‘Wht u upto tnite?’.

Language has been basterdised by shorthand. Now, don’t get me wrong – shorthand writing has been around for hundreds of years & existed in even Shakespeare’s era – but with the incumbrant overuse & popularity of the mobile telephone – there’s been somewhat of a boom where such a degradation in language is concerned.

And what’s the deal with the laziness of novelists & television/film writers? (That was my Seinfeld moment, excuse me.)

More & more, I’m seeing society respond to questions with another question. What once was defiance, is now just plain bad habit. Television and Film writers have a responsibility to curb this. Having recently watched Season 1-7 of the West Wing, in consecutive order – I noticed that when Sorkin left, the quality of the writing dropped dramatically. For a little while it was question after question. Thankfully, everything levelled out and my faith in humanity was restored when the repetitive form and the gloom dispersed somewhere around early Season 6.

I’ve had radio silence for the majority of today. I meant to do writing, but instead I spent most of the morning muddling through my finances. A terrible way to spend a day off, assuredly.

Said finances aren’t anything to brag about – they never will be, I’d imagine. The plague of the writer.

Regarding the West Wing; It’s been a wonderful month of catching up on the show that I never got to watch. Such brilliance indeed. Sorkin is the God of all television writers. He creates some sort of magical entity which can’t be matched, only by his own work. That, along with some stellar acting from Sorkin’s usual ensemble; Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, John Spencer, Matthew Perry, Timothy Busfield, Janel Moloney, Felicity Huffman, Sarah Paulson and the delectable Richard Schiff. Admittedly, the above mentioned, only propel the brilliant notion of that which Sorkin has drawn up. Ahh – I’m on a nerd-tangent.

I’m driving to Birmingham this weekend. Captain of the Brewhaha van and bringer of tea to the Food & Drink Expo 2010. Not what I’d expected to be doing this year in all fairness, but certainly something bizarre and worthy of being subject of a story in years to come.

Tonight’s a busy one. Acting in just over an hour.

On a further note; I can’t feel my left leg. Must go and fix that one.

TTFN,

x

Much of an antithesis to mosts’ resolutions, I’m pretty certain that I need to elevate the amount of alcohol which I’m indulging in. Then there’s rape. The raping of the social scene in Glasgow that is. I need to get my ass out of my house and start to partake in certain life-worthy experiences. I’m not talking about mass groupings and parties of idiocy. Merely, some form of social exchange in order to vent and build upon noteworthy experiences.

It would also do me good to manage my money a little better. I know, I know. That ones an old bore, isn’t it?

Regardless – I’ve decided that if I’m to encounter said noteworthy experiences, I’m only going to do so through way of fancy, frolics and possibly travel.

When you’re putting your glasses down after the New Year, throwing away your smokes, throwing two fingers to the breeze and saying ‘never again’; think of me. Tippling on some fine wine, talking ears offa’ peoples and being a tight, (financially) miserable old bastard.

Jealous?

No, I didn’t think so.

TTFN&AHNY.

x

A lot has happened for both good and bad, best and worse and you know something? I’m pretty damn fucking good.

I believe I’ve a new found thirst for life and want to do something about said phenomenon. After a long period of numbness and bleak depravation of a healthy lifestyle – I’ve found myself bloom. No more am I relying on the ever wonderful sushi bar for food, no longer am I drumming away at my notepad with nothing to say and no longer am I loosing sleep over… well, nothing.

No. These past weeks, I’ve begun to take care of myself. I’ve begun to live a little again. I’m writing. Fuck yes, I am writing and you know something? Without wanting to blow my own trumpet – it’s not shite.

No, not at all. It’s actually pretty fucking good. Right this moment, I’m writing a scene for the advanced Practical Aesthetics class in Glasgow. Working with screen/playwrights Ann Marie Di Mambro and Chris Dolan; I’m developing a scene based on a short improvisation witnessed in a workshop just a couple of weeks ago.

Both screen/playwrights have deep roots in both television and theatre – but the ever lovely Di Mambro is the course director on the Masters course that I am eagerly waiting on beginning, assuming I get the very competitive scholarship. So far, it’s been an odd, but very nice experience working so closely with someone who will in fact determine not only the next year of my life – but quite possibly the outline of my future career. I’m smart enough to know that the writing industry and television/film industry in general is best infiltrated by mass networking and practice. Practice in the practical sense of practicing your talent and demonstrating such as that. So, my career has begun. I have networked and am still very much in the process of doing so.

I tend to get very overwhelmed when I’m placed in such social situations. Those being, situations involving persons whom I hold in very high regard both professionally and domestically. Thus, it’s hardly a surprise that I possibly ridiculed myself due to jitters and nerves when I formally met Ann Marie and Chris whilst they were having a cigarette outside the studio. After introducing myself, I got very nervous and very silly. In the alleyway, outside the studio – I proceeded from ‘Hello there, How are you?’ to ‘Would you like a cup of tea? We have earl grey, lapsang souchong, ceylon or green – fancy a cup?’.

These aren’t the words of a sane man. Not in a dank, murky alleyway; miles from the nearest kettle at least. Rather, more so the words of a lumbering fool. ie. Me.

