On the way to work today, I glanced over to the West.
"Hmmm, " I thought to myself. "What's stopping me from just driving off to Las Vegas right now?"
- A wife.
- Two kids.
- My son's birthday party tonight.
- Possibility of a divorce or - at the very least - counseling sessions.
- The fact that I only have $100 in my checking account.
- No savings.
- No credit cards.
"Oh yeah," I exclaimed. "That's what's stopping me from driving to Las Vegas right now."
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Was Elton John inspired by Ray Bradbury?
Just a quick thought before it escapes my brain...
I'm curious if Ray Bradbury's short story The Rocket Man from the novel The Illustrated Man was the inspiration for Elton John's hit single Rocket Man?
No? Well, if you read the short story and check out the Rocket Man lyrices (sung by Elton John, written by Bernie Taupin): it matches up pretty well:
She packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour nine a.m.
And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it’s cold as hell
And there’s no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science I don’t understand
It’s just my job five days a week
A rocket man, a rocket man
Of course, Bradbury's story is told through eyes of the boy. Taupin's lyrics are sung through the eyes of the man.
I'm curious if Ray Bradbury's short story The Rocket Man from the novel The Illustrated Man was the inspiration for Elton John's hit single Rocket Man?
No? Well, if you read the short story and check out the Rocket Man lyrices (sung by Elton John, written by Bernie Taupin): it matches up pretty well:
She packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour nine a.m.
And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I’m a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it’s cold as hell
And there’s no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science I don’t understand
It’s just my job five days a week
A rocket man, a rocket man
Of course, Bradbury's story is told through eyes of the boy. Taupin's lyrics are sung through the eyes of the man.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Del Water Gap exceeded expectations!!!
Just returned from my four-day hike along the Appalachian Trail in the Delaware Water Gap.
I'll post a full report after I get the pictures. But, all in all, very impressed. It exceeded my expectations.
Having hiked most of Virginia Appalachian Trail and a small part of the Adirondacks; all I can say is that this hike, the entire Del Water Gap National Park, had some of the most impressive vistas of all my trips.
No shit.
Besides the endless miles of rocks, this trips will be one of the tops on my list. And it will be one of my first recommendations to anyone who asks which section they should hike on the Appalachian Trail.
I'll post a full report after I get the pictures. But, all in all, very impressed. It exceeded my expectations.
Having hiked most of Virginia Appalachian Trail and a small part of the Adirondacks; all I can say is that this hike, the entire Del Water Gap National Park, had some of the most impressive vistas of all my trips.
No shit.
Besides the endless miles of rocks, this trips will be one of the tops on my list. And it will be one of my first recommendations to anyone who asks which section they should hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Del Toro is finally 'At The Mountains of Madness'
Today, visionary director Guillermo Del Toro announced he will finally direct one of his passion projects...At The Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft.Check out the /Film story right here.
This is big news for horror and movie film geeks. For all of those unaware, Lovecraft was like the Stephen King of his time. Creating moody, psychotic worlds filled with eerie creatures, demons and demi-gods hell bent on taking their anger out on the world.
In my opinion, Del Toro (who was attached to direct the The Hobbit for producer Peter Jackson before bowing out) hasn't created a bad movie yet. Some of my favorite works from Del Toro include Mimic, The Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy and Blade 2. If you havent seen any of these films check 'em out espeically Backbone and Labyrinth.
For many older horror movie directors, Lovecraft's work has served as inspiration for many of their visions including John Carpenter (who filmed In The Mouth of Madness), Stuart Gordon (who filmed Dagon), Del Toro among others.
After reading about the announcement - and never reading this particular story - I was intrigued enough to search for it online.
Well, what do you know...I found it! Courtesy of Dusty Library:
Click here to read At The Mountains of Madness
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Eimertoons - Passion of the Groundhog
Last night, I noticed that The Passion of the Christ was on TV. You know, that little Jesus of Nazarath film mixed with a little original Texas Chainsaw Massacre - directed by Mr. Mel Gibson.
Coincidentally, I've been reading a very interesting book by Richard Dawkins called The God Delusion, which is sure to put all Christian, Jewish and Muslim readers into a panic. (Very good book by the way.)
In any event, both of these occurences reminded me of a 10-page cartoon that I drew waaaaaaay back in 2006 - before my daughter was born when I was unemployed and living in Cleveland.
It's the longest of the three long-form cartoons that I have drawn - thus far. I should add that I took great pleasure and pride in creating this. If anything, it showed that I could tell a long-form story in cartoon form, which was a big break through.
