Up To Date...

So, here's the story:

Initially, I just thought I might have gotten busted. There were several places in my entries where I was less-than-subtle. Though I try to be, it was difficult - small world, big buzz and such - so I decided to lie low for a little while and see how things went, try to stick to TV ad not necessarily the job.

Then, I fell prey to February and March. Not much else to be said about that beyond the fact that winter and badness equals me hiding under my covers a lot. And after I end up like that - and after I get better - I get anxious about things that I've left for a long time and people I might have worried. Things like a blog, for instance. Not much of an excuse, but there it is.

I became very focused on getting out of my job after awhile, and that took up a lot of time with job search - and bought a house that required renovation work for the majority of summer and autumn. I moved in the late fall and found out that I had a new job starting in the new year. It was everything I wanted: Stable, large venerable institution, education, excellent pay and benefits.

It was everything I thought I wanted.

It turned out to be not at all what I wanted or needed. The benefits of the job didn't outweigh the drawbacks; the culture of working evenings from home, regardless of project status, the way they threw you in the deep end without so much as letting you know where the pens are, the total lack of direction. In the end, we parted ways very much mutually, and though I felt there was more that could have been done to make me welcome, it was a bad fit all around and I was glad to move on.

Now I am doing a bit of freelance work but hoping for a full-time gig soon. On the plus side, I can take some of my time to both work on my house and on my writing, though I haven't gotten into much of a schedule for either yet. Part of my time will have to go towards working on thoughts for this blog - I'm so out of practice, I'm not sure how it will go - but it's worth a shot!

So where the hell have you been?

I have few excuses. But I have explanations?

Or, mostly apologies. I hate to worry people. Thanks for concern and interest - I'm sorry my tendency is to get nervous and hide after I've been away from something - people - too long.

More to come. I promise.

Busy!

I've been SUPER busy at work lately, which is nice. I like having things to do, and there's certainly a lot of it right now. I've been doing everything from burning DVDs to getting passport applications to writing or revamping show descriptions, tracking down press kits... It doesn't really makke for me getting a lot done any given day, but I think the week in general will be productive. Things are getting interesting around here. I'm curious to see what happens next.

There's also a lot more people in the office, which makes my days less draggy and dull. Everyone seems buoyant and happy, which is also a nice change. Work seems to be going - dare I say it - well. I mean, given it's work and all. I think if they just let me talk to more people and problem-solve, I'm a happier person.

Indie Producer Guy IMed me about another meeting... I gotta say, I am a little wary of people who do all meeting, etc. planning over MSN. Like, it's great for quick chats and questions, but I am not sure that I want IMs to be my usual form of communication. But, it's something to work on, so I will likely go. I just have other plans in the evening, and I really don't know if I can shift them around. I'm ambivalent generally, I guess. Even a bad experience is experience though - so hey. It's worth trying to get back into.

I caught The Knights of Prosperity last night while online futzing around. It's not a bad show, some good lines, interesting-looking characters. I think I like the theme song the most, though I'd still rather it be called 'Let's Rob Mick Jagger.'

Other than that, I pushed my SingStar high score to 8550 - Go me! When I get to the 9000's, I'll up the difficulty level.

Little Mosque and Samosas

Yesterday, I went to the CBC atrium to scam some free samosas and check out the first episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie. I've seen it before, but not with credits and music and all - so I knew that the jokes were easy, it was a family-type show, etc. I still laughed at some of the jokes.

What's more is - the audience at the atrium seemed to -really- enjoy it - the laughter wasn't forced and after the first act, there was a pleasant buzz in the crowd like 'Hey, this isn't half-bad.' Now, the Globe and Mail (well, John Doyle) and National Post are very very positive and it seems like the buzz may actually translate into a decent show.

I really hope so, anyway. Aside from any tenuous connections I might have to the show, I think it would be great for the CBC to have a hit comedy. And I think some of the actors (in particular, the very funny Manoj Sood) really deserve it.

