My living space is now complete with a writing... erm, nook?

It's just as the title indicates: I now have a place to write in my apartment after so many years! What I'd been working on previously consisted of a metal folding chair, and my laptop resting upon a TV dinner tray stand. That's it. There wasn't room for much more in my old living space, which was about the size of a can of peas. Nevertheless, I managed a lot of writing on that set-up, so I can't knock it too badly.

My new apartment has some wiggle room, though, and that metal chair and low tray were infuriating some old back injuries. When my mom was in town for a few days, she helped me pick out some new furniture (she's much much better at that stuff than me, and actually has... what's it called? Oh yeah, good taste), and I am forever grateful. It's amazing how much difference comfort makes to my work output.

The new desk was a breeze to set up, which is saying something because I'm the least mechanically inclined person you've never heard of. I ordered it cheaply online, and thankfully all the bolts and screws I needed were included with the packaging. If they weren't, I could just picture myself at the hardware store: "Umm... I'm looking for a bolt, uh, thing. It looks kinda like, well, I don't even know how to describe it, but can I have one?"

So anyway, do you have any idea what this means??? I do. It means that I can now write from my apartment, sans back pain, whenever I'm home. Usually I would have to find a computer lab or office space to write from, but most of my ideas come late at night. Disregarding the usual distractions of writing at my living space, I'm extremely pleased with this development.

Granted, I like doing some writing outside of my apartment, which I've mentioned previously, but whenever I look over and see that desk there, it looks... inviting. Like it's daring me to finish what I'm working on.

And that's a dare I'll definitely take.

Yargh!

Missed my Christmas deadline, which I half expected. I figured if I set a crazy deadline, it would urge me to write faster, even if I didn't make the cut. The plan actually worked, since I figure I only have about 1/3rd of the novel left to write. I'm still frustrated with myself but not entirely upset.

Wrote some short stories, too. Did my very first story involving a superhero, which was a lot of fun (I always thought it would be wild to work on a comic one day). I also wrote a short horror bit, and then a few pages involving a break-up between two people. I have no idea what I'm going to do with all these short stories. I'm trying to figure out how to make some money off them if possible. Not the reason why I write, but it would still be nice to get some cash out of the deal, eh?

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During a meeting with "The Artist" -- who is doing the cover art for Magic In Dogtown -- she offered to make me a personalized soup mug. I forget exactly how this was brought up, but our conversations are usually bizarre like that anyway, so it's no surprise. I was just recently told, however, that the mug has been completed! I have no idea what it looks like or how it's painted. When I brought it up to her, she just laughed mysteriously. Knowing her, that could mean anything. I wouldn't be surprised if I were presented with my gruesome demise depicted across the exterior each time I used it for a meal. If it does, I will find a way to make sure it's on permanent display in my apartment somehow.

It would be external motivation, for sure.

My 2009 List

Happy New Year everyone. I'm sure you've been seeing a lot of "best of" and "worst of" lists for the year just passed. In most cases I would follow suit and list my favorite books and movies I've seen from this year.

Who wants more of that, though?

Instead, I thought I would take the time to reveal my admiration for a cool art form: the movie trailer.

Yes, film trailers are works of art. Done right, they can build excitement for an upcoming film, give audiences a taste of what to expect... yet not reveal crucial parts of the movie. The last bit is where most trailers fail. Don't you hate it when you feel like you've seen the entire movie after watching a preview? I certainly do.

So, to show my appreciation for the talented artists who put together these mini gems, I'm posting some of my favorite trailers from 2009. They excite. They rock. But most importantly, they DON'T GIVE AWAY THE WHOLE DAMN MOVIE.

The Third Terminator Salvation Trailer: Say what you want about the movie, but you have to admit the trailer is simply fantastic. I practically grew up on Terminator 2, and wasn't necessarily excited about a movie in the franchise that didn't involve Cameron or Schwarzenneger. This trailer changed that.

Where The Wild Things Are: It certainly is beautiful to watch. Some people told me watching it made them cry (yes, really). Others told me that they actually liked it better than the movie. Whichever way you put it, you really can't deny how marvelous this preview really is.

Inception: With a movie cloaked in so much secrecy (seriously, does anyone even know any general details about the plot?), how can an effective trailer be made without giving away, well, anything? This trailer managed it somehow. Looks awesome.

Up In The Air: People started talking Oscar potential even before the movie was released. Some would say buzz from festivals and pre-screenings are to blame. I suspect, though, that this graceful trailer might've had something to do with it as well.

... And, for my favorite movie trailer of 2009:

Babies: Try to watch this preview without smiling. Bet ya can't.