The Play is really compressing my time.
So, went to work day/rehearsal with Nate on Saturday. 10:30-2:00. Got a lot done. Ate and took a nap when we got home. Watched movies this weekend.
"The Last House on the Left": eh, not terrible. Rape scene was horrific. Pacing was slow... C-
"The Fisher King": Brilliantly acted, forgotten gem. Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter, and Robin williams shine in this Terry Gilliam classic... A-
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans": I was shocked. It was the best of the series. Bill Nighy and Mcheal Sheen are fantastic and their acting gives their characters credibility. So much more focused and sustained than the others in the series... B--
"I love You, Man": Funny and simple, but does nopt descend into the depths of potty humor that many do. Not as funny as I was hoping, but solid... B-
"Major League": Improbable and silly, but still fun after all these years. Particulalry Wesley Snipes and Dennis Haysbert... B-
Sunday
Actually got some stuff down around the house. Got a start on the kids room move.
Hit the gym:
Squat: up to 475/505 for 5.... felt like a ton. I can only squat every four weeks. Sad but true.
Rounded back GM: up to 315 for 5, feeling them today
Did core and cardio, so there is that.
Novenber is in jeopardy.
Nate: hit a PR 225 x 2, 245 x 1 on floor press; then a PR 345 x 5 on deadlift. I thought he would pull more, but he was whipped. Calf raises, curls, tricep pd's and abs to finish.
Chris worked out, did Cardio and tanned.
Powerlifting
The Westside Barbell hosted Pro/am was this weekend. Sean Frankle hit a huge 2630 at 198. 1055, 825, 750. People are going nuts that he is the best of all time. From the videos, the squats were hight, the benches questionable, though the pulls looked great.
The sport had evolved into a mess. The monolift squat is an abomination and the proliferation of gear masters have shot the totals through the roof. Was only ten years ago that an 800 bench was a monumental feet. The new shirts have made it pedestrian.
I have no problem with any of it as long as apples and oranges are kept seperate. From experience I know it takes a strong and dedicated lifter to master gear, but it has gotten ridiculous. The debate over gear and equipment riles powerlifters up like politics and religion in the real world. People get incensed and out of their minds. Same with Steroids.
"Little Shop..."
Feel the cast is merging well. The set is nearly finished. Nate id sounding pretty great. Assata, Ladonna and Mamie are really getting it down. I am a bit put out about the whole "Alice" Rule. People in "alice" were not supposed to be allowed in "LSoH". It has caused more harm than good. Nice to see everything is pretty much the same at WACT eight years later. Too many chiefs and WAY too many egos. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y Theatre, kids.
Writing
Debating full retirement.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wow. Still in a funk.
The Gym
Has been sucking something fierce.
Tough squats: hit a solid 545/5 all by myself but could not make myself got 585 with no spotters.
Bench was even worse: 275/10, 295/7, 315 x 2
Deadlift was a whipper: 405 x 10 beat me up pretty bad
I redid my entire schedule to try to still do the Adel meet in Noivember, but am putting implementation on hold until Sunday. Start with squats. Just not having fun anymore.
Perhaps I need to just stop going heavy. It never seems to workout.
Yard Work
with everything going on I have not done any. Need to pull down a broken limb on the giant pine tree in the front yard.
Boots
Has decided she will not go to the bathroom when we want her to. So, she has been banished to her room (our bathroom) until she can behave.
Writing
For the 375th time in my life I decided to simply stop trying to write. That lasted about a week. Pulled out the Bones for "Union 429" and "Otherwise Hopeless". "OH" is some good stuff, but just don't see it going anywhere, so, "Union 429" it is. A super hero mystery. After trying my hand with literary and Tonic Immobility, I need to get back to what has worked for me.
