Monday, September 30, 2013

Best high school football logo

Orofino Maniacs

Song butchers

Stumbled on Monday Night Football in time to hear 5 seconds of butchering the National Anthem. I didn't have to hear more.

There are two kinds of singers in our culture: those who use a song to show off their voice, and those who use their voice to communicate a song. In our age of hype and packaging over content, the latter is an endangered species.

Lombardo's Homer

"Soldiers sprawled on the ground, closer now to vultures than to their wives." Still listening to, enjoying, impressed by Lombardo reading The Iliad.

Engaging historical speculation

Screenwriter and producer Bryce Zabel (Dark Skies) has written a gripping novel, SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES, based on the premise that JFK survived the assassination attempt in Dallas. Really thought-provoking stuff ... more after I finish. I like it so far.

Stooges film

Three Stooges film discovered in garden shed

http://gu.com/p/3j6d6

War stories


How we made Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

http://gu.com/p/3j6nd

SuperPuddle City

Oregon storm 2013: Portland, Astoria see highest September rainfalls on record http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/09/oregon_storm_2013_portland_ast.html

Sanders on health care

A Single-Payer System, Like Medicare, is the Cure for America's Ailing Healthcare | Common Dreams:

"I start my approach to healthcare from two very basic premises. First, healthcare must be recognized as a right, not a privilege. Every man, woman and child in our country should be able to access the healthcare they need regardless of their income. Second, we must create a national healthcare system that provides quality healthcare for all in the most cost-effective way possible."

'via Blog this'

75%

Not running on all cylinders this morning.

The new term begins. A year of transition. Many personal changes ahead.

From bees to us

The Sixth Mass Extinction Is Upon Us: Can Humans Survive? http://disinfo.com/2013/09/sixth-mass-extinction-upon-us-can-humans-survive/

AP

Associated Press Top 25 Poll

Updated: Monday September 30, 2013 01:28 AM
RankTeamRecordVotesPrevious
1Alabama (55)4-01,4951
2Oregon (5)4-01,4222
3Clemson4-01,3543
4Ohio State5-01,3054
5Stanford4-01,2805
6Georgia3-11,1719
7Louisville4-01,0917
8Florida State4-01,0698
9Texas A&M4-11,01210
10LSU4-19796
11Oklahoma4-083814
12UCLA


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/polls/#ixzz2gNQD1Prf

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Our dismal schools

This Year's SAT Scores Are Out, and They're Grim http://zite.to/1eT2Pfm

Manning breaks record

Thanks a lot, Chip!

Denver is beating you so bad (49-13 early in 4th), TV switched games so I can't watch in awe as Manning picks you apart.

A Sunday poem

http://cdretire.blogspot.com/2013/09/sunday-mourning.html

The Wallowa County Who-Who

I believe this is the last story I published in a print journal, then only because The Portland Review asked for something.

http://cdretire.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-wallowa-county-who-who.html

Nez Perce victory

Climate chills

Quits flying as moral issue

Saturday, September 28, 2013

She got it!

The grad student screenwriter I'm mentoring got the for-hire gig with a very sweet contract. Hey, this makes my last year. So fine.

Tweet trouble

News from @AP: Professors chide KU for sanctions over tweet: http://apne.ws/1aAfLld

TV v. film

Why TV Is Pummeling the Movie Industry http://zite.to/16TKF57

R.I.P.?

New York City Opera near bankruptcy; Kickstarter effort falling short http://zite.to/16TJUc5

College football at its best!

WV upsets Ok St, 30-21, in Morgantown, homecoming, and I heard it on WV radio, first rate old school announcers, exciting to listen to. Doesn't get much better than this.

West Virginia

First rate announcing team! I'll listen to more through the season.

Underdogs

Great fun to listen to underdog's radio station when they are competitive. My morning team ends up being West Virginia, leading Ok St in 2nd. They are excited ... and so am I. Go Mountaineers!

Duh

Screenwriting venues don't like promoting my free tutorial because it competes with (and is superior to!) products they advertise. Makes sense and makes it harder to get the word out.

Football Saturday

Wind and rain outside, good day for the entertaining escape of college football. Navy and Harvard games early, later two good Pac games tonight. UCLA off, plays Thur I think.

I usually don't watch pro ball but tomorrow might watch Denver rip Chip Kelly.

But serious work tomorrow on my last day off from a teaching mentality.

Learn something new

According to the LA Times, Portland is the strip club capital of the world. This came out in an article about a NJ politician having a Twitter flirtation with a lady who works at a VEGAN strip club here. What will they think of next? Guys don't beat their meat, they beat their zucchini?

There are lists and then there are lists

Friday, September 27, 2013

Aristotle riffs

Red = David Mamet
Black = George Cohan
Purple = Contour software
Blue/green = Charles Deemer

Pandora

This is a spectacular music service. I was late to discover it.

Priorities

DC Mayor Declares Libraries “Essential,” Will Stay Open If Government Shuts Down http://zite.to/15zWPzv

Agents

I've had six agents over my half century career. The best was the first, at Fifi Oscard, but she fled the profession in dismay at the corporate hijacking of the arts. The last was a few years ago, a boutique agency trying to sell my screenwriter mystery as a detective series. Thank the gods he failed! Sounds like writing EMPLOYMENT and I've been there, done that.

