Besides a draft that I started a few weeks ago and never published, this will be my only post for the month again. And right this second I don't have much time to do it- I need to go get comics, go to the library, pick up some groceries for the coming week, do some story discussion stuff over at a buddy's place, go to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (which will be great) and then go to a comedy show to round everything out. Augh, too much. I'm trying to cram four days of stuff into two days without going nuts.
I'm probably failing at that.
I've been working hard, doing the security five days a week. The writers room commitment is over, but I still need to actually write the sitcom the whole thing was for. Man, I need to do that. I've got a month, and I'm not sure my characters will work how I want them to.
Alright, I need to get moving.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
Toy drive 2013
I've managed to add shifts to my work schedule. I did this of my own free will, but man do I hate it. I figured, well, I can't have all my eggs in one half-basket*, hoping to stumble upon a fun job that I won't mind doing full time that will pay well enough that I can pay off my debts and move myself forward.
*I know half-basket isn't the phrasing.. I'm suggesting my strategy was even less viable than keeping all your eggs in one basket. Imagine a basket that has been literally chopped in half, and the eggs are always threatening to roll out.
Maybe five or six months will be enough to climb out of this hole?
Six months? Sheesh.
This Christmas I donated much earlier than my usual last minute contribution, I think I picked it up at the Indigo Chapters toy area at the Eaton Center, having been reminded about the whole thing the weekend before by some toy drive people accosting me for a donation at my gym. Though I'd promised to donate after my workout, by the time I finished they were gone, never to be seen again.
Well, wherever I picked it up, I had good options this year. I think I could have gone with either Leonardo, Michelangelo, or Donatello (I'm pretty sure I didn't see Raphael). And the winner was:
Now, my favourite turtle has historically been Donatello, for reasons that I probably don't need to go into yet again. However, this latest incarnation has a slight inferiority complex (from what I've seen) and, more troubling, is his obsessing over this version of April. (I'm not saying it isn't funny or not a good fit for the show, but it takes away from my high personal vision for him)
Contrary to that, they've upped their game with this version of Leo. Gone is the boring brown noser who only had the swords as a redeeming factor- this version is a bit of a daydreamer, borrowing something from Mikey's personality, idolizing the Kirk of the cheesy Star Trek show he watches. He wants to be a hero in the same way we all do- by mimicking our own heroes and trying to grow into something like them.
And that's exactly the kind of thing I'd want the kid who gets this toy to do- daydream a bit, and emulate a heroic attitude.
*I know half-basket isn't the phrasing.. I'm suggesting my strategy was even less viable than keeping all your eggs in one basket. Imagine a basket that has been literally chopped in half, and the eggs are always threatening to roll out.
Maybe five or six months will be enough to climb out of this hole?
Six months? Sheesh.
This Christmas I donated much earlier than my usual last minute contribution, I think I picked it up at the Indigo Chapters toy area at the Eaton Center, having been reminded about the whole thing the weekend before by some toy drive people accosting me for a donation at my gym. Though I'd promised to donate after my workout, by the time I finished they were gone, never to be seen again.
Well, wherever I picked it up, I had good options this year. I think I could have gone with either Leonardo, Michelangelo, or Donatello (I'm pretty sure I didn't see Raphael). And the winner was:
Contrary to that, they've upped their game with this version of Leo. Gone is the boring brown noser who only had the swords as a redeeming factor- this version is a bit of a daydreamer, borrowing something from Mikey's personality, idolizing the Kirk of the cheesy Star Trek show he watches. He wants to be a hero in the same way we all do- by mimicking our own heroes and trying to grow into something like them.
And that's exactly the kind of thing I'd want the kid who gets this toy to do- daydream a bit, and emulate a heroic attitude.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Oneironautics
It's due back at the library today, so I should mention having read "A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming: Mastering the Art of Oneironautics".
The title rather says it all, at least about the books purpose. The actual execution seemed more in line with a pop-self help book. Not a whole lot of useful content.
Though I have become lucid in a dream before- it's pretty rare, but it has happened- I can report I managed to become lucid since reading the book. So whatever other faults I have with it, I have to give it props if, for no other reason, it kept the idea of trying to become lucid in my mind so that it would eventually happen.
But come on, guys, it's a small enough book as is, with some pretty large print. The dream flying tutorial was hardly any use. Wait, let me rephrase that. I wasn't any use.
*Silver the Hedgehog's voice* "It's no use!"
