So, it really is true — when one is spending all day trying to write stories, updating a blog seems like the last thing you’d want to do.

Basically, I’m writing fiction instead of the blog right now. Which is good because that’s what the whole Purpose Thing shebang is about, but it makes this stop on the intertubes pretty quiet.

So, um, to all four of you that read this: I’m on Twitter. That’s the best place to see me (periodically) give status updates as to what the hell I am up to.

Anyway, the latest:

1. The TV Pilot my buddy Oren and I finished came out pretty decently given that it’s a new ballgame for me. Feedback has generally been quite positive. The problem is the concept – it’s not not very marketable (which we knew going in) so in the meantime I’m having some peeps I know through my last job check it out, and it’s served as a good awakening to the fact that I Like Writing Television. Who knew? After I finish the feature I’m working on I think I’m going to write a spec TV episode or two to have as samples, and the play may indeed trying to get work that way.

Riveting information, I know.

2. The Feature. It’s got a title, I haven’t gotten bored with the idea, and I’m refining the outline as we speak. Will have the detailed outline ready by end of day Saturday, and it should take about 12-14 days to write. Praying for end of April for first draft, but likely right thereafter.

It’s pretty dark, very indie, and the more I think about it the more it seems like something I should make. Not something that would sell (least not for much anyway). Only 5 main characters and the performances will make or break it. So in addition to the TV thang, I’m realizing I need to direct a feature. Even if it is for no money and doesn’t turn out so great, filmmaking was always the goal, it will continue to be the goal, and even sitting around writing all day – while essential to the overall process – will eventually feel like masturbation just on its own.

Wes Craven has become a touchstone in terms of Fuck Yeah This Is Doable-ness for me. Doesn’t hurt that he made one of my most favorite films of all time, but the guy didn’t even get really going until his late thirties. Dunno why, but I’m really feeling that big 3-4 I’m going to turn this year, and success later in life like Craven’s makes me feel alright.

3. New music is afoot (no, really!). Not L’orangerie Stank… originals. Several new songs written, one in the process of being recorded. I don’t know if I will call this project Uneasy Lies the Head – that names carries some baggage in my head since we could never get a live show going and whatnot – but whatever happens the older ULTH songs will be incorporated. And on Angelman’s previous advice (which was backed up by Trent Reznor no less) the plan is to add some new tunes to the previous selections available here and put an EP out on iTunes.

Why? Cause.

4. And lastly… the girlfriend and I have decided to go vegetarian. “Big fucking deal”, most of you are probably saying (or perhaps “Vegetarian’s for pussies; Vegan is where it’s at”). In any case, for us it was a pretty big decision — I’ve historically been a huge whore for bacon, steak, chicken, shrimp, etc. But, I have grown tired of the food hangover I now associate with meat products… and though I’m somewhat loathe to admit it (the denial mechanism that lets you enjoy meat products runs pretty deep), the animal cruelty aspect has been gnawing at me for a bit now.

So, this is Day Two of me as a Vegetarian. I’ve been craving a Salami sandwich from Larchmont Wine & Cheese all day (if you do eat meat, this is the best sandwich in Los Angeles). The craving sucks, but what are you gonna do. Gonna tame it with a little veggieburger action and a trip to Costco.

Which reminds me, the lady and I will also need to stop at the market. I need to pick up some Bacon Salt.

Today’s update — FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE TV PILOT.

This, of course, is just the first benchmark along many to come, but after writing off and on without being able to see something to completion for years now; having finally quit my day job, sat down, and started working, and finished something — particularly something that didn’t even exist in my head until about five weeks ago… Well it feels pretty damn satisfying. Like I want to hang out on an aircraft carrier with my codpiece or something.

Plus I was able to crank 10 pages a day and finish this thing within the week as planned.

FEELS PRETTY FUCKING GOOD.

Okay. That’s all. Just wanted to share. The future holds rewrites, tweaks, send-outs out to friends for noteage, and doing the same kind of ass kicking output on 2 BR 2 BA.

But for now, I’m just gonna go try to see Watchmen. Word.

The Jesus and Mary Chain are fucking awesome. There’s no real way to get around it.

In the interest of paring down unnecessary gear, I’m thinking of selling The Most Beautiful Guitar I’ve Ever Owned. It’s a guitar that sounds and looks amazing, but that amazing sound is not one that somebody like yours truly is really going to go to very often. It’s still in mint condition for a reason.

