Regular readers of this blog may recall that a few weeks ago, I wrote about the fact that I was surprised by the news that a short screenplay I had written made it to the final round of a screenwriting competition I entered. Silver screen, here I come!
That was and is pretty cool, and I was really touched by all the awesome and supportive comments I received here. In the interest of keeping the honesty chronicle going, and also not leave a story thread hanging, I would like to offer a quick update on that front. A few days ago, the winners of the contest were announced. There was a first place through fifth place ranking, and also a couple of honorable mentions. My name was not among them.
Now sure, I was a little bit bummed when I saw the press release, but I still feel very good about the fact that I set a goal, got it done, got some positive feedback and finished as a finalist. There were just shy of 800 entries in the competition, so making the final round isn’t too shabby.
Of course, I’ll have to file my acceptance speech away. It’s a shame because I had the whole list of people to thank ready to go, as well as a menu of possible vague political statements to make. I was leaning toward something about homeless vets. Not veterans, mind you. There’s already lots of people pulling for them. I was thinking homeless veterinarians. Something a little different.
Anyway, it was a genuinely good experience for me, and I’m still working on my own project, as well as eyeing another contest through the same group that is coming up next month. Gonna’ keep on keepin’ on.
In other news, it was a pretty darn busy work day. I have a big presentation this week that I needed to get ready for, so I spent a lot of time wresting around with PowerPoint, which I always love doing. It’s probably my 3,428th favorite thing to do, really. Sandwiched right between putting on a duvet cover and cutting myself shaving.
But I got it done, and then set out to make a nice dinner. I should note, by the way, that I really enjoy cooking and I find the whole process to be zen and calming for me. You’d never know it from the wake of mess and destruction I leave behind in the kitchen, but cooking helps to settle my mind.
And yesterday I almost accidentally came upon a new and creative way to make scallops. Sure, the traditional method is a nice pan sear in olive oil and butter, but how about just setting them on fire? Yeah, I had them on a paper towel a little too close to the stove. I lit the burner to heat the pan, stepped away for a second and came back to the paper towel being on fire and burning fast toward the scallops. Fortunately I got it put out just in the nick of time.
Hey, scallops are expensive and I’d hate to waste them that way. Also I’d hate to burn my kitchen and/or face off. So all’s well that ends well there.
Anyway, I’m glad to say dinner turned out well and there were no further flames involved.
Another day on the books, and on to the next one.
