Six Sentence Sunday 11.25.12

Its Sunday! Yay! I hope everyone had a great week! 

And if you're in the U.S., I hope you survived a totally insane Black Friday. I won't go into the politics of it, but I usually don't even venture out of my house on that day, too crazy for me. 

Anyway, I ended up going into San Francisco Friday evening (and it was very busy), and went out to dinner with the hubby, finally, at Millenium! Vegan awesomeness!!! It was soo good. Yum! 

Then off to see Henry Rollins perform at Yoshi's Jazz Club, doing his spoken word thing. I have seen him before and he never disappoints, he is always so entertaining, and so intelligent and well read. He referenced at a lot of his old punk days and other punk bands, which I love when he does this! He talked for over two hours, but I could easily listen to him for hours and hours on end. I missed the fact that he was performing three shows here, until Wednesday when I figured it out. It was kinda perfect because I have been re-reading one of his books, finding much inspiration from it, and I thought it would be cool to see him live again. We waited outside afterwards and met him!!!! I just met one of the most influential people of the early punk scene; Henry Rollins of Black Flag!!! He signed my book and took a photo with me. We also got to meet Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) who was there to see Henry perform. It was cool. If Ian MacKaye had been there, I totally would have flipped out!!! He's doing another performance tonight at Yoshi's, so I can hope that maybe Ian will be there. 

Photo credit totally goes to the hubby!!!

I had my arm around him, it was awesome! And he totally smelled of punk sweat and I would not have wanted it any other way. So, wish I could have seen Black Flag back in the day!

Yeah, as if that above does nothing for my inspiration. Its going to be a great writing week!!!

On to my six. We pick up this week with Karlea and Armani right where we left off. After Karlea is taken against her will by Armani. Karlea tries to stake him unsuccessfully. Now he is pissed and just keeps toying with her. Where we left off, Armani had Karlea locked in his vampire embrace...

Karlea pushed against his shoulders in a desperate attempt to get his body off of her, but his body was so cold and heavy against hers that it barely moved the slightest inch. Karlea gave up and relaxed her body, letting him take what he wanted from her. The pain of his bite radiated through her throat, she could feel Armani sucking hard at her neck, taking life from her with each sip. She felt the room spin, involuntarily grabbing onto Armani's shoulders for support as she closed her eyes.

Armani pulled her closer into him, holding tightly onto her as he felt her get weaker, her breasts smashed up against him, he had pulled her so close. He really wanted to bite one, but he knew if he didn't stop soon, she would be dead and his play time would be over.

What will happen next? Will he stop before he kills her? If he does, what is he going to do to her next?

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! To all my sixers, whom I usually read every week, I am still trying to catch up on last week's six. So, if I didn't get to yours yet, I definitely will either now or a bit later!

More great authors can be found here. Some of my favs are Christina DeFelice, Sarah Ballance, Mina Carter, Sue Ann Bowling, Silver James, S.E. Gilchrist, Laura Kaye, S.J. Maylee, Siobhan Muir, Gayle Ramage, Angela Quarles, Evelyn Jules, Kristal Baird, Karysa Faire, Pippa Jay, and Ryan Derham! I could list even more!

Have a fun filled week of writing and reading!
~Siren

Another Night Out in San Francisco...On Black Friday - Rollins Style

I finally went to Millennium Restaurant in San Francisco last night, which if you don't of it, it is a very expensive vegan restaurant.

We didn't have a reservation, which was a bad idea for a friday night and it was Black Friday no less. But we lucked out and found seating at the bar. Our waiter/bartender was very awesome by the way and not very helpful with recommending what was best from the menu, because it was all the best. There were only two items on the menu that were not gluten-free. And of course we ended up ordering them anyways. We each got an appetizer and then split a main dish. For drinks, I got a Raw-Volution, which consisted of kombucha, apple, and ginger. Maybe something that I am missing. The hubby got a Love Potion #9 which is pomegranate lemonade.

For appetizers, I ordered the Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms, which was crushed jasmine rice, fenugreek & coriander seed dredge, cabbage & red onion salad, and pineapple-chile jam. (Yes, I'm stealing this description from their menu because there is no way I would remember all that!) He ordered the Winter Squash Pankora, which was quince & cranberry chutney with ginger & shallot, cardamom & methi, toasted coconut-cucumber raita, and cilantro. For our main dish, we ordered Winter Squash Kamut Risotto, which was grilled Maitake mushrooms, cashew cream, fresh shelling beans,roasted blue banana squash,braised fennel & leek, Fall greens,fried capers, lemon zest, and Porcini oil & squash tempura. I took photos, but then my iphone died and apparently didn't save the photos.

