The View Up Here

I have been trying to post something for over a month, now. I start typing, then I need to finish later, and then a week goes by. So I have re-written this three times, now. Today, I'm posting it no matter what! In my last post, I wrote about living in a transient space, a hotel room, for twelve days. I moved into my apartment on February 22, so I've been in here for about 5 weeks, now. The academy directors had re-wallpapered every room (wallpaper is used on walls and ceilings, whereas Americans would use paint), replaced the appliances, and added just a couple pieces of new furniture. Since then, I have brought in a Korean-style low table, several accessories for my desk and the shelves in my bedroom, and of course, I've started my apartment garden. The place is starting to feel like home.   Quicksilver days The teaching continues to go well. I'm amazed how fast the day goes with shorter class periods. At first, seven classes seemed daunting, but I've found the d...

I've got a routine down, and Spaz is getting used to being more of an indoor kitteh. I realized yesterday I haven't even been here 2 weeks. I really do expect a lot out of myself and my circumstances; I have to remember that as Don put it, "Slow and steady wins the race." I now have a local phone number, which was necessary because apparently no one will even consider you for a job if you have a weird area code like, say, 607. They want to know you live in town to start ASAP, I guess. Seems stupid, as many people retain cell numbers when they move and it doesn't mean they don't live here. But that's how it is, so there you go. Work on Black Doves is moving apace; I aim to have the first draft completed by end of the month. I have a new idea for a screenplay waiting in the wings; currently doing some research to get notes going for that when the deck is clear. But it's not all writing and job searching! Last weekend, my friend TL took me to the...

Okay, maybe not downtown, but definitely Burbank, and definitely beautiful. To pick up my spirits after grappling with the personal drama of the last few days, I decided to go for a walk. I just did a 30 minute loop, but it was exactly what my mind and body needed, and I accomplished the small goal I'd set for myself in finding a little neighborhood park called "Mountain View Park," aptly named for its view of the mountains, and located not far from the mammoth- sized Griffith Park. I am so pasty white, I glow. So many options for landscaping here: cacti, or... Lemon trees! Thus far I have gotten myself and Spaz pretty well settled in, though I am still looking for a desk. I think I will be buying one used from - get this - a former student of mine, and one of the best writers I know, who has been here for a couple years but has decided to go to grad school back East. Cosi fan tutti. Shopping has been interesting here. I now have a Ralph's card (grocery store) and ...

Went back to R.I.T. this afternoon when there were people around, and I was blown away by the School of Film and Animation's presence on the ground floor. It is magnificent. The fourth floor is now all Photo. No wonder it seemed empty and lifeless last night (no offense to any photogs out there). Anyway, the newish digs of the film program are a far cry from when I was there. My friend and colleague Jack, who started teaching there when I did and is now a chair in the program, gave me the tour. Such an amazing space, and the program has grown immensely. Remember I said an MFA in anything other than animation didn't exist? Now there's an MFA in Production and in Screenwriting. Those lucky devils. But I wouldn't trade my days in for anything. Those were golden years, and they are spawning several more golden years. Aside from meeting with the Career Services specialist and hanging out in the SOFA, I went to the Memorial Art Gallery with a dear, old friend and saw th...