New Year, New Ideas

My writing life seems to have a predictable pattern. And I'm falling into the second half of that cycle this January. While I'm trying to focus most of my attention on finishing what I started for NaNoWriMo in November, I'm also plagued with a lot of new ideas.

I watch a lot of TV shows, but I don't make as much of a point to watch movies on a regular basis. I wanted to correct that, so I've been watching movies on Saturday nights (I know, I'm a wild child). And of course watching just one movie conjured up a big idea in my head for a movie script. I wrote out an outline and hope I don't lose steam on this one because I'm pretty intrigued to see where it goes.

An essay idea also crept up on me in the last couple of days. I think that came from reading Slouching Towards Bethlehem over the past couple of weeks. I'm also in the middle of Ariel, so who knows what kind of poetry is going to hit the paper over the course of the month. But it's all good--new ideas are always welcome. I know that with them I will never suffer writer's block.

When it comes to finished work, I'm trying to push more of those finished ideas out. That poetry chapbook is still sitting around, waiting to find a new home. I've looked at dozens of chapbook contests, and I think I've finally found one that will give me the best chance to get my work out there. The only problem? Entry fees. I have a hard time justifying spending the money just for a sliver of a chance. However, the particular contest that I'm ninety-nine percent sure I'm entering does provide a year's subscription to the journal for paying the entry fee, so I don't feel like I'm totally getting ripped off when I don't win--if I don't win. The real scary part about winning is that they provide five hundred copies of the chapbook to the author. Five hundred. That's a lot, knowing that most would sit around and collect dust.

In the midst of sorting out all of the new writing ideas and submissions, I've also added another reward tier to my Patreon page. At the $15 patron level you will get all of the great benefits that the other levels get (exclusive excerpts, digital ARCs, cover reveals, and more), plus now you can get digital copies of my entire backlist. Right now that includes one book of poetry, one novel, and three novellas--all for $15 a month. If you're interested, you can always sign up as a patron today.

That's what my January looks like. What are you working on this month? 

Holiday Relaxing

I've been having a difficult time relaxing over this holiday weekend. This is the first time in awhile that I really have nothing to do except lounge around for a few days. Reading is nice, but because my eyes are so bad from sitting in front of the computer screen all day, it can quickly take its toll.

So what does a girl with all the time in the world do? She watches DVDs! I've been told that I have an extensive collection of movies and television shows on DVD (like the ones I was looking at here: www.canadapost.ca/shopper/misc-television-movies/sc/3), but to me I know that I am still missing some of my favorites. That's why I've been doing a lot of comparison shopping lately so that I can the most bang for my buck. I'm living on a tighter budget since I only have about 16 months left before I get ready to make that big decision to move--again.

I've found that the more creative I get, the more I use it for evil. How, you ask? Although I find that creativity sparks many projects, I also tend to use my creativity to procrastinate like no other. Which is exactly what I did this weekend. I recently stocked up on DVDs (I tend to go through them quicker than paper towels) so that I could have some entertainment during the cold, harsh winter months. I inadvertently tried to watch all of them this weekend with a mish-mash of Get Smart and Mad Men. Well, I failed at finishing off the DVDs (still on the 1st seasons of both) and I was able to get little done on my novel. But today is a new day and I'm throwing the procrastination monster out the window into the snowdrift that covers my patio. There. Be gone, Procrastination Monster.

Movie Weekend

I finally had a chance to catch up on a few movies this weekend instead of worrying about work or other obligations in my professional life. I have been buying a movie here and there for the past few weeks. This weekend I enjoyed (500) Days of Summer, On Our Merry Way, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, and Bell, Book, and Candle. The only one I didn't particularly enjoy was the X-Files movie. I have been a fan of that show since I was 12 and did not think that the storyline lived up to any sort of a true X-Files mystery. (500) Days of Summer was great because it's smart and funny. The only problem is that I couldn't enjoy it with others. When I tried to watch it with friends or family, they were easily distracted and didn't appreciate the intelligence of the storyline. The two classics I saw on TCM last year and were also better enjoyed alone. While nearly everyone enjoys Jimmy Stewart movies, I think I've pushed it a little too far. I'm quickly acquiring a large Stewart collection. My goal is to have a complete collection of his movies on DVD someday. I just didn't know it would be this big already!!

I guess it's time to leave the fun of movies behind and get back to work. But since there are still a couple of movies coming in the mail, I'm sure I'll be able to schedule another movie marathon soon.

My movie habits

Most of the time, I try to watch movies that are playing on television. But this gets me into a lot of trouble. Most television stations play the same movie week after week. You never have a choice to what you want to watch, so that's why I choose to rent movies on a regular basis.

I used to only rent a movie about once a month because it was such a hassle to go get the movie and take it back to the store before I was charged late fees. But now with BLOCKBUSTER Online Advantage it's a lot easier to work things out. Instead of trying to get someone to drive me to take the movie back, I can just return the movie through the mail. I love this concept, because I hate to bug people to help me out for something as small as returning a rented movie. And since this program has a ton of classic move options, I'm happy with it. But it's also a good way to get me to watch newer releases that I might not have a chance to watch otherwise.

And BLOCKBUSTER offers a ton of options when it comes to customizing the plan you want. You can receive and return DVDs at the store or through the mail. The number of movies depends on your plan, but you can choose to rent as few as just one at a time. It saves gas, time, and money. That's something I'm for.

No Sleep

I really don't need to be up this early. I just went and paid my rent in the overnight box to avoid going into the office. And I have article to make up--already! But by the end of the weekend I should be way ahead, because the number is small. But, I also have to clean the apartment and make cupcakes for a birthday party tomorrow. And in between all of that work and cleaning The Stratton Story is on TCM at 12. And I've only seen it once, so I'm definitely going to watch it again. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a Jimmy Stewart movie.

