I'm not going to shut down this blog yet, but operations have moved to Word Press. I've written two new posts since making the switch, so I hope you'll follow this link and set your bookmarks accordingly.
Moving is always a whirlwind of emotions, so I hope most everything makes the transition without breaking. I'll be brushing packing peanuts off for a while, but eventually the new place will feel just as much like home, if not more, than my home here.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Still figuring this out...
After much advice to switch to Word Press, I'm trying it out, here. Let me know what you think.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Bragging on some friends...
First, from Nick Fox's latest email newsletter (I know y'all loved reading his guest post/newsletter before):
"Every city has its personality, and every personality has its moods. When traveling, you’ll find your mood may or may not match the mood of the place you’re in. A city that felt like home in the past, or at least an old friend, suddenly feels distant, on to other things. The idea in this situation is to find a place to hole up, because no matter the city, there will be a corner somewhere that feels like a valentine. It can be difficult to find. It’s taken me almost three days to find the Esperanto Café on MacDougal Street in Manhattan. But I’ve found it, and now I sit here looking at this quiet stretch of the city that not only never sleeps, but never rests. And I rest. And I write.
Writing is the order of the trip. An adventure in the middle of an adventure. And sometimes the adventure gives you a place to land. I didn’t expect it, but last Tuesday, I found a landing. A complete first draft of my novel. 451 pages. 134,000 words. THE END being the last two of those words.
The last time I finished a book was five years ago, and I followed that experience by shrieking and running up and down the hallway, leaping in the air, beating my chest and howling at the roof. Nothing of the like this time around. I hit those last two words and saved the file, then went outside and sat for about a half hour, considering how much further I have to go. I don’t think the last 100 pages of the book work at all, and the second draft will involve massive rewrites. But the draft is DONE, by God, and the feeling that accompanies that is not exaltation, but relief."
And the second book in Toni's Bobbie Faye series is coming out at the end of the month. You can pre-order it now. More on that in a later post...
Last night, Jamey and I went to Clarence's book party where a fun mix of family, friends, book groups and artists celebrated him and his newest book, Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad. It was a lot of fun. Celebrating my friends is a good thing I can never get too much of. Clarence and I met in grad school at LSU, were neighbors for a time in Baton Rouge and traveled together to D.C., North Carolina and Atlanta to promote the prequel to the new book, Three Sides to Every Story. We've had the same scary dream from two different hotel rooms in a rural Georgia town, given each other advice, spent time with each other's families and I know he'll always be a part of my life. I'm incredibly proud of him and I can't wait for you to discover his words. Do it now, before his first novel is made into a movie. That way, you'll be ahead of the curve. :)
When I get them, I'll put up a pic or two from the party. Unfortunately, my camera crapped out. But there was a photographer there and Jamey got some pics as well.
"Every city has its personality, and every personality has its moods. When traveling, you’ll find your mood may or may not match the mood of the place you’re in. A city that felt like home in the past, or at least an old friend, suddenly feels distant, on to other things. The idea in this situation is to find a place to hole up, because no matter the city, there will be a corner somewhere that feels like a valentine. It can be difficult to find. It’s taken me almost three days to find the Esperanto Café on MacDougal Street in Manhattan. But I’ve found it, and now I sit here looking at this quiet stretch of the city that not only never sleeps, but never rests. And I rest. And I write.
Writing is the order of the trip. An adventure in the middle of an adventure. And sometimes the adventure gives you a place to land. I didn’t expect it, but last Tuesday, I found a landing. A complete first draft of my novel. 451 pages. 134,000 words. THE END being the last two of those words.
The last time I finished a book was five years ago, and I followed that experience by shrieking and running up and down the hallway, leaping in the air, beating my chest and howling at the roof. Nothing of the like this time around. I hit those last two words and saved the file, then went outside and sat for about a half hour, considering how much further I have to go. I don’t think the last 100 pages of the book work at all, and the second draft will involve massive rewrites. But the draft is DONE, by God, and the feeling that accompanies that is not exaltation, but relief."
And the second book in Toni's Bobbie Faye series is coming out at the end of the month. You can pre-order it now. More on that in a later post...
Last night, Jamey and I went to Clarence's book party where a fun mix of family, friends, book groups and artists celebrated him and his newest book, Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad. It was a lot of fun. Celebrating my friends is a good thing I can never get too much of. Clarence and I met in grad school at LSU, were neighbors for a time in Baton Rouge and traveled together to D.C., North Carolina and Atlanta to promote the prequel to the new book, Three Sides to Every Story. We've had the same scary dream from two different hotel rooms in a rural Georgia town, given each other advice, spent time with each other's families and I know he'll always be a part of my life. I'm incredibly proud of him and I can't wait for you to discover his words. Do it now, before his first novel is made into a movie. That way, you'll be ahead of the curve. :)
When I get them, I'll put up a pic or two from the party. Unfortunately, my camera crapped out. But there was a photographer there and Jamey got some pics as well.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A new gig
A quick post to tell y'all some news. Perhaps you will see less SYTYCD comments here, because I've been asked (okay, after significant campaigning, I've been allowed...) to write occasionally for Pure So You Think You Can Dance, one of my favorite blogs period. I've linked to it a lot on this blog and especially love it because John, the host, goes to significant trouble to track down the extraordinary music that appears on SYTYCD.
Look for my intro post soon. Don't worry, I'll let you know.
The best part? I now have a bona fide "excuse" to never miss an episode. Dude, it's my gig! :)
[6.25.09: My first post is up! Check it out!]
Look for my intro post soon. Don't worry, I'll let you know.
The best part? I now have a bona fide "excuse" to never miss an episode. Dude, it's my gig! :)
[6.25.09: My first post is up! Check it out!]
Saturday, June 20, 2009
SYTYCD judges answer some questions
As part of a piece I'm working on for 225, I was able to pop by the SYTYCD auditions in New Orleans today and speak for a few minutes with the judges. Two of them anyway. Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman and Lil C were there, though Lil C went back into the auditions before I could speak with him. You're going to have to forgive me if I seem needlessly mysterious. Because these auditions are for Season 6, which won't air for a few months, information about the progress of individual contestants is protected until particular episodes air. However, it's my understanding that everything not related to the progress of conteststants that was said to the press (that would be me, as well as reporters from The Times-Picayune and offBeat), or in front of us, is fair game.
Adam spoke about how the SYTYCD judges tend to give lots of (positive) feedback to the dancers, even the ones they know won't go forward or even appear on the show, because every single one of the judges has been in the contestant's shoes, trying to begin careers as professional dancers. He also commented on his tendency to encourage contestants to continue dancing even if they might not necessarily be the best, if it's clear that dance brings them joy.
Something I enjoyed finding out about was that the judges now often watch monitors (on the show) so they can give feedback on what the audience sees after a performance. A while back, Adam mentioned, he gave feedback that he got lots of flak for and he realized later it was because what he'd mentioned hadn't even been shown on the televised show. They are live shows - so the camera doesn't always catch details the judges see.
He said that the bar's been set higher than ever for the contestants currently trying out for Season 6 because not only are they having to follow memorable dancers from every previous season, but they're essentially competing with the current Top 20 for the judges' attention. They have to stand out not only in their own cities, but also against the tough competition of Season 5's Top 20. That being said, I'm happy he was so impressed by a contestant in New Orleans, saying in one of his latest Tweets, "Just saw a kid audition that I swear will be top 20. Unreal."
It's no secret that Adam Twitters, but I was not expecting him to Twitter while he was answering our questions. Presumably, from what I gathered at the time and since, someone sent Adam a direct Tweet, telling him to keep his eyes open for a particular contestant. Can't name names, and this is all hearsay (I was standing next to him at the time) of course, but I have good reason to believe that the contestant Adam was Tweeted about may be the same contestant he mentions in his Tweet. :) For the record, Adam and the other judges had already seen the contestant in question by the time Adam received the Tweet. Whew! Technology!
What really gets me is this picture Adam Tweeted - I didn't know Cat Deely was there! Why didn't I get to interview her?
One of the reporters asked Mary how well the judges are able to keep track of former contestants after each season and she amazed me by reeling off (without any notes or hesitation) many contestants' names and their current projects. You definitely get the idea from watching the show that it's a pretty tight community, that the judges remember and look out for the contestants, so I suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised she was able to name around a dozen contestants and what they're doing now. I didn't know, for instance, that Neil had been injured and probably won't be able to perform for a year.
While the other reporters interviewed the other two judges, (the reason I missed Lil C!) I stayed behind to ask Mary more questions.
Mamma Mia! wanted me to ask her how the hot tamale train got started. When I did, confessing that my mom wanted to know and that we watch the show while texting each other after every routine, she laughed her trademark laugh and told me that she's called dancers hot tamales throughout her career. She happened to put one of those hot tamales, Anya from Season 3, on the "hot tamale train" and the catchphrase was born.
If you read my blog, you know I go on sometimes about SYTYCD and that I was recently upset about Natalie Reid getting cut without being asked to dance for her life. The circumstances of that seemed odd to me (and others in the blogosphere, from what I can tell). So, I asked Mary what happened with Natalie. She seemed genuinely sad when she said that Natalie hadn't been standing out throughout Vegas week, hadn't been living up to the expectations of the judges, who remembered her (of course) from last season. Many dancers, she said, are able to stand out in their cities and sometimes don't carry through in Vegas, when the best of the best are together. She said that by the time Natalie was cut, there weren't any more opportunities to dance for your life. In the episode, other contestants dance for their lives after Natalie was cut, but it looks like the editing of the episode may have a lot to do with our confusion. In the clip, Natalie even mentions, "They just kept saying 'you're not living up to our expectations,'" which you don't really see them say in the episode. I just keep coming back to Sonya using Natalie and Brandon as the example of her choreography, Sonya jumping up and hugging Natalie after she got cut (Nigel did, as well, I should say).
Both Mary and Adam seemed genuinely warm and demonstrated that they're very passionate about discovering new dancers and mentoring them. SYTYCD has always seemed like "kinder, gentler reality show" (as reality goes) from my viewpoint as a fan on the couch and that's only been strengthened by meeting two of its judges. And before our interview ended, Mary asked me to tell my mom "hi," which Mamma Mia! loved, of course.
When Season 6 airs in the fall, I'll confirm whether the Mystery Contestant Adam's excited about now does indeed progress to the Top 20. And of course, when it prints, I'll link to the 225 piece that started it all...
Adam spoke about how the SYTYCD judges tend to give lots of (positive) feedback to the dancers, even the ones they know won't go forward or even appear on the show, because every single one of the judges has been in the contestant's shoes, trying to begin careers as professional dancers. He also commented on his tendency to encourage contestants to continue dancing even if they might not necessarily be the best, if it's clear that dance brings them joy.
Something I enjoyed finding out about was that the judges now often watch monitors (on the show) so they can give feedback on what the audience sees after a performance. A while back, Adam mentioned, he gave feedback that he got lots of flak for and he realized later it was because what he'd mentioned hadn't even been shown on the televised show. They are live shows - so the camera doesn't always catch details the judges see.
He said that the bar's been set higher than ever for the contestants currently trying out for Season 6 because not only are they having to follow memorable dancers from every previous season, but they're essentially competing with the current Top 20 for the judges' attention. They have to stand out not only in their own cities, but also against the tough competition of Season 5's Top 20. That being said, I'm happy he was so impressed by a contestant in New Orleans, saying in one of his latest Tweets, "Just saw a kid audition that I swear will be top 20. Unreal."
It's no secret that Adam Twitters, but I was not expecting him to Twitter while he was answering our questions. Presumably, from what I gathered at the time and since, someone sent Adam a direct Tweet, telling him to keep his eyes open for a particular contestant. Can't name names, and this is all hearsay (I was standing next to him at the time) of course, but I have good reason to believe that the contestant Adam was Tweeted about may be the same contestant he mentions in his Tweet. :) For the record, Adam and the other judges had already seen the contestant in question by the time Adam received the Tweet. Whew! Technology!
What really gets me is this picture Adam Tweeted - I didn't know Cat Deely was there! Why didn't I get to interview her?
One of the reporters asked Mary how well the judges are able to keep track of former contestants after each season and she amazed me by reeling off (without any notes or hesitation) many contestants' names and their current projects. You definitely get the idea from watching the show that it's a pretty tight community, that the judges remember and look out for the contestants, so I suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised she was able to name around a dozen contestants and what they're doing now. I didn't know, for instance, that Neil had been injured and probably won't be able to perform for a year.
While the other reporters interviewed the other two judges, (the reason I missed Lil C!) I stayed behind to ask Mary more questions.
Mamma Mia! wanted me to ask her how the hot tamale train got started. When I did, confessing that my mom wanted to know and that we watch the show while texting each other after every routine, she laughed her trademark laugh and told me that she's called dancers hot tamales throughout her career. She happened to put one of those hot tamales, Anya from Season 3, on the "hot tamale train" and the catchphrase was born.
If you read my blog, you know I go on sometimes about SYTYCD and that I was recently upset about Natalie Reid getting cut without being asked to dance for her life. The circumstances of that seemed odd to me (and others in the blogosphere, from what I can tell). So, I asked Mary what happened with Natalie. She seemed genuinely sad when she said that Natalie hadn't been standing out throughout Vegas week, hadn't been living up to the expectations of the judges, who remembered her (of course) from last season. Many dancers, she said, are able to stand out in their cities and sometimes don't carry through in Vegas, when the best of the best are together. She said that by the time Natalie was cut, there weren't any more opportunities to dance for your life. In the episode, other contestants dance for their lives after Natalie was cut, but it looks like the editing of the episode may have a lot to do with our confusion. In the clip, Natalie even mentions, "They just kept saying 'you're not living up to our expectations,'" which you don't really see them say in the episode. I just keep coming back to Sonya using Natalie and Brandon as the example of her choreography, Sonya jumping up and hugging Natalie after she got cut (Nigel did, as well, I should say).