Right now I couldn't be better off, except financially. I've had a great ride and am still in the saddle. I'd do my "mistakes" all over again because they led to engaging experiences. "It's all material." (Wm Goldman)

Two more martinis over here!


We Are Terrifyingly Close to the Climate's 'Point of No Return' http://zite.to/15AfCjB

Overdrive

The new narrative form is growing on me. When the experiment is done, after I've reshaped stories that already exist, I might continue to add new, original stories to the series. We'll see.

Funk

Thy name is Deemer. Still not in teaching mode. A few days to get there.

I thought old age would be more mellow, more rewarding, slower, warmer, funnier and more coherent.

Overdrive plans

I'd like to add one or two titles a term through the academic year. Next fall I'll bundle 3 stories and begin a series of paperbacks. This should keep me busy with grunt work.

Early chore

Take H to PT first thing in the morning. Trick is to get to work upon return. Easier said than done.

1975: a favorite early short play

The Stiff:  http://cdretire.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-favorite-early-short-play-1975.html

Collapse

Vikings fall apart in second half and lose. Next week to Missoula, another favorite. Lose, which is likely, and it's an 0-2 start in Big Sky.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Playing great, looking stupid

Portland State, underdogs against ranked Cal Poly, dominated the first half, 21-7. Bad news is they are the latest victims of the Nike Fashion Czars, wearing stupid new uniforms called White Camouflage, which don't hide Nike's bad taste from anyone. For the record, Cal Poly looks like a football team.

Turning off TV to hear 2nd half on radio, even though the announcers are just so-so. Otherwise I might throw up from over-exposure to Fashion.

A favorite early story

In praise of vegetables

In a mood to vegetate, listen to football, VT and later PSU, which also is on TV!, take it easy to discourage a feeling of impending germ attack, a cold coming on, need to be healthy for class next week. Decided.

Trend

Better late than never

George Zimmerman's wife has doubts about his innocence http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/justice/shellie-zimmerman-interview/index.html

Noble try

King speaks

Stephen King Hates All the Popular Books Right Now http://zite.to/1dMD2Cm

Fascinating

Six Brilliant Illustrations of Chinese and Western Cultural Differences http://zite.to/1dMCGf1

Dr. Big Brother

All ok, more or less.

Job insecurity

Drip drip

Faux Pause: Ocean Warming, Sea Level Rise And Polar Ice Melt Speed Up, Surface Warming To Follow http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/09/25/2562441/faux-pause-ocean-warming-speed-up/

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What happened?

Oracle Team USA wins America's Cup http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/25/sport/americas-cup-oracle-team-usa-team-new-zealand/index.html

I watched the race but didn't understand the course or the strategy. Impressive win, down 8-1 before winning 8 straight to get to 9. New Zealand blew it.

Brown at Harvard!

Televised this Saturday! I can get it!

Pdx food rocks

Why Portland's Food Scene is Better Than S.F."s Right Now http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2013/09/why_portlands_food_scene_is_be.php

New matter created

Ken Burns' Civil War

My run of extraordinary literature continues: rewatching this 1990 masterpiece on my Fire. More intimate and powerful than ever. And so many contemporary echoes! Astounding. And a little sad, how little changes, how little we learn from history.

Saved

America's Cup in San Francisco
I get the cable channel for the yachting final live at one. Perfect timing: I'm in need of mindless diversion.

12/12

Today day and night are each 12 hours long.

Ready to rock

Up early finishing syllabus. Off to copy shop. Not sure I'm ready for this but what can I do?

Mobile screenwriters

If you write screenplays on the move, you don't need a mobile app to get the format right. You can write in anything that saves a text file, import it later and your screenwriting program, like Celtx, will format it for you IF IF IF you use the following rule: disregard all tabs and regard faithfully all vertical spacing.

Thus, on your phone or tablet, a script would look like this:

INT. OFFICE - DAY

Charles at the keyboard on his tablet. A student stands behind him.

CHARLES
We just write as usual without using tabs.

STUDENT
That's awesome.

Charles writes something.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Outside the kidnappers take position.

*

Save as .txt text file, import to Celtx or whatever, and the format is reproduced properly. In many ways this is much easier than using the various apps out there. There's nothing to it! Really opens up possibilities.

Stating the obvious

Leading climate change economist brands sceptics 'irrational'

http://gu.com/p/3j3xk

Comebacks

In the America's Cup, New Zealand had it won. Then America won 7 straight races, and now it's down to today, winner take all this afternoon in SF. I don't understand yacht racing but I'll check it out.

This is being called the greatest comeback in the history of sports. Nope. That happened decades ago in Iceland when Bobby Fischer beat Boris Spassky in chess after forfeiting games out of his usual eccentric, arrogant self. My letter about it at the time got published in Sports Illustrated.
1972, Fischer makes move in greatest comeback in history of sports

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Crunch time

A productive day, and I need another tomorrow, focusing on school prep.