Omg, it was all so excellent!!! I couldn't even pick which was my favorite dish because it was all great! I don't think I've eaten that well or that much since becoming vegan. We had Apple Baklava - roasted apples, pistachio baklava, ginger syrup, and pistachio-nutmeg ice cream. Delish! Best vegan ice cream i have had.

So, after a very nice dinner, it was a short cab ride over to Yoshi's Jazz Club to see Henry Rollins perform spoken word! I somehow missed the fact that he was performing three shows here over Thanksgiving. I've been re-reading The First Five and thought it would be awesome and inspirational to see him live again. I found him on twitter and started following him. He  tweeted about his weekly radio notes, so I headed to his website to read them and that's when I found out he was performing here. Perfect.

The venue was the smallest place I have seen him perform in and we had good seats on the floor, instead of the balcony. It was a very intimate show because the venue was so small. It was awesome. I've seen him before in college gyms which tend to be big. So, it was awesome to have him right there in front of me.

He never disappoints, he is always so entertaining, and so intelligent and well read. He referenced at a lot of his old punk days and other punk bands, which I absolutely love when he does this! He talked for over two hours, but I could easily listen to him for hours and hours on end. He is incredible and I will always support anything he does. Which, by the way, I really loved the NatGeoWild show he hosted, Animal Underworld. He is the ONLY reason I watched it.

After the show, we chilled outside,and met him!!!! I had always hoped to meet him at other shows, but the venues were too big and heavily guarded. At Yoshi's, no security. He just walked out of the front door like everyone else, walking to his hotel down the street.

Holy crap! I just met one of the most influential people of the early punk scene; Henry Rollins of Black Flag!!! He signed my book and took a photo with me. We also got to meet Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) who was there to see Henry perform. It was cool. If Ian MacKaye had been there, I totally would have flipped out!!! He's doing another performance Sunday at Yoshi's, so I can hope that maybe Ian will be there - good luck on that though. I will go to any show, if I know there is a possibility of Ian MacKaye being there. I am determined to meet him. I'm freaking out that I met Henry Rollins, and I will totally flip if I meet Ian MacKaye. I was really, really young when Black Flag/Minor Threat toured. I would have loved to seen them live in a tiny venue with them in your face.

Yes, that is me and Henry Rollins! Omfg!!!! I had my arm around him, it was awesome! And he totally smelled of punk rock sweat and I would not have wanted it any other way. So, wish I could have seen Black Flag back in the day! This will forever inspire to me to write and create!!! Thank you, Mr. Rollins!

Film Update Post

I thought I would post my update from my Graduate Film Blog over at Wordpress.

So, I moved to San Francisco from Atlanta three months ago. Finally, sunny California. I love it. It is far different than New York or Atlanta, though. Atlanta was different than New York, in that it had way more trees, wildlife, and just plain beauty. But the East Bay is far more Urban than I am used to. Houses are not very big and the yards, well,you’re lucky to have one. In Atlanta, we had the perfect suburban home with a huge front yard and huge back yard, and beautiful rainstorms, and the warmest weather. Perfect for the kids. But I gave it all up. The landscape is so different, many hills on the horizon with houses and houses, and palm trees.

It was a toss up between Los Angeles and San Francisco. L.A. had always been my dream, but just getting to California is a huge feat. San Francisco won for now. Although, i still have yet to see the Golden Gate Bridge up close. My school is here, which is nice. I haven’t gone back to school yet, but when I do I will be taking a class on campus.

I’m excited that L.A. is 6 hours away. I am anxiously planning a weekend getaway to see L.A. and start deciding if it is the final destination or not. I am excited that if I do want to move there, it is more likely to happen as soon as I want it and that I can actually look at houses, instead of just randomly choosing a place to live.

As always, i’m working on lots of stuff. Writing poetry, still working on my novel, trying to get my new website up (I get bored and stop working on it too easily). I’m also working on a t-shirt line and publishing a poetry chapbook.

But as far as film is concerned, I am trying to seriously get my midpoint review stuff together, so I can do my review and go back to school and finish my MFA. Its time. I have decide to change my concentration to directing. So, with that being said, I am re-reading all my film textbooks. I need to know my shit to do this, to pass my review. I need to show them that I know this stuff!

I need to put my demo reel together, too, which means I need to re-edit two shorts, and make as many more as I can. I am currently in the middle of storyboarding a short that I will soon film. But even my storyboards have to be really good because it all needs to go into my portfolio for my review. I’m also working on a script that will be filmed like an animation. That I will be filming. I will be doing the drawings with others, maybe my son, and then filming stills of them. I will animate portions of the stills in FCP. The dialogue will be sort of like a radio play. It sounds like a fun project, but I’m beginning to realize how much time it is actually going to take to do this.

