What To Do? Oh, What To Do?

I finally know that I will never be satisfied with an occupation unless it involves working with a group of actors - writing for them, directing, or acting beside. I don't know what all this means just yet, but I know that it's true.
This last year I have spent an ungodly amount of time in front of the television. In the last twelve months I have watched.

3 Seasons of Arrested Development. Several times.
7 Seasons of Scrubs. Some of them twice.
2 Seasons of The Office.
Several seasons of The Simpsons.
4 Seasons of Lost.
1 Season of 30 Rock.
2 Seasons of Heroes.
2 Seasons of Weeds.

Needless to say, I have seen some episodes from each of the shows more than once.

There is a certain spark between the actors themselves and their dialogue. I don't know what it is, but it's what makes them fun to watch. It's what's compelling. It's what keeps us coming back to them week after week, or, in some cases, what makes us watch "just one more" until 7 in the morning.
I want, no, need to be a part a group that does this sort of work. I don't necessarily mean television, but I do mean a group of people that come together to work for a common product. I don't want to write novels. I don't want to write short stories. I want to create stories. I want to be a part of a team that brings them to life. Embodies them. I realize now why novel writing, poetry, short stories have always been so hard for me. It's hard for me to get them anywhere without bodies. I suppose poetry does present a different case than story writing, however. My writing needs bodies. The stories I want to tell need to be spoken, not just read.
It's finally coming together.

But now...
...how?

The Top 10 Of The 2008 Summer

After much deliberation, I have decided that it is time to post my "Top 10 Of The 2008 Summer." I know everyone has been waiting with baited breath to find out what exactly I would list in my top 10 - music? memories? people? It could be any of these. You have all proven to be truly loyal friends and underlings, and I have no doubt that my approval or recognition of you or some moment we shared would be enough to give you a lifetime of satisfaction and be righteous cause for you to die happy. You can't, however, all be winners. And now, for the first time, I present to you - Christian's Top 10 of Summer '08.

10) On one of the early weekends in the summer, about ten of us walked from the girls' townhouse to the Dairy Queen in DT Wheaton. While this is not necessarily a spectacular event in and of itself, I would like to recount some of the highlights. A) Alyssa Keysor with her cement breaking knees. B) Cori and Amanda singing to everyone about themselves in turn. C) Dog pile on College Avenue. Truly, this was an event for the history books.

9) Home Run Derby in the Little League Field. While I do not necessarily like to toot my own horn, I must recount the fact that I slaughtered my opponents with nine home runs while the nearest runner-up followed with a mere two. After him, zero home runs. Game. Set. Match. Homer.

8) A night of joy at the Anderson household. While my friendship to the parties involved does not allow me to relay the intimate details of the night I will list several words that come to mind in light of this evening; mantime, sparks, nail polish, David Spade, cannabis, techtonique, MacGruber. And finally, glory.

7) Attending the Prairie Ridge High School Baseball team's championship game (as well as semifinals) to cheer on Cori's little brother. Needless to say, the Wolves dominated and emerged gloriously with the state championship title. I recall heckling the other team. That was when I knew I was destined to be a bleacher dad.

6) Cooking dinner for friends with Nathan Stewart. One night we got tired of everyone staying in and worrying about what they were going to eat. So we went out and bought a bunch of food and decided to have a several course meal with some of the ladies that were in town. Too bad we can't make a life out of it. Nate-dog and I made a good team, I think.

5) Any number of SBFF phone calls that I got from Amanda Joy Reider. While "SBFF" may not have been played out the most practically in the end, just knowing that I had a SBFF this summer made everything all the better and more wonderful. I highly suggest that everyone pick up a Summer Best Friend Forever.

4) Seeing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with Nathan Stewart. Wonder why? Here's your answer.

3) Friday movie mornings with Alan (and Ellie). Best. Tradition. Ever. We saw so many movies this summer it was out of control. Wall-E, Get Smart, Step Brothers, The Happening, Hancock, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express...amazing. All during opening day. Not only did we practically have the theaters to ourselves, but for a low, low price of $5 a ticket. Truly a tradition one wouldn't want to let go of.

2) Cubs game with Cori. Best birthday gift ever. We had incredible car rides both to and from Wrigleyville, hanging out with Cori's parents' small group. We got two pairs of seats. One in a skybox (where we got to eat free food and enjoy the delay from live action to television) and the other put us right behind the first-base side dugout allowing us to taunt the Florida Marlins as they returned from the inning. I was able to let Dan Uggla know exactly how I felt about his performance in the All-Star Game. Derrek Lee stood 30 feet away from us. I got to see Big Z pitch. We saw Mark DeRosa make an amazing, diving catch. Ronny Cedeño and Henry Blanco both homered. In the end, the Cubs won. And I bought a Fukudome headband. Truly a fantastic evening. I also got a beer out of the deal.

And the number one joy of the 2008 Summer is....

...TONGUE BEAR!

Friends, thank you so much for being a part of this summer. You all made it a fantastic three months. Let's keep it going this fall, whaddaya say?