Scooby DONE, It Again!

I’ve expressed before how delighted I am with the latest incarnation of Scooby Doo, Mystery Incorporated.  Now has come the time to report on it once again.  For it ended!  And what a treat.  I’ll explain.

The show’s return surprised me.  TiVo of course knew it would be on and voila, it appeared.  Then another, every day thereafter for a while.  I noticed two things.  Perhaps you recall that one of the great strides this version takes is the introduction of an overlying story, an arc that plays out amid the standard type of episode we expect from a Scooby Doo show.  Well, the overall story being told seemed to be drawing to a close.  I would have been quite surprised if it didn’t.  Everything in it all pointed toward the last episode being nigh.  Especially due to the other bit I noticed.  The Chapter number.  Chapter 50 proved not far away.  And then it came, but we did not get to the end.  You know how it is - expanding the climax to greater glory, and then the denouement.  

 I’d talked to my best friend Laughter about it.  He’d not been able to follow the show, but liked it very much.  High praise, believe you me.  So I told him that it appeared to be ending.  He liked the idea of it resolving, but felt sad that there wouldn’t be anymore.  For I wound up making that clear.  It wouldn't just end… it aimed to end the whole thing.  The Scooby Doo story, over.  Or it seemed it would, at the very least.  The reply, paraphrased, “No more shows???  But it’s so good!”  I said how I wouldn’t WANT more.  I love Finite Cartoons and it just wouldn’t feel right because I’d expected a great shebang closing.

Well, it turns out that I’d been mostly right.  50 seemed the logical choice of episodes, but then, 52 cards in a deck is more like a clue.  Not of anything in particular, just for the fun sake.  52 episodes it turned out to be.   And what a triumph!  A fantastic bit of storytelling.  It had so much to love – from callbacks to other episodes, to pathos, to exciting and gut-wrenching scenes, the perfect use of “Scooby Doo!  Where are you!?” and parts that made you watch in horror because you never thought you’d see it happen.  I really liked it, can you tell?  And then we get to the end. I’d been right.  It’s difficult to explain without ruining it, but the whole premise of the Scooby Doo programs is no longer valid.  The larger mystery of it all is solved.  In fact, I cheered as Fred actually said, “Okay gang, let’s solve this Uber Mystery!”  But guess what.  The writers proved themselves one last time.  In an unexpected maneuver of plot that calls back to what drew me into this version in the first place, they set up a sequel.  Don’t roll your eyes.  The new premise, a callback itself, is one that I cannot wait to see.  Bring it on, Mystery Inc.!

Composing a Compass

Originally the post about Gil had been meant as a quick note regarding how Life really does imitate art...

as in how I have a way of relating everything to Peter Pan...

or, really, on the same (panpipe) note, that we cannot escape storytelling, even in our own lives.

But then, given the way Life played out, it became a reminder that even though it may seem as if we can at times, we cannot truly know tomorrow.  As much as we may want to plot out or lives, the story always takes a few turns.

 

I said I’d remark on another way it reminded me of a story.  Well, here ‘tis.

In college my best friend Laughter and I knew this guy.  I won't reveal his actual real name either, but I will say that his first name is on this page and his surname is found on a compass.

There'd been something weird about Compass.  What sort of weird?  Much.  And this is coming from a guy who shouldn't be calling the kettle black.  Ask Laughter and he'll tell you the same thing (on both accounts.)

First (is this really first?) let me say that there'd been an instant attraction to Compass.  I loved him immediately.  But I also feared him.  Compass had a kind of hold on us.  What I mean is, if Compass said, "Hey Pete, let's go to the mall and play Turtles!" I would do it.  Despite spending the very last of all my money, despite knowing I shouldn't, despite not being in the mood, despite having better things (like schoolwork, perhaps) to do.  [Oh - 'Turtles' refers to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game.]  It seemed I’d do anything Compass wanted and spend lots of time with him.  It had been a magic spell.  Laughter's 'enchantment' might have been lesser than mine (I'm not sure), but the ability of Compass to get his way still applies.  Watch a movie that's seriously nothing more than a vehicle for gore at two in the morning when you have class early in the morning?  Sure.  Go out to eat after already eating in the cafeteria?  Sure.  You get the idea.  I'm not proud of it, not by a longshot.  I cannot rationalize it, it just... yeah.

