I have a confession to make . . . I'm a non-fiction junkie.
I have been for years.
One of my greatest fears is that this is making me like my father. He always had some strange biographical work laying around such as "The Lint Collection of FDR," or "Harry Truman's Secret Life."
I worry that I am becoming like him not because I like non-fiction and he liked non-fiction, but I worry that my taste will decline to the crap that he was reading . . .
It forces me to ask the question, why do old people watch the history channel?
How many ground breaking documentaries do you have to watch about Pearl Harbor to figure out that Japan bombed the shit out of us!
I was sitting with my friend Chris who has cable. (Mandy and I do not have cable or else we would never get anything done. Although I do miss it this time of year for scary movie marathons.)
Chris and were sitting on his couch when a new documentary about JFK came on. And we watched it. We both sat with our mouths open in silence watching it like it was The French Connection or Silence of the Lambs.
Why?
It didn't change my perspective on history. It didn't shed anything in a new light. (Other than point out how inept we were at dealing with the media, protecting prisoners and protecting the President.)
I still get upset when people idolize Jackie O and say she was going for help. No, she wasn't, she was running for her life. She was trying to get out of the car because someone was shooting at her and her husband's head just got blown off.
I don't mean to be crass, but it's the truth.
And every time I watch the tape I say to myself, there's no way one guy made all those shots . . . and where was the Secret Service? The first gun shot should have brought a flurry of agents throwing their bodies across the car to protect those inside . . . but I digress and my opinion will never change about that day.
Although it does make me want to write an alternate history story/film script where I posit the question . . . what would the world be like if JFK hadn't been assassinated?
Would we still, to this day be in the clutches of the cold war?
Would the Berlin Wall have never come down? (The only good thing Regan did - thank goodness he had a pair of brass ones when dealing with the Soviet Union.)
This is an idea I think that is worth playing with. There might be something in it that could make a great movie.
But I have digressed . . .
My original point about liking non-fiction . . .
I recently finished, My Life in France, by Julia Child.
I encourage everyone to read it.
If you are an artist or are following a dream you should read it.
If you are struggling to figure out what to do with your life, you should read it.
Julia Child is inspiring.
Her journey of becoming the woman she became and doing what she loved; is truly an amazing, heartfelt and an incredible story.
So please read it.
It's easily the best book I've read all year.
I will admit that I am very biased. I love travel literature. I love it like a crack addict loves the glass pipe. I also am a foodie who cooks (Duh, have you seen the recipes?).
So this book combines two things I love and adore and mixes it with the story of a woman following her bliss and doing what she loves and guess what? She's pretty freakin' successful at it.
Read it kids.
And yes, I have some recipes to post. I'm saving them for the weekend.
Until Next Time True Believers . . .
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
My Mom's Kolache Recipe.
I know, I know . . . how many friggin' posts can I write in one weekend?
Well, it's wet and rainy outside and I had planned to go support my fellow academy members at the New York Submission Shootout, but things just ran away from me today.
I'm working on dropping a weight class. So I'm doing two-a-days of workouts and eating next to nothing so I can fight a weight class down in the tournament I plan to attend Nov. 7th.
That probably explains why I'm extra grouchy right now and can't seem to get anything done other than blog. Plus I'm home alone, all my friends are busy, I don't have cable or get any reception on the TV and I've been up since 5AM. (Over training will do that.)
I also just got a wall post on facebook from someone who used my chili recipe and loved it. That made me happy and it made me want to give back to the Universe by sharing my mom's kolache recipe.
Now, this recipe is very important to me. As some of you may know we had to put my mom in a home due to some severe medical issues. She suffers from Posterior Cortical Atrophy. It's a pretty rotten and very severe form of dementia in the Alzheimer's family.
The story of the recipe thickens because unbeknownst to me, an ex of mine had the original, in my mom's handwriting and through the grape vine of the Universe she heard about mom and sent it to my sister, Susan in Cedar Rapids, IA.
That was really, very cool of her: thank you Brandy.
After getting the thank you for the chili recipe I decided I should share with the non Czech/Bohemian world the magic of the kolache.
I grew up with kolaches being made during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. They were a staple pastry growing up. The picture doesn't really do them justice. When Mandy and I were recently back in Iowa my sister and I took Mandy to Czech Village and inducted her into the cult of the kolache.
Here's a brief history of the kolache from Wikipedia . . .Kolache (also spelled kolace, kolach, or kolacky, from the Czech and Slovak plural koláče) is a type of pastry consisting of fillings ranging from fruits (including poppy seed, raspberry, and apricot) to cheeses inside a bread roll. Originally only a sweet dessert from Central Europe, they have become popular in parts of the United States. Several cities, including Prague, Oklahoma, Caldwell, Texas, and East Bernard, Texas hold annual Kolache Festival celebrations, while Montgomery, Minnesota, is the "Kolacky capital of the world"[1]Days. Verdigre, Nebraska, stakes the same claim, with a similarly-named festival.[1] Prague, Nebraska, is commonly known as the home of the world's largest kolache. Fayetteville, TX, claims the title of "Kolache capital of Texas." Crosby, TX, also has a yearly Czech festival. St. Ludmila's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, hosts it annual Kolache Festival the first full weekend in June every year and makes over 600 dozen kolaches to sell at its annual event. and holds an annual festival.
A related dish is a klobasnek, which often uses similar bread but is filled with a piece of sausage. These are sometimes mistakenly referred to as kolaches. They may also contain ham and cheese, sausage, jalapeño slices, and more resemble a "pig in a blanket" than the original pastry. There is also a sweet and flaky filled pastry with Polish origins called the Kalach.This also clears up the debate I have with folks of Polish decent who try to claim they have kolache as well.
I also didn't realize how crazy Texans are about the kolache. They are crazy over this pastry and nearly every website I found relating to kolaches was out of Texas. Go figure.
So, in conclusion, here's my mom's Kolache recipe.
Connie Broulik's Recipe for Kolaches
2 pkgs dry yeast
1 TBS sugar
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1 tsp salt
1 egg
7-8 cups flour
Various jars of fruit/preserves (apricot, prune, cherry, raspberry)
1 egg white
4 Tbs butter
Dissolve 2 pkgs dry yeast and 1 TBS sugar with 1/2 cup luke warm water. Mix, then set aside.
In a large bowl, put 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup shortening and 1 TSP salt. Pour 1 CUP BOILING WATER over this mixture and stir until shortening is dissovled. When shortening is dissolved, add 1 cup cold water and 1 egg (whipped). Add yeast mixture.
Stir in 7-8 cups flour, one cup at a time, until smooth but not too stiff. Leave dough sticky. Let dough rise. Shape into balls and let the balls rise. Make indents into balls after they have risen and fill indents with spoonful of preserves/fruit. Baste lightly with butter. Baste VERY LIGHTLY with egg whites.
Bake 425 to 450 for 6-10 minutes.
Makes at least 4 dozen kolaches.
There you have it. My mom's recipe. I haven't made them since Brandy (the ex who was so awesome to return the recipe) and I lived together in Iowa 8-9 years ago. (Wow, it's been that long since I lived there!??!?) I think I'm going to take another stab at them this coming holiday season. Maybe they can be Mandy's and my contribution to Christmas this year.
Oh and if you haven't tried my Soba noodle, fennel, walnut and pea recipe yet do it! It rocks!!!!
Until Next Time True Beleivers . . .
My Favorite New Shows.
I've decided to dedicate this post to something I love dearly, TELEVISION.
I love it.
Deep down in my heart I think it is one of the greatest storytelling mediums ever.
When it's great - it's incredible. When it's bad . . . It's Jon & Kate + 8.
TV is where my hopes, dreams and wishes lie . . . I want to make really great TV and be a part of some amazing storytelling.
Putting all of that sappy crap aside, here are my picks of the current crop of new shows.
#1 FLASHFORWARD
In case you live under a rock and haven't caught it, you should. Terrific cliff hangers, solid performances, interesting writing and a concept I HOPE won't jump the shark or get worn out like LOST has.
#2 MODERN FAMILY
Thank you someone for getting Ed O'Neil back on TV. Ty Burrel, so funny. And yes, that was Shelly Long on a recent episode. It's funny, truthful, endearing and I will never listen to the Lion King the same way again.
#3 GLEE
Say what you will but I am addicted. The pilot was brilliant. The following few episodes were shaky but I feel like the show has found it's storytelling feet and it's style to create a complete world. I just hope it can keep it up. I had my doubts but they have been able to create some great moments with some smart writing (I'm assuming that's Ryan Murphy's doing?) even when the rest of the episode was, blech.
#4 VAMPIRE DIARIES
Attack me if you must, but Kevin Williamson is pretty awesome. He writes angst ridden teenagers acting like adults better than anybody. It shoots in Georgia instead of on a lot in LA and despite some bad acting, the writing is sharp and one or two performances aren't bad. I have high hope for it. I want it to stay on the air. I know its soap opera like and I wanted it to fail and then I watched an episode . . . I didn't hate it. So, I watched another. And like another Williamson show, Dawson's Creek, it's highly addictive and I'll watch it in my closet, alone, if people will judge me for my TV tastes.
SHOWS WALLOWING IN THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Here is a show returning for a second season that, quite frankly, isn't great . . .
1# FRINGE
Throw things at me if you must, but Fringe sucks. I dislike like it for a number of reasons. 1.) They bailed on NYC and moved to Vancouver, BC. 2.) They have completely dropped, ignored major story developments in hopes that the audience won't notice. 3.) Anna Torv, is bad. The cast that surrounds her, Joshua Jackson, John Noble and Jasika Nicole is terrific and interesting. 4.) Stop giving Lance Reddick jobs. He is bad and has never been good and is one note. 5.) Did I mention the writing?
I had such high hopes for this show and it just never lived up to any of them. It could have been cool, it could have been great. Instead it took the middle road and went bland. Maybe it will surprise me -I doubt it.
Here are two shows that I really like that are back for a second year . . .
#1 CASTLE
I know it's innocuous as hell, but I really do like this show. The writing isn't bad, the supporting cast is great and while sometimes it crosses a line into cute and corny, I still like it. Molly Quinn and Nathan Fillion make the show for me. It brings a smile to my face. I quite frankly don't know why I like it -but I do. The only bad thing I have to say about the show is that is should shoot in NYC full time. It's set in NYC - it should be shot in NYC.
