06: We're all just trying to find the future

SWP: You want, I give.

The title of this entry courtesy of a conversation I had with Joe Chammas earlier today. I need to clear my head, not that there's particularly a lot rattling around in there lately. I've sort of downloaded all my anxieties about granddad and illness and sensitivity and everything, and now I'm just wondering where the heck I'm at.

I've gotten some good headway on the comic lately. The top things on my agenda right now are to do some studying/reading in preparation for my exams, which begin next week. But what's really dominated my thoughtwaves lately has been Half-Past Eight PM.

Cary and I have been talking a fair bit about what can be added to the script. There are certain places in which I recognize it is not all it can be. The character of Beth, in this edition, is as flat as anything I've ever written. Certain points of dialogue are awkward (although Cary could not specify which ones he meant, I still get it.) Cary's also got a lot of designs in his head about this Hobo character he's got in there, frankly I'm not sure where to begin with it, but I'm trying. I mean, I definitely see the potential in there, but I'm not sure where to crack it open. I think the problem right now is that it's a good (great? decent?) and very tightly-constructed short play. With enough time to expand it well beyond what's on the page, and a variety of actors whose talents are totally being exploited, we're risking overwriting this bitch and I want to make sure that doesn't happen. I love this play, but at what point do we go overboard trying to make it all things to all people? Cary, I know you're Ctrl+F'ing your name, so don't think I'm just bitching idly. These are just some thoughts.

That said, this mostly comes from stress, because a lot of the notes are good and have gotten my creative wheels in motion. It's a fine line to walk between expanding the text of the play and adding unnecessary scenes just because there's time.

In any case, I'll be on it tonight and hopefully I come up with something good.

Today I went down to Sheridan to see Joe. We ended up talking a while, and then being invited by Sandy McKean (who, surprisingly, seemed to remember me) to a press conference for a local MP who was launching a student job initiative, which basically consisted of her announcing a groundbreaking new pamphlet. Still, useful for both of us. While there, we socialized with Mary Lynn (and later, Nathan and Denni.) Joe and I always have a lot to talk about, even beyond just catching up on stuff. We've had some pretty decent conversations. Anyway, as I mentioned, that's where the title came from, regarding all our attempts to find our way in this world.

Other than that it was a pretty boring day.

I finally pulled the trigger on something I've been meaning to do, which is I lent Dad some Lost DVD's (I rented them from Blockbuster, and left them in his care to return if he watched them, or if he didn't.) He noted he was in the midst of going through Stargate, which could take a while. Well.

Now, personally, it took until about the end of Walkabout to get me intrigued enough to keep going, so I figure if he watches the first disc it should do the trick. If he watches it.

I found out my schedule for the summer semester, which is intriguing... I got from 4-9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, until the midway point, when I'm just 4-6. It's not so bad, although it's not great, at least I'll only be going to Toronto twice a week, which is less expensive and frees me up in case I happen across my dream 3-days-a-week job.

I think this meeting-girls-online thing has run its course. It's not happening. Maybe I'll meet a nice girl the old fashioned way (maybe I already have.) Maybe I should check the vacancy of local monasteries (*if there are any?) It does seem that hopeless, and I'm just trying not to make a big deal while also advertising the fact that it does bother me anyhow. Well, such is life.

I should really get writing. I just keep hitting refresh on my Inbox as if something interesting is suddenly going to crop up there. We're mysteriously deep in our bandwidth allotment for the month, moreso than usual for halfway through the month, which has got us all paranoid. They'd better not shut us off cold turkey.

Also, I've got about a half a book left I should burn through as quickly as possible.

I should be relaxing. I actually am, too. Which I guess is a polite way of saying procrastinating.

Keep on rockin'
-Scotto