Zub Tales

The last month of summer speeds along and here’s my report…

Let’s see, the proposed camping trip has been delayed until this coming weekend. We’re crossing our fingers that it all comes together. Whatever the case, you’ll hear the story next week.

On Sunday, Jeremy and I pigged out on steak. We moved Jeremy’s old barbeque to the Aurenya rooftop earlier this summer and occasionally we cook up a storm. Jeremy in his enthusiasm to light up the barbeque almost blew my right arm off, but no lasting harm was done. The hairs on my arm will grow back soon enough. You think I’m joking, but I’m not.

Marketing Man Brett has me convinced that we should go to the casino in the next few weeks and play some Black Jack. Have no fear, I won’t be a gambling junkie… I’ve just never been before and at least you have control in Black Jack, unlike a roulette wheel or a slot machine. I’ll watch a lot and play a little. The key is to take a little bit of money for the entertainment of an evening, just like a night out drinking. If you go there expecting to win money, you’re sunk.

This weekend is the opening of Iron Giant and everything I’ve heard about the film says it’s incredibly good. No musical annoyance, it’s apparently a touching character piece. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to it. If anyone else on my list checks it out, please let me know what you think.

Nick’s taken some holiday time, so I’m taking on his teaching chores for two weeks. That being said, I made sure that we headed to the Zoo for Life Drawing tomorrow. It’ll be a nice break and I enjoy drawing animals. Maybe I can get the school to chip in on an Iron Giant viewing next week…

While Nick’s away, I’ll be pounding out more script material for our concept. The first draft should be finished at the end of August or early September.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:
I put together a mix CD of female artists that I like (Bjork, Cranberries, The Cardigans, etc….) and I’ve had it spinning all week.

WHAT I’M READING:
I sat down last night and poured over my favorite parts of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman for some inspiration. Apparently, the Jim Henson company is going to be doing a Neverwhere movie, and I can’t wait.

WHAT I’M WATCHING:
The company went and saw The Blair Witch Project on Friday and had a great time. Correction: we were wigged out by it, but it was intended to be that way, so it was a good time. I knew it was fake and I’ve done tons of reading about it, but my stomach was still in knots. It should make camping this weekend fun…

So, that’s the week so far. Next week I’ll hopefully have camping tales and my brief review of Iron Giant.

Later…

PS: Because I send this newsletter to myself as well and it’s a good way for me to keep track of things like a diary I should add this note – JIM, DON’T FORGET LAST NIGHT (Tuesday, August 3rd, 1999)! It may be important later!