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.

Must Be A Smith thing

Will Smith was in Japan promoting his latest film, I AM LEGEND, and inadvertently gave the plot, spoiling the end. Whoops.

I've had my own goof. When I turned my Mac over to Pete Knipschield for repair, my computer guru, he e-mailed me that I forgot to give him the power cord. Whoops.

Fall TV's best (so far)

TV, Fall 2007. The winning formula? The ol' suspension of disbelief, one of those glossary terms from English class, is part of two big shows in my list for the best new shows.

I had high hopes for "Journeyman" and a sentimental nod for "The Bionic Woman", but almost out of the gate they just didn't grab me.

On the other hand, NBC's "Chuck", ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Pushing Daisies" are my three favorite new shows. Why did CBS not make the cut?

Part comedy, part spy show, "Chuck" pays spoof AND homage to the tech-geek life and makes him matter in a world where he isn't supposed to be any part of. Starring Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin (whose career has gone ever since 1980's movie MY BODYGUARD) and Yvonne Strahovski, "Chuck" may have the legs for a strong five season run. Why? "Chuck"'s writing offers enough twists and turns and doesn't repeat itself, and interesting cast with minor characters, too.

If you like the quirky stuff ala Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, check out ABC's "Pushing Daisies." I almost hate to tell you anything about it if you don't know. "Story" is big and so are the characters. It also has a psychedelic look to it like Alice in Wonderland via the Tom Petty video.

Hot off HBO's SIX FEET UNDER, Peter Krause leads "Dirty Sexy Money." Legend Donald Sutherland joins William Baldwin, Jill Clayburgh and Blair Underwood in a star-powered show about NYC's richest - and most angst-ridden family. It combines pathos and ethos. You sometimes don't know if it's making sport of the lifestyles of the top 1% or embracing them. It could've been based on a Dirk Wittenborn novel.

More on Wittenborn in the future at this blog, who truly is the vanguard of the genre - and he did it before Jay McInerney did with BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY.

Ice Storms & Computer Crashes

Having a coffee with amaretto flavor watching the ice storm spatter us here. And I've got the USC-UCLA football game on. Chauncey Washington just barrelled in from 10yards for USC's second TD. The new NATIONAL TREASURE trailer just ran; I imagine some fools will try to look for the secret tip on Mount Rushmore, just like in the movie. (Hint: it's a movie).

Anyway, the ice storm reminded me of Rick Moody's book THE ICE STORM, which was also a great movie. I believe it had Tobey McGuire in it. It's got that 70s thing going on, but the same way THAT 70s SHOW did, with a view from 2007.

I decided to go back to the 70's today when my computer crashed and needs reboot repair. I bought a notebook at Wal-Mart for a buck.

I always liked pen and paper, although you can't cut and paste with a snap and you can't search Wikipedia and dictionary.com like I usually do when I'm writing. With computers you have to work a little harder to get some of the romance in writing, although with Wi-Fi you can do that. I wouldn't want to compute in a swamp like that one commercial, although my results do get a little swampy sometimes... My novel POOKOO is set in the pre-Internet world of 1991. I had a manual Royal and Smith-Corona typewriters back then. I still do, but I need ribbons and cleanings for them and don't know who does that anymore.



(This computer? My wife's.)

7A Productions inks deal for foreign distribution

Congratulations to Indie filmmakers 7A Productions. The rising power has inked a deal with Maitland Primrose Group and Moving Pictures Film & Television to distribute both "Room 314" and "One Night" in the foreign markets.

"We're thrilled that these films will start getting more exposure and that the hard and great work everyone put into them will be seen by a large audience," spokesmen for 7A said in a press release. "We'll keep you posted as events warrant! In the meantime, please check out the press page of our site for recent radio and television interviews with Michael and Melissa Leo."

And their "Room 314" won BEST FEATURE at the New Jersey Film Festival. The film will be showing at the Beloit Film Festival in February. We'll take our camera there and get some interview footage with Michael Knowles, who has reportedly been invited to attend.

OTHER:

"One Night" has been selected to screen at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival - Feb 7th-19th, 2008.

NFL Network fumbles opportunity

I'm probabaly biased, but I think the NFL Network fumbled an opportunity Thursday by hosting the Dalls-Green Bay football game. Two top teams and two top quarterbacks. It could have been a ratings boom.

