It’s time for Monday Morning with WriteFromKaren – Get ready for dreaming of blogHer, tales of playing hooky (or not), advice to Hollywood and the questions burning in my mind – it should be a riveting, ridiculously good time!

July 21st Questions:

1. Have you ever played hooky (from school or work)? If so, what excuse did you use to get out of school/work? What did you do instead of going to school/work? How often do you play hooky? If you’ve never played hooky, why not? What one thing HAS to happen before you would consider playing hooky (again)? Has your significant other every played hooky? If so, tell us about it. If not, why not? Has anyone you known ever gotten caught playing hooky?

I’ve never played hooky from work – my work ethic is just too damned strong – so strong that most of the time I played hooky from school (in college) it was because I was at work (at our school paper) – otherwise I was sleeping. In high school, the most I ever did was purposely not attend a pep rally, which hardly seems like a big deal – I went to breakfast instead. It was fun. To play hooky in the future, I’m guessing from some job I’ll get, I’d have to really need it – a family emergency or just I don’t know – a huge need for some TLC. I can’t imagine but I won’t say it couldn’t happen. My husband doesn’t play hooky – I haven’t asked him but I’m guessing I’d get a “never” if I did. I don’t have any great hooky stories – like I said, for me, I was at the paper working my arse off, so it was hardly leisurely. And I don’t know of anyone I know getting caught or anything. Sorry. We’re all too reliable I suppose…

2. I can’t tell you the number of posts I read from bloggers who were going to BlogHer about what sorts of clothes they were going to pack for the trip. If you went (or wanted to go) to BlogHer, describe the outfit you did, or would have, worn for the first day of the conference. Remember, first impressions are everything (most of the time) so you want to impress your blogging buddies. Don’t forget to describe your shoes/accessories! Better yet, link us to your outfit so we can “see” what you’re talking about. Why did you pick this particular ensemble?

Is it weird that I thought about this, despite not going to BlogHer at all and having no plans to – I don’t think I’d buy a new outfit for this, and assuming that remained true, from my current wardrobe I think I’d wear the new dark brown capris I bought – which aren’t too dressy or too casual. I have a red floral shirt which is equally dubious in dress code – it would look nice I think but not too nice. I’m guessing evening gowns aren’t necessary for this event, and I hope I wouldn’t be wrong. I don’t know that I’d wear any jewelry as I can’t think of anything outside of my everyday jewelry (wedding rings and a watch) that I own and / or know the location of. For shoes I’d probably wear my mildly ugly but ridiculously comfortable “hiking sneakers” – they kind of match the outfit and my feet would thank me even if my fashion sense didn’t.

3. If you could be guaranteed an honest answer to three questions, what questions would you ask, and who would you ask them of?

First I’d ask my mother for the entire story of why she left my father and me, and how she’s felt about all of this – what it was like growing up without her first born and if she regrets it. I probably won’t like what I hear, but in my heart, I know I want to know. We talk now, but we almost never talk about that – and someday I think we’ll have to. (Did I just blow your mind with that whammy from out of nowhere? Cause I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this part of my childhood here, and I’m not going into details. I think you can imagine).

Next, I’d ask my father the same question (mostly) to compare the story from each of their points of view. I think that would be cathartic.

Finally, hmm… I think I’d ask Bill Gates when exactly he dropped the ball, if he’s aware the ball has been dropped, and if he ever intends to pick it up again. I’d be honest and tell him I’ve converted to Macintosh and don’t ever intend to go back. That I shuffle my feet and sigh and complain when I’m placed in front of a PC and that it SUCKS. He aughta know better.

4. If you could give a single piece of advice to the film industry in Hollywood, what would you say? If you were a powerful film producer, what sorts of films would you produce? Why?

I think I’d ask them to consider quality more – to avoid using stars who set a bad example on impressionable audiences – to really produce a script they love – once they’ve made a movie, it’s out there, for better or worse. Avoid cheese – make something you’ll be proud to have your name on, regardless of what pay check you get out of it. Don’t sell yourselves short.

If I made movies, I’d just try to make movies that mean something – whether it’s a romantic comedy or a thrilling action movie – I’d want it to be real and have a point and a message – even if the point is to laught at ourselves or to fall in love a little bit – I’d try to excel at driving home that message in the BEST way possible. I would try take my advice and use celebrities that are worth the pay check and will deliver the role best. I’d hire the BEST screen writers I could afford and demand excellence. People would hate me for it, but I think, ultimately love me for it, too. In short, I ask people to strive to be extraordinary. Always.