So after 14 hours of airport time punctuated by suddenly realizing I left my keys in the security tray at LAX, I landed at an Airport. And the first thing that struck me was that I could be anywhere.
It was very early in the morning, so almost no one was talking, but hey i am in an Airport so that really doesn't help narrow my location. I looked out the windows and saw the usual assortment of plane logos. I am astounded that I still recognize as many as I do. It was raining and bleh so I couldn't see sky lines.
The Signs were in French and English so I had narrowed down my location to Canada or Europe. Both are places I have visited multiple times so that was a good sign.
The rest of the airport looked shabby and rundown. There were exposed pipes and drab color choices. I ached to escape from the building.
I was sure I would know as soon as I saw the cars outside. i was wrong. Everything looked like all the cars I usually see. Same boxy shapes with melted corners. They did have the big yellow license plates so I was comforted that I had gotten on the right plane but I was starting to feel sad that someone had changed France since the last time I was here.
I heard people speaking french so I started to assume I was where i thought I went but I really wasn't sure. I thought they had committees to make sure that no matter what part of France you were in, YOU WOULD KNOW YOU WERE IN FRANCE?
Finally fatigue and heavy traffic overwhelmed me. I nodded off dreading a vacation in a McCity somewhere in Europe instead of a Parisian adventure I was promised. I started mentally counting down to the time of my departure...
Suddenly I snapped awake. Matt was screaming my name. I was facing the window when my eyes popped open. What greeted them made me smile like a mad man.
Beautiful buildings and restaurants with dirty orange neon telling me that there was wonderful food to be found within. The streets were filled with equal parts cars, little boxy trucks and people of all sorts on scooters and motorcycles. and then I heard that beautiful sound...weee-honnnn wweeeee honnnnn WEEEE HONNNNN
A passing police siren. A french siren!
Speaking of Sirens, I took note of the women of France. As I have mentioned before, there is something about the french woman that is infinitely more interesting to me than any other. There was a woman riding a scooter in the rain yet she was wearing an ensemble that included these cute low heel almost pixie-like boots. Young women walked the street in outfits that coincidentally matched the umbrella they held above them. Older women walked in Business Sexy clothing that let you know exactly what gender they were without ever sacrificing their apparent ability to do business.
And there was smoking. Just a "matter of fact, I am having a coffee and I need to smoke to complete the look" cigarette hung from the mouths of people. Not in a haphazard manner but just sorta there in their mouths.
I don't know what was up with the airport. Maybe it is a test to see if you really want to be here. Maybe the French haven't gotten around to fixing it up. Maybe they have just sacrificed it to the heathen outsiders that used it knowing they have much better things in the city. All I know is I am in no hurry to get back to that aberration on the landscape of French culture.
And I don't mean "oh this was paradise built by the mob!" I was walking thru the casino floor of the Venetian looking at all of these people desperate to give their money to all of these other people who...didn't look like they really cared. Suddenly I wanted to see those stories.
Why do so many people choose to get married in a place called Sin City? Why are they there to celebrate the end of being single, the beginning of holy union and the monotony of the end of their lives all in the same place? Everywhere you turn are Brides and weird couples and solitary old people. I mean when you see the military folks you kinda understand, they want to blow off steam and be as far from "Regulated Order" that their own lives represent.
But what brings everyone else back? And why hasn't anyone documented that question and maybe some answers?
Then there is the other side. The facilitators. The dealers, the cabbies, the limo guys the ARMY OF BARTENDERS and the supply line of sex workers/"advertisers". I know a lot of them train in the area and generally have chosen to be there. You have these dealers who have 17, 18, 19 years listening to jackasses like me ask them what the rules say about hitting that 12 against a possible 16. What are they getting out of life that a postal worker isn't? Why aren't there more Casino Worker killing sprees? Cocktail waitressing is something I always hear sucks? Yet there are a bunch of them? What is holding these people here? It isn't like Los Angeles where you can fool yourself into thinking that you might still be discovered...I mean i suppose that you might marry some rich d00d that youmet when you brought him that Irish coffee during the hottest streak in his life. I suppose.