So anyway, Compass's weirdness didn't merely stem from his puppeteering.  It's as if he came from another world or something.  He didn't seem to know basic things.  Using a spoon.  How to pronounce "crepe."  He would brag about his girlfriend back home who had allegedly been a model (but whose picture seemed like the kind that came with the frame.)  Realizing that most people didn't want to be discussing the ramifications of zombie guts at dinner.  To be honest, it's been 23 years now, I can't recall every single instance of oddity.  But trust me, he'd just been "off."  To the point of actually wondering if he'd just been a half-baked imaginary friend.

I managed to break the spell, but that’s another story.  I still hung out with him, but the magic fizzled.  Then Compass, quite suddenly, announced that he would be leaving.  That he'd not be coming back next school year.  In fact, he didn't even finish the term, as I recall.  Just decided to go... fueling the fire of thoughts that he'd not even been real.

Laughter and I would joke about him in the sense of being some sort of demon sent to thwart us.  A writer certainly couldn't help but think of it in terms of a book.  What if he actually were an "entity" here to teach us a lesson or something?  The idea developed... if "Compass" came back… hmm, it would make a cool novel.  Later on in life, Compass out of the blue.  And what if he'd come before?  But I knew that I didn't have the wherewithal to write such a tale.  Not yet at least.

Well, 23 years later, along came Gil.  Let me clarify here... Gil is nowhere near the magnitude of Compass.  I liked him immediately, yeah.  But the way I love him now grew with time.  And Gil doesn't have power over me.  Gil's also not bizarre like Compass.  There's things he doesn't know, but they're easily explained in that he's many years my junior.  (And he does know about spoons!)  Unlike Compass, Gil reciprocates everything from help to meals.

So it hadn't been until the sudden event of Gil leaving that I remembered Compass.  The parallels all became clear.  An amazingly friendly and playful guy comes out of nowhere for whom the attraction is great and strong.  Gil could convince me to do anything, but not ANYTHING, having learned my lesson with Compass.  He's gotten me to watch things out of my nature - and I've enjoyed them.  Gil loves playing video games and I'll happily watch or play.   He has his marvelous backstories.  Also, Laughter is quite fond of him.  Maybe it doesn't seem all that clear, but it did (and does) to me.  I see each manifestation of Compass to be different, but reminiscent, a guide tailored to the stage of Life in which he appears.

 

Thus, "Compass" had shown up again, in a way.  Naturally it got me thinking about him.  And the to-be-written novel.  Are my experiences with Gil to serve as inspiration for another section of the book?  Am I going to now write the book?  Not likely sooner than later.  I have PLENTY to work on already.  Besides, who’s to say Compass won’t show up again?  I’d rather the tale be self-contained with no sequel.  ;)  But I'm talking about it because I learned something else from all of this: Sometimes a novel takes a lifetime to be able to write.

That's pretty darn profound to me.  I guess up til now-ish I figured a story, when set down to be writ, would just spring to life with a little help from the characters.  As I always say, they've lived the tale and they relate it to us.  So the idea that one’s own lifetime is required to play out before a particular tale can truly be told – without the focus being a chronicle of one’s life – intriguing to say the least.

*Love referred to is Plantonic.

Non-HEINOUS NEWS!

Most triumphant!

Whaddya say, babes n' dudes?

Are you ready for more of the time-traveling doofus duo?

Way back on September 3 2010, I mentioned that they've been kicking around ideas for a third installment into their wacky escapades. Well, it now seems as if it really is going to arrive from within the Circuits of History. The four of them (that being Alex Winter [Bill], Keanu Reeves [Ted], Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon [the writers]) have finalized not only the premise with which they wish to go, but the script for the next chapter of Bill & Ted. Not Bad!