On the other hand, the NFL probably wants to highlight this channel and drum up business. But the thing that has always been huge with TV - over books, film, etc. is that it's FREE. (Well, not in a Cable world). So we expect something as consumers. It would have the same backlash as having to pay for e-mail.

RE: the big game, the Cowboys are better. The "W" shows it. As for the Packers, I hope Brett Favre heals up good. Woodson needs to be back, and Jolly, too. Oh, our back-up (Aaron Rodgers) almost beat them.

Hyundai vs. Classic muscle car makers

Hyundai reportedly is gearing up to challenge Ford's Mustang, Chevy's Camaro and the Dodge Challenger. The photo (through the link) makes the Hyundai Genesis appear to be something out of my son's HOT WHEELS collection. Still, it's a valiant ffort because it pushes the other car manufacturers to keep the competition flowing.

I don't know how "green" these models are, but they've got it over today's remodified Ford Taurus that's been around for 20 years. The PT Cruiser had some spunk in its look - a retro mindset. Here's an idea for Detroit and all others: I say use today's technology with yesterday's panache but tomorrow's green requirements. And make it affordable. Some would say the magic vehicle is already here.

I don't mean...a bicycle.

Happy Thanksgiving

I began revamping my web site today [dougsmith.info], which if you have the choice of turkey, football or...well, of course you'll check out my recordings!!!

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving. Next year's Thanksgiving will have a special Pilgrim section for all readers...

Go Packers!

Paula Cole at Rubin Museum of Art in NYC; Utah in Dec.

I don't know if Grammy winner Paula Cole is winding down her latest tour, but if you can, catch her either in Park City, Utah (Dec.15) or NYC (Nov. 30). While all the cowboys have seem to left the building, Cole's voice is as good as ever. Her latest effort, COURAGE, is more contemplative, if not introspective. It's the first album from her in 8 years. To me, the 39-year-old Cole's opus THIS FIRE is one of my all-time favorites.

The new album's most accessible tracks are "14", "Comin' Down" and the moody "Until I met You," a duet with Blue Nile alum Paul Buchanan.

Poised for a mega break-out role: actor Edoardo Ballerini

I was watching the NFL this past Sunday and saw a new promo for Fox TV's upcoming new series “TERMINATOR: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” The series takes off where T-2 finished.

When you watch the new series in January, look for a character named “Wisher.” Actor Edoardo Ballerini, who did four episodes on “The Sopranos” and was in the Jet Li movie “Romeo Must Die” has the acting chops. He even directed a short film about screen silent legend Rudolph Valentino, and may eventually become a full-length movie. Mark this: the American-Italian, whose work includes a strong mix of TV and film work, is ready for a huge break-out role.

More on Ballerini as we hear about things.

In the meantime, check out Edoardo's work on his DEMOS part on his web site. http://www.edoardoballerini.com. While you're at it, his sensibilities on modern life can be heard through his audio blog/podcast, which can be downloaded off iTunes.

TV show: http://www.takebackthefuture.com/

Veteran's Administration disgrace to country

Here's another Katrina-sized disaster from Washington, D.C. Illinois veteran Marine Sergeant Tyler Ziegel, from Washington, Illinois, had to wrestle with the VA to get benefits after he was attacked by a suicide bomber in Iraq. Seems Tyler's status was changed, but only after the press got a hold of it.

A friend of mine, Branden Ramey, died in the Battle of Fallujah in 2005...is this what Branden died for?

Cremation and tourism - the new industry?

Every day there's something new. With 6 + billion, there's gonna be, folks. You wake up thinking it can't get any weirder or you've heard it all. This story, about people dumping human remains via ashes, is touching and odd. Probably unlawful, too. I'm sure some wag of an entrepreneur is going to come up with a pirate-type of business. By pirate, I mean not the Johnny Depp blockbuster series. I mean like rum-running. Oddly enough, it WAS on the Pirates of the Carribean ride.

Raymond Chandler had a beautiful passage in his book THE BIG SLEEP about where one was when dead, "where does it matter...you were sleeping the big sleep."

Jay Leno might say "that's one way for Disney to boost body counts." (Rim shot, please.)

Lohan latest celeb to get off hook

This article has a quote that says Lindsey Lohan's getting out of jail the same day for a DUI offense is average. In fact, just 84 minutes. As a journalist, I took a tour of a county jail for that long...If only that short of time, the BIG question is WHY? With both offenses, she was found to have small amounts of cocaine in her possession.