#2 MAD MEN
Duh!. 'Nuff said.
HERE IS A SHOW THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK!!!!!
#1 SOUTHLAND
Why, oh why NBC did you pull the plug? NBC, stop making horrible mistakes. At one point you were the top of the networks and now, well, you are at the bottom. SPIKE TV makes better programming decisions than you do.
I was looking forward to Southland's return. Here was a show, that while sometimes off the mark, I felt that if given a full season order could do something unique on Network. I hear rumblings that TNT may be picking it up. I hope so.
MOST ANTICIPATED NEW PROGRAMING.
#1 MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE
I know, mock me for my sentimentality, but the trailers/commercials make me want to watch it. Maybe it appeals to the side of me that's a dude and isn't getting any younger. Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher and Ray Romano? That alone will get me to watch it. I hope it doesn't dissapoint.
#2 V
I'm not even going to justify this choice - to anyone who grew up with the original, I shouldn't have to.
For those of you who are curious as to what I consider good and bad TV here is a partial list of some of my all time favorites.
MASH
ROSANNE (the first 5 seasons, up to 3 was some perfect, amazing TV)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the most recent)
RESCUE ME
SLINGS & ARROWS (go Canada!)
LIFE ON MARS (The British NOT American.)
SCRUBS (I don't care what you say, I will watch it anytime, anywhere!)
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
THE WEST WING (up to season 5)
X FILES
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've got off of the top of my head.
Until Next Time True Believer's . . .
I love it.
Deep down in my heart I think it is one of the greatest storytelling mediums ever.
When it's great - it's incredible. When it's bad . . . It's Jon & Kate + 8.
TV is where my hopes, dreams and wishes lie . . . I want to make really great TV and be a part of some amazing storytelling.
Putting all of that sappy crap aside, here are my picks of the current crop of new shows.
#1 FLASHFORWARD
In case you live under a rock and haven't caught it, you should. Terrific cliff hangers, solid performances, interesting writing and a concept I HOPE won't jump the shark or get worn out like LOST has.
#2 MODERN FAMILY
Thank you someone for getting Ed O'Neil back on TV. Ty Burrel, so funny. And yes, that was Shelly Long on a recent episode. It's funny, truthful, endearing and I will never listen to the Lion King the same way again.
#3 GLEE
Say what you will but I am addicted. The pilot was brilliant. The following few episodes were shaky but I feel like the show has found it's storytelling feet and it's style to create a complete world. I just hope it can keep it up. I had my doubts but they have been able to create some great moments with some smart writing (I'm assuming that's Ryan Murphy's doing?) even when the rest of the episode was, blech.
#4 VAMPIRE DIARIES
Attack me if you must, but Kevin Williamson is pretty awesome. He writes angst ridden teenagers acting like adults better than anybody. It shoots in Georgia instead of on a lot in LA and despite some bad acting, the writing is sharp and one or two performances aren't bad. I have high hope for it. I want it to stay on the air. I know its soap opera like and I wanted it to fail and then I watched an episode . . . I didn't hate it. So, I watched another. And like another Williamson show, Dawson's Creek, it's highly addictive and I'll watch it in my closet, alone, if people will judge me for my TV tastes.
SHOWS WALLOWING IN THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Here is a show returning for a second season that, quite frankly, isn't great . . .
1# FRINGE
Throw things at me if you must, but Fringe sucks. I dislike like it for a number of reasons. 1.) They bailed on NYC and moved to Vancouver, BC. 2.) They have completely dropped, ignored major story developments in hopes that the audience won't notice. 3.) Anna Torv, is bad. The cast that surrounds her, Joshua Jackson, John Noble and Jasika Nicole is terrific and interesting. 4.) Stop giving Lance Reddick jobs. He is bad and has never been good and is one note. 5.) Did I mention the writing?
I had such high hopes for this show and it just never lived up to any of them. It could have been cool, it could have been great. Instead it took the middle road and went bland. Maybe it will surprise me -I doubt it.
Here are two shows that I really like that are back for a second year . . .
#1 CASTLE
I know it's innocuous as hell, but I really do like this show. The writing isn't bad, the supporting cast is great and while sometimes it crosses a line into cute and corny, I still like it. Molly Quinn and Nathan Fillion make the show for me. It brings a smile to my face. I quite frankly don't know why I like it -but I do. The only bad thing I have to say about the show is that is should shoot in NYC full time. It's set in NYC - it should be shot in NYC.
#2 MAD MEN
Duh!. 'Nuff said.
HERE IS A SHOW THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK!!!!!
#1 SOUTHLAND
Why, oh why NBC did you pull the plug? NBC, stop making horrible mistakes. At one point you were the top of the networks and now, well, you are at the bottom. SPIKE TV makes better programming decisions than you do.
I was looking forward to Southland's return. Here was a show, that while sometimes off the mark, I felt that if given a full season order could do something unique on Network. I hear rumblings that TNT may be picking it up. I hope so.
MOST ANTICIPATED NEW PROGRAMING.
#1 MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE
I know, mock me for my sentimentality, but the trailers/commercials make me want to watch it. Maybe it appeals to the side of me that's a dude and isn't getting any younger. Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher and Ray Romano? That alone will get me to watch it. I hope it doesn't dissapoint.
#2 V
I'm not even going to justify this choice - to anyone who grew up with the original, I shouldn't have to.
For those of you who are curious as to what I consider good and bad TV here is a partial list of some of my all time favorites.
MASH
ROSANNE (the first 5 seasons, up to 3 was some perfect, amazing TV)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the most recent)
RESCUE ME
SLINGS & ARROWS (go Canada!)
LIFE ON MARS (The British NOT American.)
SCRUBS (I don't care what you say, I will watch it anytime, anywhere!)
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
THE WEST WING (up to season 5)
X FILES
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've got off of the top of my head.
Until Next Time True Believer's . . .
An addendum . . .
I want to pick up on something I wrote in my last post and clarify a point.
I want to make it clear that I don't hate all theatre.
Here's a litmus test of the theatre I hate/don't hate . . .
If you are a group of people who firmly believe that as theatre makers & storytellers you have a unique vision of the world and/or a unique story and you feel compelled to tell it?
Then by all means do it.
We need unique voices.
Let's face it -I hate most new plays because they feel like television. And believe me - I love television. It's my preferred medium of choice.
If I am reading/watching your play and I think to myself . . . would this be better filmed or shot? Then we have a problem. It's not theatre. So writers, I beg of you, write things that feel like plays. I actually got excited over a new play the other day. It was an audition for a show at New York Women's Project. A play called Smudge. It was awesome. A terrific play, that could only be a play and would not work in another medium.
But I digress . . .
Back to my original point.
If you are starting a theatre company because you feel like you talent just isn't being heard and no one wants to even give you a call back or a second interview. (Or even a first you are agent hunting.) If you feel like you just have to be onstage no matter what and that the world and the industry is wrong for not recognizing it.
Do me and everyone else a favor.
DON'T.
Find something else to do with your life.
Please.
Don't suck up limited funding and audiences and annoy your friends because of some narcissistic need for people to look at you.
I blog, I'm a complete narcissist - but it's free and no one has to pay for it!
Here's a tip, your Mommy and Daddy did love you even if they never said it - you don't have to keep vying for attention from people who are never going to give it anyway. So give yourself a big hug and say, "I can do something else with my life and be a productive member of society."
Oh and a tip, he/she from last night isn't going to call you today because they could smell the desperation and crazy coming out of your pores. So don't call them. Love yourself a little and try to get some self respect. Desperation is a scent best left in the bottle.
Ok, I'm done with that rant.
I want to make it clear that I don't hate all theatre.
Here's a litmus test of the theatre I hate/don't hate . . .
If you are a group of people who firmly believe that as theatre makers & storytellers you have a unique vision of the world and/or a unique story and you feel compelled to tell it?
Then by all means do it.
We need unique voices.
Let's face it -I hate most new plays because they feel like television. And believe me - I love television. It's my preferred medium of choice.
If I am reading/watching your play and I think to myself . . . would this be better filmed or shot? Then we have a problem. It's not theatre. So writers, I beg of you, write things that feel like plays. I actually got excited over a new play the other day. It was an audition for a show at New York Women's Project. A play called Smudge. It was awesome. A terrific play, that could only be a play and would not work in another medium.
But I digress . . .
Back to my original point.
If you are starting a theatre company because you feel like you talent just isn't being heard and no one wants to even give you a call back or a second interview. (Or even a first you are agent hunting.) If you feel like you just have to be onstage no matter what and that the world and the industry is wrong for not recognizing it.
Do me and everyone else a favor.
DON'T.
Find something else to do with your life.
Please.
Don't suck up limited funding and audiences and annoy your friends because of some narcissistic need for people to look at you.
I blog, I'm a complete narcissist - but it's free and no one has to pay for it!
Here's a tip, your Mommy and Daddy did love you even if they never said it - you don't have to keep vying for attention from people who are never going to give it anyway. So give yourself a big hug and say, "I can do something else with my life and be a productive member of society."
Oh and a tip, he/she from last night isn't going to call you today because they could smell the desperation and crazy coming out of your pores. So don't call them. Love yourself a little and try to get some self respect. Desperation is a scent best left in the bottle.
Ok, I'm done with that rant.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Why I hate theater & a recipe you must make!
I hate theatre . . .
Let me clarify that point.
I hate MOST theatre.
My friends hate it when I say things like that. It really rubs them the wrong way. I don't blame them for getting angry. I'm attacking the very foundation upon which they stand.
So let me clarify further, only a handful of the last couple of plays/musicals I've seen were worth even the student rush price or the SRO price.
August: Osage County, I would have paid double.
For the most part though,NYC theatre is pretty bad. The actors are terrible and the production values suck.
Wait - let me clairify this . . . MOST NEW YORK THEATRE SUCKS.
Yup.
I've seen great theatre in Spring Green Wisconsin at The American Players Theatre. I have yet to see a bad show there.
I've seen great theatre in Chicago, Ohio, Florida even Iowa. . . but alas NYC theatre sucks.
