Nearly a Year Later

It's been nearly a year since my last post. I honestly thought less time had passed.  oh well...pressing on.

So much and so little has happened since then...none that I'm particularly excited about.  BUT, I have a "plan" (well, more of a road map with multiple possible routes, and less of concrete directions) and an (ever evolving) renewed state of mind.  No more focusing on the obstacles.

Coming Soon...

Not much has changed (unfortunately) since the last post.  But, as is the motto and title of this blog, I press on (and very much look forward to posting great news soon).

I had the idea some time ago to [re-] focus the blog on something specific, now that grad school and the immediate post grad school experience are behind me.  I'm not quite sure what this season should be called but it is neither of those.

In any event, I thought of focusing this blog on movies.  Not movies in the general sense, (or my journey to write and make them) but what movies people should see.  I have a pretty good sense of what kind of movies people will generally like. I have, on numerous occasions, recommended or dissuaded family and friends to see (or not see) any particular movie and have seldom been wrong in my assessments.  Not only that, I see so many movies (maybe on the cusp of too many) and figured I should be able to put what I've seen to good use! (Or at least some use.)

Unlike most movie reviews or critiques, this will be more of an "if you like ???, then you'll enjoy this movie" type of deal...and less of why a certain movie may or may not be "good". Think 'movie-match-maker' or 'the movie whisperer'!

This post is mostly for my own benefit, so that I can stop talking about it and do it.  Stay tuned...

Five Months, Two Days

It's hard to believe that it's been five months and two days since I officially left my last job.  More like I was unceremoniously booted out, but the details don't matter. It hurt for a while...longer than I would've liked.  It dinged my self esteem and made me question this path. Then I was energized to move on to the next chapter, even though whatever that was seemed murky at best.

I wrote. I applied for jobs. I went on countless interviews. I worked some random gigs. I continued even through uncertainties.

Perhaps I should have named this blog Instant Success, because here I am (yet again) pressing on. To be completely honest, what I want is to (finally) be on the other side of a struggle that has, so far, been attached to an ambivalent timeline.

But here are the things I'm certain of: 

Success is never instant.  

Pressing on is hard work that WILL pay off.  

Something big is on the horizon for ME. 

I can and will work even HARDER...because faith without works is dead.

I press on!

Kinda like in the movies....

I see movies everywhere in everything...mostly while 'people watching' and general observations. Normally what I see and hear are quite comical or otherwise enterataining.  I wish they all were.

Yesterday I went visited Disneyland with a friend and really had a great time.  We're both 'Mouse House' veterns, so we didn't feel the need to rush around to each and every single ride, attraction or show like chickens with our heads cut off.  It was a leisurely day of trying out "lesser" attractions for the first time and visting recently added rides.

One attraction I wish I hadn't seen was the one where an SUV unknowingly drives over a man lying in the middle of a major highway.  It was very disturbing...like in a thriller movie.  Except it wasn't a movie.

On the drive home, we were having a good laugh about the day, singing songs and (like normal) dreading having to wake up early for work the next day.  We closed the park down...and were glad to do it.  

A little over halfway home, I saw a car parked on the shoulder.  I glanced at it and briefly wondered what happened.   Then it became clear.

I drove past a MAN'S body lying the in lane to my right.  A man's lifeless body.

It was dark.  The highway was six lanes of pretty steady traffic, despite the late hour.  Speeds were set well above a meandering pace.  Just when the realization hit that an ACTUAL PERSON was in the highway, an SUV sped over him.    He stopped, we didn't.

Our speed, location and surrounding drivers prevented me from doing so.  We all would have been compromised if I did.  I can't even fully describe what either I nor my friend felt.  I continued to drive and urged my friend to take my phone to call 911.  She did.  Stunned, dismayed, appalled are all inappropriate descriptions for what we felt.   I immediately prayed for all involved.    

We made it home purely by the Grace of God.  I dropped my friend home then continued on to the (longer) street route home.  I was done with the highway for the night.

Showered and safely in my bed,  I thought about how the tragedy we witnessed was kinda like a movie.  But not at all.  There was no stunt man, no carefully placed cars, no fake blood, no intricate choreography.  It was real.  A man was dead.  And at least two cars ran over him.