Addiction is a horrible thing, no doubt. That's why a standard needs to be made for violations such as a DUI when they involve the general public. If somebody wants to burn themselves out or make headlines, that's one thing. But according to [http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics.html], there were "were 16,885 alcohol-related fatalities in 2005 – 39 percent of the total traffic fatalities for the year."

Lindsey, before it's too late, get a limo and a driver...

Hopefully a celeb kills someone while out on a partying binge?

84 minutes? And "Freaky Friday" were in theaters longer at 94 minutes...

Voltaire's CANDIDE - defines masterpiece

I have to say over the last 10 or so years I keep coming back to Voltaire's CANDIDE. I was introduced to it by my father-in-law, who said it was good to read when one was feeling down-and-out. Think of it as the French version of the blues. The satire by the writer that begat Twain and Vonnegut is as readable as anything today. Forget anything you have in mind about old writing. It was written in 1759. It's really a masterpiece of how to do a work. I'm re-reading it now.

FREE-TIME = BLOGGING LIKE A FIEND

I guess tonight I'm blogging like a fiend, although it's been weighing on me to make sure I get to it. With the news, we have natural distasters, man-made disasters, and just plain wierd shit. We've got celebrity fun stuff and celebrity b.s. of who did time for who-cares...we don't know who will be President, but we know we have the Beijing Olympics. Hang on. I'm done blogging now. You've got things to do.


definition of fiend: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fiend

Musical, novel updates

A few updates on my work...

I've posted some video on youtube...check it out.

The novel is done and is being read by my trusted red-bearded Queqeg, Josh F. Josh, thanks, you the man. I'm looking to put some ads out there and after a week of working on the ad campaign - as well as a world record attempt event, I think this - when the hell can I get back to writing??? If that isn't enough, I get in the mood with all the creative juice and thought of two more novels. But I can't get ahead of myself.

You have to develop some plan of promotion if you're planning for it to get past your desk or friends' desks. So I've been at it with a variety of promotional work for the novel, the musical and the poetry book. There will be a store - or links to where you can get POOKOO gear, and I'm excited by bringing this book and musical finally out. Today I was talking with a theater guru about staging. With the officially UNNAMED World War III project, I'm working on the poetry book and the libretto AT ONCE, which is the "problem."

But 2008 should be a good year. And when I'm done with that, time for Novel No. 2.

Annie Lennox at Chicago

FYI: Here's youtube video somebody (not me) put together for a cool song of Annie Lennox' - "Ghost in My machine"...

It's been one of those fall seasons for class A entertainment. We saw Annie Lennox Oct. 19 at Chicago's grand Cadillac Theater. Her small 6-piece band did a great job on her solo and Eurythmics material. When she opened the show with the cover "No More I love You's" the audience went wild.

When I see an artist for the first time whose work, intellect and integrity I admire, I'm just amazed that THERE THEY ARE. We had balcony seats. I like the balcony/above the audience seat. I don't mean nose bleed section, no more than 75 feet away. You get the whole stage. The theater only seats 2,500.

Annie's powerful, pure-voice emotional style took centerstage. You expect flash from such an innovator, but you realize her gift and mainstay is in her voice and writing. They put a label on her as the best white soul singer on the planet - and it's true.

Mellencamp - the show must go on

American music icon John Mellencamp - who's up for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year - was in my hometown of Rockford, Illinois last night, sicker than a dog. Raspy, coughing, and congested to the max, Mellencamp told us halfway through the show that he thought about canceling the show. Tonight he plays in St. Louis, a much larger market - and could've easily taken the night off for good reasons. But to his credit, he kept on. During an acoustic set with him and his guitar, Mellencamp's voice got stronger.

He's one of those artists who always bring their game to the table. You know what you get with his work. Now I expected a king of the blue collar to show up for work, although it was visibly evident he needed some medical help.

He introduced some new new songs like "If I Die Suddenly", a driving song to complement his political number titled "Jena" (about noose-hanging down South). Reverend John stepped up to the microphone before his congregation. A few rows from the stage two sultry denim-and-lace women snaking their hips and shoulders to the beat. I looked out at the crowd of 5,000 strong. It was one of those moments that made the work day fade away.

Thank you, John.

