Wow, does spring cleaning make me want to blog? I was doing yard work again yesterday, then decided that the book I was reading was inspiring a blog, and now I've blogged.
I wrote a blog for the MHP site, but I decided to put in a link to this one, since it predates MHP by 2 years or so (just to prove that I've actually been doing this, even if not that routinely, for a while).
Now, what does this have to do with Happiness. Well, I'm reading the Happiness Project by Grechen Rubin for a research project. I'm so excited to be doing a research project! I've bought a ton of books and even have a partner! Really the last thing I needed was another project, but this idea has been brewing for YEARS and it's finally started developing. There is so much to accomplish this year for MHP, and my family!
Hopefully I'll be back soon (or like usual 6 months from now)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The universe did you a favor today
Just as I came into the house after doing yard work, the universe decided to make me pay for the battle I had just fought against chaos. It decided that I had to write. First I noticed the workshop pamphlet in the mail had a "How to Blog" class listed. Then I realized "Your life is now" was playing on iTunes. Finally the overwhelming urge to sit (after 5 hours of yard work) came upon me. So I gave in.
I think I brought this up last time I wrote, but it's been a year since I actually walked away from UCLA. I'm going to have to start thinking of a new catch phrase other than "A year ago I was a researcher". That's not going to cut it anymore. Not that most Hollywood types would know or care. So much B.S. is flung it's almost hard to know what is real. But...I guess the people who know what they are doing can tell the shit from what is legit. Last year at my internship at a production company, I sat in on a call from another producer that was trying to get financing. He was doing a peacock preening type dance over the phone, and on my end we were just stopping short of rolling our eyes. Even me, who hadn't seen this display yet. But after a few minutes, his display was up, and he was bending over. Sorry to mix metaphors, but I don't know what I peacock would do if he got dominated by another male. He was groveling, begging, giving in. Now that I've actually described the story, it seems that a lot of business is done this way. Or maybe that is just how men do business. Women were always treated differently; with mutual respect whether they were on the phone or had come to a meeting in the office. Now, that is probably just this particular company. Because I know from experience that we are often talked down to and thought to be either sexual objects or just plain dumb. That is part of my M.O. by the way. I look younger, and seem cuter and more naive than I really am. I may be new to this industry, but I've made it through one of the most grueling educational rights of passage that there is. I've made hard decisions and am reminded routinely that I may have to do all this from a wheelchair sooner or later. So when you see my sweet smile or hear my high voice, enjoy the moment, because soon enough I will come down and ride your ass until I get what I want.
I think I brought this up last time I wrote, but it's been a year since I actually walked away from UCLA. I'm going to have to start thinking of a new catch phrase other than "A year ago I was a researcher". That's not going to cut it anymore. Not that most Hollywood types would know or care. So much B.S. is flung it's almost hard to know what is real. But...I guess the people who know what they are doing can tell the shit from what is legit. Last year at my internship at a production company, I sat in on a call from another producer that was trying to get financing. He was doing a peacock preening type dance over the phone, and on my end we were just stopping short of rolling our eyes. Even me, who hadn't seen this display yet. But after a few minutes, his display was up, and he was bending over. Sorry to mix metaphors, but I don't know what I peacock would do if he got dominated by another male. He was groveling, begging, giving in. Now that I've actually described the story, it seems that a lot of business is done this way. Or maybe that is just how men do business. Women were always treated differently; with mutual respect whether they were on the phone or had come to a meeting in the office. Now, that is probably just this particular company. Because I know from experience that we are often talked down to and thought to be either sexual objects or just plain dumb. That is part of my M.O. by the way. I look younger, and seem cuter and more naive than I really am. I may be new to this industry, but I've made it through one of the most grueling educational rights of passage that there is. I've made hard decisions and am reminded routinely that I may have to do all this from a wheelchair sooner or later. So when you see my sweet smile or hear my high voice, enjoy the moment, because soon enough I will come down and ride your ass until I get what I want.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Occurrences
It occurred to me the other day that I haven't written for a while. It also occurred to me that I'm now my own boss, so I really don't need to hide this anymore.
It also occurred to me that my blogging isn't all that interesting since I don't do it very much.
