dead male pheasant (think tarantino)

I'm currently writing up an idea I had that relates to how people can interpret 'signs' differently (spiritual as opposed to the film of the same name) - anyway I was on the receiving end of what some people might consider a 'sign' earlier today. I was just on the way back from the kitchen when I heard a bang - thought it was someone at the door but noone was there. Went outside to check and there on the ground in front of the house was a dead male pheasant. Now I live on a relatively busy street and on really sunny days I've had tiny birds like blue-tits occasionally stun themselves on the window (I'm assuming they see a reflection of a tree or something) but what the hell a full-grown colourful male pheasant was doing careering around my front garden and then smacking into the window.. who knows. The window survived intact, and although I will admit to a fleeting thought of 'hmmm pheasant for tea?', in the end I delivered it to the bin. Beautiful bird though - hope its not got little baby pheasants at home.

What's next..... an eagle trying to get down my chimney?

and lo there was beer

Well its been a busy few weeks - first of all I had a birthday blahhh - actually it was quite fun - cake, presents (including some book vouchers for my course hurrah) and wine, what more could I ask for really.

I've finally got stuck into my Screenwriting course at Napier. Its definitely taken a few weeks before I've really starting feeling like a student, but now that I have I'm enjoying it. So far we've talked about premise, narrative and the process of Development. At first it seemed to be a LOT of theory (and it is) but its also been quite illuminating - somehow actually hearing certain aspects of the process talked about and discussed has made them much clearer. Its also been good to start getting to know the other students - I've mentioned it previously but its seriously good to find everyone so enthusiastic.

Finally got to check out the Student Union Bar too - and not bad it is either. I have a feeling that many a beer will be sunk there before the year is out, especially considering its proximity to the Screen Academy.

set the fire to the third bar (no not an electric fire)

It's amazing (and a bit like early Star Trek) because some other life forms have made contact so I've added my first links to fellow bloggers! Both are students also on the Napier Screenwriting course and both are worth a read : Vicious Imagery who is currently in his 2nd year of the part-time MA, and has through his blog been giving me some useful heads-up on what to expect in the course. The other is Miss Read who started the course same time as me but is Full-time - it'll be interesting to see how our course schedules progress and differ as part and full-timers.

On another note - just watched a Jonathan Ross episode that I taped from the other night. Taped mainly because the rather lovely (and of course very talented) Zach Braff was on it, but also because Snow Patrol were doing their new song with the mad-as-a-brush-but-fabulous Martha Wainwright 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar' which I LOVE (best song on the new cd). Anyway - great performances alround and quite timely as I'm currently working on a subject for a Story Report for Napier and since music usually inspires me, I thought about picking a song that I have't seen a video for. Have a few ideas for this one already - but am also working on a song from a friend of mine... hmmmm I think maybe some tea will help me decide.

Dr Who 1 - Robin Hood 0

I'm a student again! How weird and yet sort of thrilling. I started my Screenwriting MA last week and thankfully everyone seems to be friendly and enthusiastic. Interesting to hear all the different backgrounds that people on the course have, and it was also gratifying to see that I wasn't the only one feeling slightly nervous at entering student-hood again. The workload looks to be manageable (SO glad to be on the part-time course), the facilities great, and the planned modules useful and interesting (time will tell on that one).

Only one thing that worries me and that is always a bugbear in town - PARKING! It already takes more than a few circles to find somewhere that my teeny car can squeeze into, but apparently the council have decided in their wisdom to make the area a 'controlled parking zone' which I'm assuming means in a nutshell 'less or no parking'. Not a great idea around a University campus unless they're going to provide a spanking new carpark (and thats likely isnt it......). I spent 10 years commuting on public transport, and I'm not doing it again if I can avoid it - (in the main) expensive, dirty, unreliable and frankly a little scary with more than the odd dubious passenger. I wish it was better - make life a lot easier! It doesn't help that I apparently have a face that says to anyone dubious/drunk/abusive/offensive, 'come sit by me and we can be friends, yes, I REALLY want to hear about your nasty little operation/girlfriend/std/life'. blahhhhh.

Anyway rant over, back to brighter things - the new series of Robin Hood!! Well I really hoped it would be a great remake but umm it wasn't. Sorry and all, but the dialogue seemed weak, the atmosphere was nil, the styling/costumes were unconvincing, and the majority of the cast looked like they'd been picked up from a pub and then plonked down in a wood somewhere and told to run around being rural. I really hoped it would follow in the fab Doctor Who footsteps and be a shining ressurrection but alas not so far, Dr Who 1 - Robin Hood 0 (though I will give it another episode just to be sure as that's only fair but I have that sinking feeling already....).

Talking of Dr Who - Torchwood looks good too - just saw the trailer - can't wait!