Shaping Up

Things seem to be coming together all around, thankfully. It's a trend that I want to see continue.

My plan to get things back on track is reaching a head. I have to fly to NY in a couple of weeks in order to finish that off, but I'm expecting good things to come out of it. That will be the biggest obstacle to my small plan of living happily ever after.

I don't ask for much, do I?

Oh, and I have December flowing through my veins! That's how one of the fellows at Digital Webbing described me. I LOVE it! It's going to be my signature there. Why did he say it? Because I'm a little hard on scripts. Only a little. It's not as if people come away bleeding or anything. Maybe frostbitten, but not bleeding.

But I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

Remember the conversation I had with that editor a few weeks ago? Well, I've sent him a couple of book ideas, and he's really taken with them. I'm still reworking them so that they'll be good enough to sell, and its more waiting once that happens, but I'll have an in, you know? So that's going VERY well. I couldn't be happier with the progress made.

Also, my column is seeing regular hits. I'm happy about that. If I'm also able to get some discussion started there, that'd be great, too, but I knew what I was getting into when I decided to do it. I knew it was a small site and that traffic would be a bit slow. However, the traffic that I do get to the site is steady, so there's at least that to consider.

I also have to write some more articles for it. I'm weeks ahead, but it's easy to get behind, you know? So, I know what I'll be doing tonight. Working on the pitches and writing articles. (Only so I can get even busier later.)

Last night was pretty decent, actually. I asked one of the guys at DW to send me a script of his so I could edit it, and that's what I spent my time doing last night. It took me longer than I wished because work got in the way (as well as conversation, but I knew I was going to have conversation as soon as I saw who my partner was), but I think it turned out pretty well. The script itself was extremely good, especially for a first time comic writer (when I say extremely good, I mean the guy did his homework when it comes to EVERYTHING in writing a comic script). My job, really, was as proofreader and doing some lite editing. Yes, it was that good.

Well, he loved it. Absolutely. He already has a company on the hook for it (that was a happy accident), but is thinking about going another way. If he goes the other way, he's going to ask me to edit the book. If he goes with the company that wants it now, they already have their own editor, which is understandable. But he absolutely loved the edits, because they were helpful. There was one scene that he was worrying over for days, and he says I fixed it for him perfectly.

Nah, I don't think I'm that smart. This isn't me getting a big head. I have December running through my veins, remember? That should stop the swelling. I'm honestly just happy to help. I'll get there on my own soon enough. I have a goal to be extremely busy, remember? That goal is coming along nicely.

I can't think of much else that's been going on. I'm sure there's more, like Robert Kirkman's Kontroversy- saying that creators should do creator-owned work, and Marvel/DC should direct their wares more towards children. A bit pie in the sky, but there is truth to what he says. Personally, though, I'm with Steven Grant's point of view with this one- do both. There's enough space for it, and if you can do both, then do both.

I'll just not be leaving my full-time job in order to do it. Health insurance is nice, y'know?

Okay, I'm done. Waiting for the mailman to come, and then it's back to sleep for me. I have work tonight, and Lenora and I are going to the movies tomorrow. (Cheap theater, $1 per movie. Can't beat that!) I'll also be putting up the next installment of Bolts & Nuts when I get home from work. It'll be good.

Go listen to the Krush Groove soundtrack. You'll be glad you did.

Fingers In Different Pies...

I hang out at Digital Webbing a lot. A LOT. As a writer, I feel it's something that I have to do. I get a lot of different things out of it: some camaraderie with fellow writers, as well as the ability to look for artists; the ability to help newer writers with their work; and just be part of a pretty decent online community. It's fun and educational.

