Scooter

I have a cold or something. Sore throat. Chest filled up. Pain around my eyes. No doubt a result of running around barefoot in the wet grass Friday night. Will I never learn? I really need to buy me some styling rubber boots.

Because I didn't sleep Sunday night and because I have been sickly, I skipped the gym yesterday opting instead to snooze on the futon for a few hours while episodes of Damages looped on the computer. I'm just getting into this series, but I really like it a lot. It's dark and gritty and I sit at the edge of my seat expecting at any moment that Glenn Close will boil a rabbit. Hasn't happened ... yet, but nothing would surprise me.

So today I'm trying to get up the gumption to head back into the gym. I still feel like crap, only slightly less so. Part of me thinks it's probably good for me to sweat out some of the bad stuff lingering in my body. Part of me just wants to curl up with a hot cup of something and suck on lozenges all afternoon. It remains to be seen which part of me will rule the day.

Mood: grey
Drinking: sludgy left-over from morning coffee
Listening To: renovations happening in the apartment next to mine, new neighbors soon
Hair: growing like weeds

Wicked Wednesday

It's happened ... yep. I am addicted to Big Brother. How does this freaking happen?! I didn't watch Season 6 but All-Stars hooked me back in. Then last year I didn't watch at all, but this year I'm right back in the saddle again. Why?!

Big day today! BnM Meeting, supper with the girls, and MOVIE NITE! Yay! Mama Mia! Here I come!

Mood: happy
Drinking: coffee
Listening To: BB10
Hair: ponied

Everybody's Broken

I am awaiting a sunrise on a cloudy day. I went to bed late and got up early. That's what happens when you're excited about your life. The trick to getting up early is to be excited about the day, you know like when you were a kid and you would get up in the wee hours on Christmas morning. Nothing could keep you in bed then. Yes, we should be THAT excited about life, just everyday general life. I am!

Leonard Cohen is also playing in Moncton I read in this morning's paper. Love Moncton! Would sooner go there maybe, rather than Fredericton. I'm thinking pretty hard on Toronto too. THAT would be freaking awesome on top of awesome! I'm still mulling. Decisions will be made by tomorrow. Toronto is totally doable if I skip Frye Fest this year, save that week's hotel living expenses. The cogs in my brain are spinning as I wrap my head around the possibilities.

Busy week this week. My list runneth over. Am taping a tv program later this week . . . I so dislike being on tv. Radio is fine, but tv . . . sheesh! Thank God I never actually get to see myself because I don't have cable. I'm being told that very soon everything's going high-def digital and my rabbit ears won't work anymore. I'll have to get cable then if I want to keep up with Coronation Street. I'll also have to get a high definition television. I don't know that I'll actually do all that. I may just give it up all together once and for all.

Mood: excited & excitable
Drinking: coffee
Listening To: ziggy stardust, david bowie
Hair: messed

Paradise by the Dashboard Light

Have I mentioned how much I am loving October Road? Love, love, love, that show! Just watched the latest episode at lunchtime.

So yesterday was my first day off detox and I had cereal and bread and coffee and a big ole glass of red wine when I went to my monthly BnM production meeting. The wine went immediately to my head and I felt a little tipsy. That was at 3:30ish yesterday afternoon. This morning I felt like I had a hangover. I still kind of feel like I have a lingering hangover headache. Bizarre! Perhaps I introduced too much too soon. I don't know.

Up early for a Saturday morning (7ish) and went straight to work. BnM is possessing every moment of my time these days. I've already done two interviews today, written a two-page report of yesterday's meeting, walked nearly 5000 steps, watched an hour of television, prepared two meals, connected with a half dozen contributors about various things, and the list goes on. I am focused. Driven. Determined. And out of here for now!

Mood: confident
Drinking: water
Listening To: buddy loping around upstairs
Hair: not on my radar today

Oh Brother

I so hope Danielle doesn't win BB8. Is anyone with me on that? Do other people like her? I cannot stand her whining childishness. She has grated on my last nerve since the beginning. She's like a bad young lad. I like Dick less as the show progresses, I liked him more in the beginning. It's the gloating as it gets down to the end that is turning me off. I didn't mind the attacks all along, that was entertaining and interesting game strategy, but I just can't stand poor winners. And I just feel sorry for poor Zack. At this point I'd sooner see ED win it, with Zack second or even vice versa. The idea of Dani winning the whole thing makes me want to puke. Thoughts? Anyone watching?

