I have been doing my writings most everyday. However, I'm too damn busy to post 'em lately. Why am I busy?, you may wonder. Well, we are shooting my short film this weekend. We have our production meeting tomorrow, then shooting Saturday & Sunday, and also Thursday of next week. It's craziness. We'll be using 2 Sony HVR-Z1U HDV cameras, we've got 4 microphones I believe, a Lowell light set, and a hand-made steadycam contraption. My brother Rob will be my director, a co-worker is going to be director of photography, husband Mikey is sound/boom operator dude, and I am producer & writer. Wish us luck!

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 52 Finish the story. Start with: Down by the swamp sat an impatient frog. He hopped from one tree to the next near the swamp's edge. He knew something better had to come alone any moment now. He grew so tired of the dreary swamp life. Far too dark, dreary, and muggy for his taste. He would much rather be in a big field of fresh green grass or even sitting on a hot sandy beach in the tropics. He was meant for bigger and better things. He kept up his tree-to-tree pacing, oblivious to all around him. Out in the murky water, an alligator swam by leisurely. He loved his life. He just couldn't imagine life getting any better. The water was great for hiding. The banks were good for resting and there were so many friends to find here. Every day was a great game of hide 'n seek. Food and friends lurked everywhere. The alligator crept closer to land and noticed a little frog hopping around. Look, the alligator thought, there's some friendly food right now.

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 51 Ah! The classic opener! Finish the story. Start with: Once upon a time there was a scared little girl. She thought no one loved her. And she certainly never thought anyone could. It got so bad sometimes, a leaf blowing in the wind would make her jump, and then she would cry when no one was there to console her. She continued on, every day being scared and being lonely, until one day, a blue-eyed, white-haired fairy princess came to see her. The fair princess scooped the little girl up and told her she was sending her some place where she wouldn't be lonely anymore. When they finally arrived, the fairy princess kissed the little girl on the head and then disappeared. A while later, when the little girl was beginning to lose hope, the fair princess returned. She could not give the little girl away after all. The girl looked up and the princess and began to cry quietly. The fairy princess took her head in her hand and said, "I just didn't think anyone could love you more than I can."

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 5 Write until you fill in the entire shape. There are no lines, allowing you to be creative and free. Start with: The ship's sail towered above me. I kept looking skyward only to see a massive swath of fabric flapping in the wind. I decided to give in and lay on the deck. I stared straight up and caught rays of sun on my face from between the towering wind catchers. Instead of being disappointed by the lack of sky, I decided to take in the soothing noise of the sails struggling to find peace with the wind. It seemed like such an adversarial relationship, yet oddly symbiotic. What would the sails do without the wind except hang limply on their masts. The wind might only blow someone's hair & clothes, but the sails made it more useful. I kicked my sandals off and let them slide around the deck. I had thought this trip would only be about tanning and getting my hair wind blown and dirty. I guess there is more to this sailing thing than meets the eye. I think I'd rather see the fighting love the wind and the sail have. Whoosh, fwip, thwip, poof, umpf, I hear. If I listen closely, I think I can hear them whispering sweet nothings. Shhhhh... LISTEN.

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 4 You are two years old. Write from this perspective. Be childlike! PLAY! Give yourself a name (with the initials C.A.T.): Callonius Aspra Twitter Nickname: Meow Eye color: orange Hair color: orange Favorite food: cucumbers Siblings' names/ages: Fwompa, 12 - Twurtle, 6 How they treat you: Fwompa thinks I'm the Devil's spawn, Twurtle thinks I'm the greatest new toy he's ever received Thoughts on toilet training: It's much easier to have someone clean it up for you. Start with: Here I am stuck in my crib, much like a convict. I see Fwompa sitting on the couch watching TV and painting her toes. She could come get me out of this thing, but I guess that's too much effort. One day I will be her master and she will regret her treatment of me. I could become exactly what she thinks of me. Then she'll truly think of me as the offspring of Satan. I won't get upset. I won't wail. I'll sit here patiently and devise great ways to torture her. First, I may have to wet myself, but it's a small sacrifice. Next, I'll make sure to drop a ferociously rotten bomb. She certainly won't be able to withstand both for too long. Even with the sickening smell of acetone. If I must, I can start a small constant whimper. I won't stop until she gets me. She'll find it far more annoying than a loud siren sort of scream. If I'm lucky. Twurtle will get so upset over all this, he will join in with his own pathetic cry. Then to top it all off, Mom will have to come running to check on her precious Meow. No matter the ending, I will prevail. Take that Satan's spawn's sister.