Liza Ezell bought a book and had this to say:
"WOW!! I read about 1/3 third of the book, and then began again (while we were on a vacation, and I could lounge in the sun and be focused) because I enjoyed it so much! I laughed out loud when I met Will Hayes~~it was like I was in the room with Kip. Then I had to read that chapter over a few times, because I laughed so much that I wasn't able to follow the story. (How is he, btw? I hope he is doing well. Let him know that I sent along my greetings :)
It was quite a tale, and I'm now in the 'post reading but still perusing' putting everything together in my mind stage, which means I'll probably have to read most of it again to satisfy my story detail fixation.
Pete, you have a God-given 'self-honed' incredible gift. That was probably one of the best stories I've ever experienced~~okay, I'm going on and on because I know the author, I suppose. But I really mean it!! It was absolutely fabulous. Put me on the waiting list for your next book..."
Thanks, Lisa.
This is the best part about writing, having someone enjoy what you wrote. I do not care if it is the best thing they ever read, I just want them to enjoy the read. The Read is the thing. It was what I accomplished with TBT and failed with Tonic.
It is also the worst part about the process to me. This is the typical feedback I get. Some from family, some from friends. But I have not seen Lisa in nearly seventten years. Even strangers. Josh has given the book to some friends and they all enjoyed it. AND STILL no angent or publisher wants to touch it. I am perplexed. I had an agent tell me it was too long. It is shorter than Twilight and The Historian.
Stephanie Meyer once said it was a difficult process. that she got turned down, like, ten times before it was picked up. I think I have been turned down close to 100 times on the the Thread. Granted, I am not the best at researching and have double dipped with different query letters, but damn.
General Malaise
This one car deal is horrible. Embarassing. I have to come into work at 7 as well. At least I get stuff done.
Feeling low. Can't get focused or driven to do anything.
Skipped the gym last night, makes me feel like a fat ass.
Little Shop
A little unhappy. christan dropped out. A long, horrible story that just keeps getting more annoying as the time goes on. Theater people can be such pains in the ass.
NAte is doing well. I should be off book by tonight's rehersal. Don't wanna go. Feel kinda like an outsider. Talk a little to the girls (LaDonna, Assata, cindy, Mamie) and Benji, but that is about it.
Work
Been slow. Gets a guy worried. Thank god we have Phil to keep the ship righted.
Top Chef Masters
Finally, a show where America does not get to chose the winner. And the winner was my guy... or at least one of them. TCM has ruined me for the regular show. Top Chef contestents are usually a bunch of bitches (m and fm) who like to screw one another over. TCM was refreshing: respect for one another, fair play, constant give and take.
Kids
Congrats to Logan for starting college, getting a call back and an interview for a job.
Gage looks to see significant playing time on the line this year.
Nate is, as always, true to himself and is going to be great in "LSoH".
Has been sucking something fierce.
Tough squats: hit a solid 545/5 all by myself but could not make myself got 585 with no spotters.
Bench was even worse: 275/10, 295/7, 315 x 2
Deadlift was a whipper: 405 x 10 beat me up pretty bad
I redid my entire schedule to try to still do the Adel meet in Noivember, but am putting implementation on hold until Sunday. Start with squats. Just not having fun anymore.
Perhaps I need to just stop going heavy. It never seems to workout.
Yard Work
with everything going on I have not done any. Need to pull down a broken limb on the giant pine tree in the front yard.
Boots
Has decided she will not go to the bathroom when we want her to. So, she has been banished to her room (our bathroom) until she can behave.
Writing
For the 375th time in my life I decided to simply stop trying to write. That lasted about a week. Pulled out the Bones for "Union 429" and "Otherwise Hopeless". "OH" is some good stuff, but just don't see it going anywhere, so, "Union 429" it is. A super hero mystery. After trying my hand with literary and Tonic Immobility, I need to get back to what has worked for me.
Liza Ezell bought a book and had this to say:
"WOW!! I read about 1/3 third of the book, and then began again (while we were on a vacation, and I could lounge in the sun and be focused) because I enjoyed it so much! I laughed out loud when I met Will Hayes~~it was like I was in the room with Kip. Then I had to read that chapter over a few times, because I laughed so much that I wasn't able to follow the story. (How is he, btw? I hope he is doing well. Let him know that I sent along my greetings :)
It was quite a tale, and I'm now in the 'post reading but still perusing' putting everything together in my mind stage, which means I'll probably have to read most of it again to satisfy my story detail fixation.
