It’s spring break here, which means my gremlins are home 24/7 until next Monday. I’m trying to get some writing done while they’re home, but it’s a struggle. Over the weekend we were here (see photo on right) at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon with friends who own a house there. Saturday the guys took the kids golfing (it was 66 degrees). Sunday my girlfriend and I took them snowboarding 15 miles up the road at the Hoodoo Ski Area. Where else but in Oregon can you go golfing one day and skiing the next, all within 15 miles … Read more »

Finish the end of the sentence. Go on, I dare you.

I just have to say right now that I have never been a big vampire fan. I mean, the blood, the immortality, the whole biting thing…ick. I have a hard enough time donating blood. I can’t imagine voluntarily allowing two giant fangs to pierce my skin.

That said…my relatives on my mother’s side come from that famed region in (what used to be) Hungary known as Transylvania. Yes, you heard that right. Somewhere back in my lineage there’s probably a link to Dracula, the king of all vampires. Being … Read more »

short synopsis of the movie. I walked out of the theater thinking it reminded me too much of Dance With Wolves. But Carrie hit it spot on…this movie WAS Pocahontas, just done up with special effects.

Okay, I’m a writer. I realize that plots are reworked all the time. I know when you take a story down to its most basic elements, there are really only seven original plots:

Overcoming the monster
Rags to riches
The quest
Voyage and return
Comedy
Tragedy
Rebirth

I also know that all stories–books and movies–are simply variations on these seven original … Read more »

Over the weekend I rented Jason & The Argonauts. It’s an older movie – ca. 2000 – about Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece. As I’m in the middle of my own Argonaut series right now, I’m heavily immersed in Greek mythology, so I was really looking forward to watching this movie.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. It was long (over three hours) and dry, and the romance between Jason & Medea left me yawning. But it was an interesting portrayal of the quest and for research reasons, I’m glad I watched it.

Now, what I’m … Read more »

As most of you know, I’m not a big TV-watcher. I just don’t have time. I write primarily in the evenings after the Gremlins go to bed, during prime TV-watching hours. After finishing a project though, I always take some time off to catch up on shows I enjoy (like House). Now is no exception. Especially with the DH off work due to his back surgery recovery. We’ve watched a lot of House, the series end of The Shield, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (have you seen this? If not, you’re truly missing out. Hi-larious) and I’ve … Read more »

How many of you had to suffer through watch this movie? I have a “tween”…she’s nine….and she’s in love with this series. Needless to say, I was stuck in a theatre on Sunday.

Twenty seconds into the first scene where the basketball jocks all break out into song during the middle of the championship basketball game, I leaned over to my daughter and said, “It’s a good thing your dad isn’t here.” She ignored me. My six year old son, however, who went with us because he foolishly figured ANY movie with popcorn had to be better than staying home, … Read more »