Both Mary and Adam seemed genuinely warm and demonstrated that they're very passionate about discovering new dancers and mentoring them. SYTYCD has always seemed like "kinder, gentler reality show" (as reality goes) from my viewpoint as a fan on the couch and that's only been strengthened by meeting two of its judges. And before our interview ended, Mary asked me to tell my mom "hi," which Mamma Mia! loved, of course.
When Season 6 airs in the fall, I'll confirm whether the Mystery Contestant Adam's excited about now does indeed progress to the Top 20. And of course, when it prints, I'll link to the 225 piece that started it all...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Some updates
The Book: One reader has gotten back to me - finishing the book in a day and a half! Which is good news itself. She had some really good feedback and I did break down after 9 days and begin a bit (very little) work on the book. The things that need to be fixed are relatively minor and just a matter of layering in a bit more, fleshing some things out. Which is what I was hoping for. Now, it's been two and a half weeks and except for that bit of work, I've been focusing on other things. But the cool thing is that my brain is still processing the book, coming up with the things that I need right before I lay down to sleep or in my sleep, etc.
The Next Major Project: I already have what I believe will be my next book in mind. It will be drastically different from TCB/TWC, very genre. Me said that it sounded like the kind of thing I used to write when I was younger, before grad school, more like the books we read growing up (Dean Koontz). I won't divulge here, but it will have a kick-ass female protagonist who will literally kick ass. For now, I may do some plotting and research occasionally, but probably won't get to working on this in a major way till NaNoWriMo in November.
SYTYCD: Very upset that Paris and Tony got booted last week. I really liked them both and enjoyed their hop-hop. Honestly, I think Tony experienced some reverse-favoritism because of his looks, his lack of experience and his height. I suspect Paris got sent home primarily because none of the other boys in danger were tall enough to partner her. She clearly danced better than the other two girls in the "dance for your life" aspect. I really hope Asuka leaves soon cause she annoys me and she seems really one-dimensional as a dancer. Of course I'm watching tonight.
[6.18.09: I claimed that no one was tall enough to partner Paris and watching last night, I realized that Ade probably is (of the guys in the bottom three last week). But I tend to forget about him. He's a great dancer when he's right in front of my face, but I never remember him. After watching last night, I'm agreeing more and more with this post by Lyndsey Parker where she discussed the potential for the judges to be giving opposite feedback. Something is off with the judges this season - they claim to be wowed by routines that leave me cold and needlessly pick on routines that I love. For instance: they loved Asuka and Vitolio's waltz (Mary cried, which I don't buy) and I was so bored and disinterested. I can't connect to either of those performers and luckily, it seems like people (other than the judges) agree with me. Whereas I love Randi and Evan, adored their performance last night and the judges seemed to be looking for negatives to pick at. I tend to agree with this break down of the couples and last nights' performances. We'll see how it goes tonight. What I really love is that Mamma Mia! and I text each other throughout the show.]
Last night: I experienced a phenomenal show last night, The Devil Makes Three at Hi-Ho Lounge. I hesitate to say much about it here, for the moment, because I'm hoping to review the concert. We'll see. However, it was perhaps the best live show I've seen in a good long while. I've already listened to the new c.d., Do Wrong Right, twice since I bought it at 1:30 this morning. The show was opened by a (local? it's hard to tell, I can't find them online) band called Death By Arrow that was pretty interesting, especially once they hit the mid-point of their set.
Some quick links:
An SLS teacher of mine, Tom Swick is in the latest issue of Oxford American.
I'm writing about the latest One Book One Community read, Poor Man's Provence, for 225.
Dave Eggers writes non-fiction about Katrina.
AP Style gets with it re: Twitter.
Toad and Frog, some of my favorite characters, have new adventures.
This piece about race in a community magazine has a bit of a Rorschach test in its title.
Christian Group wants to burn Francesca Lia Block books as part of an effort toward "Safe Libraries" and I'm thinking they've never read Fahrenheit 451. Which would make sense. This makes me very angry and there's a lot more flip and funny and mean things I could say, but I won't. Read the piece, read all the press and I'm sure those flip, funny and mean things will come to you naturally.
Ending on a good note, Flashlight Worthy Books is on Twitter. And everywhere else, too. :)
The Next Major Project: I already have what I believe will be my next book in mind. It will be drastically different from TCB/TWC, very genre. Me said that it sounded like the kind of thing I used to write when I was younger, before grad school, more like the books we read growing up (Dean Koontz). I won't divulge here, but it will have a kick-ass female protagonist who will literally kick ass. For now, I may do some plotting and research occasionally, but probably won't get to working on this in a major way till NaNoWriMo in November.
SYTYCD: Very upset that Paris and Tony got booted last week. I really liked them both and enjoyed their hop-hop. Honestly, I think Tony experienced some reverse-favoritism because of his looks, his lack of experience and his height. I suspect Paris got sent home primarily because none of the other boys in danger were tall enough to partner her. She clearly danced better than the other two girls in the "dance for your life" aspect. I really hope Asuka leaves soon cause she annoys me and she seems really one-dimensional as a dancer. Of course I'm watching tonight.
[6.18.09: I claimed that no one was tall enough to partner Paris and watching last night, I realized that Ade probably is (of the guys in the bottom three last week). But I tend to forget about him. He's a great dancer when he's right in front of my face, but I never remember him. After watching last night, I'm agreeing more and more with this post by Lyndsey Parker where she discussed the potential for the judges to be giving opposite feedback. Something is off with the judges this season - they claim to be wowed by routines that leave me cold and needlessly pick on routines that I love. For instance: they loved Asuka and Vitolio's waltz (Mary cried, which I don't buy) and I was so bored and disinterested. I can't connect to either of those performers and luckily, it seems like people (other than the judges) agree with me. Whereas I love Randi and Evan, adored their performance last night and the judges seemed to be looking for negatives to pick at. I tend to agree with this break down of the couples and last nights' performances. We'll see how it goes tonight. What I really love is that Mamma Mia! and I text each other throughout the show.]
Last night: I experienced a phenomenal show last night, The Devil Makes Three at Hi-Ho Lounge. I hesitate to say much about it here, for the moment, because I'm hoping to review the concert. We'll see. However, it was perhaps the best live show I've seen in a good long while. I've already listened to the new c.d., Do Wrong Right, twice since I bought it at 1:30 this morning. The show was opened by a (local? it's hard to tell, I can't find them online) band called Death By Arrow that was pretty interesting, especially once they hit the mid-point of their set.
Some quick links:
An SLS teacher of mine, Tom Swick is in the latest issue of Oxford American.
I'm writing about the latest One Book One Community read, Poor Man's Provence, for 225.
Dave Eggers writes non-fiction about Katrina.
AP Style gets with it re: Twitter.
Toad and Frog, some of my favorite characters, have new adventures.
This piece about race in a community magazine has a bit of a Rorschach test in its title.
Christian Group wants to burn Francesca Lia Block books as part of an effort toward "Safe Libraries" and I'm thinking they've never read Fahrenheit 451. Which would make sense. This makes me very angry and there's a lot more flip and funny and mean things I could say, but I won't. Read the piece, read all the press and I'm sure those flip, funny and mean things will come to you naturally.
Ending on a good note, Flashlight Worthy Books is on Twitter. And everywhere else, too. :)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
One week later
So I finished my "quick edit" on the book a week ago, after finishing it and not looking at it for 24 hours. I'm making myself not read it for a least two weeks so that I can do another read-through and edit relatively fresh-minded. And you know what? It's actually pretty hard. I haven't so much wanted to tinker with it as read it. I want to read my own book! I hope that's not another indication of delusion. :)
In the vein of not thinking about it, I have been reading a lot, watching SYTYCD, having dinner with my Papa Bear and friends and spending way too much time on Facebook. I haven't worked any on the essay that I wanted to go back to, not yet. So basically, I've been giving my creative juices a big ol' break.
Speaking of SYTYCD, I've been enjoying it immensely (and will even more next week, when the Top 20 are paired up), but I'm very, very angry about one thing. Why did Natalie get cut without even a chance to dance for her life? She'd done everything right up till that point, had even been asked to demonstrate (with Brandon) the dance she got cut on. What's with that? I smell some sort of conspiracy or cover up, but haven't been able to find anything online, just other people really upset and angry over it. Did she get offered a contract at the last minute and rather than explain that she had, they cut her? I don't understand. Were they being accused of favoritism because she's Katee's former roommate? They've been really hard on favorites who tried out and almost made it in other seasons, but why cut her? She didn't dance the routine that badly, and even if she had, it was her first mistake (televised anyway). I guess that's enough rumination there.
Some great stuff:
Video of Toni Morrison talking about post-Obama writing.
Awesome journal, One Story.
I'm like the last person to discover Texts from Last Night. Kinda painful. And glorious.
In the vein of not thinking about it, I have been reading a lot, watching SYTYCD, having dinner with my Papa Bear and friends and spending way too much time on Facebook. I haven't worked any on the essay that I wanted to go back to, not yet. So basically, I've been giving my creative juices a big ol' break.
Speaking of SYTYCD, I've been enjoying it immensely (and will even more next week, when the Top 20 are paired up), but I'm very, very angry about one thing. Why did Natalie get cut without even a chance to dance for her life? She'd done everything right up till that point, had even been asked to demonstrate (with Brandon) the dance she got cut on. What's with that? I smell some sort of conspiracy or cover up, but haven't been able to find anything online, just other people really upset and angry over it. Did she get offered a contract at the last minute and rather than explain that she had, they cut her? I don't understand. Were they being accused of favoritism because she's Katee's former roommate? They've been really hard on favorites who tried out and almost made it in other seasons, but why cut her? She didn't dance the routine that badly, and even if she had, it was her first mistake (televised anyway). I guess that's enough rumination there.
Some great stuff:
Video of Toni Morrison talking about post-Obama writing.
Awesome journal, One Story.
I'm like the last person to discover Texts from Last Night. Kinda painful. And glorious.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
You might've noticed something new...
Yes, I've succumbed and I'm trying out ads on my blog. Let me know what you think.
Also, for your viewing pleasure, this amused and impressed me endlessly:
Also, for your viewing pleasure, this amused and impressed me endlessly:
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cool news, not 'fessing
Two of my favorite writers (and people) have upcoming books.
First: Toni McGee Causey's first two Bobbie Faye books are being renamed and re-released this month. The first, called Charmed and Dangerous now, is out tomorrow, but I can tell you now that it's on shelves in at least one Wal-Mart already. They can also be found at Target, your local bookstores and online retailers. Toni's books are some of the funniest I've ever read, really suspenseful and action-packed. It won't be too long, I'm confident, before they're made into movies, cause they're really visual. If you hit the first link, her website, you can read the first chapter. The second in the series, Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, is coming June 30th. And the third book, When a Man Loves a Weapon, which hasn't been released yet (and which ROCKS!), will be published August 4th. I can't recommend this series enough.
Next: Clarence Nero's new book, Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad, the sequel to Three Sides to Every Story, is out June 23rd. His books are racy and engrossing, it's impossible not to invest in what's going on, just like the best gossip.
I came back from BR today with a lot of books to read for fun and these books are at the top of the list to re-read and enjoy.
Also, for those of you asking, "What's next?" now that my book's done, have no fear. Before I'd even finished, I was excited to return to a long-form essay about the 10 years it took from the moment my father said, "We're moving to New Orleans" for me to actually get to New Orleans. If you want to know how that's possible, well, you'll just have to read it. Which means I'll have to finish writing it and find someone to publish a long-form essay in this economy. LOL.
P.S. The New Moon Trailer made me soooooo happy. Check it out and watch is several times as I did. The first half is kinda slow and awkward, but the second half (and Jacob's exploding jeans) makes it so worth it. Did I ever officially come out as Team Jacob? Well, think I just did folks.
First: Toni McGee Causey's first two Bobbie Faye books are being renamed and re-released this month. The first, called Charmed and Dangerous now, is out tomorrow, but I can tell you now that it's on shelves in at least one Wal-Mart already. They can also be found at Target, your local bookstores and online retailers. Toni's books are some of the funniest I've ever read, really suspenseful and action-packed. It won't be too long, I'm confident, before they're made into movies, cause they're really visual. If you hit the first link, her website, you can read the first chapter. The second in the series, Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, is coming June 30th. And the third book, When a Man Loves a Weapon, which hasn't been released yet (and which ROCKS!), will be published August 4th. I can't recommend this series enough.
Next: Clarence Nero's new book, Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad, the sequel to Three Sides to Every Story, is out June 23rd. His books are racy and engrossing, it's impossible not to invest in what's going on, just like the best gossip.
I came back from BR today with a lot of books to read for fun and these books are at the top of the list to re-read and enjoy.
Also, for those of you asking, "What's next?" now that my book's done, have no fear. Before I'd even finished, I was excited to return to a long-form essay about the 10 years it took from the moment my father said, "We're moving to New Orleans" for me to actually get to New Orleans. If you want to know how that's possible, well, you'll just have to read it. Which means I'll have to finish writing it and find someone to publish a long-form essay in this economy. LOL.