I also have three screeenplays that need editing to make it into my portfolio. The latest is the pilot episode of a vampire series. It was really fun to write and I did start the second episode, but that is on hold right now.

My film friend from New York lives out here, going to AAU for production design. She is the one I have to thank for enticing me to S.F. We’ve been working on some fun film things, too, since I got here. I edited one of her scripts. Then wrote up a treatment for a music video she wanted to do. I had so much fun writing it. It will be filmed within the next few weeks. Excited to see how it turns out! We still have another script to write, but she doesn’t want to do it until she graduates in May. We’ve also been talking about other scripts/ideas that we want to work on. So, happy I have her, I love talking film with her!!

Alright, back to work, while I can. I still have 5 kids at home to take care of. I will post updates on fun film things. Happy holiday season!

Creative Update

I always have a lot going on. I still have 5 kids afterall. And I'm in a new, busier city where things are way more fast paced than the south. However, my creativeness has not dissipated. 

Getting my website still remains top priority because I just need to get my portfolio up there. I'm hoping once I do that it will be easy to maintain. I'm then hoping I can update blogs on a regular basis. Most blogs just need a post or two to catch up. However, my Vampire Vegan blog needs a lot of catching up and I don't work on it because it seems so daunting. I have 5 months of vegan-ness to catch up on, plus recipes. And a cooking show for it would be nice. 
I work on these tasks, but only for so long before I get bored and need to write, photograph, plan a film, or do some kind of art. I have 5 kids and I need a creative outlet to balance myself. If I don't create, I find I can't function in life or society. I get in this weird depression. If only I could get paid for my art.

So, my current list of creative things I'm working on:
First, I am very much into writing my side story to my novel about Armani. I really do not know what I am doing with it; if I will put his story into my novel or what. Its becoming longer than orginally planned. It was supposed to be a fantasy that was planted into the main character's mind, but now it is taking on a story of its own. Any suggestions would be great!

I have been thinking of re-releasing my poetry chapbook from 2000. Back then it was self-published, using Kinko's and a stapler. Lulu.com didn't exist. So, I was thinking of fixing it up, adding a few poems, and publishing it again. Maybe do a short sample version on paper that I DIY put it together again, an artistic way, but much better than before. And then give those copies away as a sample.

I'm in the middle of storyboarding a short, so I can film it. But I am taking my time with it. Everything created for it; storyboards, etc, will all need to go in my portfolio for my MFA review. So, it has to be decent and not rushed. 

I am also writing another short film that will be shot as stills. And I will be drawing the images, using video editing software as the way to add motion. Should be interesting, but as I am starting it, I'm realizing it might take a long time to get to the point of filming. 

I've also been inspired to write some poetry. So, I set time aside for that. Or I try to. I always get ideas at the worst time, when I am most busy. I also starting to work on a series of paintings. I need to paint to relieve stress.  

I have also finally installed ProTools on my laptop, after both my Macs are not working. So, I am messing around with creating some electronic music. I'm excited. Hoping that some of my poetry will lead to good lyrics. I know how to do sound for film on ProTools, but music with ProTools is a bit new. So, I have to decided it is best to read the sections on creating music in my ProTools guidebook. 

I am still working on my clothing designs, but no plans to actually create them yet. I totally don't have time to sew and my machine is still in storage in Atlanta anyway. But I at least get detailed designs down on paper. 

I am designing a t-shirt line, too. This will be put up online sooner than later. 

Other things I have going on include having to re-read every textbook and note from my film program for my review. I was a screenwriting focus, but have decided to switch to a directing focus. So, since i can't take more classes until i pass this review, it is all on me to know my shit for directing and execute it with my demo reel. I want to go into my review knowing every aspect of film that I need to know as a director, so they have no reason not to pass me. I want them to see how serious I am. 

My hope with this update is to now update more frequently and not just with my Six Sentence Sunday writing.

Hearts & Stars
~Siren

Six Sentence Sunday 11.18.12

I always look forward to Sundays and putting my blog post together. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it. This will be my first vegan Thanksgiving, while my kids continue to eat turkey, that won't be tempting or anything. We'll see how it goes. I'm attempting to keep it gluten-free, too. I'm also not consuming wine, I drank a lot of it last year for the holidays and used to drink lots of alcohol when I was spending it with relatives. I'm too far away this year to be with them. So, no meat/dairy/eggs/gluten/wine - yeah, I like torturing myself. But then my willpower kicks in and its an awesome feeling.

