So Much Time, So Little to Do

Strike that. Reverse it.

Actually, this is what I'm doing all month:

There is still time left to get in on the fun!

Think about it.

(click the picture to go to the Script Frenzy site.)

Title Quote: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (did you expect a quote from anywhere else?)

There's a Special Kind of Feeling in the Air

It only happens at this time of year
When everyone is filled with love and cheer
'Cause that's what matters

Lately, my world has been filled with nothing but writing. No, I'm not complaining. I'm super happy that I'm finally done with the screenplay for my independent study. It was a tough script to write and I'm not too sure I'm happy with the ending, but eventually I'll come back to it and revise it to my liking. I was up until around 8am finishing it the other night/morning, so I definitely put in work to finish the draft. It'll be nice to get a break from it though. Now I can finally finish up stuff for my portfolio in my fiction class.

Another thing I've been doing is reading a lot of screenplays. Most recently I've read: Precious, It's Complicated and The Blind Side. I'm trying to decide between An Education, Up in the Air, A Single Man and Sin Nombre. I probably won't read A Single Man right away. I've only seen the preview and it didn't really make me want to see it, so I'm in no hurry. It looked like the kind of preview that producers whip together when the movie isn't actually all that great.

The last movie I watched was Shrink. It stars Kevin Spacey as a therapist to the stars whose wife just recently died. He's trying to help his really eccentric patients, while he's barely functioning. The movie has a real Crash feeling to it. The lives of random people intersect in different ways. It's not as heavy as Crash. I enjoyed it, though. I've watched it twice already.

So, just a week until I'm done with Linfield! Crazy how fast this semester has gone. I've applied for a couple of jobs, I hope to hear back from at least one of them soon, we'll see. Fingers crossed.

Other than writing, reading and watching movies. I've been listening to Christmas music!

I guess I don't really have too much to talk about. The main thoughts on my brain last week were:

-It's cold
-I have to pack
-I don't want to pack
-That screenplay
-I hate the cold
-Directing scenes
-Getting a job
-Thank you cards
-Being a stand-up comedian
-Oh, and, it's cold and I hate it

But yeah, that's that.

Oh, except for this commercial. I laugh every time it comes on.



Haha, good stuff.

Title Song: 'Greatest Time of Year' - Aly & AJ

“When Words Are Scarce, They Are Seldom Spent in Vain”

For today's Word Up Wednesday, I'll be sharing some words of wisdom about writing.



E.L. Doctorow said:

"Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."

"Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing."

"...I have to confess to having a certain bias for fiction, which I think of as a meta-discipline, one that can incorporate all the others. Whereas a journalist cannot go into someone's mind, and a scientist cannot use certain words that the theologian can use, and the theologian cannot or does not usually use the dirty words of the tabloids, the novelist can use all the words, all the vocabularies: myth, legend, history, confession, reportage, and the mutterings of the mad people in the street."

Martha Graham:

"No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive."

Donald Barthelme:

"Write about what you're afraid of.”

Terry Southern:

"The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock—shock is a worn-out word—but astonish. The world has no grounds whatever for complacency."

And last, one of my definite favorites:

Dana Marschz (Hamlet 2):

"Fuuuck. Writing is so hard."

Title Quote: The Bard :]

You've Got Me Laughing While I Sing, You've Got Me Smiling in My Sleep

I sat down today and went through my schedule.

Check it:

Monday: 4 classes 9-3:30
Tuesday: 2 classes 9-11
Wednesday: 3 classes 9-3:30
Thursday: 2 classes 9-11
Friday: 3 classes 9-12:30

Kind of lame, not gonna lie.

Anyhoo, I've been reading the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows recently. Can't believe I've gone so long without hearing the outcome of the book, but I've managed and I'm glad I don't already know what's going to happen.

Two of my roommates are here now. It's strange, the apartment not being so quiet all the time. It's nice though, I'm not so jumpy when I hear random noises.

Anyhoo, I don't have too much to write about (obviously). Just figured I'd try to get in the habit of writing more regularly.

