A Change Of Venue

“I have not been afraid of excess: excess on occasion is exhilarating.
It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of habit.”

Television journalist Linda Ellerbee used it as a sign-off during the latenight run of her news program, NBC News Overnight in the early 1980s. She borrowed it from author Kurt Vonnegut who used the phrase extensively, uttered and thought by his doppleganger Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five.

Things change, life evolves, the world continues to spin. And so it goes.

In looking at the date of my last entry — October 2007…?! — I realize just how busy, crazy and undisciplined the past four months have been.

The book does occupy most of my time and will continue to do so over the coming year, a consequence of researching and writing the dramatic biography of a woman who few people (damn few!) have even heard of. The wait will be worthwhile, I promise you - she’s amazing!

As a bitter winter slowly turns to spring out here on the west coast I will continue to research and write. Completion of my latest (and last for some time no doubt) documentary will also require my attention, likely until May. But the shift has begun and the scattered gonzo mindset of documentary filmmaking is giving way to the solitary disciplined nature of book writing. It’s not a ‘nature’ that’s in my… well… nature, scattered gonzo that I am. But I’m adapting.

I have many things I wish to say, several thoughts stuck in my craw, and a handful of rants to unleash. I mean it’s primary season - you go Obama! I live for this shit! But they must wait. Relegated to the back burner until some future moment when they burst forth. Likely due to writer’s block on the book project - hey, I gotta write something!

This is not farewell, or goodbye or even sayonara. It’s just a post to put everyone on notice that evidence of a notable lack of input from me on this site will continue. Perhaps for awhile.

Be of good cheer, the universe is unfolding as it should.

And so it goes….

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

I’m sick of television. There, I’ve said it.

Back in January I wrote a piece on this blog about where I was — where I thought I was — in my life, professionally and personally. It was entitled, The Game’s Afoot! - read it again if you like.

As the year slowly comes to a close, chronologically speaking, I continue to find myself sitting on the career fence of confusion ten months on. Maybe not confusion so much as indecision. The stop-in-for-breakfast, maybe-have-that-second-cup-of-coffee, maybe-not, kind of indecision.

Twice this year I’ve cancelled my cablevision, the most recent time just last month. I don’t miss it. I used to have every channel under the sun, now it’s just basic plus a few HiDef channels to keep my interest and tease me every so slightly. On the odd occasion when I actually attempt to watch TV, I still find myself using the remote like a robot with Parkinsons - click, click, click, click, click. Nuthin’ on.

But here’s the really interesting part… it’s not just the lack of desire in WATCHING television, I have no interest in MAKING television any more. I simply don’t care. (more…)

A bit of a gap in the narrative, it would seem. Welcome to excuse #3.

Well, there’s the book of course - a new book project that I’m writing with Christian. Sure to be a documentary too, at the very least, possibly a dramatic feature.

We’re on the cusp of picking our agent at an early stage in the research proceedings which seems prudent. And speaking of research, so far we’ve travelled to Honolulu, Sausalito and Detroit. Next week we’re off to Los Angeles for five days of intensive ‘look-see’ at various venues including the archives and records office of the L.A. Superior Court. I have to say this sleuthing shit is shaping the content and direction of the book in a big way. It is truly a different book from when we started six months ago. More on that later.

There was the three-weeks in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, cruising through the Greek Islands (see next post).

Doug has decided to return to Canada for the month of October and will likely be staying at Chateau Waldo for the duration. November will likely see him back in Afrique for another tour of duty. Sierra Leone, Togo…?

And then there’s always life in general. Although my life is far from ‘general’. Life in the Cove continues apace, as they say. Although I truly don’t know who says ‘apace’ anymore. Seven weeks left of Summer and you can already see the days getting shorter.

And so it goes….

So, this friend of mine — Hey, Jude!, over on the right-hand side here — suggests that I should have an ‘Excuses’ category since I’ve been so lax in updating the trusty blog. He’s right of course. And so, with this post I hereby add ‘Excuses’ to my list of categories.

In doing so I acknowledge two things about myself: I apologize far too often, and I’m apparently a push-over for suggestions from others. The requisite “How are you?”, “How’s it going, eh?” and/or “Que pasa?” would normally be addressed in short order, but the past month has taken its toll on yours truly.

In the midst of a big production shoot for a new rock ‘n roll documentary I jumped on a plane and spent three whole days in Hawaii last week doing interviews for a new book project. In a few days I will be winging toward Frankfurt and Athens en route to two glorious days in Istanbul before boarding the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship. Then, ten days cruising the eastern Med - all this in the name of work! And nary an ‘office’ in sight!

Upon my return in early June I will set all this right by returning to my schedule of regular and current updates.

With this post, the final installment of Content: The Once and Future King. Enjoy.