2008 Presidential leader - John Edwards

I took down my YouTube video of Barrack Obama at my local community college that had 10,000 hits over the last year. Why?

After much thought, and watching an interview on TV's CHARLIE ROSE TV show, John Edwards is my choice (so far) as we stand one week from the Iowa Caucus. Edwards was a front runner in 2004, and I particularly like his plan of action - specifics, as mentioned on Charlie Rose's show. The others haven't been specific.

Today's tragedy in Pakistan made me think how the candidates would react...and John Edwards would have a measured response to a growing problem.

Work on music dramedy going well

This week I jumped back into the third draft of a comedy-drama script about forming a band in the 90s. The songs covered a lot of styles (metal, acoustic, surf, rockabilly, spoken word) and were all original. I have the notion to turn it into a novel, to go into things more, and may at some point. Maybe No. 3. I wrote the first draft in 6 weeks and it was probably the easiest work of my writing life. Five songs will be highlighted and am leaving room for well-known songs to be on a soundtrack.

It isn't totally autobiographical, but that's Hollywood. I'm sure readers of it who know me will say, yep, that's him -

What it's about is more important than actual events. Through the rewrite I'm tapping into bands of the late 70s. While I'm into so many styles of music, it harkens to New Wave bands - ones who made videos that looked like they were made on a $500 budget, but sonically and lyrically had much to say, like The Clash and Elvis Costello. In fact, life is more lo-fi, more small-time than big budget. It easily can be an indie film and I would be shocked otherwise.

More on it. My intention is to finish by year's end and get it to an agent pronto.

NATIONAL TREASURE: Book of Secrets

I haven't seen it (yet) but I want to, based on the success of the last film. It reminded me of the Indiana Jones films.

The best part of waking up

I got up before 5 am this morning without the alarm clock and got the Folgers going. I love the quiet of the house in the morning, just me, the computers, the furnace, kids, wife and dog sleeping - and I get anything or nothing done. It's ME time, as they say. Which is probably what you're doing if you're reading this.

With my novel being shipped around, I don't have much to offer you except these observations, like a break from the craziness. We are like Tom Hanks in CASTAWAY. (It's a great movie, but a major bummer, as we used to say in the 80's.)

So right now I'm just warming up and wondering what people are doing on the computer where it's now 6 am on a Thursday in December.

I'm not talking about the Easy Button...

The pages of December's calendar continues to burn up. Sounds rather hackneyed, but it may be too much cookies and hot cider. (The use of the word 'hackneyed' may be hackneyed...but i digress).

I am getting a new hard drive soon and then will piece things back. I will start a nw archiving system which should allay some of the pain of going without my computer for two weeks. Funny thing - I'm almost getting a peace about it. I couldn't do anything about it other than what I did.

We get used to a 'press-a-button' kind of living and then expect to have it in everything we do: waiting in Christmas lines, looking for new work, new projects, success in love. Computers have buttons, life doesn't.

Crash update - and thanks to PMK, others

Sometimes in the mad dash of creation I forget to thank the people I have working for me. I'd like to tell you about this group of dedicated folks who have been with me for a while now.

PMK - Pete Knipschield. Mac guru, archivist galore, and Jedi with a dedication to my work. Actually thanked in the credits of the Michael Jordan book FOR LOVE OF THE GAME. Once in a while I'll hear from Pete who says, "You know I've got stuff saved from 11 years ago when we met?" And he does. I was working for Col. Olivi
and the early "project" stuff. In about every conversation we have, in person (which is rare nowadays) or on the phone we make some reference to Star Wars. I take Pete for granted because what he does is wizardry. Pete's been saving my work from the before-mentioned crash. Look slike my docs will be saved (including my 30 pages of the next novel...). So thanks, Pete. I'm sure there's more in the future...

ART - Art Turner, guitarist. Art was a great collaborator in making the songs of THE EYEWITNESS. His knowledge of music really came to the fore when I'd say "this sounds like one from..." and he'd hook up his yellow Gibson and crank out an old school heavy metal riff and away we'd go. I've known him for years.

LaVERNE - LaVerne J. Pink, guitarist. LaVerne's power is in creating unique solos and arranging. This bluesman from Madison, Wisconsin does it all. i can't wait to check out the latest incarnation of his band...

2007 begins to wind down

I don't have anything specific to blog about. I should blog just so you know I'm not dead. Sometimes things are blah...

Things are blah because my computer is still down and continues to test my patience, despite the hard work of the mighty Mac Yoda, Pete Knipschield. If I lose data - many things - it's one of those lessons learned.

The Green Bay Packers won as expected and clinched the North Division yesterday. Good. I picked them to go 10-6, so they've exceeded my expectations. But there's more ball to play, especially the playoffs.

My dog began wearing snow boots - and as he waddles with them, trying to kick them off, he reminds me of Charlie Chaplin.

I have some time off at the end of December and hope to have the Mac up and running and will see what i can do if I have the opportunity.

Last but not least, I believe the Led Zeppelin reunion show is today. Monday's kind of an odd day to have it. It's been a long time since they did the stroll, and we'll see if they know how to rock and roll.