Friday, May 20: Week 42

Okay, so it's been awhile, shoot me. Well, here's the deal, I felt like the novel was slipping away on me, slowly, like a relationship going bad. So, I took a week to sort things out, see some movies (something I haven't done in awhile) and just immerse myself in creative thought. Part of this was brought on by knowing the Star Wars film, "Revenge of the Sith" was opening, and it got me meditating on good ideas poorly executed. I wanted to see if Lucas, who was once a director of real power and intimacy, could tap back into that place in himself and pull this off. As you might guess, part of this interest came from a fear I've been having that my book sucks, and that by extension I suck. But as I dove deeper into writing this week, when I consciously removed all other activities other than reading or viewing films, I felt better about the work I was producing. Other people may hate it, but I'm happy with what's going on the page, and that was an important issue I had to clear up.

And, as Thursday finally rolled around, I did indeed go to see the Star Wars film and though far from great, it showed that there was an intelligence and logical hand driving all three of these prequels and somehow made me feel better that Lucas had done them at all. Episode 3 is far from great, but it doesn't suck, and for some reason that's okay with me. The theater was almost deserted, at the 11:30 show I attended, but there were three boys about 10 or 12 there with light sabers, fighting pitched battles in the isles before the film. I caught myself, not for the first time, fighting the 'old man' reaction of "dang kids makin' a racket" and wonder if these new films have any of the impact on them that "Star Wars" had on me? I remember it well, I was 17 and I went to the State theater in Fairfax (I think with my buddy Scott, but I'm not sure), and the first time they jumped into light speed, it was like somebody ripped off my head. The idea that you could make a good movie out of a pulp idea had simply never occurred to me, and it was like doors opened in my mind that have never shut.

Thursday, May 12: Week 41

Oh man, was I draggin' at the gym today...started off pretty strong, really hit the first 15 sets hard but the rest of the workout and the 40 minutes on the elliptical were like walkin' in tar. Felt great when it was over, but getting to "over" was a like drinkin' molasses with a straw. Watched one of the John Thaw "Inspector Morse" mysteries, goddamn that's an excellent show! I know my anglophile sleeve is showing, but dammit, I've never seen an American production that matches the best of England.

Slow day on the novel, but I think I'm cracking the ice, and should be back in the swing of things tomorrow. Been having some trouble conceptualizing the current scene, but figured most of it out. I need to go back to my two-a-day workout schedule, mostly for the discipline. I've been going to bed later and later, for no good reason, and it's affecting my productivity. And my writing during the gap between workout 1 and 2 tends to be focused. Of course, it's week 41, and I should know if there was a "secret" I'd know it by now. Just need to put my shoulder to the boulder and push.

Wednesday, May 11: Week 41

Pretty useless day, choked on the novel, watched the absolutely hideous "Blade: Trinity", read the first five pages of three novels and couldn't find one I wanted to read. I sent a bunch of emails out to catch up with folks who needed catching up with, spent two or three hours putting together a lobby sign for my friend Ted's band. Very random, very discombobulated day. Spent a good deal of time outside with neighbor Jennifer and the 'hood dogs Lola and Gracie, and also neighbors Matt and Kaitland, who were out enjoying the day. Now that I think of it, it was a nice day, just not a productive day.

Tuesday, May 10: Week 41

Almost killed myself on the way back from the gym today, as it is, I did a good job of jacking up my right leg. I misjudged the gap between a monolithic SUV and the curb, popped the curb with one peddle, shooting my foot off the other which then dropped in front of the other peddle receiving a nice little impact. God, if I ever get old enough to have fragile bones I'll be in the hospital more than the grocery store.

However, the end of the day was illuminated by a visit from Kim, an old colleague who owed me some chow for some very free help I coughed up recently. Man, tasty eats and good company, can't beat it. Doesn't hurt that Kim's easily in the top ten most beautiful women I've ever seen, needless to say she's married. Very annoying! She was headed back to Jersey after dinner, and Mr. Helpful decided I'd drive ahead of her to show her the way out. Unfortunately I was a little less than explicit as to when she should turn, and I sent her on a wild goose chase for the beltway. The only upside is this city is so crisscrossed with circuitous arteries, she was able to get righted pretty quickly, and was on her way none the worse for wear.

Monday, May 9: Week 41

How do people do these friggin' blogs every day? Jesus, it hit me this morning that I hadn't updated this thing in three weeks, and it seemed like yesterday! The books been on hiatus for the last week as I took the time to spend time with my brother Charlie who was in town for a little vacation. Well, "vacation" isn't quite the word, for some reason my bro seems to enjoy doing manual labor when he visits my parents and that's just crazy. We weeded, we mulched, we took trips to the landfill to dump branches. But it's always good to remind yourself why working inside is a good thing, so consider me reminded. Don't know if you come from a big family, but one of the unfortunate dynamics is the eldest (in this case Charlie) heads off to school just when the youngest (yours truly) could use some older brother action. Charlie pretty much set up shop in Colorado from that point forward, so from then on all I got was "visits". And Charlie's a great guy, so I really missed out on some quality time over the years. It was great seeing him again, but it's always too short. Wish I was better at phone communication, but I suck at it.

Anyway, gotta' blast off to the gym, then get back for some writing and drawing. And, for the zillionth time, I'll try to be better about this journal!