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February 22, 2004

A Beautiful Beagle Named Ezra

I'm back, and haven't dropped off the face of the earth....

I haven't written much since my mom passed away at the end of October. Honestly, I haven't felt much drive to write anything-- fiction, emails, weblog entries, anything. But things are slowly moving back toward the old direction, although my emotions are still up and down. Today, actually, would have been my mom's birthday, so that was a bit difficult. But Michael cheered me up...

...as did Ezra, my beautiful new Beagle puppy. I bought him a couple of weeks ago now, and he's become part of the family-- now there's Jeanne and David and their dogs Kingsley and Shanie, and me and Ezra. Oh, and the cat, Cleo.

Since 2004 has started, I've kept sort of busy with my proofreading freelance stuff; plus I'm currently reviewing application manuscripts for Columbia--since I got my MFA there, they've hired me out every February to read through the applications.

Okay, time to start in with the pretentious boldfacing....

The big news continues to be the progress on the Mysterious Skin film. I get occasional updates from Gregg Araki and producer Mary Jane Skalski or her supercool right-hand man James Debbs, but mostly lately I've talked a lot with Brady Corbet, who plays Brian in the movie and is the co-lead with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Brady is God. He played the brother-- Holly Hunter's son-- in THIRTEEN, and will play the lead in THUNDERBIRDS, which comes out in the fall. Since I didn't get to be there for a lot of the filming, I relied on Brady to give me all the details. The latest news, which seems to be official now so I think I can report it here, is that Robin Guthrie, ex of Cocteau Twins and current solo artist & member of Violet Indiana, will do the music / score along with pianist Harold Budd. I'm completely thrilled with this, as I've always loved everything Robin has touched--all of the Cocteau stuff, sure, but also bands he's produced-- stuff by Felt, Lush, Chapterhouse, and so on.

In short, the film is nearly finished and ready. More news when I know it, and I'll report my feelings when I see it for myself, too. So far, any person who has seen bits and pieces of the film has seemed to foam at the mouth with praise.

I'm utterly consumed by reality TV again. SURVIVOR is terrific as usual, and since it's the all-star show, this means I am reduced to splinters by the world's most perfect human specimen, Ethan Zohn. I'm also hooked on AMERICAN IDOL again-- if Fantasia doesn't win there's something wrong-- and that Donald Trump show, THE APPRENTICE. I've gotten my housemate Jeanne halfway hooked on the somewhat repulsive THE BACHELORETTE. It's sickening but I can't stop watching it. I'm coming to the slow realization that I'd rather watch TV 24 hours a day than do anything else. I even love JUDGE JUDY and JUDGE MATHIS and THE PEOPLE'S COURT but I have to steer clear of TV during the day or it ruins everything.

My house will start hosting Board Game Night this Monday. Reports to follow. This is also Ezra's debutante ball where everyone gets to meet him.

CDs I'm listening to this week: new ones by Cyann & Ben, Crescent, Stereolab, Lisa Gerrard, and Bethany Curve. "Spacebox" by Bed. Oh, and the huge Cure box set.

I am growing a beard. I joined a gym because winter has made me chubby. I promise I'll start back with my novel again. 2004 sort of sucks so far, but Celexa is helping.

Posted by at 03:06 AM | Comments (1)