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?
Friday, November 16, 2007
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.)
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...
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...
Thursday, November 15, 2007
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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