Nostalgia Critic Tonight

Tom Ruegger, Nate Ruegger, Paul Rugg, Sherri Stoner and myself will be web-visible sometime this evening as the Nostalgia Critic interviews us about back-in-the-day on Animaniacs.

Death Honk Week

For seven big days, "Death Honk" will be the featured story at The Journal of Microliterature. What would you do or say to get a job? Find out what one man does beginning Sunday Aug. 15.

Score Again!

The Journal of Microliterature is up and running. My flash fiction piece, "Death Honk," has been accepted and will appear this Sunday, Aug. 15. Stop by and give it a read. Under 1k words, four pages or so, the tale is a time-saver for the busy fiction aficionado.

Bad Russian Sci Fi Flick

Paul Rugg alerted me to this film. Wherever it may be found, find it and watch the whole thing. It is rich in surreal comedy on many levels. This is only a sample, including the main title and end cards. There is oh, so much more in-between.

via UnfilteredNoise

1K a Day + Pitch

That is my current goal: to write a thousand words a day on the novel (around five pages). Since last week, I've been pretty consistent. Nothing will be harder than finishing the first draft, so that's where I'll be.

Tom Ruegger, Sherri Stoner, Deanna Oliver and I pitched a show yesterday over at Comedy Central. Very pleasant experience, though who knows how it'll play out. (Paul Rugg would've gone along but decided to take paying voice work instead. At lunch afterwards, we cursed him and munched our salads with bitter, jealous expressions.)

Death Honk Away

"Death Honk" wings off to possible literary placement. It's been a fun two-weeks working on it, but now back to the labor-intensive novel.

Dagon and Jill Makes the Short List

My short story "Dagon and Jill" passes the first cut at a fiction magazine. Hopefully, in under five weeks, I'll know if I've placed. This story has been down the aisle before and I believe its finally ready for full-time commitment.

When Nerds Collide

The pen is mightier than snark down at Comic-Con.

Writing & Running Updates

Who is at Comic Con? Not me. Not this year. Some other year, perhaps. I'm withdrawing a story from a magazine. Not only did they sit on it for 5 months, but their automated replay system promised to investigate and respond in 10 days. It is now 11 days and counting. They must use geologic time. Time to swing for the fence and send that story off to the toughest fantasy/sci-fi market there is; long response time, but pro-pay (5 cents a word!) My 1K story for the Journal of Microliterature has arrived at a first draft motel. I've given it a well-merited rest to allow my subconscious to tidy up various rough spots. But I'm confident any tale called "Death Honk," must have an audience somewhere. No running this week as my knee has been sore since Saturday. Nothing serious, but there is a bit of sensation where, previously, none existed. I'll ice more and try a mile this weekend. Yes, that is what I will do. Then I will eat limes to avoid scurvy.

Write You Are

Friend Bernadette offers a link to 10 Rules For Writers. There should be 11: Don't be afraid to write crap on the first draft. (Currently following that to a T.)

A Different Paul

Other than the jovial Mr. Rugg. My Darling Wife has an essay up on the apostle and his views on women.

Jimmy Freeman Pre-Badwater

Observe Jimmy Freeman, briefly, here and there in the official Badwater video, 10 AM (Monday) start. Watch for a tall, smiling fellow in a yellow Coyote runners shirt at :10, 3:53, 7:14, and 8:40. Note: He finished 16th overall and held off two other runners at the finish. Impressive, I think.

via AdventureCORPS

Jimmy Freeman Nails Badwater

And that's that. Congrats to Jimmy Dean Freeman, Badwater finisher.

And more than that: 16th overall and Jimmy held off three other runners at the finish, beating one by 4 seconds and another by 10. A-maze-ing.

Freeman at Badwater

While we slept Jimmy Dean Freeman was running the Badwater Ultra-Marathon, starting from the floor of Death Valley and ending at the portals of Mount Whitney: 135 miles. He's been running since 10:00 AM yesterday. In just under 22 hours, he's covered 90 miles. An outstanding feat from a man who is never dull.

Meanwhile, I wrote all day, had supper, arose after 7 hours of sleep, ran 3 miles, and had breakfast. But no awards are given for these things. (Though I am pretty darn happy to run 3 miles in whatever time it takes.)

Fighting an Airline Through Song

United screwed an artist who punches back.

via sonsofmaxwell

Fresh Ideas in Second Place at Every Day Fiction

Thank you all who read and voted for my story on Every Day Fiction. I've vaulted into second place over three other tales, and now lead by 7 votes. Well played, say I!

Invited to Submit a Short Story

Goodly folk at the Journal of Microliterature have invited me to submit a short story under 1k words. This invite comes about via the great feedback "Fresh Ideas" has gotten on Every Day Fiction. If you have not read it yet, do stop by and, should the spirit move you, vote generously. I'm currently in a 4-way tie for #2. Push me over the top, I implore you! (And I rarely 'implore.')

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Story editor Mitch Watson announced the latest incarnation of Scooby-Doo! is headed for the small screen this Monday, July 12 at 7:00 PM PST on Cartoon Network. Paul Rugg wrote several episodes. (I wrote one.) Scares and laughs combine as the gang investigates a small town with more mysteries than the library. Give it a view.

