Jimmy Freeman 8th at Angeles Crest

My former Team in Training marathon coach, Jimmy Dean Freeman finished 8th at the Angeles Crest 100 Race. Very impressive performance, with Jimmy finishing in under 24 hours. This foot race is over and through the Angeles Crest National Forest. When it's not burning down, these mountains can be quite a beautiful place to visit and an exhausting spot to run a hundred miles across. Nevertheless, a well done performance kudos from a guy who can maybe walk two miles without some surgical injury or other acting up.
Image: Livestrong.com

Al Qaeda Cartoons Promise Thoughtful Nuance

(A deep sigh of great length.) I remember seeing something a few years ago about university students in Iran being lectured on aspects of Jewish propaganda in Tom and Jerry shorts. Now Al Qaeda, the world's go-to animation guys, are cranking out their own cartoons at Beard-of-the-Prophet Studios in Yemen.

I can imagine the notes: "Good first draft, Azhar, but the infidels aren't screaming enough when they perish from nerve gas. And could you punch up those lines in the second act when our heroic fighters torch the geriatric hospital? 'Hey, hot stuff' is just so bleh.'"

I'm guessing "imitable behaviour" isn't an issue out there.
h/t: Hot Air
Image: his vorpal sword

Breaker Burn Out

But it was withheld by burned out breakers leading from the meter to my unit. A deadline loomed yesterday with intermittent to zero electricity starting early in the morning and followed by a carnival of fun contacting and/or coordinating my Home Owners Association, an electrician, and the city Public Services.

Through God's mercy and sheer persistence, I had new breakers by 5:00 PM. Only then was I able to resume writing, typing on until the street outside was actually quiet—very unnerving. (You suspect something.)

Off to the shoulder doctor this morning then back home for more writing. Ah, but I'll have power, sweet power.

Link to Paul Rugg Musical Challenge

And it is here!

Froynlaven Update

Luke alerted me that busy Paul Rugg was detailing his many projects as well as teasing a NEW MUSICAL CHALLENGE!! With Keeper married now who will pick up the slack?

Happy July 4th!

Though weakened, our republic endures. How the Founding Fathers established a nation without benefit of air conditioning continues to mesmerize me.

Non-stop marketing work for the last ten days. My boss is a young guy who has never had to give notes to writers outside the marketing world. Thus he delivers insights such, "this is no good" or the refreshingly delightful "you need to do this over." We lurch forward together.

Writing today on the outline for my online book. My employer's company is similar to choose your own adventure. My job now is to fan out the story in multiple directions and think of interesting characters for avatars of all ages to foil-outwit-escape-or date.

Be cool today.
(Image: loot-ninja.com)

Daily Kos Remarks on Huntsman

Both of them. Scroll down to "Rachel Maddow comes to the rescue." As matters stand, the Huntsman song may well go viral before Jon's campaign.

Link to John Locke Article: A Writing-Class Hero

This man placed no barriers between his writing and the public and grew wealthy as a result. I LIKE it.

Jon Huntsman, You're a Prince!

Jon HUNTSMAN is officially running for president.

Oh, what a great boon!

Rachel Maddow broke the ice on her show last month during a discussion of the former Utah governor's ambitions by playing the "Huntsman" theme song. So excited was I—that's a very Paul Harvey construction—that I emailed BMI and inquired about residuals. Sure enough, MSNBC is a BMI signatory. As lyricist, that means a nice little bump whenever the second quarter of 2011 catches up with me. (BMI checks are usually several quarters behind.)

Now imagine the rest of the media latches on to the Huntsman theme. We have almost eighteen months until election. That could be 18 months of "Hunt-hunt-hunt he's the Huntsman."

Our nation faces major issues—declining economy, inflation, many wars. What are Huntsman's views? His plans? How will he address these challenges?

I'm not certain. Mercantile as it may be, I only know Huntsman is a potential cash cow at least until the 2012 Republican Party Convention. That said, I wish Mr. Huntsman a dynamic, news-filled campaign filled with stirring speeches, gaffes, scandals, recovery from said scandals, acts of personal bravery, each and every deed inspiring the media to play "The Huntsman."

Who would've believed this possible?

Perhaps Huntsman's vice presidential pick will be an unknown. A quiet, thoughtful man named Howard Freakazoid.

Then I would know we were parked several spaces down from the Apocalypse.
Images: (abolishcampaigncontributions.blogspot.com) & cartoonatics.blogspot.com)

Shoulder Pitches

Shoulder is healing well with more movement all the time. On Tuesday, I start physical therapy: 2x a week with a home edition. Other than having to sleep and type in the sling, I'm making progress.

Not so much forward-movement with animation. The last of my projects received a 'no.' However there's one more pitch to set-up and deliver before this round is officially history. In the meantime, I may have work writing a form of ebook similar to the old choose your own adventure. I've got to sort through the material and think up a concept. Thankfully, I've had so much marketing work as of late that my typing speed sizzles and I'd be able to knock out the material in fairly short order.

Happy Father's Day to dads everywhere.

"Death Honk" Changes Lives

Not really, but my short story from last year did serve as a call to action. Thanks to author Jonathan Pinnock for his kind remarks re. my rendering of clown-bear fights as detailed in the Journal of Microliterature.