Because of that online community, I was able to ask some questions for an interview of Erik Larsen. I asked three questions, but the interviewer only used two of them. Hey, I'm cool with that. I got my questions answered sufficiently, one of which I already knew I wasn't going to get much of an answer for. However, the asking of those questions translated into the ability to write a weekly column at Project Fanboy, and I have to say that so far it's going pretty nicely. I've only posted two of them, an introduction that gives who I am and a general layout of what I want to accomplish, and a second one that's really the first post, talking about story and fitting it inside of a comic format. Next week I'll be talking about plotting, and the week after that will be characters. I've got a plan, and will be writing far into the future whenever possible. I want to have about a good six weeks of columns ahead of me at any one time, and I'm in the process right now of building that up.

I've also gotten some feedback on a couple of pitches I sent out. The editor wanted to see two pages of story for a romance OGN that I want to do, plus a revised pitch for one on car insurance. I sent both of those on Monday and am now just waiting to hear back from him. I was pretty surprised when I heard back from him within a relatively short time on the first set- it was about a week, if not two, when he got back to me. Usually he takes about a month. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime, he wants me to watch a movie. To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday. It was something of a minor problem, but it's been overcome. I love movies, but neither Lenora nor I are movie renters. We'd rather watch it on cable, and if we like it enough, we want to own it so we can watch it whenever we want. I'm an admitted sci-fi/horror buff, especially the old ones in b/w and early color; being male, I also like action and comedy. While I'm not big on drama, I'll get in a mood every so often lately. (Getting older and tastes are changing.) Lenora likes offbeat movies- Crazy In Alabama, Real Women Have Curves, stuff like that. Suffice it to say that while I've heard of To Gillian, I've never seen it. Neither has Lenora. That's about to change in a few days. We got a friend to get it from Netflix, and then I'll be able to watch it, make some notes, and give it back. It'll be good.

I also heard some news about a comic company, but I have to keep it under wraps for now. I just hope that everything works out well with the deal. Once it's announced, it'll be a done deal. Just looking for that announcement.

I just checked out a story and ran across the most absurd thing that makes absolute sense, as well as touches on a story I want to write. I hate being beaten to the punch, but I have to also figure out where I want my story to go, as well as how I want to write it. Ah, well...

I just finished reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail, and it was a GREAT book. Makes me want to write another story, actually. A political thriller with a Merovingian as the protagonist. It also led to an arguement with Lenora.

I read the book, and had the kernel for a story. I usually take those kernels and talk with her about them. So I took it to her, first trying to explain where I was coming from, and she wanted to argue the merits of the book. That's fine. I can deal with that. Give me a chance to explain where I'm coming from, and then tell me what you think.

Nope. That seemed to be too hard. She didn't want to be quiet long enough to listen to what I had to say.

Now, I'm openly pagan. Lenora calls herself pagan, but doesn't really know what she is, from a religious standpoint. She was in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses for a while, and still filters a lot of things through those eyes. She also has remnant's of her grandmother's views, basically that religion is someone's "paramount personal opinion." And she's not incorrect. Her grandmother was quite possibly pagan, and her mother has some psychic powers also. Anyway, Lenora even said she went as far as to watch a program about the book, and didn't like the fact that they "made stuff up." I don't know anything about the program. I didn't watch it. However, the book has not only footnotes, but a bibliography of their references, a lot of which are in French, which I can't read. She didn't want to listen to it. Every time I started to try to explain, she would talk over me, because she was already "right."

So I decided not to talk to her about my work anymore. Pretty sad state, don't you think? It reminds me somewhat of April, my first wife. She wanted everything to be about her, and my mind was always on a story I wanted to work on, and we argued about it, and I stopped talking to her about it, too. What's the point if someone doesn't want to hear it?

Oh, she wants to change her tune now, saying she'll listen and keep her mouth shut, but to my mind, it's kinda late for that. All I wanted was her opinion on the story. I guess it wasn't t be.

Still waiting on some paperwork from the NY court system. Once that gets settled, LOTS of things will be easier around here. I'm hoping it'll be within the next couple of days. I'd like to have this done by the end of the month, truthfully. The sooner the better.

