is it considered "insomnia" when you're on vacation?

I'm wondering why I'm still awake at this un-ungodly hour (it's almost 7 in the AM)... But then I remembered, I didn't go to sleep the night, or morningish before until about 5 in the AM. Furthermore, I didn't awaken until about 3 in the afternoon. Okay, actually I woke up from about 10 to 10:30 to talk to a friend on one of her breaks... but other than that, I stayed unconscious for most of the daylight hours.

I'm considering this an "unofficial" post because I wanted to do a "Christmas present wrap-up" (wow, that was an unintended pun)... I was going to accompany it with pictures, but you guys know how lazy I am with the pictorials. It's so bad right now, the camera doesn't even have battrees in it. I hope I didn't promise pictures of the snow. It's almost gone. And could you believe the crazy New England weather we're having and about to have? SIXTY DEGREES ON SUNDAY. What the stank is that about?

Anyway, I thought I'd give an update as to how my script is going. It's not. I bought myself an early Christmas present that arrived Christmas Eve. "What could this be?", a curious nosy person might ask. Well, I'll tell you. Remember a couple weeks ago with the first trailer trash post with the last trailer being that of next year's Watchmen? Well sometime after that post until about 3 hours ago, I previewed the original graphic novel, Amazonned it, waited patiently (for once), unboxed it, and read it within 3 days. December 24th to 26th. Technically 4 days, but I slept most of the 26th.

Hey, I just gotta say... That is an awesome story right there. And now I'm ecstatic to see this movie. If there is a midnight showing, I think I may show up to that. I pretty sure I donned some geek points for this too... but whatever. Still not big on comic books, but this one's different. It has an end. AND now I understand why many felt that this comic was unfilmmable. Man... I can't wait to see this.

So due to my reading this, with a mix of holiday festivities, I haven't done much writing. That should hopefully resume tonight (Saturday) or the latest Sunday night. My other issue was getting my CD/DVD drive on ol' Silver to work. I think I broke it somehow when I was trying to burn a multi-disc collection for a friend of mine. This suck worse than spoiled milk already poured into the cereal. I had one disc burnt already, and had 4-5 left to do. I can't explain what happened (partly because I don't know) but I tried everything I can do that doesn't cost money. I already admitted to being a geek, but my skills couldn't crack this problem and that saddens me. I'm considering the Geek Squad. It's where I go when I can't fix something I broke. But it's weird... I can fix other computers... but mine? I'm at a loss.

So I've got one week to do some damage to a script. I'll extend it until January 4th. I kinda can't wait because it was torture listening to Fall Out Boy and not jotting down a few lines... and as we speak I'm finally really listening to The Roots' Rising Down and feeling the rap schemes fall over me. In my head, taking their versus apart in slow motion allowing me to see/hear/understand why their lines/raps/verses are so hot, and how I might possibly be able to write my own. Still a craft I'm honing in on. My goal: to make a reader/hearer's face wrinkle up/frown or make them say "wow" or "whoa" and even "that's [any positive slang]" ...but I also still dig getting my sense of humor in my poetry as well AND telling stories. Perhaps I'll devote March or April to coming up with some really good material.

In the meantime, I must continue to hit the scripts. It's not that I'm creatively stuck. If anything, I'm more inspired to write other things... but with scripts I feel I'm more productive with a plan. I need to have the characters written out first. At least the major ones. I can always add or change some later. I already know "The Writing Retreat" has some weak points in it, but you know what? I'm not worried about that right now. I just need it "complete" then I will do some tightening. I also have been assembling a team of readers. I have 2 and a possible 3rd who would probably be interested.

Anyone else interested in giving me critical critiquing of some scripts I've worked or working on, let me know and I be sure to send you what I have looking for some honest advice. I won't be sending anything until January... so there isn't a rush. Well, not for you.

