Bird Brain

It has been a while since I commented here.. I am still Killing Time in the most entertaining and productive ways. My screenplay has been complete and out in the market place for about 4 months. Writing was more familiar to me than selling. It's all new to me and I am tracking the screenwriting contests I've entered and the industry magazines and newsletters which promote the product. I guess the trick is getting somebody to read it and love it - how could they not?

I am now working on a second project. It's another screenplay and I figured I better keep busy before I forget how to use my screenwriting software. The outline is almost done. It's another dramedy. I like that term.. I had dedicated today to really get a good head start on this. It's almost April. It's still winterish. The snow has melted and I'm almost 60. And, I am distracted!!!

For the past few years in the spring we have had an idiotic robin flying into our kitchen window over and over and over and over and over. The dumb ass thinks its reflection is another robin and it is either attacking OR trying to mate. There are many explanations on the internet. Internet has everything doesn't it? I've got a fake owl out there which I thought would work with its scary spinning head. I guess not. I've tried a number of cures and I thought about buying a BB gun. (talk about a mid-life crisis).. I doubt I could do that. My vision blows and I probably would crack our window after missing the bird. Years ago my 85 year old neighbor shot a raccoon who was molesting his garbage cans. I was very impressed and there have been no raccoons in this neighborhood for years. Could I follow in his footsteps?

The internet provided a less violent solution which seems to work (so far)...I smeared the target window with ammonia...Smelly, icky ammonia is on the window which apparently repels the villain.. So I have a messy window but no bird crashing and bird shit to deal with. I'm happy with that solution. Speaking of solutions like raccoon murder, fake owls, etc., I remember my dad had a bird problem in our family home on Long Island. They were nesting in the gutters and as is family tradition we hate getting on ladders. I was elected to get on the roof and apply my dad's anti-bird solution. It was a product called "Bird Tanglefoot"... It was a gooey substance which goofed up the birds' wings and feet after they were exposed. When I was directed to check the area a week later I found no birds (no dead birds) so perhaps they got the message..

So now I can continue with that new screenplay - "The Nest Egg"...

Winter 2011

It's been a few months since I last had an entry.. I think it was because there is nothing new in the world of Time Killing..This winter has just sucked. Winters seem to suck more as you get older. When it snowed years ago it was a bizarre highlight as schools closed and the world was your playground. The challenge now is to get to the end of the driveway without breaking your elbow..I found myself walking like Arte Johnson's old man character on TV's Laugh In (there's an obscure reference)..

I justify staying home now because gas is heading for $5/gallon. Got a home heating oil delivery today...That is close to $4/gallon. I guess the instability in the Middle East is a major factor. I can remember while stationed in that part of the world I could fill up the gas tank in my Datsun rental car for under $2 - for the WHOLE tank.. I'm pretty sure that's accurate..Memories of those times in Bahrain have come to the forefront. Last year my wife and mother in law took a trip back there and had a great time..It always seemed to me like a peaceful, serene culture so this year's headlines were surprising (to me) but I guess these were underlying issues that had to surface..

Trying to get a new screen play started as my current script is getting some attention but I am learning this is a sluggish process. And we are close to putting our house up for sale and ready to head south...That should eat up some time! Change is good as somebody in this family has stated.. I agree but lifting furniture blows...