P.S. The New Moon Trailer made me soooooo happy. Check it out and watch is several times as I did. The first half is kinda slow and awkward, but the second half (and Jacob's exploding jeans) makes it so worth it. Did I ever officially come out as Team Jacob? Well, think I just did folks.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Fess Up Friday (the so glad to be done edition)
Let it be known that around 7:35 p.m. today, I finished my book and my first act upon said completion was to launch myself across Cheers, throw myself into Jamey's arms and sob for about three minutes. And then she took me to Juan's for some melted cheese and margaritas where I occasionally sighed with relief and randomly grinned and was generally goofy.
Just prior to this launching and sobbing and celebrating, B. came by and knocked on the window and made silly faces at me, to which I very meanly held up a finger and mouthed "ONE PAGE" and then made a rude gesture for him to leave me alone. But he's forgiven me, so that's okay. This is what happens when one finishes one's masterpiece at a public venue.
At this point, my computer has threatened to die several times, my hands and wrists hate me and I am incredibly sleep deprived, but I never once had to consume an energy drink and I've slept at least four or six hours each night. I think we can surmise that my coffee habit is so much more pervasive and deeply rooted than the last time I pushed to finish a book (ha, also this one, but in a different version) that I had no need for energy drinks (Rockstar didn't come through anyway).
But let's rewind to where I left off with the last FUF. N. came into town and we assembled a motley crew for a bit of drinking and dinner at the local and the next morning, we recuperated with some yummy at Slim's. Then, we hit Magazine and the Quarter for some fun shopping and indulged in the best candy in the city. And then, like a good girl, I stayed in to write while N. went out. Though, we did hit the local after that, so it's a toss up how good I actually was. And then we recuperated again the next day with Slice and some Borders browsing before she went home. I spent the rest of Sunday doing some last minute hurricane research, which was pretty traumatic, but helpful. I watched a short movie (41 minutes) about the affects of storms on Louisiana's coastal wetlands called Hurricane on the Bayou that's pretty remarkable and I highly recommend it. It features some awesome local musicians and there's a pretty amazing story behind it, but that's for another time.
I finished a wonderful book called Cures for Heartbreak by a writer I adore, Margo Rabb. I managed to keep my (few) appointments and I did watch SYTYCD both Wednesday and Thursday, though I almost forgot about Wednesday and missed the very beginning. But largely, people knew to ignore me and I felt qualified to ignore them.
And so, some final word counts for you:
5/23: 68
5/24: 1,074
5/25: 4,118 (yeah, I know)
5/26: no new words, but lots of editing
5/27: 2,205
5/28: 1,688
5/29: 4,619 (whew)
The days got kinda strange there. For several days in a row, I was up till 3 and then 4 and then 5 a.m. I'd get a few hours' sleep, address bills and emails (the least amount I could get away with), talk to Jamey and drink coffee, putter around a bit, then go home and eat. Around 7 or 8 p.m., I'd begin writing again. This morning, I was up till 7 a.m. and almost finished the book. I had ONE chapter left and had to stop because I was exhausted and had an appointment in the afternoon. Even after I forced myself to shut down the computer and go to bed, I was jotting down notes in a frenzy. So after the appointment and puttering around, I got back to work about 5 p.m. and by 7:35, I'd finished. Which brings us back to the beginning of this post.
Thank you to everyone for your support.
In parting, some links to things I've found interesting this week:
This person gives me hope for the youth of America (and also makes me sad about that status of education in America).
This is mostly a test to see if W. reads my blog. :) Horror novels on toilet paper. What next?
Men love Twilight, too.
Yay for Louie - this is fun.
To bed, go I. My blog is a year old, my book is finished and I get to see my Papa Bear tomorrow. Life is good.
Just prior to this launching and sobbing and celebrating, B. came by and knocked on the window and made silly faces at me, to which I very meanly held up a finger and mouthed "ONE PAGE" and then made a rude gesture for him to leave me alone. But he's forgiven me, so that's okay. This is what happens when one finishes one's masterpiece at a public venue.
At this point, my computer has threatened to die several times, my hands and wrists hate me and I am incredibly sleep deprived, but I never once had to consume an energy drink and I've slept at least four or six hours each night. I think we can surmise that my coffee habit is so much more pervasive and deeply rooted than the last time I pushed to finish a book (ha, also this one, but in a different version) that I had no need for energy drinks (Rockstar didn't come through anyway).
But let's rewind to where I left off with the last FUF. N. came into town and we assembled a motley crew for a bit of drinking and dinner at the local and the next morning, we recuperated with some yummy at Slim's. Then, we hit Magazine and the Quarter for some fun shopping and indulged in the best candy in the city. And then, like a good girl, I stayed in to write while N. went out. Though, we did hit the local after that, so it's a toss up how good I actually was. And then we recuperated again the next day with Slice and some Borders browsing before she went home. I spent the rest of Sunday doing some last minute hurricane research, which was pretty traumatic, but helpful. I watched a short movie (41 minutes) about the affects of storms on Louisiana's coastal wetlands called Hurricane on the Bayou that's pretty remarkable and I highly recommend it. It features some awesome local musicians and there's a pretty amazing story behind it, but that's for another time.
I finished a wonderful book called Cures for Heartbreak by a writer I adore, Margo Rabb. I managed to keep my (few) appointments and I did watch SYTYCD both Wednesday and Thursday, though I almost forgot about Wednesday and missed the very beginning. But largely, people knew to ignore me and I felt qualified to ignore them.
And so, some final word counts for you:
5/23: 68
5/24: 1,074
5/25: 4,118 (yeah, I know)
5/26: no new words, but lots of editing
5/27: 2,205
5/28: 1,688
5/29: 4,619 (whew)
The days got kinda strange there. For several days in a row, I was up till 3 and then 4 and then 5 a.m. I'd get a few hours' sleep, address bills and emails (the least amount I could get away with), talk to Jamey and drink coffee, putter around a bit, then go home and eat. Around 7 or 8 p.m., I'd begin writing again. This morning, I was up till 7 a.m. and almost finished the book. I had ONE chapter left and had to stop because I was exhausted and had an appointment in the afternoon. Even after I forced myself to shut down the computer and go to bed, I was jotting down notes in a frenzy. So after the appointment and puttering around, I got back to work about 5 p.m. and by 7:35, I'd finished. Which brings us back to the beginning of this post.
Thank you to everyone for your support.
In parting, some links to things I've found interesting this week:
This person gives me hope for the youth of America (and also makes me sad about that status of education in America).
This is mostly a test to see if W. reads my blog. :) Horror novels on toilet paper. What next?
Men love Twilight, too.
Yay for Louie - this is fun.
To bed, go I. My blog is a year old, my book is finished and I get to see my Papa Bear tomorrow. Life is good.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Nine Lives
It's research:
"Stop thinking of New Orleans as the worst-organized city in the United States, they often say. Start thinking of it as the best-organized city in the Caribbean."
-Dan Baum, Nine Lives, Death and Life in New Orleans
"Stop thinking of New Orleans as the worst-organized city in the United States, they often say. Start thinking of it as the best-organized city in the Caribbean."
-Dan Baum, Nine Lives, Death and Life in New Orleans
Friday, May 22, 2009
Fess Up Friday (Just Tell the Story edition)
I've been writing throughout the week and socializing like a fiend on the weekend. Big sigh. But how do you say no to drinking at new bars with visiting friends, 12-hour adventures with D. (a seasonal treat) that involve the recording studio, Elizabeth's, Apple Barrel and the casino and then matching R. and B. drink for drink at the local after said 12-hour adventure (never, never, NEVER again)? Why are y'all colluding to make me have fun? Stop the conspiracy! :) I need better willpower.
I wish I could say it'll be better this weekend. But with N. in town and J.'s birthday...that might not be likely. At least there will be less drinking...right?
And of course, with the t.v. I watched AI, yes, I did, and saw Kris win (very glad because though I love me some Glambert, I think Kris needed the positive reinforcement and we all know Adam needs nobody's approval to be hisself). It was a great finale, with a lot of fun performances. Could've done with less Gokey and more Alexis and Megan, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Allison singing with Cyndi Lauper - AWESOME! And loved Megan and Michael with Steve Martin on "Pretty Flowers." I agree that "No Boundaries" is The Worst Song Ever, but Kris did an admirable second go of it (I prefer his to Adam's, and with a singer like Adam, that's probably no accident) and it was really good to see him embrace his wife right as the show signed off.
But probably the worst news for my book - So You Think You Can Dance started again Thursday. I love that show. Like seriously love it. Cat Deely is The Best Host Ever - case in point, she went to congratulate a contestant and being profusely sweaty after his audition, he was wary of messing up her couture jacket. She grabbed him in a hug, crowing, "Dry cleaning!" Hysterical.
Finished The Song Is You and while the plot got a little weird for me, the writing was always incredible and, most impressive of all, Arthur Phillips managed to consistently convey those indescribable things that music makes you feel. Utterly personal things and yet somehow universal at the same time. I'm reading some new books now (I can never read just one), so look to your right for that.
I took a quiz on Facebook called "Are You a True Bengali?" The questions were in Bengali (I assume, I don't know Bengali) and I used deductive reasoning and picked whichever answers sounded the best when I tried to read them out loud. Turns out I'm 100% Bengali. I thought perhaps the quiz was rigged, but one of my non-Bengali friends (lol) took the quiz and her result was of the "why, dude, why - why did you even bother to take this quiz?" variety. I feel like I have achieved something here.
Enough with that, my deadline is ticking ever closer, so the fun may have to be quarantined. Hands off Sunday! I have nine days left and I'm going to crush this sucker - just watch.
New words -
5.15: 183
5.17: 601
5.18: 1,714
5.19: 526
5.20: 637
5.21: 248
5.22: 710 (so far today, one monstrously difficult scene).
In a weird sort of reverse logic, it's a good thing to see fewer words because that means I have less new writing to do (don't worry, there'll be some whopping numbers coming up next week). I'm making some real strides in understanding a few things that eluded me previously. But I made the mistake of going to read the rules for a contest I want to enter soon and that stymied me for about a day and a half. Bad idea - I need every day and a half I can get. And I have a few of these hard scenes coming up, so I've been floundering a little bit.
But, as the card I wrote and put on my desk says: JUST TELL THE STORY!
It's a bit early, but on the 26th, I will have been writing this blog for a year. You won't hear from me again till the 29th with the last Fess Up Friday this month, so I thought I'd say something now.
In parting, some links:
D. worked on one of these top Sundance films.
Longest running fictional character.
Green Day takes on Wal-Mart. Finally.
JUST TELL THE STORY, EMILIE.
I wish I could say it'll be better this weekend. But with N. in town and J.'s birthday...that might not be likely. At least there will be less drinking...right?
And of course, with the t.v. I watched AI, yes, I did, and saw Kris win (very glad because though I love me some Glambert, I think Kris needed the positive reinforcement and we all know Adam needs nobody's approval to be hisself). It was a great finale, with a lot of fun performances. Could've done with less Gokey and more Alexis and Megan, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Allison singing with Cyndi Lauper - AWESOME! And loved Megan and Michael with Steve Martin on "Pretty Flowers." I agree that "No Boundaries" is The Worst Song Ever, but Kris did an admirable second go of it (I prefer his to Adam's, and with a singer like Adam, that's probably no accident) and it was really good to see him embrace his wife right as the show signed off.
But probably the worst news for my book - So You Think You Can Dance started again Thursday. I love that show. Like seriously love it. Cat Deely is The Best Host Ever - case in point, she went to congratulate a contestant and being profusely sweaty after his audition, he was wary of messing up her couture jacket. She grabbed him in a hug, crowing, "Dry cleaning!" Hysterical.
Finished The Song Is You and while the plot got a little weird for me, the writing was always incredible and, most impressive of all, Arthur Phillips managed to consistently convey those indescribable things that music makes you feel. Utterly personal things and yet somehow universal at the same time. I'm reading some new books now (I can never read just one), so look to your right for that.
I took a quiz on Facebook called "Are You a True Bengali?" The questions were in Bengali (I assume, I don't know Bengali) and I used deductive reasoning and picked whichever answers sounded the best when I tried to read them out loud. Turns out I'm 100% Bengali. I thought perhaps the quiz was rigged, but one of my non-Bengali friends (lol) took the quiz and her result was of the "why, dude, why - why did you even bother to take this quiz?" variety. I feel like I have achieved something here.
Enough with that, my deadline is ticking ever closer, so the fun may have to be quarantined. Hands off Sunday! I have nine days left and I'm going to crush this sucker - just watch.
New words -
5.15: 183
5.17: 601
5.18: 1,714
5.19: 526
5.20: 637
5.21: 248
5.22: 710 (so far today, one monstrously difficult scene).
In a weird sort of reverse logic, it's a good thing to see fewer words because that means I have less new writing to do (don't worry, there'll be some whopping numbers coming up next week). I'm making some real strides in understanding a few things that eluded me previously. But I made the mistake of going to read the rules for a contest I want to enter soon and that stymied me for about a day and a half. Bad idea - I need every day and a half I can get. And I have a few of these hard scenes coming up, so I've been floundering a little bit.
But, as the card I wrote and put on my desk says: JUST TELL THE STORY!
It's a bit early, but on the 26th, I will have been writing this blog for a year. You won't hear from me again till the 29th with the last Fess Up Friday this month, so I thought I'd say something now.
In parting, some links:
D. worked on one of these top Sundance films.
Longest running fictional character.
