So here’s an interesting twist to my camera getting stolen:

I followed up with the retailer, noting that I’m pretty positive that their delivery guys stole my camera. On the phone, the salesman who sold me the TV sounded annoyed I even called him, and then the next day, when I went into the store and spoke to the manager on last Sunday, he again seemed annoyed to have even deal with this. However, he did call the company’s head of security, and I spoke that gentleman on Monday.

I figurSo here’s an interesting twist to my camera getting stolen:

I followed up with the retailer, noting that I’m pretty positive that their delivery guys stole my camera. On the phone, the salesman who sold me the TV sounded annoyed I even called him, and then the next day, when I went into the store and spoke to the manager on last Sunday, he again seemed annoyed to have even deal with this. However, he did call the company’s head of security, and I spoke that gentleman on Monday.

I figured they’d give me lip service, and that would be that. However …

He suggested that I file a report with the police, which I did, and got a report number. The store’s head of security then questioned the drivers (or so he told me), but then he arranged, at my convenience, to come to my apartment to see the layout, and took pictures. He used to be an NYPD detective, and was a real no-nonsense guy. He told that when he questioned the drivers he wasn’t happy with their responses, and wanted to question them again, but with apartment photos so they could look at the layout, and see if they remembered anything to either back up their story, or else trip themselves up.

So, is this guy a great detective? Don’t know. Maybe he’s bored, maybe he’s looking out for his job in a bad economy, or maybe he’s actually really good at what he does and is really looking out for his employer’s interests. Either way, he’s done more than I ever thought would happen. Doesn’t mean I’ll get my camera back (unlikely), but maybe I’ll get some store credit. Still, I was pleasantly surprised that anyone took this much interest in the case, one that very easily could have just gotten swept away.

To be continued …

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/12/07 11:26

For most of October and into November I was on a really good role. I was cruising along as I write Crossline, enthusiastic and inspired. Just really digging in. It was one of those runs that I truly love, when hours feels like minutes, when I can’t wait to get back to the computer and just lose myself in the words.

But as all things do, this run came to an end about two weeks ago. It was the end of a very long sequence, and I just needed to wrap up one final scene. Try as I might, however,For most of October and into November I was on a really good role. I was cruising along as I write Crossline, enthusiastic and inspired. Just really digging in. It was one of those runs that I truly love, when hours feels like minutes, when I can’t wait to get back to the computer and just lose myself in the words.

But as all things do, this run came to an end about two weeks ago. It was the end of a very long sequence, and I just needed to wrap up one final scene. Try as I might, however, it just wouldn’t come. I thought about it, though about it again. I started over. I tweaked, I experimented, but no matter what I came up with, it just wasn’t working. Rather than force it, I decided to take a little break. To step away and work on something else.

Instead I worked on a small section that needed writing, and had a good little run, but I wrapped that up faster than I thought. And then I started on a new section. An important section. It won’t turn out to be extensive, but it will be vital to the overall story. I already had the broad strokes in my head, so I wasn’t that worried about it. Except that when I sat down to clack the keys, the words wouldn’t come.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I made some progress, moving the plot along, only, it was really flowing as much as meandering. I was kinda, sorta making my way, but there was no authority in the pacing, no enthusiasm in the flow. After about a week of getting essentially nowhere, it suddenly occurred to me that the character I was focusing on was really a stranger to me.

Who the heck is this guy? I thought I knew, but it turned out that I had an [i]idea [/i]of who he was, but not who he actually was. What motivates this guy? What brought him to this point? Who is he now, and how will that be different when we’re done with him. Why should we care about him? [i]Do[/i] we care about him?

This started me along the right path, and yet, I was still wasn’t there. So I ran the drill, walking around my apartment, talking out loud, trying to figure out the answers to those questions. I meditated on it. I took a walk through the neighborhood. When I was done, I felt like I had a much better grasp of who he was. I thought, [i]okay, now I get this guy[/i]. And yet I still wasn’t entirely sure where to go from there.

And then it hit me. I had another a-ha moment that comes once in awhile during the writing process, and suddenly I knew exactly where to start, which, not surprisingly, was at the beginning. I lost sight of the fact that I knew (or thought I knew) who he was, and that it would come out through pages. Uh … no. It was a classic show/don’t tell. I had to actually let his journey unfold on the page. We have to spend a little more time [i]with[/i] him so that we can care [i]about[/i] him.