Going to Fredericton on Friday to see Matt Mays perform at Harvest Jazz Blues Festival. I can't get excited about it, too much to do to get there. I've even been thinking about giving my ticket away and staying home.

Mood: achy
Drinking: coffee
Listening To:Kings of Leon - Molly's Chambers
Hair: don't ask

For Reasons Unknown

Last night I watched a couple of movies. First I watched the latest in the Die Hard series, Live Free or Die Hard. I've been curious about it because normally I'm not into the whole series and sequel thing (well, except for Bourne and Clerks) but the Die Hard series started back in 1988, there's a lot of history there. To have one come out now, after all these years, well, it's a curious thing. Same thing with the latest Rocky, though I haven't watched it yet, I know I will eventually. And when Stallone's new Rambo comes out hopefully by Christmas, then I'll be plunking down a ten to go see that sucker in the theatre.

Anyway back to Die Hard.

When it opened in theatres earlier this summer I honestly had no urge to go see it. But then it did pretty good box office, which doesn't mean much, just that a lot of people went to see it. But then I started to hear some really good stuff about it. And yes, granted most of the good feedback was coming from Kevin Smith (who is in the movie) and his friends via Smodcast and his blog, but still, if he was in the movie and it sucked they're the types to say it sucked, or at least to not say anything at all. But all summer it's been coming up in their conversation as one of the great summer movies. So I was curious.

Last night I'm flicking through looking for something to watch and I came across it, so I hit play just to see the quality, whether it looked any good or not, and the opening credits are rolling while I'm deciding and then Timothy Olyphant's name rolls up and that was that! Any doubts instantly vanished and I settled in to watch the movie. I love, love, love Timothy Olyphant! If you're not watching Deadwood, you need to stop everything and go find an episode right now. I'm not kidding. I don't care if you don't like westerns, neither do I . . . until now.

Live Free or Die Hard is a really good watch. Lots of action. Great stunts and special effects. Engaging storyline. Bruce Willis is still believable as a major action star (unlike Nicolas Cage who really seemed to be way too old to be Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider) John McClane is as rough around the edges and sarcastic as he was way back when. So, if you've been on the fence or not even interested, give this one a chance. I had forgotten how much i enjoyed the original Die Hard. This is, in my opinion, as good as the first and better than the second and third parts.

After all that action I wanted to unwind with something lighter, so I went looking for a good comedy. I came across Fun with Dick and Jane, which I had never seen. Tea Leoni can be pretty funny. I prefer Jim Carrey in his more dramatic roles like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but of course he can also be very funny, he practically invented funny. I did have a few laugh out loud moments, but even though it came out a few years ago I had still seen most of the really good laughs in the previews which kinda ruins the movie. (How come they don't ever hold something back?) Still, it wasn't all bad, for that kind of a movie it's worth a watching one time, don't rush out and buy the dvd or anything, but if it's on cable, why not?

After the movies I was feeling pretty zonked so I went to bed. I put in this free dvd I got in a box of Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn this week. It has pilot episodes of four shows: Heroes, The Office, Miami Vice and Friday Night Lights plus a couple of extra features. I started to watch Friday Night Lights because I've never seen or really heard much about that show. It's interesting looking, gritty and real, but it couldn't hold me through the sleepies I'm afraid. So I shut it off half-way through and crashed. I really liked the look of it though. I'll give it another go sometime.

Mood: headachy
Drinking: coffee, french pressed
Listening To:Scissor Sisters - Better Luck Next Time
via FoxyTunes
Hair: about to be snipped by my own hand

New Addictions

I am addicted to Wasa Multigrain Crispbread. They are fantabulous!! And I'm not even kidding. I had tried the Ryvita Dark Rye Crispbread before but found it lacking. I wasn't that impressed. So then right before I took off to Barnbonia I had purchased the Wasa brand. Then I went off the deep end into the pit of burgers, nachos, fried chicken, french fries, ketchup chips, Rolo ice cream . . . you get the idea. I still haven't gone for groceries, haven't restocked a healthy larder here. I should be saving the Wasa for a healthy day! But I can't help myself. I love, love, love them! I spread them with peanut butter and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or rooibos tea. They never go soggy. And they are totally yummy. Products like those make eating healthy easy.

