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May. 13th, 2008 @ 02:59 pm Geez I'm bad at this.
I completely forgot I had this thing. Same deal with my MySpace page. I get a notice today wanting someone to be my friend. I'm like: what the hell are they talking about? Then I remembered I'd set up a page about a month ago. I also remembered the LiveJournal. Quick update:

1. Finished the movie and trying to get it on local PBS or at least screened in art houses.
2. Dated a lot, fell in love with a lesbian. Didn't work out.
3. Moved my Springfield base into a condimium way ass on the south side.
4. Preparing to move back to Columbia this summer. Had found a place then had to pay ex wife's $600 utility bill. Long, stupid story. Will regroup for July/August exit.
5. Home with screwed up back today. Eating almonds and yogurt because I'm bored.

Don't bother to comment. It seems I work better as an observer rather than a sharer.
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Jun. 3rd, 2007 @ 12:03 pm My movie
I have a two minute version of the Lester Dent documentary on line. It's basically a trailer with a conclusive ending. Won third place at the Gimme Truth Film Festival. First place went to a movie about a dog who was a vegetarian. I should have the 30-minute version done by October 07. If I can get all the interviews I need. If you go to YouTube and type in Lester Dent, my movie will appear (not the pornographic cartoon that also appears; the documentary).
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Jun. 3rd, 2007 @ 12:01 pm Most recent entry
I don't like sweet tarts. why should i? they don't taste very good and have an unpleasent texture. I like chocolate. that's my thing. chocolate. I used to hate Almond Joys when I was a kid. But now I like them.
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Nov. 7th, 2006 @ 06:16 pm (no subject)
Just broke up with a woman who I had nothing in common with. She was nice and pretty and all that, but there was something a bit wrong with her. She kind of acted like she was, well, from another planet. Not comfortable in her skin.

She was a detox nurse. (No that's not where I met her). We were talking about out pasts and I told her that the last time I'd gotten puking drunk was three years ago on a float trip.

Next day she tells me I need to go to AA. The float trip thing really bothered her.

I drink less than four beers a month, and usually not in one sitting. I'm fairly certain I'm not an AA candidate. Maybe some other 12 step program, but not AA. Okay, I was bad in college...and during my newspaper years after that...but the truth is I don't even care much for alcohol. Don't keep it in the house and haven't drank regularly since my divorce. I tell her this and it starts a fight. I've only dated this women two weeks.

Then she starts going off that I won't get tested for communicable diseases -- which is bull, I actually thought it was a good idea -- and all this other lunatic shit, and finally I give her the old heeve ho (however you spell it).

Wished her well and all that then went on my merry way. So what does she do? She sends all the emails I wrote her to her 76-year-old best friend and then forwards me this woman's response.

Needless to say I have learned I am the biggest bastard to ever set foot on American soil. I am a liar who is hiding something about my ding dong and in denial over my alcohol problem. And, of course, she should be frightened of me.

Jesus. Glad I bailed when I did. What if she'd actually started liking me?

I'm really getting tired of the dating scene...
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Oct. 25th, 2006 @ 09:49 pm One of my films online
Corvus Moon pottery has posted part of my first documentary. It's about them so that's no surprise. If there's anybody left (hey Cathy!) who wants to see it go to www.corvusmoon.com then go to VIDEOS. My piece is on the bottom row. It's called Fun & Fire. You'll need Flash 7 to view it. Don't expect much but it was sure fun to do.

The bigger piece on the Doc Savage convention is being reviewed by the interviewees. I wanted them to see it first. After that it will post on various Doc sites and probably youtube. Really, really bad camera work.

I'm still learning. And slowly, it seems.
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Oct. 17th, 2006 @ 04:52 pm I'm a director now
July 18th was my last post? What a joke!

I've moved into the movie making scene. I bought a little Canon GL2 and I've filmed three short documentaries so far. I was invited to the premiere of the horror movie I auditioned for last year and the director remembered me. What a laugh we had! He did say he probably had a spot for me in his next picture which auditions in November. I may try out, but I'm awfully busy with my own movie making these days.

