Cautiously Optimistic

This is not the type of writing I'm supposed to be doing right now (where's that cup of coffee?). Damn you, tangents! But I was so cautiously optimistic after recent episodes of the only two shows I watch regularly that I can't begin to write a note of music until I've taken a second (and hopefully it will truly only be a second) to opine about this past week's Dollhouse and Heroes viewings.

***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***

Dollhouse

In it's third episode, I can say I'm still only watching this show out of my innate Cancer loyalty to Joss Whedon. After hearing Joss speak about "strong, female characters" at an Equality Now benefit and then meeting him after the speech were he graciously signed a first issue of "Astonishing X-Men," I can say I will be loyal to Joss for life and will give any creation of his as many chances as needed. And while I must admit to disappointment regarding the first two episodes of his latest show, last week's third episode, "Stage Fright," gave me to pause to hope.

Here's what I liked:

1. A more interesting plot line. Having Echo as a protector of a pop singer without being conscious of her bodyguard role was more engaging than the previous psycho date and kidnapping stories.

2. The emergence of male doll. We've seen men wandering aimlessly around the dollhouse in various wide angle shots, but now we have a main character as one as revealed in a nice little twist. This should quell the criticism that the dollhouse concept is misogynist. Now both women and men are being pimped out. Equality now!

3. Finally seeing Eliza kick a little ass! Prior to the first episode, I had misunderstood the show's concept. For some reason I had expected the doll's mind wiping and reprogramming as part of a government operation with the intent of using the dolls for spying, assassinations, etc. a la Alias. So I was disappointed with the distinct lack of action of the Buffy/Sydney Bristow vein. But this episode gave me that little bit of kick ass that I wanted from the show.

4. Echo's thinking outside of her programed mind. If I buy the idea that minds and personalities can be programmed, then it make more sense to me that if a doll was going to break the programming it would be through unintentional use of the personality given to her, as was Echo's unorthodox solution to the problem given to her. This sits better with me than the occasional memory resurfacing as a hallucination as in "The Target."

Overall, I still do not rate this show very high... yet. I could expand upon the things I dislike in the show but I will refrain as I am trying to be optimistic (and really need to get back to composing). I will say that I am taking this past episode as a sign of good things to come. If this episode had been the pilot, I think the show would have more support. While each episode is basically a one off, I understand that a larger arc will emerge showing Echo becoming aware of the mind wiping situation. This could get very interesting and I hope Fox and it's viewers will give Whedon enough time to see his genius ripen in this show.

Heroes

Again with the loyalty. I started watching Heroes after giving into peer pressure half-way through the first season, caught up quickly thanks to NBC keeping all episodes online, and while I originally abhorred the idea of a "superhero TV show sans capes," I was converted and have been a faithful fan since. I rode out the overly dramatic 2nd season and allowed the writer's strike to be the excuse for a less than stellar season. This past third season I've felt there was improvement, but it was not until last night's episode "Exposed" that I felt we finally had a show of the caliber of the first season.

Here's what I liked:

1. Multiple plot lines. I know many criticize that there are too many subplot lines happening and that may be, but I really hate not seeing at least a little snip bit of each character in each episode. Last night we saw all story lines except Hiro and Ando, which satisfied my need to know what was going on (I'll just assume Hiro and Ando spent the day in plane flying back from India!). While we didn't see Suresh, Daphne, or Tracy, we at least know where they are so there's nothing to wonder about.

2. Mommy/Daughterness. I've liked Sandra Bennet so much more since they stopped wiping her memory and was glad to see her in a proactive role. Plus its nice to see non-heroes in on the action. I'm hoping this new bond will allow Claire to mature and thus be a little less annoying.

3. The annoying characters were less annoying. Not only was Claire less whiny, but the Petrelli brothers kept their self-righteous savior complexes in cheque. I also liked Peter going in for the hug but stealing back Nathan's flying ability before taking off.

4. Peter and Matt's tag team mind reading. Yes, it was incredibly cheesy to see first one then the other turn their head to the side and give intense looks but I have to think the creators knew this and decided to embrace the inevitable Velveeta effect and just role with it. It made me laugh and so I liked it.