Save the cheerleader, save the world. WOW! Just a few episodes and I am totally addicted to Heroes. I think Season One came out on DVD yesterday or maybe it's next week, but if you didn't get to see this during the regular season, you must get caught up before Season Two begins! I can't stop watching. The cliffhanger endings are going to be the death of me. I love the Japanese guys. I've been watching online, which you can also do if you have high-speed. There are only a few tv shows that I'd consider buying on dvd, and mostly they're sitcoms, like Seinfeld, Frasier and Friends, stuff that never gets old and you love to watch repeatedly, but Heroes, much like Lost, is one show where I would love to get hold of the extras, watch and analyze upside down right side up and sideways. I'm almost ready to turn comic book geek . . . almost.

I desperately want a pedometer. Studies show that people who focus on upping their steps to at least 10,000 per day have more success at maintaining an active lifestyle than people who focus on minutes or distance. So I want a pedometer. I've wanted one for awhile. My mom bought me one at the Dollar Store, but surprise surprise it really doesn't work. Then she gave me hers, which was an expensive good one back in the day . . . but it only measures in kilometres. So I want a good pedometer that's not going to break the bank. I'm not real sure what I'm looking for, which brands are good, what features are important . . . any thoughts? Anybody? I want to become addicted to movement. It's a thought.

Mood: in withdrawal
Drinking: coffee
Listening To: the dryer tumbling my jeans
Hair: still pulled back out of the way

The Surreal Life

Slept late, til just after 10. Last night some strange combination of complete exhaustion, Sunday Night Anxiety, joy and excitement at being home took hold and had me bouncing off the walls and ceilings until nearly 5am. A little knackered today, but trying to get on track, get organized and get stuff done. Somebody mowed the lawn at the house next door. FINALLY! Remember the puppy who used to live there? Remember when he moved away? Like ages ago! Yeah, lawn hasn't been mowed since then, until late last week. It was like a field, small trees coming up, grass to your thighs, weeds growing willy nilly, looks much better now.

The skin continues to peel off my arms from the super bad sunburn I got on the long weekend at the family reunion. It's kinda gross. I also think the kitty scratches on the palm of my hand are going to permanently scar, kinda sorta looks that way. A new life line! There are a couple on my arm that may leave scarring too, but maybe it just hasn't been long enough for them to go away completely yet.

Today I need to clean up my inbox, plan my week, do laundry, tidy up my bedroom and put on my fuzzy sheets (because I'm still cold!), edit a bunch of stories, determine what I need for groceries, take a shower, and maybe go to the store. I also need to catch up on last night's BB8. Yesterday I watched the Season Premiere of Weeds. Yay! I've also started watching Heroes. I'm only on the third episode but I'm liking it so far. Lets hear it for high-speed! :-)

Oh well, not getting anything done this way, am I? And she's off!

Mood: chipper
Drinking: coffee, fresh ground, organic, fair trade, french roast, black
Listening To: fish (probably trout) sizzling in a fry pan on a hot plate on the patio next to the one below me
Hair: pulled back out of the way

Sunday, Sunday Here Again a Walk in the Park

And here we are again--Sunday! My favourite day of the week. A bit chilly this morning because I slept with my window open and temperatures dropped overnight. I plugged in the tv last night for the first time since last Sunday, so I could just roll over at 7:30 this morning and snap on Coronation Street.

Some people think my Corrie obsession is a bit odd, but I say, don't knock it until you've given it a go. There are reasons why it's the most popular soap throughout the world. It's fun! I love the humour. And I also like how story lines unfold quickly, not like the American soaps where you can tune in only once every few years and still find everyone facing the same problems they were the last time you tuned in. And there are no evil enemies with supernatural powers to be overcome. The antagonists are just regular everyday bitches and scoundrels--womanizers, liars, cheaters, wife beaters, manipulators, thieves, murderers, etc. It's all very ordinary. Yes, you wish someone would finally slap that smug look off Charlie's face because he is a bastard, and you've met many like him in your travels about the world. And when he finally gets his (and he will) you can trust that he won't be coming back from the dead in some sort of miracle surgery that nobody in the real world has ever heard tell of.

Anyway, with the Stanley Cup almost claimed, the Street will move back to its regular Mon-Fri evening time slot at 7pm and my Sunday mornings will no longer be filled with a full week's worth of episodes. I'm kind of considering not returning to my regular evening schedule and keeping the Sunday morning ritual instead, but then if I miss a Sunday morning because I'm away, I will miss a whole week of episodes . . . and if you miss a whole week of Coronation Street, you miss a lot of stuff! A lot can happen in a week on the Street.

I seem to be developing a bit of an obsession for all things British these days--music, movies, tv shows, books. One day I will cross the pond and visit, fill my boots!