Green Day takes on Wal-Mart. Finally.
JUST TELL THE STORY, EMILIE.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Guest blog
My friend Nick is so low-tech, but really funny and brilliant, so I kinda forgive him for it. He sends out an email newsletter to his friends and family all about his travels and adventures, which I've quoted from before. Well, it's really hard to show how funny his newsletters are just quoting a little passage, so I asked Nick if I could just post the entirety of the latest one and call it a guest blog. That way, you get to know him a bit better and he has an excuse to read my blog. Ha! I'll include one of the pics he sent, as well. My Fess Up Friday post will go up later.
If you're in New Orleans, check out Nick's poetry slam this Sunday at 8 p.m., at Dragon's Den. It's the Dead Poets Slam this week, so everybody should bring the work of their favorite dead poet, instead of their own. Show up at 7:30 to sign up if you want to read.
Here is the newsletter, with no further ado:
Hello everyone.
I’m playing hooky today. Was going to work a double shift with the mules, but decided to skip the first part of the double and write to all y’all instead. This was the best plan I could think of.
Well here we are at the end of the high tourist season in New Orleans. Jazz Fest wrapped last week, and the tourists who came down for the two-week shindig have gone their way back to their homes. In the next couple weeks, many others will follow them out. Everyone from wealthy snowbirds on their way back to New York and Chicago, to street kids who will hop the freight trains to the Pacific Northwest. Everyone is going to leave before the heat drops down on this city like a wet blanket and makes breathing feel like swimming.
I’m going to be doing some traveling myself next month (more on that in a moment), but for the most part I’ll be sticking around. Growing up in Florida, the thing I loved about the summer was that everybody left and we had the place to ourselves. I like that feeling. I’m looking forward to a summer in my new home, enjoying the peace and tranquility, even if I have to take three cold showers a day to keep my blood from boiling.
SATAN: The heat is conducive to a greater amount of sin.
Satan, do you actually need heat to generate sin in this town?
SATAN: …I see your point.
DICK CHENEY: The amount of sin in this city creates a haven that makes America less safe. I suggest—
Dammit, Dick Cheney! What the hell are you doing here?
SATAN: He’s my nephew.
Oh…
That explains…so much.
It’s a beautiful time in New Orleans right now. The light is soft in the evenings, the days aren’t too terribly hot yet, and everyone is in a kind of slow coma following Jazz Fest. Bartenders and musicians and everyone else who hasn’t stopped working for the last few weeks get a chance to breathe now. The city feels like it’s catching its wind. Even the River looks like it’s on its back as it continues downstream.
But I think I’m seeing a lot more beauty these days, and that has a lot to do with where I am right now internally. I finally started writing again. I wrote about five poems last month (first drafts, anyway), and am moving forward, very slowly, with the novel.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I wrote five books last month.
I also started working out, which is also helping me find my center.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I shot and field dressed a Cape Buffalo.
Ernie, this is not a competition.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I’ll wrestle you.
Wrestle Dick Cheney.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: Done.
DICK CHENEY: Ow! OW! Get your terrorist beard off of me!
I’ve been having a really good run of late. The writing is coming along and the work is still highly enjoyable. I’ve been playing the guitar for almost a year now and am having fun with it, and twice a month I run a poetry slam here. This Sunday will be Dead Poetry Night.
JERRY GARCIA: Groovy!
By which I mean, you can only read the work of dead poets.
JERRY GARCIA: Oh. I was thinking of something else.
The last month has been a blur. I’ll try to cover everything as best I can. But I’m in a good place, and the last stretch of time has been very good to me. Here are some highlights…
MUSIC, MUSIC EVERYWHERE:
French Quarter Fest went down in mid-April and Jazz Fest took us into May. I actually prefer French Quarter Fest, because it’s in the middle of the Quarter, it’s less crowded, and it’s free. All local acts, too. There’s something to be said for being able to walk through a massive music festival on my way to work.
This town is an embarrassment of riches for a music lover. On any given night, you can hear music that sets your head on fire. I can tell you about standing on the stairs at the Saturn Bar, with Debauche ripping through a set of Russian hooligan songs (see photo), the crowd in the small room stamping their feet in time, and the guitarist being so buried in his song he doesn’t even notice he cut his finger and is spraying blood all over his guitar. At the end of the song, he tapes his finger up and keeps playing until the Zydepunks come on and launch into a punk rock version of a Mexican wedding song and the whole room bounces like it’s on springs.
And I can tell you about going out on a Friday night and seeing three bands that blow my mind, one after the other, from the Jazz Vipers on Frenchman Street to Zazou City and their gypsy jazz/tango fusion at Mimi’s, to local blues legend Little Freddie King, swinging a whole crowd of sweat soaked dancers in a funky little bar called BJ’s Lounge, five doors down from my house.
And I can tell you that there’s no way to stop any of this. The Spotted Cat, my favorite live music venue in the city, closed its doors last week. It will reopen shortly as Jimbeaux’s, though no one knows exactly what to expect. The club closed with a big second line parade to send it off; a jazz funeral for The Cat, with the Treme Brass Band leading us around Frenchman Street while the crowd sang “I’ll Fly Away” at full volume and the grand marshal waved the umbrella and Uncle Lionel pounded the bass drum and danced with a woman in a red dress at the same time, and you just knew that when the place reopened, it was going to be okay. The music was always going to have somewhere to go.
VISITORS:
There have been plenty of tourists here lately, and since I make my living on that, I’ve been more than happy with it. They come down, and maybe they don’t tip too much because the economy has them on their heels, but they do take the rides, and they do feed the mule carrots, and I get to spend my day at work outside, far from a computer screen or office lights.
I had a realization recently that all of my favorite jobs have had one thing in common: I was working outdoors. I’ll need to remember that.
I’ve had other visitors, too. People who give me an excuse to show off the city some more, and even to see things I haven’t seen since I moved here. My friends Joel and Beth came down from Chicago and treated me to a tour of the Honey Island Swamp.
There’s something about having people visit. They become these little time capsules. When I haven’t seen someone for a while, I immediately go back to where I was the last time I saw them and observe the distance between then and now. A few weeks ago, my old friend Suzy visited me from Austin. I’ve known her almost eight years. The last time I saw her was August of 2006. It’s staggering to look at what’s gone down between then and now, and yet, there we are, having dinner and still close, and it occurs to me that each friend I have is a bridge, something that holds another part of me together, that keeps me from shaking loose who I’ve been, and reminds me that, whatever I may not like about who I was at the time I met them, I was good enough to find a way to bring this person into my world.
I think these are the things that hold us all together. They do for me, anyway.
PRESS STREET:
I want to share a moment from the last month with you. Press Street is the street that separates the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods. It has railroad tracks running along it, and when a train goes by, it can make me late for work, or make me wait to go home. That’s part of the deal. But for some reason, I find Press Street impossibly beautiful. It is more beautiful than it has any right to be. Train tracks. Vacant lots. Warehouses, empty and otherwise. But I love how it’s this big empty expanse in the middle of a city, this strange little no man’s land where you can stand in the middle of nothing and talk to someone you’ve run into while the train makes you wait to go home.
Here’s the moment. I’m coming home around sunset, and I get to Press Street and the ice cream van goes by. I buy an ice cream and sit and eat it under a tree by the railroad tracks in this big empty space, with the river and the Huey Long Bridge in the distance to my right, while the soft light plays with the church ahead of me on Dauphine Street.
I have moments here, almost every day, where I’m so happy I can hardly believe it. That’s one of many.
TRAVELS:
I’ll be hitting the road for about a month starting at the end of May. I’m headed down to Florida to pick up my grandparents’ car, which I will drive up to Ohio for them, stopping to visit some friends in North Carolina, then spend a few days in Dayton. From there, it’s up to Detroit, then out to Boston, around Maine and Vermont, and over to Cape Cod for a few days of relaxing at my friend Lili’s family home on the far edge of the country. From there, drop down into New York and New Jersey to see friends and family before flying to Chicago to catch up with everyone in my old home. Finally, I’ll take a train called The City of New Orleans back to my new home.
If you are in any of these places I’m going, I’d love to see you.
For now, I’ve got a couple more weeks of working, writing, and enjoying my city. And it does feel like my city now. I recently figured out that I’ve moved somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-five times in my life, but this is the first time I’ve lived anywhere and not thought at all about where else I’d like to be. This is Home. I expect to be here for quite some time.
I think that’s a good note to close on. I’ll send all of you some dispatches from the road. Maybe traveling will light a fire under me to make these updates a little more frequent.
Until then, I hope you are all doing as well as I am, and I look forward to crossing paths soon. Thank you for being part of what holds me all together.
All the good songs,
Nick
Debauche
If you're in New Orleans, check out Nick's poetry slam this Sunday at 8 p.m., at Dragon's Den. It's the Dead Poets Slam this week, so everybody should bring the work of their favorite dead poet, instead of their own. Show up at 7:30 to sign up if you want to read.
Here is the newsletter, with no further ado:
Hello everyone.
I’m playing hooky today. Was going to work a double shift with the mules, but decided to skip the first part of the double and write to all y’all instead. This was the best plan I could think of.
Well here we are at the end of the high tourist season in New Orleans. Jazz Fest wrapped last week, and the tourists who came down for the two-week shindig have gone their way back to their homes. In the next couple weeks, many others will follow them out. Everyone from wealthy snowbirds on their way back to New York and Chicago, to street kids who will hop the freight trains to the Pacific Northwest. Everyone is going to leave before the heat drops down on this city like a wet blanket and makes breathing feel like swimming.
I’m going to be doing some traveling myself next month (more on that in a moment), but for the most part I’ll be sticking around. Growing up in Florida, the thing I loved about the summer was that everybody left and we had the place to ourselves. I like that feeling. I’m looking forward to a summer in my new home, enjoying the peace and tranquility, even if I have to take three cold showers a day to keep my blood from boiling.
SATAN: The heat is conducive to a greater amount of sin.
Satan, do you actually need heat to generate sin in this town?
SATAN: …I see your point.
DICK CHENEY: The amount of sin in this city creates a haven that makes America less safe. I suggest—
Dammit, Dick Cheney! What the hell are you doing here?
SATAN: He’s my nephew.
Oh…
That explains…so much.
It’s a beautiful time in New Orleans right now. The light is soft in the evenings, the days aren’t too terribly hot yet, and everyone is in a kind of slow coma following Jazz Fest. Bartenders and musicians and everyone else who hasn’t stopped working for the last few weeks get a chance to breathe now. The city feels like it’s catching its wind. Even the River looks like it’s on its back as it continues downstream.
But I think I’m seeing a lot more beauty these days, and that has a lot to do with where I am right now internally. I finally started writing again. I wrote about five poems last month (first drafts, anyway), and am moving forward, very slowly, with the novel.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I wrote five books last month.
I also started working out, which is also helping me find my center.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I shot and field dressed a Cape Buffalo.
Ernie, this is not a competition.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: I’ll wrestle you.
Wrestle Dick Cheney.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: Done.
DICK CHENEY: Ow! OW! Get your terrorist beard off of me!
I’ve been having a really good run of late. The writing is coming along and the work is still highly enjoyable. I’ve been playing the guitar for almost a year now and am having fun with it, and twice a month I run a poetry slam here. This Sunday will be Dead Poetry Night.
JERRY GARCIA: Groovy!
By which I mean, you can only read the work of dead poets.
JERRY GARCIA: Oh. I was thinking of something else.
The last month has been a blur. I’ll try to cover everything as best I can. But I’m in a good place, and the last stretch of time has been very good to me. Here are some highlights…
MUSIC, MUSIC EVERYWHERE:
French Quarter Fest went down in mid-April and Jazz Fest took us into May. I actually prefer French Quarter Fest, because it’s in the middle of the Quarter, it’s less crowded, and it’s free. All local acts, too. There’s something to be said for being able to walk through a massive music festival on my way to work.
This town is an embarrassment of riches for a music lover. On any given night, you can hear music that sets your head on fire. I can tell you about standing on the stairs at the Saturn Bar, with Debauche ripping through a set of Russian hooligan songs (see photo), the crowd in the small room stamping their feet in time, and the guitarist being so buried in his song he doesn’t even notice he cut his finger and is spraying blood all over his guitar. At the end of the song, he tapes his finger up and keeps playing until the Zydepunks come on and launch into a punk rock version of a Mexican wedding song and the whole room bounces like it’s on springs.
And I can tell you about going out on a Friday night and seeing three bands that blow my mind, one after the other, from the Jazz Vipers on Frenchman Street to Zazou City and their gypsy jazz/tango fusion at Mimi’s, to local blues legend Little Freddie King, swinging a whole crowd of sweat soaked dancers in a funky little bar called BJ’s Lounge, five doors down from my house.
And I can tell you that there’s no way to stop any of this. The Spotted Cat, my favorite live music venue in the city, closed its doors last week. It will reopen shortly as Jimbeaux’s, though no one knows exactly what to expect. The club closed with a big second line parade to send it off; a jazz funeral for The Cat, with the Treme Brass Band leading us around Frenchman Street while the crowd sang “I’ll Fly Away” at full volume and the grand marshal waved the umbrella and Uncle Lionel pounded the bass drum and danced with a woman in a red dress at the same time, and you just knew that when the place reopened, it was going to be okay. The music was always going to have somewhere to go.
VISITORS:
There have been plenty of tourists here lately, and since I make my living on that, I’ve been more than happy with it. They come down, and maybe they don’t tip too much because the economy has them on their heels, but they do take the rides, and they do feed the mule carrots, and I get to spend my day at work outside, far from a computer screen or office lights.
