Practice Three Plus Me

A child's run yesterday for the Winter Team — 3.1 miles. Coach Alfredo and I again were assigned pace assessments. Four new members were sent on their way, walking and running around the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, the fall team held a half-marathon for the rest of Greater L.A. Team in Training plus alumni. Big honking turn-out! Raul, FJ, Coach Katie, Sean and numerous other running chums sped by as I searched for our new guys amid the press of Rose Bowl exercise traffic. All were found and received official times plus a valuable TNT water bottle.

My own step-back week began today with 12 miles. I ran a Pasadena Pacer six-mile, out-and-back course. Begin at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, run up Salvia Canon to Linda Vista then up some more into the Flintridge Hills. Continue along rolling streets to Fairlawn Ave. (across from Desconso Gardens), then back. The course resembles the letter "M" with a steep uphill, down, up, down. Finished a bit ahead of schedule, drenched in sweat. Stretched out under California Oaks, humming with yellow jackets.

Now I'll ice something or the other.

Aw, Nut Bunnies!

Some uninspired running by the U.S. Dathan Ritzenheim and Ryan Hall finished 9 and 10 in the Olympic Marathon. The Africans started hot, on a 2:05 pace. (Samuel Wanjiru, the winning Kenyan, broke a 24-year Olympic marathon record by three minutes.) Hall, Ritzenheim and teammate Brian Sell hung back, then hung back further, then crept up a little, then crossed the finish line behind the three medalists and five other guys.

I think I would've preferred seeing someone crash and burn, picking off runners, trying to win, then playing it so cool they freeze themselves out of contention. You're left with the sense that our marathoners are either thoroughly outclassed or didn't try.

Better luck in 2012.

The Family That Blogs Together . . .

My sister, Mary Pat, has joined the blogging community. Give her a read as she opines on matters great and small from the moist Northwest.

Been There, Broke That

American marathon ace Deena Kastor broke a foot two miles into last Sunday's Olympic Marathon. In 2006, I experienced something similar. Granted, the Santa Anita 5K and the Olympics aren't often mentioned in the same breath, but I can emphasize with the feelings that accompany a goal-wrecking injury. The interview here is a bit long. Besides marathoners (and those who enjoy a good wall fountain), the clip should interest anyone wishing to hone a winning attitude. In any case, all the best to Deena Kastor. I know she'll return in championship form.

Sultry Deju Va on a Long Run

Arising late yet again, I ran 16.8 miles. The first half on a very steep course was a study in smooth, even hill running. I made expert use of fast foot turnover to speed up on the downhills and finished a minute under pace time. By now, the sun and humidity decided to weigh in. After a hot .8 miles to my car, I loaded up on more water and electrolyte juice before setting out on the second eight.

Here is a selection of thoughts in unshaded regions: Why don't I cut it short today? I could shorten my run/walk ratio. I should walk. I should really walk. What's the big deal? I had a great first half. I don't really want to qualify for Boston this year. A nice new PR will be great. I should walk the last mile so I don't get heat exhaustion.

Still and all, I finished well for the conditions — a minute above pace time. I went to the grocery store for ice and overbought on food. This always happens. I should never set foot in a grocery store after a long run without eating something first.

Now, time for an unpleasant, yet bracing, ice bath.

Second Practice

TNT Winter Team logged four miles yesterday. My job was to time three new team mates running their initial 5K assessment. I almost lost them in the crowd, as the team was finishing up at the same time. But my trio eventually received times as well as fine snack food provided by the Fall Team.

I couldn't help but note that many of the pace groups ran the four miles too quickly. This seems to happen every season. People think they're "winning" or "bettering their run" by speeding up on the longer distances. It's difficult to explain that the goal is to teach their bodies to endure several hours of race day running. New runners think that because they can go faster, they should. Thankfully, there's always Coach Pete and the rehab pool.

After the run, Doc Smith from the Pasadena Pacers gave an injury clinic. I learned that my slight knee pain is caused by tight hamstrings. In addition to stretching and the roller, this will require icing. So I scored an official Doc Smith ice bag. Most ice bags freeze in odd, rigid positions like frozen lakes. Doc Smith bags are cold but malleable, wrapping easily around joints and conforming to injured areas. These bags rawk!