Pete, you have a God-given 'self-honed' incredible gift. That was probably one of the best stories I've ever experienced~~okay, I'm going on and on because I know the author, I suppose. But I really mean it!! It was absolutely fabulous. Put me on the waiting list for your next book..."
Thanks, Lisa.
This is the best part about writing, having someone enjoy what you wrote. I do not care if it is the best thing they ever read, I just want them to enjoy the read. The Read is the thing. It was what I accomplished with TBT and failed with Tonic.
It is also the worst part about the process to me. This is the typical feedback I get. Some from family, some from friends. But I have not seen Lisa in nearly seventten years. Even strangers. Josh has given the book to some friends and they all enjoyed it. AND STILL no angent or publisher wants to touch it. I am perplexed. I had an agent tell me it was too long. It is shorter than Twilight and The Historian.
Stephanie Meyer once said it was a difficult process. that she got turned down, like, ten times before it was picked up. I think I have been turned down close to 100 times on the the Thread. Granted, I am not the best at researching and have double dipped with different query letters, but damn.
General Malaise
This one car deal is horrible. Embarassing. I have to come into work at 7 as well. At least I get stuff done.
Feeling low. Can't get focused or driven to do anything.
Skipped the gym last night, makes me feel like a fat ass.
Little Shop
A little unhappy. christan dropped out. A long, horrible story that just keeps getting more annoying as the time goes on. Theater people can be such pains in the ass.
NAte is doing well. I should be off book by tonight's rehersal. Don't wanna go. Feel kinda like an outsider. Talk a little to the girls (LaDonna, Assata, cindy, Mamie) and Benji, but that is about it.
Work
Been slow. Gets a guy worried. Thank god we have Phil to keep the ship righted.
Top Chef Masters
Finally, a show where America does not get to chose the winner. And the winner was my guy... or at least one of them. TCM has ruined me for the regular show. Top Chef contestents are usually a bunch of bitches (m and fm) who like to screw one another over. TCM was refreshing: respect for one another, fair play, constant give and take.
Kids
Congrats to Logan for starting college, getting a call back and an interview for a job.
Gage looks to see significant playing time on the line this year.
Nate is, as always, true to himself and is going to be great in "LSoH".
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sad Week
Wednesday
Bench day was more than a little rough. Did two boards, and it was heavy from the get go. Struggled with 345 for 3, but looked better on 365 for three. Only hit 385 for one, so...
Nate hit a huge PR on the squat, 295 for 6.
Thursday
Bench day was more than a little rough. Did two boards, and it was heavy from the get go. Struggled with 345 for 3, but looked better on 365 for three. Only hit 385 for one, so...
Nate hit a huge PR on the squat, 295 for 6.
Thursday
Found out that Bill Westhead, a friend from our WACT days and a fellow(albeit more successful) writer, passed away after a championship bout with Cancer. He was truly swell guy, and one who seemed to balance between the local theatre factions without making many enemies. He was always trying to get me to go to the Writer's Conference on Jekyll Island, but I never had the money.
Christan was always touched by the fact that he had her alone in mind to play Hotlips Houllihan in MASH, insisting that she audition. She loved working with him on that show.
Friday
Another miserable deadlift workout. Rack pulls three inches below knee. 545 x 3 and five misses at 585. But, I did finish my workout and included speed work.
I think Chris and I are finished working out together. Just cannot find a common ground for motivation. She quits and I am an ass.
We got into it, but Josh came over with beer. Three of those and I was fine as paint.
Saturday
Got the front and small back yards weedeated. Had to byuy my 7th and 8th tubes of WE wires. This opposed to using half a tube over three years.
Went to the store and then went to the viewing for Bill. His wife, Gill, seemed very touched that we came.
Mowed the front and small backyard until it was two dark to see.
