John August

Douglas McGrath has a great [piece in Newsweek](http://www.newsweek.com/id/70297/page/1) about the strike. Yes, I know that linking it here is preaching to the choir, but it makes a handy forward to anyone who still needs an explanation about How We Got Here and What’s at Stake.

I spent four hours at WGA headquarters this afternoon, working with a crew of about 20 on new picket signs for the rally on Tuesday. (1 p.m. at the intersection Hollywood and Ivar. A perfect outing with visiting family members. More info [here](http://wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2586).)

I was on duct tape duty, wrapping sticks before the signs get stapled. ((Note that way back on day one, picket signs came “raw,” and it was up to individual picketeers to wrap the handles. Now they come pre-wrapped. While I’d like the strike to be over, part of me is curious what other innovations might occur.)) Joining me were [Craig Mazin](http://artfulwriter.com), [Al Gough](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0332184/) and [Robin Swicord](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0842523/), among many other writers who I can’t link to because I didn’t get their last names.

Interestingly, the topic of the [re-opened negotiations](http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976211.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1) came up for less than five minutes. I wouldn’t characterize that as pessimism, but rather pragmatism. As the WGAw president said in the member email…

Now it is equally important that we now prove that good news won’t slow us down, either. We must remember that returning to the bargaining table is only a start. Our work is not done until we achieve a good contract and that is by no means assured. Accordingly, what we achieve in negotiations will be a direct result of how successfully we can keep up our determination and resolve.

Thus, 3,000 new picket signs. The new ones are cool, very much in keeping with the gray shirts introduced the first week. If it were a battle of logos, the WGA would win. Because this is the official AMPTP logo:

Wow. It’s…friendly?

Designed by a teenager in the 1970’s?

I won’t get a chance to carry one of the new signs on Tuesday, because I’ll be out of town for Thanksgiving. But I look forward to reports from readers.

Last night, a bunch striking feature writers gathered for drinks and conversation at EAT on Sunset, just feet from where I picketed way back on [day one](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/on-the-line). Although I didn’t realize it, I was apparently a host for the event. So I’m glad I didn’t listen to my exhaustion and bail on it.

It was a good chance to put more faces with names, and while I had to duck out early-ish to buy milk and sleep, here’s hoping such events become more frequent — even when the strike’s resolved.

Today’s picketing at Paramount was straightforward, with familiar faces and little drama. J.J. Abrams brought doughnuts. Jordan Mechner filled me in on details about the graphic novel I’ve been pestering him for years to finish. Four hours went quickly.

Today in [Things I’ve Bought That I Love](http://mindyephron.blogspot.com/), Mindy Kaling (the writer-actress who plays Kelly Kapoor on The Office) worries that the strike might deter her from buying lawn ornaments. I tried to leave the following comment on the blog, but it’s limited to cool kids, so I thought I’d make this pledge here for all the internet to witness:

Mindy,

I will buy you all the holographic lawn ornaments you can stand. All I ask is that you please just stage an “Office, Live!” performance somewhere in town before the holidays. Because that would be awesome.

Thanks.