Good Things Happen In Threes

I know I might be stretching a bit here, but I am going to look for any signs of light in the darkness. Today we saw three little rays of light break through.

First, today after just over a year, the 35W Bridge opened to traffic. For those of you who don't know, on August 1, 2007, the original bridge collapsed into the river killing 13 people and wounding 145 more. It was devastating on many levels and the fact it opened TODAY, is a miracle in itself. The projected date was sometime in December. This means we have healed in some ways, putting that tragic chapter behind us and hopefully the lessons learned from that will prevent it from happening again. For those who survived and lost loved ones, I hope this helps bring some closure and some peace. Not only will this have an emotional impact, but an economic impact on those businesses that suffered because of the bridge being out. I hope this helps everyone down the line and brings all of us together.

Second, the stock market rebounded nearly all the points it lost yesterday. How's that for a great sign? While it doesn't cure the ongoing problem, there is a nice ray of light coming from there that this too shall pass.

Last, my new "friend" on MySpace, Diablo Cody, accepted my invitation to be a friend and she blogged twice yesterday and once today. I had been wondering what happened to her, thinking she must be super busy writing for her new gig with none other than Mr. Steven Spielberg. But she let us know she is still around, still kicking and put a few of her "haters" in their place. She's spirited, that's for sure, and that's what I like about her. No bullshit. Go to MySpace and search out her blog and subscribe. She's entertaining and original, and she's a "Minnesota Girl", after all. It was like a breath of fresh air, much needed and refreshing.

I hope you all find the little rays of hope that will get you through the day, in any way you can. I look for my own personal "lucky signs": pennies on the ground, a soaring bald eagle (must be the Native American in me), a good laugh, a great quotation that sums up what I seem to be searching for (the words to express how I feel), and another chapter completed on one of my many book projects.

What are your "lucky signs"? Share them with me.

And keep the hope alive, any way you can.

Movie Endings Suck!

Ok, that should explain what I'm going to rant about today. But I'm sick and tired of Hollywood trying to be "clever" or "artsy-fartsy" by coming up with these endings to movies that have nothing to do with the plot, or whatever, or they just end. Like that.

Here's my argument, your Honor. I sat down and watched two movies that were promoted like crazy, one has this year's Oscar winner in it for crying out loud, and the other was directed by a former Oscar winner and starred his brother who also happened to be nominated this year (but for a different film). One movie was "No Country for Old Men" and the other was "Gone Baby Gone". With street cred like that, you would ASSUME that both films would rise above and capture your imagination, right?

They did. I sat and watched each one, became invested in the characters and the plot, sitting and wondering what was going to happen next, etc. I was anticipating a logical conclusion, instead...both endings sucked!! Like a black hole in space, they sucked.

I'm left here wondering why I invested 2 hours or more for each film of my life that could have been better spent writing or cleaning my oven, or cleaning out my toenails. Anything! I feel cheated! And I'm sick of the media portraying movies and promoting them so you literally foam at the mouth to see them, and then this: total disappointment at the endings. If you haven't seen the films yet, I won't ruin the movies for you, but I'm saying beware of the ending.

And by the way, I've decided I can write better than that, so I'm going to be writing my own screenplay. If Diablo Cody can win an Oscar her first time out, then I have a shot too!

And MY endings won't suck! I promise.

Bitter Cold, a Missed Meeting, Diablo Cody, and the King

Brrr! Baby, it's cold outside! Yes, that is the understatement of the Universe right at the moment, but hey, I'm amped up with too much coffee, a great book idea, and wisdom on writing from the King himself, Stephen King.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Beth Ann Erickson, my mentor, my Obi Wan, but it was much too cold, and I am a big chicken when it comes to bitter cold temperatures. I was also not very awake when she called, even though it was after 1:00 pm. I had just gotten up at 11:30 am., and I was still kind of groggy. I was up late the night before working on a book idea, a seed planted by Beth during our phone conversation on Wednesday, which got my little wheels a turning. Write, write, write, as fast as you can! So, I did. We'll see where it ends up.

I've been especially inspired by re-reading "On Writing" by Stephen King. It's amazing how much I missed the first time I read it, or rather, how much rings true to me now that didn't before. If anyone reading my little blog has any aspirations to become a writer, this book MUST be in your personal library. It has spurred me on to continue striving for my dream of being a published, successful writer. Successful being not in just making money, or becoming famous, but being able to write for a living and change the lives of my readers, even if there is only one.

I have also been inspired by a local girl, Diablo Cody, who is all the buzz right now for a little film called "Juno". She is originally from Illinois, but has also resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a published author as well, for a book she wrote called "Candy Girl" that documents her life as an exotic dancer here in the Twin Cities. She also blogged for City Pages.

She's wry, sassy, funny, and most importantly, honest, to the point of being brutal. But she also shows a side that is beautiful, innocent and delicate at the same time. For all of her brashness, she has a good heart and a good soul, and you just need to look into her eyes to see it. Plus, she got her name from a song on the Arcadia album, called "El Diablo", and Cody is from Cody, Wyoming, which is super cool, and she's also a Gemini. She also has a "keen fashion sense", to quote Buffy from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a film that still cracks me up.

I've been following her road to Hollyweird for the last few months, mostly out of curiosity to see what "it" is about her that is so fascinating. For those of you who are curious, check out her blog on MySpace.com, but be warned, she doesn't hold ANYTHING back!

This Wednesday, she appeared on Oprah, with Jennifer Garner and Ellen Page who both star in the film, and Oprah said she was "Fresh! Just so...Fresh!" and she also predicted that there was an Oscar in her future with this little film making the big buzz. Does anyone remember when she predicted the same for Jennifer Hudson of "Dream Girls?" Poor Diablo looked lost for words!

I haven't seen the film yet, but I want to as soon as I can (when the weather goes above zero!) When that happens, I will give you all a full review, ok?

In the meantime, I need to get back to work. Stay warm!