While I'm on the subject of dreams, this morning I dreamed something particularly upsetting, but for once it isn't immediately clear what the whole thing was about. I wasn't me, but some little boy who felt really guilty about taking some money from his job to buy a handful of junky looking garage sale type trinkets.
It was pretty strange. I woke up with tears in my eyes, with no clear understanding of why.
Well, here's to happy dreams in the future.
The title rather says it all, at least about the books purpose. The actual execution seemed more in line with a pop-self help book. Not a whole lot of useful content.
Though I have become lucid in a dream before- it's pretty rare, but it has happened- I can report I managed to become lucid since reading the book. So whatever other faults I have with it, I have to give it props if, for no other reason, it kept the idea of trying to become lucid in my mind so that it would eventually happen.
But come on, guys, it's a small enough book as is, with some pretty large print. The dream flying tutorial was hardly any use. Wait, let me rephrase that. I wasn't any use.
*Silver the Hedgehog's voice* "It's no use!"
While I'm on the subject of dreams, this morning I dreamed something particularly upsetting, but for once it isn't immediately clear what the whole thing was about. I wasn't me, but some little boy who felt really guilty about taking some money from his job to buy a handful of junky looking garage sale type trinkets.
It was pretty strange. I woke up with tears in my eyes, with no clear understanding of why.
Well, here's to happy dreams in the future.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Today's agenda
You'll be happy to know that I have been, true to my word, much more creatively active as of late. That that hasn't translated into blogposts is a shame, but hardly the end of the world.
I ate an entire large bag of harvest cheddar sun chips things last night. And now, awake earlier than usual, my stomach hurts. There may be a correlation.
I aggressively eavesdropped on a conversation to people were having about me. This was more okay than normal, seeing as I was dreaming this- but anyway this dream person described me as "jolly, but unhappy". Again, as this was a dream, the person who ACTUALLY said this is much smarter and more actively involved in my life than the person who appeared to say it.
I've added a number of people to my the facebook friend list. More importantly, last night I was added by someone else, a friend from way back in kindergarten through to grade 5. Crazy right?
I wish my stomach didn't hurt right now. I know, I know. My own fault.
On my agenda for today: watch the Doctor Who serial 'The Caves of Androzani' in preparation for the Doctor's 50th anniversary celebration. I read a list the ranked all the television stories, and this ranked number 1 and it's classic Who (versus NewWho) so I've never seen it before. Also, the google page today has a Doctor related thing-y. Doctor Who really has gotten mainstream. Unless the people working at google are a bunch of nerds. (NERDS!!)
Also, picking up comics.
Also, going to the gym.
Also, showing my 4 page screenplay to the other contestants on the nycmidnight forums and doing some criticing of my competitors work. Whatever you think of my personal story construction skills, I stand by my ability to tear a work to pieces. I'm helpful like that.
I ate an entire large bag of harvest cheddar sun chips things last night. And now, awake earlier than usual, my stomach hurts. There may be a correlation.
I aggressively eavesdropped on a conversation to people were having about me. This was more okay than normal, seeing as I was dreaming this- but anyway this dream person described me as "jolly, but unhappy". Again, as this was a dream, the person who ACTUALLY said this is much smarter and more actively involved in my life than the person who appeared to say it.
I've added a number of people to my the facebook friend list. More importantly, last night I was added by someone else, a friend from way back in kindergarten through to grade 5. Crazy right?
I wish my stomach didn't hurt right now. I know, I know. My own fault.
On my agenda for today: watch the Doctor Who serial 'The Caves of Androzani' in preparation for the Doctor's 50th anniversary celebration. I read a list the ranked all the television stories, and this ranked number 1 and it's classic Who (versus NewWho) so I've never seen it before. Also, the google page today has a Doctor related thing-y. Doctor Who really has gotten mainstream. Unless the people working at google are a bunch of nerds. (NERDS!!)
Also, picking up comics.
Also, going to the gym.
Also, showing my 4 page screenplay to the other contestants on the nycmidnight forums and doing some criticing of my competitors work. Whatever you think of my personal story construction skills, I stand by my ability to tear a work to pieces. I'm helpful like that.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
I need to zip off and go to work, but I realized if I didn't post something RIGHT NOW then I'd be empty a spot for October. UNACCEPTABLE!
(I've got to start watching Adventure Time.)