It's over priced and I'm tired of being solicited by friends to come see their shows.
Here's a tip kids . . . I don't want to pay $15-$50 bucks just to see my friends perform!
It doesn't mean that you are doing anything real. It just means that you bilking your friends for money and guilting them into coming - but you are not really building/developing an audience!
Of course let's face facts, most of the actors in New York shouldn't be actors. They are bad. They are here sucking up space at auditions never really doing anything and living like dogs because they don't have the emotional maturity to say to themselves, "It's okay if I do something else with my life."
So, here you go kids, I've just said it for you. Now move back home and figure out what to do with your life.
I have, of course, opened up a box of worms, a can of Pandora with these words. I've gotten involved with a fledgling theatre company. But I swear I will adhere to the next two principles . . . it will entertain, i.e. you will always get your money's worth. So if the ticket cost $15 I will make sure you get $15 worth of entertainment?
Fair?
And I swear that all shows will at least be visually interesting. If nothing else the show will look cool.
Agreed?
Good.
Right now I'm working on my cutting/arrangement of Twelfth Night. Yup, I'm over hauling The Bard. I trying to cut it down to one hour and twenty minutes.
What's funny about this is that I am a purist. I am. I love the text. I'm a text Nazi - but when it comes to directing, I can't be precious. Plus I'm trying to accomplish something with my cutting.
I also promise you it will look cool.
OK, now for the recipe . . . .
Soba Noodles with walnuts, fennel and peas.
Serves four, Prep time: 10 minutes, total time: 25
2/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
10 ounces of soba noodles. (The buckwheat shrinks fat cells and it has sooo much protein!)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bulbs fennel, fronds and ends trimmed, thinly sliced. (Often times grocery stores incorrectly label fennel as anise)
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth. ( I used chicken.)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest. (I actually used a squirt of fresh lemon juice as a finisher before serving.)
grated Romano cheese to top when done.
You can also add Turkey meatballs if you are a meat eater - but they are really not necessary.
TOAST the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. I find a little butter opens up the flavor of the walnuts oh so well. Set aside.
HEAT in a large skillet, wok or saute pan the olive oil over medium heat.
Add garlic - saute for 1 minute.
Add fennel and stir fry over medium low heat for 8 minutes or until softened.
Add peas, broth and salt.
Simmer over low heat.
Cook, your soba noodles. It only takes 3-4 minutes once the water is boiling. Drain them, but don't rinse the noodles. The starch from the soba when you mix every thing together will make it like a cream sauce - so don't rinse.
Toss everything together.
Serve.
It's roughly 500 calories per serving, but 24 grams of protein.
Enjoy!
Until next time true believers . . .
Let me clarify that point.
I hate MOST theatre.
My friends hate it when I say things like that. It really rubs them the wrong way. I don't blame them for getting angry. I'm attacking the very foundation upon which they stand.
So let me clarify further, only a handful of the last couple of plays/musicals I've seen were worth even the student rush price or the SRO price.
August: Osage County, I would have paid double.
For the most part though,NYC theatre is pretty bad. The actors are terrible and the production values suck.
Wait - let me clairify this . . . MOST NEW YORK THEATRE SUCKS.
Yup.
I've seen great theatre in Spring Green Wisconsin at The American Players Theatre. I have yet to see a bad show there.
I've seen great theatre in Chicago, Ohio, Florida even Iowa. . . but alas NYC theatre sucks.
It's over priced and I'm tired of being solicited by friends to come see their shows.
Here's a tip kids . . . I don't want to pay $15-$50 bucks just to see my friends perform!
It doesn't mean that you are doing anything real. It just means that you bilking your friends for money and guilting them into coming - but you are not really building/developing an audience!
Of course let's face facts, most of the actors in New York shouldn't be actors. They are bad. They are here sucking up space at auditions never really doing anything and living like dogs because they don't have the emotional maturity to say to themselves, "It's okay if I do something else with my life."
So, here you go kids, I've just said it for you. Now move back home and figure out what to do with your life.
I have, of course, opened up a box of worms, a can of Pandora with these words. I've gotten involved with a fledgling theatre company. But I swear I will adhere to the next two principles . . . it will entertain, i.e. you will always get your money's worth. So if the ticket cost $15 I will make sure you get $15 worth of entertainment?
Fair?
And I swear that all shows will at least be visually interesting. If nothing else the show will look cool.
Agreed?
Good.
Right now I'm working on my cutting/arrangement of Twelfth Night. Yup, I'm over hauling The Bard. I trying to cut it down to one hour and twenty minutes.
What's funny about this is that I am a purist. I am. I love the text. I'm a text Nazi - but when it comes to directing, I can't be precious. Plus I'm trying to accomplish something with my cutting.
I also promise you it will look cool.
OK, now for the recipe . . . .
Soba Noodles with walnuts, fennel and peas.
Serves four, Prep time: 10 minutes, total time: 25
2/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
10 ounces of soba noodles. (The buckwheat shrinks fat cells and it has sooo much protein!)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bulbs fennel, fronds and ends trimmed, thinly sliced. (Often times grocery stores incorrectly label fennel as anise)
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth. ( I used chicken.)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest. (I actually used a squirt of fresh lemon juice as a finisher before serving.)
grated Romano cheese to top when done.
You can also add Turkey meatballs if you are a meat eater - but they are really not necessary.
TOAST the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. I find a little butter opens up the flavor of the walnuts oh so well. Set aside.
HEAT in a large skillet, wok or saute pan the olive oil over medium heat.
Add garlic - saute for 1 minute.
Add fennel and stir fry over medium low heat for 8 minutes or until softened.
Add peas, broth and salt.
Simmer over low heat.
Cook, your soba noodles. It only takes 3-4 minutes once the water is boiling. Drain them, but don't rinse the noodles. The starch from the soba when you mix every thing together will make it like a cream sauce - so don't rinse.
Toss everything together.
Serve.
It's roughly 500 calories per serving, but 24 grams of protein.
Enjoy!
Until next time true believers . . .
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Trainwreckitis!
Yup,
Trainwreckitis . . . it's my one of my favorite words. I stole it from Mark Law who at the ripe age of 50 decided to take up Judo.
Trainwreckitis is also how I feel at the current moment. I'm back at the Jits full bore with both barrels blazing since my road race season has drawn to a close.
I missed my last race due to a memorial/funeral I had to speak at. I have to admit, while I was happy to speak at the memorial, I was more than a bit grumpy that I was missing the Staten Island Half Marathon. Oh well.
Now I just have to keep my running fitness up and not let my weekly mileage drop too low during the winter.
Which brings me back around to the Jiu Jitsu. I was sad that I wasn't able to belt test. But injury and traveling for the family back in Iowa kept me away just enough so that I didn't feel ready for testing. So the next belt test is Dec. 15th and I have to be there no matter what. (I don't think Sensei/Professor/Maestre will let me slide on this one.)
I already have the syllabus for it so getting the information down pat should not be a problem.
The real problem is going to be keeping my body intact. I've added training days and I'm also trying to drop a weight class. I'm the smallest of the "big guys." As a result I end up fighting guys who outweigh me by 100-150 lbs.
It sucks.
If I drop a weight class the guys I roll with who are a few pounds under me won't be able to complain about having to roll with a guy that outweighs them by ten pounds. (They have no idea what's it's like rolling with the really big guys!) So, I'm hard at work at dropping some weight, increasing my flexibility and increasing my explosive power. (If only I had kettlebells to work with!)
Right now Trainwreckitis is how my body feels.
I fought off a guillotine choke for a good five minutes today and I know my neck won't be right in the morning. I also spent the whole class and open mat time fighting from the bottom in half guard. I got sort of angry when one of the guys (who was resting off to the side) told me I was being lazy - at that point I'd been fighting for 20 minutes from the bottom and was getting my face smashed in. I'd also been fighting for consciousness for the last 2 or 3 minutes - the jerk. I'm all jacked up. But I only have one more day to train this week before I get two days off to heal and rest. (Well, I'll run/lift/stretch/yoga/plyometrics - but no jits for two days.)
Until next time true believers. . .
Trainwreckitis . . . it's my one of my favorite words. I stole it from Mark Law who at the ripe age of 50 decided to take up Judo.
Trainwreckitis is also how I feel at the current moment. I'm back at the Jits full bore with both barrels blazing since my road race season has drawn to a close.
I missed my last race due to a memorial/funeral I had to speak at. I have to admit, while I was happy to speak at the memorial, I was more than a bit grumpy that I was missing the Staten Island Half Marathon. Oh well.
Now I just have to keep my running fitness up and not let my weekly mileage drop too low during the winter.
Which brings me back around to the Jiu Jitsu. I was sad that I wasn't able to belt test. But injury and traveling for the family back in Iowa kept me away just enough so that I didn't feel ready for testing. So the next belt test is Dec. 15th and I have to be there no matter what. (I don't think Sensei/Professor/Maestre will let me slide on this one.)
I already have the syllabus for it so getting the information down pat should not be a problem.
The real problem is going to be keeping my body intact. I've added training days and I'm also trying to drop a weight class. I'm the smallest of the "big guys." As a result I end up fighting guys who outweigh me by 100-150 lbs.
It sucks.
If I drop a weight class the guys I roll with who are a few pounds under me won't be able to complain about having to roll with a guy that outweighs them by ten pounds. (They have no idea what's it's like rolling with the really big guys!) So, I'm hard at work at dropping some weight, increasing my flexibility and increasing my explosive power. (If only I had kettlebells to work with!)
Right now Trainwreckitis is how my body feels.
I fought off a guillotine choke for a good five minutes today and I know my neck won't be right in the morning. I also spent the whole class and open mat time fighting from the bottom in half guard. I got sort of angry when one of the guys (who was resting off to the side) told me I was being lazy - at that point I'd been fighting for 20 minutes from the bottom and was getting my face smashed in. I'd also been fighting for consciousness for the last 2 or 3 minutes - the jerk. I'm all jacked up. But I only have one more day to train this week before I get two days off to heal and rest. (Well, I'll run/lift/stretch/yoga/plyometrics - but no jits for two days.)
Until next time true believers. . .
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Over 2000 people can't be wrong.
For those of you who know me on Facebook, you've probably put together the fact that I did, indeed, run in a half-marathon this past weekend.
