How to Write a Screenplay....Right?

Now I understand the reason my blog is called Starting Over....Again. Indeed, I am starting over again with this blog.

 I think my last post was in November, 2010.  It's not that I haven't thought about it.  In fact, I have been trying to figure out how I can remember everything that goes on in my life.  I  think it is this blog, but on the other hand, I watched a show on PBS about this woman who had the same sort of thoughts.  She decided to write a screenplay.  I thought, you know, that might be fun.  Then I decided that well....you have to change speakers quite often, which might get tedious.  Or....just write down all your thoughts about stuff.  Everything that you have wanted to get on paper before you forget.  Which is a big problem.  Then, after it is finished, go back in and plug in the different characters.  Hmm...I don't think that will work.  I got hung up on, well....whose name?  real person? fantasy person?  Family members?  God no!   So, I am still trying to figure it out. The screenplay could be called, wait for it......
"Stalk Yourself", or something akin to that......  I have no idea what that means or where the hell it came from.

Misadventures of a 65 year old Woman

Costco Trip

This is an email I sent after I had met my buddy, Joan at Costco for "lunch".  Best hot dogs in town!

Hey Joan,

I had fun yesterday at Costco.  Fast and furious.  Oh, and guess what?  I was wandering around that damn parking lot for a while looking for my truck. I was very hot and still could not spot my vehicle.  Then I remembered that all I needed to do would be to set off the alarm so I did and I could hear the horn beeping.  Still beeping and wailing...and ....lord, it seemed that I couldn't turn the damn thing off.  As I approached,  I realized that it was not my truck making all the racket. It was a nice Toyota Tundra pickup, but not my pickup.   I pushed my alarm button again and almost had a heart attack since it was about 2 vehicles over.  I walked over to it and there was this elderly

gentleman in a wheelchair with his wife.  She was pissed.  I had scared her husband horribly with all the beeping.  As his wife patted his shoulder and they he yelled at me, "What the hell are you doing?" He "rolled" away almost running over my foot. Plus..... 

Scene II -Act IV:  The little dorky security guard in his 3 wheeler, top speed 5 miles an hour, pulls up just as I was about to go for it with the old man and take him down.  Turns out, the Tundra truck driver had pushed his alarm button accidentally to add to the racket.

Me?....I had pushed the "Open your stupid doors" button about 80 times.  

Anyway, so glad they have surveillance cameras in that parking lot as I am sure someone will make some money on YouTube with that little confrontation. Oh and yes, I flipped off the old man, his nasty wife and the security guard on his tricycle.  

So Joan, you can tell all your friends about this idiot you have for a friend who almost beat up this

old man in a wheelchair in the Costco parking lot and almost decked the security guard in 103 degree weather in Texas.

Hint to friend:  Don't ever leave me unattended in the parking lot again!! 

When I got home I decided to "label" my alarm button.  Not pretty. It says:  "Don't Touch, Stupid"

Archer And Violet Go On Vacation

For the second time or maybe it is the third, David and Amy rented a house outside of Pagosa Springs, Colorado for a couple of weeks.  Last winter they rented a house there and Aubrey and I were lucky enough to be able to visit them.  Lots of fun playing in the snow with the kids and sledding, my favorite.  So, after they had  been gone a few days, David called and I was able to talk to each of them.  The house they rented was right
on the San Juan River so I knew they were having lots of fun in the water and looking for rocks.

When the call came I couldn't wait to talk to the kids, I was really missing them badly and couldn't wait to hear what
they had been up to.  First up....Archer.  This is how it went:

Me:        "Hi Archer, how are you, are you having fun?"
Archer:  "Hi Matati, yes."
Me:       "What is your favorite thing so far?"

Archer:  "Playing in the park".
Me:      "That must be lots of fun".
Archer:  "Yes, uh.....Matati, I need to go cuz my dinner is ready., bye."

Well that was just fascinating.

Up next, Violet.

Me:    " Hi Violet, how are you.?"
Violet:" Hi Matati, how was your day today, did you have a good day?"
Me:   " Well, ....yes I did"
Violet:  "What did you do today?"
Me:  "uh.....I cleaned the bathroom....."Violet what is your favorite thing so far?"
Violet:  "Well, I really like to drink Milk".

There you have it,we laughed and laughed about it,  but at least I got to hear their little, sweet voices.  I do miss them so much.

Staycation This Summer, 2011

Yes, I think it is trite too.  Staycation, what a stupid word, depressing almost. . 'Stay' being the operative word, but I must say that although we did stay home, we also renewed our talent for working together.  William and I for all of our big talk, our big plans, just stayed home much of the hottest summer in Austin that I can remember, yikes.

We finished making our deck with rails and new chairs and tables, new grill, stained the wood what we thought was a cedar color, but actually it came out Longhorn Orange, really orange.  The best part of the whole thing was renewing our love for working together.  We used to do it all the time when we were younger.  Always productive and usually a good time.  These days we are very slow.  What's the hurry, we have lots and lots of time.  Each piece of the project takes quite a while. But it does make me kinda humble.  I get it...this getting older stuff. Yes it is hot, but we only work in the mornings until about noon.

And again, I am so happy I bought my "pool" a few years ago.  This thing is the best ever.  Some people call it a horse trough or watering trough, but it is my pool, maybe a soaking tub.  I fill it up in the morning and by noon or 2 it is about the right temperature.  Ahhhhhhh...so nice.  Plus, after working outside on the deck and getting really hot and sweaty the "pool" feels great.  I mean, it ain't Barton Springs, but it does cool you off.  Then when everyone is done.  I just unscrew the thingy on the side and empty it.  Put it up on its' side and spray it out.  Done, ready for another day.  The grandchildren like it too, although Archer is almost too big for it as he knows how to swim now and, although Violet would prefer to make mud pies she likes to get in too.