5. Rebel's continuing interaction. PLEASE let Rebel be Micah! PLEASE let Rebel be Micah! PLEASE let Rebel be Micah!

I know there are more things (I shoulda taken notes!) but I walked away from the episode thinking Hallelujah! The Heroes I know and love it back! Lets hope they don't f*ck it up again!

And on that note, I shall spellcheck, post, and return to Sibelius, happy with the hope that if these creative ventures can improve, then maybe so can mine! ;)

Coffee Break

coffee? by ~GreenJester on deviantART

It's time for a coffee break. Or rather, a let's-drink-lots-of-coffee-so-that-we-can-write-the-bulk-of-the-new-music-previously-promised-for-up-coming-gig break. So as to say, less blogging, more composing. Same goes for Facebook & Twitter (or so I innocently intend!).

Oh self, why do you procrastinate so?

Don't forget to save the date- April 22- for the next installment of the
Bottomless Cup Jazz Orchestra!

Races in Places

Running keeps my abstract compositional mind stable. I devote a good deal of time and energy towards training for marathons partially to burn off the chicken vindaloo and paratha I seem to consume on a daily basis, but also because running keeps me from going out of my mind when in writer's mode (which, if you've been reading, is supposed to be a full time job now). The endorphins help battle the musical depression and the training runs force me out of my apartment, oftentimes making it the only time I leave.

In addition to complimenting my music driven lifestyle, my recent trip to Australia (posts on that soon to follow, I swear!) showed me just how much running can enrich that getting-to-know-you of a new town. I decided that in addition to wanting to be a rock star musical journalist, I also deem to be a rock star running journalist... or something. Basically, I just want to continue to travel and explore the world and I see a way through music and running.

My best friend J and I have joked about our "club" Races in Places as far back as our first marathon in 2001, the Mayor's Midnight Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. We've decided to make it somewhat official and open it up to the many other anonymous runners out there who, like us, scrape our pennies for the chance to run in a new place. It is our hope to build a community of like-minded runners to share resources and awareness of running in other cultures with an ultimate goal of organizing events and publications to use this ever popular sport to promote global harmony.

...

(think that will get me some grant money to go running in Madagascar?)

In all seriousness, if you're into running, whether it be for health or competition, check out our new blog. Like this one, it focuses less on the nitty-gritty of the sport and more on the peripherals such as the comradery and of course... the travel that are involved in running.

And I know what you may be thinking... didn't I quit my job so that I could stay home and become a composer? Not full-time blogger?

Well, we all know how I like to procrastinate...!

Magnificent!

The Magnificent Neil Gaiman has for years been giving us magnificent stories to provide escape from our less magnificent lives. Neil now takes the leap from story-telling to fortune-telling. For all those pondering their next move in life, I give you...

Neil & His Magnificent Oracular Journal

Click here to have your fortune told

What did I ask? I asked sage Neil if I would ever finish writing Blaine.

His response? Get off your blog and maybe you will! (or something like that...)

Quickies! or... New Ways to Spend My Money

Temptation just got closer...

Magnolia Bakery, the famed NYC cupcake heaven just opened a second location! Instead of making the long trek down to the village, I can simply get off the 1 train at 72, and walk the few blocks to 69th and Columbus for sweet indulgence!

This area is getting very dangerous- Levain Bakery (home to the world's BEST cookies) and Buttercup Bake Shop have long since been forcing me to add extra miles to the workouts, and Alice's Tea Cup is a favorite for using up my hard earned cash. But with Jacque Torres opening at 73rd and Amsterdam a few months ago and now Magnolia, too? I'm gonna have to skip the mass transit and actually run there to make up for the amount of calories I foresee ingesting in the future!

A Buck for Starbucks?

Can it be true? A dollar menu coming to Starbucks? Not quite. More like a $1 "short" yet bottomless cup of coffee is now on the menu in select Seattle Starbucks. Apparently this purchase has been available for some time, just not publicized. My question is, do you have to remain in the shop in order to get the refill? Or can you come and go all day as you want? The former, I'm sure.