I have no snappy finisher to this. Just something I was thinking about all weekend, while Vegas was reminding me I was too old to be hanging out there.
But not old enough to be playing slots and kino all day.
I really need to do some writing but I am off to Vegas for the weekend.
I have no real comment to make beyond that. Well I do but it is nothing that I need to say on a public forum.
So i have done almost a full year of not blogging. I have to admit that my last blog kinda put me off the whole thing. I still miss Rory.
Enough about that, though.
So nowadays I have a crazy 2 year old. I am writing pitches
Wait.
I was writing pitches. Then some d00d busted my car window at high noon and stole all my writing notes and my laptop. I am sad to lose the laptop but it is devastating to lose my writing notes. i had one of those 3 subject spiral binders with notes about everything from learning basic japanese to scheduling and producing TV movies to sketched out ideas for animated and kids shows. No back ups for handwriting. I guess I could start scanning pages after I write on them and then i would have backups in iPhoto.
I have gotten into some other pretty cool music, mostly thanks to NPR's All Songs Considered and My man Han
St Vincent's "Actor" is getting good play on my iPod as is Silversun Pickups and Autolux which inspired me to write two different tv show ideas.
Writing is weird. Trying to see if I can really write for comics. Working up some pitches now. Then throwing out some emails and see if I can land me some of those fancy meetings at San Diego Comicon. Taking a class at UCLA by Nunzio Defilippis on how to write comics. I never felt comfortable with the format and I hope this helps me out. I haven't forgotten my TV writing but I hate talking about TV ideas on the Internerd.
Guess that is a good start. Going to Vegas this weekend, which should be full of stories I will never re-tell until my deathbed. heh.
Check out:
MUSIC
"The Strangers" - St Vincent
"God Is Love" - Eleni mandell
"TIA" - K'Naan
"Here Comes Everybody" - Autolux ( I know this is an old track but I just got to it.)
TV
Southland - NBC - I can't sayitis great but I am surprised how much I love following the stories of the beat cops. If the detectives disappeared (maybe not Regina King) I would not be sad.
The Unusuals - Argh more cops. I think ABC felt burned by all their quirky shows and are hammering out the weirdness of this show. But dammit the cast is so good I have to give it a chance.
Harper's Island. - CBS - I have no idea how this got on but it is such a faithful homage to 80s slasher movies and so goofy it is fun that I can't stop watching. It's either the mother or everyone is killing everyone.
Reading
getting Things Done - I am all unorganized. I find that when i follwo a chapters advice I feel a sense of relief. then I mess everything up again and the anxiety returns.
the Road, No 1 Ladies Detective and Audacity of Hope - Books that have been sitting on my beloved Kindle for a while that i thought I should finally read. Weirdly they all kinda flow together into a big meta story...
Honestly that is how I will always remember Rory.
We figured out that we had met when I was in college at UC Berkeley. I had moved to a North side apartment and was working at a Copymat just down the block from him so I start going to Comic Relief It turned out to be a pretty great store even back in the late 80s. They did pull lists which I never had seen before and the staff was good about recommending books. So I would go in every week and Rory said that we probably talked to each other a lot. After all we were both Legion fans.
I really didn't become friends with him I started working in TV. I had started up a relationship with Warren Ellis and that of course meant becoming part of his online community. So I was trawling for interesting books for possible kids shows. I got some decent suggestions and some TERRIBLE ones, Then I got an email from this retailer, Rory Root. He wanted to know if I would be coming to San Diego. When I got there I started what would be come the other constant in my relationship with him. Rory pulls out stacks of books but before he lets me look he check to make sure if this would be my money or the companies. Then he smoothly seperated me from said money and replaced it with great books, all the while making sure I would stop to be introduced to creators that ALWAYS stopped by to say hi to him. He was always ready to talk about any kind of reading material or new show he just got into. But the guy was never rude. He always made everyone around him feel welcome.
