Sunday, October 15, 2000

Harvest



It's been two years since I moved to Los Angeles, time for another review.

It's been a year since I began my latest screenplay, BEFORE THE FLOOD, and I'm still tinkering with it. Lately I've been working on three songs that are part of the story, which is about a burned-out rock star who has been enlisted by a kind of 'guardian alien' to help her defend the human race against annihilation by the cosmic landlords she represents. Two of the songs form the musical bookends of the story and even though I only use a few of the lyrics in the script, I felt that I needed to work out the rest of the songs for the sake of completeness. The third song doesn't even appear in the script, it is only referred to by one of the characters, but I like the idea of having an actual song instead of just a title.

The other script I have spent the most time on this year is IN YOUR DREAMS. The process of getting that contract signed sealed and delivered has turned into a Hollywood version of 'Waiting for Godot'. The latest word is that one of the partners at the production company has been on location all summer and hasn't had a chance to review my suggested changes to the contract. Uh-huh.

My job has turned from a brainless temp-job into a full time stress-fest. The case I'm working on has been dragging on for over five years and is currently scheduled to go to trial next spring. I am swamped with paper, tasks and deadlines and constantly at the beck and call of three very busy lawyers. And yet, most of the time it doesn't seem to affect me at all, because I know that at any moment I could walk out the door and never look back. That's because, thanks to the steady paycheck, I have been able to pay of all my debts and even save up a few bucks on the side. The real problem with the job is that I am getting used to the steady paycheck and am ignoring my writing.

I think the best thing that has happened this year was when Jon and Ivana moved here. I have missed having Jon around for the past few years and it's good to have him back in the USA. But the added bonus is that I have gotten to know Ivana. From the first day I met her, I have felt like we are connected on a level that goes beyond language and friendship. I feel lucky to have such good friends so close by.

My mom is coming out for a visit this week. On Saturday we are going to the wedding of one of my best friends from way back in Louisville, Gary Kostalnick. His family moved out here some thirty years ago and it will be cool to see him get married.

Sometimes I get to feeling a little disconnected from the rest of the world and that's one of the reasons I began sending out these letters. I don't know if the internet really does have the power to reconnect people to one another, it's just a tool after all whose power is determined by those who use it. But, tools can be very helpful at times, especially the right tool at the right time. Thanks for helping to keep me feeling connected.

Hope you are all doing well.

Love, HWD