Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Interesting day of journeys begun...
Wherein, I set out to write a nice little story about a boy on a scout camping trip who says just the wrong thing near just the wrong person and winds up being kicked out of the the troop. Got a fair bit done, too -- about 1400 words.
But as can sometimes happen (more and more, lately) a newer, angrier story popped up and took me by the throat and lead into my fury over Gabrielle Giffords' shooting. And today I worked on it more and have 2800 words. When the muse screams in your ear, you pay attention. I will not be posting this story on here in any way, form or fashion; I've given it full free rein and it's very dark and brutal. Sort of a way to spew steam, especially since the so-called liberal media is swallowing the right-wing-nuts' myth about the shooting -- that Democrats and Liberals were just as nasty as they were. And never mind you have Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and every person on Fox News spewing lies and made up facts, daily, and using everything they can to keep people afraid and listening to their hate, two years ago MoveOn.org made up a campaign using Hitler images, and that shows the left is just as bad.
And I'm getting pissed, again. Time to let off more steam on my laptop.
Oh, I tried to watch my John Waters-style movie about porn...but the disk stopped about halfway and wouldn't start up, again. So I'm getting a replacement...because I want to figure out what the hell the damn movie's about. If it's one of those movie within a movie within a man's mind kind of things. I mean, some of the script is really good but most of it is dumb and violates its own truth. And the acting is VERY uneven. Which is sad.
Maybe I ought to just go get copies of "Pink Flamingoes" and "Female Trouble" and get my Waters fix that way, 'cause "Pornography: A Thriller" takes itself WAY too seriously. I did like "Serial Mom" and "Hairspray." Haven't seen "Lust in the Dust." I guess I'll rearrange my queue on Netflix.
But as can sometimes happen (more and more, lately) a newer, angrier story popped up and took me by the throat and lead into my fury over Gabrielle Giffords' shooting. And today I worked on it more and have 2800 words. When the muse screams in your ear, you pay attention. I will not be posting this story on here in any way, form or fashion; I've given it full free rein and it's very dark and brutal. Sort of a way to spew steam, especially since the so-called liberal media is swallowing the right-wing-nuts' myth about the shooting -- that Democrats and Liberals were just as nasty as they were. And never mind you have Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and every person on Fox News spewing lies and made up facts, daily, and using everything they can to keep people afraid and listening to their hate, two years ago MoveOn.org made up a campaign using Hitler images, and that shows the left is just as bad.
And I'm getting pissed, again. Time to let off more steam on my laptop.
Oh, I tried to watch my John Waters-style movie about porn...but the disk stopped about halfway and wouldn't start up, again. So I'm getting a replacement...because I want to figure out what the hell the damn movie's about. If it's one of those movie within a movie within a man's mind kind of things. I mean, some of the script is really good but most of it is dumb and violates its own truth. And the acting is VERY uneven. Which is sad.
Maybe I ought to just go get copies of "Pink Flamingoes" and "Female Trouble" and get my Waters fix that way, 'cause "Pornography: A Thriller" takes itself WAY too seriously. I did like "Serial Mom" and "Hairspray." Haven't seen "Lust in the Dust." I guess I'll rearrange my queue on Netflix.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Democratic Congresswoman Shot (Assassinated?) In Arizona
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/arizona.shooting/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
Can't wait to hear the hypocritical comments that spew out of the GOP. They ALL ginned up this atmosphere of hate and paranoia about Democrats, so I hope they ALL burn in hell.
MORE:
This is the guy who was arrested --
Boehner's already whimpering the usual "can't we all just get along" BS that comes out after the GOP's rhetoric catches up to them.
And Sarah Palin's already taken down her hit list, which had Rep. Giffords' name on it with a bullseye.
I'm so sickened by this, I can't even think straight...or maybe I should change that phrase to "...think queer". Since I ain't straight.
UPDATE:
I wasn't far wrong; the haters are blaming the shooting on liberals. One asshole even posted a comment on KGUN (talk about inappropriate) that swore nothing but liberals and Democrats commit assassinations. Diseased is the only word for this scum.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Next step in my fight against Amazon
I also sent Amazon another e-mail, asking them if they're really planning to just ignore me. They may not respond, but I'm not shutting up, yet, either.