I'm filming another, longer documentary on Lester Dent, the creator of Doc Savage. I attended the first Doc Con in LaPlata Mo. this weekend and got about five hours of footage. Great stuff. It's so neat to talk to people about 1930's pulp magazines and not have to explain yourself.

Anyway that's it...
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Jul. 18th, 2006 @ 08:13 pm (no subject)
Okay. I live in Jefferson City now. Hate it so far. Worse than I dreamed. It's Joplin with a capitol dome. One street. Two places to rent movies. No restaurants worth a damn.

Kids and I went to Chicago last week. Stayed at the Cass Hotel downtown for a mere $129 a night. That's killer for downtown Chicago. Took them to Rain Forest Cafe, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, the Field Museum (thank god Tut was sold out. I would have loved it, but they wouldn't have cared enough for the $66 entry fee. had to try though). Tons of shopping. Four figures worth. You oughta see my new running shoes!

Ended with a block party at Chris and Myra's Saturday...all day. Finished at 10 p.m. in a square dance. That's what they do up there. Square Dance. I really, really like those people.

My daughter just sat down in the street and said "I'm tired." So was I. We snuck back into the air conditioning and watched t.v. Woke up at 6 on Sunday and drove 12 mother freakin hours back to Springfield Mo. Goddamn I was tired.

I still am, and it's Tuesday night.
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Jun. 11th, 2006 @ 04:14 pm (no subject)
Okay finally a more upbeat post. I drove down to Springfield this weekend and got to hang with the kids for two days. I realized if I'd just been able to talk to them I probably wouldn't have had such a rough week. We did the zoo, cashew chicken, a movie, a park, then to grandma's (my ex mother in law's, who I still get along great with, by the way).

Christie's new boyfriend is struggling with his new situation and I have to admit I feel sorry for the guy. He went from "single dude" to "dude with three live-in kids" overnight. Christie's family is beating him up pretty bad over other issues. I've been there with them and it ain't easy. Today was the family reunion. I remember them as being agonizing. Nobody gets along well in that group and when you're the new kid -- oh, man -- do not show weakness.

They still haven't got their phone in so I loaned them my cell until it gets worked out. Mainly I wanted to be able to call the kids when I want.

The drive time gave me three hours to think about the novel and I came up with a red herring I'm going to throw to the readers. Looks like a twist, but it doubles back on itself. I tried to explain the plot to some people last night and I sounded like a ranting madman. Perfect! I don't care if it's accessible or not, I'm going to get this sucker put to bed (first draft, that is) before fall.
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Jun. 8th, 2006 @ 04:56 pm (no subject)
Well, they're gone. I moved them down last Saturday. It's only been today that I could write about it. For those of you who are parents, I don't have to explain what I'm going through right now.

Their rooms are hollow. Empty bookcases and bare beds. This place was going to be our future. When we first moved up here, it was such an adventure. We used to listen to Green Day's "Holiday," the line where he sings about the "dawning of the rest of our lives." That album was our theme music. Now it's over. Those dreams are like dead fruit rotting on a vine.

I haven't talked to them all week. Christie still doesn't have her phone turned on down there. I called her mom and she didn't give a shit.

I'm going down Saturday morning. In the long run, this will all be good for me. It will make me stronger. Madison turned 13 last Monday. I didn't even get to wish her a happy birthday. I don't think Christie's going to be as careful keeping me in touch with them as I did with her.

I just gotta get down there. Quick.
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Jun. 1st, 2006 @ 05:53 pm (no subject)
Kids are packed and ready to roll. Christie asked me last night if I would come down Sunday and help her and Greg move. I, of course, said yes, but I made her guilt me into it. Greg's band was supposed to help but somehow came up with better things to do. He's a little bitty guy with a bad back and I don't think the two of them could pull it off by themselves. Christie's family, the support system she's moving down to Springfield to be with, also declined. I don't blame them. We're moving every other week.