Once I made that decision the words started flowing, and I’ve been writing ever since.

Some of my favorite elements of writing is the process itself. Because no matter how many times I clack those keys, no matter how many times I struggle to find my way, I still get giddy and surprised when the magic flows the way it does. Because when it really gets going, for me, there’s nothing else like it.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/12/05 11:11

Turns out that I have a bit of a Thanksgiving hangover, but it’s not the kind you might think. As a treat to ourselves, Liz and I decided a while ago that we were going to forgo Hanukkah presents for each other and instead buy a big screen TV. We’ve had a rough year, for all sorts of reasons, and we wanted a reward. Something a little extravagant.

So on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving I was out doing last-minute shopping for turkey day dinner, and while I was out, stopped by a local eleTurns out that I have a bit of a Thanksgiving hangover, but it’s not the kind you might think. As a treat to ourselves, Liz and I decided a while ago that we were going to forgo Hanukkah presents for each other and instead buy a big screen TV. We’ve had a rough year, for all sorts of reasons, and we wanted a reward. Something a little extravagant.

So on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving I was out doing last-minute shopping for turkey day dinner, and while I was out, stopped by a local electronics shop to do some TV pricing. Well, after some hemming and hawing I walked out having bought a 46" Samsung LCD flat screen TV, to be delivered and installed Friday morning.

Needless to say, I was looking forward to it. Thanksgiving went off well, and first thing Friday morning–Black Friday–the delivery guys came by bright and early. They delivered and installed the new TV, and hauled away my old one, finished and done by 9 am. Nice way to start off the day. Liz and I gave the set a test drive by watching Casino Royale on DVD (in preparation for Quantum of Solace). We dig the new TV.

Saturday, as planned, we saw the new Bond movie (see the MOVIES section for my review), ran a few more errands while we were out, and then came home to enjoy the new TV once again. And just as I was saying that our year of rough sledding had turned a corner, Liz realized that our digital camera–with all of our Thanksgiving photos–was missing.

At first we did an apartment search, but it didn’t take long to figure out what happened. The delivery guys took it. Now, I can’t absolutely prove it–I don’t have them on video stealing it–but the camera was on the dining room table when they arrived and it was gone when they were gone. Beyond them ripping me off, which just gets my goat, I tipped them well for getting there so early for the delivery, and even offered them a slice of left-over pumpkin pie!

#$%@!

I have since visited the shop and lodged a complaint with their security chief, and I’ll be filing a police report, for whatever that will do for me. It’s not like I’ll ever see that camera again. Who knows? Maybe the shop will offer me some sort of store credit, or my homeowners insurance will cover some or all of it. Regardless, getting robbed flat out sucks (third time I’ve been nailed over the years). And on Thanksgiving weekend? That’s just lowdown.

All things considered I’m taking it pretty well at this point, but I can say for sure that I’ll be keeping a closer eye on the delivery men from here on out. And as for the pie? I don’t think so. I’ll be polite, but my days of offering snacks to the delivery men are over.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/12/02 05:49

As a follow up to [i]Casino Royale[/i], the new James Bond movie, [i]Quantum of Solace,[/i] picks up where the last one left off. It’s basically Part II of the same movie, a straight continuation of this longer storyline.

As a movie, [i]Quantum of Solace[/i] was certainly entertaining. It kept my attention, and moving right along. But as a Bond movie, for me, it was a little weak. Had the producers slipped in James Bourne to this movie instead of James Bond, I’m not sure you would be able tAs a follow up to [i]Casino Royale[/i], the new James Bond movie, [i]Quantum of Solace,[/i] picks up where the last one left off. It’s basically Part II of the same movie, a straight continuation of this longer storyline.

As a movie, [i]Quantum of Solace[/i] was certainly entertaining. It kept my attention, and moving right along. But as a Bond movie, for me, it was a little weak. Had the producers slipped in James Bourne to this movie instead of James Bond, I’m not sure you would be able to tell the difference. There was no Q, there were no gadgets, there was almost no James Bond music.

