I'm recovering nicely. Still a bit sore in that special place but it's better than it was. Have to be careful moving around but it's getting better daily.
I didn't mention that my doctor is a really funny guy--prior to the surgery he came by and made a mark on my abdomen with a pen. "Wouldn't want to take out the wrong testicle." he said.
"The wrong cyst. Off of a testicle." I corrected him, while wondering how many times he's made that joke.
In the recovery room I got a pleasant smile from a cute nurse. Right. Now women want me. Let me guess--in a couple weeks I'll go back to not existing from the waist down in most women's minds.
I did make sort of a decision about that sort of thing recently and this is something that will probably piss some people off. Regarding my dating life--before I had just taken myself completely out of the picture. Now, I've decided that I'll get back into it. However, I know going in that nothing long-term will result from any new women I meet. I know, you're saying I shouldn't say that, but trust me, I am certain about this. There are reasons I say this, and they are good reasons, and maybe one day I'll go into them, but I can tell you now that there isn't anyone new I can meet that I'll want any sort of serious long term thing with. So, my goal when I meet new women is simply to get laid. If I'm not interested in her in that way then it's already over. She'll lose me at "hello." Basically, my only criteria is, "Is she cute?"
And I know it has to be a two-way street, and I also know that in the looks department I'm really nothing special. I'm content with this knowledge, and striking out is no longer a big deal with me.
And really the only difference between me and every other guy on the planet is I'm actually saying this, and plan to make it clear to any new women who come into my life. So they'll know where this is going. Yeah, I know this will result in a lot of failed attempts at dates. It'll also, though, get me laid, a couple of times, anyways.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
If you're planning a trip to Savannah
Just to help you have realistic expectations.
- Unless you go to a drag queen show, you probably won't see all that many transvestites.
- We do have crimes that aren't racially motivated. Like armed robbery. Our thugs are equal opportunity thugs.
- Paula Deen's restaurant is overrated, overpriced, and overcrowded. There are a dozen other places within a block that have better food and are much more reasonably priced. And probably won't be nearly as crowded. And aren't looking to screw over ignorant tourists. Or at least not as much.
- Unlike Disneyworld, most of the people you'll see in the Historic District don't actually work for the city, and really aren't there to entertain you or serve as guides. If you want someone to show you around take one of the tours. Yes, you'll have to pay somebody for that.
- Don't sit around and complain about how much more wonderful things are Up North. If it's so fucking wonderful in Yankee-land, then remember that nobody is forcing you to come here, and nobody is forcing you to stay.
- Before you start complaining about how the Civil War is history and we just need to get over it, think back and try to remember who brought the subject up in the first place. Was it you? Yes.
- Don't drive around the squares in your car at 2 miles per hour so you can stare at the houses. And don't just stop in the middle of the street and get out to take a picture of a house. Believe it or not those are public roadways and people are trying to get from point A to point B. Just like they do in your town. Believe it or not.
- Being On Vacation does not mean that you can ignore traffic laws.
- If you see someone sitting alone at a table in a restaurant and that person tells you that he is waiting for someone and does not want you to join him in the mean time, please believe him and go away.
- Just be nice, have fun, and understand that not everyone around you is on vacation. Do that and you'll have a lot of fun.
It Hurts lyrics
Here we stand again my friend
each of us bearing new scars
standing here with nothing
in this place among the stars
I wish sometimes I could make you see
I could explain the unexplainable
I wish you would stop wasting your love
on those who don't know who you are
It hurts sometimes to be your friend
though I believe I understand
I'll help you pick up the pieces again
as many times as you need me to
There's so much I'd like to say to you
but the words just don't exist
I wish I could just come out and say it
Circumstance always makes me resist
It hurts sometimes to be your friend
though I know I understand
I'll help you pick up the pieces again
as often as you need me to
words and music by J Franklin Evans
each of us bearing new scars
standing here with nothing
in this place among the stars
I wish sometimes I could make you see
I could explain the unexplainable
I wish you would stop wasting your love
on those who don't know who you are
It hurts sometimes to be your friend
though I believe I understand
I'll help you pick up the pieces again
as many times as you need me to
There's so much I'd like to say to you
but the words just don't exist
I wish I could just come out and say it
Circumstance always makes me resist
It hurts sometimes to be your friend
though I know I understand
I'll help you pick up the pieces again
as often as you need me to
words and music by J Franklin Evans
Friday, January 28, 2011
So ideas if you want 'em
I may or may not do something with these--if any of this inspires you, feel free to do something with it. Just let me know if it does so I can keep an eye out for whatever you do!
(I picture this as more of an episode of Law and Order or something.) A huge pop star--like Lady Gaga or somebody like that--is staying incognito at a hotel. A favorite aunt or someone is in a nearby hospital having surgery and she wants to be there--she is really hiding, not pretend hiding, because she doesn't want her family bothered by all the hooplah. She's just idly staring out of the window and witnesses a murder. Not just part of it--she sees the entire thing, including a good look at the killer. She's the only one who actually saw it, and she is able to give an extremely detailed description of the suspect. Hell, maybe she's an amateur artist and can provide her own sketch of him. Think about that--Lady Gaga testifying at a murder trial! Especially just as a witness--she has no connection with anyone in the case.
(A buddy film or tv show)--two guys, cops (natch). One is hot--when he walks into a room all the women turn to check him out. Unfortunately, he knows that, and while he's not a bad guy, he's really into himself and most women get really tired of listening to him talk about himself while he checks out his hair using any reflective surface in the vicinity. His partner, however, while not an ugly man by any means, isn't the type to get many second looks. He is, though, highly intelligent, witty, well traveled, and a really nice guy. So, most women when they go out start with the first guy and wind up with the second. First guy can't figure it out. Second guy has several women who have fallen hard for him and he hates having to hurt their feelings, something else the first guy doesn't get. Story is the first guy is in love with this woman they met during a case--she liked him, too, for a time, and considers him a friend, but she's really into the second guy--and he's into her, too. They both want to keep their relationship a secret because it would just devastate the first guy, but during the course of the show they get outed. Hijinks ensue.