Yes, I did it on busted up ankle . . .
Yes, I did it in the pouring rain . . .
Yes, it blew my mind and I had an incredible time!
2: 04:44 - that's a 9:31 min./mile pace.
I think I can feel good about that.
As for the ankle, it hurt the entire time. It hurt from the moment I got up that morning. There was more pain than there had been in days . . . but then, I had been training on it trying to see if the pain would be too much to actually do the race. I sucked it up and ran anyway.
Reader, let me tell you - it was twice the size of my other ankle for two days. I'm actually going out for a run this morning - we'll see how it holds up.
Now for the weather. It was pouring rain the entire time. And I don't mean a light drizzle. It was a sheet of rain for about half of the race. We ran through puddles (more like lakes) where the water covered our shoes. They changed the course and directed us around things due to 1/4 mile pieces of ground that were submerged. We ran though mud, lots of mud and were leaping over pieces of the course that were water logged and un-passable.
Was I doing a half-marathon or a steeple chase?
It was also a tight course, I bumped elbows with a lot of folks. It was hard to pass people due to the lack of room and often times there were frequent bottle necks. I was more than a little weird-ed out running with that many people. I'm a solitary runner. I don't even have a running club. (Which I need to change.) But it was exciting. Runnign alongside that many people was a high unto itself.
And the support of folks got me more than a little misty eyed. Those folks who had people supporting them with banners. Where even being there was an accomplishment. Cancer survivors, folks there for weight loss, or good people who were running for the memory of someone or to raise money for a cause . . . yeah, I got misty eyed more than once. But then I'm a sentimental boob.
Then there were the people who were hanging out of their windows banging on pots and pans cheering us on. I know no one was cheering for me - but it was still cool.
And the volunteers! Holy crap those people need a round of thanks. They were incredible. Encouraging us and providing water or re-staking the course to we could cross it and keep going, they were standing in that rain for hours - it was wet and cold and they were up before I was and all I can say is thank you and I very much need to volunteer at a race so I can return the favor.
Oh! And I had a race-mance.
It was lonely running in that race. In the beginning I was nervous and had no one to talk to or share my experience with. I had butterflies in my stomach along with a feeling of loneliness and despair. (It's moments like these that I wish my girlfriend or any of my friends ran - I wish I could share with them the feelings in my chest - but they just won't get it. Same thing happens when I talk about jiu jitsu . . . their eyes glaze over and they may pretend to care & understand but deep down inside I know they are humoring me.)
So there I was, lined up at the back of the race. (I'm not confident enough to start towards the front - even though I know I could shave a minute or two off my time if I started farther forward.) My stomach was all atwitter, rain was coming at this point in a light mist (it had been raining all morning and night) and I was filled with loneliness that I had no one to share this moment with. My first real race surrounded by over 2000 people who came together for no other reason than to run.
In the beginning, out of fear of gassing, I paced myself off of a few people who looked like they knew what they were doing. It started out a 13 min pace then slowly we crept up to a 10:30 pace. We were still packed so tight that it was hard to open up and pass people. I started making small talk with some folks but very few people were having it. Not a lot of people wanted a talker . . . I was rejected politely time and time again. I tried to join other groups - no one would have me. It was like some horrible version of high school and I'm the new kid and no one wants to be my friend.
Finally we pick the up the pace to a steady 9:15 pace. It's a comfy, fun and manageable pace for 13.1 miles.
We are in Liberty State Park diving over puddles and people I make a snarky remark and a young woman next to me responds . . .
What!
Someone else who is alone out here and wants to converse!
Hooray!
So Lauren and I settle into our pace. A lovely 9:05-9:30 pace. We share our hopes, dreams & wishes - what we want out of life - are we ever going to do a marathon. It was awesome. Why? Because I had someone to talk to get my mind off of myself. I was able to rise up and out of my ridiculous circumstances (and not focus on my own misery) and I had someone else there to push and motivate me. (Although towards the end she was talking about her need to vomit so maybe I was pushing her?)
Lauren was also gracious enough to let me open up my pace the last half mile. I could have opened it up the last 3 miles and clipped them off at a solid 7 - 7:30 pace, but I didn't want to leave a soldier behind. Lauren encouraged me to open up my stride and let my legs go, so I did for the last 1/2 mile. It felt really good.
Then I realized that if I could have gotten Lauren to push it a little more earlier on -we could have both come in under 2 hours. But alas -what was more important, connecting with a human being or finishing under 2? It was my first race so I was happy to make a connection.
I have also learned the huge lesson of dry clothes and not to trust your girlfriend with them. She left my rain coat at home. So there I was rapidly cooling down in the rain with no way to keep the rain off. That was perhaps one of the most miserable mile walks ever. My body started to seize up on me. It felt like hypothermia was setting in. So next time, I'm not asking her to bring anything. I'm just going to check it all and have dry warm clothes for after. It will allow me to stretch & cool down and hopefully have a much more comfortable trip home.
I'm thinking about my running future. I'm going to join the Hoboken Harriers so I have someone to run with. I also am going to join New York Road Runners. I've decided that I will do the Queens Half, the Philly Half, this race and the Staten Island Half and make that my running season. But then I got to thinking . . . if I'm racing that much next year. Why not join NYRR, do their 9 qualifying races and volunteer at one and qualify for the NY Marathon?
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Right now, I need to think about my next race. Oct 11th is the Staten Island Half. I'm determined to finish under 2. I figure with better conditions and a happier ankle I should be able to do it.
But now I'm wondering - what if I'm like those racehorses that love the slop? What if I need crappy conditions to run?
I guess only a few more races and time will tell.
Until next time true believers . . .
Yes, I did it on busted up ankle . . .
Yes, I did it in the pouring rain . . .
Yes, it blew my mind and I had an incredible time!
2: 04:44 - that's a 9:31 min./mile pace.
I think I can feel good about that.
As for the ankle, it hurt the entire time. It hurt from the moment I got up that morning. There was more pain than there had been in days . . . but then, I had been training on it trying to see if the pain would be too much to actually do the race. I sucked it up and ran anyway.
Reader, let me tell you - it was twice the size of my other ankle for two days. I'm actually going out for a run this morning - we'll see how it holds up.
Now for the weather. It was pouring rain the entire time. And I don't mean a light drizzle. It was a sheet of rain for about half of the race. We ran through puddles (more like lakes) where the water covered our shoes. They changed the course and directed us around things due to 1/4 mile pieces of ground that were submerged. We ran though mud, lots of mud and were leaping over pieces of the course that were water logged and un-passable.
Was I doing a half-marathon or a steeple chase?
It was also a tight course, I bumped elbows with a lot of folks. It was hard to pass people due to the lack of room and often times there were frequent bottle necks. I was more than a little weird-ed out running with that many people. I'm a solitary runner. I don't even have a running club. (Which I need to change.) But it was exciting. Runnign alongside that many people was a high unto itself.
And the support of folks got me more than a little misty eyed. Those folks who had people supporting them with banners. Where even being there was an accomplishment. Cancer survivors, folks there for weight loss, or good people who were running for the memory of someone or to raise money for a cause . . . yeah, I got misty eyed more than once. But then I'm a sentimental boob.
Then there were the people who were hanging out of their windows banging on pots and pans cheering us on. I know no one was cheering for me - but it was still cool.
And the volunteers! Holy crap those people need a round of thanks. They were incredible. Encouraging us and providing water or re-staking the course to we could cross it and keep going, they were standing in that rain for hours - it was wet and cold and they were up before I was and all I can say is thank you and I very much need to volunteer at a race so I can return the favor.
Oh! And I had a race-mance.
It was lonely running in that race. In the beginning I was nervous and had no one to talk to or share my experience with. I had butterflies in my stomach along with a feeling of loneliness and despair. (It's moments like these that I wish my girlfriend or any of my friends ran - I wish I could share with them the feelings in my chest - but they just won't get it. Same thing happens when I talk about jiu jitsu . . . their eyes glaze over and they may pretend to care & understand but deep down inside I know they are humoring me.)
So there I was, lined up at the back of the race. (I'm not confident enough to start towards the front - even though I know I could shave a minute or two off my time if I started farther forward.) My stomach was all atwitter, rain was coming at this point in a light mist (it had been raining all morning and night) and I was filled with loneliness that I had no one to share this moment with. My first real race surrounded by over 2000 people who came together for no other reason than to run.
In the beginning, out of fear of gassing, I paced myself off of a few people who looked like they knew what they were doing. It started out a 13 min pace then slowly we crept up to a 10:30 pace. We were still packed so tight that it was hard to open up and pass people. I started making small talk with some folks but very few people were having it. Not a lot of people wanted a talker . . . I was rejected politely time and time again. I tried to join other groups - no one would have me. It was like some horrible version of high school and I'm the new kid and no one wants to be my friend.
Finally we pick the up the pace to a steady 9:15 pace. It's a comfy, fun and manageable pace for 13.1 miles.
We are in Liberty State Park diving over puddles and people I make a snarky remark and a young woman next to me responds . . .
What!
Someone else who is alone out here and wants to converse!
Hooray!
So Lauren and I settle into our pace. A lovely 9:05-9:30 pace. We share our hopes, dreams & wishes - what we want out of life - are we ever going to do a marathon. It was awesome. Why? Because I had someone to talk to get my mind off of myself. I was able to rise up and out of my ridiculous circumstances (and not focus on my own misery) and I had someone else there to push and motivate me. (Although towards the end she was talking about her need to vomit so maybe I was pushing her?)
Lauren was also gracious enough to let me open up my pace the last half mile. I could have opened it up the last 3 miles and clipped them off at a solid 7 - 7:30 pace, but I didn't want to leave a soldier behind. Lauren encouraged me to open up my stride and let my legs go, so I did for the last 1/2 mile. It felt really good.
Then I realized that if I could have gotten Lauren to push it a little more earlier on -we could have both come in under 2 hours. But alas -what was more important, connecting with a human being or finishing under 2? It was my first race so I was happy to make a connection.
