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.

Not nice rice

Apparently it's time I faced the facts, I can't cook rice.

I've tried, and failed, several times now and I'm thinking of tossing out the rice cooker.

My first two attempts were with said rice cooker. Should be easy enough right? You just flip the switch and the rice cooks and lets you know when it's done. Well, the cooker gives up too quickly and I'm left with hard, half-cooked grains that get stuck between my teeth.

Tonight I thought, you know what? No need for the rice cooker, I'll just cook it in a pot on the stove. I followed the directions to the T. Ten minutes in, my rice started burning. But, I let it cook for the 50 minutes required by the packaging, and guess what? I was left with hard, over-cooked grains that got stuck between my teeth.

There must be a secret to cooking rice. Maybe someday I'll figure it.

If my teeth don't fall out first.

Starting from scratch

Well, I did it. I got the heck outta Dodge and after couch surfing for the last four weeks, I'm on my way to a new apartment. Please join me in shouting, Hooray!

Little did I know this is where the real headache begins.

It's been a while since I've had an apartment and I have forgotten how much stuff you actually need. Making it worse is that I'm no longer a college student, and so those luxuries I've become accustomed to in the last few years are not ones I'm willing to go without.

Last night, my new roommate (who in fact is an old roommate from said college days) and I planned a supply-shopping trip with excitement. On the list were two of my favorite places besides Europe and Disneyland: IKEA and Target.

IKEA was first on the list. As soon as we entered the doors, we were informed that the massive store would be closing in 30 minutes. Supermarket Sweep commenced.

After a half hour of hemming and hawing and picking up and putting back, we left empty-handed. "Big mistake. Huge," we told IKEA staffers as we departed. (Of course it was out of earshot, but we meant it!) We were ready to spend at least 40 dollars (that's right, 40 dollars!) and they blew it by closing. Ah well, at least there is Target.

At this point our heads were beginning to hurt and our tummies were growling, since we had planned on dining at IKEA and you heard how that turned out. But we braved on.

Indeciveness followed us around like an annoying little sister, but we were determined to have something to show for our shopping trip.

We ended up with some pots and pans, Brita water filter, towels, and a kitchen utensil set that we weren't entirely sure about. Oh and drinking glasses.

All and all, I'd chalk it up to a successful evening. We've barely scratched the surface of the things we need, but if we could just figure out what those things are, I believe we are good to go.

Driving Miss Megan

Driving in the Bay Area brings back not-so-fond memories of driving in Los Angeles.

Last week I found myself unintentionally heading toward San Francisco, when my plan was to go in the completely opposite direction.

At first I blamed Google Maps, and was formulating the angry letter I was going to pen them, but later I realized it was my own fault for not writing down the directions correctly. Hate it when that happens.

Fortunately, I remained calm as cars swarmed the lane for the Bay Bridge I was in, making the wait to cross it longer and longer. I even got an appreciative wave from one guy I let in front of me. (I am a big fan of the appreciative wave.)

So I just waited and waited. Luckily I had some cash to pay the toll, and before I knew it, I was headed into San Francisco. Aaaahhhh!!!!

There was no turning back, unless I wanted to drive into the Bay. So I just kept going. Once I saw some exits, I debated, Left or right, left or right. I opted to go where less people were headed.

Exiting, I swooped back around and headed right back over that bridge. It was a quick trip into the city, and now I know I can get there if I really want to.

They say it's good to face your fears, and in this case, maybe they were right, but it really is my intention to never ever ever drive in that city. (Again.)