In general, a lot has occurred since last year. I've produced a feature film, I'm working on a short film now, Richard finished the script for our own feature and we have a director attached (the beautiful Kristina Lloyd - my teacher, and friend), we've been on the radio and in the newspaper. Things have moved so fast in the last year, I'm worried about next year. Can we sustain? Will be still be successful? Will things go so much faster that we'll lose sight of what our motivations were in the first place?
There are some new LARGE hurdles coming up n the next few months, like fund raising, and I'm a little scared. Even more so than I was last year. Do I know enough to pull this off? Will I be able to put everything together? Will we raise some money and make a movie, but it will all be a big bust and nothing will come out of it and when we look back in ten years, this will all just be some crazy idea we had?
Well, it's now occurring to me that I better stop writing and get to making phone calls, because if I don't, I won't have to wait ten years for it to be a crazy idea that tanked.
It also occurred to me that my blogging isn't all that interesting since I don't do it very much.
In general, a lot has occurred since last year. I've produced a feature film, I'm working on a short film now, Richard finished the script for our own feature and we have a director attached (the beautiful Kristina Lloyd - my teacher, and friend), we've been on the radio and in the newspaper. Things have moved so fast in the last year, I'm worried about next year. Can we sustain? Will be still be successful? Will things go so much faster that we'll lose sight of what our motivations were in the first place?
There are some new LARGE hurdles coming up n the next few months, like fund raising, and I'm a little scared. Even more so than I was last year. Do I know enough to pull this off? Will I be able to put everything together? Will we raise some money and make a movie, but it will all be a big bust and nothing will come out of it and when we look back in ten years, this will all just be some crazy idea we had?
Well, it's now occurring to me that I better stop writing and get to making phone calls, because if I don't, I won't have to wait ten years for it to be a crazy idea that tanked.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wow, almost a year
I'm not doing very well with keeping up with posting! The last one was 6 months ago, and the one before that was a year ago!
I'm now writing from the offices of MoonHill Productions. We have a fax number (unbelievably important in this industry), and a website, and a business license. I'm even registered with the state and the feds for payroll taxes!
Great things have a happened in the last month that we've had our office. Richard won second place in the Sci-Fi division in a screenwriting competition. We have a professional working up a budget and schedule for two of our screenplays (all the better to sell them with -or at least that's the hope).
As a production company we are taking a two pronged approach. We are developing screenplays that we don't have the means to produce (at least not yet). Those are Jupiter and Complications, maybe even Descention. Then we are also working on the screenplays we do think we can handle. Those include Driving by Braille, Parallel, Concrete Test Tubes, and the Family (that's the working title).
Events in the next month are what we've been gearing up for all year. It was during this time that our little business idea formed, so we've had a year to prep. Now it's time to perform.
I'm now writing from the offices of MoonHill Productions. We have a fax number (unbelievably important in this industry), and a website, and a business license. I'm even registered with the state and the feds for payroll taxes!
Great things have a happened in the last month that we've had our office. Richard won second place in the Sci-Fi division in a screenwriting competition. We have a professional working up a budget and schedule for two of our screenplays (all the better to sell them with -or at least that's the hope).
As a production company we are taking a two pronged approach. We are developing screenplays that we don't have the means to produce (at least not yet). Those are Jupiter and Complications, maybe even Descention. Then we are also working on the screenplays we do think we can handle. Those include Driving by Braille, Parallel, Concrete Test Tubes, and the Family (that's the working title).
Events in the next month are what we've been gearing up for all year. It was during this time that our little business idea formed, so we've had a year to prep. Now it's time to perform.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Dr. Junie, Producer
Long time no see. And who's fault is that? Mine, of course.
So much has happened in the last 8 months. I am now an independent film producer. Yes, a producer! I have a short film in post-production. I'm not in this alone. It was all Richard's idea/fault. In the end of October, I had a big episode. After all my talk of leaving UCLA, it was probably the freedom of leaving that caused the episode. So from the end of October to the day I was scheduled to leave UCLA, I was on leave. It was during that time that Richard, coming back from pitching, declared, in a defeated manner, that he wanted to just produce. As a writer, no body would listen/buy/take him seriously. He was ready to try as a producer. I don't remember if it took minutes, hours, or days, but I realized that I needed to join him. I like to tell people that I told him that he couldn't do it without me. I may have just convinced myself of that, and he could do it without me, but I wasn't about to let him.