And there wasn’t enough Bond being, well … Bond. And this is no knock on Daniel Craig. He’s a great Bond. It’s just that he didn’t get the chance to really be Bond. [i]Quantum of Solace[/i]–lousy title–was more of a straight up action movie calling itself a Bond movie. Whereas with [i]Casino Royale,[/i] where Bond could slow down and size up his opponents, being this international man of mystery, in Quantum of Solace it was pretty much run, fight, shoot, kill.

Repeat.

Repeat again.

And again.

I still liked [i]Quantum of Solace,[/i] and I’m sure I’ll be buying the DVD once it’s out, but I hope with the next Bond movie, they take their time to build more subtly into the story. Jason Bourne is a perfectly fine action hero, but James Bond is iconic. Whatever they come up with, they need to just let Bond be Bond, the reason we keep coming back in the first place.

So I checked out [i]Role Models[/i] the other day, and it was … not bad.

Is [i]Role Models[/i] a great movie? Uh … no.

Is [i]Role Models[/i] a bad movie? Well … sort of.

But more imporant, is [i]Role Models[/i] a funny movie? Yeah. It is.

[i]Role Models[/i] is your classic good bad movie. It’s not a good movie. It’s barely even a movie. It’s more like a sketch that runs on for two hours. And while there’s not much there, there, and very little plot to hang onto it’s funSo I checked out [i]Role Models[/i] the other day, and it was … not bad.

Is [i]Role Models[/i] a great movie? Uh … no.

Is [i]Role Models[/i] a bad movie? Well … sort of.

But more imporant, is [i]Role Models[/i] a funny movie? Yeah. It is.

[i]Role Models[/i] is your classic good bad movie. It’s not a good movie. It’s barely even a movie. It’s more like a sketch that runs on for two hours. And while there’s not much there, there, and very little plot to hang onto it’s funny enough often enough–with some absolutely laugh-out-loud moments–that it’s worth the effort. I wouldn’t necessarily spend $10 to see it, but when it comes to cable, it’s worth checking out.

If you’re looking for a check-your-brain-at-the-door stupid comedy that will have you laughing, [i]Role Models[/i] pays off.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and tomorrow it’s back to work (sadly), although we’ve still got the rest of this final Thanksgiving Sunday to enjoy.

As a first ever, Liz and I hosted Thanksgiving this year, and I’ve got the pies to prove it. And one thing I learned is that hosting Thanksgiving–when you have a dozen guests–is hard friggin work! I must have washed about nine gazillion dishes (yes, gazillion is an official technical word) throughout the day, my back and knees a bit sore as aThanksgiving has come and gone and tomorrow it’s back to work (sadly), although we’ve still got the rest of this final Thanksgiving Sunday to enjoy.

As a first ever, Liz and I hosted Thanksgiving this year, and I’ve got the pies to prove it. And one thing I learned is that hosting Thanksgiving–when you have a dozen guests–is hard friggin work! I must have washed about nine gazillion dishes (yes, gazillion is an official technical word) throughout the day, my back and knees a bit sore as a result.

I’ll say that the day was a hit, although I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Going into Thanksgiving I assumed I’d have to work throughout, cleaning up, serving courses, etc. But I hadn’t really prepared myself for just how much I’d have to been working, and how little chill time I would actually have. And it’s not that I’m complaining (well, maybe a little–I’m glad we hosted and I would do it again–it’s just that I was unprepared for the intensity of it.

I’ve thrown many parties, and usually once the guests arrive, it’s crack open a beer, play some music, and let the night go where it goes. With Thanksgiving … not so much.

There’s coordination. There’s a steaming hot kitchen (oven, and microwaves and burners oh my!). There’s dishes to wash, garbage to throw out, guests to attend to. I don’t think I sat in one place for more than five minutes at a time for almost the whole day. Sheesh. Talk about hustling!

Anyway, our guests seemed to enjoy themselves, the food was a hit, and as a result of some overly thoughtful giving on that day of thanks, I now have four, count ’em four, pies in my fridge, with my waistline expanding by the second!

