Introspection

Overcorrection

Writer guy

A few weeks ago, started experiencing headaches and serious eye strain. More than an hour at the keyboard and objects near or far appeared blurry. Eye drops and a fistful of generic Advil swapped aches and strain for heartburn and watery eyes. Relief lasted until the symptoms returned, and usually quickly. Being preternaturally stubborn, this self medication cycle of denial went on for awhile, until reading became too painful for any length of time.

Then I remembered I had the same eyeglass prescription for nearly three years. Probably my vision had declined over time. That’s how it’s been since age six.

So it was off to the optometrist.

Instead of an ominous diagnosis, the eye examiner provided a rather welcome bit of information. Somewhat paradoxically, I have hit the age where vision often improves, rather than deteriorates. I am there roughly 5 to 10 years ahead of schedule, which I’m conflicted about, but I find no fault with the fix: Crank down the current prescription a few notches, and voila. Headaches and eyestrain begone!

So too much correction actually causes far more discomfort than not enough. I did not know that.

Laziness thy mistress is vacation

Writer guy

Finally at the point in vacation where after being away so long from the chaos, almost forgot why a week off of work seemed so urgent. Something about reading as late into the night as I want and waking up at 8AM that smooths over the memories of exhaustion.

Neglecting all but the compulsory chores ( dishes, litter box and vacuuming ) the week thus far has been remarkably relaxing, yet purposeful. There’s two reasons for the sense of productivity, even when to outside appearances, I’m idling about the apartment in a robe well into the afternoon.

Twice a year I review all my investments, and for the first time in two years after reviewing the numbers, I haven’t yearned to stuff everything in a mattress and set the bed on fire. Financial markets are whimsical as a summer storm, so who knows what tomorrow may bring. But thus far this year, it’s been pleasant.

Second and more importantly, been working on the sequel to The Last Track. Based on a wide pool of reviewer feedback, I’m making a few adjustments in the way the story develops. There will be more of some elements and a little less of others. Actually reading or hearing what people honed in on was pretty surprising. The most unexpected compliments were about parts of my writing I had considered the weakest.

Sub plots will be ratcheted down both in number and in detail; I’m definitely sensitive to the fact a lot happens in the pages–though the open ends did resolve at the conclusion. While there’s infinite ways to develop story arc, overall I’m aiming for a slightly more economical approach to secondary plots in general.

And that’s about it at 1:37 AM on Thursday. Ah, vacation.

Why Lindsay Lohan isn’t Robert Downey Jr.

Writer guy

In the wake of Lindsay Lohan’s sentencing for a number of outstanding drug and alcohol charges, a number of news outlets compared her rise and fall with Robert Downey Jr, and I’m calling shenanigans.

Here’s three important reasons why Lindsay’s career and personal arc to this point deviate greatly from Mr. Downey and they will continue their divergence–to the point in ten years, very few people will admit they made such a claim.

Quality of performance while under the influence. Even when Robert Downey Jr. was whacked out of his mind, he delivered like a professional on the screen. And he could ( and still can ) really, really act, even as the sole focal point of the movie. The caliber of his performances were recognized and revered. If Lindsay followed his footsteps, I don’t think Herbie belongs in the same league of performance as Chaplin.

Willingness to recognize there is a problem. Like Lindsay, Robert Downey Jr. appeared before the same judge quite a few times. Both actors received initially lenient, and then progressively more stringent sentences. But while Robert Downey Jr. kept faltering, even as the penalties increased each instance he slipped, when the real judgment came down, he admitted that he clearly was breaking his commitments. Essentially he conceded that the only option left to the judge was incarceration.

In contrast, when facing jail, Lindsay Lohan argued that by not fulfilling the terms of her probation, she was helping children. Yeah, her reasoning made no sense to the judge either. She also painted an expletive on her fingernail, displaying it for all to see when the sentence came down. That and other gestures tended to undermine the sincerity of her contrition.

Lindsay has always received far more attention for being a train wreck than for being an actor. It is far more likely that the average moviegoer can name three of Linsday’s love interests, than three of her movies. Even fewer can assemble such a list so without consulting the Internet first.

Yes, Houston, she has a problem.