If you're a little worried about the prospect of squeezing another movie out of these two... I say don't be. After all, it's not like they just picked it up on a whim, said "What the hell, why not?" and cranked something out. Far from it. All along they've been wondering what Bill & Ted would be like in "middle age." And the way I see it - if the creators want to explore it with full gusto, then I certainly do, too. Thus, they've (as mentioned) had a bunch of concepts they've toyed with...and came up the one they all agreed upon. Chris & Ed took a crack at the story on paper and it went through many years of tweaking. Well, now, as said, they have it hammered out. And they assure us it's excellent. I mean, hey, if the authors/actors of the creation are happy with their venture and full-on want to produce it for us... who are we to kibosh it?

I do, however, have a few cents I'd like to throw in!

First off... it's likely best that it include Lil' Bill & Lil' Ted (their kids - sorry if I spoiled the tail end of Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey for you) somehow. I imagine they'd either want to follow in their father's footsteps or land themselves in some sort of "need saving" trouble.

Second, I still would like it to have time travel. I mean, come on, it had been central to the first two films. There's no reason to throw it out now. (And it's what attracted me to the original film in the first place!) I'm not sure how it would factor in exactly...especially since I've got an idea as to where/what the next installment should tackle. I just think it should remain a key element in the third movie.

Thirdly, where to take the dudes? Well... I say outer space. Yes, really. Sound a bit far fetched? No, not when we look at the facts. They've been all around the globe. They've been around Time. They've been through the Afterlife and visited both Heaven & Hell. Where ELSE can they venture? If that's not enough to convince, consider this: Their music is supposed to align the planets. They have two Martians (or one big, depedning!) in their band. See it now? Wyld Stallyns needs to be traveling through the vast oddities of the universe!

Lastly, the title. Alex Winter has made it know that there is one. Oh dear lordy my how I wish I knew it!  But I have one of my own. Not that I'll be at all disappointed if it's not the one they pick. And it's actually not too far a stretch that they might have!

You see, I just re-watched both films.  (I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen Excellent Adventure, but it definitely exceeds 30) For my buddy Gil it had been a long time. Gil never saw the sequel though, so he and I watched that one as well. Needless to say, Gil found it excellent. Well, you see, in that movie, Bill says, "I have a feeling we are about to embark on a most unprecedented expedition." And boom. Title. Bill & Ted's Unprecedented Expedition. I love it. Or else Bill & Ted's Outstanding Odyssey. But I'd prefer it to be directly derived from the previous movie.

And the final thing to say is something concrete from Winter. Reportedly the story will still have Rock n' Roll as part of its structure. He says it had always been about Rock n' Roll. And given that a full quarter of a century of it has happened since Bill & Ted thought they needed Eddie Van Halen in order to be a super band, the creators are exploring how Rock n' Roll has developed or changed over the years. How does it affect Wyld Stallyns...or how can Wyld Stallyns affect IT?

Maybe a little shout out to Rufus and an explanation of what became of his character, too?  [Rest in Peace, Mr. Carlin!  We love & miss you!]

My best friend Laughter texted me saying he "needs" to see it with me.  Excellent!  And I think it's only fitting that Gil come with us if he's able.  Not bad!

Of course, the guys are "shopping it around" right now and it needs a 'Green Light.'  But at least we're one step closer!  STATION!

To all of this, I say:
PARTY ON, DUDES!

MOVING Right Along...

All righty...

Looks like I have the Dedication and Acknowledgements composed.  In the end, I wound deciding to keep it short and sweet instead of a long winded ramble.  Which, as you might already have guessed, is typical of me.  At least when speaking.  I've got someone looking at it for me and I'll be sure to re-visit it myself in a bit.  But it's all coming together.  Peter Pan: Betwixt-and-Between is oh-so-near!

In terms of explaining my absences, suffice to say that part of the upheaval of which I've been mentioning is a move.  Yes, I'll be changing my residence soon.  I'll still be in Chicago, though.  But I'm in no hurry.  Moving is always so stressful!   I don't have a set schedule of when I need to be 'out' so I'm taking it leisurely.  It works out nicely, as I'm intermixing the "going through my stuff" alongside going out socially with Buttercup, Josiecat, Clara & Banky and Gil.  Not to mention working on the book!  I also had a great weekened with my best friend Laughter.  Oh - I wound up sick for a while (hospital visit required!) but I'm fine now, nothing to worry about...