I have also learned the huge lesson of dry clothes and not to trust your girlfriend with them. She left my rain coat at home. So there I was rapidly cooling down in the rain with no way to keep the rain off. That was perhaps one of the most miserable mile walks ever. My body started to seize up on me. It felt like hypothermia was setting in. So next time, I'm not asking her to bring anything. I'm just going to check it all and have dry warm clothes for after. It will allow me to stretch & cool down and hopefully have a much more comfortable trip home.
I'm thinking about my running future. I'm going to join the Hoboken Harriers so I have someone to run with. I also am going to join New York Road Runners. I've decided that I will do the Queens Half, the Philly Half, this race and the Staten Island Half and make that my running season. But then I got to thinking . . . if I'm racing that much next year. Why not join NYRR, do their 9 qualifying races and volunteer at one and qualify for the NY Marathon?
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Right now, I need to think about my next race. Oct 11th is the Staten Island Half. I'm determined to finish under 2. I figure with better conditions and a happier ankle I should be able to do it.
But now I'm wondering - what if I'm like those racehorses that love the slop? What if I need crappy conditions to run?
I guess only a few more races and time will tell.
Until next time true believers . . .
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Procrastination Nation . . .
This morning I didn't run off to Jiu Jitsu. My ankle is still really tetchy and I'm not sure what to do with it. I should have went to Jiu Jitsu, but I also had some news to deliver to a friend about a common acquaintance that passed away. I Used the phone call as an excuse not to head to the 9:30 am Jiu Jitsu class.
Fear over my ankle injury is getting me to make excuses not to train. I hate fear.
I think I'm teetering on that very fine knife's edge of over training.
I will however do a mid-distance run this afternoon before heading to rehearsal for Jihad The Musical. You heard me correctly, Jihad The Musical. By the way, I'm playing a character called Hussein. You do the math.
Feeling crappy and over my head about the musical since I'm not a musical theater person, I never have been, nor have I ever passed myself off as one. I'm doing it because they asked me and I think they need the warm body there for the composers to hear it before they head off to London for the production being done there.
As for running and the ankle . . . I did a short, 4.25 mile, run on Sunday. The ankle held up. It was strange and scary as running on it felt like I was running with a piece of wood attached to the end of my leg. But then am I being paranoid and hyper-aware?
I'm not going to lie to you, it did hurt. But it wasn't unbearable and it wasn't like the pain changed at all during the run.
The question still hangs in the air, can I run 13.1 miles on it without causing serious damage to myself?
It's also not healing as fast as I want it to. If it's a bone bruise it could take a long time to stop hurting.
I actually caught myself looking at the New York Road Runners Website and saw they have a half marathon coming up October 11th in Staten Island. I started thinking to myself that I could always do that one . . .
But these thoughts are like admitting failure . . . I hate failure.
Some of my loved ones don't understand why I would even consider running a half marathon while injured. They are obviously people that haven't trained for something. It would be a huge blow to my spirit if I spent all this time:doing long runs, sprints, speed drills etc. and not do the race that has been my goal. It would leave me with a sad and heavy heart.
On the upside my buddy Chris and I have decided to start working on a project together. In an effort to help his teaching I suggested he start a blog to help him refine his ideas and be pro-active about his own creativity. (I'm all for encouraging people to write, in a any way, shape or form. The only writers that piss me off are folks who claim to be writers but never write anything!)
In addition to his blog I suggested he start a pod cast to help support it. So, now we are. We are going to be interviewing folks connected to the business of acting and putting it out there into the void that is the world wide web. I think this should be fun. We are viewing ourselves as the Click and Clack, The Car-Talk of the acting world.
Anything is worth doing as long as I get a good story out of it and learn a little about something.
On the recipe front. I was feeling all Fall like again so I made a Sheperd's Pie. Or rather a variant on it. Mandy loves it. I haven't heard a verdict yet from Chris. But I'll post the recipe in a day or so.
Until next time True Believers.
Fear over my ankle injury is getting me to make excuses not to train. I hate fear.
I think I'm teetering on that very fine knife's edge of over training.
I will however do a mid-distance run this afternoon before heading to rehearsal for Jihad The Musical. You heard me correctly, Jihad The Musical. By the way, I'm playing a character called Hussein. You do the math.
Feeling crappy and over my head about the musical since I'm not a musical theater person, I never have been, nor have I ever passed myself off as one. I'm doing it because they asked me and I think they need the warm body there for the composers to hear it before they head off to London for the production being done there.
As for running and the ankle . . . I did a short, 4.25 mile, run on Sunday. The ankle held up. It was strange and scary as running on it felt like I was running with a piece of wood attached to the end of my leg. But then am I being paranoid and hyper-aware?
I'm not going to lie to you, it did hurt. But it wasn't unbearable and it wasn't like the pain changed at all during the run.
The question still hangs in the air, can I run 13.1 miles on it without causing serious damage to myself?
It's also not healing as fast as I want it to. If it's a bone bruise it could take a long time to stop hurting.
I actually caught myself looking at the New York Road Runners Website and saw they have a half marathon coming up October 11th in Staten Island. I started thinking to myself that I could always do that one . . .
But these thoughts are like admitting failure . . . I hate failure.
Some of my loved ones don't understand why I would even consider running a half marathon while injured. They are obviously people that haven't trained for something. It would be a huge blow to my spirit if I spent all this time:doing long runs, sprints, speed drills etc. and not do the race that has been my goal. It would leave me with a sad and heavy heart.
On the upside my buddy Chris and I have decided to start working on a project together. In an effort to help his teaching I suggested he start a blog to help him refine his ideas and be pro-active about his own creativity. (I'm all for encouraging people to write, in a any way, shape or form. The only writers that piss me off are folks who claim to be writers but never write anything!)
In addition to his blog I suggested he start a pod cast to help support it. So, now we are. We are going to be interviewing folks connected to the business of acting and putting it out there into the void that is the world wide web. I think this should be fun. We are viewing ourselves as the Click and Clack, The Car-Talk of the acting world.
Anything is worth doing as long as I get a good story out of it and learn a little about something.
On the recipe front. I was feeling all Fall like again so I made a Sheperd's Pie. Or rather a variant on it. Mandy loves it. I haven't heard a verdict yet from Chris. But I'll post the recipe in a day or so.
Until next time True Believers.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
My first chili of the season!
Since I've been feeling the first nips of fall in the air, Mandy and I consulted and decided that it was time for my first Chili of the season!
Now readers, for those of you who don't know - I am a man who cares greatly for his chili. I have several chili recipes: ranging from the quick one I made last night to an all day affair making the sauce from scratch to a White Bean Chicken & Cashew Chili.
Needless to say, it was awesome!
We sat down, ate our chili and watched the original Halloween. A movie, I feel, that is the Gone With the Wind of Horror Films.
I really do feel that Slasher films, Independent Film (It was shot in 4 weeks with a budget of $300,000) and Horror Films in general owe a great deal of debt to this movie.
The way Carpenter sets up the scares. The fact that The Shape (Michael Meyers) is at once otherworldly and yet at the end of one kill in particular comes off as very human (which makes him even more frightening).
What also astounds me about this film is the lack of blood. He chokes most of his victims. How brilliant is that! There's the terrific opening shot which is one giant tracking shot inspired by Touch of Evil.
It doesn't get much better than that.
In fact it left me felling more than a little inspired. So, I'm dusting off my horror film once again and setting down to bang away on the keyboard today.
But after watching Halloween my own ideas seem so craptastic. Halloween was so simple: a Babysitter & the Bogeyman.
Confession; I do enjoy writing TV pilots more than film scripts. I think its the difference in the storytelling. TV is still dialogue driven and film, no matter how cool it is, has now evolved into being such a director driven, visual media. How many times have I been on a film set and they toss the dialogue away completely or let the actors and director make it up. But in TV that just wouldn't happen. Also TV allows for longer storytelling. You don't have to do it all at once.
I love how the Brits do it, six episode seasons.
Unfortunately their model doesn't make any money. But it does make me wonder. If we made 13-14 one hour episodes would the quality of the story telling increase in TV?
Does the pressure of 22 episodes under threat of seven seasons ruin the storytelling? Everyone pitches for seven season but really only comes up with five seasons worth of ideas.
So let's just be honest. Maybe our model doesn't work?
Maybe we would maintain viewership with MORE ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING? That's right. What if you had four 13 episode shows to put into that time slot? (Okay we will go with three shows at 13 weeks a season that leaves 13 weeks of do what you will time for the network.)
You could cultivate a genre for a time slot at your network.
Also it would be so much cheaper for the production companies. Think about it. Have the writers work like crazy putting out scripts. Then release them except for one or two for re-writes while they are shooting. Then shoot all 13 episodes back to back. Just tear right through them.
Yes, the TV actors would me making less money because they would be doing less episodes - but it means they would then have time to GASP - work on another show/movie/play.
I don't know - it's just a thought.
As to the ankle front . . . it's still all jacked up. I just hope it's not broken. Today I'm going to do a trial run of 3.1 miles (5k). So we shall see.
I'm back to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3 times a week. But I fear it may be too little too late. I have a belt test coming up the week of Oct. 10th and Robson Moura is going to be here to give it. I fear I won't be ready. Between work stuff, Mom being sick stuff, injuries and traveling I haven't been able to put in the time I've needed to really learn what I need to learn.
Belts aren't that important to me . . . but I would like some color on mine.
I'll pry just end up being one of those ringers whose skill set far exceeds what their belt is. I guess I will need to start hitting tournaments in few months.
The syllabus for this test is huge and some things I've just never seen or been shown. I suppose I could pay for a private - but I don't really have the money and I sort of object to the idea that I have to take a private to be shown the curriculum for the belt test. What do I pay tuition for?
I've been doing two a days on the elliptical to keep my running fitness up. Yesterday I went to class for 2 hours then came home and in the evening did 69 minutes on the elliptical.
The day before that 40 min. body weight workout, then 42 min. on the elliptical - then in the evening I did another 42 min. on the evil machine that I hate. IF ONLY MY ANKLE WASN'T INJURED SO I COULD RUN!!!
If I do run in the half marathon (I'll decide by Tuesday) I'm trying to drop a few pounds to gain speed. The rule of thumb is drop five pounds - gain two minutes on your half marathon time.
As a result, no weights for me for the time being. Strictly body weight work. I don't think I'll lose that much strength. I just want to maintain it - and I guess more muscle endurance wouldn't be a bad thing.
