopper
A former student of mine who is also a friend is in London this semester, doing an internship at CBS Paramount. You can check out her adventures here, and I'll add her to the links on teh sidebar.
Back to the drawing board
So last night I was languishing on the futon, watching SciFi Channel, waiting for Ghosthunters to come on (hey, I drove 3 hours, taught for an hour and a half, and met with 6 students yesterday, and did it all on 5 hours sleep - I deserved a break).
Anyway, there was an episode of SG-1 on, which I've hardly watched save for a few episodes in the last couple seasons. This was an older one I'd never seen before.
The premise of the story (with the usual SG-1 plot of Gould tyranny at stake):
There was an ANCIENT WEAPON.
Called SENTINEL.
That GUARDED THE ENTIRE PLANET BY OBLITERATING ITS ENEMIES.
and it NEEDED A HUMAN OPERATOR/PARTNER TO WORK.
Jeezus F'in Keerist on a pogo stick. Those of you in the know will recognize these elements as coming straight out of my sci fi screenplay that I've been hammering at for awhile now. Down to the f'ing name of the weapon.
It just goes to prove that if I'd gotten off my duff ten years ago and taken myself seriously as a writer, I would have my stuff produced by now. And it also challenges me to write something better, because I know I can, and I damn well need to.
As Bizarro points out, "If SciFi Channel will make a movie called 'Mansquito' then you can definitely get something produced." Not that I'm limiting my horizons to SFC, but it is a very good point to consider when I'm feeling less than optimistic or confident.
Thankfully I have a writing retreat coming up next weekend, and one of my priorities will be to revamp the story elements. Everyone needs a good whack in the jaw once in a while to get the creative muse running at full tilt.
Anyway, there was an episode of SG-1 on, which I've hardly watched save for a few episodes in the last couple seasons. This was an older one I'd never seen before.
The premise of the story (with the usual SG-1 plot of Gould tyranny at stake):
There was an ANCIENT WEAPON.
Called SENTINEL.
That GUARDED THE ENTIRE PLANET BY OBLITERATING ITS ENEMIES.
and it NEEDED A HUMAN OPERATOR/PARTNER TO WORK.
Jeezus F'in Keerist on a pogo stick. Those of you in the know will recognize these elements as coming straight out of my sci fi screenplay that I've been hammering at for awhile now. Down to the f'ing name of the weapon.
It just goes to prove that if I'd gotten off my duff ten years ago and taken myself seriously as a writer, I would have my stuff produced by now. And it also challenges me to write something better, because I know I can, and I damn well need to.
As Bizarro points out, "If SciFi Channel will make a movie called 'Mansquito' then you can definitely get something produced." Not that I'm limiting my horizons to SFC, but it is a very good point to consider when I'm feeling less than optimistic or confident.
Thankfully I have a writing retreat coming up next weekend, and one of my priorities will be to revamp the story elements. Everyone needs a good whack in the jaw once in a while to get the creative muse running at full tilt.
Happy Birthday to PMP!
Here's wishing a fabulous birthday weekend to my PMP! Y'all give her a shout out.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Ruminations
The title of today's post sounds like a bad R&B song from 1969.
Now that this semester is underway, I'm looking to next semester to see where I can cobble a living together. There may be one class to teach in the department I've been working for since last year. MAY being the operative word. Won't know for a while yet.
I've wiggled my way into an exploratory interview next Wed. with the head honcho (honcha - she's a she) in another department at the same college. Who knows if there may be something for me to teach there. Again, MAY being the operative word.
I know - I have to wait and see. But you all know that's not what I do best. Instead of "wait and see" I tend to bull-doze my way through a solution, or jump at the first thing that comes along because I can't stand the limbo. This usually gets me in trouble, or at least gets me in a situation that is less than ideal.
Here's to cultivating patience.
Now that this semester is underway, I'm looking to next semester to see where I can cobble a living together. There may be one class to teach in the department I've been working for since last year. MAY being the operative word. Won't know for a while yet.
I've wiggled my way into an exploratory interview next Wed. with the head honcho (honcha - she's a she) in another department at the same college. Who knows if there may be something for me to teach there. Again, MAY being the operative word.
I know - I have to wait and see. But you all know that's not what I do best. Instead of "wait and see" I tend to bull-doze my way through a solution, or jump at the first thing that comes along because I can't stand the limbo. This usually gets me in trouble, or at least gets me in a situation that is less than ideal.
Here's to cultivating patience.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
My Perfect Office
This is what my office at Out-of-Town-University SHOULD be:
From an hawesome photo group on flickr, In The Year 2000, associated with the guys at Paleo-Future.
From an hawesome photo group on flickr, In The Year 2000, associated with the guys at Paleo-Future.