A fun-for-the-whole-family thing--what if your dad was cooler than you? Say he's a music journalist--he works for MTV and routinely interviews all the hot recording artists in rock, pop, hip-hop, whatever. What's more, he actually listens to and appreciates the music, and a lot of the stars consider themselves a buddy of his. He can score tickets (and usually back-stage passes) to damned near any show you want to see. Rock stars, producers, whatever, can be found hanging out at your house.Your classmates will love your dad. You'll hate him.
If any of that inspires you let me know--I'd love to see what you come up with!
(I picture this as more of an episode of Law and Order or something.) A huge pop star--like Lady Gaga or somebody like that--is staying incognito at a hotel. A favorite aunt or someone is in a nearby hospital having surgery and she wants to be there--she is really hiding, not pretend hiding, because she doesn't want her family bothered by all the hooplah. She's just idly staring out of the window and witnesses a murder. Not just part of it--she sees the entire thing, including a good look at the killer. She's the only one who actually saw it, and she is able to give an extremely detailed description of the suspect. Hell, maybe she's an amateur artist and can provide her own sketch of him. Think about that--Lady Gaga testifying at a murder trial! Especially just as a witness--she has no connection with anyone in the case.
(A buddy film or tv show)--two guys, cops (natch). One is hot--when he walks into a room all the women turn to check him out. Unfortunately, he knows that, and while he's not a bad guy, he's really into himself and most women get really tired of listening to him talk about himself while he checks out his hair using any reflective surface in the vicinity. His partner, however, while not an ugly man by any means, isn't the type to get many second looks. He is, though, highly intelligent, witty, well traveled, and a really nice guy. So, most women when they go out start with the first guy and wind up with the second. First guy can't figure it out. Second guy has several women who have fallen hard for him and he hates having to hurt their feelings, something else the first guy doesn't get. Story is the first guy is in love with this woman they met during a case--she liked him, too, for a time, and considers him a friend, but she's really into the second guy--and he's into her, too. They both want to keep their relationship a secret because it would just devastate the first guy, but during the course of the show they get outed. Hijinks ensue.
A fun-for-the-whole-family thing--what if your dad was cooler than you? Say he's a music journalist--he works for MTV and routinely interviews all the hot recording artists in rock, pop, hip-hop, whatever. What's more, he actually listens to and appreciates the music, and a lot of the stars consider themselves a buddy of his. He can score tickets (and usually back-stage passes) to damned near any show you want to see. Rock stars, producers, whatever, can be found hanging out at your house.Your classmates will love your dad. You'll hate him.
If any of that inspires you let me know--I'd love to see what you come up with!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Aeon's End lyrics
(this is one of my older songs that I'm going to remix for the Cold Iron song cycle)
A million years came to an end today
The doorway opened and the chains fell away
A brave new world where I can come out and play
A million years came to an end today
A million years and I’m still alive
A million years and still I thrive
You’d be amazed at what I’d do to survive
A million years and I’m still alive
The stars have finally arrived to their ordained place
A doorway opened wide to this time and space
A world of minds of all kinds where I can play
A million years came to an end today
A million years started today
The doorway opened and the chains fell away
A brave new world where I can come out and play
A million years started today
words and music by J Franklin Evans
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Post op musings
I had surgery on one of my testicles today.
If you are a woman when you read that sentence you probably thought, "Oh, you poor guy." If you are a man you've stopped reading and are cupping your boys protectively.
I had a cyst called a spermatocele. It's something a lot of men have all their lives and never are aware of it--these things are always benign. However, sometimes they can get too large for their environment and become a problem. Which was the case for me. The nurse told me it was the size of a grape. She showed it to me, too, but I wasn't wearing my glasses so I only saw something sort of amber colored floating in a vial of clear liquid.
I'm not in too much pain right now but I'm still feeling the pain-killers. It's only a problem when I shift positions--I get this dull ache in the surgical area that fades in a minute or so. It's really painful but I can endure it, especially since I know it won't last very long. So, getting up, sitting down, and what not, take a little longer than usual.
The folks I work with have been super-cool about it--a couple of my co-workers picked me up and took me home afterwards, and are running a couple of errands for me. That was something I was kind of worried about--I don't have any family locally and all my friends outside of work live in a different universe. But, it worked out, and I am indeed fortunate to work with the people in my department.
I'll be laid up for a couple of weeks--I can walk around (which is good, since I still have a dog to walk) but I can't lift anything more than ten pounds. So, no guitar playing. I can lift a pen, though, and I can sit at a computer, so I can get some writing done.
I also can't take a shower for a couple of days so I expect I'll be aromatic by tomorrow morning.
I guess I'll be watching a lot of daytime TV, too. Oh, boy. I expect I'll be sleeping a lot.
If you are a woman when you read that sentence you probably thought, "Oh, you poor guy." If you are a man you've stopped reading and are cupping your boys protectively.
I had a cyst called a spermatocele. It's something a lot of men have all their lives and never are aware of it--these things are always benign. However, sometimes they can get too large for their environment and become a problem. Which was the case for me. The nurse told me it was the size of a grape. She showed it to me, too, but I wasn't wearing my glasses so I only saw something sort of amber colored floating in a vial of clear liquid.