I had a realization recently that all of my favorite jobs have had one thing in common: I was working outdoors. I’ll need to remember that.
I’ve had other visitors, too. People who give me an excuse to show off the city some more, and even to see things I haven’t seen since I moved here. My friends Joel and Beth came down from Chicago and treated me to a tour of the Honey Island Swamp.
There’s something about having people visit. They become these little time capsules. When I haven’t seen someone for a while, I immediately go back to where I was the last time I saw them and observe the distance between then and now. A few weeks ago, my old friend Suzy visited me from Austin. I’ve known her almost eight years. The last time I saw her was August of 2006. It’s staggering to look at what’s gone down between then and now, and yet, there we are, having dinner and still close, and it occurs to me that each friend I have is a bridge, something that holds another part of me together, that keeps me from shaking loose who I’ve been, and reminds me that, whatever I may not like about who I was at the time I met them, I was good enough to find a way to bring this person into my world.
I think these are the things that hold us all together. They do for me, anyway.
PRESS STREET:
I want to share a moment from the last month with you. Press Street is the street that separates the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods. It has railroad tracks running along it, and when a train goes by, it can make me late for work, or make me wait to go home. That’s part of the deal. But for some reason, I find Press Street impossibly beautiful. It is more beautiful than it has any right to be. Train tracks. Vacant lots. Warehouses, empty and otherwise. But I love how it’s this big empty expanse in the middle of a city, this strange little no man’s land where you can stand in the middle of nothing and talk to someone you’ve run into while the train makes you wait to go home.
Here’s the moment. I’m coming home around sunset, and I get to Press Street and the ice cream van goes by. I buy an ice cream and sit and eat it under a tree by the railroad tracks in this big empty space, with the river and the Huey Long Bridge in the distance to my right, while the soft light plays with the church ahead of me on Dauphine Street.
I have moments here, almost every day, where I’m so happy I can hardly believe it. That’s one of many.
TRAVELS:
I’ll be hitting the road for about a month starting at the end of May. I’m headed down to Florida to pick up my grandparents’ car, which I will drive up to Ohio for them, stopping to visit some friends in North Carolina, then spend a few days in Dayton. From there, it’s up to Detroit, then out to Boston, around Maine and Vermont, and over to Cape Cod for a few days of relaxing at my friend Lili’s family home on the far edge of the country. From there, drop down into New York and New Jersey to see friends and family before flying to Chicago to catch up with everyone in my old home. Finally, I’ll take a train called The City of New Orleans back to my new home.
If you are in any of these places I’m going, I’d love to see you.
For now, I’ve got a couple more weeks of working, writing, and enjoying my city. And it does feel like my city now. I recently figured out that I’ve moved somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-five times in my life, but this is the first time I’ve lived anywhere and not thought at all about where else I’d like to be. This is Home. I expect to be here for quite some time.
I think that’s a good note to close on. I’ll send all of you some dispatches from the road. Maybe traveling will light a fire under me to make these updates a little more frequent.
Until then, I hope you are all doing as well as I am, and I look forward to crossing paths soon. Thank you for being part of what holds me all together.
All the good songs,
Nick
Debauche
Fess Up Friday (the short hair edition)
That's right, I have chopped off my hair for Locks of Love, the official summer hair cut. When I get a pic I like, I'll maybe switch it out so everybody can see. I've gotten "Amelie," "retro," and "babydoll" as comments, if that gives you any idea.
Wasn't sick at all this week, but I did somehow lock myself out of my bedroom while I was in my pajamas. Thank goodness for those painters and their paint knife after my letter opener broke.
So, I'm doing better with cutting down on my t.v., though I did watch AI and I have to say that, all respect to Danny Gokey, but the voters got it right with Adam and Kris. And Kris! He totally showed Adam up, which I didn't think was possible. I had just been saying that though I love both "Heartless" and "Blame It on the Alcohol," both songs were pretty silly performed live on AI. A lot of posturing and rough negotiating with all of the synths or whatever. And as if he heard me, Kris performed an acoustic "Heartless." Whoa! Freaking whoa! And not only was it just a freaking great arrangement, it also demonstrated how amazing the lyrics are (that was clear in the original, but with a stripped-down version, they just jumped out at you). So even though I was unfortunately wrong with the top 3, I was spot on about the top 2. And you know what? Kris could win this, he really could. And Adam's gonna have an amazing career no matter what, so it's all gravy.
But you know what I've been overdosing on this week? Reading! I read 3 young adult books in like 2 days. The last, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, I read pretty much straight through last night/this morning. Thought I'd read a chapter as I was trying to fall asleep and got so consumed with the story, just had to know what happened, that I read until I finished at 5:31 this morning. And of course, it's the first in the series and of course the next isn't coming out till September. Oh, how will I ever wait to find out what happens next? Somebody send me an ARC! So even though my site says I'm reading, The Song Is You and that is true, I'm usually reading like five or six things at once. But The Hunger Games. Seriously, read this book. It is inventive and brutal and gorgeous, about a future society in North America that sends 24 "tributes" from its 12 districts to fight until only one survives. I love how some of the best characters in these brutal future-society books (think John Marsden's Tomorrow series) are kick ass girls like Ripley and Barbara.
The socializing - I'm still doing quite a bit of that. Drove up to Baton Rouge for an "Electric Ladies" lunch celebrating David Madd
en (see pic) and went to Bud's Broiler for the first time and the Insectarium. Overall, however, I'm doing pretty good at saying no to invitations (sorry!!!! I promise I'll be less of a hermit soon!!!).
But that's enough about how I'm failing to use my time wisely. Let me update you on all the progess I've made.
New words:
5.10 = 1,547 (3 scenes)
5.11 = 3,179 (2 scenes)
5.12 = 613 (1 scene)
5.13 = 558 (1/2 scene)
5.14 = 599 (2nd 1/2 scene)
But it's not all about new words. I actually generated a significant amount of new words and scenes since last October, in preparation for filling out the parts that needed more. I have one complete draft and lots of loose material to work with. So the greatest part of the work I've been doing has been splicing the new work and the old material together, or editing. So, how's this for linear thinking - I made an enormous jump and I have about 180 pages "done." I'll continue with my splicing and hope to have a few days or a full week at the end to do one more pass to make everything connect and work the way I'd like it to. Makes the book sound like a machine, doesn't it?
During all the test runs I've taken it on, the book is performing well. Just like a top-end sports car, purring and growling enthusiastically, just revving up to show off what it can do. A friend recently asked me how the writing was going and for the first time in a long time, I didn't sigh and shake my head and offer a lot of excuses. I grinned and chirped, "Great!" And meant it. That feels so good.
Toni sponsored a book-giveaway on my blog. Someday I'll be more democratic with my book-giveaways, but this time instead of making y'all work for it, I gave the books to people I knew would love them. So the copy of Allison Brennan's Sudden Death went to Pam Gauxtreaux and the copies of Toni's first two books (they're gonna be re-released this summer under new titles) went to Kristin Sanders.
So, to conclude, a few items that grabbed my attention this week:
This is a GREAT idea (Amazon to reprint books).
This makes me incredibly sad (Coconut Beach).
And this is fascinating (Dan Baum, New Yorker, a story told on Twitter).
Wasn't sick at all this week, but I did somehow lock myself out of my bedroom while I was in my pajamas. Thank goodness for those painters and their paint knife after my letter opener broke.
So, I'm doing better with cutting down on my t.v., though I did watch AI and I have to say that, all respect to Danny Gokey, but the voters got it right with Adam and Kris. And Kris! He totally showed Adam up, which I didn't think was possible. I had just been saying that though I love both "Heartless" and "Blame It on the Alcohol," both songs were pretty silly performed live on AI. A lot of posturing and rough negotiating with all of the synths or whatever. And as if he heard me, Kris performed an acoustic "Heartless." Whoa! Freaking whoa! And not only was it just a freaking great arrangement, it also demonstrated how amazing the lyrics are (that was clear in the original, but with a stripped-down version, they just jumped out at you). So even though I was unfortunately wrong with the top 3, I was spot on about the top 2. And you know what? Kris could win this, he really could. And Adam's gonna have an amazing career no matter what, so it's all gravy.
But you know what I've been overdosing on this week? Reading! I read 3 young adult books in like 2 days. The last, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, I read pretty much straight through last night/this morning. Thought I'd read a chapter as I was trying to fall asleep and got so consumed with the story, just had to know what happened, that I read until I finished at 5:31 this morning. And of course, it's the first in the series and of course the next isn't coming out till September. Oh, how will I ever wait to find out what happens next? Somebody send me an ARC! So even though my site says I'm reading, The Song Is You and that is true, I'm usually reading like five or six things at once. But The Hunger Games. Seriously, read this book. It is inventive and brutal and gorgeous, about a future society in North America that sends 24 "tributes" from its 12 districts to fight until only one survives. I love how some of the best characters in these brutal future-society books (think John Marsden's Tomorrow series) are kick ass girls like Ripley and Barbara.
The socializing - I'm still doing quite a bit of that. Drove up to Baton Rouge for an "Electric Ladies" lunch celebrating David Madd
en (see pic) and went to Bud's Broiler for the first time and the Insectarium. Overall, however, I'm doing pretty good at saying no to invitations (sorry!!!! I promise I'll be less of a hermit soon!!!).But that's enough about how I'm failing to use my time wisely. Let me update you on all the progess I've made.
New words:
5.10 = 1,547 (3 scenes)
5.11 = 3,179 (2 scenes)
5.12 = 613 (1 scene)
5.13 = 558 (1/2 scene)
5.14 = 599 (2nd 1/2 scene)
But it's not all about new words. I actually generated a significant amount of new words and scenes since last October, in preparation for filling out the parts that needed more. I have one complete draft and lots of loose material to work with. So the greatest part of the work I've been doing has been splicing the new work and the old material together, or editing. So, how's this for linear thinking - I made an enormous jump and I have about 180 pages "done." I'll continue with my splicing and hope to have a few days or a full week at the end to do one more pass to make everything connect and work the way I'd like it to. Makes the book sound like a machine, doesn't it?
During all the test runs I've taken it on, the book is performing well. Just like a top-end sports car, purring and growling enthusiastically, just revving up to show off what it can do. A friend recently asked me how the writing was going and for the first time in a long time, I didn't sigh and shake my head and offer a lot of excuses. I grinned and chirped, "Great!" And meant it. That feels so good.
Toni sponsored a book-giveaway on my blog. Someday I'll be more democratic with my book-giveaways, but this time instead of making y'all work for it, I gave the books to people I knew would love them. So the copy of Allison Brennan's Sudden Death went to Pam Gauxtreaux and the copies of Toni's first two books (they're gonna be re-released this summer under new titles) went to Kristin Sanders.
So, to conclude, a few items that grabbed my attention this week:
This is a GREAT idea (Amazon to reprint books).
This makes me incredibly sad (Coconut Beach).
And this is fascinating (Dan Baum, New Yorker, a story told on Twitter).
Friday, May 8, 2009
Fess Up Friday (First)
So I decided I just couldn't NOT post at all this month. I'm going through blog withdrawal and that's a bad thing for me to focus on instead of the book. Therefore, I will do a Fess Up Friday edition through the month and let you know where I'm at with the book and with my promise to give things up in order to focus.
I've been doing very badly with the less t.v. and socializing, first off. As you will see below when I post pics from Bustout Burlesque last night (I'm updating on Saturday, though this post will be dated Friday). And I watched the season finale of Dollhouse, am completely wrapped up in that (Mr. Whedon, I understand everything and I'm STILL confused. Can't wait for that DVD with the "Epitaph One" episode). Though, it will probably help that most shows are going to be on hiatus soon. And willpower, there is always that...
So for the first two days of the month, my intense period of work, I was insanely sick. A stomach virus or food poisoning, that was never officially determined. So, I didn't get much writing done and that was pretty disappointing cause I'd been all geared up to attack. It lingered, even after I felt much better, for quite a few days.
However, I'm doing very well with the book. Have been writing the new scenes I needed, getting a handle on the new edits and I made a major breakthrough with a specific major character who's been bugging me for a few years.
Also, I came up with a great answer for the, "So how close to finished are you?" question. Wanna hear it? Okay. Ahem. Ahem. "The writing process is not a linear one, so it's difficult to say how close to the end I am." I'm working every day and I still feel like I'm closer to done than I allow myself to believe on a day-to-day level. We'll see what my answer is next Friday, if it will be a more linear-minded one.
And now your pictures. Bustout Burlesque is a regular show that will next be at House of Blues July 10th (though I didn't see it on the calendar yet when I just looked). I definitely recommend going, it's good old fashioned vaudeville. And yes, nudity. But also jokes and magic. And no matter your take on girls getting nekkid, it's really hard not to appreciate their personalities and athleticism. I was lucky enough to sit practically on the stage at a reserved table and can I just say (i.e. rub it in) that backstage at House of Blues is pretty fun and interesting. So you see why I gave up working for the night to go. Forgiven? I forgive myself.
I'm pictured with Foxy Flambeaux and Praline DuPree in one picture, then with Athena.
Somehow, I missed my photo op with Kitty Twist, who also performed last night.
Last is the featured performer, Sugar from last season's Survivor with Foxy and Praline. Enjoy.
Now, back to work.
