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Monday, July 1, 1996
Happy Canada Day.
People seemed to like my "near death experience" piece. I got some ideas from the group that might make it better. It would be nice to parlay these short exercises so as to produce a few meritorious short stories.
I was once again reassured that I'm not the only one in the group who feels like their writing sucks from time to time. Writing, and reading one's writing, is a humbling experience.
Dave mentioned an advanced writers course. I'm thinking about taking it. It would start in September. I really should take it. The teacher is supposed to be good.
I feel incredibly happy that I'm writing on a regular basis. It makes me wonder how I ever lived without it.
Meanwhile, I called Ray S. today. He said to send my resume to his attention. He also said they're hiring 4 or 5 attorneys. In addition, I'm sending a resume to the Office of Immigration Litigation.
Tuesday, July 2, 1996
I'm up late watching Help! Earlier tonight, I saw The Producers.
Some more writing. Some more phone calls to possible employers.
I'm crazy. I keep looking at Shadow [one of our cats], thinking about when we first got him. I remember the way he poked his paw through the bars of his cage [at the pound]. Then, when we took him home, he kept butting his face into mine, smearing his wet nose all over my mouth and nose and cheeks. I hope his tumor doesn't grow back.
Thursday, July 5, 1996
Yesterday, we went to the fireworks in Columbia. We got there at 8:00, but we still had to sit in the poison ivy. The fireworks were good, although I think they accidentally set off the finale about halfway through. The parking lot was crowded, and it took about half an hour for us to leave, but the show was worth the wait.
I haven't written for two days. I feel terrible about it. I will get back to it, starting tomorrow. I really need to do an outline, though. I need to get a sense of who the characters are and what they should be doing and when. I can't stop now and lose the thread of where I'm going.
I'm watching Farewell My Lovely with Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe. Charlotte Rampling really had a great face, fabulous legs, and riveting eyes. Wonder what happened to her.
Keep at it, keep at it.
Saturday, July 6, 1996
I'm watching an episode of Doctor Who that looks like the precursor of Alien. Scientists find pods frozen in the ice in Antarctica. They're alien pods and, when they thaw, they open and some life form comes out. It finds the human host and converts the host to vegetable form—a vegetable that eats animals. Very Alien-like.
I wrote my story in abbreviated form on index cards—one for each chapter. I finally figured out what's happening on what day. It would be useful to plan a little more, get a sense of what each player will be doing and when.
I love Doctor Who. The story always involves the wages of greed and doing unnatural sorts of things—upsetting the balance of nature and all that.
I saw a turtle crossing Vollmerhausen Rd. this morning, so I stopped the car and rescued him. I took him to the other side and placed him in the grass. Chalk up a good deed done.
I used part of my $100 birthday present to buy the Aimee Mann CD I'm With Stupid. I took a bike ride to the west side of I-95. Damn near killed myself pedaling up that hill.
I put money in my account to pay bills that are within days of becoming overdue, if not already overdue. Then, as I was paying them, I realized I only had eight or nine checks left. Truly, my discipline is shot to hell. Now I'll have to order them extra expense for fast delivery.
