Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:48 PM 0 Comments
- Just got back from Santa Monica; it's a gorgeous day, and after this ten minute nap I might be able to enjoy it. #
- Writing about Geert Wilders, this time for NTV. This is a slightly more complicated subject than Dramatic Prairie Dog, sadly. #
- Hey, guys, digg it: tinyurl.com/2nwel3 #
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{ Sunday, March 30, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:49 PM 2 Comments
- After sweet morning at writer's group and sweet afternoon working on 'John Adams' piece, am now enjoying sweet delights of Wrestlemania. #
- Ric Flair, in case you were wondering? SOOOO GROSS. #
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{ Saturday, March 29, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:51 PM 0 Comments
- Awake and on a 'John Adams'-watching break. I'd be happier about this if it weren't 4:30 AM and I could sleep. #
- Using this time to do valuable research into the "Carry On" film series. Because god forbid I don't fully understand obscure Brit comedy. #
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{ Friday, March 28, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:48 PM 0 Comments
- Here is what I am doing right now, Twitter. I am hoping the ache in my right shoulder will go away. Stupid tendonitis. #
- Thank you, brain, for last night's dream: a dinner date with Colin Firth. Screw you, body, for waking me up before dessert. #
- Okay, now this guy had an interesting life: tinyurl.com/2s3mpf #
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It's the little things Lots and lots going on right now, but in the midst of the chaos of my life, I have been avidly following the saga of Geert Wilders and his war against Islam. Why? Oh, not because I think his cause is virtuous. But every time he goes off on a tea, when I go to the day job I get to post this picture of him:
If I ever get to write a superhero comic for DC, I'm basing my character concepts around this. He just LOOKS like a supervillain.
I am especially fond of his hair. posted by Liz # 9:04 AM 1 Comments
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I don't know how I feel about this...posted by Liz # 8:49 AM 0 Comments
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{ Thursday, March 27, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:48 PM 0 Comments
- Line I don't want to cut from this piece: "calling Josh Hartnett an up-and-coming star is like calling HD DVD an up-and-coming format." #
- Yeah, couldn't really work in the Hartnett line. But I'm pretty happy with the piece! tinyurl.com/39tpef #
- OMG no Survivor tonight! THANK YOU, BASKETBALL!!! You are now my favorite sport plus infinity. #
- This is not helping to temper the flames of my once-raging X-Files Love: tinyurl.com/3xhfbh #
- Who in LA is attending the Mashable party? It is like a block from my apartment, so I feel obligated. #
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{ Wednesday, March 26, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:49 PM 0 Comments
- I just adore the fact that the HIMYM ep starring Brit-Brit was actually about a responsible single mom, turning down a man for her daughter. #
- Brit-Brit did not play the mom. #
- This is the problem with going for a run at midnight. It is 2:18, and I have no interest in sleeping. #
- Just met with LizG re: future world domination. Now, to make fun of Tom Cruise. #
- Spunkadelic's "9.95" just popped up in my iPod shuffling. Exactly the song I needed at this moment! #
- We get free dinner at the V on Weds, but sometimes the veggies don't get tons of options. Tonight's supper: cole slaw and mashed potatoes. #
- Anyone know anything about video cameras for the girl on the go? Anyone have any thoughts on the Sony HDV HDR-HC5 1080i? #
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{ Tuesday, March 25, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:48 PM 1 Comments
- NewTeeVee meetup = awesome! Thanks all who came! #
- Wow. Real life MPREG: tinyurl.com/2gnrxb #
- Oh, House of Cosbys. I have missed you. tinyurl.com/dwgwt #
- New contender in the NYC theater-going debate: 'Tragedy: A Tragedy.' Apocalypse musical!?! #
- Looking busy at work. Very excited about going home. Because after I do all my homework: HIMYM! Not to mention Justice League: New Frontier! #
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Research: It's your friend An article I ran across while doing some background research on old favorite "House of Cosbys":
Janney Gets Animated for Pitts | Animation Magazine: "Janney replaces veteran TV bit player Kellie Waymire, who originated the role of Liz Pitt in the live-action show. Dylan Baker (Spider-Man 3) and Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield) are reportedly on board to reprise the roles of dad Bob Pitt and daughter Faith Pitt. Andy Milonakis, star of MTV2’s the Andy Milonakis Show, will take over the role of son Petey Pitt."
