Hello there!
Welcome to the new folks who joined last month!
March flew by, which is good because I’m about done with the consistent cold and dreary weather. Took my daughter to Florida for a few days to visit with my parents, and it was nice to get out in the warmth for a bit even though we had to come back with the temperature in the mid-20s.
The month ended with me getting my third Covid booster, which knocked me on my butt for about 36 hours with chills, exhaustion, aches and pains, and zero appetite. Despite that, we did have some fun this month.
On the 24th we saw Black Violin at the Ohio Theatre. If you have not heard of them, it’s a pair of violin players backed by a drums, often hip-hop loops, and playing with a live DJ. Classical and rap mixed together in a very interesting and musical combination.
I had a busy month with some Lego builds. First, after several months work, I finished my Sicilian hillside village modeled after our time in Gangi in 2023. Here’s a couple of pics, more at Flickr.
I also utilized one of the new minifigures that was released in the latest series to create a black and white film noir scene using the detective that comes with a red fish. A red herring, if you will. Again, more pics at Flickr.
Lastly, how about writing? March was low on output, but high on input, so to speak. I’ve been focused on reading and research, and jotting stuff down as I’m going to help build up the worlds I’m creating for the two in-progress novels, Janet and Sol Omerta. They’re two very different beasts, but I’m excited to get them correct.
RECENT DIG ME OUT
Here are the March episodes of the Dig Me Out Podcast:
Interview with Hobey Echlin of Majesty Crush
Dredg - Leitmotif
The Lemonheads - It’s A Shame About Ray
Interview with Keith and Glenn Kochanowicz of Riverside
Sinead O’Connor - Universal Mother
It Came From Slimey Valley Compilation
Hanoi Rocks - Oriental Beat
Salty Dog - Every Dog Has It’s Day
RECENT READS
Arctic Rising by Tobias Buckell
This was a blast. In a possible near future, the polar caps have melted enough that shipping lanes and oil prospectors have popped up, and there is a security unit looking after the area. The heroine Anika gets tangled in an adventure full of spies, corporate conspiracies, and lots of action. It’s vivid and fast moving, and hopefully will be made into a movie because it definitely deserves it.
Gotti’s Rules by George Anastasia
Interesting look at the Gotti crime family through the eyes of one of its soldiers - John Alite. Like with anything mafia related, you have to know that the subject isn’t going to make themselves look bad or admit to crimes they haven’t already been convicted of or admitted to previously. This is really the story of Alite, his introduction to the mob, his interactions with the Gotti family, and his fall from a successful mafia member to nearly dying in a Brazilian prison. It’s gripping stuff, but also gives you a picture of the incompetence of the Gotti family running the Gambino crime family into obscurity.
RECENT TV/MOVIES
COLOR ME OBSESSED: A FILM ABOUT THE REPLACEMENTS (Tubi) - Lots of interviews with people, you guessed it, obsessed with the best college rock band of the 80s, The Replacements. Weirdly, there is no ‘Mats music or interviews, just a lot of fans, including members of various bands.
THE CREATOR (Hulu) - The good: lots of amazing special effects and CGI creating a full-inhabited dystopian futuristic world that has elements of cyberpunk design. The not-so-good: a fairly predictable story that goes on to long and feels like parts borrowed from other films.
RECENT MUSIC
Dune: Part 2 soundtrack (2024)
Ace Monroe - Ace Monroe (2023)
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new album from The Black Crowes, it’s worth your while. Probably the best and most cohesive record since Amorica. Here’s a fan shot video of them playing the track “Rats and Clowns” from the record.
If you’re a guitarist, you may notice the Gibson SG that Rich Robinson (right) is playing. I did, because I have that same guitar. It’s a 2001 reissue of the 1961 Gibson Les Paul. Now, I know what you’re thinking - Tim, that’s an SG, not a Les Paul. Ah, but there’s a weird quirk in Gibson history. In 1961, Gibson didn’t make the traditional Les Paul, so they christened the SG that year as the Les Paul. The more you know…
A few reminders before you go:
Help spread the word - leave a book review at Amazon or GoodReads!
All previous newsletters are archived. Lots of stuff to check out including a link to the original 2011 screenplay of THE BLACK SKY, hints and helps to get started on the real work easter egg hunt teased at the back of the book, and more
Spotify Playlists! I made them for when I was writing THE BLACK SKY, THE RED SKY, and there is also a special one for “The Dank” bar that is in THE BLACK SKY.
If you like instrumental electronic music, I have soundtracks for THE BLACK SKY and THE RED SKY available at most streaming services, along with several other releases.
Stay Safe!
Tim