Drunk Raccoons and Paul Giamatti. We went to AwesomeCon last Saturday, which is a D.C. convention that usually has guests like Adam Savage (Mythbusters) and people from Firefly. This year, I dressed like the drunk raccoon who raided the liquor store in Richmond, Virginia. Luis was Tony of House Stark, wearing a Tony Stark outfit complete with Iron Man arm, and a black faux fur cape because his watch never ends, not even when he’s fighting Thanos.
We were mainly there to see Paul Giamatti, who’d be there at his first convention to promote his Star Trek performance, but when we arrived and went to the autograph area to get in his line, we were informed that he’d cancelled that morning because his flight was cancelled. š¦ So we made do by seeing Ron Perlman’s panel as well as linking up with one of our friends and her family, and seeing Adam Savage’s panel. It was more impromptu, but I ended up not feeling as sad because we found other things to do. Hopefully Paul Giamatti will come another time. I’d still love to meet him and talk with him about Man on the Moon.
Conan hosted the Oscars (again!) The Oscars ceremony was really nice this year. I wanted Ryan Coogler and Sinners to win in their main categories, but otherwise it was good. I’m sure Ryan Coogler will keep making movies. Conan was a fun host, and I saw he’s been invited to host as long as he wants, which is awesome! His monologue at the beginning reminded me of the good old days of his show.
The In Memoriam section was also so good, in a different way, of course. I cried a bunch. I like that they took time to talk about several people this time. Obviously they can’t eulogize everyone; that would be a different show. But it was nice to hear Billy Crystal talk about Rob and Michele Reiner. I wish Rachel McAdams had said more about Catherine O’Hara, or maybe someone else could’ve had a moment for her, but I know it’s hard. I can imagine Eugene Levy would have a difficult time getting through it without crying. What a bunch of sad losses. It’s like that every year, but this time was worse than usual.
Working remotely, but in an office. My job is interesting, because I have to go into the office in D.C. every week day, and work there 8 hours before coming home, but most of what I do is remote. I assist clients remotely because they’re at our other locations, or at their homes in other states. I’m the only one in my office, unless someone’s booked the conference room, but even then I’m the only person who actually works at my job in the office. It’s a remote job that still has a physical office and commute. It’s strange, but it’s also kind of fun (on good days.)
It can get lonely at times, especially if something stressful is going on and I don’t have anyone here to help me, but for the most part I don’t miss having annoying, in-person coworkers. And I don’t miss having a ton of in-person clients who bother me. This job is an introvert’s dream.
“And soon we’re tapping away, hmm hmm hmm.” I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been writing for a long time, or because I’ve rewritten this particular story quite a bit, but I’ve been having a much easier time writing my 500-word sprints. It happened twice last week that I told Luis, “I don’t know, I might have to write more this weekend because I can’t focus right now” and then proceeded to write 500 words like it was nothing. There was some word count discrepancy from a day I truly didn’t have time/focus to write, but then on Monday I tapped away and got 1,000 words written in one sitting. Again, like it was nothing.
It really does help to not worry so much about the quality of the words, especially the first go ’round of writing the draft. Prettier wording is for the edits. And, if I do say so myself, I never think my word choices are that bad. They could be better sometimes, sure, but at least my drafts aren’t riddled with typos and misspellings. Not to toot my own horn. My biggest draft issues are primarily digressions.
Now what was I talking about?
Sara Mazariegos 