Hey, guys? I know how hard it is to write this sort of thing (mainly because I'm doing it right now), but just an FYI -- even though "TV bit player" Kellie Waymire doesn't have Janney's credits or reputation, the reason she wasn't asked to reprise her character in the new series is that she DIED. She died back in 2003. Sure, I only really know anything about her through an odd series of events (she randomly appeared in a bunch of shows I was watching at the time, for one thing, and I was a intern in the writer's office for the The Pitts pilot). But still. It's right at the top of her IMDB profile. A little fact-checking never hurt no one. posted by Liz # 2:39 PM 0 Comments
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{ Monday, March 24, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:53 PM 0 Comments
- Back from Vegas! Excited about quiet evening in... Or rocking out NewTeeVee style. tinyurl.com/2kkl5b #
- FYI: STAR TREK EXPERIENCE is still one of my top 10 places in the whole world. #
- Just spent about an hour reading ex-Scientologist confessionals. Perhaps not productive, but fascinating. #
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{ Saturday, March 22, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:48 PM 0 Comments
- Met a nice married couple at a party last night. Me: "Do you have any single friends I can marry? Single friends with health insurance?" #
- First time I have ever had to ask this question: what's the weather like in Vegas? #
- 66 degrees! I am packing my muppet fur coat. #
- Vegas now! Quark's bar, here we come! #
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{ Friday, March 21, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:59 PM 0 Comments
- 11:24 Just read the entire 'Daria' wikiquotes page. Another productive morning. en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Daria #
- 11:47 This week's 'Survivor' recap references: Oscar Wilde, my mom. Slow week. tinyurl.com/2mdoa8 #
- 14:21 Done with paid work, at least for the day. Let's go to the mall, today! #
- 16:50 Oh, H&M. You provide me with the prettiest shirts. #
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Obama just wants an invite to the party I like reading political coverage of heavily scrutinized candidates, because often the most delightful personal tidbits will come up. From the NYT article regarding Richardson Plans Obama Endorsement:At several debates last year, Mr. Richardson often came to Mrs. Clinton's defense as other Democratic rivals criticized her. Since leaving the race, he has spoken frequently with Mrs. Clinton as well as her husband Bill Clinton, the former president, to whom he is particularly close. (They watched the Super Bowl together at the New Mexico governor's mansion in Santa Fe.)
When Mr. Obama learned about the game-watching party, he called the governor. "You know, I'd be good company, too," Mr. Obama told him, Mr. Richardson recalled in a recent interview.Obama, you could have come to our Super Bowl party, I'm sure. I mean, there were twenty of us in a 10x10 living room, but we would have found you some space on the floor, at least. And I bet Richardson's a guac hog. I like the guy, but look at him. You can tell.
Labels: not quite like the west wing
posted by Liz # 9:52 AM 0 Comments
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{ Thursday, March 20, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:59 PM 0 Comments
- 09:20 Things to do today: email, meetings, car stuff, play revision, cover Sweding, 'Survivor'. It does not feel like a day off. #
- 19:48 If you have any favorite slow-mo YouTube shorts, now would be a fine time to tell me. #
- 22:07 Fell asleep reading in a patch of sunshine this afternoon. Was lovely. But still have three more hours of work ahead of me. #
- 22:20 Anyone else feel compelled to hoard antibiotics in case of apocalypse? Just me? Okay. #
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"Practice good hygiene" BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Filipinos warned on crucifixions: Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in Easter crucifixion rituals. They have urged them to get tetanus vaccinations before they flagellate themselves and are nailed to crosses, and to practise good hygiene.
You know, when you look at us as a species from the outside, there's really only one conclusion. Human beings are weird. posted by Liz # 8:55 AM 0 Comments
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{ Wednesday, March 19, 2008 }Modern world, modern news Is anyone else fascinated by how Boing Boing's coverage of the protests and violence in Tibet has been much more in-depth and engaging than, say, the BBC's? I know this is nothing new, but it's still a great example of the advantages citizen journalism has when covering situations like these, where traditional news-gathering organizations find themselves shut out.
As a counterpoint, though, I'll link to this article, in which the assistant editor of the Jena Times deconstructs myths perpetuated by the media in regard to the Jena 6. I don't feel like enough of an expert on the case to say for sure how much of this passes the smell test (while some of his points make sense, others seem a bit subjective). But even if only a small percentage of this is true, it still makes a solid argument for fact-checkers. They do a body good. posted by Liz # 1:39 PM 0 Comments
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Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 12:04 AM 1 Comments
- 13:20 Have made appointment to replace driver's license and license plates! It is like I am a grown-up! Now to eat some cheese. #
- 19:13 When I look at my schedule for the next two weeks, and think about what I still have to get done, today's 6 cups of tea make ubersense. #
- 19:17 Also, have to reschedule DMV appointment. I get -10 grownup points. #
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{ Tuesday, March 18, 2008 }Asleep on a sunbeam When I was boarding my flight out of Austin, I tripped and fell in the walkway to the plane, scraping up my knee. I wouldn't mention it except that I was just looking at my knee, which has nearly healed, and realized that that was a week ago. Holy crap, it's been a busy few days.