Man, summer raced by.

Inequality For All

Robert Reich takes the fight to the streets in a new film. Bill Moyers calls it a game changer. Well ... we'll see.

Banning comments

The Case For Banning Internet Commenters http://zite.to/1eEZJeR

Photos

A century of National Geographic photographs

http://gu.com/p/3j2y2

Underdogs

Finally saw the Akron- Michigan game, down to last play. Sloppy! But exciting because Akron almost won.

Weather and food

Rain and wind. Feels like a good time to make spring rolls for dinner.

Screenwriting reality

About adjuncts

Care over cure

 There's a new movement afoot, centered in Europe, that challenges the "prolonged dying" of mainstream medicine. It emphasizes care over cure, the goal a peaceful transition to natural death. Let it grow!

The next novella in the Overdrive series


An old writer blames his agent for lack of fame and fortune.

'It's Your Fault' Parody Video Takes On India's Rape Culture And Ends Up Going Viral | ThinkProgress

'It's Your Fault' Parody Video Takes On India's Rape Culture And Ends Up Going Viral | ThinkProgress:

"“Let’s face it, ladies — rape is your fault! It all begins with what you wear. Scientific studies suggest that women who wear skirts are the leading cause of rape. You know why? Because men have eyes!”"

Climate Change Devastating Ocean Fisherman: 'Sometimes We'll Catch 5,000 Pounds Of Jellyfish' | ThinkProgress

Climate Change Devastating Ocean Fisherman: 'Sometimes We'll Catch 5,000 Pounds Of Jellyfish' | ThinkProgress:

 "For many U.S. fisherman, there’s no debate about climate change. It’s here, and already majorly impacting their industries."

'via Blog this'

Extraction Extremism: Connecting the Dots on Global Warming | Common Dreams

Extraction Extremism: Connecting the Dots on Global Warming | Common Dreams:

"We can’t burn all the fossil fuels in the ground without destroying the Earth as we know it.  We know that the situation is already bad and it will get worse the longer we continue to burn it. These are simple dots to connect—we need to transition off of fossil fuels, and we need to do it soon.

So to paraphrase Winston Churchill:  If not now, when?  If not us, who?

These dots are connected, and they form a coherent whole and that whole leads straight to the most devastating tragedy humanity has ever faced. The bad news is time is running out; the good news is, we still control a measure of our future. "

'via Blog this'

Interview with Katy Butler

Bookstores

Browsing the bookshop of the future http://zite.to/18SenwM

Monday, September 23, 2013

Elway on Manning

John Elway

Peyton Manning
On the radio pre-game tonight, John Elway talked about Peyton Manning and the incredible start he's having. It's hard to imagine, said Elway, how Manning can improve. This is as good as quarterbacking gets. Quite a tribute.

Book editors

What Ever Happened to Book Editors? http://zite.to/18T3mWc

Caruso, 1904



In his film Match Point, Woody Allen uses this aria to considerable dramatic effect. It may be my favorite Caruso.

Here's Pavarotti:

Cool

Second thoughts on SCREENWRIGHT

When I get down, which happens more often the older I get, I need to read those "ipress clippings." Remarkable.

I kept waitng for a corporation to run with my pedagogical concept and blow me out of the water with an interactive DVD with film clips, interviews with stars, and high production values. Never happened. Still, 16 years later! It still could be done and still would blow away everything out there. SCREENWRITE has no frills, no sex appeal, but you can't beat the content.

It really hasn't been "found" as a free resouce yet. I should publicize it duh. I hate marketing duh. Even when something is free.

At any rate, a dumpy day somewhat improved by those distant, long gone, pats on the back.

Greatest hit

I suppose in numbers of critical and consumer raves, the greatest "hit" of my career is the original 1997 electronic screenwriting tutorial SCREENWRIGHT, which became the basis of my later screenwriting products. You can't do much better than these reviews and testimonials:

Check it out.

Screenwright is now FREE
Yes, FREE!
.

Commerce

Why Fake Reviews Will Never, Ever Go Away http://zite.to/1fv7UsP

Attn: Screenwriters

Attention Screenwriters: Why Your Script Needs Suspense, No Matter What the Genre http://zite.to/16CphRw

Richard Toscan: "American movies are about what happens next."

At the hospital

At the hospital

H getting a follow up ... Listening to Caruso on the Fire in waiting area ... glare on screen, all the windows here, Fire's great weakness.

Published Recovery ... need to choose #9 ... thinking of A Writerly Revenge ... Also need to finish and print syllabus.

Not ready for summer to end. Tough.

LATER. Almost two, finally home but energy shot, doubt if I'll get anything done. Maybe finish Hamlet.

Reading Kindle books

Some folks still don't realize you can read Kindle books on any electronic device (including on your computer). All you need is the appropriate free app.

Select your free app for reading Kindle books.

A Writerly Retirement: At Marie's Memorial

A Writerly Retirement: At Marie's Memorial:

'via Blog this'

STORIES IN OVERDRIVE: new title published

STORIES IN OVERDRIVE: Recovery

'via Blog this'

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Now walk the talk

Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet

Started film, which I'd never seen before. Ah, something else to rave about, delivered with power and integrity. I'm being overwhelmed by extraordinary good works.