I hope to be more attentive once all the packing and such are done... and then unpacked in my new place.

I've Got It Covered?

I believe I have the back cover of Peter Pan: Betwixt-and-Between, the interquel in the life of the eternal boy.

I said before that I had an idea for it which my best friend Laughter suggested. It would have been great and even felt reminiscent of a location in the book. Sadly, though, I couldn’t find anything worthy. No, that’s not me being high and lofty. Let me explain... So you’re not in the dark, Laughter’s proposal had been a Banyan Tree. Mind you, he thought I could use such a tree for one of the illustrations. But no such luck. Those that arose didn’t require one. So I decided it could be on the back cover, as you know. 

Well, first there’s getting a image that I liked and could use. I had a few. All right, so... the real problem had been that no matter how I positioned one of these trees on a rectangular cover, it only looked like a pile of, well, dung. You couldn’t see the glory of the mysterious trees. Just a twisted mass of browns and not at all appealing. So I changed direction entirely.  (Note: These are but examples, not the photos I tried.)

The task of composing a back cover blurb felt daunting... until I realized that “less is more.”  So I thus decided it shall have naught (in terms of words) but the tagline I came up with many moons ago. It’s here on the blog if you want to hunt for it!

I narrowed down my photos, discovered which one looked best rectangularly without losing the essence or best parts of the photograph and started fiddling. I tinkered with it on and on... until I... well, I guess you can say inspiration struck. I tried it out. Voila. Just what the cover needed! Or at least I think so... I’ll give you a hint: It’s a callback.

I’m going to pass it along to a few people and see what kind of reception it has.

First up is my buddy Laughter. Not entirely sure who will see it next, but it’s a good bet I’ll ask for opinions of fellow Barrie-borrower Andrea Jones (author of Hook & Jill) and Pan-fanatic Anon.*
.
In the meantime, I’ll be doing the other Foreword and such...

*Barrie enthusiast and my faithful reader and #1 fan

Da DA Da...DONE!

The illustrations are done!

Finished circa two in the morning, all the pictures of scenes from chapters in my interquel Peter Pan: Betwixt-and-Between are now complete.  The final one, showing a scene lifted from an obscure and unused part of Barrie's tales of Pan, turned out well also.  How wonderful that this little known Pan moment is brought to (still) life!

There didn't wind up being any more extra pictures beyond the original two extra, but hey... a picture for each chapter and then some is nothing to sneeze at... come to think of it, what IS to sneeze at???  At any rate, there are 14 chapters and thus, 16 pictures.

What's left to do?  Well, I think I'd like a peppering of tiny images at the chapter headings.  No worries though in terms of it taking too long.  They certainly won't require any elaborate concocting like the story illustrations.  Just simple adornments.

Don't hate me, but I also need to write and insert stuff that goes in the beginning of the book such as the Foreword, Acknowledgements page, Contents, etc.  Oh - and the back cover picture (but I now know what that will be - thanks to a suggestion from my buddy Laughter!)  After those are done (and some re-re-proofing all around) it will be on its way to availability.




PETER PAN  is excited... are you?

For any and all who are anxious to read this "missing history" of Peter Pan - thanks for bearing with me through the process and for being patient.

SO... anyone want an a sneak peak at an illustration until then?

Penultimate Complete!

One more!

Yep, that's right.  There's just one more illustration to create for Peter Pan: Betwixt-and-Between, the interquel novel of the eternal boy's "missing" adventure.

The penultimate pic, like the others, turned out well.  I'd been working on it while Laughter had been here and he gave me some input.  In fact, he liked all the pictures.  He's just as charmed as everyone else.  His words of praise still ring in my ears.  Hosah.

I do know what the final picture will be... at least in what it will depict.  It is, however, different from what I had planned.  But after another read of the chapter, something leapt out at me that would be not only fun to make but poignant.  Besides being a pivotal moment for Peter Pan in the story, this scene is taken directly from Barrie himself and incorporated into the novel.  A curious (but merry!) event which had been intended for his treatment onto the silver screen.  I'm rather fond of the notion that this creation of his is given a shot after all...(since 'his' movie never got made.)

