Saturday, March 26, 2011

More Beliefs From The Edge

Thanks again for stopping by - I appreciate that you've taken the time to visit.  Without further drum rolls or fanfare, let's get at it.......I believe that politicians today have forgotten the art and skill required in compromise.  No matter what your political allegiance, it has become a landscape filled with "my way or no way" rheoteric on all sides.  The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution - 2 relatively meaningful documents in our history - were put together by men with strong opinions and divergent points of view, yet they hammered out the framework of our government by something called "give and take."  In other words: compromise.  I believe that leaders across all bodies of government, from small municipalities to our congressmen and senators would do well to re-visit some of those history lessons.  I believe that Robert Mitchum was one of the most under-rated actors of all time.  Same with Lee Marvin.  And despite his star power, Steve McQueen too.  Same for Michael Madsen today.  And in spite of the addictions, I believe that Tom Sizemore rates right up there too.  I believe that the things that don't kill you make you stronger, but they can also make you bitter.  Especially if you tend to hold a grudge.  I believe that writing is equal parts inspiration and perspiration, with a significant amount of time spent working at that craft.  But none of it means anything if that same writer doesn't sit his ass in a chair and actually write.  Consistently.  And often.  I believe that you can't beat the music of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, or Charlie Parker on a cold, rainy day.  Unless you're cuing up some blues by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, or BB King.  Or Motown.  I believe that the use of contractions in writing is the product of a classic education and their use often misunderstood by writers today.  And I believe that guys of my generation still get a thrill at watching reruns of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody and Sherman (with the Wayback Machine), and Fractured Fairy tales, as well as Jonny Quest.  That's it for now.  Hope to see you again!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

TAKING THE DROP

Every so often I’m overwhelmed with an obsessive need to write like there’s no tomorrow – someone once remarked about Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes that when he sang, he made each song sound like it was going to be the last thing he ever sang (especially when he recorded two tracks with INXS).  When that same feeling wells up inside me, growing, festering, screaming to get out, and then explodes on paper, the power of those words is all consuming.  I believe that as a writer you cannot ignore those feelings, and like surfing, you have to ride that wave when it comes.  Everything else I’m doing or thinking about doing or planning to do grinds to a halt.  Including updating this blog with my beliefs and sophomoric rage against the world.   

Sadly, those feelings have now disappeared and life has returned to normal.

More periodic updates will follow in the next couple of days…………

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

More Ranting and Raving From The Edge

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my periodic rant about my personal beliefs.  For those of you who are new, this is my sporadic attempt to share some of my innermost thoughts…..although I believe that in the context of important world events like earthquakes, tsunamis, nuke meltdowns, and NFL work stoppages, none of this matters too much.  That being said, I also believe that one of the benefits of getting older is realizing what an idiot you might have been at earlier stages in your life (which can be as recently as last week).  I believe that God forgives most of the moronic things you did in college.  I believe that there are too many reality shows on TV competing for my attention – other than news broadcasts and the History Channel, isn’t the point of watching television to escape from reality?  I believe that we are becoming a society too engaged in our Twitters, TM’s, and instant messaging and that there’s a whole generation of kids who have lost the ability to have meaningful conversations or interact face to face.  I believe that if I am talking to someone and they are too obsessed with their iphone or Blackberry to pay attention to me, I should be able to smack it out of their hands without remorse.  I believe that the use of the “n-word” is wrong, no matter who says it or in what context it’s used – it is a word deeply rooted in prejudice and hate, and I don’t think Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, or Robert Kennedy who fought so hard and gave their lives to eliminate racial divides would ever use it to greet each other if they met up on a street corner somewhere.  I believe that Bobby Orr revolutionized the way hockey was played and was one of the greatest players ever.  I believe that an addiction is a sickness but not a disease.  I believe that the first car a guy buys is the car he remembers for life, and all other cars he ever owns get measured against it (btw -1970 Ford Mustang fastback).  I believe that Alice Cooper was an underrated influence on rock and roll and belongs in the HOF, but ABBA?  Seriously???

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

More Things I Believe

Once again, thank you for taking the time to not only find my blog but read it (and special thanks to those of you who left comments).  I’d like to take this opportunity to share some more of my beliefs.  I believe that the guy who invented speed bumps – especially the one you hit so hard that it knocks the fillings out of your mouth – needs to be slapped.  Then hugged because some kids haven’t figured out that they’re not supposed to run between cars or play in the street.  I believe that Muhammad Ali was the greatest, despite losing his best years in the ring to the US government because he had nothing against those Viet Cong.  I believe that writers write.  It’s all about the words and telling a story.  But that doesn’t mean that procrastination and distractions aren’t vital parts of the writing process, or key components of creativity.  And I believe that the internet has created a world of opportunities for writers to find their audience through e-publishing, literary zines, and blogs, even if some of the literary traditionalists don’t agree.  I believe that while Shemp was an underrated and unappreciated Stooge; not a single Marx Brothers movie hinged on the comedic talents or acting abilities of Zeppo.  I believe that The Wire was one of the best shows on TV, following closely by Homicide.  I believe that grown-up men should never use emoticons unless they want to look like teen-aged girls.  And I believe that everyone, no matter who they are, cranks up the volume and sings along with Aretha when R.E.S.P.E.C.T. comes on the car radio.  That’s all for now.  I hope you come back for more.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Things I Believe #1


Thank you for taking the time to read this blog – I know you’re busy, so this shows a wonderful commitment on your part in sacrificing some valuable time…..time that can be better spent watching reality shows or catching up on the latest episodes of Charlie Sheen and The Porn Stars.  So while I have your attention, I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my personal beliefs. I believe that everyone thinks they can write. This is not true (there is some kind of prevailing thought that a bunch of monkeys locked in a room with laptops can bang out the equivalent of War and Peace). This is not possible – what is possible is that they could ghost-write the latest books attributed to the cast of Jersey Shore.  It is also true that everyone can criticize and they often do, especially when it comes to the efforts of writers.  Good writing is a craft and the best ones take the time to work at their craft, honing their skills, and fine-tuning their abilities.  On the other hand, it takes no skill whatsoever to be a critic, and there are no shortage of critics ready to offer an opinion, no matter how blatantly ill-informed, mis-guided, or erroneous their facts.  I believe that the Laws of Karma do not apply to writers, where talent-less hacks get book deals from large publishing companies while other more skilled writers toil away in anonymity, praying for one big break or one good review in a magazine or online literary journal.  I believe that Johnny Unitas was the greatest football player ever.  I believe that I've spent my life expecting people to behave in a certain way. I believe that when they didn't behave according to my expectations, I became angry, sad, confused and occasionally violent. As a result, I now believe my expectations are the real problem. I believe that everyone has this very same problem, and each of us needs to change our expectations. And I believe that every guy who came of age in the 1970’s still rolls down the windows and cranks up the car radio when “Radar Love” by Golden Earring comes on one of the classic rock stations.  Once again, thanks for reading.  Please be sure to come back again for more….