I think negotiating a higher rate based on the fact that they originally were going to offer benefits is very smart. Good luck with that. And, doesn't stuff like this just make you really want to run your own business? Seeing how screwed up other companies are... I can't help but think, how could I *not* do that better! The bar doesn't seem to be that high!

So, no contract yet today, I assume?

The subtext exercise was SO cool! I feel like writing a description of it just doesn't do it justice, you know? It really produced such a big change for *everyone* - although we weren't great at holding on to the change when we took the subtext away again. Still, it was really neat, and you're right - the whole experience is great for any kind of writing or directing. It really drove home the point of how important it is to really know what your characters actually want - not just in the overall story - but this instant, why are they engaging in this scene, and how are they trying to get it.

I don't know... I don't really click with most of the people that I work with, but we all work remotely most of the time anyway, so we're not really super-bonded. There's one woman more in the development side who I think was a film major, and I've talked to her a couple times, but... I don't know. She's married with kids, so I'm sure she's busy, and she tends to be a little on the hyper side!

Ooh the pottery conference sounds like it could be fun, and a nice excuse to get away! I wish they'd send you the contract already, so you'd at least know what they're offering and whether you want to accept it or not! It would make it easier to plan stuff like that! I've never done any pottery - but it looks like it might be sort of relaxing. Is it? What types of things do you make in your class? Sounds fun, anyway!