And there you have it... ever closer to the pages being in your hands, dear readers.

Keep your window open!

Laughter Reigns



My Blog Profile - bigger!

Just a note to let you know
that I'll likely not be posting from now
until at least through
next Friday.

My best friend Laughter

is coming back in town tonight! Hooray!

He'll be staying with us...

and I get to have a mini-vacation "playing"

(in a Barriesque way) with him.

(If you're wondering, he's in town to see a few concerts...

no, I'm not attending them.)

It could so happen that I do post,

but I thought I should give fair warning

and reason as to my hiatus.

Until again....

Wendy? Word.

My best friend Laughter and I have been playing Words with Friends on our phones lately.  We now have three games going at once.  It's rather fun... and if you can't figure it out from the picture, it's really a knock-off of Scrabble.  It's one of those games that I've always liked but no one ever really wants to sit down and play.  Now, on the go, it's in the palm of our hands.

I bet you've already read the tiles at the bottom there.  Yeah, sure, I rearranged the letters to spell Wendy, but I didn't alter the letters which had been allotted to me.

Is the omniverse conspiring corroboratively with me?  I'll just go ahead and believe so, for it makes me happier.

Scrabble/Words with Friends isn't merely fun.  It's a way to keep one on one's toes in terms of words and vocabulary.  Maybe not to a high degree, but the tumbling around of tiles into words definitely has some beneficial affects on getting creativity flowing.  I also enjoy the words that it won't accept, as in the ones I make up and wish were real so I could utilize that Triple Word Score space.  In the game, such words are not allowed, but in the hands of an author it can indeed be brought into existence and defined.

On another note, I get a kick out of the words Laughter and I placed on the board.  I began it with "insane," he placed "ram" and, logically, then, I put down "reboot."  One could arrange those words into saying Hollywood likes to RAM an INSANE REBOOT down our throats every so often, like the new Spider-Man movie, but don't get me started.  Besides, I'm done with superheroes anyway, remember?

Okay, back to happier thoughts.  So glad Wendy appeared in my life in such a wordful and wonderful way.

Unexpected Visit

Sorry for the unannounced absense.

Fate took some turns, which brought Laughter back to stay with us from last Wednesday night on through Sunday again.  How wonderful to be able to spend a lot more time with him.  Also, he'd then been able to attend one of our 'Thursday Nights' whereupon we always have friends (Banky, Clara, Buttercup and Josiecat & sometimes others) over.  It brings me such joy to have Banky and Laughter interact.  Forgive my child-like saying so, but they're both just so cool on their own, but bring them together and look out - fun!  Josiecat had the pleasure of meeting Laughter for the first time.  And Buttercup got to spend time with him outside of a parking lot at a concert (where they met before.)

Woo-hoo.

Just wanted to point out that this post went up at 11:11.  What a neat "coincidence" considering that the number 11 actually came up many times durning Laughter's visit.  (And yes, partly in reference to Nigel Tufnel.)

Laughter Weekend

 
Please pardon me from posting this weekend.
My best friend Laughter is coming in and staying with us.

On the agenda:

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

I’m ecstatic to be the one to show it to him. He hasn’t seen it yet and I, as well as Banky and Clara, believe that it’s impossible for Laughter to not love this movie and know that he does/will in the very opening moments.

Jim Henson's Fantastic World

It’s the last weekend for this exhibit at The Museum of Science & Industry here in Chicago. Among the things that have stirred from creative juices which make Laughter happy, The Muppets just might top the list. Who doesn’t love Henson’s work and legacy?

Banana’s Foster

Yep. Laughter’s hooked on this cozy corner eatery as well.  We plan to cap off the fun with a scrumptious Sunday brunch before he leaves.

Carousing as usual.
‘Nuff said.

If time (and carousing) permits [as Bart and I have an opera at Lyric to go to on Saturday night, which already had to be rescheduled and this is only time Laughter can make it up to Chicago] I’m also hoping we can squeeze in another one of my favorite flicks of all time - Paprika.