So, now I am a producer...with a PhD. It's not easy, but even at the most stressful of times, it's...fun. Yes, fun. Working with my husband is fun. Bringing his project to life is fun. Being my own boss, is scary, but fun too. I'm about 2 weeks from being able to fully devote my time to the company and I can't wait. Hopefully in the next two weeks, I can spend some time to actually document what my first months of a producer has entailed.
So here I go back, to being a producer. I'm looking up info on photo releases. I'm just about ready to call the lawyer. That's what a lot of producing is...always being on the edge of calling a lawyer!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A post before Carb loading
I think the Gemologist should just be officially shelved. It's been almost a month since my last post and I'm not about to write about the gemologist.
I'm in Hermosa. Actually WE are in Hermosa. Emmie, Richy, Marie and I. We are doing the race tomorrow as a relay. I'm doing the swim, Marie the bike and Ricky the run. There is a very strong on shore wind, and I'm a little worried that the swim could be cancelled. Maybe the wind will die down tonight. I was very excited to try the swim "bare back"...that's the best term I could come up with instead of just saying "without a wetsuit". Long open water swims are usually without wetsuits, so if I'd like to start doing those, I figured I should start with a nice 500M sans wetsuit.
On another note, I am looking foward to leaving UCLA. Just about 8 more weeks. It is so exciting to think that I maybe have a little time to start writing, or cleaning the house, or cooking...even exercising. Even if I find work, I probalby won't be commuting 15 hours a week, so that will give me a little time to do other things.
Ok, it's off to dinner. Carb loading time.
I'm in Hermosa. Actually WE are in Hermosa. Emmie, Richy, Marie and I. We are doing the race tomorrow as a relay. I'm doing the swim, Marie the bike and Ricky the run. There is a very strong on shore wind, and I'm a little worried that the swim could be cancelled. Maybe the wind will die down tonight. I was very excited to try the swim "bare back"...that's the best term I could come up with instead of just saying "without a wetsuit". Long open water swims are usually without wetsuits, so if I'd like to start doing those, I figured I should start with a nice 500M sans wetsuit.
On another note, I am looking foward to leaving UCLA. Just about 8 more weeks. It is so exciting to think that I maybe have a little time to start writing, or cleaning the house, or cooking...even exercising. Even if I find work, I probalby won't be commuting 15 hours a week, so that will give me a little time to do other things.
Ok, it's off to dinner. Carb loading time.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
No gemologist yet
My first day back at my blog and I'm sitting in the hospital with Marie. She had a bad day (week). I was working on my technical writing class assignment and did the Left brain/Right Brain test. I'm mostly right brained (7 pts for left, 9 pts for right). If you are at all interested, here it the link.
So someday I will have to revisit my gemologist and his box of money.
Lately I've been working on getting some resumes out. Initially I wasn't planning on working, but there are some great opportunities out there that I really want to try for. As I said to my mother, what have I got to loose? I'm leaving UCLA anyway, so I might as well see what else I can do. That is one of the reason I'm taking the technical writing class. It turns out that I've done a lot more technical writing than I thought I had done. Lots and Lots of protocols. I'm always writing protocols so that I don't have to keep telling people how to do things.
I will try to get to that gemologist next time. And Marie is doing ok. It was a bad week capped off by a pump malfunction.
So someday I will have to revisit my gemologist and his box of money.
Lately I've been working on getting some resumes out. Initially I wasn't planning on working, but there are some great opportunities out there that I really want to try for. As I said to my mother, what have I got to loose? I'm leaving UCLA anyway, so I might as well see what else I can do. That is one of the reason I'm taking the technical writing class. It turns out that I've done a lot more technical writing than I thought I had done. Lots and Lots of protocols. I'm always writing protocols so that I don't have to keep telling people how to do things.
I will try to get to that gemologist next time. And Marie is doing ok. It was a bad week capped off by a pump malfunction.
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