I'm at a new place with dealing with the kids' coming absence. I still hate it but I believe I am experiencing resignation. They're excited about being around the families. The families are excited about them coming back. I'll handle it. I guess.

I wrote 7,000 words on my novel last weekend. That put me up to 30,000 words and I'm not even half way done. Hell, I'm still introducing major characters! It's going to be 70,000 to 80,000 words easy. Hope it's worth it. Guess it doesn't matter. I don't have a choice in the matter anyway.

That's how I'm going to spend my time alone this summer. Writing, writing, writing. Living in my head. I want something to come out of all this.
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May. 26th, 2006 @ 08:41 pm A change in my life
I'm packing my kids' things tomorrow. They'll be living with their mother in Springfield this summer. If Christie does okay, they'll probably stay there.

Aside from a few business trips and holidays, I haven't been apart from them in four years. Not since the divorce.

I just keep telling myself that they can get to know the families now, that they'll have a network of people who they can count on. They can have their mother in their daily life again, and she can have them. I know she's gone through hell over being away from them and I hope...I don't know what I hope. I've written five different things after that word. I guess I hope that it will take some of the pain and guilt out of her life.

And I keep telling myself that I'm following them soon.

But the pain. Jesus.
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May. 11th, 2006 @ 10:11 pm (no subject)
So do these journals expire from lack of use? I just went and read all of yours for the first time in about a month. Damn you're busy people.

Okay, my life is what you might call shit right now. Christie is moving out of the house in Camdenton and going back to Springfield. She wants to take the kids with her. I have not been seperated from the them (for any real time) since the divorce four years ago. I've dragged them to Springfield, back to Camdenton and then to Columbia with me. As side from being a lousy housekeeper, I did pretty well with them. They certainly know I love them.

But now Christie says it's her turn. In Springfield, she will have a support system for them. Family, friends, five different retirees with money. They will get to know our families. Up here, I might as well be in Seattle or Belize. We gots no one up here. No one.

So I've agreed to let them live with her for a while. We're not changing the custody or anything, but in July they will start yet another new life in Springfield with their mother. I may have said shitty things about Christie in this journal, but despite all, she loves her kids and was a good mom when she wasn't flipping out. Her daughter Olivia is two now and has grounded her. I think she'll do okay. And I want the kids to know their mom.

But I am dying over the decision. I can't be a long distance father, so I am quitting my $50k a year job and moving back too. Not this summer but soon after. I will not be able to make that kind of money in Springfield, nor will I have state benefits, or three weeks vacation, or a professional reputation that took me six years to build.

And quite honestly, I don't give a damn. The kids need a family bigger than me. The rest doesn't matter.
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Mar. 20th, 2006 @ 09:59 pm (no subject)
My 7-year-old son is big on absolutes. He always wants to know what my favorite this or that is. Movie, book, super hero (DC and Marvel), Japanese monster, etc. The truth is I haven't thought much about any of it.

I have five movies that rotate being my favorite: Citizen Kane, The Seven Samurai, The Matrix, Arsenic and Old Lace, Annie Hall. Depends on where I'm at in life.

But after giving it some thought, I do have two absolute favorites that share a pedestal all their own on my list of tops. I have a favorite album and I have a favorite book. Strangely and admittedly, neither are particularly great in their medium. But they're my favs.

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Genesis 1974 is my favorite all time album. Weird as hell. Dense. Parts are horrid. And I have it memorized, nearly verbatim. Rolling Stone voted it one of the top 100 worst albums ever made. It does it for me though. I get it.

Shibumi by Trevanian is my favorite novel. A spy thriller. One of the only ones I ever read. I've read it three times. I've only read Lord of the Rings twice. I don't know how it beats out LOTR, or Breakfast of Champions, or Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, but there it is. I picked up a first edition the other day and couldn't put it down for the fourth time.

I don't care for Trevanian's other work so much. But that book...