So, this week's six picks right up again from where we left off last week. Armani was questioning Karlea as to if she had to ever stake her ex vampire lover. When she doesn't answer, Armani gives her the answer, that she never has because she likes the thrill of possibly dying in her lover's arms.

Armani tightened the grip on her throat, making her unable to breathe, causing her to grab onto his wrist to try to loosen his grip as he continued, "I can tell, I can sense it. Well, tonight you really will lose your life."

Karlea stared at him; his face becoming a black spot as he grinned, consciousness slipping away from her.

"Your silence does nothing for you, your blood gives it all away."

Armani let go of her throat, immediately grabbing onto the back of her head and pulling it back to expose her neck. He drove his fangs deep into her throat, a hoarse painful moan escaped her lips. 

Oh, there is so much more I want to share, but I have to stop here. He isn't done with her yet.

Thanks for reading and please comment! 

You can find more great authors here. 

Have a great week!

Hearts & Stars
~Siren

Six Sentence Sunday 11.11.12

Happy Veteran's Day to all! I send my love and respect to all veterans out there and to those currently serving in the military. THANK YOU for your service and risking your life for your country!

I am very proud of my country for re-electing President Obama! Thank you America! I heart you for this decision! Sorry, Mitt, but he really kicked your ass this time, don't quit your day job :)

My heart still goes out to everyone on the East Coast, too. Hit with a hurricane, then with a snowstorm, and still some without power. If interested in donating, this NBC webpage has a list of places and what is needed. There is also this Amazon Wishlist that Assemblyman Matthew Titone has set up for families on Staten Island.

In this week's six, we continue on with my WIP BloodLust, with Karlea and Armani. Karlea has been taken against her will by Armani. Last week, Karlea tried to stake Armani and miserably failed; Amarni toying with her. You can read that entry here. Needless to say, she managed to piss off Armani. Not a good idea to make a vampire angry. This picks up from Armani's last line from last week.

Armani twirled the stake in his hand, as he held Karlea by the throat against the wall, "For the times when things get out of control... in bed." Armani smirked at the thought of her in bed with a vampire, then continued, "have you ever had to stake your boyfriend? My apologies, I mean ex-boyfriend."
Karlea didn't say a word, but she didn't have to.
"Of course you haven't, you like it, all of it. You like the roughness, the hurt, and almost losing your life."

And that's six. It goes so fast. 

What will happen next? Tune in next week to find out.

Thank you for taking the time to read and please comment! I love comments and I always comment back on yours :)

Also if you have the time, please vote for my friend Nick 13 on CMT's Pure 12 Pack. We got him to #1 last week, but then he was #8 this week. I am not big on country music, but his is definitely different with a dark rockabilly edge to it. So, I feel he deserves it. You can watch the video at the link above, too.

Have a great week and I can't wait to share more with you! 

Hearts & Stars
~Siren

Six Sentence Sunday 11.o4.12

First I want to say that I wish for the safety of those who were effected by the hurricane this week. It breaks my heart to see the devastation left in the wake of that storm. My hometown of Rochester, only saw rain and high winds that knocked over trees and power lines, but nothing like along the coast. I was born and raised in New York, so apart of me will always be a New Yorker. NYC was always like a second home, and if we had not moved to California three months ago, we would have moved to NYC. 

It is incredibly scary to me that this storm hit so far up the east coast. They simply were not prepared for a hurricane; remnants of a hurricane yes, but not an actual hurricane. I can't even imagine the damage had it been stronger than a category 1. 

There are many ways to donate and help. I ask everyone to please make a small contribution. This NBC webpage has many different organizations that you can donate to. Thank you!

So, I am dedicating my SSS to all the hurricane victims, with all my heart and love :)

Armani pulled her from behind him, walking towards the steel door at the end of the long hallway. Karlea kept up with him without struggling, as she pulled the small stake from her bra. She raised the stake, ready to drive it through his back, into his heart. Armani turned around with his vampire speed and knocked the stake from her hand, immediately pushing her into the wall.

"A valiant effort, I must say." He grinned as he used his speed to pick up the stake, "You're dating a vampire, I expected you to be carrying one on you."

She's really going to be in trouble now! They always make it look so easy to stake a vampire, do they forget that vamps are much much stronger and faster than humans?

Thanks for reading and please comment! I love comments! I apologize if I didn't get to yours this past week, Halloween threw me off and I seem to be catching up on sleep this week. I will go back and read/comment this week. 

One last order of business: If you are in the US, get out and vote on Tuesday!!!!!