That’s not to say I’m done with lusting after guitars, however. I’ve wanted a semi-hollow body for longer than I wanted a Telecaster, and the recent acoustic purchase has only enhanced that desire. There appear to be some decent guitars in that realm avail for decent money (though they will require swapping out pickups). Hmmm.

In other news, writing TV is fucking fun — especially the kind of soapy/John Hughes-y kind of pilot I’m working on now. Something about the quick set-up and pay-off of television that makes it a blast. A lot less stressful than I’ve found features the last few years.

Speaking of features, the first feature is progressing. It’s a slog to get through this first draft; given how much I’ve petered out in this stage of things the last few projects, I suppose this shouldn’t be a big surprise (and frankly, it’s not that big of one), so it comes down to just focus, repetition, and Gettin ‘Er Done.

Oh, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is the shit, in case any of you didn’t know. Blues-folk noise rock. Great shit.

If only somebody would do that kind of thing but add drum machines and synthesizers.

Almost a month into The Great Joblessness Experiment of 2009.

Productive day was had yesterday with my writing partner O on the TV pilot we’re working on. For several hours, during a caffeine-fueled meeting at Swinger’s, we broke down the background and social dynamics of our world, figured out who these various characters we’d been spitballing were, and settled on the main storylines for the pilot as well as some twist and turns we could take them through during a first season. These are some FUCKED UP people that inhabit this one, but I can’t help loving them all just the same. This week we’ll be beat-sheeting (not to be confused with the reddish toilet bowl one confronts after beet salad), then on to pages by next week.

I may feel differently after we’ve gotten into the thick of it, but TV right now just seems so much more natural to write than features. Maybe it’s the rigid structure, or the momentum and economy of it that appeal to me, but I’m excited to play in this particular sandbox.

This project also gets my inner John Hughes engaged, and that has been quiet for far too long.

My computer going into the shop earlier this week initially seemed to be a wrench in the works (HEY GOD!), but ultimately the whole incident was a good headkick. I’d been lagging behind the script-a-month schedule I’d set for myself without realizing it (writing began two weeks after leaving The Gig) and though I’ve made progress, I know myself well enough to realize I will have to demonstrate Kryptonian effort to turn out a draft by Valentine’s day.

I started to toe near a familiar spot, actually; almost done with the outline after several days of momentum, I’d jump into edit mode before finishing, and then would second-guess the whole thing. The same box step that derailed several ideas over the last couple years. The great thing about being able to work consistently every day, however, is that it is a lot easier to notice these things as they happen, and putting in a placeholder is much easier because you know you’ll be back into the material the next day.

As a side note, my girlfriend B and I caught The Reader yesterday afternoon. Perhaps I’m missing something, but I don’t see the reason for all the love. A fine film, no doubt, but why the celebration for Kate WInslet’s performance in this picture vs. Revolutionary Road? I found RR to be a much more compelling film — one that had something specific to say, with well-drawn characters — where I found myself struggling to piece together just why people were doing certain things in The Reader.

On top of that, there is a long discussion to be had about how recent films (such as The Reader and The Pianist) are featuring sympathetic portrayals of Germans that participated in Nazi atrocities. Personally, I find this approach infinitely more compelling than the cartoon mustache-twirling seen in films before then (Schindler’s List, et al). I’ve always found that taking the most horrible things people can do, and caricaturing the acts as Pure Evil vs. seeking a greater understanding of what caused these acts to transpire in the first place (see Bush, George W., and Terror, War On) only inhibits our ability to prevent such acts from occurring again. It may simply be an instance of distance from tragedy (cue Alan Alda in Crimes & Misdemeanors that’s caused the shift in film on this subject, but I’d be curious to hear if anybody thinks there are any broader cultural movements in play in parallel with this.

And somehow in one day it’s gone from having a very linear path of prioritization – write this one, then that one, and then in March tackle that OTHER one, while working on music stuff at night – to suddenly having many more balls in the air, and working on three writing projects simultaneously.

Well, if I was ever concerned that Oportunity wouldn’t find me if I took steps out on my own… I needn’t have worried.

On another note, did anybody see our President’s interview for Al-Arabiya? Yes, I know that eventually Obama will disappoint me in some way (I’m sure a lot of hardline Progressives are feeling disappointed this morning regarding Obama’s request to Waxman that the family planning element get pulled from the stimulus package, for example), but for me personally thus far, the Obama presidency has been a dream I keep expecting to wake up from. Doing more than I’d ever expected, and doing it faster and with more ruthless efficiency than I ever would have dared to dream.

If one is looking for a role model on how to get many things done quickly, one needn’t look further than President Obama.