And now a gorgeous Sunday afternoon beckons. Jumbo jets heading west fill the sky. Pleasure boaters cruise past on the river. Somewhere somebody mows their lawn. The puppy next door barks at kids playing basketball and boomerangs. I need to eat lunch before I lose the afternoon and find myself at dinner.

Mood: peaceful
Drinking: water, water, water, 20 oz at a time
Listening To: life beyond the screens of my windows
Hair: needing colour

Love Him!

Darkness Falls

So I'm withdrawing from society for the weekend. Do you ever do that? No, not you with the blinds closed! I know you do, but what about everyone else? You know, the normal people, the non-Underhills? Do normal people just decide they can't be bothered with the rest of the world, unplug the phone, disconnect from the Internet, close the curtains, and . . . do whatever it is people do when they're not socializing? Yes, I know, begs the question--what exactly is normal?

Anyway, I'm withdrawing. Have withdrawn. I am NOT depressed! Just giving myself permission to focus inward is all. I very much need to knock some stuff off my list. A whole lot of stuff in progress, not much completed. Withdrawal is the key to completion. Completion is the goal of the weekend.

In other useless blather, I stumbled into Lonelygirl15 on YouTube and I don't know if it's my lack of television and new dvds or the cutey-patootie Jonas, but I find myself somewhat hooked on this bizarre internet serial.

Mood: zoning in for the kill
Drinking: cold coffee, warm juice
Listening To: nothing really
Hair: back in a royal blue band

Irreplaceable

My mother came to visit on Saturday. We went out shopping for window treatments at Zellers and then she put up blinds and curtain rods for me. Starting to look like a home around this place! I'm liking it, I'm liking it a lot! I returned to Barnettville with her at the end of the day for some dog visiting and to attend the Third Annual Keenan Oscar Party last night. The coveted Pink Panther was up for grabs once again and I kinda sorta redeemed myself from last year's dismal showing, tying against the reigning champion, mister dee. So, Pink comes to live with me for half the year, then the mclaughlin's and then, since next year is surely the year I get to see all the movies before the awards, back to me for a good long visit.

Okay, but seriously, what the hell happened to the Oscars?! Was it not the longest most boring uninspired uneventful broadcast ever? It was tough to stay awake.

This morning I went to Rogers Cable and taped a segment on BnM. We're going to do another shoot later this week and the piece will air next week. I don't get cable, so I won't see it. But that's okay! I think I'd rather not. I am tired today. Feeling a little spacey. I walked home from Rogers, about 25 minutes, and I'm still falling asleep. Listening to On-Air with Ryan Seacrest to see what he's saying about the Oscars, but I must've tuned in too late, doesn't seem to be saying much.

Rabbit ears were gifted last night!! Yay! I'm excited to hook them up and see if I can't get some clear CBC, and maybe even (dare I hope) a little ATV. Should go try that soon.

My train of thought is all over the place. Best not to write now.

Mood: full of holes
Drinking: coffee with cream
Listening To: riding dirty
Hair: styled for tv!

Little Miss Sunshine

And we're back in action. I finally got internet yesterday around 5pm. Aliant mishaps, they're not just a myth. I was disconnected twice when I called them to get things switched over. So, the initial information they gave me got changed from the first call to the third. It's a cold grey day here, low ceiling, with the smoke off the mills flattening out around them. Sitting at my computer I can see the Morrissey Bridge, the Frank McKenna Bridge, Chatham Head, and Nelson. If I lean forward just a bit I can see the Ritchie Wharf and Newcastle Downtown. If I lean back I can see the hospital, the Centennial Bridge, St. Michael's Basilica, and Chatham Downtown. There's a bird flying low, skimming the river ice, just this side of centre. I wouldn't think there'd be much food out there. On Sunday a constant stream of snowmobiles raced past. There are some thin patches in the ice, it looks like, but I guess it's thick enough for cars and heavy equipment, let alone a few snowmobiles.

I have been going to bed early and getting up even earlier here. We arrived Saturday afternoon. Sisters and boys stayed to reassemble furniture and then left around supper time. I was pretty beat, but I did a little unpacking Saturday night. Mostly I just did the dance of joy and stared out my window at the town lights. I tried to watch The Machinist, but soon drifted off on the futon. Sunday morning I woke up at 6:45 and started putting my house together. I went to bed at 8:30 Sunday night. I can't remember the last time I did that when I wasn't sick. I woke at 6 Monday morning. Asleep by 10:30 Monday night, up at 4:30 yesterday morning. Asleep by 9:30 last night and up at 7 this morning. I could've gotten up even earlier, but it was too darn cold to get out of bed. And it's cloudy, so I knew I wasn't going to get to see a sunrise. That's what I've been doing these mornings. Worshipping the sunrise and writing. It's pretty darn fabulous!

