iPod Essentials #18: "Flood--Jars of Clay

It may seem strange that a good, solid rock song is the brainchild of a Christian rock band, but "Flood" is a keeper. The song deals with redemption and healing, with strong vocals and a catchy refrain: "Lift me up." I haven't heard any other songs from this band, and I should. They deserve to be more than a one-hit wonder.

iPod Essentials #17: "Why Can't We Live Together"--Timmy Thomas

Please forgive the prolonged absense. I've been sidelined with a nasty rotator cuff injury, and typing and recovery have been very painful.

In honor of my friend Jean, this selection is for her. She just returned from a photo safari in Botswana. Her pix are incredible. Hopefully, mine will be just as inspiring when I go to South Africa next summer.

Any time I think of Africa, I am also reminded of their strong unique forms of percussion, and this one-hit wonder from the early 70's has a great percussion section. The song itself deals with overcoming bigotry, which unfortunately, still lingers today.

iPod Essentials #16: "Layla"--Derek and the Dominoes

Classic, classic rock. "Layla" is a complicated song to play on the guitar. The lyrical piano part is also difficult. Still, this is a song of unbridled passion and lust (not that horrible acoustic version from 1994 or thereabouts). The guitars in the song scream with passion almost as ferociously as Eric Clapton's vocals.

Ahhh, love you can't have. Perfect for Valentine's Day.

The War for What?

Yesterday Thousand Oaks, California, where I live, buried its first casualty of the Iraq War: Lance Corporal Anthony Mejia. He was twenty, a graduate of my alma matter (Thousand Oaks High), and a seemingly great kid.

And now he's gone.

As I drove along Moorpark Road, looking at the flag-holding residents, I couldn't help but wonder what Anthony's life might have been if he hadn't enlisted in the Marines. He'd be in college, gaining knowledge from classes and from life's experiences.

This somber scene has played itself out in too many cities for too many families, nearly three thousand times. It will continue to hurt each time. So many lives wasted in a war for what.

iPod Essentials #15: "These Eyes"--The Guess Who

An oldie but definitely a goodie. This song reminds me of someone I loved a long time ago, but he chose another woman over me. I keep this song on my Pod as a way of remembering him. With Burton Cummings' passionate vocals, the hurt still materializes, but I can deal with it now.

iPod Essentials #14: "Lay Your Hands on Me"--Thompson Twins

Sorry, I'm a day late, but not a dollar short!

"Lay Your Hands on Me" is one of my faves from the 80's. I like the Carribean-based percussion--the marimba and the hand percussion--it gives the song a breezy feeling.

The subject of the song, however, is not so breezy. The persona is giving up, tired of life. Yet by the end of the tune, he feels empowered, rejuvenated, all from the mysterious, redemptive power of love. This song never fails to lift my spirits.

In Praise of You Tube

Since its boom in popularity, You Tube continues to grow by the day. Its videos often make the news (i.e. the Michael Richard racial tirade). I log onto You Tube, not because of watching people doing stupid things in their videos, but because of its helpfulness in research for my newest novel. Without giving too much away about the new novel, I have learned a lot by watching old, old videos, courtesy of MTV and VH1, when they were still good channels.

Too many of us believe that research is only done in libraries. The Internet has changed that. However, much of what is on the Internet is bogus, so writer beware.

iPod Essentials #13: "For What It's Worth"--Buffalo Springfield

A political choice for today in light of George Bush's impending (and disasterous) troop increase in Iraq. It's a shame the current Administration does not stop to listen to the pulse of the American public, which is aptly reflected in much of the music of the late 60's. This classic Buffalo Springfield song always sends a chill down my spine when I hear it.

But is anyone really listening?

A Long Winter's Rest

Last night I just finished the first draft of my newest novel. What do I do now?

Give it a month's rest. I will work on another project during this time.

When I resume the next draft in another month, I will be able to see what's working, what's not working, and what needs further development or massive changes. A month's rest gives writers time to divorce themselves from their characters, even if we dearly love them, and allows us to evaluate our writing in fresh terms.

Try it.

iPod Esstentials #12: "Money"--Pink Floyd

I will never forgive MTV for their shabby treatment of Pink Floyd during Live 8 in 2005.

This song ironically details the pitfalls and absurdities of the almighty dollar. Money is a blessing and a curse.

A great blues riff echoes throughout the song. Even more interesting is that the time signature changes midway through the song, going from typical 4/4 time to 6/8 and back to 4/4 again. Daring and it works.