Here's my current body weight workout . . .
Pull Ups 5-10
plank 10 breaths in/out
side plank left 10 breaths in/out
side plank right 10 breaths in/out
X2
Step Back Body Weight Lunges 20 each leg
Push Ups 20
Crunches (Knees raised, bent at 90 degrees)40
Wide Grip Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
"W" push ups 20
Crunches 40
Fingers Turned in Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
Knuckle Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
Pull Ups 5-10
Dips off a bench/chair 20
Walked my feet up the wall so I'm doing a handstand facing the wall and then I walk the length of the wall on my hands and back again. (This one really determines how "fit" you are!)
Dips 20
Pulls Ups 5-10
Dips 20
PLYOS
Mountain Climbers, Split-Squat Jumps, and Clapping "Plyo" Push Ups in 30 sec. on/ 30 off going through all three exercises as a circuit 4 times through.
Body Weight Squats - 50
3-5 exercises, 20 reps each, Grappling Drills. (I do 'em - they are impossible to explain without a visual.)
Finish off with . . .
25 Push Ups
Leg lifts. (Keep the small of back on the floor. Lift Shoulders off the ground as in Pilates. Only lower the leg to where your lower back wants to come the ground. If it raises - you've gone too far. Work within your limits.) 20
Crunches with legs straight up in the air. Move your fingers along your legs. Keep the fingers in contact with them and try to touch your toes - 20
Open legs into a "V" and reach across the body to the opposite foot. 20 / side.
Bring hands together and pulse right up through the middle, keeping your lower back on the floor. 20.
Burpees - 1 minutes. Go.
Stretch like crazy, re-hydrate.
Estimated workout time, 40-45 minutes.
Also this workout is not for the faint of heart or for someone's first time in the gym in six months.
And yes, here is my quick & easy, super cheap chili recipe that I made last night!
In a pan brown a cup of chopped onions, 1 TBS minced garlic and with 1 pound 90% lean ground beef. (You can also add a cup of diced green & red peppers - but Mandy hates them!) (You can also sub the ground beef with ground Turkey or skip entirely if you vegetarian.)
Season with Chili powder, Paprika, Crushed Red Pepper and Black Pepper to taste.
In Sauce Pan or Stock Pot
1 Jar Chunky Salsa (Yup,that's how I cheat!)
1 Can Baked Beans (Yup that's a secret to making chili sweet!)
1 -2 cans Dark Red Kidney Beans (One can usually does it.)
1 can Pinto beans (Optional)
1 container tomato paste or stewed tomatoes.
Chili powder to taste.
Once the Ground Beef mixture is browned - add it to the beans.
Bring it all to a simmer.
Serve! And if you haven't guessed - Chili for me is about the beans!
It's easy - takes 15 minutes to make and you know what's going in it instead of just opening a can.
Until Next Time True Believers.
Now readers, for those of you who don't know - I am a man who cares greatly for his chili. I have several chili recipes: ranging from the quick one I made last night to an all day affair making the sauce from scratch to a White Bean Chicken & Cashew Chili.
Needless to say, it was awesome!
We sat down, ate our chili and watched the original Halloween. A movie, I feel, that is the Gone With the Wind of Horror Films.
I really do feel that Slasher films, Independent Film (It was shot in 4 weeks with a budget of $300,000) and Horror Films in general owe a great deal of debt to this movie.
The way Carpenter sets up the scares. The fact that The Shape (Michael Meyers) is at once otherworldly and yet at the end of one kill in particular comes off as very human (which makes him even more frightening).
What also astounds me about this film is the lack of blood. He chokes most of his victims. How brilliant is that! There's the terrific opening shot which is one giant tracking shot inspired by Touch of Evil.
It doesn't get much better than that.
In fact it left me felling more than a little inspired. So, I'm dusting off my horror film once again and setting down to bang away on the keyboard today.
But after watching Halloween my own ideas seem so craptastic. Halloween was so simple: a Babysitter & the Bogeyman.
Confession; I do enjoy writing TV pilots more than film scripts. I think its the difference in the storytelling. TV is still dialogue driven and film, no matter how cool it is, has now evolved into being such a director driven, visual media. How many times have I been on a film set and they toss the dialogue away completely or let the actors and director make it up. But in TV that just wouldn't happen. Also TV allows for longer storytelling. You don't have to do it all at once.
I love how the Brits do it, six episode seasons.
Unfortunately their model doesn't make any money. But it does make me wonder. If we made 13-14 one hour episodes would the quality of the story telling increase in TV?
Does the pressure of 22 episodes under threat of seven seasons ruin the storytelling? Everyone pitches for seven season but really only comes up with five seasons worth of ideas.
So let's just be honest. Maybe our model doesn't work?
Maybe we would maintain viewership with MORE ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING? That's right. What if you had four 13 episode shows to put into that time slot? (Okay we will go with three shows at 13 weeks a season that leaves 13 weeks of do what you will time for the network.)
You could cultivate a genre for a time slot at your network.
Also it would be so much cheaper for the production companies. Think about it. Have the writers work like crazy putting out scripts. Then release them except for one or two for re-writes while they are shooting. Then shoot all 13 episodes back to back. Just tear right through them.
Yes, the TV actors would me making less money because they would be doing less episodes - but it means they would then have time to GASP - work on another show/movie/play.
I don't know - it's just a thought.
As to the ankle front . . . it's still all jacked up. I just hope it's not broken. Today I'm going to do a trial run of 3.1 miles (5k). So we shall see.
I'm back to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3 times a week. But I fear it may be too little too late. I have a belt test coming up the week of Oct. 10th and Robson Moura is going to be here to give it. I fear I won't be ready. Between work stuff, Mom being sick stuff, injuries and traveling I haven't been able to put in the time I've needed to really learn what I need to learn.
Belts aren't that important to me . . . but I would like some color on mine.
I'll pry just end up being one of those ringers whose skill set far exceeds what their belt is. I guess I will need to start hitting tournaments in few months.
The syllabus for this test is huge and some things I've just never seen or been shown. I suppose I could pay for a private - but I don't really have the money and I sort of object to the idea that I have to take a private to be shown the curriculum for the belt test. What do I pay tuition for?
I've been doing two a days on the elliptical to keep my running fitness up. Yesterday I went to class for 2 hours then came home and in the evening did 69 minutes on the elliptical.
The day before that 40 min. body weight workout, then 42 min. on the elliptical - then in the evening I did another 42 min. on the evil machine that I hate. IF ONLY MY ANKLE WASN'T INJURED SO I COULD RUN!!!
If I do run in the half marathon (I'll decide by Tuesday) I'm trying to drop a few pounds to gain speed. The rule of thumb is drop five pounds - gain two minutes on your half marathon time.
As a result, no weights for me for the time being. Strictly body weight work. I don't think I'll lose that much strength. I just want to maintain it - and I guess more muscle endurance wouldn't be a bad thing.
Here's my current body weight workout . . .
Pull Ups 5-10
plank 10 breaths in/out
side plank left 10 breaths in/out
side plank right 10 breaths in/out
X2
Step Back Body Weight Lunges 20 each leg
Push Ups 20
Crunches (Knees raised, bent at 90 degrees)40
Wide Grip Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
"W" push ups 20
Crunches 40
Fingers Turned in Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
Knuckle Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
Pull Ups 5-10
Dips off a bench/chair 20
Walked my feet up the wall so I'm doing a handstand facing the wall and then I walk the length of the wall on my hands and back again. (This one really determines how "fit" you are!)
Dips 20
Pulls Ups 5-10
Dips 20
PLYOS
Mountain Climbers, Split-Squat Jumps, and Clapping "Plyo" Push Ups in 30 sec. on/ 30 off going through all three exercises as a circuit 4 times through.
Body Weight Squats - 50
3-5 exercises, 20 reps each, Grappling Drills. (I do 'em - they are impossible to explain without a visual.)
Finish off with . . .
25 Push Ups
Leg lifts. (Keep the small of back on the floor. Lift Shoulders off the ground as in Pilates. Only lower the leg to where your lower back wants to come the ground. If it raises - you've gone too far. Work within your limits.) 20
Crunches with legs straight up in the air. Move your fingers along your legs. Keep the fingers in contact with them and try to touch your toes - 20
Open legs into a "V" and reach across the body to the opposite foot. 20 / side.
Bring hands together and pulse right up through the middle, keeping your lower back on the floor. 20.
Burpees - 1 minutes. Go.
Stretch like crazy, re-hydrate.
Estimated workout time, 40-45 minutes.
Also this workout is not for the faint of heart or for someone's first time in the gym in six months.
And yes, here is my quick & easy, super cheap chili recipe that I made last night!
In a pan brown a cup of chopped onions, 1 TBS minced garlic and with 1 pound 90% lean ground beef. (You can also add a cup of diced green & red peppers - but Mandy hates them!) (You can also sub the ground beef with ground Turkey or skip entirely if you vegetarian.)
Season with Chili powder, Paprika, Crushed Red Pepper and Black Pepper to taste.
In Sauce Pan or Stock Pot
1 Jar Chunky Salsa (Yup,that's how I cheat!)
1 Can Baked Beans (Yup that's a secret to making chili sweet!)
1 -2 cans Dark Red Kidney Beans (One can usually does it.)
1 can Pinto beans (Optional)
1 container tomato paste or stewed tomatoes.
Chili powder to taste.
Once the Ground Beef mixture is browned - add it to the beans.
Bring it all to a simmer.
Serve! And if you haven't guessed - Chili for me is about the beans!
It's easy - takes 15 minutes to make and you know what's going in it instead of just opening a can.
Until Next Time True Believers.
Friday, September 18, 2009
14 Miles On a Busted Ankle . . .
Okay, so I didn't do the entire 14 miles on a busted ankle, just the last seven.
How did I injure it you might ask?
Well, Jiu Jitsu of course. I was working with a newbie and Sensei had us tearing through various take downs. A review day of sorts. I was paired up with a newbie and when working on foot sweeps, "WHACK!" We collided ankle bones. Now, at the time I just it shrugged it off - it stung a bit - but no deal big deal.