He knew everybody. He knew every comic shop I ever went to and the owners. He knew the staff of I think the top 40 comic companies. From the president down to the guy who got coffee.
Anyway, I would always make an effort to talk to Rory whenever I was in the Bay or at a Con. I was pretty quick to catch on that as often as he was at the booth helping someone find some new book, he would be standing just outside a door smoking and talking to someone about something. So at the big cons I would usually
start outside then head to his booth. Hell after a while I would just always volunteer to help set up. Didn't care if I had meetings the rest of the day or not. We had a ritual of always buying each other an egg sandwich at the start of APE. Or discussing the best place to grab some food during the day. He would always know the gossip on the floor but he would never talk shit about anyone...although he could make it clear when he didn't approve of something.
When I was finally talked into doing a comic, he was the first guy I talked to. He always had a minute for my stupid ass questions and two or three ideas about how to get the sales up. He once gave a me a pretty long talking to about opportunities I could take to get the book out there but totally was sympathetic about events in my life that were interfering. When that turned around and he was having problems with his store I didn't hesitate to throw any help I could his way cause I know he would have for me, but would never ask me otherwise.
I can't lie. I am really broken up about his passing because he was always there. I always thought I would be lifting his heavy ass shelves for APE, debating whether Levitz would ever make us both happy and put out the Legion archives of his run, eating egg sandwiches and talking about up and coming creators. I just thought I would always have time with that friend. Now he is gone and the last thing I said was that I would call him in a week and I forgot to get back to him.
And I am pretty sure he didn't mind that I forgot. I hope he at least went out thinking about something fun.
Rest In Peace Rory.
Politics or Leadership? That's what it boils down to, this race. The race for the nomination and the one to come for the presidency.
I've lived my entire voting life with only the choice of politicians to vote for, because I didn't vote for Reagan. I voted for the politician instead and while I would do it again today (given the same choice) I'm praying that I won't have to.
That is what the Democratic Party machine isn't fully grasping here. For the first time since Robert Kennedy's campaign they have a candidate that leads and speaks to peoples' hearts and not a career politician that has accrued power and favours. LBJ was a politician of the highest order and yes, he could work that machine like a mutha and signed off on some serious shit but you know, he also signed off on some serious shit. Vietnam War, everyone. I know he didn't get us into it but you know he kept our country in it, against our will and behind our backs. That's politics, people. I think he was a smart man that became an incredibly smart politician and we can only surmise what would have happened if he hadn't been the Vice President to a Leader.
I want some leadership. The politics of the last twenty years has made so many of us a cynical and fearful bunch of voters who only care about keeping ours safe from the have nots and hating the haves, even if all they have is something different than us. That's some kind of sad, right there. We keep getting pitted against one another and another Republican is just going to be about more of the same.
The voters know it and the frustration has led to things like term limits because we know that the system needs to change. The thing is, it's not going to change by changing the rules that politicians play by. It changes by changing the politicians themselves.
Hillary is an excellent politician and she deserves more than just credit for learning and playing the rules to her advantage. She would make an excellent career politician if she were given the room and a chance to work at keeping the Republicans in check. She's just not a leader, is all.
*I wandered across this today and think it's one of the most interesting things I've read on just how Obama's campaign has changed politics, forever really. http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/14/182615/431#readmore It's titled "Process vs Policy: Organising"
*blows dust off the site*
Whoops, rather let this slip into the shadows over the last half year haven't I? Nonetheless, The Plan continues apace, with further developments and ponderings on the how-to-make-a-living-once-living-on-Skye issue especially. Let's look at what's been happening...
