David Vienna's Blog, page 19

I made a “none pizza with left beef” reference in front of my teenage sons and a couple of their…

I made a “none pizza with left beef” reference in front of my teenage sons and a couple of their friends, then had to explain to them what “none pizza with left beef” was and that’s when I realized the internet has an expiration date.

I used to think the show West Wing was motivational—a scenario in which our government is staffed by…

I used to think the show West Wing was motivational—a scenario in which our government is staffed by smart, driven people who work hard to better the lives of their fellow citizens. Now, I see it was just a fantasy, no more possible than Game of Thrones or Turbo Teen.

I don’t post about Wyatt and Boone as much as I used to when they were wee lads. That’s because a…

I don’t post about Wyatt and Boone as much as I used to when they were wee lads. That’s because a few years ago, I asked them if they wanted me to stop posting about them. They both said they were OK with it, but said maybe not so much. I could tell hey were being kind, so I slowed my roll. But, I feel I should give a quick update on them for reasons that will become obvious.

About a year ago, Wyatt got a job and he loves it. And since he’s a fairly private person, I won’t go into too much detail about him (or post a photo without asking) except to say he’s an amazing kid and he’s picking up skills at work that will benefit him for the rest of his life.

For the past year and a half, Boone has been in a band called The Infinity Project. And they gig all of the time. Like, seriously. They played more then 80 shows last year. And achieving any level of success as a band requires that you promote your shows… and maybe that your dad helps promote said shows, especially if you had a particularly epic one coming up.

Next week they play the legendary Viper Room in West Hollywood. So, you better believe I’m posting about that shit. OK?

To that end, this is a shot of Boone when his band played the also legendary Whisky a Go Go last year. (Oh, and for you Tumblr parent friends who watched Boone and Wyatt grow from babies to toddlers to kids, can you believe it?!)

And here’s a little clip of their cover of Avenged Sevenfold’s “Unholy Confessions” from a recent gig. Boone’s on the left, white guitar.

So, if you’re in the LA area, like metalcore and/or emo, and want to support an awesome teen band, maybe come check out The Infinity Project at The Viper Room March 14.

Thanks.

This just in: LOL.

LA Times Pulls AI Tool One Day After Launch for Downplaying KKK

This just in: LOL.

It took a day — just 24 hours — for the LA Times AI-driven “bias meter” to shit the bed.

you should be allowed to leave work as soon as someone pisses you off. the duration of my shift…

brucespringsteendotcom:

you should be allowed to leave work as soon as someone pisses you off. the duration of my shift should depend on how stupid people are acting

Nika Douvikas, eh? I think this pediatrician is Doc McStuffins.

Should You Give In to Your Kids? This Pediatrician Says Yes

Nika Douvikas, eh? I think this pediatrician is Doc McStuffins.

I’ve got more abandoned Tumblrs than Elon Musk has children.

I’ve got more abandoned Tumblrs than Elon Musk has children.

Oh no. MAGA is mad that the NYT shared the names of DOGE staffers. Don’t share this! Would be a…

bringbreakables:

Who Is in DOGE? Tracking Its Staffers and Allies in the Federal Government

Oh no. MAGA is mad that the NYT shared the names of DOGE staffers. Don’t share this! Would be a shame

I didn’t watch that Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. If I want to watch chimps throw shit at a…

I didn’t watch that Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. If I want to watch chimps throw shit at a guest, I’ll go to the zoo.

How did you begin your success journey as a writer? I feel as though there are so many paths and the pressure to find the right path is so overwhelming.

Oh, "success journey" sounds so nice, much better than "a series of major calamities and general dip-shittery" that actually got me here.

First, let me say you are absolutely right that there are many paths. And please don't feel pressure to find the "right" one. There's no correct or perfect path, only the one that gets you there. And it'll likely be a total surprise once you arrive to learn that you were on a path at all. I sure a shit was.

OK, I'll give you my whole story, not just the beginning. Because I feel like it was a bunch of beginnings in a row. So hold tight, I can get long-winded about this stuff...

I began my professional post-college career as a journalist, where I honed my writing voice. Honing your voice is a huge component for any writer, I believe. But, you can do that just by writing and writing more, any way and anywhere you can—blog, diary, bathroom stalls, wherever. But, journalism and I didn't get along and soon found I had angered any newspaper editor that might hire me.

I did some odd gigs here and there (communications manager, copywriter, reality TV writer), but nothing I could call a career. Not long after our twins were born, I started this very Tumblr account and started chronicling my repeated cartoonish failures as a stay-at-home father.

I found a supportive community here—another big component for any writer—and I started to get attention outside of Tumblr. A fellow parenting Tumblr liked my writing and put me in touch with her friend, who is an awesome agent. So, then I had an agent, but nothing to sell. I felt stupid. I had a tool and no materials to build anything.

About a year later, at what felt like my lowest point ever, I wrote a snarky shit-post lampooning all of the various parenting crazes and techniques. It went viral (strangely, pretty much everywhere but Tumblr). A book deal soon followed.

That first book became a bestseller. And my relationship with that publisher grew into more book deals. And I parlayed my new career as an author into an even newer career as a screenwriter.

It all was... no. It all is so fucking weird.

None of it would have happened if I hadn't honed my writing voice at a job that wouldn't last long. None of that would have happened if I could've afforded to join a more "professional" blogging platform (Tumblr is free and I was poor). And I never would have landed an agent if I hadn't met the wonderful parenting community here. And I wouldn't have written a post that changed my life if I didn't vent some ol' fashioned pettiness and anger with my writing.

So, yeah, maybe it is a success journey. To me it's just a series of major calamities and general dip-shittery.

But, it's the path that got me here. And I'm fine with that.

So, don't worry, @dulxetwrites. You'll find your own path. Just keep writing, keep making and taking opportunities. It'll seem random, chaotic, sometimes tragic, always weird.

That's all OK. Because all journeys would be boring without a little calamity.