Onward and Upward
Today I decided to scrap the idea of using my personal laptop on campus at Out-of-Town-University. I keep losing work whenever it crashes, so I brought it home, fired it up, and uninstalled Virex. Or as we say in the Mac world - I dragged it to the trash. So much for that. It's inconvenient not to have a dedicated computer at that job, but I can manage for one semester. Maybe the wheezes at Info Tech can supply a loaner for the semester, who knows.
Great news - I will be returning to Saltonstall for a mini-writing retreat next weekend! Also, I have been informed that Saltonstall is opening up their grant competition for screenwriters. I put a bee in the Director's bonnet about this last spring, and I'm really happy they have included writing for the screen. I am going to apply as soon as those apps are up online! (So don't any of you get any ideas - ha ha.)
The drive on Tues-Thursday continues to be heinous, but a little less so with the iPod and book-on-tape. I'm listening to "Story," famous text on screenwriting by Robert McKee.
Gotta get some work done, here.
Great news - I will be returning to Saltonstall for a mini-writing retreat next weekend! Also, I have been informed that Saltonstall is opening up their grant competition for screenwriters. I put a bee in the Director's bonnet about this last spring, and I'm really happy they have included writing for the screen. I am going to apply as soon as those apps are up online! (So don't any of you get any ideas - ha ha.)
The drive on Tues-Thursday continues to be heinous, but a little less so with the iPod and book-on-tape. I'm listening to "Story," famous text on screenwriting by Robert McKee.
Gotta get some work done, here.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
It' Ain't Over Yet
Remember the fiasco that was my last Wednesday, spent getting my computer "verified" at Out of Town University? In order to do that, it was necessary to get McAfee Virex on my MacBook Pro. Since Wed. my computer has been randomly crashing. I am furious that not only did I waste an entire day on that bullshit, now I live in constant fear that my computer will crash before I hit "save" or "publish." I checked online, and sure enough, OS X and Virex 8.5 are incompatible. It's recommended to downgrade to Virex 7.2 I've written a very forceful email to the computer services people who I wasted hours on the phone with last week, demanding to know whether 7.2 will pass their "verification" process, and furthermore, someone over there who has some experience with Macs is gonna do the install. I'll be goddamned if I'm going to uninstall 8.5 and install 7.2 only to have it fail their CSA verification.
Fuckerz.
Fuckerz.
When You're Right, You're Right
Over the last couple of days I've been brainstorming ways to make this semester a more productive, smoother ride.
Here's what I've come up with:
1. Organize/pack the night before - I can't think straight in the mornings, so it's best to get everything for the following day ready to go the night before, including bags, books, clothes, and at least a plan for lunch.
2. Get up the same time every day even though my schedule is different. on Tues and Thurs I have to leave the house at 7:30 to get to Out of Town University at 9. Wed - Friday I don't have to leave until 8:30 to get a good parking spot around 8:50 at the college. on Monday I have nowhere to be but my own home office, which requires a 5 second walk from any other room in the apartment. I will go bonkers if I try to get up at different times. So for all intents and purposes, I'm up at 6:30 every day.
3. keep a centralized location for everything I have going on, since I have two offices at the two places I teach (although granted, the one at Out of Town U. has nothing but a desk, chairs and some shelves).
4. Write EVERYTHING into my planner. Everything from laundry to grading to time with Momazoo gets scheduled. It borders on neurotic, but otherwise I know I won't get everything done. I need to be flexible when things come up, but at least I need a way to refer to the things that I am responsible for on a daily/weekly basis.
All these things have come to me as good ways to organize my life for the next couple months. Then Bizarro sent me this.
When you're hot, you're hot.
Here's what I've come up with:
1. Organize/pack the night before - I can't think straight in the mornings, so it's best to get everything for the following day ready to go the night before, including bags, books, clothes, and at least a plan for lunch.
2. Get up the same time every day even though my schedule is different. on Tues and Thurs I have to leave the house at 7:30 to get to Out of Town University at 9. Wed - Friday I don't have to leave until 8:30 to get a good parking spot around 8:50 at the college. on Monday I have nowhere to be but my own home office, which requires a 5 second walk from any other room in the apartment. I will go bonkers if I try to get up at different times. So for all intents and purposes, I'm up at 6:30 every day.
3. keep a centralized location for everything I have going on, since I have two offices at the two places I teach (although granted, the one at Out of Town U. has nothing but a desk, chairs and some shelves).
4. Write EVERYTHING into my planner. Everything from laundry to grading to time with Momazoo gets scheduled. It borders on neurotic, but otherwise I know I won't get everything done. I need to be flexible when things come up, but at least I need a way to refer to the things that I am responsible for on a daily/weekly basis.
All these things have come to me as good ways to organize my life for the next couple months. Then Bizarro sent me this.
When you're hot, you're hot.
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