I ended up reading Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman at the recommendation of a girl at work. She was talking about writing her own novel with flipped perspectives every chapter, and cited this book, the first of a trilogy, as a huge inspiration.
The premise is of a world where white people were slaves and black people in charge, hanging on the Romeo and Juliet relationship between (what's their names... it's been a couple of weeks since I read it... no real time to scour my brain or the book that's right beside me...)
Long story short (sorry) it was atrocious. The story undercuts its own dramatic potential at every turn, raises plot points that are never addressed later- when asked what I thought of the book I said "It depends. Does X,Y, and Z get addressed ever again in the later books?" Her reply was no. Well, why not?! It was juicy stuff! This character had an affair with someone, this one had a secret child 20 years ago, the main white characters have some african blood in them- huge things that could effect the story, but are never brought up again.
The argument was that, well, that's how life is, man. But this isn't life, it's a story being written by someone, who is in control over how this plays out, and the whole endeavor could have been much more rewarding.
Alright, I've gotta head off, but you should be hearing from me much more in November.
(I've got to start watching Adventure Time.)
I ended up reading Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman at the recommendation of a girl at work. She was talking about writing her own novel with flipped perspectives every chapter, and cited this book, the first of a trilogy, as a huge inspiration.
The premise is of a world where white people were slaves and black people in charge, hanging on the Romeo and Juliet relationship between (what's their names... it's been a couple of weeks since I read it... no real time to scour my brain or the book that's right beside me...)
Long story short (sorry) it was atrocious. The story undercuts its own dramatic potential at every turn, raises plot points that are never addressed later- when asked what I thought of the book I said "It depends. Does X,Y, and Z get addressed ever again in the later books?" Her reply was no. Well, why not?! It was juicy stuff! This character had an affair with someone, this one had a secret child 20 years ago, the main white characters have some african blood in them- huge things that could effect the story, but are never brought up again.
The argument was that, well, that's how life is, man. But this isn't life, it's a story being written by someone, who is in control over how this plays out, and the whole endeavor could have been much more rewarding.
Alright, I've gotta head off, but you should be hearing from me much more in November.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Some thoughts on Kick-Ass 2
I sent this to a friend as an e-mail, but I may as well use it here as well.
I've been wanting to drop you a line for a while now, chiefly because of a thought I'd had in regards to Kick-Ass 2. Now, I'm not sure if I've read the comic version of Kick-Ass, though I feel like I have if for no other reason than my familiarity with the art style, and any of your articles on the subject- and while I definitely haven't read Kick-Ass 2, that same feeling of having read it exists, given your articles on it, the movie, etc etc.
NOW, I'm a big fan of the first Kick-Ass movie, I thought it was essentially two very fun, though differently toned, movies mashed together- the movie about a young man that wants to do something positive for his community, and goes out as Kick-Ass, followed by the movie about a world that progressively warps into a cartoonish reality of super heroes, jet packs and bazookas. I had a blast with it! But it's also worth noting that there are at least two key changes in the movie that were overall of a cheerier aspect: first that Katie does end up going out with Kick-Ass, something I find more realistic, a girl, at the very least, being enamoured with a media darling super hero, makes more sense to me than the over the top cruelty of her cutting Dave down in the comic. He's the world's first super hero and everyone loves him- it makes complete sense that she'd be interested in that, in being let in on that world/secret.
And second, the movie keeps the backstory of Big Daddy's wife getting killed, and making it the actual story, as opposed to just the fiction of a delusional comic book fan. While the comic version is darkly funny in a sort of existentialist way, the movie is, crazy as it sounds, the happier version. In this go around, his origin was true, and everything he did made sense. A twisted sense, but more sense than the comic version.
So what's great about Kick-Ass 2, first, is how it sets up the movie to get more in line with how the first comic series ended, allowing them to run the movie based of the second series comic. So, Katie and Dave break up near the beginning, and there was a great line where Hit-Girl is thinking about her father and Kick-Ass just says "you know he was insane, right?" I'd be willing to bet anything that line comes directly from the Kick-Ass 2 comic.
It also follows the first movie's pattern of changing the source material to lighter effect- the two notable examples being how (and you'll, of course, forgive the apparent crudity on my part. The names are what they are.) Motherfucker does NOT kill Colonel Stars and Stripes's dog (with the funny lampshading line "I'm not THAT evil!"), nor does he rape Night Bitch. I'm glad they made these changes, and referring to the latter one, it has been noted that the actor was also glad about the changes.