Siggraph

Caught most of the animated shorts festival at the Nokia Theater. A great deal of outstanding CGI — so much that it blended together after awhile. Not everything had a story, or even a simple one-joke set up/pay off. A number of shorts merely showcased technology. Several other films were demo reels for studios or CGI production houses ala Rhythm and Hues. Two hours later, I gave the "John Award" to "Jungle Jail," a prisoner's desperate dream, for having cool CGI and a story I could follow.

Because of work considerations, I had time for lunch with MDW and her friend before zipping back home to graphic novel land.

"There Will Be Sandwiches"

Over lunch, Paul Dini schooled Tom Ruegger, Sherri Stoner and I in graphic noveling. I've got an idea that Tom and I are working on, while Sherri had a few notions that might work best in that medium.

Mostly we swapped bizarre pitch stories. Dini brought home the gold. He'd once been contacted by the assistant of a powerful Hollywood figure. The Big Man wanted Paul to attend a meeting for a new prime-time animated series. After a few questions, Paul realized the Big Man had him confused with Bruce Timm. Paul tried explaining this, but the assistant clearly didn't relish telling her boss he was wrong. So she slapped down the deal closer:

"Why don't you come anyway. There will be sandwiches."

A week later, after attending the meeting and eating a sandwich, Dini received a call from the assistant: the Big Man didn't want Paul for the project. He wanted Bruce Timm. Paul asked if the Big Man wanted his sandwich back, but the irony was lost.

Hot 15 Mile Run

Woke up late. When the temperature ascends into the high 80s, best not mix oversleeping with distance running. Nevertheless, I did and completed my 15.1 in cauldron-like temperatures. Alas, my water supply ended before the run. After finishing, I rushed toward the nearest fountain like a dog left in the car all summer. (A hardy, alive dog, that is.)

Today I improved slightly on pace - 9:44. That includes hills and stopping to pant in the shade. I'm aiming to shave off an additional nine seconds on the long runs plus lower tempo run times from 8:07 to below eight.

But not if I keep getting up late in August.

New TNT Season, First Practice

The Winter Team began nice and early today with a bracing 3.1 mile run. For some, it was a bracing walk, but nevertheless everyone completed their loop of the Rose Bowl. From here, half-a-hundred brave folk, most of whom have never run or walked more than six miles, will set out to conquer the marathon - or the half-marathon. I'm looking forward to helping them succeed.

Speaking of marathon training, fifteen miles awaits me tomorrow. "Unexcited" would describe my thoughts on that. Next week begins the countdown for the California International Marathon. Morgan, Ernesto and other current and former TNT folk may head up there to cheer me on. Very decent, these TNT types.

Jimmy Freeman and Kate Martini wed yesterday. My first TNT coach plus the coach who encouraged me to dream big are now husband and wife. I wish them all the best on the rocky, rewarding road of marriage.

Now to sleep, perchance to wake up really stinking early.

Main Man Mania

That last post brought back memories of a busy time at Warner Brothers. I think I'd written the Lobo pilot months earlier and forgotten about it. But suddenly the Main Man had heat. Along with Boyd Kirkland, then Scotty Jeralds, we got the show rolling.

In the fall of 1998:

Lobo was test-marketed. Boys loved it. (Lobo broke things and didn't take any lip. What's not to love?)

We pitched the show to marketing. They went wild. ("We can sell toys based on this. We really can!")




We pitched the show to Jamie Kellner and our new bosses at Kids' WB. Nothing. A sea of Toltec masks.



We pitched the show to Warner Studios head, Bob Daley. While not a demonstrative man, he thought it just fine.

Models changed, props were drawn, Scotty's crew got the board started. Composer Richard Stone was fired up to do music, while Brad Garrett would voice Lobo. In addition, voice director Andrea Romano had cast William H. Macy and Linda Hamilton in supporting roles.

I had ideas for twelve half-hour episodes. Two writers (Ken Segall and Mitch Watson) were working on outlines.

This was shaping up to be fun.