I think I'm feeling sleep come on. I think I will "nap" since I think I'm going to get a phone call at 9 or 10 this morning to hang out. And I actually want to go places tomorrow like maybe dine at IHOP for the last time until the new one close to home opens and price shop a Mac at an Apple store. Yes yes y'all!

building a dream

A couple days ago I was chatting with my cousin about building my studio and what I'd like to see done to it. In my mind, equipment-wise, it starts with the camera and a Mac. Specifically a Mac because what it's capable of doing with video processing and all that good stuff. Yes, I used to be a hater of Macs... which is wrong. It's like being prejudice... Like a Macist or something. But after using them while at school, I wished I had one sooner. I still love my PC, especially my Toshiba Silver Station... But the Mac will be one of the main hardware for the heavy stuff 3S:FX will produce, while my Toshiba laptop will handle lighter but still highly significant tasks like scripts, web surfing, maybe it will share in the music handling, and of course... blogging! ;o)

Since I now have a camera, even though it's not the best, it will get the job done. Sadly I can't connect it to my laptop with what technology I currently have, but it's ok. After I get the Mac, I should be set. Well, for a start. And I'm thinking I'd prefer something like an iMac. I thought about about laptop, but I think I'd rather have it one place, so I can settle down into my studio atmosphere and get to work. No need to tell me all the fun I could have bringing my work with me via laptop, but that's what the Silver Station is for. It's the #1 warrior in my creative hardware arsonal.

Down the road, microphones are on my list. All kinds. Oh, and wires and battries and tapes and DVDs (eventually filters and lens and other little gadgets) and bags to carry all this stuff. Eventually a man-servent will be added to the list. But yeah, microphones would be next. Then lights. Those are expensive. But I'd get a light set, like what photographers use. Technically, I'm taking pictures. And it's only until I can afford better or more lights. And I don't see myself giving or selling too much stuff unless I absolutely don't need it or won't use it and know it can go to a better cause.

Of course at some point I'd hope to be making money so that would help in my funding. I would possibly take on side projects unless the project of my choice is actually paying. But starting small, I don't mind not getting paid for the work, especially if it's work that I love.

Even though I'll be working at home in the next few weeks, it'd be awesome to work at home and be my own boss, then eventually have my own studio/office. That'd be cool.

I keep typing to give my phone time to send the pictures I took of my desk and it's taking f o r e v e r. I do not like it.

....Finally. This is before my desk...

And here is after...

So now my family won't feel like I'm being antisocial since this room is located directly next to the living room. It's a plus for me because during the day I can listen to the TV.

My desk is still pretty empty, even though I'm using it as I write now... It needs the stuffs that my desk at work has. I can't wait.

you're making too much noise

I can't figure it out... It doesn't matter what I do, or what I don't do... My insides just feel the urge to sing and chat or whatever it is that it does that makes me sound like I have lots of gas to spare. Normally, when I'm alone, or around certain people, I won't care. I mean especially if it's just noises and there isn't a real methane leak. But when I'm at work, and it's like mostly quiet with a 40% chance of ringing phones and co-worker banter, I don't need my cubies tuning into what my stomach has to say. I'm not hungry... (well, sometimes I am), and it wasn't what I just ate or drank... My body just wreaks havoc.

Once again, this is another plus to working at home in the privacy of my own quarters. Heh... My soon-to-be-new office isn't even a quarter of anything. Well, maybe a quarter of a room. I forgot to post the pictures yesterday. Today is my Friday, so maybe I'll have time tonight. I should set up my laptop and all down there, even though I don't have a chair yet.

Speaking of laptops, I re-began my mission of finding a good Mac for myself. I went to Best Buys whom pride themselves at carrying the Apply line. What did I find? ONE, only ONE Mac laptop... And it was the display model. It was also over $2000 which I know I don't have and can't put on my new Best Buys card since my limit is $500. My credit sucks. Anyway, I was disappointed and decided to roam the rest of the mall before going home. I need to find where the nearest Apple store is and see if I can get a credit card or something in person. My instincts are telling me to wait until after I meet with my uncle, so I'll hold off the search and try to get myself back in the mind frame to finish the treatment, possibly script.

Needless to say, I don't have much time during my work week. Instead, I've been kicking around other ideas like this kid/guy who invents special trciked out tech goggles for the near-blind. That's all I'm going to say. I don't want anyone stealing my ideas. I felt I was robbed already with a superhero idea I had... which actually already existed. Another idea I had involved the crystal skulls... But we know why those are popular now. Sigh.

I need to go get a drink... maybe that might quiet my stomach down a bit. About 3 hours til go-home time. WAH time: about 2 weeks. Yes yes yall.