I made enchiladas this evening, with Spanish rice and refried beans, and I now feel fat and sassy. Probably put on all the weight I lost in the last month...but I don't care. It's not like I'm going looking for love.
Tomorrow is sleeping in late and beginning my short story.
I've gotten feedback from a couple people on LD and so far the consensus is the opening doesn't do its job in grabbing them and making this a "must read." Valid point. Let's see what others have to say.
Now I'm going to watch a movie called "Pornography, A Thriller." It was highly recommended by a site I go to -- Billy Loves Stu, which is all about horror movies and the gay undertones in them. Besides, with a title like that, it has to be camp and I feel like something in the John Waters vein, right now. Hope it lives up to my expectations.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
When you look like Adam Levine...
I know this is not my usual sort of commentary, lately, but I saw this picture the other day and I've been obsessing over it ever since. I mean, I like "Maroon 5" -- albeit not as much as "Depeche Mode" -- but Adam always came across as a self-centered ego en route to arrogance. Now? I feel my inner superficial twit coming to the fore and all I can think of is, "He is so fucking gorgeous."
Damn, rich, young, beautiful, talented -- I hate him. But not enough to silence my inner twit...or ever ignore him, again. I guess I should be happy to know I can be just as shallow as anyone else.
And oh what I wouldn't give to be shallow with him.
'Nuff said.
As for Amazon...the word spreads. http://www.bnet.com/blog/technology-business/amazon-continues-to-censor-titles-but-won-8217t-say-why/7639 And their silence continues.
I'm feeling weird...and I know it's because I'm not writing on any of my books. I'm waiting to hear from the people I've given LD to for feedback so don't want to begin on POS, yet. And the withdrawal is making me crazy. Maybe I'll do a short piece and post that, or something. With Adam Levine as the central character. Hmm...maybe not. I've already been accused of being a pornographer, once; don't want to add slash writer to it...unless I could work Zachary Quinto's Spock into the mix. Hmm............
Oh, man...I can be so warped, at times.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Uh-oh...gotta get to work...
I just got a kick in the pants from Jake, one of my characters in "Rape In Holding Cell 6." He wants to be in a new story, especially now that the bastards at Amazon won't sell the books he's in (tho' BN.com does). And he gave me a strong indication as to what that story will be. And I'm starting to get nervous about my goals.
I want to do one more draft of "The Lyons' Den" once I get feedback from some people I asked to read it. Got one guy's, so far, and he made an interesting point that may need to be addressed. Which will make it a more intense job than I thought...but I like Daniel and Van and want to do right by them. So that's next on the agenda.
Then comes a full first draft of "Place of Safety." I've been a wimp and weasel as regards that story, and it's time to end the wishy-washiness. Brendan's ready, and I know how to add more humor and fun to the story, even as it grows darker and darker.
I'm finally passing my pissed-off stage concerning Amazon and have contacted the ACLU about the issue to see what they think. I've had a number of people on various blogs CONTINUE to point out Amazon's a private company (not exactly; it's sold in the NYSE so has a different standard it must follow from a privately held company) and can carry or not carry my books as they wish, with only a few agreeing with me about how wrong this is. So much for a ground-swell of support against the company's censorship. I guess having a Kindle is more important than having access to all the books ever printed.
I've stung Amazon by getting people to shift to Nooks and close their accounts, and by my own purchase of several books through Barnes & Noble, but it wasn't badly enough to matter, really. Not gonna give up, but this has been taking too much time and focus...and the fact is, I can send people to BN.com to buy my books. So we'll see what happens over the next couple weeks.
I did learn from an attorney friend if I want to file a lawsuit against that reporter, I'd have to do it in Seattle. Meaning I'd have to find a lawyer there who'd be willing to take the case on. Irritating but still a possibility.
Besides, I may be working in New York City for a month and will barely have time to do any writing let alone fighting. Then comes the California Book Fair and more travel.
My brain needs a vacation. Didn't get one in San Antonio.
One last note -- the new version of "Huckleberry Finn", cleansed of the "n" word. It's a desecration of a great work that consistently shows how vile and stupid and ill-conceived that word was, but apparently modern Americans are incapable of understanding that. So it's been replaced with the word "slave."
Americans are fucking stupid.