Last night I put on some jazz, turned the lights off, lit candles, filled the tub, poured a glass of wine and soaked for a half hour. I can't remember the last time I did that! Have I ever done that? I always wanted to, I know. I should make this a weekly ritual or something. I was feeling a bit knotted, feeling a little worry and stress creeping back in, but it all went down the drain with the bath water. I need to get some sea salt and cleanse my aura. I never knew how much I missed having a tub!

I don't have tv here. No channels. And I'm going to keep it that way, at least for a time. I've got plenty of dvds and lots of music and books and internet, so I don't think I need tv. I'll find creative ways to fill mind-numbing tv time. Though Cornonation Street will be missed and I wince everytime someone mentions Amazing Race All-Stars, but other than that, I'm okay. Maybe there's a pub or a restaurant or someplace that will watch Amazing Race All-Stars and I can just go there every week.

Today, I am going to the Mighty office for a BnM meeting. April issue is going to be awesome. Some great submissions in for it. This is when it all finally comes together and I get on track. I can feel it.

And now I'm off to get dressed and ready to leave. I love, love, love my new digs! I'm the most well-rested, unstressed and emotionally healthy I have been in ages. So far, this has been the best move.

Mood: joyous
Drinking: russian tea, black
Listening To: fingers on keyboard and little else, it's a quiet building
Hair: recently razored by moi

Not

Not a good day to begin a fast. Maybe I can do some prep to begin next week? Maybe. Yeah, that's a solid plan. Too much on the go mental-wise at this time on so many levels to focus on such a task. It's supposed to be a therapeutic, cleansing, even spiritual experience . . . I think I need more wits about me to reap the benefits.

Last night I missed Studio 60 so I could watch The Robber Bride on CBC. It's one of the few Margaret Atwood books that I love. Nix that. It's the ONLY Margaret Atwood book that I love, one of the few that I actually enjoy. The movie was a bit of a disappointment to say the least, as is usually the case with books you love being taken into film. Albeit it's been a few years since I've given the novel a reading (but I've read it several times since I first picked it up). . . but I don't recall the male perspective being the central focus. Why did they take a story about women and make it a man thing? The best thing about the whole movie was the casting. The casting was done well. What they did to the story, totally sucked. Did Atwood have any say in this thing at all? I think if I ever should have a work that people want to turn into movies I will be reluctant to sign away the rights and have no say. Surely you don't have to be J.K. Rowling in order to have a say.

I need to read the novel again. Damn movie people!

So, I should've watched Studio 60 last night, because a) I like this show, b) the movie really pissed me off, and c) although the Studio 60 episode does air again tonight it runs opposite What About Brian . . . and I don't miss What About Brian for anything. Sorry, Studio 60. I promise never to abandon you on Sunday night again for some cheesy made for tv movie.

This Monday night is shaping up to be a big tv night (and I need to focus elsewhere, NOT watch tv right now) with a new episode of 24 being on also. I like 24. I like it a lot. Yet, I'm not die hard loyal. If I'm working, I don't fret about missing it. Last season I watched the first half dozen or so episodes and then fell out of it altogether. I foresee that happening again this year. It's only a little weird. I'm only a little weird.

Mood: cranky
Drinking: water
Listening To: typing fingers
Hair: i cannot talk about my hair right now

I Been Streeped

So I've been watching a lot of movies this weekend. It's kinda funny. I think it's part of my "process." Because I am writing stories for the February BnM. I am editing stories for the February BnM. It's almost February and I should be working on these stories every waking moment of my day . . . but I'm watching movies. (And we won't talk about the junk food being consumed while I'm watching movies, because I refuse to acknowledge that's happening. Ignore, ignore, ignore.)

So Friday night when I'm at the computer actually working I have the tv on behind me, that show with Anne Heche in Alaska or someplace. I don't think I've ever seen a complete episode. Anyway, in the show she's a writer/radio talk show host and she's working on a book for her publisher. She's got to have chapters done to show very soon. She's on deadline. And she's cleaning her house from top to bottom, cleaning out the fridge, volunteering to work rummage sales . . . doing just about anything but work on her book. It's her process, she says. Another woman, who I thought was also a writer (but that'd be kind of weird maybe, to have so many hip lady writers in this out of the way freezing mountain town), so she was probably something else, anyway, she commiserated saying she once did something outrageous to avoid doing her thing too.