I've been doing very badly with the less t.v. and socializing, first off. As you will see below when I post pics from Bustout Burlesque last night (I'm updating on Saturday, though this post will be dated Friday). And I watched the season finale of Dollhouse, am completely wrapped up in that (Mr. Whedon, I understand everything and I'm STILL confused. Can't wait for that DVD with the "Epitaph One" episode). Though, it will probably help that most shows are going to be on hiatus soon. And willpower, there is always that...
So for the first two days of the month, my intense period of work, I was insanely sick. A stomach virus or food poisoning, that was never officially determined. So, I didn't get much writing done and that was pretty disappointing cause I'd been all geared up to attack. It lingered, even after I felt much better, for quite a few days.
However, I'm doing very well with the book. Have been writing the new scenes I needed, getting a handle on the new edits and I made a major breakthrough with a specific major character who's been bugging me for a few years.
Also, I came up with a great answer for the, "So how close to finished are you?" question. Wanna hear it? Okay. Ahem. Ahem. "The writing process is not a linear one, so it's difficult to say how close to the end I am." I'm working every day and I still feel like I'm closer to done than I allow myself to believe on a day-to-day level. We'll see what my answer is next Friday, if it will be a more linear-minded one.
And now your pictures. Bustout Burlesque is a regular show that will next be at House of Blues July 10th (though I didn't see it on the calendar yet when I just looked). I definitely recommend going, it's good old fashioned vaudeville. And yes, nudity. But also jokes and magic. And no matter your take on girls getting nekkid, it's really hard not to appreciate their personalities and athleticism. I was lucky enough to sit practically on the stage at a reserved table and can I just say (i.e. rub it in) that backstage at House of Blues is pretty fun and interesting. So you see why I gave up working for the night to go. Forgiven? I forgive myself.
I'm pictured with Foxy Flambeaux and Praline DuPree in one picture, then with Athena.
Somehow, I missed my photo op with Kitty Twist, who also performed last night.
Last is the featured performer, Sugar from last season's Survivor with Foxy and Praline. Enjoy.
Now, back to work.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A catch up
If you follow me elsewhere (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or even [gasp] real life), you might've heard my plea recently for you to enforce a May 1st deadline for my book. Like the heroes that you are, you responded with threats, promises, treats, condolences, coffee and chocolate.
I never intended to be done May 1st. Instead, I was practicing with a deadline. The first draft of the book got finished when I cut off almost all human contact, locked myself in my house for 10 days subsisting almost entirely on Rockstar Energy Drink (I'm plugging it in the hopes that they'll send me a free supply for my new deadline) and vegetables suggested by Steph. I had to finish that book, there was simply no other option. A lot of crap resulted, but a lot of sleep-deprived genius also happened. Okay, some sleep-deprived genius, a respectable percentage when you consider the vast amounts of crap.
I'm a lot closer to finishing this book than I allow myself to believe on a day-to-day basis and around the new year, I set myself a deadline of June 1st. So this is my for realz deadline and I hope you won't feel punk'd, I really did need your help for the dress rehearsal. And I continue to need your threats, promises, treats, condolences, coffee and chocolate. Not to mention Rock Star and veggies.
In return, I pledge to:
-spend less time playing with music
-watch less t.v.
-refuse most of your offers of recreational activities
-take on the least amount of freelance work I can
-ignore this blog and all of you as much as possible.
But only for one month.
With any luck, there will be only one blog post for all of May and it will happen somewhere around the 30th and will say something along the lines of: We won! The book's done!
And then I will sleep and spend time returning your calls and begin the process of sending the book to its new interim caretaker.
So, for perhaps the last time for a little while, here's some stuff I've noticed recently:
Seth Grahame-Smith is inventive, crazy cool and now rich.
I've been saying for years that we needed this.
Stephenie Meyer rocks - sold 16% of all books last quarter and reminded us all what a writer with a fan base is capable of. In case we forget, I'm sure there'll be another reminder from her soon. Perhaps a spin off featuring J. and R. (aka N.)???
Just to prove I read other things besides MediaBistro, passenger lands plane.
This is a bad idea, but makes a great point about the length of AI.
Wonder if you can get carpal tunnel of the thumbs from texting. Or heart attacks from the bills.
Angelina will star in movie(s) based on Patricia Cornwell's series.
Ron Howard defends Angels&Demons. Hasn't the Church figured out they're the only reason anybody cares about this movie at this point? Audrey Tautou gone? Me too. Though at least it looks like the mullet's also gone.
I have two desks, too. Have for years. It's a good idea. If you count Cheers, I have more like three.
Note to self: Don't marry another writer. Or at least make sure you can communicate very, very well before you do.
The Soloist. I dug the long music/color sequence. Admired the chutzpah of Joe Wright. Had other issues, but not that particular one.
'Bout to be kicked outta Cheers, gotta run. Cheers.
I never intended to be done May 1st. Instead, I was practicing with a deadline. The first draft of the book got finished when I cut off almost all human contact, locked myself in my house for 10 days subsisting almost entirely on Rockstar Energy Drink (I'm plugging it in the hopes that they'll send me a free supply for my new deadline) and vegetables suggested by Steph. I had to finish that book, there was simply no other option. A lot of crap resulted, but a lot of sleep-deprived genius also happened. Okay, some sleep-deprived genius, a respectable percentage when you consider the vast amounts of crap.
I'm a lot closer to finishing this book than I allow myself to believe on a day-to-day basis and around the new year, I set myself a deadline of June 1st. So this is my for realz deadline and I hope you won't feel punk'd, I really did need your help for the dress rehearsal. And I continue to need your threats, promises, treats, condolences, coffee and chocolate. Not to mention Rock Star and veggies.
In return, I pledge to:
-spend less time playing with music
-watch less t.v.
-refuse most of your offers of recreational activities
-take on the least amount of freelance work I can
-ignore this blog and all of you as much as possible.
But only for one month.
With any luck, there will be only one blog post for all of May and it will happen somewhere around the 30th and will say something along the lines of: We won! The book's done!
And then I will sleep and spend time returning your calls and begin the process of sending the book to its new interim caretaker.
So, for perhaps the last time for a little while, here's some stuff I've noticed recently:
Seth Grahame-Smith is inventive, crazy cool and now rich.
I've been saying for years that we needed this.
Stephenie Meyer rocks - sold 16% of all books last quarter and reminded us all what a writer with a fan base is capable of. In case we forget, I'm sure there'll be another reminder from her soon. Perhaps a spin off featuring J. and R. (aka N.)???
Just to prove I read other things besides MediaBistro, passenger lands plane.
This is a bad idea, but makes a great point about the length of AI.
Wonder if you can get carpal tunnel of the thumbs from texting. Or heart attacks from the bills.
Angelina will star in movie(s) based on Patricia Cornwell's series.
Ron Howard defends Angels&Demons. Hasn't the Church figured out they're the only reason anybody cares about this movie at this point? Audrey Tautou gone? Me too. Though at least it looks like the mullet's also gone.
I have two desks, too. Have for years. It's a good idea. If you count Cheers, I have more like three.
Note to self: Don't marry another writer. Or at least make sure you can communicate very, very well before you do.
The Soloist. I dug the long music/color sequence. Admired the chutzpah of Joe Wright. Had other issues, but not that particular one.
'Bout to be kicked outta Cheers, gotta run. Cheers.
Gotta talk about it...
Okay, so they need to rename American Idol "The Adam Lambert Show with Friends." That's incredibly rude to say, especially considering that the other four contestants are hugely talented. But it is true. Kris blew me out of the water with "Ain't No Sunshine," and Allison Iraheta is solid every week, doing her thing. But who can top Adam's showstoppers?
If anyone else wins, it will be primarily because they've had to raise their game so much to match Adam and surprised everyone.
I mean, take a look at this latest, "Feeling Good." Simon nailed it when he said that complaining that Adam is too theatrical is like "complaining that the cow moos." That's exactly what Adam is, theatrical and not afraid of it. He plays with whatever material he chooses to tackle, collaborates with the house musicians, packages himself and the performance in an always-memorable way. You have only to see his entrance on those stairs to feel like (and I'm borrowing a Paula-ism, but it's true) you're watching an Adam Lambert concert (event) rather than a talent show. I mean, was that a white satin suit he wore tonight? He was the exact opposite of Ryan as he stood next to him. Not many men can make eyeliner, falsetto and impeccable fashion sense as masculine and sexy as he can. I guess it's the swagger.
Speaking of that falsetto, I must say that it is incredibly hard to hit the note Adam hit at the end, hold it as long as he did and then maintain that level of control when you're coming down quietly. You don't have to know anything about music to know that, but I know just enough to say confidently that it's hard and not everyone would be capable of it. When the hell did he breathe?
I suspect the final three is going to come down to Adam, Kris and Allison. Although I enjoyed Matt Giraud tonight, I think he'll be the next to go. Then Danny Gokey next week. He did well tonight, even with Jamie Foxx right in front of his face, but he's a bit bland for me. I've heard folks predict that it'll come down to Adam and Danny and that may happen. But my money's on Adam and Kris at the end. Unless people assume Adam's gold and don't vote - the judges' save is gone now, so he'd be toast. I highly doubt that'll be the way of it.
Let us see. Only Adam (and Kris's "Aint' No Sushine") could've made me watch again after Alexis and Megan left.
[4.28: This is ridiculous, but I was curious. The high note lasts at least 8 seconds with the controlled notes coming down lasting another good three or four before he can even think of breathing and surprisingly, the breath isn't a loud heaving one. So hard.
I compared the different versions of "Feeling Good" I personally have after listening to Adam's like 5 times straight through today. Recently heard an awesome cover from the Dark Was the Night charity album by My Brightest Diamond which owes a lot to Nina Simone's version. While Adam's version is not original - those edgy opening notes gave away his debt to Muse - he cut their 3:20 cover down to a 1:59 version that didn't suffer for it. AND, that high note? His own, entirely. Muse's is quieter and less showy. Gorgeous, of course, but not anything as oh-my-f'ing-gawd-how-did-he-do-that as Adam's.]
If anyone else wins, it will be primarily because they've had to raise their game so much to match Adam and surprised everyone.
I mean, take a look at this latest, "Feeling Good." Simon nailed it when he said that complaining that Adam is too theatrical is like "complaining that the cow moos." That's exactly what Adam is, theatrical and not afraid of it. He plays with whatever material he chooses to tackle, collaborates with the house musicians, packages himself and the performance in an always-memorable way. You have only to see his entrance on those stairs to feel like (and I'm borrowing a Paula-ism, but it's true) you're watching an Adam Lambert concert (event) rather than a talent show. I mean, was that a white satin suit he wore tonight? He was the exact opposite of Ryan as he stood next to him. Not many men can make eyeliner, falsetto and impeccable fashion sense as masculine and sexy as he can. I guess it's the swagger.
Speaking of that falsetto, I must say that it is incredibly hard to hit the note Adam hit at the end, hold it as long as he did and then maintain that level of control when you're coming down quietly. You don't have to know anything about music to know that, but I know just enough to say confidently that it's hard and not everyone would be capable of it. When the hell did he breathe?
I suspect the final three is going to come down to Adam, Kris and Allison. Although I enjoyed Matt Giraud tonight, I think he'll be the next to go. Then Danny Gokey next week. He did well tonight, even with Jamie Foxx right in front of his face, but he's a bit bland for me. I've heard folks predict that it'll come down to Adam and Danny and that may happen. But my money's on Adam and Kris at the end. Unless people assume Adam's gold and don't vote - the judges' save is gone now, so he'd be toast. I highly doubt that'll be the way of it.
Let us see. Only Adam (and Kris's "Aint' No Sushine") could've made me watch again after Alexis and Megan left.
[4.28: This is ridiculous, but I was curious. The high note lasts at least 8 seconds with the controlled notes coming down lasting another good three or four before he can even think of breathing and surprisingly, the breath isn't a loud heaving one. So hard.
I compared the different versions of "Feeling Good" I personally have after listening to Adam's like 5 times straight through today. Recently heard an awesome cover from the Dark Was the Night charity album by My Brightest Diamond which owes a lot to Nina Simone's version. While Adam's version is not original - those edgy opening notes gave away his debt to Muse - he cut their 3:20 cover down to a 1:59 version that didn't suffer for it. AND, that high note? His own, entirely. Muse's is quieter and less showy. Gorgeous, of course, but not anything as oh-my-f'ing-gawd-how-did-he-do-that as Adam's.]
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Characters taking charge
Well, in the midst of changing a relatively minor detail in the second scene of my book, that crazy wonderful moment of "I'm not writing anymore, it's the characters possessing my fingers" happened and then I realized, "Oh wow, is this gonna change a thing or two."
So good news. The best news. But a lot of new work.
And I'm trying to finish by the 1st. Here's my grocery list since I'm about to become a shut-in:
1. Energy drinks, lots and lots of them
2. Vegetables and fruit
3. Some chocolate
*
Something I've wanted to post for a little while. From Nick's email newsletter, something that spoke to me about what I'm going through right now:
"Then, last night, my heart started trying to crawl out of my chest. This would be a signal that something is wrong. I’ve missed an important detail. And, of course, I know what this detail is.
I’m not writing.
....But it has been too long already. I am far past the point where it is okay for me to not be writing. I am not working, and I can feel my blood gathering for a mutiny.
There has to come a point where I stop making excuses for myself, for why I'm not writing, and realize that my time is finite and, sooner or later, I'm going to get cut down by something I cannot understand, and until then I have this thing called time, and I don't know how much of it I have, only that it will run out, and the only sin I won't be forgiven for is not using it while it sat in my hands. Because I was lazy. Because I was ignorant. Because I was afraid.
