This morning, my back went out. Poof, whoosh, and I was down on the kitchen floor! Fortunately, Audrey was in the exersaucer, and Ken was home to pick her up and carry her the rest of the day when needed. Man, it was abrupt and pointed. There would be no negotiating with my lower back muscles and the entire gluteal group. I'd had a little hint of protest from them all a few days ago, but I was feeling all workout-y and drive-around-busy and go-to-this-baby-story-time event-y, go grocery shopping-y, you get the idea. I was really busy most of last week; it kind of surprised me.
Today, was another story. I'm hoping I'll awaken tomorrow to greater functionality.
Many months ago, while I was still pregnant, I alluded to a book idea. I still have the idea. That's all I'm going to say about it, but the fact that the spark is still there is hopeful to me.
Oh, went to a lovely meet and greet at the MN IFP office last Friday. Looks like I'll be teaching some workshops there during their Winter quarter: one on how to conduct auditions, and one on how to write a business plan for an indie feature. Cool!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Class notes
Just back from my writing class. It's called, "Forms of the Essay." I'm pretty jazzed.
On one hand, I get kind of antsy as we all analyze an author's essay; how her sentences are structured, what her word choices were, etc. I think to myself, 'all this analysis is a) sucking the magic out of the work, or b) assigning too much forethought to the author's execution of the piece. Maybe her words just came out the way they did, because that's what she was thinking when she wrote them.' When writing reads effortlessly, I tend to believe that the writer writes effortlessly. Or, maybe that's just the way I'd like the process to work for me! :)
The fact that I feel resistance to these discussions tells me that I probably have something to learn from them. I'm enjoying this class because it's enabling me to free write without getting too tripped up in my head. But, perhaps, after I've generated a bunch of "raw materials," I'll find myself applying some of the techniques we've discussed as I whittle down some finished pieces.
It's lovely to feel all full of ideas.
On one hand, I get kind of antsy as we all analyze an author's essay; how her sentences are structured, what her word choices were, etc. I think to myself, 'all this analysis is a) sucking the magic out of the work, or b) assigning too much forethought to the author's execution of the piece. Maybe her words just came out the way they did, because that's what she was thinking when she wrote them.' When writing reads effortlessly, I tend to believe that the writer writes effortlessly. Or, maybe that's just the way I'd like the process to work for me! :)
The fact that I feel resistance to these discussions tells me that I probably have something to learn from them. I'm enjoying this class because it's enabling me to free write without getting too tripped up in my head. But, perhaps, after I've generated a bunch of "raw materials," I'll find myself applying some of the techniques we've discussed as I whittle down some finished pieces.
It's lovely to feel all full of ideas.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Pumpkin Patch Kid
It's like my brain has erased the how-to info it used to have about how to upload photos to my Mac and then insert them here. Agh. Plus, in the last few weeks (?), iPhoto has updated itself, and now I can't find things in the newfangled fabulousness. Agh, again.
Okay, let's try inserting some pumpkin patch pics here:
Yep, that pic shows we were, indeed, amongst pumpkins.
Here's another one:
Most of the time when Audrey sees the little red light on the camera to prevent "red eye," something like this is the result:
But, here is a keeper:
Okay, let's try inserting some pumpkin patch pics here:
Yep, that pic shows we were, indeed, amongst pumpkins.
Here's another one:
Most of the time when Audrey sees the little red light on the camera to prevent "red eye," something like this is the result:
But, here is a keeper:
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Guess who's six months old today?
Our Little Shmoo was born six calendar months ago. Awwwww. :)
Waiting on Ken to download some little video clips we shot today of her talking. She's also been practicing her coughing -- as in, "ahem" or perhaps, "I say." Cheerio!
Check back shortly.
Waiting on Ken to download some little video clips we shot today of her talking. She's also been practicing her coughing -- as in, "ahem" or perhaps, "I say." Cheerio!
Check back shortly.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
It doesn't have a round door, but it'll do
We signed a lease today on a two-bedroom duplex! We'll be on the main floor. A single woman with two cats lives upstairs. The lease begins Dec. 1.
It did not smell at all like cedar shavings. :)
In fact, although it is small (think our Austin house), it was bright and light and much airier than the other duplex we looked at, described below. Its rent also includes utilities! We'll be setting up/paying for only phone and cable. Coolness. It also has a fenced-in backyard. And, we can park our cars in back, off the alley.