Last night, after a tremendous amount of help from a number of lovely people, we completed what I'll optimistically call principle photography on a short about three months in the making. We still have to get the film processed, a process during which anything could go wrong, so let me tell you while I still feel it -- shooting 16mm is AWESOME. If you're the director, at least. Because it's so cheap and easy, DV ends up making me a bit lazy as a filmmaker, but having to think about shots and be conservative in my choices was a great challenge, and one that made me work that much harder. And the whole working experience was incredibly pleasant -- DP Kim and I collaborated really well, and our lead actress was a dream. Now all we have to do is pray that the film comes out. It was ultimately an easy shoot -- but right now, doing it again is an exhausting thought.
The other big news from this weekend is that the one-act I've been working on will be produced this May, as part of 3ofaKind Theater's spring season. I am pretty psyched. Last night the director and I talked about our dream cast, and how I want to do a page 1 rewrite by this Friday. Put it on the list.
Speaking of writing, and per my previous Twitter announcement, I've officially begun blogging for NewTeeVee about online video. It is just like riding a bike. Not that I've ridden a bike anytime recently. I'd probably fall off a bike at this point. And scrap up the other knee. Scabs are hot, right? I thought so.
Just out of curiosity, do you guys like or hate the Twitter updates being fed to this blog? It makes things simpler for me. But it might not be such interesting reading for you.
Now to slap around some book coverage before going for a run and going to my job. And tonight, maybe I'll stay awake long enough to get through a full glass of wine and a full hour of television. We'll see, though.Labels: in which our heroine, online video, projects:dear chelsea, projects:theatre
posted by Liz # 2:17 PM 4 Comments
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Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 12:06 AM 0 Comments
- 11:15 Incredibly behind on everything. Need to finalize tonight's shoot plans and write write write before 4. Fortunately, it's a beautiful day. #
- 15:06 Have had vaguely productive day! Email inbox down to 8 items. And I wrote about online video! Like hooking up again with a beloved ex. #
- 17:39 It is effing GORGEOUS today. Went up Runyon and could see the ocean! Now to shower before tonight's shoot. #
- 23:01 My first post for NewTeeVee! tinyurl.com/2pyht5 #
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{ Sunday, March 16, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:01 PM 3 Comments
- 07:48 Shootng all day today! Oh, the delightful challenges in store for me! ohgodletitgowell. #
- 16:39 shoot went well! except that I lost my wallet. yep. #
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{ Saturday, March 15, 2008 }Today, on Twitter...Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter posted by Liz # 11:08 PM 0 Comments
- 09:53 Time for tea/yogurt/yoga/shopping for props for short film. Ah, Saturdays. #
- 12:51 Roommate is shooting in his bedroom. Being very very quiet. But me want cereal! #
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{ Thursday, March 13, 2008 }Twitter-pated An unexpected side effect of me attending SXSWi was the birth of a new need. A need to, of all things, sign up for Twitter. I know! I was surprised as well. But here I am, nonetheless. It helps that I found Twitbin, a Firefox app that means I can have my Twitter feed right in my browser, which is really the only place I want it.
And it's so fast! So fun! After a day of posting clever little notes and feeling like one of the cool kids, I am becoming... well, not addicted (more on that later), but certainly hooked.
Tell me if you are Twittering! Tell me awesome people I should add to my Twitter! Tell me about your favorite Twitter tips! Oh, god, get me some Twitter help. I think I may need it.Labels: technologic
posted by Liz # 8:46 PM 0 Comments
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SXSWi: Social networking will change the world Came back from Austin on Tuesday, after a fantastic four days of brilliance-soaked new media discussion. Also, a fantastic four days of no sleep, lots of Shiner, little food, and many delightful people I hadn't seen in too long or ever at all.
While the whole experience was amazing, I wanted to share with y'all my write-up on the Saturday keynote with Steven Johnson ("Everything Good is Bad With You") and Henry Jenkins, Director of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program. These two are my two media studies gurus, so listen ing to them talk about the future for an hour was like going to your favorite church and finding out that your favorite pastor's special guest was God. Because, even though one could argue that web 2.0 is now entering its surly adolescence, a sense of child-like wonder can still be found in most discussion. And Saturday's keynote was a literal celebration of the positive ways social networking may, quite literally change the world.