Now the following day (Wed.) was my last long run before doing this half marathon on Sunday Sept. 27th. So I had to do it. I also had just gotten back from a whirlwind trip to Iowa. Now, while running there I also pulled a calf muscle.
Dear Reader, I just want to say this . . . I now understand how hard it is to train for two sports at once. Injury risk goes through the roof and eventually one has to suffer for the other.
So I did my run. It started out great. My pacing, breathing - everything was going according to plan. Even with ridiculous headwinds out by Ellis Island and a bad calf muscle this was going to be a terrific run. A training run that will get me to my goal of 13.1 miles in under 2 hours.
Alas, around mile 7 things started hurting. At first I thought I'd turned my ankle but that wasn't the case -so I kept going - and the pain kept increasing.
I know the logical person would have stopped running, but I am not that logical. I also realize that 3/4 of the key to being a distance runner is one's ability to manage pain & discomfort. So I trudged on.
Now I did 13.1 miles in 2 hrs, 8min. That's with an ankle I can barely put weight on, a bad calf muscle, huge headwinds . . . oh and the water was shut off in Liberty State Park -so I had no hydration . . .
Not bad right? Pretty freaking good by anyone's standards . . . but I was little sacred. The last .9 of a mile to get me home took 14 minutes. I could barely walk.
So I've been "ibuprofening" it and icing it. I think I'm going to take 2 days off from running. (It's all I can afford really with the impending race!)
It only swells and hurts when I get the blood flowing to it and it's sensitive to the touch - but no pain when I move it. And I can walk on it just fine - for a little while. I think it's a bruise on the inner ball of my ankle bone and it gets to hurting when the area fills with blood from use.
I guess I'll be on the elliptical trainer for two days. (Which doesn't cause any pain at all by the way.)
I hate the elliptical trainer for the simple fact that I believe they were invented for out of shape people.
Being an athlete - I have to be on it like a lunatic to break a sweat. I crank the resistance up to 20 (as high as it will go) just to get a bead of the wet stuff forming on my forehead. And in order to get my breathing up -I have to keep my limbs moving at max effort to the point where it becomes mental work to keep up the pace. I'd much rather run outside or climb on the treadmill.
Of course I doubt many people who run 14 miles simply as "part of their day" spend much time on an elliptical trainer . . .
I'm also sad because I'm not lifting right now. In an effort to shave off a little weight for the race to improve my time, I've moved to body weight work in an effort to shrink a little.
I love weights. They make me feel powerful and good about my body. But alas, we are trying something new . . .
I just worry about losing some strength. Some of the guys I grapple with hit the 300 pound range so I feel being able to bench 250 has its advantages.
I'll have to post this new workout. It's a combination of a grappling workout with the body weight workout I posted earlier and some things I picked up by watching a program on Parkour and the guys training for that sport. They are in amazing shape and I figured I could learn something from how they train.
Once I do this workout all the way through I'll post it and we will see if I survive it . . .
Until next time True Believers . . .
How did I injure it you might ask?
Well, Jiu Jitsu of course. I was working with a newbie and Sensei had us tearing through various take downs. A review day of sorts. I was paired up with a newbie and when working on foot sweeps, "WHACK!" We collided ankle bones. Now, at the time I just it shrugged it off - it stung a bit - but no deal big deal.
Now the following day (Wed.) was my last long run before doing this half marathon on Sunday Sept. 27th. So I had to do it. I also had just gotten back from a whirlwind trip to Iowa. Now, while running there I also pulled a calf muscle.
Dear Reader, I just want to say this . . . I now understand how hard it is to train for two sports at once. Injury risk goes through the roof and eventually one has to suffer for the other.
So I did my run. It started out great. My pacing, breathing - everything was going according to plan. Even with ridiculous headwinds out by Ellis Island and a bad calf muscle this was going to be a terrific run. A training run that will get me to my goal of 13.1 miles in under 2 hours.
Alas, around mile 7 things started hurting. At first I thought I'd turned my ankle but that wasn't the case -so I kept going - and the pain kept increasing.
I know the logical person would have stopped running, but I am not that logical. I also realize that 3/4 of the key to being a distance runner is one's ability to manage pain & discomfort. So I trudged on.
Now I did 13.1 miles in 2 hrs, 8min. That's with an ankle I can barely put weight on, a bad calf muscle, huge headwinds . . . oh and the water was shut off in Liberty State Park -so I had no hydration . . .
Not bad right? Pretty freaking good by anyone's standards . . . but I was little sacred. The last .9 of a mile to get me home took 14 minutes. I could barely walk.
So I've been "ibuprofening" it and icing it. I think I'm going to take 2 days off from running. (It's all I can afford really with the impending race!)
It only swells and hurts when I get the blood flowing to it and it's sensitive to the touch - but no pain when I move it. And I can walk on it just fine - for a little while. I think it's a bruise on the inner ball of my ankle bone and it gets to hurting when the area fills with blood from use.
I guess I'll be on the elliptical trainer for two days. (Which doesn't cause any pain at all by the way.)
I hate the elliptical trainer for the simple fact that I believe they were invented for out of shape people.
Being an athlete - I have to be on it like a lunatic to break a sweat. I crank the resistance up to 20 (as high as it will go) just to get a bead of the wet stuff forming on my forehead. And in order to get my breathing up -I have to keep my limbs moving at max effort to the point where it becomes mental work to keep up the pace. I'd much rather run outside or climb on the treadmill.
Of course I doubt many people who run 14 miles simply as "part of their day" spend much time on an elliptical trainer . . .
I'm also sad because I'm not lifting right now. In an effort to shave off a little weight for the race to improve my time, I've moved to body weight work in an effort to shrink a little.
I love weights. They make me feel powerful and good about my body. But alas, we are trying something new . . .
I just worry about losing some strength. Some of the guys I grapple with hit the 300 pound range so I feel being able to bench 250 has its advantages.
I'll have to post this new workout. It's a combination of a grappling workout with the body weight workout I posted earlier and some things I picked up by watching a program on Parkour and the guys training for that sport. They are in amazing shape and I figured I could learn something from how they train.
Once I do this workout all the way through I'll post it and we will see if I survive it . . .
Until next time True Believers . . .
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Red velvet cupcakes and working out on the road . . .
Ugh. Right now, as we speak I need to be getting ready to leave. I'm hoping on a plane to Iowa this week week. Unfortunately I want to be in the gym right now. As a result I am without enough time - and will have to run when I get into town this evening. (I was busy this morning applying for a job as a scriptwriter for video games and I had to put together writing samples . . . )
I also have to learn to cut the cord from computer as I will only be tethered to my Crackberry for 4/5days!
So before I leave town I figured I would post two things. One, my red velvet cupcake recipe. And two, my take anywhere body weight workout that I adapted from a wrestling workout. (Hence it's grappler friendly)
Red Velvet Cupcakes
(290 cal./cupcake, 35g carbs, 3g protein, 16 g fat) Makes 24
1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
2 1/2 cups cake flower
2 TB cocoa powder
1 TSP Salt
1 TSP baking soda
1/2 cup veg oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 TB red food coloring
1 TSP vanilla extract
1/2 TSP Vinegar
FROSTING
8 oz cream cheese (1 bar)
1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temp
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 TSP vanilla extract
Bake 325 for 15-20 min. Remember to only fill the muffin tins or wrappers 2/3 full or you will have issues.
Now, here's the workout to burn off those cupcakes!
GO ANYWHERE BODY WEIGHT WORKOUT
WARM-UP
Hang out in a downward facing dog - for at least 30 sec. Then move to a Plank position
Plank - ten counts
Side Plank Left and Right - ten counts each
Repeat x2, x3 - whatever you need . . . but remember what's coming next!
SET ONE
Body weight lunges hand beside the head - 20 each leg
SET TWO
Standard Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Wide Grip Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
"W" Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Fingers turned in or "Bicep" Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Knuckle Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
SET THREE - PLYOS
30 sec on/ 30 sec off for 4 sets
Split Squat Jumps
Mountain Climbers
SET FOUR
Pull ups to Exhaust (if you have a pull up bar)
25 Standard Push Ups
25 Sit ups
25 Dips off a chair
25 Push ups - feet on chair
Pull Ups to exhaust (If you have a bar)
25 Dips off of a chair
25 Sit ups
SET FIVE
50 Body Weight Squats.
You can take this total body workout with you anywhere - do it in hotels etc. And to make it more difficult you can always go back through and repeat a set if you feel the need after one time through. It's not a perfect workout - but it's easy to remember and you can literally take it almost any where.
For me I tend to follow it with some solo grappling drills and then I go for a run and stretch like crazy (15-20 min,) after the run.
I also have to learn to cut the cord from computer as I will only be tethered to my Crackberry for 4/5days!
So before I leave town I figured I would post two things. One, my red velvet cupcake recipe. And two, my take anywhere body weight workout that I adapted from a wrestling workout. (Hence it's grappler friendly)
Red Velvet Cupcakes
(290 cal./cupcake, 35g carbs, 3g protein, 16 g fat) Makes 24
1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
2 1/2 cups cake flower
2 TB cocoa powder
1 TSP Salt
1 TSP baking soda
1/2 cup veg oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 TB red food coloring
1 TSP vanilla extract
1/2 TSP Vinegar
FROSTING
8 oz cream cheese (1 bar)
1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temp
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 TSP vanilla extract
Bake 325 for 15-20 min. Remember to only fill the muffin tins or wrappers 2/3 full or you will have issues.
Now, here's the workout to burn off those cupcakes!
GO ANYWHERE BODY WEIGHT WORKOUT
WARM-UP
Hang out in a downward facing dog - for at least 30 sec. Then move to a Plank position
Plank - ten counts
Side Plank Left and Right - ten counts each
Repeat x2, x3 - whatever you need . . . but remember what's coming next!
SET ONE
Body weight lunges hand beside the head - 20 each leg
SET TWO
Standard Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Wide Grip Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
"W" Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Fingers turned in or "Bicep" Push ups 20
Crunches 40
Knuckle Push Ups 20
Crunches 40
SET THREE - PLYOS
30 sec on/ 30 sec off for 4 sets
Split Squat Jumps
Mountain Climbers
SET FOUR
Pull ups to Exhaust (if you have a pull up bar)
25 Standard Push Ups
25 Sit ups
25 Dips off a chair
25 Push ups - feet on chair
Pull Ups to exhaust (If you have a bar)
25 Dips off of a chair
25 Sit ups
SET FIVE
50 Body Weight Squats.
You can take this total body workout with you anywhere - do it in hotels etc. And to make it more difficult you can always go back through and repeat a set if you feel the need after one time through. It's not a perfect workout - but it's easy to remember and you can literally take it almost any where.
