300 to 300:  Fitness/exercise/health.  It’s a shameful fact, but I started 2009 weighing in at 285lbs.  These posts are about my journey to go from just shy of 300lbs to looking like an extra in the movie 300.  Okay, maybe not the body of a Spartan, but at least to where the hobos of Venice beach stop calling me ‘big guy’ when they accost me for booze money.  My workouts are based on the training of Ross Enamait.

Book of Days:  Daily writing exercise.  As an aspiring writer, I feel it’s important to write something every day.  Just like I need to work out daily to get my body into shape, I need to write every day to keep my mind in shape.  To help me stay focused and diligent, I am using the daily writing prompts and inspiration of A Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves.

MR Jones and Me:  General posts.  This is where I’ll talk about daily happenings and musings and file things that don’t necessarily fit into any of the other categories I’ve defined.  I may also use this category to respond to any unique comments I’ve received or point out exciting news happening in the lives of others.

myTunes:  Music.  I love music and I’ll be more than happy to share with you new artists I enjoy as well as thoughts on older, long time favorites that I continue to appreciate.  There will be a lot of rock and metal discussion, but I try to keep an open mind and ear and I’m willing to give a listen to any suggestions you may have for me.

Play-by-Play:  Sports.  I am a follower of football and baseball, and to a lesser extent basketball, and love watching, debating and playing these sports.  My hometown Chicago teams are my favorites but as an avid reader of both SI and ESPN, along with some sports blogs, I will engage in discussion involving just about any team.

Resident of the United States of America:  Politics.  I think it’s very important to be at least knowledgeable, if not involved, in politics, be it local, national, or international.  I know it is one of the most polarizing and controversial subjects one can speak about, but when I feel I have something interesting to say or contribute to I will share in hopes of prompting discussion and provoking thought.

Screen Scholar:  Film & Television discussion.  I watch a lot of TV shows and see a lot of movies.  When I say a lot, I mean too many.  I’m in what I deem a ‘consumption phase,’ as I’m an aspiring writer so I want to get a feel for what is out there, what is good, what is bad, what works, what doesn’t, etc.  Also, I went to film school, so while I try not to be a pretentious art school snob, it happens.

The Biz:  Hollywood.  I work in ‘the industry’ so I’ll sometimes talk about my work or the state of Hollywood in general.  I can’t always divulge very much about my personal experiences, Hollywood privacy being what it is, but when something is too good to pass up I will do the best I can to share it with you.

TMI:  Personal over sharing.  This will probably be the sparsest topic, but when it’s used, it’ll be some personal tidbit that is a little more than you really wanted to know about me.  I include this because I’d like to push my own boundaries on talking about myself.  Opening up is the only way to push through insecurities and it’s a way to help connect on a deeper level, kind of like that book Everyone Poops.

Touching my Joystick:  Video games.  I’ve been playing video games since I was born, and while I don’t have as much time as I’d like to play them these days, I still love them.  I’ve turned my wife into a gamer, too, and we tackle co-op shooters together with ease.  I play primarily on the xbox360 or the ps3, though I was formerly an avid PC gamer.