The Mystery Starts Here

Can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve updated my blog! I will try to be better in the future.

Okay, I looked forward to the new HBO series “True Blood” but have to say, I was disappointed. The premise of the show is that the Japanese have invented a synthic blood for vampires to drink so they no longer have to attack humans. The result is that vampires now walk around openly - at least at night, and subsist on “Tru Blood” that they can buy at the local supermarket! On top of vampires, we have a main character, Sookie Stackhouse, who’s physic and can hear every one’s thoughts - everyone except the vampires. A bit over the top? Yup.

In spite of an interesting premise, I thought the show was slow, hard to understand and all the Southern characters had IQ’s of about 40. If I’d read the series of books upon which the show was based, it would have made more sense. But I’m sure I’m not the only viewer who had never read the books.

Besides the characters all being dumb as rocks, there were a couple of gratuitous sex scenes. Now, I have nothing against a good sex scene, if it makes sense in the context of the story. These didn’t. It was almost as if the producers said, “Hey, let’s put in a real good sex scene right in the beginning to grab the audience!” and they did. There were a couple of bloody scenes too culminating with Sookie getting the snot kicked out of her, so if you’re not into gore, skip this series.

I probably will watch again on Sunday, to see in the story gets more interesting. If I were to grade the show, I’d have to give “True Blood” a C. If you watched it, what did you think?

I thought this might be a good topic because in our household, we’re always enrolled in classes on one topic or another. I’m not talking about classes and seminars related to writing either. Nope, I like to learn all kinds of new stuff. For instance, this fall I’m taking a class in drawing and water colors and a class in acting! Why? Because I love art and know zero about creating it and want to learn how to draw. Acting? Well, I’ve always wanted be in a play. I don’t aspire to be the lead, and I seriously doubt you’ll ever see me in a Broadway production but I think doing a small walk-on in a live performance would be the bomb.

I don’t know about others, but I have been in school learning about one thing or another since I entered kindergarten as a five-years-old. I keep learning because I love to, and I think as a writer it’s imperative to broaden your experiences and taste every area of life. How else can one keep coming up with new, fresh ideas to write about? As Julia Cameron says in her excellent book, “The Artist Way,” we have to fill up the well. In the past I’ve taken classes, just for fun, and wound up writing and publishing pieces. Took a class in video presentations - sold an article about it. Took a class in vegetarian cooking and wrote an article about two vegetarian caterers I met in the class. Volunteered at the Sheriff’s Department (hey, that’s learning!) and got a book out of it. Another great aspect of taking classes is the new people you meet. And who doesn’t want to make new friends?

Today is August 3rd and I have a whole month before I can take out my new notebooks, sharpen my pencils and head for class. I can’t wait!