I Really Should Try To Remember To Blog…

Hey, Modern Philosophers!  It’s Austin.

You guys remember me, right?

The interns kept pestering me all day to write a blog post.  Apparently, it’s been some time since I’ve posted anything here.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten about you, but rather that I’ve been very busy with another writing project.

I’m pretty sure I’ve told you that I’m creating my own TV series based upon my time at NYU.  I had a long talk with my producer a couple of weeks ago, during which we decided that the best plan was for me to script the entire 10 episode first season before we pitched the series to streaming services.

I’m not sure if any of you know how much work goes into creating an entire season of a TV show from scratch, but it consumes all my free time.  It doesn’t need to, but this is my dream, which I want to become a reality, so I’m not just doing a little work here and there.

I am all in on this project.

So much so, that my producer asked me on Sunday to take a couple of days off because I was turning in scripts so quickly, that he couldn’t keep up with reading them and creating the budgets.

Not to brag, but I did write three episodes of an hour long show in three weeks. That’s with working 40 hours a week at my day job.  And also having to write monologue jokes for this week’s taping of The Nite Show.

You might say I’ve been inspired.

And on the creative roll of a lifetime.

I haven’t started writing Episode 7 yet, but I’ve spent the last few days outlining it.  I had a basic idea of the plot for the episode, but now I’m getting down to specifics.

Every character needs a subplot, the main story of the season needs to move forward so that I can tie it up with a pretty bow by Episode 10, and there are certain settings, and one catch phrase, that I like to work into every episode.

And because I still can’t fight the urge to just make up things as I go, I threw a monkey wrench into things by adding something to the very last scene of Episode 6 that wasn’t in the outline.

It was a very large monkey wrench that changes things for the two main characters.

Now, the ripple effect of that “creative decision” have to be addressed in Episode 7.

Not that I’m complaining.  I love a good challenge!

This is, by far, the most exciting writing project of my career.  I love the fact that I am  writing the entire season without the help of a writing staff.  But what I love even more is that the characters live inside my head, the ideas never stop coming, and I’ve never felt more passionate about a writing project.

But enough about my TV series.  What else have I been up to since I last blogged?

The running continues, and is beginning to get more intense.  The weather is improving, and the snow is melting, so I’m adding distance to my runs on the weekend to be ready for my long Summer runs.

My new sneakers arrived last Friday, and I’ve been breaking them in around the house and on my walks.

This morning, I wore them for the first time on a run.

Damn, did my shins and knees feel much better than usual when I returned to The House on the Hill!

I had switched over to Brooks the last time I’d bought sneakers, but wasn’t as pleased with them as I’d hoped.

So I’m back to Asics, and I don’t think I will make the mistake of switching brands again.

Asics, if you want to sponsor me, I’ll take a couple of free pairs of sneakers every year.

It’s really hard to find size 15 sneakers in Maine, so perhaps you can just make my life easier by sending a new pair every six months.  I’ll sing your praises often on the blog, and include photos of my giant monkey boy Asics sneakers as much as possible!

Nothing new to report on the dating front.  I am trying a couple of dating apps, but somehow have not found true love online yet.  Imagine that!  Still willing to be set up by my readers, so don’t be afraid to introduce me to your amazing single friend.  Remember, I once dated a fellow blogger from Ireland, who lived in Singapore when we first met.  I can make the distance thing work.

The other big news in my life is that my beloved Yankees are back!

Today is Opening Day, and I was off since we taped The Nite Show last night.  I had no idea today was Opening Day when The Nite Show schedule was announced, so that was an unexpected surprise.

As you can see, I dressed up for the big day.  The game was on ESPN, so I bought chicken wings, had the Snapple chilling all morning, and was pumped up into a total baseball frenzy by the time Mariano Rivera threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

It was a great game.  The Yankees won.  I got to see it and cheer them on instead of being stuck at work.  A perfect day.

Made even better by my having some time to write a new post for you guys.

I’ve missed you, and you have been in my thoughts. If I could write you into the TV series, I totally would.  Hope you have been well, and I promise to be back soon…