2013 Writers' Police Academy is officially a go!

Despite some veiled threats that 2012 would be the last go-around, Writers' Police Academy 2013 is officially a go!  With dates, a (return) location and everything!

Heck yeah, I'll be there!

Hopefully this also means another Golden Donut Short Story Contest.  Because I've had all sorts of fun and luck with that one!

RIP F&E? Say it ain't so!

Rumors have been going around that Fresh & Easy stores may be headed for the end of the line and now there's a not-quite-announcement that the end may, in fact, be nigh.

I've been a fan of Fresh & Easy since they arrived in the U.S.  They're a great alternative to chain grocery stores (which around here are pretty much down to Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons) and an even less pricey version of Trader Joe's.

When I lived in Hollywood I spent months looking forward to that location opening, so much so that I giddily snapped this picture when the signage went up.  It was slow going initially for the Hollywood store, which had to open without a liquor license thanks to interference from the CVS next door.  They did eventually get the license and over the years the chain has made a number of adjustments and improvement to enhance the shopping experience.  Fresh & Easy has some really great products and really great prices, and I'll miss them big time if they do close it down, not to mention that would leave a whole lot of empty storefronts.

Dog's Christmas

Awww.  Reminds me of Uggie from The Artist.

Hollywood Sign gets a facelift

This is something I would have been all over when I lived in Hollywood and was still a rabid fan of all things Tinseltown.  The legendary, iconic sign has been freshened up. 

Here's a time-lapse video of the work done on the sign.  Props to Sherwin-Williams for their participation.  That was a lot of paint!

H/T to Curbed L.A.

Merry Punjabi Christmas!

This was apparently a promo produced a few years ago by Nick Jr., part of the Nickelodeon family of networks.  It's strangely hypnotic and addictive.

Hallelujah! It's the Silent Monks!

It. Never. Gets. Old.

First Bank of Tatooine

This actually exists in Marina del Rey right now:

Go on with your bad self and your 1977 Star Wars font, First Bank!

Image is everything...but what if it's the only thing?

This ad popped up on my email page a couple days ago and it got me to wondering...does Zooey Deschanel have any other expression?

I understand that the Zooey is milking the whole saucer-eyed quirky/adorkable thing for all it's worth (and she should, given how long Hollywood success tends to last) but seriously - any other expressions?  Any at all?

Remember when we were kids and our parents tried to talk us out of making goofy faces because, they said, our faces would stay like that?  Maybe they were right.  If so, Zooey clearly didn't listen to Mom.  Because I honestly don't think I've ever seen her look any differently than in this ad, at least not since her show started.

(And just in case you think I'm just being a mean meanie, let me say that she did a gorgeous version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in Elf.  Sweet voice.)

Golden Donut winners and my story

The 2012 Writers Police Academy took place in late September and finally circumstances allowed me to make it to North Carolina for this event.  I had a blast, although I've been remiss about blogging about it.  Hopefully I'll get caught up on that because it was a fantastic experience that I would love to share.

I had submitted a story for the Writers' Police Academy's Golden Donut Short Story Contest again and for the second year in a row was fortunate to make the top ten finalists.  The winner was announced at the WPA banquet.  I didn't win, but like I said, it was overall a great experience and I was happy to have made the top ten again.  Check on the winners & runners-up here.  Do check it out, there are some great 200-word stories there.

Here is my entry, which as per the instructions, was based on this photograph:

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Private Property

Yeah, I know it doesn’t look like much, but it’s mine and now I can have that peaceful, private life I’ve always craved.

It’s gonna take a lot of work, but I’m really very excited about it. The house in the distance is where I’ll be living. It’s in a lot better shape than it looks. Totally salvageable.

The shack where I parked the car is kind of a lost cause, which is exactly how I like it. I plan on using it to store my tools and I wouldn’t want them in a place where people will be tempted to poke around. I think I’ll make up a “Condemned – Do Not Enter” sign to help scare off nosy people. Or maybe some yellow caution tape, like a crime scene (ha ha!).

It reminds me of when I bought the car. Dealer popped that big trunk open and all I could think was, “Damn, I could get a bunch of bodies in there!”

Just look at how remote it is and that’s just a fraction of it. Thirteen acres of privacy. That’s a big old piece of land. 

Damn, I can get a bunch of bodies in there! 

I think the only thing they got wrong is the year

This is a work of sheer brilliance, but I don't think they're going to have to wait until 2030.  Nowhere near that long.

Writers Police Academy 2013 is apparently a go!

I'm in!!! Tell us more!!!

Ready, set, NaNo!!!

Today is November 1, the first day of National Novel Writing Month.  Get writing!