I want to do one more draft of "The Lyons' Den" once I get feedback from some people I asked to read it. Got one guy's, so far, and he made an interesting point that may need to be addressed. Which will make it a more intense job than I thought...but I like Daniel and Van and want to do right by them. So that's next on the agenda.
Then comes a full first draft of "Place of Safety." I've been a wimp and weasel as regards that story, and it's time to end the wishy-washiness. Brendan's ready, and I know how to add more humor and fun to the story, even as it grows darker and darker.
I'm finally passing my pissed-off stage concerning Amazon and have contacted the ACLU about the issue to see what they think. I've had a number of people on various blogs CONTINUE to point out Amazon's a private company (not exactly; it's sold in the NYSE so has a different standard it must follow from a privately held company) and can carry or not carry my books as they wish, with only a few agreeing with me about how wrong this is. So much for a ground-swell of support against the company's censorship. I guess having a Kindle is more important than having access to all the books ever printed.
I've stung Amazon by getting people to shift to Nooks and close their accounts, and by my own purchase of several books through Barnes & Noble, but it wasn't badly enough to matter, really. Not gonna give up, but this has been taking too much time and focus...and the fact is, I can send people to BN.com to buy my books. So we'll see what happens over the next couple weeks.
I did learn from an attorney friend if I want to file a lawsuit against that reporter, I'd have to do it in Seattle. Meaning I'd have to find a lawyer there who'd be willing to take the case on. Irritating but still a possibility.
Besides, I may be working in New York City for a month and will barely have time to do any writing let alone fighting. Then comes the California Book Fair and more travel.
My brain needs a vacation. Didn't get one in San Antonio.
One last note -- the new version of "Huckleberry Finn", cleansed of the "n" word. It's a desecration of a great work that consistently shows how vile and stupid and ill-conceived that word was, but apparently modern Americans are incapable of understanding that. So it's been replaced with the word "slave."
Americans are fucking stupid.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Snow...
And lots of it. I've shoveled my car out from under it twice, today. I'd take a photo of it but my camera vanished into some JetBlue employee's pocket and I can't afford to buy a new one, yet. I've got to get ready for taxes.
I've been having fun with a forum thread on this site -- http://www.mobileread.com/ -- as regards censorship and Amazon's dropping my books. After some back and forth with people who say Amazon's a private company and can do as it likes (which is true, to an extent) I finally realized the anti-me people think I self-published my books, and I didn't. Amazon had an agreement with The Nazca Plains Corporation, which is different from me as an individual writer having an account and posting the books on my own. To be honest, I don't know what that agreement or contract or whatever it's called actually says (Amazon only provides the self-published one), but the info people're using to try and slap me down is wrong.
My books were published in trade paperback for years. They've been available in stores (I've seen them on bookshelves at Different Light in San Francisco and Los Angeles). You can get them through Barnes & Noble; Amazon does not have an exclusive on them. I have hard copies of the books. So that changes the game. I wonder if the people I'm in contact with at Amazon realize that?
Nothing more to say. My sinuses are acting up thanks to the cold weather. I'm off for tea.
I've been having fun with a forum thread on this site -- http://www.mobileread.com/ -- as regards censorship and Amazon's dropping my books. After some back and forth with people who say Amazon's a private company and can do as it likes (which is true, to an extent) I finally realized the anti-me people think I self-published my books, and I didn't. Amazon had an agreement with The Nazca Plains Corporation, which is different from me as an individual writer having an account and posting the books on my own. To be honest, I don't know what that agreement or contract or whatever it's called actually says (Amazon only provides the self-published one), but the info people're using to try and slap me down is wrong.
My books were published in trade paperback for years. They've been available in stores (I've seen them on bookshelves at Different Light in San Francisco and Los Angeles). You can get them through Barnes & Noble; Amazon does not have an exclusive on them. I have hard copies of the books. So that changes the game. I wonder if the people I'm in contact with at Amazon realize that?