I'm not in too much pain right now but I'm still feeling the pain-killers. It's only a problem when I shift positions--I get this dull ache in the surgical area that fades in a minute or so. It's really painful but I can endure it, especially since I know it won't last very long. So, getting up, sitting down, and what not, take a little longer than usual.
The folks I work with have been super-cool about it--a couple of my co-workers picked me up and took me home afterwards, and are running a couple of errands for me. That was something I was kind of worried about--I don't have any family locally and all my friends outside of work live in a different universe. But, it worked out, and I am indeed fortunate to work with the people in my department.
I'll be laid up for a couple of weeks--I can walk around (which is good, since I still have a dog to walk) but I can't lift anything more than ten pounds. So, no guitar playing. I can lift a pen, though, and I can sit at a computer, so I can get some writing done.
I also can't take a shower for a couple of days so I expect I'll be aromatic by tomorrow morning.
I guess I'll be watching a lot of daytime TV, too. Oh, boy. I expect I'll be sleeping a lot.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Progress report, what's next, etc etc
Well, I had to take my monthly trip to visit the family this weekend. Just got back an hour or so ago. Finished unpacking, and doing all the post-trip stuff one does. Atari has settled back down into his routine, sleeping now on his new heating pad. Like me he doesn't dig traveling.
I'm scheduled for surgery next week and while it's minor surgery I will still be laid up a few days. Since I'm exactly half way through Cold Iron I think I'll wait until after the surgery to begin tracking the next song, "The Crawl." I won't be able to lift anything heavier than ten pounds for a few days after the surgery--which means no guitar--and I doubt I'll be able to sit or stand for very long while I recover, so that means no tracking. I'd hate to leave a song half done for that long and then come back to it--I know I'll just erase what I've done and start over. So I'm not going to bother.
I will be able to write, however, and I think I'll finish the lyrics for the remaining songs while I'm laid up.
I've also been thinking about the next musical project and I think I'll be doing some longer instrumental work. Maybe five or six really long, sort of symphonic pieces. Stuff like you'd hear on a movie soundtrack. Heavy synth work but with guitars and the like, too--symphonies for a modern ear, let's say. Though I'm sure the word symphonies sort of lends an air of dignity to what I'l be doing beyond what these songs will require.
I also want to do a drastic rewrite of my screenplay, Mythophobia. Unfortunately, what I want to do, the character and plot line I want to add, won't fit in with it as it exists now, but it'll make it much better, so the rewrite is necessary. It'll be fun. Once I dive in I usually find myself enjoying the process of writing--I can see it in my head as I write it down.
I'm also thinking about doing something drastic in my personal life, though at this point I don't think it's something that's actually possible. I'd love to go to college and get a degree in art history. Considering all the other crap I've got going on in my life right now that's probably just a pipe dream, and I wouldn't know where to start if I did decide to go through with it. I'd have to start from the very beginning, too--all the core curricula. It'd be years before I got into anything I found remotely interesting. I'd also have to sacrifice my limited time for my music and writing, which these days is all I look forward to. Unlike a lot of people I can't stay up until 1 a.m. or later doing homework or research or whatever. I needs my beauty sleep. So, while it'd be nice, it's one of those things that'll have to wait.
Anyways, that's the plan, such as it is. We'll see how well I can execute it!
I'm scheduled for surgery next week and while it's minor surgery I will still be laid up a few days. Since I'm exactly half way through Cold Iron I think I'll wait until after the surgery to begin tracking the next song, "The Crawl." I won't be able to lift anything heavier than ten pounds for a few days after the surgery--which means no guitar--and I doubt I'll be able to sit or stand for very long while I recover, so that means no tracking. I'd hate to leave a song half done for that long and then come back to it--I know I'll just erase what I've done and start over. So I'm not going to bother.
I will be able to write, however, and I think I'll finish the lyrics for the remaining songs while I'm laid up.
I've also been thinking about the next musical project and I think I'll be doing some longer instrumental work. Maybe five or six really long, sort of symphonic pieces. Stuff like you'd hear on a movie soundtrack. Heavy synth work but with guitars and the like, too--symphonies for a modern ear, let's say. Though I'm sure the word symphonies sort of lends an air of dignity to what I'l be doing beyond what these songs will require.
I also want to do a drastic rewrite of my screenplay, Mythophobia. Unfortunately, what I want to do, the character and plot line I want to add, won't fit in with it as it exists now, but it'll make it much better, so the rewrite is necessary. It'll be fun. Once I dive in I usually find myself enjoying the process of writing--I can see it in my head as I write it down.
I'm also thinking about doing something drastic in my personal life, though at this point I don't think it's something that's actually possible. I'd love to go to college and get a degree in art history. Considering all the other crap I've got going on in my life right now that's probably just a pipe dream, and I wouldn't know where to start if I did decide to go through with it. I'd have to start from the very beginning, too--all the core curricula. It'd be years before I got into anything I found remotely interesting. I'd also have to sacrifice my limited time for my music and writing, which these days is all I look forward to. Unlike a lot of people I can't stay up until 1 a.m. or later doing homework or research or whatever. I needs my beauty sleep. So, while it'd be nice, it's one of those things that'll have to wait.
Anyways, that's the plan, such as it is. We'll see how well I can execute it!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday morning randomocity
I'm sitting here killing time before heading in to the hospital for a pre-operative whatever. My surgery is next week and they have some paperwork to go over and I'm sure they want to poke and prod me some, too.
The hospital wants a name and a number of the person who is going to pick me up after the surgery, which is sort of annoying. But I managed to work it out and found a lucky volunteer.
