Cart, get behind that horse!

I decided that because I spent so much money on my college text books, it might be a good idea to actually read them. Luckily, I majored in film and not geology.

I'm about halfway through "Zen and the Art of Screenwriting" by William Froug and am wondering why I didn't read it back in 2003. I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

"Zen" has gotten me thinking (which I guess is the purpose of college textbooks) and hopefully soon will get me writing. But, it has had an unexpected result as well.

The book is basically information on writing intermixed with interviews with successful screenwriters. They discuss their trials and tribulations but also their Oscars and other accomplishments.

But back to the trials and tribulations.

A common challenge these screenwriters faced was having their words rewritten and rewritten and rewritten, losing their vision along the way.

Now, I haven't even written a screenplay I'd want to show to anyone. But that hasn't stopped me from panicking that it's going to be completely redone and changed from my creative voice. I caught myself feeling the screenwriter's pain and making it my own. "How could they do this to us?!"

And then I realized, "Oh wait, they didn't do that to me. I haven't even written anything yet!" But when I do and it's been changed from a sweet and witty rom com into a blood and guts action flick, I bet that nice Hollywood paycheck will soften the blow.

Sixth sense

I can find British people anywhere. I'm like a moth to a flame.

Sharks just want to be friends?

Shark Week is over right?

Somebody should tell the sharks.

The ferocious and finned have made several headlines lately. Sharks have been spotted up and down the California coast this week. But there's one headline in particular that has caught my attention:

"Kayaker knocked off boat, comes face to face with great white".

Fisherman Adam Coca was going for a casual paddle in Pigeon Point when a great white decided his kayak would be a tasty snack. Coca escaped unharmed, but my advice? He's gonna need a bigger boat.

What would I do in this situation? If I was paddling along and Jaws knocked me in the water and proceeded to dismantle my boat, something tells me I would panic. Then I would probably play possum and wait to be eaten. I am not going to kid myself, I couldn't outswim a shark. Heck, I couldn't outswim a goldfish.

But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the shark doesn't want to eat me, sweet as I am. If I have learned anything thing from watching Shark Week all these years, it's that sharks aren't maneaters. So why was it attacking a kayak? Trying to get the yacht out of its teeth? Sounds a little fishy to me.

I think I will just avoid sharks until we can get this situation sorted out.

Definition

I am lacking definition.

My body is certainly lacking definition.

Not to mention my love life.

My career? No thank you.

Sometimes this gets me down. But then I remember there is Someone who defines me and I feel a lot better.