Katy Butler

Only one chapter in, I already sense how important this book is, addressing ignored issues important to me for years. "The autumn of natural old age" v. the "prolonged dying" of our times. Butler is the author.

Important new book?


A review suggests "Knocking on Heaven's Door" is a book I've been waiting for. A memoir by a daughter helping her mother get her father's pacemaker turned off because it's keeping him alive as a vegetable. Doctors oppose them every step of the way. She argues we desperately need a new way, a new attitude, of death. Hear, hear! Must check this out.

Fine player

Last week

Only one week before classes start. Where did the summer go?

I wanted to publish the first 3 novellas in the Overdrive series. I am about to release #8.

I wanted to downsize the basement. Barely got started.

Not on the wish list: prepared ms of new book of poems, which Round Bend Press is publishing October 26.

H had successful knee #2 surgery, now in physical therapy.

Not enough summer weather.

R.I.P. Carolyn Cassady

Writer Carolyn Cassady of Beat generation dies http://zite.to/19pDCTC

Maybe

Bigger days ahead for unbeaten Bruins http://zite.to/17TxcN8

If they bring their first Q lethargy to Eugene, by the time they wake up, Nike will be leading 35-0!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Mantra

Dejavu all over again

Terrible 1st Q for UCLA: lose ball twice in red zone, and Hundley twice misses open receivers for TDs. 28 lost pts.

PSU women runners rule

Portland State Athletics http://www.goviks.com/mobile/index.aspx?story=7859 Sent from Maxthon Mobile


Men runners, too!

Join the APU, join the APU ...

Eureka!

Found a resource for hearing Harvard football games online. They have a bye so I can't test it till next week.

Sex at Amazon

Another reviewer reduced her rating because of "descriptions of sex acts" ... however, there are no such descriptions, there are only MENTIONS of them. Takes all kinds, of course, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from her window, hence is a foreign policy expert. Where are Mencken and Pound when we need them?

A good son

Jack Klugman's Son on Emmy Tribute Omission: 'I Think It's Criminal' http://zite.to/15fZJtd

A rare admission

Utah State announcer about USC defensive line: They're just really good athletes and get there much quicker.

The New Yorker wants to know

Is It O.K. to Watch Football? http://zite.to/19rUVSD

Cannabalism in the NW

Listening to football

Random thoughts

Listening to San Jose State at Minnesota ... close in first quarter ... gray day outside ... Dr. Big Bro is out there ... how long before they monitor more, like the mind, thoughts ... this won't be a hard world to leave ... sad to say but true ... tomorrow need to do final read of Recovery, publish ... finish syllabus ... Minn about to pull away ... check score board, visit other games.

Dr. Big Brother

Call from hospital last eve ... my pacer had sent distress signal at 130pm Thurs, beating too fast ... had I fainted, had chest pains, on and on? ... nope, just a normal day to me ... but I go in next week so they can check me over. Occurred to me later I mowed the lawn Thurs afternoon! Can't recall hour but it does get me tired. Must have been it.

Of course it took them over 24 hrs to get to me on this. Assume they have priority list of distress signals.

Dr.Big Brother is tracking my every move. Jeeeeezzz ...

Shocking

Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day http://zite.to/15eUwBK

Makes me nervous

Record point spreads for Miami, Ohio State, UCLA http://zite.to/15eTF47

Not walking the talk

Democrat Flaunts Vodka, Caviar To Protest Food Stamp Cuts http://zite.to/16muzj1

Oscars

Best Screenplay Oscar Predictions Update: A Look at Both the Adapted and Original Categories http://zite.to/15eSTnN

Dream$$$ in LaLaLand that came true

Most Expensive Screenplays http://zite.to/15eSzWa

Climate

Climate: Growing certainties on warming and human role http://phys.org/news/2013-09-climate-certainties-human-role.html

Friday, September 20, 2013

Fresno St 41, Boise St 40

7 year losing streak ends. Should have been blow out ... Fresno gave Boise 18pts on a golden platter! But they got it together at the end.

Noise

The Fresno crowd is so loud, and maybe the mics not set right, very hard to hear ... watch on tv sigh ...

Why not?

Since Boise St already has a loss, I'm rooting for the home Fresno St upset. Listening radio/ Fire over Espn tv.

When Bob Dylan Met Walt Whitman

Agreeing with Sen. McCain!

Senator John McCain calls the Dodgers ‘overpaid, immature, arrogant, spoiled brats’ after pool celebration http://zite.to/18glehu

Damn socialists

House Republicans Line Up for Free Annual Physicals Before Defunding Obamacare http://zite.to/18Ikcae

2013???

North Carolina County Bans Ellison's Invisible Man http://zite.to/19kKGAR

Good new writing app!

Progress

Finished first reading of Recovery in waiting room. Pretty decent iced coffee from stand in hospital lobby.

Ice stop on way home. Then H has visitors coming. I'll go to basement office and input corrections, then send to Fire for second reading.