And I think to myself . . . MY GAWD! They're talking about me. These people get me. And far be it from me to ignore such a revelation, so I turn off the computer and give the show my full attention. I mean, they get me, they really get me, THIS is important.

It's hard to follow a series when they're at least a half season in and you haven't seen a single episode. But even with this obstacle I managed to extract something of value for my life. So she does her chapters, sends them to her publisher (who is very cute and single and obviously digging her on a completely different level, what's not to love about that?) and he comes to the small town to discuss. Basically he tells her it's superficial crap, she's skimming the surface, and she needs to stop being afraid and let herself feel the work, or work out her feelings through the work. The problem is, she isn't in it.

Lightbulb! I know this about one of my stories, Katt's Lives, but now I see where I've been doing it all along in all the stories. I've been holding back. I can see it. I know where. I know why. And I know what I need to do. Revelation!

And of course, now, while I'm on serious BnM deadline, is the perfect time to go work on all that other stuff.

Nah, just kidding. Instead, I watch movies. Friday night I watched The Deer Hunter, which I mentioned already. I had seen it before but I think I missed the beginning and it was a long time ago, so I'd pretty much forgotten anything I knew about it. Last night I watched Derailed with Clive Owen & Jennifer Aniston . . . which seemed really familiar to me, but I don't think I've seen, which was a little weird. But likely means the plot is very predictable . . . or maybe it's some kind of a remake. Then I watched The Devil Wears Prada, which was predictable but funny too and I guess you can never hear that message about doing what you want to do, that you always have a choice, enough.

Meryl Streep is in The Deer Hunter. It's not a super huge role, because the film centres around the men's friendship, but still, she's a pivotal character as the love interest of both Christopher Walken and Robert DeNiro. In The Devil Wears Prada Meryl Streep plays the dragon lady boss, editor of the fashion magazine. So, when I looked at the next movie I had lined up for last evening, A Prairie Home Companion, I stopped for a couple of seconds to consider whether I could handle anymore Meryl Streep. But here's the thing about her, she's actually an actor. She rarely plays the same type of character. Accents change from movie to movie. She can be strong and bitchy or strong and salt of the earth. Or weak. Or funny. Or sad. Sometimes you pity her, sometimes you want to strangle her, sometimes you cheer her on. So I didn't think it'd matter that I'd just had a double dose of Meryl and I put in the third movie. I love the way Robert Altman shot things. He was such a master of the whole upstairs/downstairs thing. A Prairie Home Companion is funny and entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. I want to do a live radio variety show! How much fun is that?!

But back to Meryl Streep. Her character in this movie was nothing like in The Devil Wears Prada, was probably closer to the girl she played in The Deer Hunter, though not really. And seeing her in so many things (and having seen her in so many more over the years) got me thinking about actresses and the roles they play and I tried to think of another actress who truly . . . I dunno . . . acts . . . and I drew a blank.

There's Hilary Swank, who seems to win an Oscar with every movie she's in, but essentially plays butchy girls with strong wills and a sensitive side . . . or probably a version of herself. When you see that Diane Keaton is going to be in a movie, you pretty much know what you're getting, you're getting Diane Keaton. Not that I don't love most everything she does, but has she done anything where she wasn't herself? Like Drew Barrymore. I love Drew Barrymore. But when I go see a movie she's in, I expect to see Drew Barrymore, not a Russian accented con-artist seductress. Other actresses like Rene Zellweger and Nicole Kidman have done some parts that weren't completely the same character, but the majority are the same person.

And I don't know if this is a problem of type casting, or of actresses not taking chances with roles, or not wanting to challenge themselves, or what. But I thought about it, and thought about it, and thought about it some more, and I couldn't think of another Hollywood actress like Meryl Streep, who bounces effortlessly from comedy to suspense to drama, carries a satchel of accents at her side, does fat, thin, older, younger, blonde, brown, black, grey, red head, and manages to become somebody new nearly every time. I guess this is why she's considered by many to be the best.

It's interesting, the thoughts you'll have, when you're working your "process."

Mood: bloated
Drinking: cold coffee
Listening To: the people living in the walls
Hair: bandanna bound