And I finally got an address on Boom! Studios! I'll be sending them over a couple of pitches, along with a script or four. We'll see how that goes. As a matter of fact, I need to make sure those scripts are scrubbed clean before I send them. I also need to write a cover letter, as well as decide what I want to send, besides Keys. And then there's scripts to finish, as well as some to write...

When I was sending pitches to the editor, he turned a lot of them down, but wants to see some others. I have a better idea now on where to go with some of those others, and will rework those accordingly, but I also don't want those pitches I wrote just languish. So I'll start sending those out and see who nibbles. I could be very busy very quickly, not to mention if the editor wants to buy the two pitches I just sent.

Let's say I got everything I wanted: three graphic novels and three limited series. One of the limited series is already written, it would just need to be edited, so that's five. Four of them would need to be plotted and written, and since I know where I want to go with them, that's the relative easy part. The big one would be the one on car insurance. A lot of research still to be done on that one, and it would need to be outlined before I could even think about plotting, let alone a page count.

That would mean I'd be a VERY busy guy for a while. I'd have six books to get ready, a column to write, blogging, plus my day job. That's not even counting possibly becoming part of the One Hundred and Four. My day job gives me a lot of stability, not to mention health insurance, and that's not something I'd want to give up if I didn't have to. Yes, Lenora has health insurance at her job, but she can retire in a few years. She probably won't want to, but she'd have that option. I'd rather not make it harder than necessary. Freelance work is difficult to get, and while it wouldn't take me as long if I worked from home and wrote all day long, it's still something I'm reluctant to do.

Between the two of us, Lenora and I have ten kids and ten grandkids. That's a lot of mouths to feed, a lot of birthdays, and Christmas- let's not even talk about Christmas. I'd rather just work when I had to and write every day (I wouldn't need to go in for as much overtime as I do if I were getting an advance and royalty checks) rather than give up the stability the City gives my family. Not to mention my probation is nearly up, and I'll really have the job at that time.

So it's really not wishful thinking. It could happen. I just have to make it happen.

I guess that means it's time for me to get to work, so that's what I'm going to do. Go get some Digital Underground cd's. You'll be glad you did.

It's Already August

I have no idea where the time goes. Honestly. Remember when the lazy days of summer would be the best thing in the word? You'd wake up to bright sunlight and just know it was a beautiful day out. No school, you had to wait for the afternoon to get cartoons, but that was fine because you'd be able to go outside and play until then. Life was great.

Now look at us. We wake up because we have to work. We work because we want to eat and pay the bills on the stuff we bought because we wanted it, and it goes on and on. Vacations? Who can 1) afford to take a vacation, and 2) wants to take one when the only thing you have to look forward to when you get back is the pile of work you left behind- the pile of work that's somehow managed to grow in your absence.

All of that, and it's August already.

Actually, things are going a little rough right now. The family car has started giving us problems, and we're coming up with a solution to fix it. The solution should fix a few other problems, as well- at least until my plan finishes coming together. As soon as that's taken care of, everything else should fall into place neatly.

Anyway, I had a telephone conversation with an editor about a week ago. That went really well! I now have a better understanding of what he's looking for, and have sent in a couple of pitches accordingly. I had been sending pitches almost regularly to him, and they kept getting batted down, but now that I better understand what he's looking for, I have to tailor the stories and the pitches to conform to those. So I'm waiting to see what happens with those. If things go true to form like they have been, I'll be waiting for about a month, but if the pitch I really want gets accepted, it's a month worth waiting for. Then the REAL work will begin. I'm trying to get a small jump on the process now, thinking about a vague outline, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. This book will be a LOT of work. It may feel like I'm writing it forever, but it'll be a good thing- it means that it's being published AND that I'm being paid for it.

I also started up a new column called Bolts & Nuts at Project Fanboy. See the sidebar for the link. It's basically about helping new comic writers and the comic creation process. It's a small site, but it has some members. The only thing it can do is grow. (Well, that's not the only thing, but I'm going to remain positive.) I want it to be more informative than Dirk Manning's Write or Wrong at Newsarama. Nothing against him, but I've read a few of his articles, and there's nothing really useful in there. I guess I should peek in again, but I'm not too hopeful about what I'll find.

