rolled into work at... well. 4pm. Left at 8.30.

lunch: palak paneer on brown rice from Trader Joe's.

Dinner: cod cake, arugula with lemon juice. Rockrabbit wine.

so far-- cash only today.. with the aid of a $10 gift certificate to Whole Foods.

Operation: povertà non più

or, operation: Broke no more.
I need to change a habit or fifteen.

Effective immediately:
I will be living a cash only lifestyle, with the exception of items for medical necessity. Alcohol does not count as a medical necessity. Each Monday I will take $120 out of the bank, and live on that. In the majority of the country, this seems like a more than reasonable undertaking.

In fact, even in New York, it is a totally reasonable undertaking. It does mean that I'll be changing a lot of things. In the past few years I've gotten into the very bad habit of eating out nearly every meal. Some of that comes from the social structure in New York. When we want to get together, we go to a bar or a restaurant.

Part of that is the culture of singlehood. Part of that is related to the fact that most of my friends don't have living rooms to speak of- I do, but I don't have people over very often for two reasons. 1) I live in the equivalent of the Canada in relation to the rest of the city. And 2) as much as I like my roommates, keeping the apartment clean with these two is a Sisyphean task.

Breakfast at home before work, pack lunch, come home and make dinner.

Outline for next screenplay is tomorrow's project.

Tonight's dinner:
Spinach and goat cheese quesedilla with a side of almonds and kalamata olives.

Wine: Rockrabbit Sauvignon Blanc 2006. $9.99 at Trader Joe's.

Fun, very fruity, crispy but not wimpy and not a hint of that oak.
Cheerfully drinkable with a screwtop. I would serve it to others with dinner. I'm thinking salmon with a mushroom risotto. Tomorrow's dinner I think.

Ah. It seems I'm being fed a line of something silly.

It seems between London, New York, Springfield, LA, Las Vegas, LA, New York, Hartford, New York, New Haven, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Hartford, New Haven, New York... I've somehow picked up a nasty cold. It has made me just surly enough to boss the roommates into cleaning up after themselves.

I was feeling pretty good about the results of my bitchiness until I cut my finger while cleaning the metal dish rack.

Aces. Just... Aces.

office gig

Had the work holiday part on Wednesday night. Champagne, followed by dinner at the Stanton Social Club and Karaoke.

But first, the ever dreaded Secret Santa gift exchange. I'd already given my person her present, which seemed to go over ok. I did give her the gift receipt so she can get what ever she wishes from Borders.

but! my gift was wonderful and really thoughtful.
The EIC got me The KISASS Guide to Screenwriting by JT O'Neal. Simple, concrete. It serves as a good reminder that sometimes when a scene isn't working it is the simplest things that a writer already knows in his/ her bones... but just needs it brought to attention every once in a while.

WW2 script and 'Funeral in Vegas' are both on hold until this coverage is done, and all I want to do is write write write.... sadly the day job is needed to pay dem billz. I actually like my job for the most part.

As it has been at least four days since I've waffled again on this topic: to move to California or not to move. That is the question. Whether tis smarter to suffer the slings and arrows of New York until a script is sold; Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, move my ass to California with no money and no job.

Get me a red pencil!

Spent the week with friends (FutureLawyer and Scientist, and Scientist's 8 month old child) and Amanda's family. There was birthday cake with purple frosting and asti spumante to drink. For the first time in a long time, "Happy Birthday" was sung where it didn't sound like a dirge. It was upbeat and fast and as cheerful as we could make it.

A's mom shoved a card into my hand. It read:

Take comfort in knowing that there is one more angle above us.


I laughed, immediately seeing 'angle' instead of 'angel'.

A's Mom: You know she's hollering for a red pencil, right?

ME: Oh no. She's knocking on doors left and right, demanding to apply to this angle position. "I want to be an angle! They're in everything! Especially a right angle. I could be in buildings, everywhere! I am always right. Not an obtuse angle. That just won't do."


I take comfort in knowing that there is another angle above us.

posthumous birthday party

December 3rd a blood clot killed a friend of mine. She was talking and laughing one moment, the next she died. It was the day after her 30th birthday. Me and the rest of her friends are flying to her hometown, Las Vegas, and instead of having a memorial service, we're throwing a birthday party.


I hate that I've spent my weekend writing an obituary for one of the brightest, most creative people I've ever known.


Amanda Fox has left the building

Amanda Fox passed away peacefully December 3rd, 2008. She was a creative, funny, warm, interested and interesting person who took advantage of the opportunities life presented.

After graduating from Smith College in 2000, working at a magazine in Boston, and tiring of Northeastern winters, she returned to Las Vegas to perfect her online scrabble skills while working for the family company.

While the world had her for too brief a time, her presence made it a far more joyful and sparkly place.

Her memorial celebration and posthumous birthday party will be held on Dec 13 in Las Vegas, please contact afoxmc@gmail.com for further information.


The family has requested no flowers. Donations made in Amanda's name to the Las Vegas SPCA (http://www.nevadaspca.org/donate.htm) would be greatly appreciated.