Post St Pat's Day randomocity

So, I had to go out of town during St. Pat's.

It was a family thing, really--I needed to sit with my dad while my sister-in-law had surgery. Still, I'm sure many of you think that it's weird that I left the city that hosts one of the largest St. Pat's Day celebrations in the country.

Well, I didn't have much choice--I didn't schedule SIL's surgery. Plus, I lived in the Historic District for something like seven years, so I was at Ground Zero during all those St. Pat's Days. I mean, the parade went right underneath my balcony. For the first three or four years it was fun. After that it got a bit tiresome.

Anyways, I'm home now and can resume working on my various projects--notably my potential film project, Seer. I actually missed being able to sit down and work on it.

Atari is doing fine, if you're interested. About the same. He hates it when we take these little trips--he's miserable the whole time, pacing around the house, not settling down like he does when he's at home. He's better now that he's back in his own digs.

I'm resting, musically. I have a few ideas for some stuff but nothing that is demanding to be worked on right now, which is good, as I want to concentrate on writing until I've finished Seer. Or at least until I've got Seer into something approximating a final form.

Also, watching House on USA right now--they have a House marathon every Friday. If you want to be a screenwriter, especially if you want to work in TV, watch that show. It's even better if you watch several episodes in order. That show is like a story-telling clinic. Pay attention to the rhythms, character development, subtexts and contexts. Try to notice the stuff you are figuring out without even realizing that you're figuring it out. Note how, while there are several really funny moments, it never resorts to becoming cutesy-poo--a failing of another show I do like, that being Bones. Of course, the top-notch cast helps House, too, but it starts with the writing.

It always starts with the writing. Let no-one ever tell you otherwise.