Kittens! We're now down to two of them, which means we have four cats and the dog. Lenora's friend came and got one last week, and we just got back from dropping two off at the animal shelter. We're keeping two, and my stepdaughter says that she's taking the two adults with her when she moves out. She's supposed to be moving sometime in the middle of the month, but we'll see what happens.

Short story: my stepdaugher is 24. She wants to move into her own place. (Hell, she needs it!) Lenora went to San Diego with her best friend in order to pick up her best friend's car, and I had to work until 5am (a twelve-hour shift that I had no knowledge of when I went in that day, but I digress). When I came home, I found the girl sleeping on the couch in the living room. We had already gone a round about the living room not being a bedroom, and I won that discussion. (She and her 18 year old brother are also scared of spiders, apparently.) Anyway, the reason she was sleeping on the couch? She was home alone, and wanted to hear every sound as they happened. A big chicken, and she wants her own place. Yeah.

Okay, going to spend some time with Lenora, eat, watch some bad movies, and go to bed. Going to spend the day tomororw working on my column as well as seeing a friend. It's going to be great.

And that's me. Go watch the original Frankenstien. Boris will love you for it.

-Steven

Last Things First...

Lenora and I went to see The Dark Knight last night. It was a GREAT movie. Easily as good as Iron Man, and better than Batman Begins. That's my idea of a good time.

What's better? There's a Coldstone Creamery on the south side of Tucson! A five minute trip (well, ten), and I'll have great ice cream. It doesn't get much better than that.

Well, that's not true. It does. The getting better just takes more time, is all. Tomorrow I have a phone meeting with an editor about the stories I've been pitching him. Doesn't that sound misleading? Like he wants to buy one? Nah, nothing that great. He's just trying to get me to pitch him stories that are more in line with his place in the sandbox. I'm very excited about that, to tell the truth. I have a lot more stories to pitch, and if they're more in line with what he's looking for, then I have a better shot of getting a story picked up.

What else? You want more? Sheesh. Demanding.

Okay. I've been in touch with Hannibal Tabu of the 104. He said that it was too early to begin looking for more apprentices, but he'd treat this like a sports recruitment, and gave me some marching orders. He also gave me a deadline to get him some writing I've done. September 8. Gives me time to do some writing and refining.

Hmm. I don't seem to be as garrolous today. Wonder what that's all about.

Anything else, working backwards? I don't think so. So, forward again.

I'm on vacation. Have been for a while. It's my first real vacation in years, to tell the truth. Actually, come to think of it, it's my first real vacation ever. Sure, I've taken vacations before, but I always considered them to be working vacations. When I was in Virginia Beach, I'd head up to NY or something because I had to, or went to San Diego for a few days (which is when I met my wife in person). There was even a trip to the San Diego Comic-Con, and I had a blast.

That was the entire reason I took this vacation, to tell the truth. When I first started working for the city of Tucson, I had to sign up for some vacation. I didn't want to, but was almost forced to. Anyway, I signed up for the vacation over the SDCC weekend, and then promptly forgot about it. It was damn near a year away, so why worry about it. It was a nice surprise when they asked me for my vacation signup that I found out I had vacation time coming, and then remembered signing up for this time. I was able to work it so that I had ten whole days off, but only taking three days of vacation and one floating holiday. That's my idea of a good time.

But then, I became financially embarrased. We moved twice, and other things were happening that I'm now in the process of taking care of. So instead of going to San Diego, I'm here at home. The only bad part about it is that I've only spent a little more time with my wife. She has things to do, too, and of course, does them.

