RIP Don Van Vliet

The Captain is gone... a true original in an industry full of fakes.

Versatile blogger, moi?

Bernard S. Jansen, who somehow finds the time and energy to have two blogs (that I know of), has given me a kick in the creative bum by handing me this very fine award. Rather than waste time thanking [insert name of deity] and The Academy, I’ll get down to it.

It works like this, apparently:

The Rules for The Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pass the award to fifteen bloggers that you think deserve it.
4. Lastly, contact all of the bloggers that you’ve picked for the award.

Okay, I’ve thanked Bernard, and linked back to both his blogs.

Here are seven things about me you will be no better off for knowing:

1. I have no children and three grandchildren.
2. Like Bernard, I have never broken a bone, or one of anyone else’s (as far as I know).
3. I spent several years co-writing an Aussie sit-com called Hey, Dad! At the time, it was one of the longest-running TV shows in the world, after eight years on air.
4. I wrote my first short story at nine. It was set in a doomed submarine, and everyone died. My teacher was quite impressed, but concerned…
5. I believe in love at first sight. Fortunately it hasn’t happened since I met my wife.
6. I have two dogs and a cat. Their combined ages are 42.
7. I was about to delete this blog and start again (maybe). And I don’t Twitter.

Like Bernard, I’m going with ten blogs for the moment – my dwindling attention span makes even thinking up those a Herculean task.

1. John Walkenbach, the first blogger I ever discovered.
2. Mick Farren, a genuine rock star.
3. Brad Green, who blogs even less than I do.
4. Teresa Cortez, barer of souls.
5. Alexandra Sokoloff, who enlightens.
6. Robin Evans, fellow trail boss at Critters Bar.
7. Gavin Broom, who has morphed into an entertaining movie critic.
8. Sophie Playle, whose star is on the rise.
9. ABSOLUTELY*KATE, who has hopefully forgiven me for wandering off again…
10. Cate Gardner, who doesn’t need this.

Okay, that wasn’t so hard. I know it’ll take days for lazy me to contact all those people, at least one of whom has never heard of me. Still, that’s the internet, isn’t it?

Thanks again, Bernard. 

Brett Easton Ellis and Warren Zevon

I’m listening, right now, to a one-hour informal interview with Brett Easton Ellis (who prefers “Brett Ellis” – he added in his middle name because it sounded more literary…) Anyway, this show asks its subjects, who come from all walks of professional and artistic life, to choose five favourite pieces of music and talk about them. Ellis’ first choice was Desperados Under The Eaves by Warren Zevon. He added that he would probably pick five different pieces on any other day, but after it was played he was glad he’d picked it and would have anyway.



I nearly stood up and applauded when I heard the lines,

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill

…just like I did the first time I ever heard them.

Take it from one who knew

"Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible
government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul this unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of statesmanship."

(President Theodore Roosevelt)

Appholes and iGoons

I wish I could rant like this...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Appholes
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home...

Alex Chilton died. Never got a mention in the "mainstream" media, of course.



"High Priest" was my favourite album. I had to listen on my own, my friends couldn't stand it.

And while we're riffing on Alex's memory, spare a thought for Lux Interior of The Cramps, who also passed away recently. A month ago. Maybe I should subscribe to Rolling Stone...

Food for thought...

Music is the International Language...

Forgetting the words (or your meds) need be an embarrassment no more...



Found on Some Guy's Blog, and then some. Nearly half a million hits...

If this doesn't make you smile, you're taking things far too seriously.

Apocryphal Hollywood Story About Motivation

The story goes that, some time in the seventies, when The Method was becoming de rigeur in Hollywood, a Famous Director was encountering some problems with a Famous Method Actor on the set of an action film. The scene takes place on a rooftop. The Famous Method Actor has to run from one side of the roof to the other, as fast as he can. That’s all.

He tries, and falters. This happens over and over. He just can’t get the “urgency” thing happening. He goes to his trailer, meditates, and returns. Still no good. He’s trying his best, he’s almost in tears but he just can’t run “right”. Money and daylight are burning away. Famous Director is getting the shits, big time. Tired of the mucking around, he yells “What is it, what’s the problem?”

“I just can’t find the reason for him to be doing this,” replies the Famous Method Actor across the rooftop. “I mean, what’s my motivation?”

The Famous Director sits down, lights cigarette, looks at the Famous Method Actor for a moment and says…

“I’ll tell you when you get here!”