Later in the morning...this all happened about 12:45am (as I said, we closed the park down)...I researched more about the accident, despite my better judgement.  I found one article that  pointed to the same event.  Apparently a man was running in the highway and a lady (in the car on the shoulder) struck him.  She pulled over and reported it.  Then, because he was still in the middle of the highway, other cars ran over him.  It is not clear why the man was running in the street.  The woman who initially hit him was not injured nor cited for any wrong doing...which is good, because I'm beyond traumatized by seeing it.  I can't imagine if I was actually a part of it.  I thanked (and am thanking Him continuously) that I did not runover or hit him.  I don't think I'd be able to handle it.  I know I wouldn't have.

Life is precious.  I am ever grateful to my Creator that he spared mine yesterday [and then].  Prayers again to all involved and the family of the deceased.

Something Has to Give.

It's been a while.  I've finished writing my first book.  I went to my first Star Trek Convention.  I sat in box seats at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time.  I recieved my first demotion.  Not an actual demotion, but as far as pay is concerned, yes.  Of course the powers that be made it seem like I was getting a raise.  A raise that pays less.

Looking at the number in my bank account, I was more than feeling some sort of way.  And because I don't want to focus on the negative, that's all I'll say about that.

All I will say, is there HAS to be something BIG coming soon.  VERY SOON.  A BIG idea from my head.  A BIG opportunity.  A BIG situation. (And for the first time - in a long time - an external situation that actually puts me in a better place than before the situation occured).   A BIG...something.  

Because (and as much as I dislike the overly excessively use of this phrase)....I can't even.

Pressing on.

Vacations and Such...

It seems I've been gone for a while, though my vacation was just ten days.   (And while the vacation was nice, I need a vacation from my vacation, but eh. Whatever.) 

Florida and family were delightful.  I wasn't super excited to come back to California.  But I'm back and each day getting more and more productive!!!  The book is almost done.  I have part two of the vacation coming up next week.  My plan is to have the book done and in my mentor's hands before I leave.  I'll count it as a bit of reward...and inspiration, as I'm going to the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas!  Nerdy, yep.  Do I care?  Not really.  It is what it is and I think it's going to be fun!

Over the first vacation, I spent SO MUCH time with the family and friends.  It was absolutely great! (even the hospital visit for a cousin, which turned out well for his diagnosis.) Our unity factor was upped a bit, and that's an answer to a long time prayer.  I know there's a harmony within my family that will only grow more and more melodic.  

While I didn't get to ride, I did get to visit a horse friend's horse, Max!  I love the smell of horses.   love being in the country.  I love the smell of rain in the country.  

All of the love from the vacation festivities have given me a little more umph to make my 'mogul' me to the next level.  So back to work I go.  Stay tuned.

My Own Boss

I have been busy which essentially means again falling away from blog updates.  Doing this and that, celebrating my birthday and entertaining family and friends.  It's been a fun few months, and even somewhat productive.  I'm no where near where I wanted to be at this point in the year...on a many number of things, but I am here!

I will cautiously say that my boss' resigning has proven to be quite beneficial...now that the shock of it all has all but dwindled away.  I was nervous about finding a new job by what I thought was the time I would be let go.  As it turns out, no such time exists.  That is truly a blessing.  I should have known better...all things are in His hands.

There have been some changes at the office.  At first I was vehemently opposed to them.  But again, it seems it's all for the best.  Five new people are in the bungalow now, in addition to our crew.  One producer and his assistant, and a writing team with their assistant.  I was giving the choice  of where I wanted to be among the assistants in the common area.  I chose to relocate to the copy room, and now I essentially have my own office.  Also, I guess I squeaked enough that I (finally) got a permanent parking spot.  (The squeaky wheel gets the oil!)

So while I'll miss seeing and meeting new people as they come through the door, it is nice to have my own space.  The writing is going well...I mean, it's only been a day or so, but at least I am back to updating the blog.  Well for today anyways.  I can here my own music (without having to use earphones), a bright sunny window to look out and the hum of the printer when it's actually used.  It's not a bad set up and I will take full advantage.  How many aspiring writers can say they are given office space by a top network, pay with benefits and a parking space?  I don't know, but I will take this time to write, build my other business and make the most of this divine opportunity.  I am my own boss.  Stay tuned.