For me I tend to follow it with some solo grappling drills and then I go for a run and stretch like crazy (15-20 min,) after the run.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I am waste of space . . .
Ok, I'm not really a waste of space . . . just sort of.
I had one of those writing days, where you do nothing but write. But in my case it was a re-writing day. Clay (the world's most awesome agent) had sent me his notes on my most recent pilot script, Dunswitch Academy. Shockingly enough, he loved it. He really loved it. So I did a quick turn around on the notes (I am in fact the fastest writer ever. I think Dunswitch is the very first first draft that took me over a week to write. If I can make the time and have a good idea 60-100 pages a week is not unheard of for me. Hence, why I believe I am destined to be a head writer/show runner in the land of TV.)
So now he hands it off to the owner of the agency and we get her input. I'm also waiting to hear back from my readers! (You know who you are!)
Now that I've written the pilot, I'll go through a round or two of notes and "tweekage," and then I end up where I am now, which is slowly starting to compose the show bible for the pitch. I just have to be careful to give them enough work that they can see my vision but not too much so they think I'm inflexible and a tool. Remember, in TV the NETWORK knows best. And after the Network it will be whatever show runner I can get to work on my show.
So I'm now in the process of coming up with episode ideas . . . hence why I need my readers to finish the pilot so I can start bouncing plots off of them. This is the tough part. The ideas have to be good enough to use, show thought and be creative . . . but I know that they will probably never be used.
Once you get a writing staff, actors, audience response, Network folks, directors, crew etc. The show will change. You'll love writing for some actors, hate others - love some characters, kill off some others - TV changes and rarely goes according to plan. Plus the first few episodes of any new show is basically a reboot of the pilot until the TEAM figures out how best to tell this particular story - this way.
I also had a ton of "Business" stuff to deal with yesterday. Stuff I can't talk about on here for fear it will jinx my best laid plans -plus it's just not cool. Let's just say Clay and I are putting our plans for a take over of the entertainment industry into motion . . .
Oh the agency did just place a script idea from another writer into my lap . . . I think they want me to do a re-write on it. I have to be careful about these things. I can't give away my best, most creative stuff without assurances. Since I've been burned this way before - I'm going to read it through, see how much work it needs - pull it apart and put it back together. But if the agency and this show creator want to see what I've done - I'm getting it in writing. No more favors etc for other writers unless I get a contract.
I am no longer anyone's butt-monkey!!!!
But it will be fun to change gears. Dunswitch is a teen/horror/suspense/smut type of thing . . . this new idea is . . . well it's gritty hyper reality. So it will be a fast and furious change of pace.
BUT- I digress. Due to writing all day yesterday I didn't workout. And yes I feel fat, depressed and toad-like. I had planned a day of legs and core work with weights and then hill work.
That didn't happen. I hadn't had a rest day in almost two weeks so I justified it that way. I still felt like crap for it.
On the upside it's Saturday so that means I get to Jiu Jitsu. It will be an over crowded class but we will get an hour or two of open mat. Open Mat is where we get to separate the children from the men. I love taking a guy (younger than me) who looks like he should be in great shape and who should be able to to physically hand me my fat ass on a silver platter - and then I make him quit.
Making someone turn to me and say, "No Mas."
In some ways its getting back at my brothers and all of those people who were better at sports than me in high school. I know it is ego driven and wrong . . . but I do take great satisfaction in it.
And no, I'm not all spazzy relying on brute force - those guys I love to shut down. It's that I'm crafty, I think outside the box (fighting in a gi helps that) and that despite my years of self abuse though chemicals and cigarettes - I have a bottomless gas tank on the mat. I am a cardio machine.
Also, at this point in my life -my heart - that weird thing that makes me want to fight in the first place - is bigger and stronger than the other guy's. I guess I feel like I have something to prove. Somewhere along the line I developed what guys who fight dogs call gameness. I never had it as a kid or all through my teenage years - but now, as an adult - somehow it developed. I guess I'm just a late bloomer.
I realize that I haven't posted a recipe yet. I will do so now. Although Mandy and I had slight words about this. Mandy feels that my recipes belong on her blog. They are my recipes. So I believe we may have a "blog war" on our hands over recipes . . . or she could just copy and paste from my blog.
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries (serves 4)
*pre-heat oven to 425
1 1/2-2 Lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch strips.
1/4 of a cup of olive oil
1/2 Tb kosher salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp red pepper
dash of black pepper
Stick the 1/4 strips in a bowl or in a zip lock bag, add the wet and dry ingredients and mix generously coating everything.
Take a baking sheet, cover in aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Lay 1/4 in strips in a single layer across pan.
Reduce heat to 400 and bake for 15 minutes.
Turn the fries over so they bake and crisp up evenly.
Raise heat to 425 and bake for another 15 minutes-20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Here's an extra treat kids! My Low fat, Low cal home made MEAT LOAF recipe!!
HEALTHY MEAT LOAF
(250-350 cal per serving - 2 1/4 inch slices.)
1 Lb. 90% lean ground beef
1Lb Turkey Sausage without the casings.
1 cup onion diced
1 cup carrots, grated.
1 1/2 cup mushrooms diced
4 cloves of garlic
1 cup oats or oatmeal
2 egg whites
1 cup Ketchup.
Salt & Pepper - other spices to taste
Pre heat oven to 375.
Mix the meats in a bowl
Saute in olive oil the onion and carrots for 3-4 min. then add garlic, cook over med heat for another 3 min.
Mix all of your ingredients except the ketchup.
Your hands work best! Make sure they are clean!
Add 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup of ketchup.
Now, you can either cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil (and cooking spray) and shape the loaf there OR you can put it in a bread pan. The difference is that on the baking sheet -the extra oil, fat, etc can leave the loaf. In a bread pan it gets absorbed by the oats.
After shaping the loaf, take the remaining ketchup and cover the loaf. I used a basting brush and it worked perfectly.
Bake on 375 for 50-65 minutes. (I used 65 minutes and it was perfect - but that's my oven - beware -don't undercook turkey - it must reach an internal temp of 165.)
Let sit 5-10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
Until next time True Believers . . .
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mandy made me do it . . .
I am finally sitting down to write something. I've been horribly busy but Mandy has cut me no slack. She threatened to stop being a follower of my blog (even though I have no posts) if I didn't start posting, so here it goes . . .
So glad to be back after a two week hiatus from Jiu Jitsu. I was on vacation for a week with Mandy's family. (Where I learned that some people consider "Italian" a food group.) I gained ten pounds. I cried when I stepped on the scale. So I went out and ran ten miles. No really, it was my long run day. But I was heavily satisfied by coming back from the run 7 pounds lighter.
The date of Sept. 27th can't get here quick enough. I want to run the half marathon and get it over with already. I've had the realization that I'm a runner. I love running. I feel free and my heart fills with joy when I run. BUT, training for 13.1 miles is a bit of a bore. My Monday long runs are starting to hang heavy on my heart. I never thought I would have the boredom issue, but I am. Training wise I'm way ready for the race. I think I've peaked in my training a little early and I feel like I have no where to go with it until the race. My long runs are now a game of mental endurance. I also need to run someplace other than Liberty State Park.
I think I have one marathon in me. Just one. And then I will resign myself to a life of one half marathon a year and then all the 10ks and 5ks I can sign up for.
As to my original thought - Jiu Jistu. I got to be Issac's chew toy (A purple belt testing for his brown shortly) for a good half hour/45 minutes today. I almost didn't make it to class this morning. I woke up at 8:30 (need to be on train by 8:45). I was tired from the day before and really whiny. Then I thought to myself, "Wes, get over yourself! There are tons of dudes who would love to have the opportunity to train Jiu Jitsu and here you are taking it for granted and pissing away a day of training" . . . so I went. It was awesome. Small class of four guys with Issac and Nuno teaching. We did a half our of technique and then an hour of open mat. I got home glowing and happy - but now a case of trainwreckitis (if I may quote the author Mark Law from his book, Pyjama Game: A Journey into Judo) has set in.
I guess I overdid it yesterday. I did 45 minutes of weights which was brutal and I was pretty much gassed about halfway in. Then I did a run of 5.3 miles in 47:39. So I averaged 8:59 minutes/mile. Not bad for someone who just did a total body weight workout inclusive of 5X5 squats and 50 body weight squats.
It looked something like this . . .
warm up with squats - light weights leading up to
Squat 5x5
Press 5x5
Push ups 3x failure
Seated cable row 3x12
Sit ups on decline bench 3x25
50 body weight squats
Bicep Curls 3x12 (each arm)
I know I'm vain and should forego the bicep curls but I have to admit, since doing the Experiment 7 film I've been wanting Ving Rhames type arms. It makes me look and feel bad ass. (Or at least as bad ass as my hippy trippy look/persona will allow.)
On the writing front, I finished my most recent pilot idea! The first draft of The Dunswitch Academy is done! Now I'm waiting on my few readers to tear it apart as well as my agent Clay to take me to task on it.
I'm soooooo impatient and like a kid waiting to open presents . . . so please readers . . . get off your asses and read it!!!
I like the script - I need some perspective on the second half of it so I can go back in and improve it. The first three acts I think are really solid. I actually felt sort of rushed with the second half of the pilot - like I needed to hurry up with it and get to the ending scenes and the tag. The problem is act 5 is over 15 pages. Which is long for an hour episodic. So maybe I should write it as a TV miniseries and let it be what it wants to instead of making the last half of the pilot almost all events or jolts instead well done storytelling/plot?
We'll just half to wait and see what my few readers say.
As for dinner tonight?
Broccoli with lentils in a chicken broth, steak strips, and baked sweet potato fries. We'll see if Mandy gets around to posting my home made, low fat, low cal meat loaf recipe . . . then MAYBE I'll let her post my baked sweet potato fries recipe.
Until Next Time True Believers . . .
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