Musically, I've got five songs done in the Cold Iron song cycle. I'm halfway done! So far, so good, too. I dig them, anyways, and I guess that's all that matters in the end. Though it'd be nice if other people would give them a listen, too . . . I know I'm strange but I'm not that strange--if I like it there have got to be a few others who like it. Sorry, whining over. Be sure to give them a listen when I post them--watch this space for the announcement. I'll put them all up at once so you'll be able to listen to the whole thing, beginning to end, if you want.
Atari seems to be feeling okay. He's acting about like he usually does. I'm glad he seems to be comfortable. I'm going to get him a special treat while I'm out running around today--a double-whopper with cheese. His most favorite thing in the whole world. He hasn't had one in a while, and he loves those things so much.
I know I sound glib and laid back about Atari's situation, but trust me, I'm not. When the end finally comes for him I'm not sure how I'll react. I'm not even sure I can handle it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Anyways, that's my story. What's up with you? Big plans for the weekend?
The hospital wants a name and a number of the person who is going to pick me up after the surgery, which is sort of annoying. But I managed to work it out and found a lucky volunteer.
Musically, I've got five songs done in the Cold Iron song cycle. I'm halfway done! So far, so good, too. I dig them, anyways, and I guess that's all that matters in the end. Though it'd be nice if other people would give them a listen, too . . . I know I'm strange but I'm not that strange--if I like it there have got to be a few others who like it. Sorry, whining over. Be sure to give them a listen when I post them--watch this space for the announcement. I'll put them all up at once so you'll be able to listen to the whole thing, beginning to end, if you want.
Atari seems to be feeling okay. He's acting about like he usually does. I'm glad he seems to be comfortable. I'm going to get him a special treat while I'm out running around today--a double-whopper with cheese. His most favorite thing in the whole world. He hasn't had one in a while, and he loves those things so much.
I know I sound glib and laid back about Atari's situation, but trust me, I'm not. When the end finally comes for him I'm not sure how I'll react. I'm not even sure I can handle it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Anyways, that's my story. What's up with you? Big plans for the weekend?
Monday, January 17, 2011
MLK Day randomocity
MLK Day is a holiday for me, so I'm off!
Plans are--give Atari a bath (done already), and start tracking a new tune. Other than that I'm going to relax a while, watch some TV if I can find anything worth watching. and otherwise chill.
Speaking of Atari, he seems to be feeling okay. He's a bit pissed because of the bath thing but he just now gave me a kiss so maybe he's over it already. His vet says that the mass in his abdomen will rupture soon--could be tomorrow, could be a couple months from now. But when that happens he'll bleed out internally. There's really nothing else we can do.
He gets the baths because he has a skin infection and can't take antibiotics anymore--they make him sick. Other than that, though, he's just going to get spoiled more than usual. I'm going to enjoy the time I have left with him as much as I can, and hope when the end does come it comes quickly and with no pain for him.
I'm almost half way through tracking the Cold Iron song cycle--just finished the fourth tune yesterday. Six more to go. I'm supposed to have some minor surgery next week--the goal is for me to have at least five songs done before then. I may be ahead of schedule by then--fingers crossed.
I woke up this morning to the news that my beautiful little goddaughter has been cast in a play! She and her mom are very excited, as am I. I wish I could see it but they're in California. Hopefully the two commercials she's going to appear in will start airing soon so I'll be able to see her in those.
Glad people are liking the "I, Fudd" stuff. At least, judging from the number of views they get I think people like them. It's not like anybody's saying anything . . . or much of anything, anyways . . . I'll be doing those for a while now. I've got a lot of material. Unless I get ordered by WB to knock it off, of course. Hopefully they'll take it in the spirit in which it is intended.
So, what's on your mind today?
Plans are--give Atari a bath (done already), and start tracking a new tune. Other than that I'm going to relax a while, watch some TV if I can find anything worth watching. and otherwise chill.
Speaking of Atari, he seems to be feeling okay. He's a bit pissed because of the bath thing but he just now gave me a kiss so maybe he's over it already. His vet says that the mass in his abdomen will rupture soon--could be tomorrow, could be a couple months from now. But when that happens he'll bleed out internally. There's really nothing else we can do.
He gets the baths because he has a skin infection and can't take antibiotics anymore--they make him sick. Other than that, though, he's just going to get spoiled more than usual. I'm going to enjoy the time I have left with him as much as I can, and hope when the end does come it comes quickly and with no pain for him.
I'm almost half way through tracking the Cold Iron song cycle--just finished the fourth tune yesterday. Six more to go. I'm supposed to have some minor surgery next week--the goal is for me to have at least five songs done before then. I may be ahead of schedule by then--fingers crossed.
I woke up this morning to the news that my beautiful little goddaughter has been cast in a play! She and her mom are very excited, as am I. I wish I could see it but they're in California. Hopefully the two commercials she's going to appear in will start airing soon so I'll be able to see her in those.
Glad people are liking the "I, Fudd" stuff. At least, judging from the number of views they get I think people like them. It's not like anybody's saying anything . . . or much of anything, anyways . . . I'll be doing those for a while now. I've got a lot of material. Unless I get ordered by WB to knock it off, of course. Hopefully they'll take it in the spirit in which it is intended.
So, what's on your mind today?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I, Fudd - a rivalry is born
Edwina Fudd, nee Rudd, still has the slim figure and the flashing green eyes that broke hearts up and down the East Coast while she performed assorted roles from Shakespear. On Broadway she was a rising young star when she was cast as Desdemona in Elmer Fudd's production of Othello.
"That was the first time I'd met Elmer." she tells me, sitting at the same table in the study, her voice still strong and confident and reminiscent of her days on stage. "He was so charismatic, so talented, so charming. He'll tell you he's not funny but he's great at telling funny stories. He made me laugh. And he was intense. Passionate about his craft.
