First Draft

Two copies. One for me, one for Penny.

And so we begin the first read and review - see if this thing has any legs.

But you know, it's an amazing feeling, looking at that bound manuscript, 369 pages.

I did it. I wrote a novel. It's one of those things that before you do it, it seems impossible, or a least, unlikely. But now I know how to do it.

And this year, I'll finish this one and write another.

Say hello to Randy Murray, novelist.

Surrounded by Books

Wonderful.

"It's full off books!" (with apologies to Stanley Kubrick).

Neil Gaiman, a writer who I really admire, has an outstanding library.

I look at these pictures and it's induces a feeling of relaxation similar to looking out out at a beautiful Caribbean beach. I love my little library and it's a comfort to me, but Mr. Gaiman has a LIBRARY!

Rain Garden!

Yeah! We're getting a free Rain Garden!

Visit the new place

I've started a new site, focused more on business, life, and technology. Come and visit! http://firsttodaythentomorrow.wordpress.com/

Get Your Bag On

So, the rumors are flying about the much hoped for Apple "iTablet." If they're true, it could be another market changer.

I think it will also be a fashion changer. Why? Because if you're a guy, you'll have to carry this larger-than-an-iphone/ipod device. That's the whole point. It'll be too big to clip to your belt, sooo - welcome back the "Murse" or man-bag.

I'm serious. For those like me who really hate carrying anything and have long suffering (albeit not silent) wives and girlfriends who complain when we ask, "Can you stick this in your purse?" it will be a real dilemma. It will have to be a really terrific device for me to want to carry it about. And if it is, then I'll need a bag. And if I'm already carrying a bag, I just as well put all the others things I might need in it. And being a former boy scout and admirer of James Bond, I'll want to be prepared for ANYTHING.

So, it begins.

Or restarts.

In 1985 I made my first trip to NYC for a job interview at a big ad agency. I was right out of grad school and didn't have a chance for the job. But I wanted the experience of the interview and to make the trip. I spent days walking all over the city, and everywhere I saw fast walking guys, listening to their Sony Walkman tape players, stored in their nifty shoulder bags. So I bought a gray pleather bag from a street vendor, put my bright yellow Sports Walkman in the bag, and started walking faster. Somewhere along the line, probably when I had to share in carrying diaper bags and baby items, carrying the bag fell by the wayside.

I've actually got a bag set aside - a leather East German military map bag. It's small, flat, and has lots of pockets for pens and such, but it wont let me carry lots of crucial survival gear, so it's ideal. I hope the iTablet will fit!

Not the works!

So, what's happening when your brain is idling? This little frantic piece of music is what's playing in my head, especially when I'm building something, or plotting revenge on that stupid cat!

I couldn't help but smile to hear this all harmonica version.

My daughter Jen and I use this for important life decisions, like what we'll eat for supper. Unfortunately, each of us always throws Spock!

Blueberry Crumb Coffee Loaf

Ingredients:

• 2 packages Blueberry Muffin Mix, Martha White, if available
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon peal, grated
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ cup flour, all-purpose
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter

Directions:Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8x4 inch loaf pan with foil and lightly spray with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine muffin mixes, water, sour cream, egg, lemon peel and lemon juice in large bowl until moistened. Spread into prepared pan. Mix flour, sugar and butter with a fork until blended. Crumble over batter.

Bake 55-60 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes. Using the foil, lift loaf out of pan. Cool completely. Cut with serrated knife.(Serves 12)

Man on the Moon

Last night was thrilling. The only thing I can relate it to is that same feeling I had as a nine year old boy watching Neil Armstrong step foot on the moon.

But I'm also cautioned. I remember thinking, "this is only the beginning" way back in 1969, but frankly, it was only a brief peak, all to short.

As I drove out of my neighborhood early this morning a blue pickup was just ahead of me. I had to brake as the truck briefly swerved and the driver thrust his arm out the window and flipped off as he passed a house with Obama for President signs. It took the edge off my euphoria.

We have a long way to go.

Jim, I miss you so.

I was reminded by The Edge of the American West that Jim Henson died 18 years ago today. It's hard for me to understand how this loss effected me. I didn't personally know the man, but I love his creation and completely connected to his vision and talent.

Even today, watching this clip from his memorial service and now as I write this, I find tears filling my eyes.

Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.

Coming Soon

Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film


Gots to admit. I do love that trailer.

This calls for a true hero

This is not for me, but it's a brilliant idea and merits study. One way solo trip to Mars.

This is not for me, but I can see that for many, it would be a completely rational decision, and not a suicidal one. The mission would be planned so we'd continue to send supplies, but we just don't plan on bringing them back. Not right now.

And what if it were a true suicide mission? Would that be completely awful? I believe, but can't track it down at the moment, that the physicist Freeman Dyson calculated during World War II that it would have been more more effective to remove the gun turrets from bombers and reduce the crew by 2 - making them lighter and faster, but could not carry the argument of the "gallant gunner defending their crewmates". It's counterintuitive, seems cruel, but bears consideration.

When a boy, I dreamed of space flight, but not particularly of heroism. I dreamt of the Star Trek variety, take everyone with you in complete comfort, be back home in time for tea.

This Just In

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

Eye Bra Looks Silly Cool

I have a similar mask I wear for that occasional weekend nap - or when I end up on the couch if my snoring gets too loud. But this one looks like a weird super-hero mask - and training bra all put together. Still, looks like a good idea.

Lights Out Sleep Mask

Build A Little Birdhouse In Your Soul

I've gotten this song stuck in my head. What first sounds like catchy nonsense from They Might Be Giants quickly resolves into some deeper nonsense.

Where does a song like this come from? Maybe a claim like, "I could write a song about anything!" And a challenge, "OK, what about that nightlite?"

How did I come across it? I've always enjoyed the Giants and had heard it before, but a snippet of it in the new show "Pushing Daisies" brought it back to mind and firmly planted it there.

I have a secret to tell
From my electrical well
It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me
Filibuster vigilantly
My name is blue canary one note* spelled l-i-t-e

My story's infinite
Like the Longines Symphonette it doesn't rest


Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

And the Winner Is . . .

Watched the Academy Awards last night.  Of the five Best Picture nominees, I'd seen two - and very recently.  No Country For Old Men last week and Michael Clayton the night before the awards.  Both are excellent films with terrific performances.

For the most part, I do not enjoy award ceremonies.  I find the production numbers tedious.  Most of the banter is lame.

But Jon Stewart did have one good line.  When discussing the nominees, he mentioned Norbit and said "Too often the Academy ignores movies that aren't good."

Fun With Sterotypes

Thanks the gods they left us humble Americans out.

And I did like this bit from the end of the article:

In Heaven…
the mechanics are German
the chefs are French
the police are British
the lovers are Italian
and everything is organized by the Swiss.

In Hell…
the mechanics are French
the police are German
the chefs are British
the lovers are Swiss
and everything is organized by the Italians.

When In Rome

Although I may be a snob, I read the classics for one reason and one reason only:  they're terrifically fun to read.  If you haven't been turned on to Robert Fagels and his translations, go immediately to your library or favorite online book buying source, and get your hands on his editions of The Illiad, The Odyssey, and The Orestia. 

I just got my copy of The Aeneid.  It is ever so nice.

Oh, and back to the snobbish part:  These four works are critical for a modern thinking person to know.  And while you're at it, get the Gardner Gilgemesh and the Seamus Heaney Beowulf.

There will be a quiz.

Like Father, Like Daughter

DSC00765, originally uploaded by cinemamurray.

Captain Randy Goes Partisan