So what have I been doing with all my time? Some of it was spent cleaning, some reading, some writing. Speaking of which, I just thought of something else I've done. Great news, actually. I've found an artist for another title of mine, and am in the process of converting a lot of my characters into snapshots using City of Heroes so the artist knows what direction to take it. I've also written a document that will keep me in a particular direction. We're hoping to start work in September or October, and I have some other things I want to get done, as well. Looking forward to that. The City of Heroes character creation just takes a while, is all, and it doesn't do everything I want it to do. It couldn't, and I understand that. Far be it from me to blame the program for not being able to do a manifestation of the Phoenix Force, for example. I'll just have to be pretty descriptive when I do the character designs. I have plans. I have plans.

I've also been thinking about a couple of stories. They've been burning a hole in my mind, but I have to rework the pitch for one, and write the pitch for the other, but that'll happen after my conversation tomorrow. I may send him four pitches, where I usually send him three. I have to either expand or undercut the genre I'm writing in, and that's easier said than done. One of the stories- okay, two of the stories- would possibly be doing just that, but that's for him to decide.

Actually, I have three pitches already written and ready to go, but want to send them after I talk to him. That's really not asking too much, especially when it could lead to a lot of other things. One of the stories is Ministry, a tale about government; the other is a story about a private detective. I'm actually going to be rewriting that pitch, incorporating some of the recent thoughts I've been having lately. Then there's the story he wants to see again, but more as a comedy. Not something I really want to do, but I'm trying to make it work. I'm just not seeing it come together.

The good news is that there's another story he wants to see again, as well. The Confessional. He wants a complete rethink of it, and I'm going to give it to him. This one I can do. I want to give that one some time to simmer in my head, though. See how else I can say it- push the story into other areas to really get across what I want it to do.

Then there's Her Voice, which is new. I haven't written a word of it yet. Well, that's not true. It started out as something else, and morphed into this. A sadly triumphant story of loss and love. It has me excited, too. I just have to find the best way to tell the story. I have two ways to go, and now that I think about it, it may be best if I use them both in the separate stories. The first way for the first story I was writing, and the second way for this story. It works. Now I just have to find the rest of the story for each of them.

Ever have more stories than you know what to do with? That's me. Not all of them will get done, but I have faith that a good portion of them will. Hell, Spawn was years in the making, as was Wanted. I have time, but I'm actively working to make it happen.

That's really about it. I have to pick up Lenora in a little bit, and that's going to be my day. Get some writing done later, if not tomorrow.

Okay, I'm gone. Have a great one. I have to make a list of questions to ask the editor tomorrow, as well as some writing.

You be good. Listen to some Bootsy.

-Steven

Being Flexible

Last time, I said I was going to spend yesterday with Lenora, and today working on my writing.

Well, yesterday I spent sleeping (and finally feel caught up!), and today Lenora said she's going to stay home- but she's still debating that with herself.

Which means I'm a bit out of luck for writing, if she does.

Personally, I'm quite happy if she stays home. We haven't spent much time together lately. I've gone over my job some, but not much. I work from Friday to Monday now, with Tuesday-Thursday off. What does that mean for my marriage? Not much, except I don't get to see my wife as often as I'd like. She has to take days off in the middle of the week in order to spend real time with me, and while I love it, I'm also not happy about it. Her job is one of those where if she's not there, she comes back to yesterday's pile, as well as today's pile. I'm extremely happy that my job isn't like that anymore. I just have to deal with things right this very moment, and then it's done. I don't even have a desk- just a space I occupy for my shift. It's great.

What else is great is the fact that I have a plan. Implementation starts today. Once successful, it frees up my checkbook so that I can actually see some of the money I'm "making."

It'll also allow me to hire another artist for a project I've had in my head for years.

I saw this artist on DW, and he's perfect for the needs of the story. He does both pencils and inks, with very clean lines and clear storytelling ability. If he accepts my generous offer, I suspect great things from us.

We'll see what happens.

It's almost 5:30 am. Lenora is going to be up in a little bit. We made an agreement to pick weeds at first light. (It's HOT here, and we want to do it while it's cool.) It shouldn't take too long- not even an hour, if we're lucky.

So, I'm off to pick weeds, look for an address or call my ex-wife, and get some court papers notarized and put them in the mail.