I've been doing a lot more writing outside of the blog world, though, so at least I'm getting stuff done. I've written some non-fiction pieces and I've been working on writing the iCarly spec script. I'm excited about it. It's coming along. Definitely as slow process, but not as difficult as I thought it might be.

Well, I'll leave you all with this:

Top 5 songs on my iPod from the last month:

5. Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
4. Love Save the Empty - Erin McCarley
3. HI-808 - Blue Scholars
2. You Belong with Me - Taylor Swift
1. Title Song: Catch Me - Demi Lovato

I Learned Fried Chicken at the School of Hard Knocks

Alrighty, I have a favor to ask of you guys.

I mentioned that I was going to be writing a spec script. I took Bryan's idea of writing an episode of 30 Rock (thanks :]), but I was also looking to do another show because the guidelines mentioned that if they were having troubles choosing they might ask for more writing. That being said, I was thinking of doing an episode of iCarly (to show that I can write for a younger group as well) and possibly Lincoln Heights (ABC Family) to show that I can write something a bit more dramatic and because it's an hour versus a half.

Now, about that favor. I will, for sure, be writing a 30 Rock script and an iCarly script, my question to you guys: Are there any situations that you haven't seen them (characters on either show) in that you'd like to see them in. I have a few ideas, but I'm trying to see what others would be interested in, ya know? Just spout off any random ideas that you might have. I'm excited to get writing soon and hopefully you guys will be willing to give me some critiques :]

I have to say I love the little blogging group we've got going on here. It's a nice way to keep up with you guys.

Title Quote - Tracy Morgan as 'Tracy Jordan' - 30 Rock

I Write Vividly to Capture the Vibe

I'm like, hey kid, walk straight; master your high.
If you listen, you can hear the eye of the city cry.

I do my best work between 2:30 and 5:30AM.

Song: 'The Ave' - Blue Scholars

Why Did Jamika Cross the Road?

She wanted to tell the handsome stranger about the rewrite she just finished.

Okay, so the punchline needs a little work. However, I'm pretty happy that I've finished tidying up this script. I'm proud of myself. And, I think I've come up with an official title: 'Dream On'. It's one of the lines I added during the rewrite and it seemed relevant to the script in a couple different ways--so there's that.

I have a cough going on right now that sounds like an engine that won't turn over. Delicious.

Anyhoo, as soon as I finished saving the .pdf file, I looked outside and saw that the sun was rising and I suddenly wanted to listen to this song:



Don't hate...The Brady Bunch was the shit!

The sunrise that inspired my want to hear the song:



This picture definitely doesn't do the sunrise justice, but it was still pretty amazing to watch. In reality, it's not nearly as gray as it looks...not at all.

A Diva is a Female Version of a Hustla

I guess I could say that I'm having a decent weekend so far. Last night, I got to hang out with some friends and, despite a couple incidents, it was a pretty decent night. I think one of my favorite parts of the night was convincing people to donate money to, "Rollerblade for America". I have no clue if the people in that apartment were just kind of going along with the fun of the night, or if they thought it was a real foundation...either way, it was extremely amusing.

I wish I was a mind-reader. I want a way to get inside of peoples' heads. I think it could be a burden to have that skill, but for most part it'd be useful, I think. I just don't like the way people say one thing and you're almost certain they mean another, but there's just no way to be completely certain. I guess that's just life though, right?

I got feedback on my screenplay from my advisor. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm happy that I have another person's thoughts on what should be or could be changed--rewriting is one of my favorite things to do.

There honestly isn't much going on in my life right now. I feel kind of boring...though, I'm not exactly bored, so I'm not sure how that works.

I was watching his hour long E! special on Miley Cyrus today (don't judge) and whenever they showed the footage of her being followed/stalked by paparazzi, I couldn't help thinking, 'Shit, that has to be so annoying.' But even though I thought that, I still think it'd be awesome to be famous, haha.

Well, I'm going to get out of this place (cyberspace and my apartment) and find something to do. I think shall wander campus until I find a decent spot to set up camp and write for a bit. I still have pretty much an entire play to write for the theatre. I kind of need to get on that.