On a Friday in late January 1999, boss Jean MacCurdy called me into her office. Monday was the production start date. Artists were already reporting to work. Scotty's crew had the first act boarded.

We were cancelled.

Jamie Kellner just didn't like the show.

Jean spent the day on the phone, calling different people, angling for ways we might proceed. But no go.

Scotty and the production manager (Haven Alexander?) let the artists know we'd been sunk. I told Stonini, Andrea, and the writers. It was a depressing day.

In 2000, Fox expressed interest in the project. We had a few meetings but never agreed on numbers. Also that year, Lobo webisodes appeared on the Warner Brothers' site.

Meanwhile, the show hurriedly purchased to replace Lobo on the schedule was having phenomenal success.

It was called Pokemon.

Scott Jeralds: Drawin' Man

Animation artist and champion fellow Scott Jeralds has just joined the blogosphere. After working together on Freakazoid!, Scotty and I developed several TV animation projects such as Mammoth Boy. "Mammoth" championed brains-over-brawn via the adventures of a prehistoric kid. Our hero herded mammoths and dreamed big, while dodging cranky tribal elders and dim, but cunning, beasts.

We pitched this in late 1999 to our bosses at Kids' WB. As pitches go, it was a surreal experience. After several minutes of me talking and Scotty holding up artwork, and both of us passing out colored pitch booklets, we reached the end. There was silence for several moments. Then our Harvard-educated network chief smiled and asked: "Could you start again?"

(I'd like to say we stood on our dignity, gathered our materials and walked to the door, where my voice rang out like thunder, "Read the pitch book — if you can!" But we did it once more. And they passed.)

A year earlier, we'd worked on Lobo. Based on the homicidal D.C. Comics character, the series was originally in the hands of Boyd Kirkland. But Boyd was shifting over to a Batman direct-to-video. I had already written a pilot and came aboard to co-produce and story edit. Eventually, Scotty replaced Boyd.

Lamenting the decline of Saturday morning TV, Scotty crafted this nifty cartoon montage. See how many you can name.

Haunted First Responder

I'm now certified to handle heat exhaustion, ankle sprains and ghost bites.

With Winter Season starting Saturday, I needed a First Aid class. Last night, I attended one in Pasadena. The class was held in an old mansion just off of Orange Grove, a street fat with mansions. Apparently, the dwelling had been donated to the Red Cross many years before. There were only four of us students and the instructor. As the rest of the staff left and dusk gave way to night, our instructor told us the place was haunted.

A student had once wandered to the third floor where he heard strange sounds. Gusts of air rushed past him in places where there shouldn't have been drafts. He prayed desperately and ran like mad — a prudent action under the circumstances. Our instructor closed with a careful, "But I've never seen anything," and we left matters at that. (Though no one wanted to be the last one out.)

I thought about it later. If you were frightened enough to have a heart attack, the ghosts could provide CPR and tend to any bruises you suffered while collapsing. Then, once you came around, they could scare you again.

Perhaps they'll get their own series on the Sci Fi Channel.

(Feel free to work in "ghost writers.")

My Writing Friend Gerald

Gerald does things no writer should do. He snubs the powerful and walks out of meetings with the annoying. He isn't wealthy and, in fact, could use the money that steady employment brings. Such jobs are available for family-man Gerald. With a proven track record and good ideas, he's a sought-after figure in TV animation. But Gerald cannot fake enthusiasm for projects that he considers stupid and ill-conceived.

There are many such projects along Olive Avenue: squalid ideas that float about like oil upon sewer water. Gerald will avoid these the way a swimmer avoids poisonous jelly fish.

He's never deliberately rude, just decisive.

Go Gerald.

Barer Facts

Danny Barer had some nice words on his blog re. our Comic Con panel. (Including this fine picture of me holding forth on Bolivian tin exports over the last two quarters. You can tell everyone's digging it.)

I will Coach Once More

Winter Season for the San Gabriel Valley Team in Training officially begins tomorrow. You got people training in your basic endurance events — marathons, half-marathons, 100-mile bike rides and triathalons — coupled with raising money to fight blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Once again, I'll be a volunteer assistant coach. I've found that helping runners overcome doubts and fears to complete a marathon is its own reward. Being paid in sacks of gold is also rewarding, but in a different, more earthy way.