Tom On Board

Tom Ruegger's new blog is up.

Another July 4 5K

Back in business as I finished the Santa Clarita 5K this morning. Unlike 2007, the day was perfect, cool with cloud cover until well after the finish.

Part of Chi Running involves keeping cadence with a metronome. Running uphill, I shorten my stride; downhill I lengthen it out behind me; and to speed up on the flats, I lean forward from my ankles ala a ski jumper only not so extreme or I would be badly hurt in a different way.

But the cadence is always the same.

I really noticed this going uphill today. My heart rate didn't spike, my breath stayed constant and I steadily passed huffing runners.

My goal was to have a fun, injury-free race, though I did pick it up on the last straightaway to the finish line. An old guy passed me. I am an old guy, but this runner made me look like Justin Beiber. (If Justin's nose was all funny from skin cancer.) I leaned from the ankles, sped up and passed him. The old codger put on the gas and passed me again. Leaning further, I sped up, dropped the codger, passed a teenage girl and finished in an unofficial time of 29:37. (Santa Clarita is old school - tear the tag off your race bib and hand it to the kid at the end of the chute.)

In an interesting decision, the race directors choose not to display mile signs or have anyone calling out splits. I guess they figured its a 5K, not Boston. ("Next thing ya know, they'll want race videos.") However, they made up for it with a nice technical tee-shirt in a color I don't have.

Oddly enough, the 2007 event was my first race back after tearing a calf muscle that spring. Santa Clarita appears to be my rehab 5K of choice.

An enjoyable run that showed me the potential of chi running. More importantly, no pain or soreness in my knee.

Happy July 4th to all! Cook! Blow something up! Sleep in! The Founding Fathers would've done all those things, but John Adams yelled at them so they declared Independence instead.

My Own Private Badwater

Jimmy Freeman prepares to run the real thing July 12 to 14 - 135 miles from the floor of Death Valley to Mount Whitney across terrain the temperature and contour of the planet Mercury.

Meanwhile I will be running a 5k in Santa Clarita. All things are relative and this is a big deal for a guy who wasn't supposed to run anymore. I'm still trying to master this Chi running stuff and have advanced to the point where I can pass people tying their shoes or eating a snack. My Sunday goal is a fun run without injury, plus a technical tee-shirt in my goodie bag. I think free Smoothies afterward, but that may be wishful thinking.

I'm Number Four on Everyday Fiction

A month later, "Fresh Ideas" hangs in at 4th place overall on Everyday Fiction.

Write, Write, Write

Every, every, day.

Paper Wave; Writing/Running Update

A mound of unread books and magazines has drawn me away from the Web along with a desire to reestablish myself as a guy who can focus with single-minded intent on the printed word, as Internet use has gradually eroded my ability to do so. I've officially begun the other two sections of my novel. Rather than a detailed outline, which has killed two other book attempts, this time I'm filling chapters with stream-of-consciousness notes, thoughts, scenes. That way, I'm more open to the sudden, unexpected changes that will arise. I'm quite excited after avoiding the start for months. Halloween remains my deadline for a first draft. Went a'hiking with Paul Rugg the other day. Paul's not afraid of a vertical trail. However, coming down those vertical trails pounded my knee into soreness. Ran two miles and walked one on Thursday with lingering knee tenderness. Iced on Thu. and Fri; did yoga yesterday, then walked two/ran two today over at Griffith Park. Much improved knee and I finished the run relaxed and pain-free. This Chi running style is quite different and will take a long time to master, but it eliminates the jarring heel strike I practiced successfully for 40 years (give or take a few years off for drunkenness or sloth).

D-Day Kudos

Sixty-six years ago they went ashore on beaches called Gold, Sword (British), Juno (Canadians), Utah and Omaha (Americans). Thanks to the men who invaded Normandy and ended Nazi rule of France, ensuring the world's supply of depressing literature would continue on into a new century. Freedom must include poor usage or it isn't really freedom. Observe college students. Anyway, the Allies rocked big time that far-off day. Their memory lives on.

stage
BTW: An interesting footnote I probably learned from the History Channel, ie. numerous 16 mm reels of great D-Day battle footage lie at the bottom of the English Channel. A U.S. Army cameraman reported his film, and that of other combat cameramen, were collected by a colonel who stuffed the canisters in a duffel bag, then accidentally dropped the bag into the sea. I feel something similar happens to most of my tax dollars.

SD Marathoners Run Away!

That's what they're doing right now: Ernesto, Emil, Rouman, C.J., Mindy, Caroline, Lindsey, aided by coaches Dave, Karla, Chris, Elizabeth and walk coach extraordinaire Kim Possible. They're running away at the new and improved San Diego Marathon. Adding a half-marathon (for the general public) and changing the course to end at Sea World has pumped up race attendance by thousands. Best of luck to all and here's hoping the marine layer lasts 'till afternoon.

Bad Movie IEEEEEEEEE!!