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 3 Think of a person who really bugs or annoys you. Think of a place you'd like to send this person. Then -- mentally -- send them there! With that in mind, start with: The post card arrived from the moon. When I had my men ship her off so I'd never have to see her again, I never thought they would consider the colony up there. She'll certainly never be able to afford travel back here. You really can't get much better than that. Well, I guess I could hope her gravity boots fail or her atmosphere goes wonky. But short of that, the moon'll do. Hopefully this will be an example to all those like her to watch where they step. Knowing her big mouth and loud opinions, she'll certainly make sure everyone knows who sent her and why. Little does she know, I'm planning on that fact. Make all your moves efficient, that's what I say.

Last night while writing for the day, I started to flip through the pages to peak ahead at some of the future writing exercises. I got to Day 45, and realized it had a Valentine's theme. Then I flipped towards the back of the book and noticed Christmas type stuff. It dawned on me that maybe this was meant to be done starting on January 1st of this year. Then Mike also pointed out to me that it probably was since there were 366 writing exercises, and this is a leap year. So, starting tonight, I will skip ahead to Day 51 so I can match up to themes and whatnot. I will go back and do the missing ones when I feel like doing more than one on any given day or something like that. But, I will post them with their correct "Day" numbers. Mostly for my own knowledge. But I figured I'd warn ya anyway.

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 2 Use each letter as you get to it. Start with: New Year's resolutions make me...

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New Year's resolutions make me want to strangle the person who came up with them in the first place. Every year usually reminds me of what I didn't accomplish the year before. Maybe I should use that as some sort of driving force for the upcoming year. But it just doesn't seem to work that way. Last year, I decided to make some different types of resolutions. Instead of the usual lose weight, workout more, I chose to go a different route. I resolved to be more social, party more, drink more (without getting trashed). I think I was quite successful. I went out with my book club group of friends randomly, and almost every time I was invited. We usually went to sushi houses. Now, I don't generally eat sushi when I'm there. I go for the noodle stuff or teriyaki chicken or something. However, this time I've been more bold. I've tried rolls now. Not that slab of fish on rice deal. These are almost pieces of art. So, I've grown a little this past year in my social ways. It also happened to directly effect my resolution. See, my goal now is to set more realistic goals that won't make me feel like a complete failure if I haven't fully accomplished them.

The Write-Brain Workbook - Day 1 I had to circle 3 words that appealed to me. I chose -- Alabama, Insensitive, Nonsense Then it has to start with: Sometimes I feel just like a gerbil, running around and around on his wheel!

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Sometimes I feel just like a gerbil, running around and around on his wheel! There's nothing creative about that activity. Just jump up on the wheel and get to work. Now, this "work" won't get you anywhere and you'll see no results. Why on earth would you want such nonsense as results? Oh, that must be me being insensitive to the common MAN. We're just supposed to do our daily routine, like automatons and be perfectly content, or at least oblivious to the fact that we're not or there is such a thing. I may have been born in Alabama, but I'm not stupid. I know my own personal gerbil wheel will never make me happy, but at the same time, I'm not going to destroy the wheel. Because, until I find another activity, something has to occupy my time.

Ok, so in an effort to write more and to get used to writing more often, I've started working in the workbook my brother gave me for Christmas. The book is The Write-Brain Workbook. There are 366 exercises to liberate your writing. I'm going to try to do one every day and then repost it here. I'm not totally happy with the first one, but I figure that's the point. Soooo... DON'T YOU JUDGE ME BOY!

Yah, I changed the theme of the site again. I like it.

Here is my latest homework project for my Script to Screen class. I had to film 2 pages of storyboards given to us. I think I've heard whispers of Oscar...

I am just so excited. The City of Austin has announced that their All-in-One Recycling Pilot will finally go LIVE this year! I've been keeping my eye on this, because even my mom's recycling is more flexible than ours. And they don't even have Green Energy there. Gaw.  Anyway, starting in October of 2008, they will begin the 3-month process of getting all of Austin their new 90-gallon (that's big) carts. These new large carts will allow the city to pick up recycling every other week, thus saving on fuel and manpower, and allow Austinites the freedom to recycle more than ever without separating! AND! We'll finally be able to recycle box/cereal board. Keep your eyes out, and get ready to recycle your butt off.