tuckergurl

I'm A Joiner

View my page on Blog 365

Other friends/bloggers have inspired me to take on this challenge. I am going to blog once a day, everyday in 2008.

I used to use this space as a place to check in with myself and the world at a large. I want to return to that. Plus, I am big on challenging myself and I find that blogging actually gets me to write more overall. So call me crazy but more blogging in the future! Later.

Here are the rules:

- Blog everyday for 365 days.

- Feb.29th is a Free Day and will be the Blog365 day of rest!
(Thanks Leap Year)

- You do not HAVE to post to the same blog as long as you post everyday.

- No internet? Write your post locally and post it once you are back on the grid.

- Computer Broken? Grab some paper and do some old school blogging.

- A post is a post, not everything has to be in writing. Photos, YouTube videos, and the like are all considered content.

- Have fun, because that's the whole point!

My Article Is Up

I finally finished my article about my stint in Jackson, Mississippi for The New Media Institute. It was really hard to write even with a lot of great help. Initially, I was unsure why.

Katherine Dykstra's article, "Literary Laryngitis," in the November/December issue of Poets & Writers magazine talks about finding your voice. It resonated with me because she spoke about the different voices you take on for the different pieces that you write. Some people are able to have a consistent voice. For example when you read a David Sederis piece, you know it is David Sederis. But sometimes different venues require different voices. And finding your voice is a hard, hard thing.

When I was working on this piece, I realized that there is a voice that I have on my blog. I was not even aware that it was a “voice” per say but the more I look at past entries, I realize that my voice has a few certain characteristics: run on sentences, slang, random clauses with bits of tangential information. I am not saying that these things are bad. They are all fine for this blog but when I was writing this article, I had to use proper grammar and stuff. I had to explain what things were instead of just making the words into links. It was hard especially because though I know about new media, I am by no means a pro.

On the whole I am proud of it but it reminds me that writing is a lot harder than it looks.

Check it out here.

A Raisin in the Sun

I did not see this show on Broadway. Diddy drove me away. Now most of the Broadway cast is returning for a TV movie. I'll see it but I'm skeptical. This play is so hard to watch in so many ways. It is incredible but an emotional roller coaster. I am not sure I want to put myself through it if it is not good. Oh, and John Stamos is in it. How completely random.

I Love The Batemans!

Places in 2007

Having a blog is great because it reminds you of what a wild year it has been. I do this list every year and it allows me to think about what the past year had held. I have a goal of leaving the country once a year and I have accomplished that each year for the past three years!

Washington D.C.*
Gregory, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Montreal, Canada
Austin, Texas*
Jackson, Mississippi
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Honolulu, Hawaii
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Oakland, California
Louisville, Kentucky
Boston, Massachusetts
Union City, NJ*
Brooklyn, NY*
New York, NY*

One or more nights spent in each place. Those cities marked with an * were visited multiple times on non-consecutive days.

There Will Be Blood

Wow, this review really made me want to see it!

Happy Holidays!

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Originally uploaded by tuckergurl

I don't know what else to say other than that. This is my nephew/godson, Jayanth. He is the cutest thing ever!

I am starting to think about my resolutions and all that jazz. I will share them in the next few days.

In the meantime, take a look at Jayanth's cute little face. Have a good holiday season! I am finally at the point where I can enjoy it.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

I loved this movie so much. It is one of those movies that makes you see the truth and beauty in everything. I have just begun the book. My favorite quote so far:

There comes a time when the heaping up of calamities brings on uncontrollable nervous laughter - when, after a final blow from fate, we decide to treat it all as a joke. My jovial cackling at first disconcerted Eugénie, until she herself was infected by my mirth. We laughed until we cried.

I am not sure the trailer does it justice but it gives an idea.

Movie Update #1

My progress on my very long "movies to see" list.  This weekend I saw:

Waitress:  So wonderful.  Satisfied me completely!
Before the Devil Know You're Dead:  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is one of the greatest actors out there.  His ability to play nuanced characters boggles the mind.  Still, the female characters were pretty bad.  This film struck a nerve.  Why were all the female characters so annoying and naked?  It was well done in many ways but overall I was conflicted.

I am not as far as I planned because I got an unexpected gift of Season One of The Wire, a show that much to the chagrin of many, I had not seen before ... until this weekend.  I watched two episodes and I am riddled with questions.  I will not say that I am addicted yet.  I still need some more time.   But I have a feeling that many evenings will be spent watching this.

St. Clair Bourne Rest In Peace

St. Clair Bourne was an acclaimed filmmaker. His films included "Making 'Do the Right Thing'," "Paul Robeson: Here I Stand!," Let the Church Say Amen" and many others. He was also a friend of mine, the organization that I work for and filmmakers everywhere.

When I heard about his passing, I, like many, many others was shocked. Just a few weeks ago he told me he was going in for a little operation. He was someone so filled with energy and immediately dismissed my concerns. He was going to be fine. Now, I am just in shock.

St. Clair was... for lack of a better word ... a given. He was at all of the events. He was always getting into a heated debate with someone at said events. He'd grab you at these same events, even if he speaking on a panel, to tell you that so and so was giving big money to filmmakers of color and you should apply. He'd then send you this information again through his constant flow of emails. He was snarky and brilliant all at the same time. And he was always, always making a movie.

Really upset at the news of his passing, I called my best friend, Isha. She reminded me of something that I want to pass along. His commitment to helping young filmmakers is his legacy. To honor him, you should do the same.

She is right.

I was blessed to know him even briefly.

I was blessed to have spent those few days with him, a few weeks ago, in Jackson, Mississippi.

I will help people as much and as best as I can.

(Learn more about him.)