Saturday, July 30, 2005

The Screenwriter's Challenge Has Been Met

Last Friday I got my assignment for the 2005 Screenwriter's Challenge. The Screenwriter's Challenge is a short screenplay contest that puts people in heats with the same genre and subject matter - everyone has one week to write a 20 page max script. I got Comedy: Lost Luggage. Didn't really like any ideas I came up with during the week, so ended up spending no more than a couple hours on it over the week. Friday night I finally decided to buckle down and finish something. My final script went into the mail this morning with 10 minutes to spare before the post office closed. It is called Baggage Profilers and its 12 pages long. The log line is; In the War on Terror everybody and everything has a role to play, even lost luggage.

I still don't like it and I don't see it getting on to the second round - that is writing a short script in just 24 hours. But my goal was just to finish, and I did - Yay!

To celebrate Lori and I went on a 6.5 mile bike ride. Sure that might be no big whoop to you, but this was the first time on my bike in three years. It is part of our Amazing Race training. Then I decided to send flowers to myself.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Lori Loses Her Favorite Patriot

Larry the Lizard, Greg Hill, Ted Johnson and Lori at SB 39
Patriots' linebacker Ted Johnson shocked Patriots Nation today, announcing his retirement just before training camp opens for the defending champions. The Pats' defense was already dealing with the loss of Tedy Bruschi for the season. Johnson was a Patriot for his entire 10 year career and was one of the last few remaining players from 1996 Super Bowl loss.
Read more at Sports Illustrated or Patriots.com

Thursday, July 21, 2005

2005 Screenwriter's Challenge

I'm taking part in a little writing challenge that I figured I'd share with the world. Today is the last day to enter the 2005 Screenwriter's Challenge!
All aspiring—and competitive—screenwriters worldwide are invited to participate in the 2005 Screenwriter’s Challenge. Writers compete to see who can produce the best short screenplay (20 pages max.) on an assigned genre and subject in as little as 24 hours. The winning writers will receive over $9,000 in prizes along with valuable exposure, and of course, bragging rights. The Challenge is open to everyone, everywhere. TODAY IS THE FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE!
The competition begins tomorrow at 11:59PM EST. Over 250 writers have registered and space is filling up fast, so enter today!
*SPECIAL DISCOUNT - enter discount code WRITENOW to receive $5 off the entry fee
Click here to learn more / register for the 2005 Screenwriter's Challenge

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Tedy Bruschi To Sit out 2005 NFL Season

Damn, just this morning the Boston Globe was reporting it looked like Bruschi would be playing this season - despite having a stroke in February. But the Patriots released a statement this afternoon:

"Since suffering a mild stroke on Feb. 16, 2005, Tedy Bruschi has focused on the short-term goal of getting better every day. His health has improved steadily during the past five months and Tedy continues to make daily improvements with his on-going rehabilitation. It has been an offseason of many emotional highs and lows for Tedy and his family. With the Patriots' training camp reporting date now just over a week away, Tedy has reached a decision on his playing status for the upcoming season and has declared his intentions to forgo the 2005 campaign.

"The Bruschi family wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of support they have received from fans throughout New England and others around the country. They also expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the entire Patriots organization. Tedy pledges to focus on his health and his family while continuing to offer on-going support to his teammates throughout the upcoming season."

Bruschi had been working out for much of the offseason at Gillette Stadium and was at last month's mini-camp, participating in the meetings, but did not in any on-field work. All this lead to plenty of speculation and hope that he was planning to return. Nothing has been said regarding plans beyond this season or if will have any sort of new role with the team for this season.

See www.patriots.com for more.

The Amazing Race

Lori and I have long been fans of The Amazing Race and have talked about trying out for it. Well, we finally followed through - our applications and video tape were mailed in this morning. Now we just wait.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Batman Rules

I was never a Batman fan. I grew up a Marvel Comics guy, not a DC Comics guy. I've seen the goofy 60's TV version of Batman way more than I've ever seen a Batman comic. Sure, I've seen all the previous Batman movies - I just thought they were all OK. Those were always about the villain way more than Batman. Not big deal either way for me. I was actually looking forward to seeing "The Fantastic Four" this weekend, but the previews never did much for me and the reviews have been far from kind - 'Fantastic Bore' was my favorite line in a review so far.

So we finally saw "Batman Begins" tonight, and it was great. I think this was the best comic-based movie yet. The script, the directing, the acting were all excellent. I've been a Christian Bale fan ever since "American Psycho," and I didn't even realize Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine were in this. This has some fantastic imagery and explanation on the whole Batman mythology and creation of all his goodies. Probably best thing I can say is that it didn't feel anywhere near its two-hour and twenty-minute run time. As long as Christopher Nolan (he also directed one of my all time favorites, Memento) is directing the next one, I can't wait. And the end up this certainly sets up the sequel nicely.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Next Vacation is Booked -- Ohio!

Ohio? Yes Ohio! Because of Cedar Point - an absolutely insane amusement park on the shore of Lake Eerie in Sandusky Ohio. Cedar Point has been named "Best Amusement Park in the World" for the last 7 years and they have the most roller coasters in the world - 16. Plus a new thrill ride for 2005 - MaXair, which is sort of spinning pendulum of death.

And since we are waiting until October it will be a Haunted Park! Sick!!

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Lost Without "Lost"

I'm already jonesing for a fix of "Lost" - the best show on television last season. Lost Season 1will be released on DVD in September and can already be ordered on Amazon.com.
There is also a cool site full of secrets and clues. It is the "official site" of Oceanic Air, which is the airliner whose Flight 815 crashed in the premiere of Lost. Most of site is closed due to the disaster, but check out http://www.oceanic-air.com/seatingchart.htm and click on row numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 in that order and you'll get a preview of next season. For those not in the loop -- those are the mysterious numbers that show up consistently throughout the show.

Monday, July 04, 2005

Sideways DVD

Got the DVD of Sideways for my birthday and it has one of the best commentary tracks I've ever heard. The commentary by lead actors Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church was funnier than the movie. Definitely worth checking out.

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Live 8

Live 8 is already underway. Television coverage doesn't start until Noon on MTV and VH1, and ABC will have highlights tonight from 8 - 10pm. You can see it all live from around the world at http://music.aol.com/. I'd say the biggest thing I'm looking forward to is to the reunited Pink Floyd, but I'm sure there will be lots of surprises through out the day.