I started five poems last night. I also worked on my book for the first time in two months. Pretty much everything I wrote was crap, but it’s a start. Just get the engine running. The detritus will clear itself out eventually.
And tonight, I write this. You’ll probably read it tomorrow. Funny how that works."
So good news. The best news. But a lot of new work.
And I'm trying to finish by the 1st. Here's my grocery list since I'm about to become a shut-in:
1. Energy drinks, lots and lots of them
2. Vegetables and fruit
3. Some chocolate
*
Something I've wanted to post for a little while. From Nick's email newsletter, something that spoke to me about what I'm going through right now:
"Then, last night, my heart started trying to crawl out of my chest. This would be a signal that something is wrong. I’ve missed an important detail. And, of course, I know what this detail is.
I’m not writing.
....But it has been too long already. I am far past the point where it is okay for me to not be writing. I am not working, and I can feel my blood gathering for a mutiny.
There has to come a point where I stop making excuses for myself, for why I'm not writing, and realize that my time is finite and, sooner or later, I'm going to get cut down by something I cannot understand, and until then I have this thing called time, and I don't know how much of it I have, only that it will run out, and the only sin I won't be forgiven for is not using it while it sat in my hands. Because I was lazy. Because I was ignorant. Because I was afraid.
I started five poems last night. I also worked on my book for the first time in two months. Pretty much everything I wrote was crap, but it’s a start. Just get the engine running. The detritus will clear itself out eventually.
And tonight, I write this. You’ll probably read it tomorrow. Funny how that works."
Seal vu play
While I try to stay away from posting personal items, I received pictures of my brother's trip to Paris today and they're so typically Norm that I had to post. You did want me to forward them, Norm. ;")
Monday, April 13, 2009
Writing about music...
is still writing.
Today I am faced with a short review of The Song Is You by Arthur Phillips in EW and then his playlist blog for Living with Music. Guess which was more effective in making me want to read the book?
EW gave The Song Is You an A-, but the reviews are so wildly unreliable in determining what I will like that it's amusing. But then they're not reviewing for me, are they? Who are they reviewing for? Who does anybody review for?
I'm not going to answer that.
So I read Living with Music religiously, yet somehow seemed to have fallen behind. Today, I caught up and when I read the following, I was like, "I'm sold..."
2) Sympathy for the Devil, the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger, channeling Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita” and feeling more than up to the task of speaking for Satan, ends up producing one of the great works of the 20th century, encapsulating a couple millenniums of evil in six minutes and, like a good alumnus of the London School of Economics, blaming the Russian Revolution on the Prince of Darkness.
I managed to write about music and a book. I'd say that was a pretty successful use of my time.
[4.17.09: My copy of The Song Is You came in today. At Cheers, I read the prologue and since it deals with Billie Holiday's I Cover the Waterfront, I put that on while I read. I honestly got chills. It was hard to put the book down and get to work.]
Today I am faced with a short review of The Song Is You by Arthur Phillips in EW and then his playlist blog for Living with Music. Guess which was more effective in making me want to read the book?
EW gave The Song Is You an A-, but the reviews are so wildly unreliable in determining what I will like that it's amusing. But then they're not reviewing for me, are they? Who are they reviewing for? Who does anybody review for?
I'm not going to answer that.
So I read Living with Music religiously, yet somehow seemed to have fallen behind. Today, I caught up and when I read the following, I was like, "I'm sold..."
2) Sympathy for the Devil, the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger, channeling Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita” and feeling more than up to the task of speaking for Satan, ends up producing one of the great works of the 20th century, encapsulating a couple millenniums of evil in six minutes and, like a good alumnus of the London School of Economics, blaming the Russian Revolution on the Prince of Darkness.
I managed to write about music and a book. I'd say that was a pretty successful use of my time.
[4.17.09: My copy of The Song Is You came in today. At Cheers, I read the prologue and since it deals with Billie Holiday's I Cover the Waterfront, I put that on while I read. I honestly got chills. It was hard to put the book down and get to work.]
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Loose Marbles
Montana's not even two hours in the city and she gets to see something I've been waiting almost two years to see. :)Driving around the Quarter randomly, we saw The Loose Marbles playing and are lucky enough to find a spot that while probably not technically legal was legal-enough-looking that we could leave it there for 10 minutes to watch the show.
Not the best pictures, but here's an idea. You can't really see what the crowd was like, but there were lots of people who'd just stopped to see what was going on. At one point, two mounted police went by and (I kid you not, Montana can back me up on this), the horses danced to the music as they went up Royal.
I've seen The Loose Marbles (in one configuration or another) playing at two different places, but have never been lucky enough before to catch one of their street shows. They played "When I Get Low I Get High" at my request, though I suspect they would'a played it anyway...
Friday, April 3, 2009
Customer service
Something I've noticed is that the ratio of good customer service to bad that I've personally experienced has gone up since this economic crisis. Perhaps businesses are realizing just how valuable every single customer is to their business. Yeah, there's still some incredibly awful customer service, especially at big box stores. However, it seems like the consumer is viewed as an important and powerful resource again by more and more companies. Let's just hope that continues to improve as our economy does.
With that in mind, read this about a boycott of digital books priced above $9.99 on Amazon.
And this one about books for soldiers.
And about the short story published in spreadsheet format where you can add changes.
And this about a mother's memoir of her daughters running away. Probably important research material for my book. :)
I'll tell you something (unrelated to power in the marketplace, to my knowledge, but related to writers and emotions) - I watched the series finale of ER last night (haven't watched ER for many, many years, but I was 12 when it started, so I had to watch) while reading Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge. While I recommend both ER and Olive Kitteridge, I don't recommend double dosing on that much powerful, emotional media.
With that in mind, read this about a boycott of digital books priced above $9.99 on Amazon.
And this one about books for soldiers.
And about the short story published in spreadsheet format where you can add changes.
And this about a mother's memoir of her daughters running away. Probably important research material for my book. :)
I'll tell you something (unrelated to power in the marketplace, to my knowledge, but related to writers and emotions) - I watched the series finale of ER last night (haven't watched ER for many, many years, but I was 12 when it started, so I had to watch) while reading Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge. While I recommend both ER and Olive Kitteridge, I don't recommend double dosing on that much powerful, emotional media.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Clarence Nero
The 225 Magazine piece on Clarence Nero is now up on the site. Go take a look. This is their great photo of Clarence, used with permission.Clarence is a good friend of mine and has been struggling with a medical set back since Mardi Gras. I really hope that everyone keeps him in their thoughts and takes a moment to check out all that he has accomplished and continues to accomplish. Clarence, you know you're always close to my heart and never very far from mind.
American Idol thoughts
I didn't say anything last week after the results show because I was satisfied with Michael Sarver going home. That sounds kinda cold...well, it is cold. Here's my problem with this season so far (as I realized last night). I think people are sticking around longer than they should based on their voices because they're likable, have gotten air time because of their likability. Let's face it. Michael's a cool guy with some kids and a tough job - incredibly likable guy. Not a great voice compared to the others. Same with Scott and, as Paula calls it, his "challenge." He's blind - he seems like a great guy, I have tons of respect for his courage for doing a show like this, especially the group numbers at the beginning of the results shows. But his voice is boring to me and ditto his performances. There was absolutely nothing special about his "Just the Way You are." It was decent, but absolutely nothing special. I don't think I would be doing him any favors if I pretended to love his music just because he's got a special challenge in life.
Alexis Grace going home pissed me off because she has a great voice. She struggled with one song, "Jolene" and went home. Folks - have you listened to "Dirty Diana" and "I Never Loved A Man"??? Don't you want to know what she'll do next? But how does a young mother with an awesome voice compete for likability against a blind guy and a roughneck daddy with okay voices? Everybody has kids this season: Lil Rounds (I cringed when Ryan picked up her daughter and handed her to Randy - but its horrific cuteness will probably save her after a wretched performance of "I Surrender"), and Megan also. Danny's a widower, which they made a big deal out of for a while, but I'm relieved they seem to have let go of a bit. It's a big deal to let us "get to know" the contestants because likability is a huge factor.
But it turns my stomach when it comes down to Allison being "the 16 year old," Scott being "the blind guy," Danny "the widower," Michael "the roughneck daddy." The contestants who've stood out to me did so because of amazing voices, incredibly strong or new performances.
I also hate that Alexis went home right after a lot of Internet speculation that the contest was rigged (as folks speculate it is every season). Maybe it is rigged and Alexis had to be sacrificed so that people would believe that it wasn't... See how my conspiracy theory mind works? Honestly, I seriously doubt that AI is rigged because that would kind of defeat the purpose. And because the judges/producers (ahem, Simon) already do so much visible maniuplation to try to save the contestants they think have what it takes. Anyway, if AI is rigged, how the hell did Taylor Hicks win?
Let's talk about last night.
1. Kris Allen - Oh my. I was about to walk out the door for a volleyball game, almost decided to skip his performance. The first thing I said to my roommate when I heard he was performing, "Ain't No Sunshine" (one of my most favorite songs ever) is, "Oh no, he could really screw this up." I have 10 versions of this song in my iTunes and no matter how great someone covers it, it's hard not to think of Bill Withers. And then Kris pulled some magic out of somewhere and presented me with an "Ain't No Sunshine" I had never heard before and really, really loved. He changed up the phrasing, delaying that first "gone," playing against expectations so beautifully to give us something new and special. Artistry, truly. Not that I didn't miss Bill Withers's rasp a little on the "I know, I know, I know, I know," but Kris made this song so new and so current that it took my breath away. Now there are 11 versions in my iTunes and Kris has gone from "oh no" to "oh my."
2. Adam Lambert - It's an interesting week when Adam is second to somebody else for an original and experimental performance. I thoroughly enjoyed his "Play That Funky Music," and think he's a fascinating performer. But he did play second fiddle to Kris this week. Nobody could touch that final performance.
3. Megan Joy (Corkrey) - Really, really liked her "Turn the Lights Down Low." She's got a weird voice (which I love) and you can always tell it's her singing. I think that's an incredibly good thing. I still think she hasn't picked one bad song. Not one. "Rockin' Robin" was good for her and so was "For Once in My Life," and if you don't believe me, go listen to the studio versions. She may have had small stumbles in performance, but so has everybody and she is learning so much about how to hold herself on stage every week. I'm getting sick of "the new judge" Kara (it works both ways) spouting out, "Adele, Duffy, blah blah blah" after every performance. Yes, their songs will be incredible with Megan's voice, but I like what she's picking. I voted for the first time this season, trying to make sure that Kara and Simon don't get her voted off.
4. Allison Iraheta - Gave me exactly what I've been asking for with the first section of "Don't Speak" and then started screaming again. She's got a great rocker rasp. I like her a lot. But I want more of the unplugged Allison singing softly. She proved to me that she can do it this week. Now I want an entire song.
5. Lil Rounds - Disappointed me with "I Surrender." I thought if anybody could make me like a Celine Dion song, it'd be Lil. Nope. This song sucked. Lil can sing, I want her to give me a performance I like again.
6. Matt Giraud - I really liked his "You Found Me." I kinda get what the judges say about his rock band songs ("Drops of Jupiter"), but then again not really. I enjoyed both of those performances and I like that he has dimensions - not just R&B and soul, but rock too. I thought it was a bit manipulative for him to play the piano in a sea of adoring girls, but that'll probably work for him.
7. Danny Gokey - Liked his "What Hurts the Most." Had no complaints, but it wasn't my favorite. I think he picks the same kind of songs every week and that bores me.
8. Anoop Desai - "Caught Up" bored me and I forgot what he sang and had to look it up. I respect him for asserting exactly what kind of career he wants to have. But I'm not likely to buy his cds, maybe just buy a download or two.
9. Scott MacIntyre - You already know how I feel about "Just the Way You Are." It's hard to top the Piano Man and I don't feel like he made it his own at all.
I'd like to see Scott or Anoop go. I'm afraid that folks will listen to the judges on folks like Megan and Matt (negatively) or Lil and Scott (positively). The judges supported both of the second two's performances and I highly disagree. I'd like Lil to stay, though, because I like seeing what she does. So, in short, I'm not quite sure what's going to happen tonight.
Know what else I'd like to see? Alexis come back. You think if the judges' don't use their save they can recall her, even weeks later? That would be lovely...
[Later 4.1.09 - I'm disgusted. Megan was voted off. Too bad it wasn't an April Fool's joke. Simon really pissed me off as well because he spoke for all of the judges without consulting them (as far as I could see) before Megan even performed. This whole judges' save things has brought out a whole new rude side in Simon. I'd like to say I'm going to stop watching now and I probably won't watch as often, but I am intrigued to see what Adam and now Kris get up to. And yes, Allison. Really liked her sweet vocals on the group number. But I don't particularly care who stays or goes any more, am not invested. You know what would be nice? Besides Alexis and Megan coming back? They should have a duets week where nobody gets voted off so we can see how the contestants sing together. Could be cool. It was nice seeing David Cook back and I liked what he said about only selling 1,000 copies of his cd in a year before AI and going platinum in 3 months after. And Lady GaGa's performance of "Poker Face" - looooved it, especially how her singing straight at the clear pink piano was a million times more demented than her regular performance.]
[Also, and I know this is random, but I noticed my last name in the AI credits tonight. Just looked it up and Laura Staat is a deko operator (whatever that is, sounds cool) on the show. Hmmm, wonder if we're related. Also random - if you Google "American Idol" and Staat, my blog pops up on the first page of search results.]