Anyways, none of this was actually what I wanted to mention to you (whoops..), I had actually been thinking about how the movie didn't focus much on the eponymous Kick-Ass, it was mostly a Hit-Girl/Mean Girls crossover, but one thing we had been given was the scenes with Dave's father, and how he was always working out, and then Dave has that outburst about how it's pointless, no one cares, and that he's going to die un-noticed. A pretty harsh thing to say to ones father, but what eventually hit me was that everything he yelled at his father was far more applicable to himself- most of the movie for Dave is him working out, so he can go out in a secret identity that leaves him an unknown in perilous situations. When I made this connection the outburst was far more forgivable, Dave was, on a certain level, scared about the life he was living, and lashing out at his father.
Although I wish they had spent more time elaborating on this, well, as is the film was being... subtle! That's right- subtlety in a Kick-Ass movie!!
Okay, THAT'S what I wanted to share. Sorry to be long winded!
I hope everything is going well on your end, and enjoy the day!
I've been wanting to drop you a line for a while now, chiefly because of a thought I'd had in regards to Kick-Ass 2. Now, I'm not sure if I've read the comic version of Kick-Ass, though I feel like I have if for no other reason than my familiarity with the art style, and any of your articles on the subject- and while I definitely haven't read Kick-Ass 2, that same feeling of having read it exists, given your articles on it, the movie, etc etc.
NOW, I'm a big fan of the first Kick-Ass movie, I thought it was essentially two very fun, though differently toned, movies mashed together- the movie about a young man that wants to do something positive for his community, and goes out as Kick-Ass, followed by the movie about a world that progressively warps into a cartoonish reality of super heroes, jet packs and bazookas. I had a blast with it! But it's also worth noting that there are at least two key changes in the movie that were overall of a cheerier aspect: first that Katie does end up going out with Kick-Ass, something I find more realistic, a girl, at the very least, being enamoured with a media darling super hero, makes more sense to me than the over the top cruelty of her cutting Dave down in the comic. He's the world's first super hero and everyone loves him- it makes complete sense that she'd be interested in that, in being let in on that world/secret.
And second, the movie keeps the backstory of Big Daddy's wife getting killed, and making it the actual story, as opposed to just the fiction of a delusional comic book fan. While the comic version is darkly funny in a sort of existentialist way, the movie is, crazy as it sounds, the happier version. In this go around, his origin was true, and everything he did made sense. A twisted sense, but more sense than the comic version.
So what's great about Kick-Ass 2, first, is how it sets up the movie to get more in line with how the first comic series ended, allowing them to run the movie based of the second series comic. So, Katie and Dave break up near the beginning, and there was a great line where Hit-Girl is thinking about her father and Kick-Ass just says "you know he was insane, right?" I'd be willing to bet anything that line comes directly from the Kick-Ass 2 comic.
It also follows the first movie's pattern of changing the source material to lighter effect- the two notable examples being how (and you'll, of course, forgive the apparent crudity on my part. The names are what they are.) Motherfucker does NOT kill Colonel Stars and Stripes's dog (with the funny lampshading line "I'm not THAT evil!"), nor does he rape Night Bitch. I'm glad they made these changes, and referring to the latter one, it has been noted that the actor was also glad about the changes.
Anyways, none of this was actually what I wanted to mention to you (whoops..), I had actually been thinking about how the movie didn't focus much on the eponymous Kick-Ass, it was mostly a Hit-Girl/Mean Girls crossover, but one thing we had been given was the scenes with Dave's father, and how he was always working out, and then Dave has that outburst about how it's pointless, no one cares, and that he's going to die un-noticed. A pretty harsh thing to say to ones father, but what eventually hit me was that everything he yelled at his father was far more applicable to himself- most of the movie for Dave is him working out, so he can go out in a secret identity that leaves him an unknown in perilous situations. When I made this connection the outburst was far more forgivable, Dave was, on a certain level, scared about the life he was living, and lashing out at his father.
Although I wish they had spent more time elaborating on this, well, as is the film was being... subtle! That's right- subtlety in a Kick-Ass movie!!
Okay, THAT'S what I wanted to share. Sorry to be long winded!