It also means I'll not be able to get to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the second volume of the comic novel series for a little longer than the planned week.  Which is just as well, since I'll be seeing the movie yet again (and it can only serve to refresh my memory as to the parallels) and it will create an even longer "anticipation simulation." [An attempt to recreate the "waiting" endured by fans unable to have the whole series at one time.]

One thing I know for certain - when Laughter’s around, there’s plenty of just that.

IN TO HIS HEAD!

Just wanted to say that Tim Burton's Alice has yet to leave me. I listen to the enchaunting* theme by Danny Elfman at least once a week, if not a dozen times. I still want the Cheshire Cat to live with me. Bart still quotes some of his favorite lines from the Queen of Hearts.  I keep hearing one of Alice's speeches in my head.  Not so long ago Buttercup said she wanted to watch it again. I last saw it two weekends ago when my best friend Laughter had been in town. He'd only seen it once and took his kids, so his attention had been divided. How mesmerized he sat! Being a set designer, he takes a special interest in the artistry. I have now seen it seven times.

I've taken to saying "Fairfarren" as a salutation. I'd been getting bored with my usual "goodbye" words anyway.  Screenwriter Linda Woolverton coined Fairfarren. It means "May you travel far under fair skies." It fits perfectly into the world(s) of Lewis Carroll.

Note the paranthesis around the S there. Carroll brought Alice to two distinct places. The movie combines Wonderland and the Looking-Glass World. It seems like something that should ruffle my feathers. But I find myself loving it. Of course, I'd been warmed up to the idea by the "Mad Hatter and March Hare Connection" derived from Carroll's words and Tenniel's drawings. Plus, American McGee's Alice video game exploited this "through-hole" with expert ease. But in the case of Woolverton/Burton's, there is ever so much more interaction and intermingling of both places that it ultimately becomes one place, different regions.

In my last post love letter to this film, I mentioned that I'd been disappointed that the Mock Turtle and the Griffin had not been in the movie.  Technically they are in it - as a grand portrait and part of mural respectively.  Their fates are easily detemined, too.  The Griffin is shown fighting the Jabberwock.  Fairfarren, Griffin.  The Mock Turtle must have ended up as stew as per the Red Queen's statement of loving caviar.  My only "Aw, shucks" that prevents it from being 103% perfect for me comes in the scene of the White Queen's kitchen.  It seems a shame to have the March Hare be the one cooking.  Why not the use the character of the Cook here?  Although I do see the importance of showing the Hare having fled to the Queen.  An addendum to this is Alice remarking that it needs more salt.  Perhaps this is a nod to the There's certainly too much pepper in that soup! line in the original.  But I would have preferred she say "Needs more pepper" to have another indication of her grown-up tastes.  Other than that, just the title.

I've spoken to three people recently who were a little put off or confused by the title of the movie. As I mentioned in the other post, it is mis-titled. It's not a direct adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland nor even Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.  All three of them had thought it would to be.  See?  It needs a different title.  (Watching the film should make you aware of that title.)

* Enchaunting - at once haunting & enchanting

Fairfarren, all.

Virtual Neverland

Peter Pan's Playground on Wii

Don't get too excited.

It's for little kids. Does it count as irony that I wish it were a game for bigger kids (and kids at heart)?

Yes, this does exist. And yes, I'm just now learning about it. Slipped silently by the RADAR. It's a puzzle and coloring game for toddlers. You can find info about it here.

Really gets me thinking, though. I'd had tremendous fun with Wii Sports Resort. Laughter brought it with him when he stayed with us while working on The Night Season. Sports Resort features the Wii Motion Plus. For the non-saavy, that means 1 to 1 motion control. The on-screen character mimics your motions, exactly.

One "game" is sky diving, where a push forward will make you gain speed, all the while titling and maneuvering precisely. It's very calming.

To one up that, you can fly a plane all around the island. Zooming in toward it, or higher in the sky, all in real time. Push forward to gain speed or pull back to slow, twist, dart and sail just as you please in sight seeing soothing frenzy, easy as pie.

But I enjoyed the swordfighting. A little too much. Yes, I've clanged swords as Jack Sparrow, Jedi and Link, but this time around... you actually controlled the sword. As opposed to making generic flicks of the controller. This is exhilarating.