"But then, he brings in Wile (Coyote) from England. Wile was setting the world on fire over there and Elmer thought he'd make a great Iago to his Othello. He was right, and Elmer was so gracious to allow the newcomer to have that role--Iago is one of Shakespear's meatiest parts. But that's typical. Unfortunately, trouble started at that point."
Elmer and Coyote won raves--they had a great chemistry onstage. They were also notorious ladies' men, bachelors who ran up quite a score among beautiful young women.
That changed, though, when Elmer met Edwina. "Man, she was so beautiful." Elmer told me, with a wistful sigh. "Those eyes. That hair. Those freckles. Her laugh was like music. Her voice like a song. Her wit was razor sharp, dangerous and wonderful. I was in love. Crazy in love. I've never felt that way before. About anybody.
"But so was Wile. We were only a week or so into our run when we figured out we were going to have a problem."
"I suppose I could have just ended it by deciding between the two of them." Edwina said. "But I couldn't. Elmer was so . . . so . . . he was just such a powerful prescence. Almost hypnotic. Sensuous and passionate. But then, Wile was so handsome, exotic--he's Czech, which made him a bit mysterious to me at that time. Charming, clever, and so talented. These two incredible actors, and they were both crazy in love with me. What's a girl to do?"
There were rumors of clashes between the two men over Edwina which esculated into a backstage brawl. Eventually the run came to a premature end--while Fudd and Coyote were consumate professionals and went onstage and performed every night, the cast and crew soon grew tired of the walking-on-eggshells atmosphere of the production and quit, en mass. Coyote remained in New York, havng made some connections, and was soon performing in other productions. Edwina also made her decision.
"I had to pick. As much fun as I had with Wile, it was just a fling, really. He wasn't in his heart ready to settle down. Elmer was. That was that. But it was too late to stop the bitterness between them. They didn't speak again for several years."
Elmer decided he couldn't stay in New York any longer. After long meetings with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, it was decided that they would move to Hollywood, form a production company and try their hand at making films.
Looney Toons was born.
"That was the first time I'd met Elmer." she tells me, sitting at the same table in the study, her voice still strong and confident and reminiscent of her days on stage. "He was so charismatic, so talented, so charming. He'll tell you he's not funny but he's great at telling funny stories. He made me laugh. And he was intense. Passionate about his craft.
"But then, he brings in Wile (Coyote) from England. Wile was setting the world on fire over there and Elmer thought he'd make a great Iago to his Othello. He was right, and Elmer was so gracious to allow the newcomer to have that role--Iago is one of Shakespear's meatiest parts. But that's typical. Unfortunately, trouble started at that point."
Elmer and Coyote won raves--they had a great chemistry onstage. They were also notorious ladies' men, bachelors who ran up quite a score among beautiful young women.
That changed, though, when Elmer met Edwina. "Man, she was so beautiful." Elmer told me, with a wistful sigh. "Those eyes. That hair. Those freckles. Her laugh was like music. Her voice like a song. Her wit was razor sharp, dangerous and wonderful. I was in love. Crazy in love. I've never felt that way before. About anybody.
"But so was Wile. We were only a week or so into our run when we figured out we were going to have a problem."
"I suppose I could have just ended it by deciding between the two of them." Edwina said. "But I couldn't. Elmer was so . . . so . . . he was just such a powerful prescence. Almost hypnotic. Sensuous and passionate. But then, Wile was so handsome, exotic--he's Czech, which made him a bit mysterious to me at that time. Charming, clever, and so talented. These two incredible actors, and they were both crazy in love with me. What's a girl to do?"
There were rumors of clashes between the two men over Edwina which esculated into a backstage brawl. Eventually the run came to a premature end--while Fudd and Coyote were consumate professionals and went onstage and performed every night, the cast and crew soon grew tired of the walking-on-eggshells atmosphere of the production and quit, en mass. Coyote remained in New York, havng made some connections, and was soon performing in other productions. Edwina also made her decision.
"I had to pick. As much fun as I had with Wile, it was just a fling, really. He wasn't in his heart ready to settle down. Elmer was. That was that. But it was too late to stop the bitterness between them. They didn't speak again for several years."
Elmer decided he couldn't stay in New York any longer. After long meetings with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, it was decided that they would move to Hollywood, form a production company and try their hand at making films.
Looney Toons was born.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Someone to Love
I thought you could be someone to love
You were my friend I thought I knew you
But I couldn't give you what you need
You had a habit I cannot feed
Someone to love, someone to love
You thought I could be someone to love
I'm sorry that turned out not to be true
I'm not the man you hoped I was
And I left like everyone does
Someone to love, someone to love
It doesn't seem to be asking so much
Something everyone can give but still in short supply
A hasty kiss a glance a touch
A simple moment of joy before we die
We both wanted someone to love
We thought we could fit each other's bill
Too bad we both were wrong
we both have to move along
Someone to love, someone to love
words and music by J Franklin Evans
You were my friend I thought I knew you
But I couldn't give you what you need
You had a habit I cannot feed
Someone to love, someone to love
You thought I could be someone to love
I'm sorry that turned out not to be true
I'm not the man you hoped I was
And I left like everyone does
Someone to love, someone to love
It doesn't seem to be asking so much
Something everyone can give but still in short supply
A hasty kiss a glance a touch
A simple moment of joy before we die
We both wanted someone to love
We thought we could fit each other's bill
Too bad we both were wrong
we both have to move along
Someone to love, someone to love
words and music by J Franklin Evans
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I, Fudd - fateful meetings
In a vast estate in North Hollywood, behind ivy-covered walls, dwells one of the most powerful men in Hollywood. Elmer Fudd, now mostly retired from show business, rarely grants interviews, much less unfettered access to his family and home, but, much to my astonishment, he granted my request for an extended interview of himself and his wife in their beautiful home.