So, after a very puzzled glance from Chris and a more understanding, tolerant smile from Ann Marie – we went upstairs and had some tea. And beyond that initial bought of ridiculous blurts on my behalf – it was very nice. I felt like I was a proper writer. I am a proper writer. It’s fun being a writer. We write things. Like this: ‘Hello’.

Moving on – I was very pleased to have been invited to a Christmas shindig at Ann Marie’s Westend Home, where upon arrival, I found myself plonked down onto a very lovely, comfortable sofa with two BBC executives to my right and Ann Marie to my left. Oh, and not to mention her Westie, Scully laying up on my knee (Good judge of character).

A very spontaneous and bizarre evening – but it was one that I’ll very much (without getting too sentimental) hold dear in my mind for years to come.

Something clicked that night. Something told me that all of the stress, anxiety, pain, boredom and sheer fucking monotony of the past four months had FINALLY amounted to something. Right before my eyes, I could see progress.

And I’m open. Ready for spontaneity. Ready for a challenge. Ready to write my little heart out.

The year two thousand and ten is quickly approaching. In these last few days of nine, I think I’ll put to rest a lot of old skeletons and emerge a fresh, spirited and ready individual in the new year.

I’m in Ireland at the moment. Home. Spending Christmas with the family, whom I have to admit – I’ve missed quite some. I very almost didn’t make it home due to silly weather and temperatures and things.

It was quite a harrowing experience indeed, taking off adjacent to a Boeing 747 which has ditched on the airport’s grassy verge due to an icy runway. Way to inspire confidence, eh?

But alas, I am here. I’ve drank my fair share of champers, sloe gin and beaujolais. I’m enjoying good food, good company, a good book, as always good television and a spot of catching up with some old friends, family and such.

So far, it’s been lovely. I only hope that you’ve had as enjoyable a holiday as I have thus far.

Be sure to remember that which is important in life – family, friends and fun. Smile, skip and have a very full, enriched Christmas break.

TTFN,

(Until 2010?)

x

At the moment, I’m unwinding with a pot of lapsang souchong, watching Ghostbusters & relaxing. I’ve never been a great one for ‘unwinding’, or ‘chilling out’. I think I’m beginning to get the hang of it.

At the moment, I’m juggling a number of projects. I’m on a very short deadline to get a piece of theatre together for submission before Christmas for the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. I’m also mulling over ideas for the Glasgay festival 2010, and have been accepted onto a writers programme with WAC Theatre, Aberdeen. To be frank, I’ve not had much time to settle down and concentrate, what with my classes in Practical Aesthetics, work and sleep.

I guess I’m still not properly into a routine. I think it’s important for creative types to find a routine – because the more creative you are, the less organised you are. Well, that’s my experience at least. Regardless, I do think it’s important to work to a schedule, be organised and to always carry a little notebook. My moleskin has been scribbled in numerous times over the past weeks. It’s beginning to prove a vital appendage.

I’ve not long got hold of Google Wave, and I’m very, very excited. There are so many prospects, for writers, directors, practitioners and numerous other professions.

Personally, I’m very eager to start collaborating with people. Lots of different people. In fact, I’m hoping to organise a mass writing event via twitter & Google Wave in the New Year. I believe that doing so, could result in the birth of a new method of collaboration. Think of it as an online ‘writers room’, if you will.  A place for people who live in different towns, cities and even countries; a place for them to collaborate with each other.

Obviously, I’m a little busy at the moment, so I’d imagine none of this will take off until 2010, but I’m very excited nonetheless.

Being a twitter junkie, I think there’s a lot of opportunity for many different persons, of many different levels of experience to contribute to a single entity/script.

Blah. I’m beginning to waffle.

Righto! Off for a bath before bed.
TTFN,

x

Currently, sitting in the most uncomfortable of the chair species – Airport Seating. Ugh. I’ve been up since 6am, for a 12pm flight. Weird, yes – however I have my reasons. Money being tight, I was offered a lift to the airport, albeit ‘free of charge’, that lift was a whole five hours before my flight! Silly, yes. But times are hard and all that crap – so I’m exploiting all opportunities.

Passing the time watching a podcast of Kevin Pollak’s Chatshow & enjoying his interview with Kevin Smith. Smith’s such a smart and interesting chap – and an excellent Storyteller. So, my company – whilst virtual, is quite enjoyable.

The sky is grey, the weather muggy and my arse is numb. I’m a little anxious about the MA & Scholarship interview tomorrow. I’m heavily relying on the Scholarship aspect to propel me forward and supply me with funding for this year – otherwise, I don’t know what I’ll do. Start working the theaters perhaps…

I’m going to review ‘Moon’ by Duncan Jones, and HAD intended to review the Harry Potter film – but I’ve decided that I’m not going to waste my time and that I’d just tell you that I thought it was horrible and ridiculously unimpressive. Talent centered around Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent and of course, Alan Rickman. Rupert Grint surprised me though – a very strong and enjoyable performance.

As for the rest. Yeah, silence says more than words could ever…

My girlie, Catherine, is performing in Ulysses the Opera on London’s South Bank this week. Very much looking forward to that! Although, I’ll be sick of travelling by…Hmm, lets say THIS AFTERNOON! But still, cannot wait.

Check out the website for more info, and sure why not drop by if you’re in London this week! =)

http://www.ulyssesthemusical.com

Right now – I’m off to mull over this ‘Moon’ review and enjoy more of Pollak & Smith.

=)

x