We also went and looked at a two-bedroom apartment this afternoon for comparison. It was several hundred dollars less per month, and had very roomy bedrooms, but it did not include utilities. Plus, the building, itself, was in sore need of new carpets in the hallways (lots of stains) and wallpaper (peeling from the walls). It didn't look scary or anything, just neglected. And, it doesn't have an elevator.
I must say, we were so enthused about the duplex, that the apartment didn't stand much of a chance. :)
Yay for us!
It did not smell at all like cedar shavings. :)
In fact, although it is small (think our Austin house), it was bright and light and much airier than the other duplex we looked at, described below. Its rent also includes utilities! We'll be setting up/paying for only phone and cable. Coolness. It also has a fenced-in backyard. And, we can park our cars in back, off the alley.
We also went and looked at a two-bedroom apartment this afternoon for comparison. It was several hundred dollars less per month, and had very roomy bedrooms, but it did not include utilities. Plus, the building, itself, was in sore need of new carpets in the hallways (lots of stains) and wallpaper (peeling from the walls). It didn't look scary or anything, just neglected. And, it doesn't have an elevator.
I must say, we were so enthused about the duplex, that the apartment didn't stand much of a chance. :)
Yay for us!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Cedar shavings - smells like home?
We looked at a 2-bedroom duplex today. The current occupant lives very messily, and he appears to suffer from either OCD or a hoarding complex, or both. Let's just say there were a LOT of empty cans of orange soda and bottles of Mountain Ice bottled water huddled together in their own large groupings. In fact, the shelf behind the guy's headboard was neatly packed with upright empty plastic water bottles. Oh, and he's into electronics, too. There appeared to be a sound board mixer sitting in the dining nook in the kitchen, and coils of cables, wires, etc. formed little piles in corners -- around the numerous paper grocery bags full of broken down cardboard containers. The whole place had a slight smell of hamster cedar shavings, too. Not really odious, but a little gamey.
We're very tempted to take it.
We have a couple more places to check out in the next couple days, but this duplex is in a location that we're really keen on, and it's in the right price range. The management will clean it up, paint, change/remove carpeting, etc. etc. It also provides for one garage parking space.
Although, the neighbor has a bark-y dog and a 16-year-old son... ever since our Maryland condo experience with the teens downstairs who discovered Master P and the base dial on their stereo, we're a little leery of teeny-bopper neighbors.
On a different note, there's a Half Priced Books store around the corner from the duplex! Picked up some books on toddler development today.
And, finally, got the message tonight from my mom that my stepdad, Tim, came through his surgery successfully and is recovering satisfactorily. Yay!
We're very tempted to take it.
We have a couple more places to check out in the next couple days, but this duplex is in a location that we're really keen on, and it's in the right price range. The management will clean it up, paint, change/remove carpeting, etc. etc. It also provides for one garage parking space.
Although, the neighbor has a bark-y dog and a 16-year-old son... ever since our Maryland condo experience with the teens downstairs who discovered Master P and the base dial on their stereo, we're a little leery of teeny-bopper neighbors.
On a different note, there's a Half Priced Books store around the corner from the duplex! Picked up some books on toddler development today.
And, finally, got the message tonight from my mom that my stepdad, Tim, came through his surgery successfully and is recovering satisfactorily. Yay!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Where o where is my hobbit hole?
Looking for our next dwelling to rent is stressful. Last night, I awakened at 2:30 a.m. to worship the Porcelain God. I'm thinking it was the chicken burrito from Chipotle, but it might've been some stress-related cooties, too? No, now that I think of it, it definitely was the chicken. Okay, so Chipotle is out as a fast food choice for me for, probably, the rest of my adult life.
Before Audrey was born, the most conflict and tension I ever felt with Ken was in looking for and landing upon a house to buy together in Austin. So, here we are in St. Paul, hungrily devouring this neighborhood and that one in drive-by mode, flirting with this listing and that one on Craig's List, and stopping each other short when we abruptly come up upon some miscommunicated preference or priority. Add Baby, and stir.
My stomach's getting oogie again just thinking about it.
I feel this sense of urgency. We signed a lease here at the sublet for three months; but, then there's this line in there about giving 60 days notice of when we plan to leave. There's been "wiggle room" to extend the lease until, say, January 15th, but if we plan to be out of here on or before Dec. 15, we need to send her a note saying so by October 14th. Which is, like, tomorrow or something.
Plus, we don't currently have local phone service, and we only get reception on our cell phones in LITERALLY ONE SPOT in the front left corner of our living room. It does not get better upon going outside in front of the building. In fact, it doesn't improve until we're several blocks away. Sigh. So, if we owe you a phone call, sorry. Phoning out is a pain in the ass right now.