Time to pick #9. Have an idea.

Testing new writing app ... easier, quicker than what I was using.

Really good LA Times Op Ed about hearing early Dylan at highway rest stop ... will try and post it. About our serious historical amnesia.

No ideas for #9 cover yet.

Here comes H ...

Infographic

There are 793 million illiterate people in the world [infographic] http://zite.to/15bEZCN

Lucky timing

Glad I did yard work yesterday ... next 6 days = rain. Ah, Puddle City!

PT and polish

Take H to Physical Therapy first thing in the morning. While waiting, I can read/polish Recovery on the Fire ... or wait at a nearby Starbucks and contemplate my navel.

Want to finish new syllabus today.

Not a beach bum

My Name Is Jason, I'm A 35-Yr-Old White Male Combat Veteran...And I'm On Food Stamps http://zite.to/1gFu4qb

Free history course in November

Free online course on ‘England in the time of King Richard III’ http://zite.to/15aPrul

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The comfort of simple voices

Listening tonight to Mills Bros, Four Freshmen, Four Aces. etc. Cheaper than drugs.

Portland weather

http://roundbendpress.blogspot.com/2013/09/trapped.html

TS on disliking much of the weather here. And feeling trapped, though maybe immobile is more accurate. Know the feeling!

Frat life at LSU

LSU and Kent St play football ...


Cornell men's lacrosse team suspended following hazing incident

Cornell men's lacrosse team suspended following hazing incident

Good! We need more tough reprimands like this.

The yard

I actually mowed some grass today.

Oh brother ...

Justice Scalia Forms Search Committee for New Pope http://zite.to/1bu98EB

Iliad, a contemporary war story

About a quarter way through listening to Stanley Lombardo read his own translation of Homer's Iliad. In our present war culture, no story sounds more relevant, more powerful, more moving. If we learned from literature lessons that changed behavior, war would have disappeared centuries ago. But we haven't. At one point Helen says war is tragic so poets can write about it afterwards. So it is. But this is the mother of all war stories and Lombardo has given this classic a fresh, modern vitality that makes it more powerful than ever.


I'm doing a book a day and this moment has become precious, as spiritually important as church can be for some. I cannot overstate my admiration for this audiobook.

Pins and needles

A screenwriter I've been mentoring is being considered for her first for-hire gig. On pins and needles, hoping she gets it. They don't know what a gift she is. A talented collaborator as well as screenwriter.

As I get ready to retire from teaching, she's one of 6 or 8 screenwriters I've successfully mentored over the years, all of them "professional" whether they pursue(d) a career or not. One, in fact, only wrote 2 scripts but came very close to selling both, strong interest in her work, DeVito a fan, but walked away to do something else. It's not a secure profession.

After the Navy Yard Shooting: Why This No Time to Despair About Gun Control : The New Yorker

After the Navy Yard Shooting: Why This No Time to Despair About Gun Control : The New Yorker:

"Nothing seems to happen in the wake of massacre after massacre. No legislation, just a preening, self-congratulatory dance among the members of the gun lobby, which wholly owns the Republican Party and too many chunks of the Democratic one: Not even twelve more dead can shake our grip! Yet I don’t detect despair on the side of the sane, though despair might be helpful."

'via Blog this'

Daily Kos: End the Cultural Genocide in South Dakota against Our Lakota People

Daily Kos: End the Cultural Genocide in South Dakota against Our Lakota People:

"For far too long our people have been ignored by the United States. Many who are willing to learn of our struggles are kept in the dark by corporate-controlled media and other institutions. Genocide has survived in various forms after the Massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 and after the deliberate kidnapping, haircutting, beatings, sexual-physical abuse, rape, and other crimes against humanity that happened to our grandmothers and grandfathers at the hands of Christian Churches and the United States Government during the boarding school era."

'via Blog this'

Daily Kos: Breakthrough in Quantum Physics May Do Away with Space-Time, Lead to Ultimate Theory

Daily Kos: Breakthrough in Quantum Physics May Do Away with Space-Time, Lead to Ultimate Theory:

'via Blog this'

This Extraordinary Pope, Ctd « The Dish

This Extraordinary Pope, Ctd « The Dish:

Andrew Sullivan on the new pope, and I think he is right. I'd love to see a radical humanist pope: one of the few institutional pulpits that can get a huge prime time audience. I hope he does more than talk, however.

Food waste

Use browser to enlarge.


What an encouraging observation ...

Top Climate Scientist: Today’s Leaders Will ‘Determine the Fate of Humanity’ | Common Dreams:

'via Blog this'

A Writerly Retirement: The Tourist

A Writerly Retirement: The Tourist:

'via Blog this'

Love this film

Blue Jasmine – review

http://gu.com/p/3tpnf

The boss

Sketch spent much of the night in the comfortable chair in the bedroom. As he had his breakfast, I took the chair to read. Later S hopped up on my lap, licking my face, giving me no peace to read. I would shoo him away, hoping he'd settle in one of his other sleeping spots. No luck. He was right back. Finally I gave up, let him have the chair, where he now sleeps, and came into the living room to read. The boss wins again.