Busy Writing Week

A script for the bug show, an original sitcom, and a graphic novel outline all demand my attention. But I'd rather watch a DVD of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This BBC espionage tale based on the John Le Carre novel holds up well after 30 years. There's a ton of info to get out. Rather than overuse flashbacks, the show relies on good actors to convey back story in interesting ways without boring you into paying your bills — or working. Good old Netflix.

Another Freakish Plea

Bruce Timm Photo at Comicon

A Freakish Plea

They're abrupt but sincere.

Freakazoid DVD Release Info

As of this hour, the Freakazoid! DVD is . . .

* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Popular in these categories:
#3 in Movies & TV > Animation > Kids & Family
#4 in Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Television
#25 in Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Television

Buy so that others may be made.

Link to Freakazoid DVD Review

Seth Thrasher pens a fine review of the Freakazoid! DVD.
Note: The happy man in the suit is not Seth Thrasher. He does, however, represent positive energy and the sort of upbeat, jubilant spirit that we appreciate in Freakazoid! reviews. Please smile warmly as if it were Seth. Thank you.

Freakazoid Xbox Interviews

On the MSNBC page, there's gigabytes of Comic-Con news. Xbox features video from the panel where we shamelessly promote the DVD. Did I mention it releases on July 29?

Tiny Toons/Freakazoid! Panel

From the left: Rich Arons, Me, Bruce Timm, Sherri Stoner, Jean MacCurdy, Andrea Romano, Paul Dini and Paul Rugg.

Andrea Romano and I

WB Voice Director Andrea Romano and I yesterday

Freakazoid-Tiny Toons Panel 2008

Lots of fun with a nice turn-out. Paul Rugg rocked as MC, the clips were good, and my fellow panelists delightful. Nice to see Andrea Romano, Paul Dini and Sherri Stoner again as well as Bruce Timm and Rich Arons. Paul kept it moving and turned it over to audience questions for the last fifteen minutes.

I owe my Warner years to Sherri Stoner. In late 1990, I was working in improv with her husband, Sweeney, at the Acme Comedy Theatre. Sherri hired me to help develop a Tiny Toons spin-off starring Elmyra. The development was scrubbed and the episode I helped write folded into Tiny Toons proper. A year later, when Animaniacs was ready to crank up, Paul Rugg and I were assigned pilot episodes. (Mine was "Drac-u-lee Drac-u-la.") We were brought on staff and away we went for a long time.

"I'm Here In The Show!"

At Comic Con. For bureaucratic reasons, our stay at the hotel was reduced from four nights to a single night. But the Warner pr gal hustled and got us in to another big downtown hotel. Off to the panel in 90 minutes. More later today.

A Little Taste

Thanks to Keeper for the heads-up. Warners (I think) has uploaded two segments from the Freak DVD:

Rugg and Ruegger Report on Freakazoid DVD

Paul Rugg and Tom Ruegger have viewed the upcoming Freakazoid DVD. (I've yet to visit my mail box.) Many of the more out-there segments we filmed back in January made it in. Clearly, the director, Troy Benjamin, caught the "Hugbees" spirit.

Moon Day

A mere 39 years ago, the U.S. landed on the moon in glorious black & white. (At least at our house. We didn't get color TV until 1972.) That afternoon, I'd hitchhiked out to a Chicago Forest Preserve for a picnic with some high school friends. Holding Old Style long-neck bottles in our sophomore hands, we listened to the radio as lunar module Eagle set down in the Sea of Tranquility.

This awesome moment was soured by a massive drunken senior who began randomly kicking ass. Quickly, the mayhem spread. Big Drunk's chum threw a beer bottle, hitting me in the head. I punched him. Then Big Drunk hit me between the eyes. I went down faster than IndyMac stock. Someone carried me to a car and I was dropped off near home.