Now, for some hopeful and happy thoughts: I drove by a side-by-side duplex this afternoon in the neighborhood we've targeted. I think the sign had just gone up, b/c I did not find this listing online. It's a 2-bedroom. We're going to view it Thursday afternoon.
Audrey is still gorgeous and fabulous and wonderful. She's "talking" a lot. And, "talking" includes testing the outer acoustical range of her voice with squeals and, my favorite, shrieks.
Ken just set up his computer today, so Grandparents, we're back in WebCamVille when you're ready.
Speaking of grandparents, my stepfather is going in for surgery this Thursday to have his intestines and such pieced back together after his big health crisis in May. Please send him your healing thoughts for the surgery and his recovery! And, lastly, Happy Trails to Dave and Jackie, who are off for the week on a trip. Have fun!
Before Audrey was born, the most conflict and tension I ever felt with Ken was in looking for and landing upon a house to buy together in Austin. So, here we are in St. Paul, hungrily devouring this neighborhood and that one in drive-by mode, flirting with this listing and that one on Craig's List, and stopping each other short when we abruptly come up upon some miscommunicated preference or priority. Add Baby, and stir.
My stomach's getting oogie again just thinking about it.
I feel this sense of urgency. We signed a lease here at the sublet for three months; but, then there's this line in there about giving 60 days notice of when we plan to leave. There's been "wiggle room" to extend the lease until, say, January 15th, but if we plan to be out of here on or before Dec. 15, we need to send her a note saying so by October 14th. Which is, like, tomorrow or something.
Plus, we don't currently have local phone service, and we only get reception on our cell phones in LITERALLY ONE SPOT in the front left corner of our living room. It does not get better upon going outside in front of the building. In fact, it doesn't improve until we're several blocks away. Sigh. So, if we owe you a phone call, sorry. Phoning out is a pain in the ass right now.
Now, for some hopeful and happy thoughts: I drove by a side-by-side duplex this afternoon in the neighborhood we've targeted. I think the sign had just gone up, b/c I did not find this listing online. It's a 2-bedroom. We're going to view it Thursday afternoon.
Audrey is still gorgeous and fabulous and wonderful. She's "talking" a lot. And, "talking" includes testing the outer acoustical range of her voice with squeals and, my favorite, shrieks.
Ken just set up his computer today, so Grandparents, we're back in WebCamVille when you're ready.
Speaking of grandparents, my stepfather is going in for surgery this Thursday to have his intestines and such pieced back together after his big health crisis in May. Please send him your healing thoughts for the surgery and his recovery! And, lastly, Happy Trails to Dave and Jackie, who are off for the week on a trip. Have fun!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The DVD curtain rises...
For those of you have followed my exploits in moviemaking over the years, I'm wildly pleased to direct you here: http://www.jumpingoffbridges.com to check out the DVD release of "jumping off bridges," written and directed by Kat Candler and produced by Stacy Schoolfield and myself.
The site looks all polished and gorgeous, and it's very exciting to click on a link that takes one to a page where one CAN ORDER THE MOVIE for one's very own viewing pleasure!
Kudos to Kat and Stacy and their team in Austin for reaching this terrific milestone.
The site looks all polished and gorgeous, and it's very exciting to click on a link that takes one to a page where one CAN ORDER THE MOVIE for one's very own viewing pleasure!
Kudos to Kat and Stacy and their team in Austin for reaching this terrific milestone.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Our car has been found!
So today (Friday) around 2pm we get a postcard from the St Paul police department saying that our car was found! Yay! The postcard said the car was recovered and impounded THE DAY WE REPORTED IT STOLEN!!!, but they decided it would be best to inform us by postcard two days later!? That's two extra days of impound fees and two extra days of us going crazy changing all our online passwords and making god only knows how many phone calls while standing (not sitting) in the exact one spot in our apartment where we get halfway decent cell service so we could frantically close all our credit card accounts and checking accounts and whatever because all our personal paper records were in the trunk of the car when it was stolen. Really? A postcard was the best way to inform us? I guess they took down our cell phone numbers just in case something REALLY important happened with the case. Sheesh.