Trevanian died this December in England. His real name was Rodney Whitaker and he was something of a pompous ass. He hated his success with Shibumi. I know now, I will never have an autographed edition of that book. Bummer to that.
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Mar. 11th, 2006 @ 10:53 am Boom goes the Corolla
My car blew up yesterday. Literally. It was a 2002 Toyota Corolla and a great little car. It's been burning oil for the past 6 months and I suspected it was a ring issue. That was a $1700 repair job so I let it slide. I did not have $1700.

Yesterday, the Lord of All Imports came to claim my little red car. I was doing 80 or so down Hwy 63 when the engine went POW BANG BANG BANG with a certain inflection that said: "I threw a rod. Nice knowing ya."

I got it to the side of the road and hitchhiked the remaining 13 miles to my house. The kids were home alone and as Karma would have it, I'd forgotten my cell phone. A toothless gentlement picked me up and I gave him $20 for his trouble. I also gave him my cell number in case he needed a similar favor.

The tow job was $85. The cab ride to the garage today was $22. And of course there was the hillibilly savior I had to pay. Accumulating total to date, a mere $142. A drop in the bucket for what lies a head.

I put 175,000 on the car in 5 years. I had paid it off two weeks ago.

It was a great little car.
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Mar. 8th, 2006 @ 09:34 pm (no subject)
I'm still just slogging through shit. Christie's going to be moving back to Springfield, so any plans on her and I sharing the rearing of the children is out for a while. It's just going to be little old me for the six months to a year. And that's IF I decide to move back there.

I sang sitcom theme's into a spatula for them tonight. Sam got three right. Madison didn't miss a one. When the hell did she ever see Three's Company?

This weekend I got on I-44 and started hitting flea markets. Bought $77 in books that I'm getting ready to lose my shirt on. The book market has fallen out of Ebay. Picked up a first edition (6th printing) of Lolita for $12 though. Has a screwed up dust jacket, but whoopty shit. Got a first edition of Foundation by Asimov too. That one's going to the block this weekend. Can't stand him. Lolita, however, is mine.

After six hours of trash hopping on the highway I accidentally ended up in Springfield. I didn't want to bother my friends, so I checked into the Railhaven Motel on old Route 66. Started making phone calls to the rowdier (read: fun) crowd and found out Unteen AND Joey Skidmore were playing the Outland that night. For me that's pay dirt for a party.

There were a lot of magical intersections that night. Too tired to talk about them now, but it was a pivotal evening for me. A real stand out.

On the gloomier side of things, I'm not writing. It's starting to get to me. Eroding my identity. Not writer's block. Avoidance. Why? There are two projects I'm going to bite into and finish. One is the nonfiction piece on Lester Dent. Gotta get that off my plate. The other is a main stream short story I've been fiddling with for years. I think if I can punt those two, it will free my brain up a bit.

I hope.
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Jan. 31st, 2006 @ 09:09 pm I knew Brad Pitt in high school, but that's as close to Hollywood as I'm going to get
I just auditioned for a movie. And, man, did I suck.

I should note that I am not an actor, and aside from one drama class in high school, I have no acting experience. But I do have balls, it turns out (although I wasn't sure until I walked into the audition room and went through with it).

It was for a locally produced horror movie called "Evil Altar." I was going to read for a professor/mad scientist type. Turns out the part was filled by the time my turn came.

"But you can audition for the possessed killer," the director offered.

"Okay," Matt said.

They had a little digital camera set up and asked me a few questions about my background, etc. Then the director said: "Matt Hiebert reading for possessed serial killer. Okay, Matt you're possessed. ACTION!"

So I started screaming, growling and jumping around the room shouting "Am I acting? Am I acting?" Because actually I didn't know.

It reminded me of American Idol for possessed serial killers, and I was one of the "bad" contestants.

But I did it. I went through with it.

Afterwards, we talked a little about my writing (which was why I showed up in the first place and then ended up standing in an audition line with a script. What the hell was I thinking? That I would suddenly sprout acting talent? I dunno). He said I probably wouldn't end up in front of the camera, but if I could make it for the shooting schedule, and didn't mind working for free, he might let me help out on the crew.