By now it was evening. Inside my house, the only light was the glow of the TV. My brother, sister and parents watched the lunar module, waiting for something to happen. I'd arrived just in time. As my bruises blossomed, I saw Neil Armstrong step onto lunar soil. Wow! Someone was up there! A man was on the moon! (It must've been even more astounding to my parents.) That night, it seemed everything I'd ever read in science fiction was possible. What couldn't Mankind do?

Sustain the space program, for one. Three years later, the last manned lunar mission returned to Earth. We'd beaten the Soviets to the moon. Why keep going? Space money was needed to solve poverty and other pressing issues that money alone can't solve. I wish we'd kept going. (The spin-off technology alone would've made it worth while. ) I wish we'd pushed on into space. There is a part of Man that yearns to step across the comfortable threshold of the known and set foot in the beyond.

I think I'll have some Tang.

Si, No Agua

For whatever reason, my building has shut off the water for a couple of hours. Now I'm dying to rinse out dishes, wash my hands, and do other water-related tasks.

In addition, two Armenian children are quarreling down the hall. One has told the other to "never even look at me again" as a response to: "I do everything for you, but you do nothing for me. I hate you."

They're drowning out the leaf blowers.

Many Fine Thoughts and Prayers

for longtime Team in Training runner, David, who went in today for cancer surgery. Additional fine thoughts and prayers for his speedy recovery. Hopefully, he'll soon be dashing around the Rose Bowl again in his khaki hiking shorts.

Freakazoid DVD Amazon Update

Product Details

* Actors: Freakazoid
* Format: Animated, Box set, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
* Language: English, Portuguese
* Region: All Regions
* Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
* Number of discs: 4
* Rating:
* Studio: Warner Home Video
* DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
* Average Customer Review:

9 Reviews
5 star: 66% (6)
4 star: 11% (1)
3 star: 22% (2)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)

See all 9 customer reviews...
4.4 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
* ASIN: B0017INRG8
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#19 in Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Television
#39 in Movies & TV > Animation > Kids & Family
#86 in Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Television

In addition, Paul Rugg will be moderating our panel discussion. Talk about home-town refereeing.

From the Comic Con Website

For Thursday, July 24 and it says:
10:30-11:30 Freaks, Geeks, and Tiny Toons— Warner Home Video brings the hit animated television series Tiny Toon Adventures and Freakazoid! to DVD on July 29. This panel features Bruce Timm (storyboard artist, character designer), John McCann (Douglas Douglas, Hero Boy story editor), Paul Rugg (Freakazoid writer), Sherri Stoner (writer, producer, story editor), Paul Dini (writer, story editor), Jean MacCurdy (executive producer), Rich Arons (producer, writer, director) and Andrea Romano (voice director). They're tiny, they're toony, they're all a little loony! Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Tiny Toon Adventures is a Daytime Emmy Award animated series that spawned a whole new generation of madcap Looney Toons characters, including Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig, among others. Freakazoid! aired for two seasons. Also executive produced by Spielberg, this Daytime Emmy Award–winning series chronicles the adventures of Freakazoid, a manic, insane superhero who battles a vast array of supervillains. Room 6A
Categories: Animation | Humor & Satire | Television

Jamie Weinman Opines on Freakazoid

Critic Jamie Weinman weighs in on why certain animation fans find Freakazoid! less objectionable than Animaniacs.

In Freak's second season, the popularity issue was explored in the following manner:
"

News From the Big "C" Front

Ten days before running the San Diego Marathon, TNT teammate Stacy got walloped with a breast cancer diagnosis. She chronicles her journey here. Stop by and lend your support to a brave gal.

Training in the Heat

An accurate description of yesterday's late afternoon run at a balmy 95 degrees. I took it easy and neither quit nor forced my training schedule into unfavorable conditions. A maturing runner's approach, if I do say so.

With multiple writing projects, I've been devoting small amounts of time to each over the last few weeks. I've noticed a tipping point. After a certain period, the subconscious has digested the material and suddenly answers pour forth. It doesn't write itself, but the road opens before you. Like much in life, the key seems to be consistency.

Powerful in small amounts, like compound interest or laxatives.