Found out that my Aunt Barb, who was a huge supporter of me and my writing, passed away after a long fight with Cancer. I was very saddened. I did not know her well, but she meant something to me.
I have had the opportunity of going through a few deaths in the last few years. I have seen a person pass and their life is always reflected in the emotions the living feel for them. My grandfather had a whole town come out to pay their respects. His passing leaves a void in our lives, the only times I have ever seen my father cry are when he was dealing with the death of his father.
when Christan's Dad died, I saw the havoc his life wreaked on his children. Chris and Howard were conflicted, left with negative emotions.
When Barb died, I thought it telling that a guy a thousand miles away, who maybe met her twice in his life, was hurt by the loss. A good person, one who sows support and encouragement, love and respect, may never see the return in her lifetime, but in the wake of her death, that time and energy are reflected in the hurt of the silence of the void. I mourn for her family and for the fact that I will never know her better.
Sunday
Got up and finished weedeating and mowing the back forty. Ran into town and then went to Bill's funeral. Good to see some people show. The Theatre crowd took up half the mourners.
Meant to go to the gym, but just could not make it happen. willl have to go Wednesday to Squat.
Sort of good news, Christan got offered a part in "Little Shop..." she accepted, but I worry she is going to freak out soon.
Monday
Gage started football. It did not go well. I feel like a rotten parent. should have had him doing sprints in the summer.
First real rehearsal went well. Too much blocking without focus. Christan seemed good.
Tuesday
Gage had a much better day at practice. Whew. Still will have him run sprints in the winter and summer.
There was no reason for me to be at rehearsal. Christan is freaking out as expected.
At least it is hot as hell with sweet crazy humidity.
Hope gym goes well Wednesday. I really need it to.
Should have my act one lines done by Thursday. Poor Mike is getting an ear full at work. I know my first song... not so much on the second.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Revelation
I have decided that Tonic Immobility, in its present state, is not fit for human consumption. I think I tried to hard to write a literary novel and it was just not what was in the cards. I alos tried to please the masses need for a happy ending. There was too much biography, too much easiness, too much happiness in the novel.
I want to write the book I want to write. I pretty much did it with TBT, but even then, I cut more than I wanted to. And for what? There are no agents out there who care to even look at it. the one who did, wanted me to go in a direction I did not want to go.
Now, the kicker... how to take what I have and make it what I want.
Nate
Is really doing well in the gym. Last year his best lifts were:
Squat: 315
Bench: 165
Deadlift: 335
So far this year he has hit:
Squat: 295 x 6... next week 315 x 5
Bench 180 x 5... next bench out will be 190-195 x 4
Deadlift: 315 x 8... next pull will be 365 x 6
Nate never argues and always puts his best effort into it. It would be nice for him to do well in this. I can honestly see him going 400/225/500 in November if he so decides. It is great to see his confidence grow every week. It is a shame he wants to forego wrestling. with a good coach he might do well at it.
The Gym
One week off and the rust was thick this week. Leg Press was a tough go. Wanted to hit at least 945 for 8 but wound up only getting 855 again. The good news was that I went on to finish my workout. 2 Boards felt like poop. Chris and the kids saved my ass. I hit a decent 365 for 3 and then a 385 single. Went for a double on 385 and missed. Chris, Nate and, in particularly Gage, did a great job helping me. I was not happy, but I finished my workout.
Knee was bugging me after leg presses this week, and I hurt from the knee to my neck today, so a little concerned about lifting Friday and then Sunday. Will do heavy rack pulls Friday and have to RAW squat on Sunday because of "LSoH".
Am thinking about hitting the gym after rehearsals one night a week just toi hit speed work on the bench or doing them after deadlifts. Fred reminded me how important they are AND Nate has been doing great since using them AND my 405 and 415 were done when using speed work, so...
"Little Shop of Horrors"
Nate and I both got parts in the community theatre production. A little nervous about how much singing I have to do. I cannot read music at all. Nate gets to do the Voice of Audrey Two and I get to play multiple parts, mainly Orin Scrivello, DDS. Gonna be a rough 2 months what with the gym and the show and the yard.