The Fudds have eight children, all adults, all with children of their own. Many of Elmer's grandchildren also have children. When family gets together it becomes quite a crowd.
"I've always wanted a house full of children." Elmer says, escorting me to his study where we will conduct the interview. (In order to encourage readability Elmer's unique pronunciation will be ignored.) "We've certainly had that over the years!"
We sat at a table in his comfortable study and spent the next several hours rehashing his life. While there were no startling revelations uncovered, Elmer (he insists everyone call him Elmer) had never discussed many of these topic publicly before.
"I was performing the title role in Shakespeare's Richard III (a role for which he was critically acclaimed) on Broadway and one night, after a show, I went to catch a Vaudeville show. That's the first night I actually saw Bugs Bunny. He was the headliner. I'd heard of him but never had a chance to catch his show before. He was hysterical. I'd never seen anything like him before. Nobody had. Turns out he's a big fan of my work, and someone told him I was there, so we met for a drink after the show. We hit it off. He's as funny in person as he is on stage. We talked for a while and decided we wanted to work together. Problem is, while Bugs is a terrific dramatic actor he prefers comedy, and I'm the opposite. I told him, I'm just not funny. He said not to worry about it, he and his writers could make me funny. You know, he was right!"
Elmer became the straight man to Bug's one-liners. Audiences loved it. Backers flocked, and demands to expand the show became impossible to shrug off. "Bugs is a great writer, but he's only one guy. We had some other writers and performers--Dawg and Foggy (Foghorn Leghorn, who started as a writer and became an actor) were on board, but we needed more talent. Writers, actors, everything. That's when we wound up hiring this fellow named Daffy Duck and his companion, Marty the Martian. Daffy was a young comedian, Marty was his chief writer. He just killed every night. Then Sly (Sylvester the Cat) and Tweety came on-board. We had a full house every night.
"Still, I missed Shakespeare. I can't help it. The tragedies, the historicals . . . I just love them so much. I wanted to go back to that. That's when I had the bright idea to bring in this superstar young actor from Eastern Europe as a co-star. I didn't know him but he was getting raves in London. So, I made arrangements for him to come to New York to play Iago to my Othello.
"He was an up-and-coming young actor named Wile Coyote."
The Fudds have eight children, all adults, all with children of their own. Many of Elmer's grandchildren also have children. When family gets together it becomes quite a crowd.
"I've always wanted a house full of children." Elmer says, escorting me to his study where we will conduct the interview. (In order to encourage readability Elmer's unique pronunciation will be ignored.) "We've certainly had that over the years!"
We sat at a table in his comfortable study and spent the next several hours rehashing his life. While there were no startling revelations uncovered, Elmer (he insists everyone call him Elmer) had never discussed many of these topic publicly before.
"I was performing the title role in Shakespeare's Richard III (a role for which he was critically acclaimed) on Broadway and one night, after a show, I went to catch a Vaudeville show. That's the first night I actually saw Bugs Bunny. He was the headliner. I'd heard of him but never had a chance to catch his show before. He was hysterical. I'd never seen anything like him before. Nobody had. Turns out he's a big fan of my work, and someone told him I was there, so we met for a drink after the show. We hit it off. He's as funny in person as he is on stage. We talked for a while and decided we wanted to work together. Problem is, while Bugs is a terrific dramatic actor he prefers comedy, and I'm the opposite. I told him, I'm just not funny. He said not to worry about it, he and his writers could make me funny. You know, he was right!"
Elmer became the straight man to Bug's one-liners. Audiences loved it. Backers flocked, and demands to expand the show became impossible to shrug off. "Bugs is a great writer, but he's only one guy. We had some other writers and performers--Dawg and Foggy (Foghorn Leghorn, who started as a writer and became an actor) were on board, but we needed more talent. Writers, actors, everything. That's when we wound up hiring this fellow named Daffy Duck and his companion, Marty the Martian. Daffy was a young comedian, Marty was his chief writer. He just killed every night. Then Sly (Sylvester the Cat) and Tweety came on-board. We had a full house every night.
"Still, I missed Shakespeare. I can't help it. The tragedies, the historicals . . . I just love them so much. I wanted to go back to that. That's when I had the bright idea to bring in this superstar young actor from Eastern Europe as a co-star. I didn't know him but he was getting raves in London. So, I made arrangements for him to come to New York to play Iago to my Othello.
"He was an up-and-coming young actor named Wile Coyote."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Atari news
My dog is sick.
He's got a mass in his abdomen associated with his spleen--his vet says it's 50/50--benign or not. He has a stone in his bladder. He's also extremely nauseated and will not eat anything.
He was on antibiotics and the doc thinks that's what caused the nausea. I stopped giving those to him yesterday but he still seems to be having an issue. I'm hoping he just needs a little more time.
He's also passing blood. Doc says it's either because of the bladder stone or the mass. If it's because of the stone that's a good thing, because passing blood is also a symptom of a malignancy of the spleen. Which would mean the growth is not benign.
The doc won't do surgery--she says that because of his age he wouldn't do well under the anesthesia. So, he's got some food that should hopefully dissolve the stone. Of course, to do that he has to eat some of it, and right now he's not eating anything. He's also getting dehydrated--he will drink some water but I don't think he's drinking enough.
I'm naturally a pessimist. I always expect the worst. But in this case I think I'm being realistic--I really don't think he's going to be with me much longer. Doc says if the growth is malignant one day it'll rupture and he'll bleed out internally.