Cheers.

Title Song: 'Diva' - Beyonce

Well, It's Not Called Gym-'NICE'-stics...

It has been for-freaking-EVER since I sat down and updated blog-style. Things since December have been so up and down. The last few months went by extremely slowly, yet really quickly at the same time. January was a great month. My screenwriting class was amazing, and having the apartment to myself was heaven! I officially dubbed February, "The Lost Month". Anything that was supposed to be done in February was not accomplished. It was a long hard month for me. I've spent March doing damage control. The backlash of February's mistakes was huge. There are some things that are still completely a mess. The good thing I have gotten out of this month was finishing a draft of my second screenplay. I'm extremely proud of myself to be honest.

Anyhoo, Tuesday I'm going to audition for 'Book of Days'. I'm kind of excited. I rather enjoy the anxiety of auditioning, as strange as that may sound. I have my monologue memorized and I've read the play, so I feel pretty prepared.

Speaking of plays, I'm really excited to be working on writing a play for the theatre department. I sat down with Jill and we talked about what she and Will were looking for and I think the ideas we talked about are going to work really well.

I've been writing so much and I've enjoyed it a ton. I'm having the hardest time focusing on other schoolwork though. I can finish a 110 page screenplay, but I can't concoct a five page paper. What kind of shit is that?

I've enjoyed writing for my non-fiction class as well. Non-fiction is one of the most relaxing forms of writing I feel. I love being able to look back and reflect and I love reading (days, months or years later) what I thought about a certain situation at a certain point in my life.

I've become so obsessed with movies this year. I haven't been able to buy a new movie in so long and I think I'm experiencing some kind of withdrawal. I miss adding a new movie into my collection. Sticking it where it belongs among the hundred or so movies I have alphabetized on a small shelf in my room.

On the subjects of rooms, I cleaned my room for the first time in about 3 (ish) months. It's so nice to have a floor again. There's just something so relaxing about cleaning and seeing the finished product.

I'm pretty sure I'm rambling a ton. I have just a bit of alcohol in me. I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do after college. When I picture life after graduation, all I can see is myself packing up and heading for California and just trying to make something of myself as I struggle to pay my loans. It should scare me, the unknown, but it's coming whether I want it to or not, so I might as well embrace it, right?

Also, in the randomness of life, after years of looking, I have spoken to someone who knows my father. I spoke with a man named Eric after tracking down the number to a company my Dad's step-father (my step-grandpa, I guess) used to own. Unfortunately, Sam, my grandpa, died in 2003. But Eric knows my father and gave me his word that he'd pass my phone number and other information onto my father. I've never been this close to talking to him. I'm extremely anxious and nervous. I'm completely scared I won't hear from him. It's only been two days. I figured it'd be a little bit before I'd hear from him because of the whole, "Surprise, here's your 21-year-old daughter's number, give her a call" thing. But I'm worried he won't ever call back. I'm trying to be calm about it, but it's such a scary situation. There's just so much I don't know. I could have other siblings or a step mom, etc., etc., etc. It's just...crazy.

Well, I feel like so much else has gone on in just the past few days that I should write about, but it's 2AM and I should probably wait until I'm more coherent to blab about it.

Title Quote: Joanne - 'Stick It' (Awesome movie...nothing to do with this post at all.)

Dec. 4, 2008 -- A Day I'll Always Remember

At 1:09PM on December 4, 2008, I finished my first screenplay.

A-go me.

Yay.

Don't Tell Me You're Sorry, Cause You're Not

When I know you're only sorry you got caught.

I just hate when people get called out on something and try to pretend that they're better for it when, in all actuality, they're not going to change. I hate that I let myself get hella (yeah, I said hella) peeved when certain people are just being who they are. It's just that some people are, to quote T.I., "piss poor morally." They put on this show like I'm the bad guy for speaking my mind, when they're the ones who basically asked for it when they treated me like shit.