Johnson and Jenkins began with a broad discussion of how the Web has lead to the rise of communities of "collective intelligence," (for those unfamiliar with the term: groups where participants contribute their individual experience and knowledge towards solving a greater goal). Most communities of collective intelligence are focused on tasks such as analyzing episodes of "Lost" to uncover the show's mysteries, which Jenkins celebrates this as the next evolution of TV. "'The Wire' may represent last show to exist in the box, whereas 'Lost' may represent a new future," he said. When Johnson questioned how, exactly, fans of "Lost" are able to devote so much of their time to analyzing a TV show, Jenkins turned it around: "It's easy to write them off as just having too much time on their hands. The question is why these intelligent Americans aren't as engaged by their jobs. Most fans are pink collar workers -- working positions that need lots of education, but don't require their full intellectual capacity. These skills go underutilized by the American workplace."
Johnson praised Jenkins for his defense of video games from "the Jack Thompsons of the world," asking what his thoughts were on the current backlash against new media. According to Jenkins, "These things come in waves, and we're definitely due for one. Young people are early adaptors of every new medium, looking for ways to assert their autonomy, and for a parent that's terrifying." Jenkins made note of how the Harry Potter phenonenom has inspired children not only to read, but to write and interact socially in fan communities -- and, thanks to the encouragement of the Harry Potter Alliance, even become politically active. "In a hunting society," Jenkins observed, "kids play with bows and arrows. In an information society, kids play with information."
But when it came to the question of children engaging in new media practices, the major question was how best to capitalize on the skills they develop "in the mastery of new technology," in Johnson's words. "The model is wrong for assessing the skills of the people we're talking about," said Jenkins. "We aren't testing for these abilities."
Jenkins sees the language of Barack Obama's presidential campaign as a sign that participatory culture is spilling over into real-world scenarios. "Young politicians use the word 'we.' Old politicians use the word 'I.' That language of 'we' is a language of groups and social networks. It's a different way of modeling society." Those most impacted by this new model, the current generation of 18-24-year-olds, were cited as being less violent, more entrepreneurial, and more political. "More engaged, generally," according to Jenkins.
"America doesn't lack potential," said Jenkins, "it's fulfilling that potential that's the problem. The institutions that govern us make the assumption that people are idiots. We need to empower poeple to use their intelligence in a meaningful way."
Check here to see when a podcast of this talk is available. Also check out Jenkins' own post on the talk. This was only the tip of the iceberg.Labels: in which our heroine, media matters
posted by Liz # 11:32 AM 2 Comments
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{ Thursday, March 6, 2008 }If you don't have your health (insurance)... I know I promised a return to semi-normal blogging, but life never seems to be semi-normal. This week -- health worries! Nothing too major and I'm very much improved, but as someone who's normally in pretty good health, the basic fact of being unwell and needing a doctor's diagnosis was surprisingly stressful. However, it does put things in perspective. For one thing, if this hadn't happened, this week I'd have been worried about gaining weight or getting a pimple before heading off to Austin. Instead, my thought process has been clear and focused: "fuck me, I hope this is better before Friday." (It totally is, for the record. Yay modern medicine!)
For another thing, health insurance! No one gives you anything. You have to take it. Or, you know, visit ehealthinsurance.com. Whichever floats your boat.
Let's see. Other important facts to jot down:
- It turns out I went to high school with Ozzy from Survivor! We were in the same graduating class! What the hell!
- In the space of a week, I've gone from zero to 60 on a short film project that we'll hopefully (!) be able to shoot next weekend. It's something I wrote with the intention of producing with minimal funds and effort, which is good because I have little time or money to expend. Well, except for the fact that we may be shooting 16mm. I am PSYCHED about that.
- My interview with David Nadelberg of Mortified is in this month's issue of Bookslut.
- One-act play is almost done. I think. There are a few holes to fill in still. The current draft contains notes like "HERE IS WHERE HE GOES CRAZY AND TRIES TO KILL HER." I should probably try and add those bits in, at some point.
- Saw a bunch of movies. Maybe, during one of my four plane flights this weekend, I'll get a chance to blog about them.
- Over the past month, I have been struggling with a decision which was oddly comparable to a plot point in the BBC miniseries Casanova (put briefly: marry the dull man with money, or marry the sexy rascal?). For those who listened to me rant about this and wondered how it got resolved, it looks like I have found a way to hook up with Casanova while still continuing to take Grimani's money. Just this once, everybody lives.
Labels: in which our heroine, projects:dear chelsea, projects:writing
posted by Liz # 9:41 PM 2 Comments
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