I talked to my best friend about it--I inherited him from her--to keep her aware of it. I really wish she could be here, but she's in California. I know he'd love to see her again. He still loves his mommy. Hopefully he finds me tolerable enough, though, to be a substitute.
I'll do what I can to make him comfortable, and try to get him to eat something periodically, and take him for his follow-up visits. Really, that's all I can do.
He's got a mass in his abdomen associated with his spleen--his vet says it's 50/50--benign or not. He has a stone in his bladder. He's also extremely nauseated and will not eat anything.
He was on antibiotics and the doc thinks that's what caused the nausea. I stopped giving those to him yesterday but he still seems to be having an issue. I'm hoping he just needs a little more time.
He's also passing blood. Doc says it's either because of the bladder stone or the mass. If it's because of the stone that's a good thing, because passing blood is also a symptom of a malignancy of the spleen. Which would mean the growth is not benign.
The doc won't do surgery--she says that because of his age he wouldn't do well under the anesthesia. So, he's got some food that should hopefully dissolve the stone. Of course, to do that he has to eat some of it, and right now he's not eating anything. He's also getting dehydrated--he will drink some water but I don't think he's drinking enough.
I'm naturally a pessimist. I always expect the worst. But in this case I think I'm being realistic--I really don't think he's going to be with me much longer. Doc says if the growth is malignant one day it'll rupture and he'll bleed out internally.
I talked to my best friend about it--I inherited him from her--to keep her aware of it. I really wish she could be here, but she's in California. I know he'd love to see her again. He still loves his mommy. Hopefully he finds me tolerable enough, though, to be a substitute.
I'll do what I can to make him comfortable, and try to get him to eat something periodically, and take him for his follow-up visits. Really, that's all I can do.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Cold Iron progress report
So, I've got two songs in the can. One more that will be in the can in the next couple of days. Lyrics for a couple more--not counting "Aeon's End" which I wrote and recorded some time ago.
I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks which will lay me up for a few days--I want to get as much tracking done as I can before then. I hate leaving a project for an extended period when I'm right in the middle of it, then coming back to it later. It takes me forever to get back into the groove.
Making this one is a little bit like open heart surgery for me--most of the songs are autobiographical, personal, about people and events that shaped my life. Which means it's pretty dark. But there will be some lighter stuff, too, that I hope you'll like. Sure, most of my stuff is about me, in some manner, but most of my stuff is like a story told in the third person. These--or most of them, anyways--are a bit more direct.
So, hopefully the entire Cold Iron song cycle will make it's debut in the next few months. In the mean time, click the links above or to your right to hear my other stuff--the Ashes and Bone song cycle, or the Mythophobia song cycle. Plus some other stuff.
Speaking of Mythophobia, I'm hoping I'll finally find the initiative to dive back into my screeplay for the (hopeful) film with that title and do another rewrite. I guess there's no hurry but I would like to have that in good enough shape to have people look at it. If I can get anyone interested in it enough to read it, that is.
Anyways, watch this space for updated, enjoy the tunes out there now, don't be afraid to let me know what you think. Input is always welcomed! If you love it, especially, let me know. If you hate it, let me know that, too--a strong reaction, even a negative one, is better than boredom. "Boring" is the absolute worst criticism one can level at any artistic endevour. imho
I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks which will lay me up for a few days--I want to get as much tracking done as I can before then. I hate leaving a project for an extended period when I'm right in the middle of it, then coming back to it later. It takes me forever to get back into the groove.
Making this one is a little bit like open heart surgery for me--most of the songs are autobiographical, personal, about people and events that shaped my life. Which means it's pretty dark. But there will be some lighter stuff, too, that I hope you'll like. Sure, most of my stuff is about me, in some manner, but most of my stuff is like a story told in the third person. These--or most of them, anyways--are a bit more direct.
So, hopefully the entire Cold Iron song cycle will make it's debut in the next few months. In the mean time, click the links above or to your right to hear my other stuff--the Ashes and Bone song cycle, or the Mythophobia song cycle. Plus some other stuff.
Speaking of Mythophobia, I'm hoping I'll finally find the initiative to dive back into my screeplay for the (hopeful) film with that title and do another rewrite. I guess there's no hurry but I would like to have that in good enough shape to have people look at it. If I can get anyone interested in it enough to read it, that is.
Anyways, watch this space for updated, enjoy the tunes out there now, don't be afraid to let me know what you think. Input is always welcomed! If you love it, especially, let me know. If you hate it, let me know that, too--a strong reaction, even a negative one, is better than boredom. "Boring" is the absolute worst criticism one can level at any artistic endevour. imho
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Crawl lyrics
I spent the night looking for you
I started north and worked my way south
I can spot you from a thousand miles, I looked for you up and down
but you were nowhere to be found.
Then I found you, on the street chasing your pain
looking for your score to get you through your night
That's when I knew I was wrong about you
You're not the one that I thought you were
I'm not going to crawl for you
as much as I might want to
It's the only thing left for me to do.
So, goodbye to you my dear, my pain
I really don't want to see you again
Give yourself over to your addiction
And know that you are no longer mine
I'm not going to crawl for you
as much as I might want to
It's the only thing left for me to do.
words and music by J Franklin Evans
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Great Big 2010 Sum Up
So, 2010 is now in the books and I'm left with a few final thoughts about it. Some good, others, not so much.
2010 is the year I finally became a published author. This was a major Thing for me. I've been struggling with that all my adult life--and throughout my teenaged years. I'd given up on writing fiction, period, until a friend heard about this contest and remembered a story of mine she'd read and prodded me into submitting it. Viola, after a rewrite, story was accepted! (For your convenience, if you want you can order the book via the links to your left.) The editor asked me to make it significantly longer, which I thought wouldn't work for it, but I was wrong--the additional material gave it some contrast and deepened the plot somewhat, and allowed for the back story to develop to the point where it tied in nicely with the ending. Reading the reviews of the anthology, on Amazon and elsewhere, nobody specifically mentions my story--everyone seems to dig the two zombie stories much more than mine. But, still, if you'll turn in your hymnals to page 183, you'll see, "Cabin Fever, by J. Franklin Evans."