Football

Looking forward to ... Boise St / Fresno St ... Arkansas / Rutgers ... BYU / Air Force ... Idaho / WSU, the Palouse rivalry, 2 schools 8 miles apart, anything can happen ... Mich St / ND ... ASU / Stanford ... and of course UCLA. More games than time to hear them all. My upset of the week ... Mich State.

 Of course, my app has a scoreboard ... close game in 4th Q, can quickly pick it up on radio, preferring broadcast of the team that's behind. Last week I caught 3 game endings decided on last play!

U.S. v. the world

The Case Against High-School Sports http://zite.to/19fFKgp

Big challenge

How UCLA Is Selling Its Program in Pro-USC Town http://zite.to/15892LD

I bet this backfires!

Starbucks respectfully asks patrons not to bring guns to stores http://zite.to/1588iX1

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

For President?

Elizabeth Warren Takes a Victory Lap http://zite.to/1aUi3jt

Ah those Yalies!

Yale Quarterback Uses Google Glass To Give First-Person View Of Game (VIDEO) http://zite.to/1aUhLsN

Progress

Grunt work done on new Overdrive. Now polish, probable release next week.

Classes in two weeks. Hard to imagine.

Banning child beauty pageants

Something sweet to start the day

Man Uses Custom Book to Propose to Girlfriend http://zite.to/1dolo7T

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Paul deLay

Enjoying the late great tonight, a sometimes drinking buddy in the way back when, his ex a girlfriend later, one of the few men I ever met who could leave me in the fog in a boozy run, one of the great Puddle City bands to dance to in the Golden Age, who always saved a slow blues for me when he saw me on the scene, whom in an annual unsuccessful ritual I would nominate for the prestigious Governor's Arts Award, which still should be delivered posthumously.

Volleyball

Listening to ASU volleyball game, live, which I found while exploring on my radio app. Never listened to volleyball on radio before. Better than tennis on radio.

A Writerly Retirement: To live in the world

A Writerly Retirement: To live in the world:

'via Blog this'

Right to die

Professor Stephen Hawking backs right to die for the terminally ill

http://gu.com/p/3tpv2

I would add ... for the rational over age 70.

HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

Will a master's in creative writing get you a book deal?

http://gu.com/p/3tzh4

A favorite director

Nebraska: exclusive first trailer and poster for Alexander Payne's new film

http://gu.com/p/3tzz8

We've Had So Many Mass Shootings In The U.S., We've Had To Redefine The Term

We've Had So Many Mass Shootings In The U.S., We've Had To Redefine The Term:

"Under the Reddit definition, a shooting spree that wounds at least four people, but doesn't kill them, is still a mass shooting.

Including Monday's mass shooting, the Reddit list for 2013 is nearing 250 incidents. That's an average of one mass shooting almost every day."


Thousands of Canadian Scientists Protest 'Death of Science-Based Policy' | Common Dreams

Thousands of Canadian Scientists Protest 'Death of Science-Based Policy' | Common Dreams:

"Harper government's cuts to research funding show preference for 'ignorance over evidence and ideology over honesty'"

The U.S. affliction is catching.

Round Bend Press: (gasp)

Round Bend Press: (gasp):

TS on gun rights.

American mythology

Some Americans don't understand why so many want assault weapons easily available. These are weapons of war, not weapons for hunting or self-protection. Exactly! Citizens are arming for war against an encroaching government. Or against the U. N. Against Obama's Muslim conspiracy. One can't be too careful these days. Better double my order.


A simple day

Rain will keep me indoors except for my daily ice run for H's knee wrap. Ten more pages on Overdrive ... another book or two in the Iliad ... a little touch up work on the syllabus ... a little reading, music.

Homer

Complex characters! Plot twists and suspense! Poetry, evocative imagery! Man, it is all here. I've never enjoyed Homer so much. Definitely following Iliad with audiobook, same team, of The Odyssey. This is not as remarkable as the USA trilogy audiobooks I listened to some time back, but damn close.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Booze

The world we live in

I was on an errand, getting ice for H's knee wrap, when the radio was covering the Navy yard shooting. Sadly I hardly reacted ... it could have been the weather report. Another day, another mass shooting. O say can you see ...

Stanley Lombardo reads Homer

Started The Iliad, and this is a first rate audiobook! A gripping rendition. Intro material by Susan Sarandon. Great stuff!

LATER. This is a modern translation (also by Lombardo) of minor controversy. Purists disapprove. I love it because it's so gripping, as exciting as a Hollywood action movie. This is a great showcase for the genius of Homer.

Watching movies

Movie theater still king, but filmmakers slowly warm to online http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/09/15/entertainment-us-toronto-festival-distri-idINBRE98E0FE20130915?feedType=RSS&feedName=hollywood

I love watching on the Fire. A novel-reading experience.