Oh, well, gotta fled... the books just showed up.
I want to write the book I want to write. I pretty much did it with TBT, but even then, I cut more than I wanted to. And for what? There are no agents out there who care to even look at it. the one who did, wanted me to go in a direction I did not want to go.
Now, the kicker... how to take what I have and make it what I want.
Nate
Is really doing well in the gym. Last year his best lifts were:
Squat: 315
Bench: 165
Deadlift: 335
So far this year he has hit:
Squat: 295 x 6... next week 315 x 5
Bench 180 x 5... next bench out will be 190-195 x 4
Deadlift: 315 x 8... next pull will be 365 x 6
Nate never argues and always puts his best effort into it. It would be nice for him to do well in this. I can honestly see him going 400/225/500 in November if he so decides. It is great to see his confidence grow every week. It is a shame he wants to forego wrestling. with a good coach he might do well at it.
The Gym
One week off and the rust was thick this week. Leg Press was a tough go. Wanted to hit at least 945 for 8 but wound up only getting 855 again. The good news was that I went on to finish my workout. 2 Boards felt like poop. Chris and the kids saved my ass. I hit a decent 365 for 3 and then a 385 single. Went for a double on 385 and missed. Chris, Nate and, in particularly Gage, did a great job helping me. I was not happy, but I finished my workout.
Knee was bugging me after leg presses this week, and I hurt from the knee to my neck today, so a little concerned about lifting Friday and then Sunday. Will do heavy rack pulls Friday and have to RAW squat on Sunday because of "LSoH".
Am thinking about hitting the gym after rehearsals one night a week just toi hit speed work on the bench or doing them after deadlifts. Fred reminded me how important they are AND Nate has been doing great since using them AND my 405 and 415 were done when using speed work, so...
"Little Shop of Horrors"
Nate and I both got parts in the community theatre production. A little nervous about how much singing I have to do. I cannot read music at all. Nate gets to do the Voice of Audrey Two and I get to play multiple parts, mainly Orin Scrivello, DDS. Gonna be a rough 2 months what with the gym and the show and the yard.
Oh, well, gotta fled... the books just showed up.
Monday, August 3, 2009
At some point, this has to end...
And the hits just keep a'coming!
It has been a miserable couple of weeks. The well, the septic line (still has to be fixed), the stuff with Logan's car...
Because I want to make everone happy, we went to see a friend's band in Richmond Hill. Should have begged off. We had a great time, but spent too much money. Then we moved Logan on Saturday and spent too much money. Then, while trying to fix Chris's car, I utterly ruined it. Then school clothes and supplies. I am bleeding cash right now.
All of this is my doing, I realize, it just seems like a good run of bad luck. Everything was looking so good just a month ago, now I do not know what we are gonna do.
Oh, yeah, had an opportunity arise with the book, so I sunk money for books and the website.
Do not know who I have to kill or sleep with to get the book represented. I am truly baffled. I guess my query letter sucks. Or maybe it is the book that I have gotten great feedback on. IDK.
The One Bright Spot
The website looks pretty good. I spent all day Sunday after screwing up Chris's car trying to get it to look decent. Really happy with the homepage. I keep tweaking it. Only problem is that I spent so much time on the website that I only got about two pages done in Tonic.
The Gym
Have missed a week for the first time in months. Freaking depressing. Wanted to go Sunday but after the car incident I did not care. Will probably just do this week what I missed last week. Can definately go Wednesday and Saturday... just gotta decide whether to go before rehersals tonight or tell them I cannot do it tomorrow.
Logan
Having more trouble with moving him than I thought. Worried that he is not prepared, that he is gonna screw it all up, that we did not do enough. We made so many bad decisions when we were his age that it terrifies me. The whole dynamic has changed and we exist in the wake of the change.
Yard
Really got to weedeat. Really bad.
