It was around this time in 1987 that the Whomobile, the car I drove throughout high school, gave out and died in the middle of Lorain Road in North Olmsted. In honor of that noble beast (I think my memory is a little cloudy), here are the Who and one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
2 week countdown
2 weeks until the book is released. Are you excited? I am.
It was around this time in 1987 that the Whomobile, the car I drove throughout high school, gave out and died in the middle of Lorain Road in North Olmsted. In honor of that noble beast (I think my memory is a little cloudy), here are the Who and one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
It was around this time in 1987 that the Whomobile, the car I drove throughout high school, gave out and died in the middle of Lorain Road in North Olmsted. In honor of that noble beast (I think my memory is a little cloudy), here are the Who and one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Mom & Dad
My parents were in town this weekend for the first ever Malchus clambake. It's hard not to get nostalgic whenever my folks are around. Although they moved to Tucson over 10 years ago, and Julie and I have been in Southern California for nearly 19 years, I still consider the house I grew up in my "home." The fact that I'm always back in North Olmsted (where Julie's parents moved) reenforces this feeling.
Nail biting...
Now the nail biting begins. Next week I'm supposed to record a podcast with my Popdose co-horts, Matt Wardlaw and Jeff Giles. I sent them the book on Friday night and they're the first two people to read the final draft. Logically, I should be thinking, "Hey, these guys already like the column, what am I worried about?" However, there is still that side of me - the writer side - that fears rejection.
It can't be as bad as the reactions to "King's Highway" can it? I mean, some people HATED that movie (I shouldn't publicize that, should I. What I meant to say is that some people just didn't GET the movie. Yeah, that's it).
I think I'm more nervous that two people I highly respect are reading the book and I really hope they like it.
Not that I don't want everyone to like it. Because I do. I'm a writer, see, and we're neurotic messes.
Aloha
It can't be as bad as the reactions to "King's Highway" can it? I mean, some people HATED that movie (I shouldn't publicize that, should I. What I meant to say is that some people just didn't GET the movie. Yeah, that's it).
I think I'm more nervous that two people I highly respect are reading the book and I really hope they like it.
Not that I don't want everyone to like it. Because I do. I'm a writer, see, and we're neurotic messes.
Aloha
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Happy Birthday, Jake!
Today was this guy's birthday:
In honor of Jacob's birthday, here is one of his songs. Enjoy!
Once more with feeling
Tonight I completed my final pass at the book. I hope it's up to the standards that readers are used to. I've done my best, having read and re-read the book six times and had two people proofread the manuscript. If I don't stop now I could be revising the book forever. In fact, I rewrote the introduction of a chapter on the train ride home tonight.
It's done. I have to move forward and trust that I've done my best and the people will appreciate all the hard work that has gone into self-publishing the book. Now I will spend the next two weeks finalizing the details, like completing the cover, building the master PDF that will become the book (a painstaking but necessary process) and figuring out how to upload and create the Kind version of the book. That last one seems easy, but I'm always suspicious when things appear too easy.
For all of you who are following the progress of the book, I'll be filling in more of the details about it in the coming weeks. For now, since it's after midnight and I have work in the morning, I'll just say goodnight.
Aloha
PS- Oh what the hell, here's They Might Be Giants!
It's done. I have to move forward and trust that I've done my best and the people will appreciate all the hard work that has gone into self-publishing the book. Now I will spend the next two weeks finalizing the details, like completing the cover, building the master PDF that will become the book (a painstaking but necessary process) and figuring out how to upload and create the Kind version of the book. That last one seems easy, but I'm always suspicious when things appear too easy.
For all of you who are following the progress of the book, I'll be filling in more of the details about it in the coming weeks. For now, since it's after midnight and I have work in the morning, I'll just say goodnight.
Aloha
PS- Oh what the hell, here's They Might Be Giants!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
A little Journey for your Tuesday
What, you didn't think Journey would get some
love in the book? Here's a great way to get through Tuesday. "Still They
Ride," from ESCAPE.
And in case you haven't figured it out, yes, I am trying to post all of the songs mentioned in BASEMENT SONGS.
And in case you haven't figured it out, yes, I am trying to post all of the songs mentioned in BASEMENT SONGS.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
12/4/12
December 4, 2012.
As I typed this date to announce the day the book will go on sale, I realized the significance of it. I must admit that I chose it because I thought it would give people enough time to make their purchase and get a copy before the holidays. It's the first Tuesday of December and all new books usually hit shelves on Tuesdays.
But seeing December 4 typed out in front of me... it's a day away from the one year marker of my brother-in-law Seann's tragic death.
One f'n year
As I wrote in the book, BASEMENT SONGS wouldn't have happened if I wasn't inspired by Seann and the way he embraced 21st Century methods of releasing his art to the world. He wanted to get his music heard and it wasn't about sales so much as it was about sharing.
Now I don't believe it was a random selection of December 4th, and whatever fears I have about not completing it on time or not figuring out the technology are abated. I have someone watching over me and he's going to help me get this done in time. That I really believe.
December 4, 2012.
As I typed this date to announce the day the book will go on sale, I realized the significance of it. I must admit that I chose it because I thought it would give people enough time to make their purchase and get a copy before the holidays. It's the first Tuesday of December and all new books usually hit shelves on Tuesdays.
But seeing December 4 typed out in front of me... it's a day away from the one year marker of my brother-in-law Seann's tragic death.
One f'n year
As I wrote in the book, BASEMENT SONGS wouldn't have happened if I wasn't inspired by Seann and the way he embraced 21st Century methods of releasing his art to the world. He wanted to get his music heard and it wasn't about sales so much as it was about sharing.
Now I don't believe it was a random selection of December 4th, and whatever fears I have about not completing it on time or not figuring out the technology are abated. I have someone watching over me and he's going to help me get this done in time. That I really believe.
December 4, 2012.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Heavenly Day, no matter what
After the degree of rancor we've lived through these past six months, I think it's time to take a deep breath and remind ourselves that we live in a country that allows people to express their opinions and practice democracy.
No matter which way you voted, I think we all must agree that Patty Griffin has one of the most heavenly voices in music. Here's a song to get you through the day.
BTW- in this video, she's singing with Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller and Shawn Colvin. Man, I wish I could have seen that tour!
Aloha
No matter which way you voted, I think we all must agree that Patty Griffin has one of the most heavenly voices in music. Here's a song to get you through the day.
BTW- in this video, she's singing with Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller and Shawn Colvin. Man, I wish I could have seen that tour!
Aloha
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