Alexis Grace going home pissed me off because she has a great voice. She struggled with one song, "Jolene" and went home. Folks - have you listened to "Dirty Diana" and "I Never Loved A Man"??? Don't you want to know what she'll do next? But how does a young mother with an awesome voice compete for likability against a blind guy and a roughneck daddy with okay voices? Everybody has kids this season: Lil Rounds (I cringed when Ryan picked up her daughter and handed her to Randy - but its horrific cuteness will probably save her after a wretched performance of "I Surrender"), and Megan also. Danny's a widower, which they made a big deal out of for a while, but I'm relieved they seem to have let go of a bit. It's a big deal to let us "get to know" the contestants because likability is a huge factor.
But it turns my stomach when it comes down to Allison being "the 16 year old," Scott being "the blind guy," Danny "the widower," Michael "the roughneck daddy." The contestants who've stood out to me did so because of amazing voices, incredibly strong or new performances.
I also hate that Alexis went home right after a lot of Internet speculation that the contest was rigged (as folks speculate it is every season). Maybe it is rigged and Alexis had to be sacrificed so that people would believe that it wasn't... See how my conspiracy theory mind works? Honestly, I seriously doubt that AI is rigged because that would kind of defeat the purpose. And because the judges/producers (ahem, Simon) already do so much visible maniuplation to try to save the contestants they think have what it takes. Anyway, if AI is rigged, how the hell did Taylor Hicks win?
Let's talk about last night.
1. Kris Allen - Oh my. I was about to walk out the door for a volleyball game, almost decided to skip his performance. The first thing I said to my roommate when I heard he was performing, "Ain't No Sunshine" (one of my most favorite songs ever) is, "Oh no, he could really screw this up." I have 10 versions of this song in my iTunes and no matter how great someone covers it, it's hard not to think of Bill Withers. And then Kris pulled some magic out of somewhere and presented me with an "Ain't No Sunshine" I had never heard before and really, really loved. He changed up the phrasing, delaying that first "gone," playing against expectations so beautifully to give us something new and special. Artistry, truly. Not that I didn't miss Bill Withers's rasp a little on the "I know, I know, I know, I know," but Kris made this song so new and so current that it took my breath away. Now there are 11 versions in my iTunes and Kris has gone from "oh no" to "oh my."
2. Adam Lambert - It's an interesting week when Adam is second to somebody else for an original and experimental performance. I thoroughly enjoyed his "Play That Funky Music," and think he's a fascinating performer. But he did play second fiddle to Kris this week. Nobody could touch that final performance.
3. Megan Joy (Corkrey) - Really, really liked her "Turn the Lights Down Low." She's got a weird voice (which I love) and you can always tell it's her singing. I think that's an incredibly good thing. I still think she hasn't picked one bad song. Not one. "Rockin' Robin" was good for her and so was "For Once in My Life," and if you don't believe me, go listen to the studio versions. She may have had small stumbles in performance, but so has everybody and she is learning so much about how to hold herself on stage every week. I'm getting sick of "the new judge" Kara (it works both ways) spouting out, "Adele, Duffy, blah blah blah" after every performance. Yes, their songs will be incredible with Megan's voice, but I like what she's picking. I voted for the first time this season, trying to make sure that Kara and Simon don't get her voted off.
4. Allison Iraheta - Gave me exactly what I've been asking for with the first section of "Don't Speak" and then started screaming again. She's got a great rocker rasp. I like her a lot. But I want more of the unplugged Allison singing softly. She proved to me that she can do it this week. Now I want an entire song.
5. Lil Rounds - Disappointed me with "I Surrender." I thought if anybody could make me like a Celine Dion song, it'd be Lil. Nope. This song sucked. Lil can sing, I want her to give me a performance I like again.
6. Matt Giraud - I really liked his "You Found Me." I kinda get what the judges say about his rock band songs ("Drops of Jupiter"), but then again not really. I enjoyed both of those performances and I like that he has dimensions - not just R&B and soul, but rock too. I thought it was a bit manipulative for him to play the piano in a sea of adoring girls, but that'll probably work for him.
7. Danny Gokey - Liked his "What Hurts the Most." Had no complaints, but it wasn't my favorite. I think he picks the same kind of songs every week and that bores me.
8. Anoop Desai - "Caught Up" bored me and I forgot what he sang and had to look it up. I respect him for asserting exactly what kind of career he wants to have. But I'm not likely to buy his cds, maybe just buy a download or two.
9. Scott MacIntyre - You already know how I feel about "Just the Way You Are." It's hard to top the Piano Man and I don't feel like he made it his own at all.
I'd like to see Scott or Anoop go. I'm afraid that folks will listen to the judges on folks like Megan and Matt (negatively) or Lil and Scott (positively). The judges supported both of the second two's performances and I highly disagree. I'd like Lil to stay, though, because I like seeing what she does. So, in short, I'm not quite sure what's going to happen tonight.
Know what else I'd like to see? Alexis come back. You think if the judges' don't use their save they can recall her, even weeks later? That would be lovely...
[Later 4.1.09 - I'm disgusted. Megan was voted off. Too bad it wasn't an April Fool's joke. Simon really pissed me off as well because he spoke for all of the judges without consulting them (as far as I could see) before Megan even performed. This whole judges' save things has brought out a whole new rude side in Simon. I'd like to say I'm going to stop watching now and I probably won't watch as often, but I am intrigued to see what Adam and now Kris get up to. And yes, Allison. Really liked her sweet vocals on the group number. But I don't particularly care who stays or goes any more, am not invested. You know what would be nice? Besides Alexis and Megan coming back? They should have a duets week where nobody gets voted off so we can see how the contestants sing together. Could be cool. It was nice seeing David Cook back and I liked what he said about only selling 1,000 copies of his cd in a year before AI and going platinum in 3 months after. And Lady GaGa's performance of "Poker Face" - looooved it, especially how her singing straight at the clear pink piano was a million times more demented than her regular performance.]
[Also, and I know this is random, but I noticed my last name in the AI credits tonight. Just looked it up and Laura Staat is a deko operator (whatever that is, sounds cool) on the show. Hmmm, wonder if we're related. Also random - if you Google "American Idol" and Staat, my blog pops up on the first page of search results.]
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rabid
Sunday is often my catching up with tv day (after volleyball). And that's what I did.
I've become rabid about two new shows - Dollhouse and Castle. Just found this article about the campaign to save Dollhouse that started before the show ever aired. Let's just say us Whedonites are nervous nellies (justifiably, I think).
Basically, my thoughts echo the title of this discussion thread: Fox - Don't You Dare Cancel Dollhouse. But ABC, you consider yourselves similarly addressed regarding Castle.
I'll burn a cd of my favorite music for the person who can best describe the link between Dollhouse and Castle (and the constant fear of their cancellation) to my amusement and satisfaction.
I've become rabid about two new shows - Dollhouse and Castle. Just found this article about the campaign to save Dollhouse that started before the show ever aired. Let's just say us Whedonites are nervous nellies (justifiably, I think).
Basically, my thoughts echo the title of this discussion thread: Fox - Don't You Dare Cancel Dollhouse. But ABC, you consider yourselves similarly addressed regarding Castle.
I'll burn a cd of my favorite music for the person who can best describe the link between Dollhouse and Castle (and the constant fear of their cancellation) to my amusement and satisfaction.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Film snob?
Last weekend, I was accused of being a film snob because I have (very legitimate) complaints against Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
It came on t.v. while I was at a friend's house visiting and her husband insisted that as an Indy fan, I should just appreciate the movie rather than pick apart its (many) faults.
I studied film, so this isn't a new thing. My defense against accusations of snobbery is always - Dude folks, I own and enjoy Crossroads. And I make people watch it when they come to my house.
Accordingly, I am super excited about Fast & Furious. Seriously. The fact that Vin Diesel and Paul Walker and the uber talented Michelle Rodriguez are back - "New model. Original parts" - makes me a happy, happy girl.
And then there's the fact that I may actually watch the Hannah Montana movie. Willingly. Even...maybe...happily.
I think I have successfully acquitted myself on all counts of snobbery here. Just remember, not everybody can be this refreshingly honest.
It came on t.v. while I was at a friend's house visiting and her husband insisted that as an Indy fan, I should just appreciate the movie rather than pick apart its (many) faults.
I studied film, so this isn't a new thing. My defense against accusations of snobbery is always - Dude folks, I own and enjoy Crossroads. And I make people watch it when they come to my house.
Accordingly, I am super excited about Fast & Furious. Seriously. The fact that Vin Diesel and Paul Walker and the uber talented Michelle Rodriguez are back - "New model. Original parts" - makes me a happy, happy girl.
And then there's the fact that I may actually watch the Hannah Montana movie. Willingly. Even...maybe...happily.
I think I have successfully acquitted myself on all counts of snobbery here. Just remember, not everybody can be this refreshingly honest.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
American Idol again
Okay, so I was still hoping that there'd be a, "hey, after thinking about it and letting her sweat, we decided to invoke the judges' save and here's Alexis..." all the way up to when Matt first started singing. Probably I'm in denial, but I still want it to happen.
I'm gonna rank my favorite performances from tonight. Megan Joy (Corkrey) is still my fav in the competition, however -
1. Adam Lambert - Holy shit. Just, like, holy shit. Seriously. He's never been my fav - sometimes he strikes me as cocky and disingenuous. But I have never denied or been able to deny that he has voice and originality. After his take on Ring of Fire, I was flabbergasted. There aren't words for his Tracks of My Tears. Smokey Robinson gave him a standing O. When he ended on that last "I need..." oh my. This performance was incredibly controlled (mostly in falsetto!), but I don't think anybody could call it disingenuous.
2. Allison Iraheta - I have been begging for her to do something softer and more tender so that we can see that she's a great singer with dimension to her voice. She didn't exactly do what I've been asking for, but I feel like she gave me what I've been wanting with Papa Was a Rolling Stone. This kicked ass, it wasn't screamy and those final notes... Loved Kara's "It sounds like you've been singing for 400 years." But seriously, the judges need to stop reminding us she's only 16. It's getting incredibly annoying. As they always say (before they say she's 16), it doesn't matter how old she is - it sounds like she's been singing for 400 years.
3. Anoop Desai, Kris Allen and Matt Giraud - I couldn't really pick between the three of them. They were all supremely excellent with Ooh Baby Baby, How Sweet It Is and Let's Get It On respectively. Oh sooooo excellent, guys.
4. Megan Joy, Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey - I feel like all three of these performances had some really awesome moments but were generally a bit too frenzied or off in some way. For Once In My Life was a a good song for Megan, but she didn't really nail it. Heat Wave really should have worked for Lil, but she was screaming and pushing for some reason. And Get Ready really worked for Danny, but was a bit campy.
5. Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre - They're both just incredibly redundant to me at this point. I dig that they're both nice guys and reasonably talented. I think they can both have successful careers and I'll probably even download a song or two of theirs one day. But I very seriously doubt I'm ever going to want to listen to an entire c.d. straight through (let alone over and over) or attend a concert of theirs. I hope one of these two goes home and I think their performances of Ain't Too Proud to Beg and You Can't Hurry Love reinforce my prediction. I'd give them both up if we could have Alexis back - I can't help wondering what song she would've picked for Motown week. :'(
I'm gonna rank my favorite performances from tonight. Megan Joy (Corkrey) is still my fav in the competition, however -
1. Adam Lambert - Holy shit. Just, like, holy shit. Seriously. He's never been my fav - sometimes he strikes me as cocky and disingenuous. But I have never denied or been able to deny that he has voice and originality. After his take on Ring of Fire, I was flabbergasted. There aren't words for his Tracks of My Tears. Smokey Robinson gave him a standing O. When he ended on that last "I need..." oh my. This performance was incredibly controlled (mostly in falsetto!), but I don't think anybody could call it disingenuous.
2. Allison Iraheta - I have been begging for her to do something softer and more tender so that we can see that she's a great singer with dimension to her voice. She didn't exactly do what I've been asking for, but I feel like she gave me what I've been wanting with Papa Was a Rolling Stone. This kicked ass, it wasn't screamy and those final notes... Loved Kara's "It sounds like you've been singing for 400 years." But seriously, the judges need to stop reminding us she's only 16. It's getting incredibly annoying. As they always say (before they say she's 16), it doesn't matter how old she is - it sounds like she's been singing for 400 years.
3. Anoop Desai, Kris Allen and Matt Giraud - I couldn't really pick between the three of them. They were all supremely excellent with Ooh Baby Baby, How Sweet It Is and Let's Get It On respectively. Oh sooooo excellent, guys.
4. Megan Joy, Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey - I feel like all three of these performances had some really awesome moments but were generally a bit too frenzied or off in some way. For Once In My Life was a a good song for Megan, but she didn't really nail it. Heat Wave really should have worked for Lil, but she was screaming and pushing for some reason. And Get Ready really worked for Danny, but was a bit campy.
5. Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre - They're both just incredibly redundant to me at this point. I dig that they're both nice guys and reasonably talented. I think they can both have successful careers and I'll probably even download a song or two of theirs one day. But I very seriously doubt I'm ever going to want to listen to an entire c.d. straight through (let alone over and over) or attend a concert of theirs. I hope one of these two goes home and I think their performances of Ain't Too Proud to Beg and You Can't Hurry Love reinforce my prediction. I'd give them both up if we could have Alexis back - I can't help wondering what song she would've picked for Motown week. :'(
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