See where I'm going with this? Flying around an island, swordfighting... feeling natural, uber-fun...

We need a Peter Pan video game. Whether it follow Barrie's story or just be other adventures in the Neverland. What I'd prefer, of course, is both. Follow Barrie, then stuff in a slew of other adventures that are merely referred to in the book. Even better - have a "free-roaming" explore gameplay as well. It can be done, it's in use now.

Anyone else up for a respectful, well-done virtual version of the Neverland?

I am! I am!

*Nice touch getting Pan's shadow to appear on the cover. Very excellent placement. Bravo!

Vitalist Theatre Ventures Forth Again!

Well, everyone, it’s that time again. Night Season!

Okay, well, not exactly, but yes. That’s the name of Vitalist Theatre Company’s new show. And once again I’ve been helping build the set. I’m rather sore, but it’s at least good to know the aches are from accomplishment. As always, it’s been great to see my buddy Laughter, Sparrow and the Director again. Not to mention the rest of the regular crew.

I don’t have much to report about the specifics of the show. For I really don’t know them. I’ve not heard much about it yet. But I do know some bits (and “tricks”) that will be included from helping put up the environment for it. What I do know is best kept secret so as not to spoil things for those who will be able to see the show.

It’s a pleasure to help them out… and I will of course post more about The Night Season in the future.
You can, of course, go to their website to read more until then.

Meanwhile, my new favorite power tool is the Router. Talk about a FUN tool! And the results are damn near (if not) perfect everytime. Virtually idiot proof… which is good in my case. ;)





(All the stage work has prevented me from finishing Hook & Jill by Andrea Jones, too. But I hope that my many engagements this coming weekend will allow time to see how her marvelous new direction in the Neverland saga ends! [For now...])

Chasing Comments...

I’ve had a handful of reports from people who have read my latest work, Midnight Chaser. I’m happy to say that it’s being very well received.

Cassidy, who is always (thankfully) eager to read my stories, told me while still reading that it’s unlike anything else she’s read. “Very very good.” She got through 70% of it in one sitting. And when she came to the end, she offered her constructive (and correct) criticisms. But quite minor. Already have those fixed with a few added lines. She quite enjoyed it. Thanks, Cassidy.

Some else just completed it and liked it very much. Incidentally, she swept through 75% in one sitting. I had her looking things up to know more about what’s contained in the book. Quite cool.

But pleasing me the most (you’ll see why in a minute) is Banky. Banky had heard a little about this novel while I wrote it. I'm sure I couldn't keep myself from talking about it when out for Free Pie with Banky and Clara. The concept intrigued him, so he asked if he could read it. Um, yeah. He rather sweetly asked if I’d be offended or if it “wouldn’t be right” to start with Midnight Chaser. Meaning should he read my other books first? Of course not. This one interested him, so… away he went.

Well, it seems I’ve disrupted his life. He began it and soon the text messages to my phone began. He’d send over lines that struck him, theories about the story and the like. He later told me that he found himself not wanting to go to his scheduled visit to his friend’s house. That, you see, would have meant he had to stop reading.

Later that night he came from her place to our place. We had a wonderful visit, as my best buddy Laughter had popped over, too. He’s here in town with his family for the weekend. Anyway, Banky eventually could no longer wait and asked if he could freely talk about the book in front of Bart and Laughter. I explained that I’ve given all its secrets to Bart already and I didn’t expect Laughter to be able to give it a go with his happily hectic life. And Laughter said he didn't mind. So off Banky went. He’s “flipping over its awesomeness.” He had some questions. Not the “I’m confused” kind but the “I’m trying to figure this out!” kind. Later, after Bart had hit the pillow and Laughter had gone, Banky and I were out on the back steps in the cool night. Without provocation, he started again. Telling me how he’s not normally fond of fantasy, how impressive that it’s quite dense and yet doesn’t feel burdened, flying along. And then more theories and questions. He’d only gotten through about a quarter of it. And needed more. Plus, I already knew that Banky usually regarded reading as a chore, a stigma from high school. Later, while playing Ghostbusters on Wii, he looked distracted. I asked. Yup, his mind on Midnight Chaser.