27 Years Ago

In Hollywood, at the Chula Arms Apartments, on July 5, 1981, the tenants decided to throw a party. Among them were the Dutchman and myself. We took a Sparkletts water bottle and filled it full of white wine, bought a ton of beer, and invited thirsty friends. We even hung out a banner facing the next door apartment. The banner suggested our neighbors alert the police and complain about the noise. Helpfully, it listed a number to call. (Though the number was for the Griffith Park Pony Rides.) In any case, the Dutchman and I started out in the afternoon, drank into the evening, walked to a nearby bar and closed it, then stopped off for a night cap in the apartment of an 88-year-old World War I veteran. After singing a rousing medley of "Over There," "It's A Long Way to Tipperary," and other period songs, the police finally showed up. They politely applauded our choral efforts, then asked us to hold it down. We did as the Dutchman and I passed out and didn't wake up until August.

Just remembering all that makes me grab for the Alka Seltzer.

Pursuit of Happiness

Chase well!

Lost and Binary

My data, that is. Now the tech guy is saying lots of info has turned to hash. Fortunately, most of my writing is backed up. But all my financial stuff for the last three years hangs in the balance. Everything was fine until I installed Leopard back in May. Then the crashings commenced.

MDW points out that between the two of us, we've bought nine Macs over the years. They sort of owe us . . . you'd think.

Freakazoid DVD Update

Tom Ruegger investigated further and learned there are issues with music clearance. ("We'll Meet Again" could be a big fat headache.) Rumor now is that interviews will be shot this fall with the second-season DVD slated to"street" in 2009.

But Comic Con is still a go.

Mac Smacked

After a morning of colored wheels and crashing, I fear my four-year-old laptop hovers between this world and the next. For, lo, its day has come; its poised to join the Choir Eternal; it shambles slowly toward the laptop graveyard.

In short, I need a new hard drive. Happy? Let's see . . . .

Mary McCann Back on the Air

In keeping with the family tradition of multiple part-time jobs, Mary McCann, has snared another radio gig. Along with djing Sunday afternoons on Seattle oldie station B97.3, Mary's now hosting the show on KPLU. Stream in Saturdays between 1:00 and 6:00 PM PST for jazz and NPR news. (But mostly jazz.)

And keep your eyes open for Friday radio gigs in the Pacific Northwest.

Western States Smoked Out

Due to wildfires burning all over northern California, the Western States 100 has been cancelled. All 2008 entrants are automatically enrolled next year, including Jimmy Freeman. As mentioned, Jimmy's been chasing the goal of completing this super-tough hundred-mile course for several years and it must be a stinging disappointment. (I know how I'd have felt if they'd cancelled Eugene the day before.)

Still, Jimmy is an optimist. After cursing and kicking things for a time, he'll find a silver lining.

This Old Hill House

I'm rereading Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Having just mentioned Norm Abrams, I thought of writing a story in which the Yankee carpenter arrives to rehang the doors in a sprawling, evil mansion. Themes would include isolation, madness and proper use of safety goggles. Maybe next month.

Freak DVD Interviews On Hold

Skip it. The DVD interviews have been cancelled. Will they be rescheduled? Or is this a cost-cutting measure? More shall be revealed.

Freakish Questions on Freakazoid

DVD director Troy of Trailer Park Productions emailed questions he'll use as spring boards during my upcoming interview. Fans will learn such second-season secrets as why a Saturday morning cartoon show would hire Norm Abrams to voice himself.

(Hint: I think I'll lateral this one to Paul Rugg.)

Kiss My Chitin

K says these bugs are beetles. Whatever they are, they're horny as drunken sailors in Singapore. Certainly they mate in positions almost as interesting. We'll soon be hearing the pitter patter of six little feet to the 10th power.

Commitment

Ha, well, the dye is cast. I've signed up for the November Pasadena Half-Marathon and the December California International Marathon. The half will be a restful 13.1 as I taper for the CIM and Boston qualification.

I will finish the CIM in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Back to bug writing.

Scientific Method

As mentioned before we overcame our aversion and photographed the odd bug. It does make a bee-like hum and, according to one of MDW's brainy friends, is attracted to fresh paint. Our condo is awash in fresh paint, hence the attraction. After careful, meticulous study we dropped a dictionary on it.