I hope everything is going well on your end, and enjoy the day!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Most of fan expo 2013
Here's some general fan expo stuff:
I got up much later than I planned to, but I needed the rest after my work days (believe it or not). I stopped by McDonald's on the way down with my brother so I could download these new games for my 3DS (handheld gameboy type deal) so I could collect other peoples 3DS info wirelessly while at the convention... it sounds lame, and it kinda is, but I actually spent most of my time loading these different strangers onto my 3DS. Thankfully I did eventually run out of battery power!
While my favourite part of a comic convention is the panels, I only went to two this year. One on comics for kids, but there were a bunch of little kids in the audience (why was I surprised?) so it was difficult to get much useful info out of it- though the presenters were really cool to the kids.
The second had to do with a sort of new system of pitching an idea to this particular site, where it'd be voted on by the community at large, and the winner gets a dream ticket to develop their idea. Very cool stuff. Naturally I asked a question that weirded the presenters out-- it was slightly off topic, asking about getting psyched for a project that you didn't develop, but I think they thought I was talking about approaching the whole thing without passion for MY OWN ideas. Whoops. Phrasing.
There was another panel, I think it was a drawing panel (something I could always use some help on) but the thing was cancelled! I could have also aimed for the big DC comics "great news about stuff you should soon buy" panels, but I've gotten a bit disillusioned with those guys.
But whilst searching for the Pete Winning table (which was't easy) I passed this one artist alley dude who started off his conversation with "hey, soft sale, no pressure, let me tell you about my book..." and he was nice, so after I found Mike's table (I left a bunch of my stuff with him) I returned, bought his issue #1 and said how much I appreciate the soft sell. (I think that's the phrase, it sounds weird in my head right now, but you know what I mean)
Oh, I forgot to mention how, when I got there so late, I was't exactly relishing standing in line for a ticket (I brought an umbrella for shade- thinking ahead), but before I even got to the lineup a dude yelled that he had a ticket for sale and I was all "SOLD!" Skipped the line! Nice!
The only other newsworthy thing is when I headed over to the lionforge booth. I had no idea what their deal was, but the dude I talked to said it was a platform for online comic sales, so that's pretty pertinent to my interests as well. I was given a coin that could be used as a game token thing, but I even said the that I'd probably hold onto it for the reminder/website to check out later. And it's right beside me right now- it's got a cool stylized lion head design, I like it.
I got up much later than I planned to, but I needed the rest after my work days (believe it or not). I stopped by McDonald's on the way down with my brother so I could download these new games for my 3DS (handheld gameboy type deal) so I could collect other peoples 3DS info wirelessly while at the convention... it sounds lame, and it kinda is, but I actually spent most of my time loading these different strangers onto my 3DS. Thankfully I did eventually run out of battery power!
While my favourite part of a comic convention is the panels, I only went to two this year. One on comics for kids, but there were a bunch of little kids in the audience (why was I surprised?) so it was difficult to get much useful info out of it- though the presenters were really cool to the kids.
The second had to do with a sort of new system of pitching an idea to this particular site, where it'd be voted on by the community at large, and the winner gets a dream ticket to develop their idea. Very cool stuff. Naturally I asked a question that weirded the presenters out-- it was slightly off topic, asking about getting psyched for a project that you didn't develop, but I think they thought I was talking about approaching the whole thing without passion for MY OWN ideas. Whoops. Phrasing.
There was another panel, I think it was a drawing panel (something I could always use some help on) but the thing was cancelled! I could have also aimed for the big DC comics "great news about stuff you should soon buy" panels, but I've gotten a bit disillusioned with those guys.
But whilst searching for the Pete Winning table (which was't easy) I passed this one artist alley dude who started off his conversation with "hey, soft sale, no pressure, let me tell you about my book..." and he was nice, so after I found Mike's table (I left a bunch of my stuff with him) I returned, bought his issue #1 and said how much I appreciate the soft sell. (I think that's the phrase, it sounds weird in my head right now, but you know what I mean)
Oh, I forgot to mention how, when I got there so late, I was't exactly relishing standing in line for a ticket (I brought an umbrella for shade- thinking ahead), but before I even got to the lineup a dude yelled that he had a ticket for sale and I was all "SOLD!" Skipped the line! Nice!
The only other newsworthy thing is when I headed over to the lionforge booth. I had no idea what their deal was, but the dude I talked to said it was a platform for online comic sales, so that's pretty pertinent to my interests as well. I was given a coin that could be used as a game token thing, but I even said the that I'd probably hold onto it for the reminder/website to check out later. And it's right beside me right now- it's got a cool stylized lion head design, I like it.
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