But you put on quite a show, Really Had Me Going. But now it's time to go. The curtain's finally closing.

I think I need to avoid people for a little while. I've been really irritable today, it's not good. I just feel like I need to be away from the masses for the sake of the feelings of certain people. I need some time to get over whatever mood it is that I've fallen into. We're going to have a going away party for a friend soon, so that is when I'll take myself out of this time-out. I don't want to blame my bad mood on others, because I know it's me who controls my mood. But I want you (yes, you) to know that your fakeness is what triggered it.

Yeah, that was quite a show; very entertaining. But it's over now. Go on and take a bow.

------Anyway------

I wanted to write something to submit to the literary magazine, but I've hit a huge writer's block and it is pissing me off. I can't stand it, it's very irksome. Maybe I should just sit down and write--even if the writing is crap, at least I'll be writing. I think that'll be the best/only way to get through it. But the deadline is Wednesday and I don't think I'll be able to get something together by then.

While on the subject of writing, I was thinking of coming up with a nom de plume, a literary double...put simply, a pen name. I have a couple ideas in mind of what it could be, but nothing for sure. I read somewhere that people whose first and last names start with the same letter have more luck/success. Maybe I'll come with a name like that. We'll see, I guess. One day some alliterated name will burst on to the scene and you'll wonder if it's me. Well, I hope you'll at least think of me. No, really, think of me.

It's Christmastime--well it's December, which means I can officially start listening to Christmas music loud enough for others to hear. I sneak some Christmas music year-round, but no more hiding it now. It puts me in a good mood...something I'm in need of.

Well, I think I'll go write...or something. I just need a good case of insomnia, that's all. Say, 'Good luck, Jamika.'

Good luck, Jamika.

Title Song (and other italics): 'Take A Bow' - Rihanna

You're A Trainwreck

You know what I don't understand? Girls who stay with guys who treat them like S.H.I.T. (That's not an acronym, I just wanted to put some emphasis on it and italics just won't do it.) I was out with my aunt and uncle--we were with a guy that my uncle works with and his GF/Friend with benefits/chick on the side, etc. He was a jerk (to her only) the whole night. Dick (we'll call him, because that's what he is) called her a bitch repeatedly, said she was crazy, egged her on--made her feel like crap, basically. If I were in that situation, I would have peaced out. No guy is worth that kind of BS.

People (especially women) have enough issues with self-esteem to sit around and take crap from a guy who, by the way, isn't even physically attractive. So, he really has no reason to be putting anyone else down in the looks dept. That girl just needs to move on. After a while she finally called her brother to come pick her up (smart), but went and sat outside in the cold on the sidewalk (not smart). I've grown up in this neighborhood and I wouldn't sit out there at night--drunk and alone. Sad to say, but she'll probably be back in a couple of days, putting up with the same BS.

I'm getting close to finishing my screenplay. I'm excited. I want to get it done ASAP, so I can spend some time editing it over Christmas break. I also want to work on another story I've been trying to work out in my head, I think it could be fun. I can't wait to be done with this. It'll be the first longer piece of work that I've completed--I've heard it gets easier to complete full-length works once you've completed one. Not that it's ever easy. I still want to write a children's book--I think it'd be fun.

You know what's fun to say? Sheboygan! Every so often (actually pretty frequently) I come across words that are fun to say multiple times in a row. So, have at it, because it's probably one of the better ones I've come across in a while. Though, antithesis is always fun. But, in all honesty, I've said Sheboygan more times today than most people will say...well, ever.

I got a text message today from someone and it was very nice and out of character for this person. I didn't know how to respond. I was polite, however, and sent a text back--but, boy, was it tough.

It's almost Thanksgiving!

Title Song: 'Trainwreck' - Demi Lovato

I'm Leavin', Never To Come Back Again

Wow! It's been forever since I last wrote anything.

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving. I haven't been home since I left for school--such a long time, it seems.