And I will get to that movie review for New Port South
. I promise! I think I may have to watch it again once more though.

Have a happy Saturday!

Such a great movie

I really feel sad that I watched Lifetime for the second Saturday night in a row, but at least this week the movie was really worth watching. It was The Secret, starring David Duchovny (my favorite) and Olivia Thirlby (definitely becoming a fav). It was so creepy and sad, but I really got into it. So, needless to say really didn't waste the whole night. But seriously-- I'm staying away from Lifetime from now on!!

TCM

I cannot tell you just how much I love my TCM channel. Now I get to watch some of the greatest movies without having to buy them or wish I could buy them. Today was a Henry Fonda marathon, so I caught Stage Struck and Yours, Mine, and Ours. The latter I've seen a dozen times on television when I was little, but this was the first time for Stage Struck and I loved it. But of course this title isn't available on DVD, so I am a little upset about that. But at least I have TCM, which actually plays classic movies like it advertises, instead of tricking you like TVLand or AMC.

One Movie I Can't Wait to See

If you look here: Mulder, Scully believe in 'X-Files' audience (AP), you will know which movie I am anticipating. And taking into account that the last movie I saw in a theater was in January, I can't wait go. And you know... I'll go and see it by myself if I really have to because it is going to be amazing. Just this little tease from the article says it all:

His heart also clearly remains with Scully. They spar just like old times, but they share the most explicit moments of affection in their 15 years together, though still restrained by Hollywood romantic standards.

Yay!! I can't wait.

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My Weekend (and Monday) Movie Review:

JUNO

Well, this is just about the best movie I have seen in awhile. I got a free copy because my mom and dad bought it and didn't like it. I did, although I can definitely see why they didn't. The first fifteen minutes is chocked full of teen one-liners that are almost forced upon you to become the newest catch phrase. But at least (unlike Napoleon Dynamite) there was more to this movie than just quippy dialogue. I love Michael Cera and Ellen Page. The chemistry was there. It was a very believable story. And the song at the end was really the best part.

I AM LEGEND


BORING!!! I cannot believe I sat through that. There were some cute parts with the dog, but Will Smith talking to himself for almost two hours wasn't worth it.

SYRIANA


Okay, I'm going to need someone to explain this movie to me. I didn't have a clue how all the stories connected together or what the the main purpose for even telling those stories. I sat through it, hoping the big payoff would come, but it never did. And George Clooney looked like a dirty old man in the movie.

I just finished watching Meet John Doe about an hour ago. Now, the only time I had ever heard about this movie was when I took a film history class and we were looking at films within their historical contexts. The class was interesting, but I had to get out of it before I failed.

Anyhoo, seeing the whole movie instead of just a ten minute clip put everything in a better perspective. And Gary Cooper is a great leading man. I might have to check out more of his films sometime. The only reason I got my hands on this one is because I get public domain movies on one of my podcasts. I wasn't familiar with Barbara Stanwyck, other than the name, but she didn't do a half bad job either.

Oh, and for anyone who wants to start watching movies on their iPod, a two hour movie drains the battery... completely!

Today was a good day. I had plenty of work to keep me busy and I still got in 4 episodes of I Love Lucy, season 4. Oh! And my chocolate chip muffins are almost ready... excuse for a moment, won't you?


Oh... they look and smell so good! I can't wait to sink my teeth into one of them. Back to my babbling...

I even got to work on my novel (recently renamed 277 Miles) yesterday. I pushed out three chapters. I think I'll try and get at least one more out tonight, if I don't take on any more work. Though I might if it's available. Plus I need to clear my iPod... I think I have three or four movies left on it, plus a few episodes of the Today Show. Better get busy!

Another movie day! I watched Catch and Release, Knocked Up, and Jarhead today. Catch and Release starts out really slow, but you get into it by the end. Knocked Up: I'm sure everyone else has seen it already, but hilarious, as is the standard from that group of writers/actors/directors (who doesn't love Paul Rudd?). Jarhead was decent, though I got really bored because the TV brightness is screwy and the desert scenes (most of the movie) were almost completely white on the screen. Other than that... not much. Laundry. Dishes. More Grammar Girl episodes. I really need a job...

I went with a friend to see Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story last night. Let me just say first that I haven't been to a movie theater in almost three years, so that automatically gives the experience much more to me than it does to everyone else... but, the movie was amazing! Funniest things I've seen all year (all year? ha ha). Though my friend wasn't ready for the breif male nudity we both had a great time. The Apatow Group, apparently as it's known now, turns out great movies. I'll admit I probably haven't seen more than two of them, but the ones I did see deserve praise.

I downloaded two new podcasts last night. I think that brings my total podcast count up to nine podecsts, with 169 episodes unseen, and about 61 new ones downloading. I think I've gone a little podcast crazy. BUT, as I said before my "cable" company screwed me out of CNN, so a podcast is the only way I can watch AC 360. I also like to sleep in now so it is vital that I get the Today Show podcast. The Nightly News podcast I could do without just because I catch it on TV most nights, but sometimes the "cable" searches for its satellite signal and I can't get the station it's on.

But the new ones: VintageToons and Scrubs. Now I'm a little upset: Scrubs isn't downloading. There's a problem. But once I get it, I'll be happy. And you know how much I love to rant and rave about old cartoons being morally high and mighty while still retaining racist and ethnic stereotypes. Ah, the good old days.

I promise my blogs won't always be this boring. I'm just getting a slow start on 2008 and haven't prepared myself enough to blog daily, like I'm trying. And no--it's not a resolution to blog daily. It's a goal. There's a difference.