So all in all Thanksgiving went well, but next time, I’m hiring in some help!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

In a strange and disappointing twist, Liz and I had to give up our new dog, Penny. She was really a super sweet, playful dog, who was just great with people and a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, Penny just wasn’t meant to live in an apartment. Not that she was bad while in the apartment (she did chew up a few shoes and things at first, but she got over that). It’s that she’s a runner. She’s a chaser. She’s got boatloads of energy that she just couldn’t burn off on the schedule we could keep, evIn a strange and disappointing twist, Liz and I had to give up our new dog, Penny. She was really a super sweet, playful dog, who was just great with people and a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, Penny just wasn’t meant to live in an apartment. Not that she was bad while in the apartment (she did chew up a few shoes and things at first, but she got over that). It’s that she’s a runner. She’s a chaser. She’s got boatloads of energy that she just couldn’t burn off on the schedule we could keep, even with four walks a day. Penny needs a backyard. Penny needs a farm. She needs space–and plenty of time–to run around and go nuts and burn off all that kooky energy she has. And as much as we wanted to, Liz and I just didn’t have the time and space to give her that.

It’s too, bad, too, because if we had a house with a yard we would have very likely kept Penny. But sometimes it’s just not meant to be. We only had her for two months, but we did our best, gave her lots of love and attention, and yet sometimes, as well all know, our best isn’t always enough.

So Sunday around noon I dropped Penny back with the North Shore Animal League–gave them all the info they needed (and which we didn’t have when we first adopted her)–so that Penny can find a home that’s better suited for her. I’m positive she’ll find a good home. She’s just too good of a dog for it to end up any other way.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/11/25 05:10

Dreams are funny. They’re often so strange and tangled, filled with all manner of image and flash, putting us in bizarre times and places, some of which seem real, some of which don’t; some are familiar, but not quite what we remember, and some are just off the wall head-scratchers. Some are funny, some are terrifying. Some make perfect sense while others are distorted and swirled and so confusing we can’t figure out which way is up or down. Some seem to reflect our deepest fears, while others sDreams are funny. They’re often so strange and tangled, filled with all manner of image and flash, putting us in bizarre times and places, some of which seem real, some of which don’t; some are familiar, but not quite what we remember, and some are just off the wall head-scratchers. Some are funny, some are terrifying. Some make perfect sense while others are distorted and swirled and so confusing we can’t figure out which way is up or down. Some seem to reflect our deepest fears, while others still tap into our greatest desires.

Well check out this dream a friend of mine had recently:

In the dream, I was at an awards ceremony, up at the podium. I was being given an award for a book I wrote, and was getting all sorts of applause. It was then announced that based on my book, a Hollywood studio was not only making a blockbuster movie out of it–but the most expensive movie of all time!

Now that’s what I call an awesome dream!

But was it a dream–or a premonition, a sight-line into a very real future?

Hollywood, baby! Here I come!

This year I started getting into some gardening. Sounds weird to say it, but, what can I tell you? Liz and I have a balcony with a nice view, so a few plants seemed like a nice idea. And much to my surprise, I’ve enjoyed it. I water the plants every few days, trim the dead leaves, freshen the soil. I’m not saying I’ve earned my green thumb or anything, but it’s been a lot more enjoyable than I ever thought it would.

Up until about a weeks ago, my outdoor plants were still doing well. The reThis year I started getting into some gardening. Sounds weird to say it, but, what can I tell you? Liz and I have a balcony with a nice view, so a few plants seemed like a nice idea. And much to my surprise, I’ve enjoyed it. I water the plants every few days, trim the dead leaves, freshen the soil. I’m not saying I’ve earned my green thumb or anything, but it’s been a lot more enjoyable than I ever thought it would.

Up until about a weeks ago, my outdoor plants were still doing well. The red flowers were still in bloom, the tropical plant still had life to it. Just a little water here and there–the rains did them both good–and they were still thriving.

And this friggin artic blast came in out of nowhere-blamo–and my plants are dead, or on life support! Just one stinking week in the freezing cold all but wiped them out. I know, I know, I should have brought them in sooner, but a) it was so cold I didn’t want go out there, and b) I forgot.

So the tropic plant is dead (sorry, dude), and the other one (with the red petals) I’ve brought inside, hoping to resuscitate it. I clipped most of the dead buds (there were many), gave it plenty of water, picked out the dead, crunch leaves, and placed it on the windowsill.

Will it survive? Time will tell. But this arctic blast really did them in.

.