New Thing #63: the “12 of 12” project

Yesterday I was doing some blog surfing and I discovered Chad Darnell’s blog. Chad started up this very cool project called “12 of 12” where he asks people to take 12 pictures of their daily routine on the twelfth day of the month, and then he posts a link to your “12 of 12” on his blog, and then you get to see a whole lot of different peoples’ “12 of 12” pictures and it’s really kinda cool.

Since I love projects, I thought I’d partake in “12 of 12” today. (New Thing #63.)

Photo #1: 10:31 a.m.

My writing partner, Jessica, and I usually write together from around 10:30 until 5 p.m. on weekdays.

There are several thoughts running through my head as I take this photo:

1. I’m late.
2. I should call Jessica and let her know I’m running late.
3. But I’m usually about five minutes late anyway, and she usually expects me to be five minutes late, so I don’t need to call.
4. Oh, look at that, I’m out of gas.
5. I don’t have time to stop and get gas. Then I’ll really be late.
6. It’s okay, though, because my “empty” light isn’t on yet.
7. It’s hard to take a photo and drive at the same time.
8. Look! I’m going 60!
9. I better not freaking run out of gas.

Welcome to my mind, people. Fascinating stuff, right?

Photo #2: 10:45 a.m.

This is Jessica’s dog, Orson.

Orson just had a difficult poop outside. Like, his poop is connected to hair and won’t fall off. So Jessica is cleaning him up while I take this picture and I’m sure Orson’s thinking something like “um, Erik, how would you feel if I took a picture of YOU while someone was cleaning your butt?”
(I’m sure Jessica will be REALLY happy that I just shared that she was cleaning Orson’s butt during the taking of this picture.)

Photo #3: 11:00 a.m.

This is me at my computer. You’ll notice the computer isn’t on yet. That’s because I haven’t gotten to the writing portion of my day yet. I’m re-reading our outline right now while this photo is being taken.

Photo #4: 12:38 p.m.

It’s Wednesday, so Jessica and I go to our favorite Farmer’s Market to get some of our favorite Corn on the Cob from our favorite Corn on the Cob lady. BUT SHE ISN’T HERE. Our favorite Corn on the Cob lady is M.I.A. We’re thwarted in our corn cravings.

Hence the angsty look on my face.

I’m like, whuh?

Photo #5: 1:15 p.m.

Okay, we’ve eaten (not Corn on the Cob) (why do I feel Compelled to Capitalize “Corn on the Cob”?) (it’s not supposed to be capitalized, is it?) and now we’re writing. Notice how I hold the thumb in my left hand up in the air while I type. Isn’t that weird? That’s how my hand naturally rests at the keyboard. My thumbs are kind of double-jointed and my thumb just sits there in the air.

Photo #6: 2:45 p.m.

We’ve gotten some writing done. Time for a Cribbage break. (I’m not sure if Cribbage is supposed to be Capitalized, either, but I think I’m just in a mood to Capitalize every word that begins with the letter ‘C’) (apparently) (if you’ve never played Cribbage, you should try it one of these days) (it’s a great game)

(if you’ve never played Crubbage, then you have no idea what this hand means) (I can’t remember what my fifth card was in this hand, but it’s always good to have a 5, so this hand was okay, but not great or anything)

Photo #7: 5:10 p.m.

We got some more writing done and called it a day. Now I’m getting gas because, remember? My tank is, like, totally empty.

Photo #8: 6:20 p.m.

So then I go to a coffee shop because I need to get some work done on one of my plays. I get a hot chocolate, I sit down, and I can’t stop looking at the guy sitting across from me. Why am I staring at him? Because I think I know him. He looks like this guy Jonny who I took acting classes with when I was a kid. We acted in a few plays together as well. But I haven’t seen Jonny in about fifteen years. And even if it is him, I’m not sure that he’ll remember me because I’m about five years younger than him—so, like, when we knew each other, he was the cool older teen and I was the dorky young teen. I don’t know if it’s him or not. Finally I’m like: “Jonny?” And he looks up at me and he’s like: Beat. Blink. Then…recognition.

“Erik?”

So we end up talking for an hour and catching up and then we’re trying to remember when exactly we met and I tell him I remember that he was dating this girl Felicia. And then Jonny’s eyes go wide—he can’t remember that it was that long ago. He hasn’t seen or spoken to Felicia in over fifteen years.

Photo #9: 7:15 p.m.

I ask Jonny if he knows what Felicia’s been up to. He doesn’t. Well, you know I’m the King of Google, so I ask Jonny: “Have you ever googled her?” And he hasn’t. So we do.

And we discover that she’s now living in New York, she’s a (semi?) famous novelist. Which is cool. I want to read one of her books.

Photo #10: 9:30 p.m.

Jonny’s gone. I’m tired.
Done working on my play. Hungry.
Coldstone Creamery.

Photo #11: 9:53 p.m.

That’s the clock in my car. I’m driving home. It says 8:53, but it’s really 9:53. I can’t figure out how to change the time.

Photo #12: 10:30 p.m.

Winding down. Watching The Amazing Race.

So that's my "12 of 12."

Oh, and Chad asked for a bonus picture inspired by the word “red.” I don't know if there's actually any red in this photo or not--I'm wearing a red shirt and I thought you could see it in the mirror, but I guess you can't. Oh well. It's still my interpretation of "red."