Excuse me while I rant for a moment...I try really hard not to be the type of person that tries to change the way someone is because something they do is a pet peeve of mine. However, I think it would be for the good of human life if people could learn how to close their mouth as they chew. It really isn't that hard, is it? One of my roommates chews extremely, extremely loud. I had to leave the room the other night when she was chewing gum. I'd feel bad for typing this on the Internet, where I know she could stumble upon it with little effort, but I've already told her that she chews really loudly and so I don't feel an ounce of guilt for this. But, honestly, I don't see how chewing that loud doesn't annoy more people.

I've noticed that when I hand around some people, I'm a pretty negative person. I feel like some people are just so engulfed with dislike for other people, that it's all they can talk about. I dislike people, as we all do, but I think I'm going to make more of an effort to stop talking about them so much. I'm going to stop letting them take up all of the thoughts and energy I could be putting towards something else. Yeah, I think I'll be better for it.

I submitted a ten-minute play to the KCACTF competition. I'm pretty nervous about it. I hate waiting to hear back about something. I'm also not feeling like I've got the best of luck these days. But I guess we'll see. I wish they would post something on the website that says when we could expect results.

Speaking of writing. I've been trying to finish up my screenplay for my seminar class. I'm having a hard time. I'm stuck on page 87/88 and I have to get to 110 pages. But I wrote a bit today, so we'll see how many pages that adds to it. I've found that I get more writing done when I'm not at my computer. So I basically carry a composition notebook around with me, EVERYWHERE. I get most of the writing done in my Shakespeare class and before work starts. Sometimes I write when I'm in my fiction class--which would be fine if I wasn't supposed to be paying attention to the discussion. I'm kind of doing the minimum in most of my classes because I'm so ready to just get this done with, it's all I can focus on. Even when I'm having a block, instead of working on something else, I try hard to get through it--which is probably the opposite of what I should do.

I had something else I wanted to write about, but I should probably go to bed, so I'll save it for another time.

Oh, and, Yay for Barack Obama and Joe Biden!! (Don't let the small shout out fool you, I'm extremely happy.)

Title Song: 'Leavin'' - Jesse McCartney

I Never Dreamed That I Would Climb Over the Moon in Ecstasy

...But nevertheless, it's there that I'm shortly about to be.

I've been working on my screenplay more lately, it's really nice to be getting things accomplished. In just the short time since the show has been over, I've added about seven or eight pages; I'm just about to 60 pages now. I was thinking that if I write 10 pages (minimum) each week, I'll have it done by early November. Then I can spend the rest of the sememster sprucing it up and getting feedback.

In the time since I last wrote about movies, I have bought more: The Amateurs, Death at a Funeral, Good Burger (I know!), King of California, Martian Child, Savages, She's the Man, There Will Be Blood. That brings my total to 85, plus 3 seasons of Roseanne. However, while I was rearranging my movies, I noticed that I'm missing Georgia Rule. I actually really like that movie, so I'm pretty sad about it. It's kind of a comfort movie, I like to have it on in the background when I'm getting ready for bed or something and it's my movie. I want it back.

I practiced longboarding today. I'm not too horrible at it, I just need to learn how to turn better. I ride with my right foot in front and push with my left, which, apparently, makes me 'goofy-footted'. Fun fact.

I got my frist two paychecks from work today. I love payday. Let me prove it to you with a little scene.

FADE IN:

INT. FICTION CLASS - DAY

Jamika is sitting in her workshop group. The group is talking about the short stories they have just written.

BOY:
So who wants to go first?

GIRL:
Oh, I don't mind. Anyone want to go next?

BOY 2:
Well, my story isn't all the way done yet, but I wouldn't mind going on Wednesday.

JAMIKA:
Ooh!

They look at her expectantly.

JAMIKA (CONT'D):
Tomorrow's payday.

Strange looks all around.

FADE OUT.

The previous scene was based on actual events--names were changed to protect the innocent.

Just a little bit ago, Brittany and I went outside and threw old apples to the street down below. Well, we tried throwing them to the sidewalk across from us first, but they didn't break. So we ran down to get them and then threw them towards the street. The small splat sound had a slight satisfaction to it. I guess we're simple people.