Nothing more to say. My sinuses are acting up thanks to the cold weather. I'm off for tea.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wicked little characters
So I'm still taking time off from writing and trying to get my house in order (literally; I rearranged my apartment because I needed to find space for 35 boxes of papers and books coming from San Antonio) and I'm driving along to the freight company to pick up my second load of boxes when, just as I'm slipping onto the freeway, who should pop up but Gretta (a character from "The Lyons' Den") with this hysterical idea for her background. Well, since I'm still an old-fashioned writer who still keeps paper and pen around so he can scribble ideas down, I grab a sheet and am writing her comments in the worst scrawl imaginable as I'm clipping down the road at 65 (speed limit's 55). And I'm laughing. And it's trying to snow. And traffic is caught in that ludicrous mix of people screaming along at 80 while an ungodly number of older folks are toodling down the road at 40. So for a moment I feel like I'm playing dodge-ball with 2-ton vehicles on my left, right, back and front.
I think I wound up with a couple of more "blond" hairs. And now Gretta was laughing. The bitch.
BUT...once I got off the freeway and got my last set of boxes and had a chance to pause and reflect and look at what I'd written...I got to laughing, again. Gretta's an off-beat con-woman-floozy-slut in the book (and play and script) but now her actions make sense to me. And she did it in such a way as to make me look like a crazed fool. I'm sure the guy at the freight company thought I'd been run out of Texas on a rail for psychosis, or something like that.
Ah, the joy of writing. It's best to live alone because that way no one's around to question your sanity...except in your own mind.
I think I wound up with a couple of more "blond" hairs. And now Gretta was laughing. The bitch.
BUT...once I got off the freeway and got my last set of boxes and had a chance to pause and reflect and look at what I'd written...I got to laughing, again. Gretta's an off-beat con-woman-floozy-slut in the book (and play and script) but now her actions make sense to me. And she did it in such a way as to make me look like a crazed fool. I'm sure the guy at the freight company thought I'd been run out of Texas on a rail for psychosis, or something like that.
Ah, the joy of writing. It's best to live alone because that way no one's around to question your sanity...except in your own mind.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
More on Amazon and how two-faced they are
This interview with the director of content at Amazon's Kindle was published on December 29th. Check out his answer to the first question and consider that Amazon is doing the EXACT opposite.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-amazon-kindle-qanda-20101229,0,3286073.story
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-amazon-kindle-qanda-20101229,0,3286073.story
If he didn't know that when the interview took place, then he's incompetent...at best. I've already fired off an e-mail to the reporter informing him of Amazon's actions (not just in the US but also the UK) and linking him to the other sites ranting about this. They're listed below, if anyone wants to follow them.
Of course, it IS true that Amazon has the right to sell or not sell anything it wants. BUT...then they shouldn't say they want to have "EVERY BOOK EVER PRINTED, IN PRINT OR OUT, AVAILABLE (on Kindle)". "How To Rape A Straight Guy" was made available through them back in September of 2007 and they've sold hundreds (if not thousands; I haven't had an update on the actual sales, yet) of copies. "Rape in holding Cell 6" was on for over a year. And not once did they contact me or the publisher for a response before de-listing them and basically telling us to fuck off.
Which means...I DO have the right to bitch, gripe and complain about ill treatment at their hands. And I'm gonna.
And folks, if you want to comment on this, own it. Nothing anonymous will be accepted or even read. I don't have time for pussy-boiz.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Home...and no snow
It's all melted. Seems they had a warm snap up here, while I was in Texas, and now there are flood watches everywhere. Crazy weather.
I'll deal with Amazon beginning Monday, but something I just recalled. Paul Krugman, whose blog on economics I follow (but admittedly don't always understand), waxed eloquently about his Kindle. I wonder if he knows it's now a tool of corporate censorship? I know 3 people who've decided to get a "Nook" from B&N instead of a Kindle. I hope I can get more to follow.
And Monday I'm contacting the ACLU to ask their advice about suing Fox News in Seattle (or Amazon) for slander. They may laugh at me for even thinking it, but I have to at least ask.
And just for the hell of it --
I'll deal with Amazon beginning Monday, but something I just recalled. Paul Krugman, whose blog on economics I follow (but admittedly don't always understand), waxed eloquently about his Kindle. I wonder if he knows it's now a tool of corporate censorship? I know 3 people who've decided to get a "Nook" from B&N instead of a Kindle. I hope I can get more to follow.
And Monday I'm contacting the ACLU to ask their advice about suing Fox News in Seattle (or Amazon) for slander. They may laugh at me for even thinking it, but I have to at least ask.
And just for the hell of it --
For some reason I think this is New Zealand.
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