Broadway strike threatens future of musicals

There are storm clouds hovering over NYC. No, it's not global warming or some UFO like CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD. It's a possible strike for stage hands looms this weekend. A 2003 theater strike cost the city millions. With large ticket prices, can Broadway ever afford to not work together on these issues? After all, the play's the thing, right?

Theater, like so many things (sports, for example), cost. That's natural. But I worry for art forms because the general public sees them as luxury items when you and I know that life without art is work.

TV is successful because it's seen as a free or lost-cost entertainment. Live theater has a lightning-in-a-bottle aspect that non-fans just don't get. But that immediacy and originality happens with sports. It's even present with nature.

TV has a current writer's strike, but that will be over soon enough. There's too much money to be made. Movies and TV are expensive to make. But to see is relatively cheap. But a high end art form like live theater may have a harder time recovering and theater seems like a riskier venture because it costs so much. Prime example is LESTAT: THE MUSICAL. It looked like a hit on paper. It cost $12 million and closed in about a month. (http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw12645.html). Another example of rock meets fiction is the upcoming Stephen King-John Mellencamp collaboration. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Brothers_of_Darkland_County). I remember reading that lyricist Bernie Taupin stated that LESTAT wouldn't be "dancing vampires" and it seemed the production would take a stately approach. Mellencamp, according to Wikipedia, said it wouldn't be Jack and Diane-meets Cujo. On the other hand, it's Broadway - show biz - isn't that what people expect?


People should remember that they can, in the meantime, get their theater experience through local venues. If sports and high salaraies ever get you down, remember there's always a local game, too.

He made his mark: Norman Mailer dies

At 7:52 CST, Norman Mailer's Wikipedia entry included today - Nov. 10, 2007 - as his death date. That type of immediacy and importance was something mailer strived for in the iconic writer's lifetime of work. Along with Hunter S. Thompson, and Truman Capote, Mailer led the charge of the 1950's-1970s Era of the Journal-Novelist. Mailer said his generation wanted to be like Hemingway and often allowed his personality to be as big as the words.

The Literati may struggled with that.

Mailer was controversial. He certainly gets props for making his mark; one wonders how history will regard him. He found second fame in the 60's, putting easily the coat of literary rock star. The question is with literature is either how entertaining, accurate (as in "Truth") or creative one is - and how (if at all) one will be remembered (and why).

A great movie about writers, in case you ever want to see, is WONDERBOYS starring Michael Douglas and Tobey McGuire. The soundtrack includes a wicked song by Bob Dylan ("Things Have Changed"). Writing is about doing, but it's also about NOT writing. When you don't (or can't write), Life for a writer is like trying to walk across an ice rink full of marbles.

Deaths of Houdini, Tibbets and future projects

General Paul Tibbets died yesterday (Hiroshima mission) and one door on history closed. I had written Tibbets in 1995 regarding an invitation to be part of a work I was researching (SOUNDTRACK TO WW III). I received a polite letter that said he had "no interest at all." I have the letter framed.

That enabled me to seek out Lt. Col. Fred Olivi, a co-pilot on the Nagasaki atomic bomb mission. We would go on to work on two AOL cyberchats, the first had an audience of 230 people. (This was when modem speed was 14.4 - and fast!).

Along with research from these pilots and some scientists for SOUNDTRACK, I have worked on a movie script on the days working with Colonel Olivi.

ANNIVERSARY OF HOUDINI DEATH MARKED

Another project I worked on was an online chat on AOL in 1996 was on the 60th Houdini's death. I made some notes for a proposed Houdini musical. More later as it comes...

Novel finished - now the avalanche starts

Hey, I finished my first novel back on Labor Day. The next day I wok and began work on Novel No. 2. I'm researching, but I have a rough idea where No. 2 is going. In the meantime, selections from the first novel POOKOO are being sent out to different 'zines and to agents...we'll see what happens. Novels take time and I am also finishing off a narrative poetry book about World War III provionally titled SOUNDTRACK TO WW III (SW3). Check out YouTube for videos on these projects. I should be putting up other videos soon. And yes, a musical for SW3 is in the works. When I finished the first novel, I unleashed a beast...

My web site, www.dougsmith.info, is in the process of being remade. Also, Facebook and Myspace pages.

If you've got an interesting film (of yours) or a book or CD, let me know about it - I can blog about it here. E-mail me. Thanks for checking things out.