Not a surprise

Seahawks fans set Guinness World Record for loudest stadium http://zite.to/180vtXe

When meaning matters

Russian Shot In Argument Over Kant’s Philosophy http://zite.to/180uNB7

In praise of elitism

In praise of elitism:

"Giftedness exists, and not in equal measure across all people. Isn't it time to fess-up the errors brought about by the egalitarian illogic of Multiple Intelligences? Isn't it time to address the inherent inequities brought about by endorsing enrichment for all? Isn't it time to recapture the field of gifted child education from those who have held it hostage for a generation? Our gifted children deserve to be identified and served in ways that capitalize on their unique abilities and qualities. Please join me in being elitist enough to say so."

'via Blog this'

Jonathan Franzen: what's wrong with the modern world | Books | The Guardian

Jonathan Franzen: what's wrong with the modern world | Books | The Guardian:

"In my own little corner of the world, which is to say American fiction, Jeff Bezos of Amazon may not be the antichrist, but he surely looks like one of the four horsemen. Amazon wants a world in which books are either self-published or published by Amazon itself, with readers dependent on Amazon reviews in choosing books, and with authors responsible for their own promotion. The work of yakkers and tweeters and braggers, and of people with the money to pay somebody to churn out hundreds of five-star reviews for them, will flourish in that world. But what happens to the people who became writers because yakking and tweeting and bragging felt to them like intolerably shallow forms of social engagement? What happens to the people who want to communicate in depth, individual to individual, in the quiet and permanence of the printed word, and who were shaped by their love of writers who wrote when publication still assured some kind of quality control and literary reputations were more than a matter of self-promotional decibel levels? "

'via Blog this'

Long and convoluted but I agree with many major points, including the ones above.

The Origins and Formatting of Modern Screenplays

The Origins and Formatting of Modern Screenplays from FilmmakerIQ.com on Vimeo.
Excellent 15 minute video.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Hangin' in

34-25 running gin rjmmy...

An emotional win


Even the coach was in tears.

British film

British film on the crest of a new wave

http://gu.com/p/3tkjx

Starwatch

Starwatch: Jupiter in Gemini

http://gu.com/p/3tmtn

L. A. Times

Ah, so much fun to read all the good press about UCLA in the LAT this morning, greater coverage than anywhere else. One of the reasons I get the paper.

Sports apps

There are dozens of these. Takes a while to find the right one for an individual.

For example, my college football radio app and tune in app cover all the bases, the former best for smaller teams, the latter for the espn games.

But I still didn't have a general sports app I really liked ... until now. CBS Sports app is what I was looking for. Click on a score and go to a story, not to stats like the other apps I tried. I deleted 3 sports apps, now replaced by the CBS. And the live game tracker is even better than the college fb one. Happy camper!

Looking for replay of Mich-Akron game.

Morning work

Good work on Overdrive, really improves the attitude. Recovery is a good story. Had forgotten about it. First 10 done, maybe can release this next week if I keep at it.

A Writerly Retirement: Prayer

A Writerly Retirement: Prayer:

'via Blog this'

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dumbest QB in the universe

Wisconsin behind 2 pts, in red zone, no time outs, time for QB to spike it, FG to win, routine really.

But the Wisc QB just sets the ball down! Not a pass. The clock keeps running, runs out, Ariz St wins! Incredible! All this on Ariz radio was even more gripping than the back and forth ending and overtime of Beavers game on Utah radio.

INCREDIBLE!

A minority of blue

A Nebraska home game. Over 91000 screaming huskers. And way up in the nose bleed seats behind an end zone ... less than 1000 blue shirts, Bruin fans.

Late in first half. 21-3 for the home team. UCLA can' t do anything right. A massive overthrow of Bruin in the clear, easy TD. Bruin punter drops the snap, setting up a TD. Bruins are lucky to go into lockers only 3 scores behind.

And then, on final possession, they drive and score. They wake up. They score 28 in the 3rd Q, 38 unanswered pts altogether. 41-21and those few blue shirts way up high have a memory they'll never forget.

Go Bruins!

Oh my

Johnny Jerk just threw 96 yd TD pass, suddenly a 7 pt game with 9 mins, lots of time. Alabama about to go ahead by 21, fumbled on 4. From 21 to 7 in a heartbeat. Johnny Jerk does make things happen.

Johnny Jerk

Alabama just returned interception for 70yd TD. Love it.

UCLA has character

UCLA makes all the adjustments in blowout win vs Huskers http://zite.to/160EEsF

UCLA shows up

Down 21-3, nothing going right, they finally focus and score 38 unanswered points, 28 in third Q, 41-21. A class act turnaround!

First Q nightmare

Painful to watch, UCLA is so bad. Hundley terrible, defense terrible. Where is the team?

Three games

If I want, I can follow three games at once: one on TV, listen to one on Fire, follow one on Gamecast on Fire.

Football Saturday

UCLA pregame on the Fire ... I'm ready! On paper, this looks good for the Bruins but they are far from home with heavy hearts for a lost teammate. They need to keep in focus.

I don'expect NWOC to have a hard time with Tennessee. Alabama-TAM will be something ... hard to choose, I dislike both. I'll go against the arrogant Heisman.

23 minutes to kickoff at Westwood One!