OK, OK, at least it was found and the damage didn't sound too bad. But what about our files in the trunk and the baby stroller, and the large cardboard box on the front seat containing we're not sure what? We rushed over to the impound lot and got our first look at the car:
Ouch. They also tore up the steering column and ignition so they could start the car with a screwdriver. But, and this was quite a relief, our files were still in the trunk apparently untouched! However, they ransacked the cardboard box and it appears something is missing, but we're not sure what was in there to begin with - probably a couple of nice Cuisinart pots - no biggie. Thankfully they left the family heirlooms that were in there from Lorie's grandmother. And they took the stroller from the trunk and a jar of baby food. We figure the carjacker was stealing for two. Baby needs a new front bumper!
OK, OK, at least it was found and the damage didn't sound too bad. But what about our files in the trunk and the baby stroller, and the large cardboard box on the front seat containing we're not sure what? We rushed over to the impound lot and got our first look at the car:
Ouch. They also tore up the steering column and ignition so they could start the car with a screwdriver. But, and this was quite a relief, our files were still in the trunk apparently untouched! However, they ransacked the cardboard box and it appears something is missing, but we're not sure what was in there to begin with - probably a couple of nice Cuisinart pots - no biggie. Thankfully they left the family heirlooms that were in there from Lorie's grandmother. And they took the stroller from the trunk and a jar of baby food. We figure the carjacker was stealing for two. Baby needs a new front bumper!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Good news and bad news
The good news is we found a good Vietnamese pho restaurant today, and it's not very far from our apartment.
The bad news is that my car's been stolen.
No, I'm not kidding. Would that I were.
I find it supremely ironic that Ken and I moved here to raise Audrey in a more "wholesome" environment, and last night or this morning, some wholesome St. Paulian hoodlums made off with my '96 Honda Civic.
Mr. Cop said that old Hondas are the most popular vehicles to be stolen around here (I've heard that in D.C., too). The thieves are also known to have master keys to simply and quietly open locked car doors, which ours were. Buicks and Chevys are the next most popular. He said that they'll likely find our car within a couple weeks, if not sooner, probably abandoned in an alley. But, it may be stripped completely...?
To add to the fun, the Honda still had some items in it from our storage container, including two file bins with ALL our important files, past taxes, etc. in the trunk. Yesterday, we went to the storage facility to get some needed items and loaded them up in the POURING RAIN with SCREAMING HYSTERICAL AUDREY in the back seat. Mr. Cop said the thieves would likely ignore items in the car and trunk, but we've canceled all our credit cards, etc. this afternoon.
Pretty damn mind boggling. After all the places all over the country that we've driven that car and/or lived with that car, this is where we were parted from it by criminals?
Don't know, yet, what exactly we'll do next. Will talk with insurance claims person tomorrow re: details; they've been alerted to the police report, but the details person didn't contact me before their close of business today. But, really, I think I'd want another Honda for a car, their hybrid. And, do I really want to get another one while we're still living in this neighborhood and only have access to street parking...!?!?
I can just hear the hoodlums now, "Sweeet, another one!"
The bad news is that my car's been stolen.
No, I'm not kidding. Would that I were.
I find it supremely ironic that Ken and I moved here to raise Audrey in a more "wholesome" environment, and last night or this morning, some wholesome St. Paulian hoodlums made off with my '96 Honda Civic.
Mr. Cop said that old Hondas are the most popular vehicles to be stolen around here (I've heard that in D.C., too). The thieves are also known to have master keys to simply and quietly open locked car doors, which ours were. Buicks and Chevys are the next most popular. He said that they'll likely find our car within a couple weeks, if not sooner, probably abandoned in an alley. But, it may be stripped completely...?
To add to the fun, the Honda still had some items in it from our storage container, including two file bins with ALL our important files, past taxes, etc. in the trunk. Yesterday, we went to the storage facility to get some needed items and loaded them up in the POURING RAIN with SCREAMING HYSTERICAL AUDREY in the back seat. Mr. Cop said the thieves would likely ignore items in the car and trunk, but we've canceled all our credit cards, etc. this afternoon.
Pretty damn mind boggling. After all the places all over the country that we've driven that car and/or lived with that car, this is where we were parted from it by criminals?
Don't know, yet, what exactly we'll do next. Will talk with insurance claims person tomorrow re: details; they've been alerted to the police report, but the details person didn't contact me before their close of business today. But, really, I think I'd want another Honda for a car, their hybrid. And, do I really want to get another one while we're still living in this neighborhood and only have access to street parking...!?!?
I can just hear the hoodlums now, "Sweeet, another one!"
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Now I Don't Feel So Bad About Our Flight
As this sad, mysterious, dead passenger story shows, it could have been a lot worse for me at LAX.
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