Apparently today he wanted to spend he day cleaning. Bart and I went out to the suburbs, visiting relatives for the Fourth of July Holiday. I received text after text. Banky. I texted back, of course, and had to ask: Did you get any cleaning done? Nope. And he plowed through most of it. In fact, he nearly finished the book.

At this point I’m not sure if he has or not. I only just returned home. And I’m waiting for a reply as to how far along he is NOW. Thanks, Banky!

Please don’t think I’m being self-praising by posting the comments. Quite frankly, it’s not about the conceit of it for me. It’s about the relief. You pour so much of your time and focus into art. To know that it’s being truly appreciated? Nothing like it. The work is not in vain.

As I told Banky last night, it’s also very excellent to hear him expressing his need to know what happens next. As an author, I never get to experience my own work in the way that a reader would. I have a short post about this dilemma, here. I rather relished the chance to live the book vicariously through Banky’s speculations and comments.

So, I’m pleased. I do have some others lined up to have a gander at the adventures of Andy, Zihn and the Hour Gang. Here’s hoping the magic continues.

Thanks, all!

UPDATE: Banky did in fact finish yesterday. I did get a text back, cleverly using a line from the book that let me know he'd completed it. I have yet to hear his thoughts now that all his questions, so to speak, have been answered. Hope we can get together soon.

Riddle Me These...

Two of my favorite riddles:

#1
The man who made it has no use for it.
The man who bought it doesn't want it.
The man who received it doesn't know it.
What is it?

#2
There are 3 men in a boat. They have 4 cigarettes.
But they have no way to make fire.
Yet they are all smoking. How?


The second one had been one of the (better) riddles from the Riddler on the old Batman TV series. Considering that some actual riddles were "What's yellow and writes? Of course, Batman! A Ball Point Banana!" and "What kind of people are always in hurry? The Russians." this one is pretty darn good.

My best friend Laughter's brother loved Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) and met him before Gorshin passed. Laughter's brother asked him this riddle to see if he still remembered it, and yes, yes he did!

Try and guess them before you just go ahead and highlight the answers.

#1
A coffin.
#2
They throw one cigarette overboard and make the boat a cigarette lighter!

Weekend Wonders

Sorry... didn't mean to leave you in a lurch all weekend with nothing to read of my rants.

Although we didn’t do much (and certainly not all we planned) Bart and I had a filled weekend. Granted, some of that “fill” had to do with being lazy, too. Specifically, catching up on sleep (though not “sleeping in”) and also on episodes of Ellen. They piled up as I could not keep up with them this week. We also had a lovely brunch on Sunday with Laughter, who regretted not being able to go with Bart, Cassidy and me last Sunday. Yes, Laughter come back and had still been hanging about. He needed to take pictures of and for the Vitalist Theatre show Anung’s First American Christmas that he (we’ve) been working on for quite a while now.

One of the things we did accomplish (as if it counts as a feat!) is purchase the Robert Sabuda P0P-uP book of Peter Pan. It’s a delight. But is that any wonder? You might remember I’d been excited to see the crocodile. It turns out she is one of the side panels that opens up. A tad disappointing, as I had hoped to have gigantic massive jaws snapping down at me. The other mild let down is that there really isn’t a great “flying over London” page. Again, it exits in the flaps on the side. And it’s neat, yes. But not as grand as the moment seems to demand.

Don’t take any of the above comments as dislike. It’s an amazing piece of work just like his other books. Who can sneeze at a full scale pirate ship suddenly appearing before the eyes? One of the more fun pop-ups is Captain Hook sliding down the hollow tree. It’s unexpected and a great effect. Another tiny pleasure derives from the window shade going on at the Darling home as we see the Mr. and Mrs. in silhouette (calling back the shadow of the story) lamenting their loss. And how fun to see the Neverland sprawl out of nowhere!

Bravo Sabuda! (Again!)

Tomorrow is the opening/premiere of Anung’s First American Christmas. Laughter says it did indeed turn out to be a great show… visually stunning with all the puppetry and lighting and costumes. I’ll be sure to let you know what I thought. Though I've no doubt it will be fantastic.