Friday, September 13, 2013

The new normal

Welcome to your neighborhood

Out of sync

Out of work rhythm. Football day tomorrow but Sunday need to get going on #8, feel like I'm moving forward. Hate feeling out of sync.

First gig

Meeting with grad student screenwriter I've been mentoring. Opportunity for her first for-hire gig, always an exciting and important career step. At Starbucks expecting her arrival ...

NPR

Zimmerman's Police Chief Agrees He's A 'Sandy Hook' Waiting To Happen

Zimmerman's Police Chief Agrees He's A 'Sandy Hook' Waiting To Happen:

Terrific.

States That Get The Most Disaster Aid Have Sent Dozens Of Climate Deniers To Congress | ThinkProgress

States That Get The Most Disaster Aid Have Sent Dozens Of Climate Deniers To Congress | ThinkProgress:

Wish this were a sick joke. Nope.

Kentucky Governor Stands Up To Climate Deniers, Defends Teaching Science In Schools | ThinkProgress

Kentucky Governor Stands Up To Climate Deniers, Defends Teaching Science In Schools | ThinkProgress

Hear, hear!

Trees Are Speeding Up Their Life Cycles To Try To Keep Up With Climate Change | ThinkProgress

Trees Are Speeding Up Their Life Cycles To Try To Keep Up With Climate Change | ThinkProgress:

'via Blog this'

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Screenwriting and fiction

How The Rules Of Screenwriting Can Improve Your Prose Fiction http://zite.to/15VN3xs

Foreign students

Poor, isolated, and far from home: what it's like to be an international student

http://gu.com/p/3th32

Stupidity!

A TT player running for TD - but dropped ball too soon to celebrate! No TD, penalty, instead of taking lead, on 16 ... amazing stupidity. TT scores anyway but ...

Olympians join PSU cross country coaching staff

Red Raiders

Texas Tech football network is terrific. Great pre-game, good game calling. Lots of school spirit, which is infectious. Love this app that gives me so many choices!

Home sweet home

H on the sofa, feet up, ice machine running, glad to be home. So far, so good.

Colorado floods

U of Colo dorms flooding. May be a first. Many weather firsts coming, believe me.

Discharge

H comes home today. Head out for the long urban scenic ride in a couple.

2 star bonus?

A reviewer put down A Gift Before Dying because it had sex in it. The blurb said so, don't read it! Maybe this will generate sales ha ha! Shows the fallacy of the whole Amazon review structure, the problem being that it's taken seriously.

John O'Hara

Teachers

Why Teaching May Truly Be the World's Most Important Career http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/11/top-careers-jobs-teaching

A teacher, Bob Trevor, changed my life.

 The Teacher, my short story from 1969 The Colorado Quarterly, expressed mixed feelings about the teaching profession. The responsibility is staggering.

Messing with Nature

No More Night? The Meaning of the Loss of Darkness http://zite.to/1aEzRyN

God's country

Capture A Moment Of Stillness With The Stunning Open Desert Sky (PHOTOS) http://zite.to/13Qu4RE

Burroughs' early graphic novel

The ‘lost’ art of William Burroughs’ mind-bending unpublished graphic novel, ‘Ah Pook is Here’ http://zite.to/17XVTHc

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Editors pick photos

Harriet's self-portrait


More art by Harriet Levi.

Images

A few that resonate with me ...



An urban scenic drive

If driving home from the hospital at night was a nightmare, the drives to and from today were enjoyable. Great weather, the mayor of Divaville at her day job playing great classical on the radio, iced coffee at hand, and a route filled with greenery and interesting neighborhoods, which I'll take over freeway speed and efficiency any day.

H is doing amazing well, though they found a heart irregularity they want to check out. Hopefully she comes home tomorrow. I've never seen her so mellow.

King Arthur

The Origins of the Arthurian Legend http://zite.to/1b6yW9D

At UCLA I did my English Honors Thesis on the legend as treated by E. A. Robinson in three book length poems. Looking back,  I think this is quite a project for an undergraduate. Pat myself on the back.

Update

Call from H, she sounds great, feels great, up and about already, much more mobile than last time, had a big breakfast ... fantastic. I'll visit mid day, there and back missing rush hour.

Saturday ABC

Go Ducks!

This doesn't happen often: UCLA and Nike's Wagnerian Opera Co. play back to back, at 9am and noon. A little tease before they meet Oct. 26. Undergrad alma mater v. grad alma mater. I love it.
Go Bruins!

And Oct. 26 is the day my new book of poems gets published. Big day! Operatic, you might say.  Oh ... and my birthday.

9/11

MSNBC continues its annual tradition of replaying 9/11 as it happened live a decade ago.

Of lessons learned, one won't get much, if any, discussion. For a moment we had the extraordinary sympathy of the world - and it took us almost no time at all to squander it. We lost it with arrogance, cowboying, and over-reach. How tragic we didn't have statesmen in power who could have built a constructive world community from these feelings of good will. We have to do it our way, the chosen people, the City on a Hill, arrogant, ignorant of history and of how and why great powers decline and die. Well, we can't blame anyone else for our present mess. We've met the enemy and they are us.