Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.
Claude Bissell

Moving Right Along

I'm ready for the big time
Is it ready for me?

I'd like the standard rich and famous contract please.

Thank-you.

Some Day We'll Find It

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Birthdays are the very best days.

We don't have to share on our birthdays.

2. Summer is my favorite season because of quiet evenings in the yard.

Under the trees, grass freshly watered, neighborhood noise down to a murmur, can we get any more small town America?

Nope.

3. I feel my best when I've done good work.

Husband Dearest says I'm always in a good mood after I've written.

I'm sure I don't know what he means.

4. Chipped Beef Gravy is my favorite food ...

... when I was a kid. My absolute favorite.

5. First impressions can be dead-on accurate.

So why waste time with second ones.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was don't let others define you.

Or you'll never have any fun.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to errand day being over, tomorrow my plans include swimming and Sunday, I want to clean house!

Well, actually, you know, I don't want to, but I'm gonna anyway.

Photo Theme for Thursday - Rocks

Summer Release

Saw THE HAPPENING.

It wasn't.

Not scary or even creepy, though Betty Buckley gave it the old Broadway try.

Shyamalan needs an editor. Someone to say, "Night, baby, you're a genius, yeah, but this is not a good idea."

Mosaic Meme

This one is fun. Found it over at Fond of Snape.

12 Image Meme

The concept:

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your flickr name?

“Justice is better than chivalry if we cannot have both.”

Alice Stone Blackwell

The World Is Less Funny Today

I'm thinking all seven words you can't say on TV.

Rest in Peace.

George Carlin.

Gentle Reader, do not press play if you are easily offended.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. A smile is a leaky umbrella.

I wonder where that saying originated. Let your smile be your umbrella and your face will get wet.

2. Can't remember any is my favorite board or card game.

Used to LOVE to play Canasta with Grandma. Many years later, couldn't even figure out the rules/directions to teach the kiddo how to play. Am I getting old or what?

3. I would love to have more peace in my life and less vexation.

Lately I've been surrounded by Drama Queens, and if the drama had been interesting, it might have been a pleasure.

4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of the Celts and Ireland.

And I want to go there.

5. I just remembered I need to buy more Doubleshot Starbucks.

It's an addiction. May Coffee have Mercy on my Soul.

6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: I don't care what consequence it brings. I have been a fool for lessor things.

Story of my life.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to the one night this week I haven't had to attend a &^%!ng Fire Department meeting, tomorrow my plans include yardwork and Sunday, I want to see THE HAPPENING!

If I survive the yardwork, that is.

Screenwriting Basics

Over at Unknown Screenwriter newbie questions have over run his email. From the Scribosphere, multiple voices offer to assist.

And it's been a long time since I wrote about screenwriting, so here goes.

Should I type FADE IN: at the beginning of my screenplay?

Traditionalists say yes, but you don't have to -- it's a script, they get it.

Should I number my scenes?

No.

Generally speaking, about how many parentheticals should I have in my screenplay?

However many you want, but realize you'll be the only one who reads them.

Can I just type FIN at the end of my screenplay?

No. Even though I'm not so attached to the FADE IN, I am very fond of FADE OUT.

Do you use Celtx?

No.

If I use Celtx to write my screenplay will I have a better chance of selling it?

There is no magic pen.

Should I sign my screenplay?

No.

Should I include my email address on my screenplay?

You want to hear from them? Provide access.

Why do I have to put my character’s name in caps through out my screenplay?

Stray from standard format at your own risk.

What do I do with my screenplay when I’m finished with it?

Oh golly. You don't want to know the first thing that crossed my mind here.

Can you take a look at page 69 of my screenplay and tell me if it’s correct?

Page 1 would probably suffice, you brazen hussy.

Should I send my screenplay to you in a box or an envelope?

Neither.

If I pay you $5000, will you help me sell my screenplay?

Are you nuts?

If I pay you $10,000 will you help me sell my screenplay?

Apparently, yes is the answer to the question, are you nuts.

Will you marry me?

Oh poor fool, I am already spoken for.

What font should I use to write my screenplay?

Courier 12pt.

Can I just write my screenplay in Word?

If you are a masochist, go for it.

How many pages should my screenplay be?

115 or however many it takes you to tell the story unless that number is 145.

How long should each act of my screenplay be?

As long as they need to be to accomplish what each Act needs to accomplish.

Is it okay if my hero and villain both have the same name?

No dear, that will confuse Poor Reader.

Is it okay if my Protagonist is Hillary Clinton?

Only if you're a Democrat and want to be sued.

Is it okay to thank my Mom in my screenplay?

Only in person, and while you're at it, express your appreciation for those 12 hours of back labor too.

Is it okay to thank my husband in my screenplay?

Over dinner one night.

Is it okay to thank YOU in my screenplay?

In your Oscar acceptance speech.

Do you accept credit cards?

No.

Do you live alone?

No.

What’s your favorite color?

Yellow.

What’s your favorite food?

A well-made Reuben.

What’s your favorite drink?

Guinness

Do you smoke?

No, but I burn.

Do you drink?

Yes.

What color are you eyes?

Blue.

When’s the last time you had sex?

A lady never tells.

Monday's That Girl Nobody Likes

Haven't done this one in a while -- Monday's a Bitch.

1. Have you ever been in a car accident?

Yep.

2. What's the longest road trip you've ever taken?

San Antonio, Texas to Helena, Montana. With a baby. In a Uhaul.

Took two days to get out of Texas, and Texas tried to kill us one last time before we got away.

3. What's the best song to cruise to?

Currently, I'm hooked on Chris Isaak's BABY DID A BAD, BAD THING.



4. What's your dream car?

Used to be some kind of Porsche, but I've become overly fond of steel beam reinforced doors.

When everybody in the world converts to a Prius, so will I, but as long as there is still one jackass out there in a full-size Dodge pickup, I'm sticking with the Jimmy.

5. What's your favourite movie about cars?

American Graffiti.

Photo Theme Thursday - Fun

Maybe less fun, more joy.

Back when the kiddo was still a kiddo and the only camera I had was film. After a really long drive, to finally arrive at the beach.

Hallelujah!

Success

"To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden,
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Update

If you haven't exceeded your daily whining quotient, I've updated Camera Woes.