Then I'm going to watch a movie with my wife while we put away laundry.

And then nap, because I have some overtime today.

That's my plan. What are YOU doing?

-Steven

Getting It Done (kinda)

Okay, I've been watching Clue as I go to sleep for the past few sleep cycles (I can't call them nights- going to bed at 4 am is not a "night", no matter how long you sleep for!), and it's as good as I remember. I watched the trailer, and there's a scene in the trailer that didn't make the cut of the movie. Yeah, I know it that well. Kinda sad, I know, but don't tell me you don't know every word to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or Grease, or Blazing Saddles. So, no digs on me about clue. Besides, Leslie Ann Warren and Colleen Camp were sexy in it.

Before the move, I was flipping channels and landed on Murder She Wrote. Angela Landsbury and Tom Bosly, yadda yadda. However, Tom was looking for a new deputy, and it turned out to be a woman. Her face bothered me, because I couldn't place it. And then the light bulb finally went off- Colleen Camp.

I was watching the new (not scary) Halloween. The nurse that got killed by little Mikey? She looked familiar as hell to me, but I couldn't place her. Watching the commentary track, it turned out to be Sybil Danning. I was only slightly horrified. She still looks good (I loves me some older wimmins!), but there was something going on with her teeth that was un-sexy. All it did was serve to remind me I need to get Howling II: Your Sister's A Werewolf. (Yes, I like bad movies! Give me a good bad movie over this cgi crap any day. At least those movies have real special effects.)

Yes, I'm still waiting to hear about the pitches I sent. This is the last time I'll mention it for a while. In the meantime, I'm working on other pitches.

I still have yet to watch Benny Hill. When I get some downtime lately, it's basically sleep time. So, that's on my plate. However, it's not the monkey that's on my back. THAT particular monkey belongs to a private detective I'm also going to submit. I'm combining some elements from other stories I have in order to make this new one, and while I find it interesting, I'm having trouble writing an interesting pitch for it. I'll work on it on Wednesday. Tomorrow is my day with Lenora, and I have some overtime to do on Wednesday. When I'm not doing the overtime, I'll be working on the pitches. Then I'm off on Thurs, and that'll probably be devoted to cleaning house.

I also requested to become an apprentice of the Hundred and Four. Kinda like the 4400, but much different. (Was that show any good? I only watched a couple of episodes. It seemed decent enough.) What is the 104? Basically, it's a group of people that will help teach how to write in a multitude of disciplines, as well as the business side of writing. The editor in chief of the endeavor is Hannibal Tabu, creator of The Buy Pile, which is where I learned of the 104 in the first place. (Hannibal is also the assumed first name of my private detective. Hannibal means "grace of Baal" and is the name of a great general of Carthage, from Africa. But you knew that, right?) So, we'll see what happens with that. I really like their mission statement, and I truly want to become a better writer. I just have to wait almost a week to hear back from him.

They say patience is a virtue, but I'm as patient as a llama with it's tail on fire.

Okay, time for bed. What's the movie? I don't remember. It'll be a b/w horror movie, though. Those are the best kinds. Which reminds me of another pitch I have to write... Wednesday, llama. Wednesday.

Be good. Go buy a Public Enemy album today.

-Steven

Not Dead Yet!

I've had a headache for the past few days. Nothing major, but I haven't really felt like doing too much. Lenora says it's a stress headache, and while I'm inclined to believe her, I really try not to stress too much. Really.

Comics-wise, things are on hold for a while. I'm broke, so I'm in no position to get an inker for the pages I have, nor get the rest of the art team paid for. I have another project that I'd like to do as well, but without the money to pay the artist, that's on hold, too. The good thing is that he'll wait to get paid before starting. He doesn't mind being in a holding pattern, and I'm VERY happy about that.

