Thoughts for the day

One out One in

The problem with having lodgers is that you have to intergate them into your life.  Like it not they live in our house hovering on you’re territory.  It’s true, and from my experience, it either works or it does not.  Communication may be one of the main issues, along with understanding who’s house it is.  For the Last 10 months I’ve had a ‘European’ in my house, who actually thinks the rent that she pays means that she owns the house. Not so.  I try to be fair, but what can you do? Especially when they throw your furniture out and are shocked to find that you didn’t store it for them, even though you told them there was no room to do this!    And you have a chat with them, explain you need 4 weeks notice and they give you 2 and expect to get the whole deposit back.

So what is the secret? 

It’s actually really simple, if you get on with them, when you meet them, you most likely will get on with them when you live with them.  So far, all the people that have moved in that I got on with when I first met them are all still friends now.  The ones that I didn’t, well I don’t see them any more.

 Tell me this though… 

A question for you dear reader:  is it okay to bring a different man back to your lodging every other weekend? Bring them back at say 4am and kick them out around 10am. Then wash you cum filled sheets and hang them out on the line, just to let the neighbours know what you’ve been up to?  Obviousley I’m not talking about me here. Or Miher for that matter.  But the leaving Lady… Now I’m not a Cristain, or any other cult.  I do however, have morals.  I do like to have sex, and have before now done so on first meetings, some times it leads to something.  Other times nothing.  But if I lived in somebody else’s house [and was a ‘Catholic’], and changed that from, one or twice to once or twice a month, two or three times maybe.  Is that okay.  Apart from the fact I have strangers walking around my house that could take anything.  Or even worse something unthinkable could happen. I’d hate that. And would not wish it upon anybody.  But am I wrong, is this okay? Am I really that old fashioned.  Should I be Making some money out of this.

 Thats a good point, how do you know she isn’t charging…

I don’t. I doubt it.  But it is a tiny niggling worry at the back of me head though man. Would you pay for that?  Not even for free!

But it’s all okay now 

It is, I’ve just agreed to rent the room out to somebody who seams fine, fun and outgoing.  My gut tells me that this will work, and 90% of the time it’s right.  I also don’t think cultural issues will be a problem this time either!  Perhaps in the sunny place it is perceived as usual to have copious partners?  No?  Any way in less then two weeks I will be free from these worries.

Wind Chill

I just gotta start digging my Allotment [Lotty], but the windchill is supposed to take it down to minus 10 tomorrow! Nooooooooooooo.  Fingerless gloves?  Fingerless Chalky, I can see ‘em breaking off! I am though, looking forward to Eating lots of Yummy home grown veg. Am I becoming a hippy, or old or something?

Beer O’clock.

Friday night and beer a calling.

Laters,
Chalkster

Tough Times

All around, I’ve an interview for part time work on Monday. I’m hoping that it will get through this god awful period that we seam to be going through. I genuinely believe that in 5 years time I will be making films for a living. I’ve fallen into writing quiet heavily and now see myself as a writer/director. After all I want to tell stories and the stories in my head are really the ones I want to tell. Having said that I would more then happily tell somebody else’s story [direct someone else’s film].

It’s just breaking into it though

And that is what is really tough. I’ve been lucky enough to get a good team around me [Patting myself on my own back]. Which is good luck and personally, good judgment. Firstly taking a course at the OFVM showed me how to structure my ideas - now my best strength. It is worth spending time preparing your story before you start writing it - And that is every time, no short cuts. The next lesson was realising on my own I’m not good enough - step forward ‘The Magician’ [Si]. Some people are just incredible with words: wordsmiths. Working together has changed everything, and our different styles - well the seam to compliment. My bro admitting that together we could do something a bit special made me realise that we have a real chance!

Breaking into it?

I’m getting to that as it happens. So you have a writing partnership, and somebody to give you beleif, but you are still creative oddballs no? Maybe. But your right, someone was needed to make sure we were going in the right direction, keep us grounded and say NO at the right times. My old boss popped around one day, he was between contracts and we have always got on. Something that happens with us ‘Southerners’. He read one of our outlines and was hooked. Best thing is that he is very good at having a go at me when I do something ‘that I should not’. So RHD came on board, and started pressing us - soft to start with a bit harder later. Add to Si, Bro and RHD, Tobe’s [Music man and person fluffer extraordinaire], The Crazy Tom [Sound, editing, Fixer, mender and maker of all things], Ben, Dan and and hopefully for the long hall - B. I think we have a team that can…

Break into it?

Indeed, you’re spot on. So that the next trick and to date our hardest yet. It’s been about two and a half years since I committed into this and from outside it could look like we are no closer to doing anything. But we are. We have learned a lot. Been lucky to have industry help [thank you for everything so far MR]. Had great training, and writing a fuck of a lot.

Recession?

Well money is certainly tight all around. And getting finance is an issue, so we have had to take a step back and make a show real. Shooting start on the 17th of Jan 2009 and I’m well excited. Some of the team are over tonight and we are doing a read through; then it’s Casting [including one hand], finding sets, getting budgeted and storyboarded. All good. All good. And far too long. But this will be a brilliant film. Our writing is better and we have a DOP [Director of Photography] for the first time.

Baked Sea Bass

well I think it’s important to feed the crew well when they are working for nowt. Yum.

Broom Broom

Right I’m off to pick up another car, fancy a diesel Astra anyone?

Laters,

Chalkstar

I’m back!

Okay, I’ve been having a look at blogging engines, and nearly brought back my actual Bloger, but sadly it does not like to work on my web-space… So I’ve gone basic just for the moment at least…

Prey Tell?

Why I’m back and blogging? Okay for a couple of reasons: Firstly I like blogging, it’s a release for me, it gets me writing, people believe it or not have asked me when Chalkster.co.uk was coming back. I also miss my rants, which I’m sure will come back in due course.

What’s occurring then?

Ha! Lots. I’m threadbare, single and broke. K moved out a few months ago and left me a single father of a beautiful little dog called Bella. She now means everything to me, and keeps me going when times are tough, I’ve never known a creature with so much love to give. It’s always a hard time, but I’ve sunk myself into writing as much as I can.

Ah Yes, I remember you were writing a film

Written actually, myself and Si wrote a film called ‘The Cowley Road Drinking Club’, which we intend to make. It’s about to go to a script editor [Jon Spira], who will tell us how o do a ‘final draft’. In the meantime, we are about to film a ten minute film called ‘Chop’. I’m also writing a T.V. series called ‘Nemesis ‘39′. Which we intend to sell to the highest bidder in an attempt to make some MONEY!

Pub Quiz

You are all invited to join us at the City Arms on Cowley Road. Sundays from 8, for our quiz. It’s not too serious! But a welcome change from normal life!

So thats it from me

For the first post any how! Speak soon.

Laters,

ChalkSter ;-)