And again: IEEEEEEE!!

via notchic

Run/Write Report

Another 3 miles yesterday, walking fast for two minutes then running for 1 and repeating as necessary to cover the distance in 36:53 which comes out to 12:17 a mile. Despite the fact that I'm fat as a bean bag sofa, I was pleased to finish minus knee soreness, a state that continues into today. Hopefully, I'll keep up this routine for the next month, 3x a week. Unless work intervenes. Then I'll be forced to give up work. I had an idea for a fast, fun science fiction story that I would write in a week. It's turned into two weeks. Unlike the curt "Fresh Ideas," this one seems to be growing into another 8K-word honker ala "Bane Fish." As I've never written a sci-fi story, I find myself spending a lot of time crafting backstory that won't see the page but ends up informing my story choices. I need to complete a draft before I totally bail out for something easier.

Paul and Jillian Rugg Challenge Themselves

Paul and Jillian Rugg throw themselves into the Froynlaven Challenge. (To the soundtrack from The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad no less.)
via takineko on Facebook.

Brief and to the Pointless

Least I forget, Alex responds to the Froynlaven Challenge.

via MrWarners14

So long, Dennis Hopper

Wigging out while Marlon reads T.S. Elliot.

w6257 via Ace of Spades

Veteran Poppies

Growing up in Chicago, veterans from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars would be out on street corners (and in taverns) every Memorial Day selling red paper poppies to aid our injured servicemen. Los Angeles is so diffused, I can't recall the last time I saw anyone selling them. Here's a brief history of how the poppy was selected (and how to make your own.) All the best to our nation's best this Memorial Day. (Photo: LA Times)

Yet Another Paul Rugg Challenger

Steph answers the Froynlaven call.

via SassiTheKitty

Video: Serious Toast Making

Toast of the Town, Maz displays awesome toast fu.

MazAMaTaz h/t: takineko

Running Plus #2 at Every Day Fiction

Ran 3 miles on Thursday after realizing it had been one year since my last run. 1x2 run/walk ratio with icing after. A bit sore. Ran today; same distance and speed; felt fine. How strange to be in motion again!

Plus I linger at the Number Two spot on Every Day Fiction.

The Warners Who Might've Been

SquirrleyWrath ponders in pencil possible and current Warner Bros.

Another Paul Rugg Challenger

They pour in. Another Froynlaven challenge from Luke.

via cognitofalcon

Paul Rugg Challenge

Keeper takes his turn.

The Paul Rugg Challenge

Takineko responds to the Paul Rugg challenge.

via takineko

Take the Paul Rugg Challenge

And here it is.

Still Atop Mount Every Day Story

"Fresh Ideas" continues holding the lead after three days, thanks to family, friends and discerning readers who happened by.

Recent Sam Art

Sam's found time to render various subjects.

Number 1 on Every Day Story

As you can see, I'm atop the Every Day Story heap (at least for a time) thanks to everyone who read and voted on "Fresh Ideas." Sterling work, I say. Keep it up!

Link to Cartoon Series Blog

Kaleb and Luke are developing a cartoon series, posting on the process as they go. Follow along behind the curtain, as it were.

If You Please...

...kindly drop by Every Day Fiction and read my short story, "Fresh Ideas." It's short, I tell you. If so moved, leave a nice comment and a swell rating. Thank you for your support. I will imagine presents and gold appearing on the front seat of your car.

My Java with Madeleine

Met Madeleine from Vasteras, Sweden for the second time. We had coffee in Sherman Oaks and discussed animation, travel and the Kroner. At first, our talk was pleasant, but I made a serious social blunder by mentioning the 1709 Battle of Poltava and the rout of Swedish forces by the Russians under Peter the I. Madeleine took offense at my comments on Swedish sovereign Charles XII. With growing passion, she argued that Charles' heavily outnumbered army pressed the action for most of the fight, finally drowning in a sea of Russian infantry. Delicately, I mentioned that Peter had trained up his army and they were no longer an ill-organized rabble, though some problems persisted. (Peter had difficulty getting the Russians to fire their muskets at the Swedes and not at the clouds which his peasant troops mistook for billowy fiends sent by the Devil to eat them. This was a problem common to northern European armies of the day.) In any case, Madeline slammed down her latte and stormed off after I mentioned the five-year exile of Charles XII in Moldavia following his defeat. So matters between us ended sharply. I hope Madeleine has a safe trip home. If anyone else is meeting her in Southern California, please let sleeping dogs - or exiled Swedish kings - lie. That would be best, I should think, for all concerned.

New Looney Toons?

Coming soon, another attempt to revive the Looney Toons. I recall the last animated TV series, Loonatics Unleashed, as being especially feckless. Still, one hopes for the best. Even a blind hen occasionally pecks some corn.

'Star Wars' If Made in the 50s

via: whoiseyevan

Numbers Game

The producer yesterday liked several of my ideas, but now the ideas must be approved by the execs. A very subjective process. What the producers favor the execs may reject for various whimsical criteria. ("Too many notes.") Fortunately, I brought many ideas, improving my chances of going to script. Hopefully, I'll find out by week's end.

via prestoagitato2

Cracked Link to Lobe Sighting

An old friend appears in this article on brain fails.
Via Tom Ruegger.