Now if I only had time to do some more......
Check it out. And, as always, (click each image to enlarge).
Coincidentally, I've been reading a very interesting book by Richard Dawkins called The God Delusion, which is sure to put all Christian, Jewish and Muslim readers into a panic. (Very good book by the way.)
In any event, both of these occurences reminded me of a 10-page cartoon that I drew waaaaaaay back in 2006 - before my daughter was born when I was unemployed and living in Cleveland.
It's the longest of the three long-form cartoons that I have drawn - thus far. I should add that I took great pleasure and pride in creating this. If anything, it showed that I could tell a long-form story in cartoon form, which was a big break through.
Now if I only had time to do some more......
Check it out. And, as always, (click each image to enlarge).
Monday, July 19, 2010
Two months. Three rejections.
It's funny.
After I finished editing my children's book for mass consumption, I thought the hard part was over and the easy part was coming up:
"Send it to a literary agent who would take one look at it, call me up and tell me that I am the Steinbeck of Children's Book Literature."
And continously praise me for my innovation and geniusness (is that even a word?).
Well, as all writers know...it's a tough road to hoe. I assumed I would just send this story out and people would be clamoring for the chance to turn this story from my head into a bonafide children's book - with movie rights to come in a couple weeks.
Not the case.
I've since sent my 'exclusive' story out to two agents and one publishing company.
To surmise all of their feedback:
- You've got a great story here
- But its not for us
- There are a lot of great ideas out there.
- We have to pick and choose the great ones.
- But we may be wrong.
- We encourage you to try other publishers and agents.
- Blah, blah, blah.
I agree. Living the life of a copywriter and cartoonist, you learn to live with rejection.
It feeds the fire.
That why, I'm going to keep sending it out for representation. I believe in this story. I think it needs to be told. I think it's fun.
But, if nothing happens within a month or so, I just may have to rethink my strategy and do this one on my own.
Maybe a version1 with my drawings.
Then, down the line, a version 2 with a professional illustrator's drawings.
In any event, onward and upward.
After I finished editing my children's book for mass consumption, I thought the hard part was over and the easy part was coming up:
"Send it to a literary agent who would take one look at it, call me up and tell me that I am the Steinbeck of Children's Book Literature."
And continously praise me for my innovation and geniusness (is that even a word?).
Well, as all writers know...it's a tough road to hoe. I assumed I would just send this story out and people would be clamoring for the chance to turn this story from my head into a bonafide children's book - with movie rights to come in a couple weeks.
Not the case.
I've since sent my 'exclusive' story out to two agents and one publishing company.
To surmise all of their feedback:
- You've got a great story here
- But its not for us
- There are a lot of great ideas out there.
- We have to pick and choose the great ones.
- But we may be wrong.
- We encourage you to try other publishers and agents.
- Blah, blah, blah.
I agree. Living the life of a copywriter and cartoonist, you learn to live with rejection.
It feeds the fire.
That why, I'm going to keep sending it out for representation. I believe in this story. I think it needs to be told. I think it's fun.
But, if nothing happens within a month or so, I just may have to rethink my strategy and do this one on my own.
Maybe a version1 with my drawings.
Then, down the line, a version 2 with a professional illustrator's drawings.
In any event, onward and upward.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
BreakupwithLebron.com
My buddies at work thought up this website and campaign concerning the departure of Lebron James - http://www.breakupwithlebron.com/.
Basically the campaign invites former Lebron James fans to bring in their old #23 jerseys to your local Your's Truly store in Canton, Cleveland and Akron and donate them to homeless shelters in Miami. In exchange you get a "It's not us, it's you" shirt. All donations go to charity.
I know these guys paid for this out of their own pocket, so let's give them some support so they can recoup the costs. I thought this was a great idea and encourage you to visit the site. By the way, video was shot, non gratis, by Stonekap Studios, located in Canton, Ohio.
Check er out.
Basically the campaign invites former Lebron James fans to bring in their old #23 jerseys to your local Your's Truly store in Canton, Cleveland and Akron and donate them to homeless shelters in Miami. In exchange you get a "It's not us, it's you" shirt. All donations go to charity.
I know these guys paid for this out of their own pocket, so let's give them some support so they can recoup the costs. I thought this was a great idea and encourage you to visit the site. By the way, video was shot, non gratis, by Stonekap Studios, located in Canton, Ohio.
Check er out.
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