Plans for the second half of this year - particularly taking Gaelic lessons - were knocked out of orbit when we had to move house in late August, the second time in six months. Brought about by insufferable neighbour noise, the final, straw ironically came on our journey back from a June holiday in Skye when we realised just how miserable we were to go back to that flat. Thankfully we're now in a much nicer, quieter place further out from the city centre with gardens and parks on either side. We're thoroughly content here, and reckon it's as good as you can realistically hope for within Edinburgh (and within our budget). Nonetheless, the Skye plan remains as certain as ever, with the last few months bringing certain aspects into a little more focus.
Back in January I wrote quite a long post considering employment opportunities over on Skye, and it's never really been far from my mind all year. While I've made a few quid in the last 12 months from selling artwork, it's clear that I couldn't rely on that for any kind of serious income. I'm certainly not going to let go the hope of making some pennies from drawing and painting, and in the next few weeks I plan to completely replace www.jonnagl.com with a far more updated online portfolio, hopefully integrating Google Checkout so sales can be done directly with me rather than through an intermediary site like Etsy (which, in all honesty, feels like a victim of its own success these days as selling there becoming increasingly futile and frustrating). There'll be more of a focus next year on animal and landscape artwork, rather than the nudes that make up the majority of my recent work, and I hope those will be quite popular. All the same, unless I can be sure of bringing in £1400 a month in art sales - and that's not going to happen - I need to figure out how to pay my way once Skyewards.
New careers have been pondered, most seriously those based around sustainable rural development, but the cost of taking such courses isn't something that can be shrugged off, especially when I've still got existing debts to pay off. My earlier post rather dismissed my current occupation as being a likely solution - however, things have changed a little there. For one thing, I've been temporarily promoted (thanks to maternity leave) giving me greater responsibilities and experience which could help lead the way to a more permanent promotion in the future. Obviously the increase in pay is nice, but so is the sense of being more involved in the government agency I work in. From that perspective, the idea of leaving all that behind and coming in green (and inevitably lower-paid) at a new non-creative career isn't so appealing. But is there any way I could continue the work I'm doing now, remain on the same pay-scale and still move far away from Edinburgh?
Well, things are looking up on that prospect. The agency I work for recently launched a project on 'agile working', described in this (unrelated) document as "[enabling] people to choose between a variety of workplace options and locations, utilising hot desking, home working, hotelling and mobile working." The key words for muggins here being, of course, home working. Now, I'm not expecting anything to happen any time soon - we're talking about years, not months - but the indications are good. Viewed in tandem with the general direction the agency is taking towards dematerialisation, video conferencing and working entirely from digital files, I reckon that as things stand the most realistic plan for moving to Skye is to continue working for the agency from home via the internet. While it may not be the most stimulating of occupations - obviously I'd much rather be painting - it's certainly not objectionable, nor does the agency I work for bring with it any ethical dilemmas (unlike, say, a career with Qinetiq) and it's a subject that I'm now pretty well versed in.
And that in turn leads to the rethink I've had on further education. Rather than study something brand new, in the hope of using it to start a new career, surely it's wiser to study a subject connected with what I'm currently doing, especially given the positive potential of agile working. So, what subject would that be? Erm...
Why law? Well, it's very much connected with my job and gaining such a qualification could help improve my promotion chances at the agency, plus the knowledge gained from it would certainly be of use in the section I work in. Indeed, the fact it'll be to the agency's benefit means I've a good chance of getting help with a significant chunk of the course fees, which is a pretty big deal. The 'six years' figure is sobering - if started next year, it wouldn't be complete until mid-2014, a looooong way off, and even squeezing in a third semester brings it in at 2012 - but there's the chance that during this time distance-learning could become feasible (not that I've anything to base that hope on, but it's possible!) and, well, moving to Skye is for keeps. If being able to have a secure income once living there means putting the move off for a few more years in order to complete such a course in Edinburgh, I'd say it's worthwhile for the eventual result. Of course, I wouldn't be making such a decision alone, and the Lass's opinion is paramount and decisive. Anyway, applications wouldn't be made until summer 2008 so we'll see how things appear then - for example, if the agile working project at work decides against home working, those sustainable development courses will become much more appealing. I've got to admit, the thought of studying for a law degree is somewhat mind-boggling, even with the on-the-job experience I've had. If anyone had told me 10, even 5 years ago that I'd be considering taking such a course, I'd have assumed they were off their head on sherbet. After all, animation to law isn't the most natural of career progressions. Still, until a few years back I never would have imagined a life on Skye - funny how things turn out.LLB (HONS) LAW P/T
In this course, students are expected to gain a comprehensive legal education which promotes active and autonomous learning and develops the core generic skills sought by employers, namely: study skills, information skills, communication skills (both oral and written), information technology skills, and legal research skills.
Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland, the part-time LLB is comprised of core, option and elective modules. Listed below is a typical study programme. The year is split into two semesters, with students normally studying two modules per semester. Students wanting to complete the course in less than the six year duration may have the opportunity to take either three modules per semester or study during `semester three- (June to September). This is dependant on the availability of modules during this time and student demand.
Stage 1: Scottish Legal System, Contract Law, Consumer Law, Constitutional Law 1
Stage 2: Criminal Law 1, Delict 1, European Law, Criminal Law 2 (optional)
Stage 3: Employment Law 1, Introduction to Property Law (optional), Fundamentals of Taxation (optional), Business Law (optional)
Stage 4: Legal Research Methods, Company Law A (optional), Constitutional Law 2 (optional), Property Conveyancing and Trusts (optional)
Stage 5: Family Law 1, Jurisprudence, Law of Evidence (optional), Law of Succession (optional)
Stage 6: 4 other option or elective modules from the University Catalogue.
The inevitable nomination of Senator Clinton seemed to take the tiniest stumble during the debate. She showed herself to be a master of sidestepping but that shouldn't come as any surprise, she's had years and years to hone that skill. Always give yourself the grey area to retreat to, CYA no matter what. I am less than thrilled that she's been getting endorsements from her fellow legislators, the whole "experience" thing. I'm sorry, if she's going to cite her years as First Lady as part of the deal then she should also take responsibility for her missteps too.
John and I disagree about my longing for Obama to get the nomination and I acknowledge that a large part of my wish is exactly the fact that he's not as steeped in business as usual. I recognise that it's a scary proposition for him to learn on the job but that's what most everyone else does, isn't it? The closest job there is governor of a state but other than that, it's about being smart enough to choose advisors who can front for you and grasping that at the end of the term it's going to be your name that gets written down in the books. I think that Obama is more than smart enough to grasp that. Plus, most importantly to me, he's not yet reeking of the backroom deal.
I'm so fucking weary of this administration and it's determinedly arrogant stance on all things Bushie. I'm even willing to eagerly trade in for yet another political dynasty but oh my, how I wish for a true change in attitude. We love to hark back to JFK in our political canon and you know, I wish there was a graceful way to make that correlation between Obama and Kennedy. Without the being shot to death though, pleasepleaseplease.
I doubt it's going to happen though, because the Clinton juggernaut is in full force and Hillary has the added punch of Bill, a huge bonus.
I'm still going to dream though, cuz someone told us that it ain't over till it's over.
I'm all itchy and antsy and wanting to get started on finishing some projects. I know, I do so very much hate the shape my house is in, structurally, but I love my home. I've been stymied and have surrendered as far as making my kitchen the way I want but I can at least make it better. This house is going to be a rental property once we hit the lottery and buy one that isn't a fucking moneypit but in the meantime ....
I've been stalled mid-project due to rain and am waiting till the skies clear and the air dries out, starting Monday, according to forecasts. In the meantime I'm mooning over some design blogs for looking at the pretty and posting the links on Twitter. I'm going to do it here too, just as a memory jog and to share with you kids.
http://www.desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/
http://www.anothershadeofgrey.blogspot.com/
http://www.melissamossart.com/prints.htm
http://store.dvider.com/stickers.html
http://www.decorativefilm.com/index.html
Sigh. Okay, I'm going to go and press the new curtains and bed goodies and mope at the weather now.