Also: Carlo Rota? I love that guy.

CBC Doc Plug!

So, I know a comic by the name of Steve Tassie, and it appears that he is part of a CBC Newsworld documentary called 'Who Wants to Be A Comic?'. Part One airs tonight at 1o PM on Newsworld, Part Two next Thursday. He's a funny guy - and we all love Canadian documentary, right? So check it out.

Another Gay Movie, plus random TV yapping

So, last night, I played some of my new karaoke game, then watched a movie my friend brought over called 'Another Gay Movie'. It's like a teen sex comedy in a world where being gay is normal, the beer-drinking party animal is a bull dyke who can convert any girl in the world, and Scott Thompson comes out to his son as a bisexual after an unfortunate men's room encounter. It was really funny, a little gross in places (but it's to be expected - see 'teen sex comedy'), but mostly fascinating to see how all the tropes and stereotypes of the teen movie were twisted around or turned on thier head. I would recommend it, unless seeing attractive men get it on makes you uncomfortable - or unless you've seen enough naked Richard Hatch for one lifetime.

On the work tip, things are currently pretty quiet. Show #1 has been picked up for another season, so Producer Dee is busily starting pre-production. Show #2 hasn't been, and doesn't look like it will be renewed - which sucks for producer Sally, who I really like working with. Boo. Buzz Show is making everyone a touch nervous, given the potential ACTRA strike, the massive amount of press, and the potential that it could all go horribly, horribly wrong. This touchiness/nerves was obvious on the last day of work, where my team had a meeting with one of the Owner-Execs with regards to some potential work for the new show - and the meeting really went nowhere. It's weird enough to have a meeting the last day, but there was some talk of duplication with the publicity that's already being done... so it was strange and I didn't quite get the point. I guess if it makes everyone feel better, it's fulfilled it's purpose.

Being a East Asian Studies geek, the upcoming Dragon Boys looks pretty interesting to me, as there's not been a lot of television about the 'North American Asian Experience' - not near as much TV as literature. I've liked some of Jerry Cicoritti's work in the past, and as a side note, was directed by him (as an extra) in an episode of Nikita. Hee.

Speaking of Nikita - if you ever get the chance to check out an anime show called 'Witch Hunter Robin' (usually later weekend nights on YTV), it's interesting to see how the actors and characters in Nikita so strongly influenced the crew on Witch Hunter. The main character is very little like Nikita - but her 'handler' and her 'techie' are super-similar. More fuel for my Asian/North American cultural hybridization theories.

Back to credit updating for now!

There's always money in the banana stand.

Minion Status:
Happy 007!
Back at work and back online - I decided (mostly through total laziness) to take an intertube break for the holiday. There was much watching of TV and lying on my couch. Sadly, Dr. Phil is less about stupid/offensive people and more about nice things on the holiday. Maury knows enough to keep up with the paternity tests.
No coughing, no flu, no fever, nothin'. Whoo. Sadly, I was sick in the wee hours of the morning, but I think I just ate something that my body chose to reject.

Best Season I Have Watched on DVD to Date:
MI-5 - Why is each season like $100?!?!

DVD Haul (Gifts or Bought With Gift Cash):
- Mean Girls (Watched Twice)
- Clueless (Watched Once)
- Dangerous Liasons (Watched Once)
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Watched over Five times)
- Hustle and Flow (Not yet!)
- The Constant Gardener (Watched Once)
- Arrested Development, Seasons One and Two (Watched most of it once)
- The O.C., Season One (Unopened)
- The Bruce Lee Collection (Vaughn's, but I will watch it)
*Totals refer to DVD viewings

Hair Status:
Relatively Normal

TV-Related Resolutions To Keep Me Honest:
- Write Two Spec Scripts
- Develop Pilot Ideas with Vaughn, Rat
- Take a class
- Post more often

What're you going to do with your 2007? Let's kick ass and take names this year!