Sure! I'm here to learn, baby!
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Jan. 15th, 2006 @ 10:49 pm Nudge
I just received something called a "nudge" requesting me to update my livejournal. I've never heard of one those before.

Well, here's what I've got on my mind tonight:

I painted the inside of a house this weekend. Antique white. I actually enjoyed doing it. I'm not handy so I spilled shit at first. Flung paint on the wall gesturing with a roller in my hand, that kind of thing. Got the hang of it pretty quickly though. Two coats over about 1,000 square feet in 18 hours. That was with a lot of detail and edge work. And breaks.

So there's that...

I'm reading David Morrell's book on writing. He was the author of First Blood, Brotherhood of the Rose and several novels of that along those lines. I only read "how-to's" by writers with names I immediately recognize. Dillard, King, Mitchner. My favorite how-to-write book is by a guy name John Gardner. Not the James Bond guy. It's called "On Becoming a Novelist." Deals a lot with the simple discipline of writing. The sitting down and doing it part. Hey, once you get that down, talent takes over and does all the work. Or so I'm told.

The Morrell book is pretty good, but I've covered a lot of that ground already. I think the truth is books like that make me feel better about not producing. Writers' Digest once had an ad for a writing workshops that said: "Reading About Writing 'Is' Writing."

Actually, it turns out it's not. Writing is writing. If words aren't being generated, you're not writing.

Along that line, I'm still scratching away at the fantasy novel. Finished another chapter. Most of what's there is years old. The voice seems alien to me now. I feel like I'm imitating myself when I try to pick up the p.o.v and tone. And there's a big plot leap that's bugging me. Otherwise, I'm having fun with it. I know where the story is going and it's neat to watch the characters finally head that way.

Geez, that all sounds boring. But there it is.

Frank, Andy and I are still plugging away at Cyber Age Adventures. Next issue is closing in on reality. I think we're down to the details. This is the issue with my Yama story in it. I'm looking forward to it seeing daylight.

There.That's what you get for nudging me.
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Jan. 2nd, 2006 @ 07:10 pm (no subject)
Well, 2006 is off to a pretty good start as far as writing goes. I spent most of New Year's Day working on a story called "Killdevil" that popped into my head whole in a dream one night. It's about a entity called a Killdevil that is magically manufactured to battle the unclean creatures of the Null. The Killdevil looks exactly like John Cusack. He's a bodyguard sent by God to protect a human scientist that's discovered a portal to Hell. And the yucks just go from there.

Today I also picked away at an old fantasy novel I shelved about six years ago. I've already got 50,000 words on paper which is about 2/3 of the story. Needs a severe editing but that's a pretty good running start. I want to finish it this year.

Other news will come eventually. ~HNY~

Matt
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Nov. 22nd, 2005 @ 09:59 pm (no subject)
Wow. I have a livejournal? Hm. Didn't know that. Did not know that.

Hm. Okay then.

Happy Thanksgiving. I was uninvited from my ex wife's family's house last Friday. New boyfriend was coming over or something. I could come, too, if I wanted, of course, but it might be a little awkward.

Although bummed on the no turkey/stuffing/can-shaped cranberry sauce situation, I have a plan B.

Fortunately, I've managed to meet a couple of people in Columbia. They are vegetarians and we are going to have this big ass salad and a couple of bottles of wine.

No three hour drive to Springfield and I have 2.5 days without kids. It's going to be a very different holiday...but I want to try it.
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Oct. 15th, 2005 @ 08:40 am Cyber Age Adventures and the Nifty Comics thing
Well we're getting together the funds for the second issue of Cyber Age. I've got 14 more advertisers to talk to. Nifty comics finally got back with me. Pre orders for the young adult novel are poor. Part of the reason is they're not marketing it on their site. It's just on their Shopping Cart page. The other part is there's simply not a huge market for superhero prose. Cyber Age is scooping up the entire niche. Thank god I'm a part of that project. It keeps my hope alive. Now if I can just come up with $1,500 to get the sucker printed and shipped...

Hey, go buy my young adult novel! www.niftycomics.com/cadrenove01.htm I'll sign it for you.
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