RJ in May

Earlier this morning (I've been up all night) I made a list of creative projects I want to start this week. Here's what I came up with:

*Write a play

*Write a short story about "twin cities"

*Paint a watercolor and frame it

*Do an essay-size journal entry for RJ Battles

*Work out the story for Clementine Sees The State

*Get a story for the longer, Bunnicula-style, 8-11 age group book

*Come up with pictures for greeting cards, Christmas cards, and postcards

*Make plans for advertisements and menu designs

Now, I already have an idea for a play, and I've written part of it, but my friend- who I'd like to write with- would like to start fresh with a new idea.

The other day I was looking up the city of Amityville and on the page it said that Amityville has a "twin city" (I don't remember what it was). From what I understand, certain cities- usually from different countries- are "twinned" to promote a better understanding between different cultures and to promote tourism between the two twin cities. Toledo, Spain and Toledo, Ohio are twin cities (though twin cities don't need to share a name). Maybe that could be the basis or background for a story.

I've been drawing and painting since I was a kid, but writing has always been a side project. As much as I like writing, I've always been aware of my limitations. I can produce something good, but it doesn't come naturally, and it's not unusual for me to read something soon after I wrote it and recognize it as bad writing. Still, sometimes I write something very good. I'd like to write more posts where I tell a good story and tell it well.

Also, I don't want the two Clementine childrens' books to end up as projects that I plan and plan but never do. I need to follow through.

Lastly, I've been neglecting my drawing and painting (for a lot of reasons that are, really, no excuse. I need to get back into it, produce some good works, and send them out into the world, hopefully in a form that brings in some money.

I'm at a point in my life where I need to be more productive and waste less time.

Nothing on the list is too hard and there's no reason why I can't complete everything on it and then add some more things.

I think it's gonna be fun and I can't wait to start.



Note: I found the picture above on the internet during a chihuahua image search (back when I found the chihuahua wearing a sweater and the red-eyed chihuahua with a needle in its teeth). I had one of those Taco Bell dogs, though mine had a microphone and sang "Chances Are".

Legion

The Exorcist is one of my favorite movies. Before I saw it I read the novel by William Peter Blatty.

While the original was directed by William Freidkin (The French Connection, Cruising, To Live & Die in LA, Rules of Engagement, and Bug), The Exorcist III- the true sequel- was directed by Blatty himself.

I also read the book, which is called Legion, before seeing the movie. From the first page it was very graphic and upsetting, but well done and purposeful. The movie is well done too. I'm surprised they let him direct; it's uncommon for a novelist to direct his own work (especially after Maximum Overdrive).

The Exorcist III is well-known, not just for the brief appearence of Fabio, but for a very, very, very scary scene that ocours about half-way through the film. I won't say more, just that whenever someone mentions that movie they bring up that scene.

Good stuff.

Anyway, if you haven't seen the two movies (and you can skip The Exorcist II: The Heretic altogether. I take that back- it's kind of fun) you should definitely read the books first. They're both very well-written.

Anyway, I came across this cool album cover for The Exorcist III soundtrack and it made me wonder: Who the fuck buys the soundtrack for The Exorcist III?

Goat Boy

Hey, remember the 90s? I came across a blog dedicated to cassette singles from the 90s- I saw a lot of songs I hadn't thought about in years. I saw these two also.

Note: I bought Aroura Gory Alice and saw Letters to Cleo back in 1995 at Pearl St. Nightclub in Northampton, MA. It was a good show. The drummer, Stacey Jones, eventually moved to Veruca Salt and played on some Tanya Donelly tracks. Later he started his own band but I forget the name.

Untitled

You probably read the last few posts here at RJ Battles and assumed I was vacationing in a different time zone.

Nope, I just didn't know what the date was.

Anyway, today, May 8, would also be a good day to listen to "Cinco de Mayo".

Liz Phair Two

Really, people started to complain when Whipsmart came out because it wasn't Exile In Guyville II. I've never even listened to EIG all the way through; I always end up skipping over most of it. I did, however, like Whipsmart (featuring "Cinco de Mayo"; don't forget to listen to it today).

But when I first heard "Polyester Bride" I thought it was plain & dull so I didn't get Whitechocolatespaceegg until years later. Big mistake. WCSE is her best record.

There are only two songs that I skip- "Uncle Alveraz" & "Ride". The other songs are amazing. Some days I have "Perfect World" stuck in my head and I'll hum it on the way to work, at work, and on the way home.

Then there are three perfect songs in a row: "Only Son" (Beautiful; she's a very under-rated singer), "Go On Ahead" (Simple and plain- I love this song), and "Headache" (One of her best songs. There's also a remix out there, the "Tylenol Mix", look for it, it's got a really cool intro).

"Shitloads Of Money" is a new version of a song from Girlysound, the pre-EIG tape. And "Fantasize" has a cool sound and features all of R.E.M. except Michael Stipe.

When you're done reading this you should head to the nearest record store and pick up Whitechocolatespaceegg. If you don't have the money then wait till Friday and then buy it.

Liz Phair

I don't want to be one of those people who complains about Liz Phair because she wanted to move away from "indie" music and made songs that were better suited to the radio.

The self-titled LP is not as bad as people say. It's got "Take A Look", "Bionic Eyes", "HWC", and "Good Love Never Dies", and "Why Can't I?" is a great song and I listen to it whenever it comes on the radio. (I'm not crazy about that last sentence, but I'm not sure how I'd go about re-writing it so I'm letting it stand.)

I'll admit, I don't like the idea of her hooking up with Avril Lavine's producers, but the results turned out OK. I'll also admit that her next record, Somebody's Miracle sucked, but that could happen to anyone.

Here are some pictures from "Supernova" I bought the cassingle in 1994 and a few years later I saw the blue-vinyl 7" at a record store and grabbed it. I love the B-side, "Combo Platter", from the Girlysound recordings. (Part of that song later became "Shitloads of Money" from Whitechocolatespaceegg.

Tuesday, May 5, 2010

Don't forget to play Liz Phair's "Cinco De Mayo" from Whipsmart today.