It's just about 2AM...I should go to bed! I don't want to though. I feel I'm wasting time when I sleep. I'm anxious about something. But what? I wish I could say.

Title Song: '(I've Got A) Golden Ticket' - from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Why Don't You Sit Right Down and Stay A While?

Tonight is the last night of the show. I'm pretty excited, I'm ready to focus on writing for my seminar class. I made an outline of the scenes I think I need/want to put into my screenplay--I think it really helped.

I've been getting feedback on the 10 minute play I finished, most of it really good and helpful. One comment I got was about making a change to the ending, so I changed it. I don't really like it that way, so I'm pretty sure I'll end up changing it back.

My online class starts on Monday. It's a poetry class. However, I believe I bought the wrong books for it, which pretty much sucks, because those are the books that were listed online. But then the syllabus came out and there are not only three books, but three different books.

I bought a longboard--I'm excited for it to come so I can start practicing. I'm thinking it'll be pretty fun.

I need to really clean my room. It's such a mess. I don't feel like doing it though. I think I'll just watch a movie or something instead.

Title Song: 'Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?' - She & Him

I Went the Wrong Way. But I'm Not Lost, It's a Good Mistake.

It has been a while since I posted anything here, in Blogland. Things have been a tiny bit crazy lately. Not too off the wall, but it has been keeping me busy.

I'm in the opening ice breaker called 82,769 Signatures. Our rehearsals are three hours long. They get kind of overwhelming and unfocused. I think the show actually has a cool concept, I'm just really tired of the rehearsals, so I'll be glad when it's over. I'm actually surprised I even got cast in the show. I honestly do feel there were better people for the role. I'm happy I did, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I wonder if I should be on the stage while others are sitting in the audience. Then again, I feel that with just about every show I'm in--and since I'm not a theatre major, I feel I'm taking away from the actual majors.

Anyhoo, classes have been going on for a little while now. They kind of just seem like the background music in a car commercial--not really all that important. But I guess that happens, I'm sure things will start changing a bit.

But speaking of classes, I'm having a hard time in my fiction class. I spent my summer working on a screenplay--getting back into the structure of fiction writing has been really hard. I feel I've been unsuccessful. Well I got feedback from a classmate on my first assignment and it wasn't at all uplifting, but my professor seemed to like the piece and thought it only needed minor tweaking--so the mixed signals are not helping.

Also on the writing front, I finished writing a 10 minute stage play. I think it is an okay story, I need to get some criticism on it. I sent it to my mom to read and I'm excited to hear what she has to say. I want to find some others to give it the once or twice over, too. Maybe one of the professors in the theatre or english departments. I guess we'll see.

My first week at work, with the kiddies, went rather well. I'm really enjoying myself so far--which is more than I can say for the majority (if not ALL) of last year. I think the staff this year is awesome and the kids are being so well behaved, it is almost like a completely different group of children--I LOVE IT.

I think I'm going to get a tattoo tomorrow (or rather, today) and I'm also planning to get one of the new iPod Nanos in the near future. I want the orange one real bad.

I should probably get to bed. I'm so happy it's the weekend, but I forgot I can't sleep in tomorrow because I have to be at the theatre for tech at 9.45am. Which means I'll be getting up at like 9.20 and throwing on sweats and a hoody before heading out.

Oh, I have also bought 10 more movies (since the semester started) to add to my collection: Harriet the Spy, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the Gene Wilder version. I love Johnny Depp, but that was one pair of shoes he shouldn't have tried to fill), The Baby Sitters Club, Hard Candy, Reno 911: Miami, Bobby, Sydney White, Rocket Science, The Addams Family & Addams Family Values. I now own 77 movies. That may not seem impressive to some people, but it should be consindering that most of them were purchased in the last 6 months. Oh wait, or is that just sad?

Until next time.

Title Song: 'Hanging On' by Cheyenne Kimball

My Creative Juices Are Flowing

After about a week and a half of writer's block, I'm back in action.


A-go me!


Out like trout.