2010 was the year I found out the company I work for is closing the office here in Savannah. I'll be moving to the new office in another town, when they decide where that new office is going to be. All I know at this point is "west of Atlanta."
I've lived in Savannah over twenty years so this will be a big deal to me. I also absolutely loathe Atlanta so I hope we can find a place for the office where the traffic doesn't result in a 90 minute commute each way every day. And I find a place close to wherever the office is, in a decent neighborhood, so I can establish a comfort zone that meets my needs. Otherwise I won't last very long. Also, my boss isn't coming with us so I'll have a new manager. Our department is merging with another one and the manager for that department is also not making the move. So, for the first time in forever, I'll have a new manager at work. That will take some serious getting used to.
2010 is the year Atari, my Akita, was diagnosed with renal failure. There's really not much that can be done for that--the vet switched his arthritis med to one that's easier on his kidneys, but the trade-off is it's rougher on his liver. He's also switched to a low protein diet, which means he has to get special dog food which he hates. Still, other than he's realy slow when we go walkies, and he spends most of his time sleeping, he's doing well.
2010 was the year I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Doc put me on medication--oral and injectible--and the blood sugar is now under control. I also put myself on a diet which is working--weight is down from 286 to 254. 34 pounds to go to hit the upper end of my target weight. I want to stay between 200 and 220. 200 is actually my ideal body weight. Fortunately, I know how to lose weight, and I remember some nutritional info from my body-building days. Unfortunately, with diabetes the hunger pangs are much more spectacular, so it's harder to resist the temptation to cheat. I'll manage.
2010 is the year I discovered I'm going to need some minor surgery, which I will be having this month. That was how the blood sugar issue came to light, during a visit to the doctor. Have to get that under control before going under the knife.
2010 is the year I came up with an idea for a TV show or web series that I think will interest some people in the business. I pitched it a friend of mine who is getting into that business now and she loved it--she's going to help me with it when she can, as I have no idea where to go with it from here. She's rather busy herself, though, having her own webseries she is now responsible for. (See the link to Witchy Ways, above and to your right. You can contribute to the series to help make it happen--I did.)
2011 is going to be a better year, I just know it. For all of us. Really. I just know it.
So, what was 2010 like for you? Highlights? Lowlights?
2010 is the year I finally became a published author. This was a major Thing for me. I've been struggling with that all my adult life--and throughout my teenaged years. I'd given up on writing fiction, period, until a friend heard about this contest and remembered a story of mine she'd read and prodded me into submitting it. Viola, after a rewrite, story was accepted! (For your convenience, if you want you can order the book via the links to your left.) The editor asked me to make it significantly longer, which I thought wouldn't work for it, but I was wrong--the additional material gave it some contrast and deepened the plot somewhat, and allowed for the back story to develop to the point where it tied in nicely with the ending. Reading the reviews of the anthology, on Amazon and elsewhere, nobody specifically mentions my story--everyone seems to dig the two zombie stories much more than mine. But, still, if you'll turn in your hymnals to page 183, you'll see, "Cabin Fever, by J. Franklin Evans."
2010 was the year I found out the company I work for is closing the office here in Savannah. I'll be moving to the new office in another town, when they decide where that new office is going to be. All I know at this point is "west of Atlanta."
I've lived in Savannah over twenty years so this will be a big deal to me. I also absolutely loathe Atlanta so I hope we can find a place for the office where the traffic doesn't result in a 90 minute commute each way every day. And I find a place close to wherever the office is, in a decent neighborhood, so I can establish a comfort zone that meets my needs. Otherwise I won't last very long. Also, my boss isn't coming with us so I'll have a new manager. Our department is merging with another one and the manager for that department is also not making the move. So, for the first time in forever, I'll have a new manager at work. That will take some serious getting used to.
2010 is the year Atari, my Akita, was diagnosed with renal failure. There's really not much that can be done for that--the vet switched his arthritis med to one that's easier on his kidneys, but the trade-off is it's rougher on his liver. He's also switched to a low protein diet, which means he has to get special dog food which he hates. Still, other than he's realy slow when we go walkies, and he spends most of his time sleeping, he's doing well.
2010 was the year I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Doc put me on medication--oral and injectible--and the blood sugar is now under control. I also put myself on a diet which is working--weight is down from 286 to 254. 34 pounds to go to hit the upper end of my target weight. I want to stay between 200 and 220. 200 is actually my ideal body weight. Fortunately, I know how to lose weight, and I remember some nutritional info from my body-building days. Unfortunately, with diabetes the hunger pangs are much more spectacular, so it's harder to resist the temptation to cheat. I'll manage.
2010 is the year I discovered I'm going to need some minor surgery, which I will be having this month. That was how the blood sugar issue came to light, during a visit to the doctor. Have to get that under control before going under the knife.
2010 is the year I came up with an idea for a TV show or web series that I think will interest some people in the business. I pitched it a friend of mine who is getting into that business now and she loved it--she's going to help me with it when she can, as I have no idea where to go with it from here. She's rather busy herself, though, having her own webseries she is now responsible for. (See the link to Witchy Ways, above and to your right. You can contribute to the series to help make it happen--I did.)
2011 is going to be a better year, I just know it. For all of us. Really. I just know it.
So, what was 2010 like for you? Highlights? Lowlights?
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