Interesting news, but I'll still be sticking with my beloved Hungarian Pastry Shop bottomless cups.

Speaking of coffee...

Came across this wonderful chart via Will Work For Food:

And finally,

They're a wonder:

I've always had quite a thing for bags, especially big ones! These "bustier handbags" take the cake! But alas, they are no longer for sale. Time to hit up Ebay!

aaaand, back to the writing!

Boys all think she's living kindness

Early artwork from the Tori Amos anthology, Comic Book Tattoo, courtesy of Undented:

I'm super excited! Now, back to the muck...

Writer's Muck

photo by: fjordaan

every time. EVERY TIME.

I canNOT seem to be able to start a project without first spending a day or two suffocating from a thick mud of frustration!

I sit. I stare. I turn the keyboard on, then off (cats keep walking on it, messing up my Sibelius score), then on again. I play a note. Then another. I'm staring out the window.

Is it snowing? It's snowing in NC. And in VA. Why not here? It never snows there, it should snow here. I want it to snow. Why isn't it snowing?

Back to the score. I listen again.

This sucks. No it doesn't. Yes it does. What's missing? Let's write about it.

I open my journal.

Should I brainstorm with a blue pen? Too normal. Purple? No, the last page is in purple. Green and black? Perfect, I see Blaine as a very green and black character.

I'm drawing green and black stars in the corners.

Soon I'm listening to every tune I've written, critiquing them of course. Then in attempts to get my self esteem back up, I check every online outlet I have. Hotmail email. Yahoo email. Website email. MySpace. Facebook. Website stats. Blog stats (which have been extremely high today thanks to WFA linking to two of my comic related posts!).

Ugh! How narcissistic can I be?!?!

Back to Blaine.

What's missing? Why do I have so many 2 measure solos? Maybe if I watch another episode of X-Files my mind will clear and I'll know what to write.

...

The thing is, it's not writer's block, exactly. More like writer's muck. I know the solution is in my head somewhere. And I know it's gonna come, and then I'll write like mad for the next 48 hours, forgetting to eat, ignoring phone calls, ignoring the Internet, getting up only to pee. But every time, EVERY TIME I take a break from writing, even a small one, I have to pass through this day or two of sitting and staring, waiting for that special something to click into place, and waiting for the hours to pass so I can justify going to bed.

It's like a trial I have to endure before the muses will grant me inspiration to renew my writing.

No, it's an Amazonian contest I have to win so that the Gods and Goddess will bestow me with the gifts I need to make peace in man's world (no wait, that's someone else.)

I'm like an old boom box, drifting in the muck of the Thames, CD tray open to ideas, idly passing the time until I eventually bump up against the shore, and can move on.

Lesson to be learned? Never stop writing.

Facing a deadline? Join me in some procrastination...

The Church of Coltrane

I assume we are all familiar with the St. John Will-I-Am Coltrane African Orthodox Church. This morning, as I sat down to (hopefully) finish this project that's got me dirtying up all my favorite coffee mugs, I was hit with this article on the first (online) page of the NYT. I only skimmed the article (hey, I've got music to write), but definitely took time to look at the slide show (hey, I've got ALL DAY to finish up!).

Hated the thought that anyone out there might miss this informative (I assume) blurb (or that I'd have to start writing so soon after waking), so I am sharing it here.

In the process of posting, I stumbled upon this revolting bit of news:

The McMocha


It's not at all surprising that McDonald's is considering entering the over caffeinnated over priced ridiculously trendy you-think-we're-high-end-and-sophisticated-but-really-we're-just-a-franchise-with-good-advertising coffee drink phenomenon (she says as she sips her excessively strong home brewed Starbucks "Christmas" blend). What's surprising is that it's taken so long for them to jump in.

At a time when Starbucks is hurting (supposedly, according to this article, that again, I only skimmed), will McDonald's step up to keep us satisfied? ... (sorry, just fell out of my chair laughing at the thought). Maybe not, according to this report. Apparently we snobby upper upper UPPER westsiders aren't the only ones who are appalled at the thought.

Decide for yourself.

Now really, I must get a get back to work- stop distracting me.

But first, I need another cup of coffee.