I'm still waiting to hear back on some pitches I sent in. The guy there usually takes about a month, so I have another couple of weeks to go. That's okay. Gives me time to work up some other pitches for him. That's a nut I'm going to crack. I have an idea for a private detective story that I want to send him, as well as a few others that I'll work on tonight when I go to work. The detective story is kicking my ass, though. I have to find a way to succinctly say what I want to do, and still make it interesting. It's something to work on. I'll get it done.

I've also decided to work on a werewolf story, but something that's not been done a billion times, you know? Most of the werewolf stories you see are the same thing: guy gets bitten, and now wants to get rid of the curse. He just has to find the one that bit him, or go all the way to the start of the strain, and kill them. Some variation of the "wanting to get rid of the curse" is as old as The Wolf Man, and frankly, I'm tired of it. I've had this idea for a couple of weeks now, even before I read Fool Moon by Jim Butcher. I forgot that I knew some things about werewolves, and could have sworn I had a werewolf book in my personal library, but I was wrong. So, I have to get some books on it. Yes, I know, the web is right there, but I can also get a lot of reading done at work, and since I don't have the money to pay for an aircard as yet, buying books and taking them with me will have to do.

There's also a writer I'm working with to take a screenplay he wrote and turn it into a graphic novel. I gave him a few tasks to write some other scripts before tackling the conversion, so that it's more of a natural thing for him, and he did pretty well. The conversion itself, though, may be a bit harder. We both are going to break it down, and see where each issue lies before comparing notes. I'm trying to get him to think critically, as well as think as a comic book writer. It's a bit different than thinking as a screenwriter. It'll be good for him.

I'm also waiting to hear back from Cary about the proposition I made him. He's been silent so far- maybe he doesn't like it. No skin off my nose if he doesn't. As always, we'll see what happens.

Tennis. -sigh- Federer lost Wimbledon to Nadal. That blew me away.

Wait. Let me set the stage a little bit.

I don't have tv here. Remember being broke? Well, the money for the internet is really all we have right now. So I haven't been able to get my tennis on. It's a little worse here in Tucson, because the Cox cable here doesn't carry the Tennis Channel. The house I moved from had Comcast, and they carried it, as did the Cox in Virginia Beach, but not here in Tucson. At the other house, was still too broke to get the sports package, but was able to catch about half the tennis on ESPN2. But like I said, since we moved, no cable except for the internet.

So, as I was checking my hotmail account, I saw that Nadal beat Federer. I wasn't happy. Lenora loves Nadal, and I'm a Roger fan. She gives Roger props for being extremely talented, but doesn't like him. It went five sets, though, and while I'm not happy about the outcome, it was a better showing than Roger's French Open showing. Next is the U.S. Open. We'll see what happens there. At least it was an all Williams final on the women's side. The sisters need to become a force to be reckoned with in women's tennis again. With Justine Henin out of the picture, all they really have to do now is beat the Serbs and Maria. Not too tough, right? Yes, there is some sarcasm in there.

Oh, and I finally found a Suncoast Video here, and they had Clue! I've been wanting this movie on dvd for a while, and Lenora let me have it. Wonderful woman, my wife. We also saw some other things we want, and will get when we're not so broke: The Tick vs Season Two, Dark Shadows (have to finish that collection), 24, as well as some random movies. I couldn't tell you what, though. She was looking through the movies, while I was looking at the collections. But now I have Clue, and I'm going to watch it again before taking a nap. Well, that and other movies. And breakfast. Can't forget breakfast. My stomach won't let me. At least my headache seems to be gone. I took the ibuprofin about twelve hours ago, and haven't had a twinge since. That's great news for me. My co-workers were a little worried. I wasn't my usual perky self.

And it's monsoon season here. Finally, we get rain and cloudy days. It's been raining off and on here all night. I just looked out my office window into my "low maintenance" backyard, and noticed a LOT of weeds coming up. I guess I have my work cut out for me either later today or tomorrow morning. When we buy it, I don't know what we're going to do with the backyard, but we'll think of something. Probably a pool area, and some plants. I dunno. Just thoughts.

Okay, I'm done. Food, movies, and sleep, in that order.

Be safe.

-Steven