End of the week Check-in:

1. How many days this week did you do your morning pages? Seven out of seven, we always hope. How was the experience for you?

Out of the week, I did six out of seven morning pages. Ironically, on the last day, I totally forgot that I did not do my journaling at all. I did enjoy my journaling in the mornings; it helped me set some sort of intention and also release some mind fog. I have also found that waking up early in the morning, even if it was to just do my three morning pages before jumping back in bed, has restored a sense of personal schedule for myself. I have been struggling with my sleep since the springtime change, and waking up early enough to journal has been aiding me in restoring a better sleep schedule, which I believe will help me with my writing.

2. Did you do your artist date this week? Yes, of course, we always hope. And yet, artist dates can be remarkably difficult to allow yourself. What did you do? How did it feel?

I took myself to the library to write on the first round I attempted starting this course to write, just solely write a draft for a blog post. However, this go-around, I was working every day this week, so I was unable to “take myself out.” My only outings I did, socially, were on Friday at an Angels game and today on Easter. Since I found this roadblock, my schedule being too plagued by work, I resorted to purchasing a portable word-processor-like device so that I can do my artist dates more easily. Also, since I knew I wouldn’t be able to write or create on my artist dates this week, I tried to find inspiration.

At the game, I admired the lighting of the field and how strikingly it illuminated the players, really drawing your attention to the game. It was almost theater-like, I often remarked to my boyfriend, Noah, how much the lighting made the players look as if they were on television.

On Easter, at church, I took note of using the chapel as a possible film location and tried to logistically draft a plan of how to map a set. I was heavily distracted during the sermon due to the creaking of the wooden pews. Hence I made a mental note to myself that if I could film in this location, we would have to be sure not to sit in the pews while shooting, for audio's sake. Later on, I made a visit to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank to pay homage to the late David Lynch. I stood under his photo that was framed alongside Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern, two of his biggest muses, as I had his favorite chocolate milkshake he often ordered from the diner. After getting some stickers at the counter, I went to Magnolia Park, and after walking around, I found some post-production editing studios among the vintage shops. I also came across Be Kind Video, a video rental store with a sturdy collection of pre-owned DVDs and VHS. Funnily enough, earlier that day, I joked to my mother that we should visit the Criterion Collection Closet. Though I failed in finding Twin Peaks or The Exorcist among the collection, I was able to take home The Nightmare Before Christmas. It was a pleasant Easter, but instead of eggs with candy, I got a tape cassette. Better prize if you ask me.

3. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Describe them.

Going forward, I know at least for Week Two, I’ll be able to have more time to establish a better artist date. I am also expecting my word processor to come in to make writing easier on the go. I will say I lacked in keeping up with doing the tasks for this week, and I mainly mulled them over in my mind instead of sitting down to write them. This, though, in my shame towards my lack of dedication, will motivate me this new week to thoroughly complete the task in a more serious way.

The Artist’s Way- Week 1 “Recovering a Sense of Safety”

Escaping Quicksand