Tonic Immobility
Trying to make myself push on. Realized how different TBT was from it original version. Stands to reason that Tonic will be require lots of changes. It is so different than the first novel. Hard to believe I wrote both of them. Like two different writers.
"So, You Think You Can Dance?"
Except for the TRAVESTY of Jeanette being gone, the final two, I think are right: Kayla and Jeanine. Kayla is hands down better, though. At least Melissa is gone.
Brandon should win this, it will be wrong if he does not. Mixed feelings about Ade going home and Evan staying. I like Evan, but I do not think he should be in the final. Don't think Ade's feet should be in the final, either, but he had a solid presence. Regardless, Brandon smokes them both, so...
I am amazed at how blind the judges can be. They fawned over Jeanine's last two routines, but I think they were weak... and I like Jeanine. Chris put it best when she said that the judges get a favorite in mind and cannot see past that. Even Brandon looked terrible with his last disco routine, but they did not call him on it.
Final should be...
1. Brandon
2. Kayla
3. Jeanine
4. Evan
but, that being said, the competition is "America's favorite dancer" not the best.
Submissions
Am thinking about submitting to some agents with the new query letter. Not hopeful. I know I should be more positive, but I never am.
It has been a miserable couple of weeks. The well, the septic line (still has to be fixed), the stuff with Logan's car...
Because I want to make everone happy, we went to see a friend's band in Richmond Hill. Should have begged off. We had a great time, but spent too much money. Then we moved Logan on Saturday and spent too much money. Then, while trying to fix Chris's car, I utterly ruined it. Then school clothes and supplies. I am bleeding cash right now.
All of this is my doing, I realize, it just seems like a good run of bad luck. Everything was looking so good just a month ago, now I do not know what we are gonna do.
Oh, yeah, had an opportunity arise with the book, so I sunk money for books and the website.
Do not know who I have to kill or sleep with to get the book represented. I am truly baffled. I guess my query letter sucks. Or maybe it is the book that I have gotten great feedback on. IDK.
The One Bright Spot
The website looks pretty good. I spent all day Sunday after screwing up Chris's car trying to get it to look decent. Really happy with the homepage. I keep tweaking it. Only problem is that I spent so much time on the website that I only got about two pages done in Tonic.
The Gym
Have missed a week for the first time in months. Freaking depressing. Wanted to go Sunday but after the car incident I did not care. Will probably just do this week what I missed last week. Can definately go Wednesday and Saturday... just gotta decide whether to go before rehersals tonight or tell them I cannot do it tomorrow.
Logan
Having more trouble with moving him than I thought. Worried that he is not prepared, that he is gonna screw it all up, that we did not do enough. We made so many bad decisions when we were his age that it terrifies me. The whole dynamic has changed and we exist in the wake of the change.
Yard
Really got to weedeat. Really bad.
Tonic Immobility
Trying to make myself push on. Realized how different TBT was from it original version. Stands to reason that Tonic will be require lots of changes. It is so different than the first novel. Hard to believe I wrote both of them. Like two different writers.
"So, You Think You Can Dance?"
Except for the TRAVESTY of Jeanette being gone, the final two, I think are right: Kayla and Jeanine. Kayla is hands down better, though. At least Melissa is gone.
Brandon should win this, it will be wrong if he does not. Mixed feelings about Ade going home and Evan staying. I like Evan, but I do not think he should be in the final. Don't think Ade's feet should be in the final, either, but he had a solid presence. Regardless, Brandon smokes them both, so...
I am amazed at how blind the judges can be. They fawned over Jeanine's last two routines, but I think they were weak... and I like Jeanine. Chris put it best when she said that the judges get a favorite in mind and cannot see past that. Even Brandon looked terrible with his last disco routine, but they did not call him on it.
Final should be...
1. Brandon
2. Kayla
3. Jeanine
4. Evan
but, that being said, the competition is "America's favorite dancer" not the best.
Submissions
Am thinking about submitting to some agents with the new query letter. Not hopeful. I know I should be more positive, but I never am.
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