What a gas.

iPod Essentials #11: "More Than This"--Roxy Music

Ahhhhh, this poetic but cynical song is perfect for a cloudy, rainy day, such as this one. This is off of AVALON, my favorite CD of all time. The CD is lyrical, synthesized, romantic yet moody--it's perfect.

This is my favorite song on the recording since it reminds me of someone from my past back in college. Every time I hear it, I still feel as though he's in the room with me. Like me, he's a hurt romantic. I haven't seen him in almost twenty years. I wonder if he's still this way.

This song also shows Bryan Ferry and the band at their vulnerable best.

iPod Essentials #10: "Get Together"--The Youngbloods

Hope the Holiday season has been treating you well.

In honor of the season, I have selected a song of peace and friendship. "Get Together" offers a simple plea--for us to "love one another right now." If we truly practiced those words, just think of the things we could accomplish: no more wars, bigotry, hatred. Our planet would be a peaceable kingdom.

I truly believe this until my logical side kicks in. With history, humans repeat the same mistakes without getting different results. Perhaps we will all "get together" in a different lifetime.

iPod Essentials #9: "Hot Fun in the Summertime"--Sly and the Family Stone

Even though parts of the U.S. are under feet of snow, and it is December, it may seem odd that I would select a summertime song to discuss today, but it somehow makes sense.

"Hot Fun" is the epitome of summertime tunes. Few artists blended such complex yet pop rhythms as Sly Stone. When I hear it, I feel as though it's ninety degrees outside.

Let's hope our friends in the Midwest can download this song. It will make them feel a little warmer...at least for two and a half minutes.

The Importance of Editing and Proofreading

No, I'm not Oscar Wilde, but if Wilde were alive today, he would be appalled at the number of people (students, namely) who fail to properly edit and proofread their works. They are very important parts of the writing process, yet students, as they hand in their final portfolios to me, say, "I still don't get what you mean by fused sentences." or "I think I found all the fragments." or "Who cares about commas?"

Your readers do, Virginia.

iPod Essentials #8: "Love Hangover"--Diana Ross

Forgive me for not being as blogfrequent as usual. I've sprained my back, and my chiropractor has ordered me not to sit for long periods of time. (And of course, I'm swamped with final grades right now.)

Don't ever sprain your back. It ruins your day with pain and misery and an uncomfortable back brace.

I will discuss the one disco song on my Pod: "Love Hangover," in honor of the upcoming release of DREAMGIRLS. This song is sexy (in 1976 terms), tightly orchestrated, and screams "DANCE WITH ME!" You can't resist it.

When my back heals, I will be back at the gym and dancing to it.

Shaken or Stirred: I'll Take the New James Bond Any Way

Greetings--

To feel better about my lower back injury (have no idea what I did), I treated myself to a matinee of CASINO ROYALE, the new Bond flick. Daniel Craig, the actor who plays the new, edgier but vulerable Bond, is a solid replacement for the affable and gorgeous Pierce Brosnan. In the film MUNICH, Craig proved he can act. I like the edge this new Bond has, and he can make my martini in any way he chooses.

As with most Bond films, CASINO ROYALE is too long, and parts of the story are unbelievable. But hey, it's a Bond flick. Still, many of the stunts are amazing. My favorite takes place along a scaffold of a building and involves cranes and bulldozers.

Makes me wish I were M at times. BTW, is it me or do Bond and M have an interesting sexual tension?

iPod Essentials #7: "That Lady"--Isley Brothers

Any time I hear "That Lady," I think of empowerment. Its rhythmic squeal of an electric guitar and a synthesizer give me confidence, which is something everyone needs a little extra of at some point in their lives.

In the song, the singer is asking the question : "Who's that lady? Sexy lady. Beautiful lady."

The lady is hot.

Have You Joined Your Local Writers' Group?

Yesterday one of the mystery-writing organizations I belong to and serve as corresponding secretary, Sisters in Crime Los Angeles, hosted its annual Holiday party at the South Pasadena Library. With seventy attendees, it was the best turnout we have ever had! Everybody pitched in and helped to bring food, pull out tables, set up and clean up--just a tremendous and festive response.

What's nice about our group is that everybody cares about their writing careers as well as the overall membership. By being a member of SinC/LA, I have learned how to improve my stories as well as how to market my works.

Yes, the act of writing is generally a solitary activity, but don't use that as an excuse not to get involved in your local writers' group.

We do need one another.

iPod Essential #6: "What's Going on?"--Marvin Gaye

WHAT'S GOING ON? remains one of my favorite albums to date. Back in 1971, this song questioned the sorry state of the world, how "war is not the answer."

It's almost 2007, and we haven't learned this lesson. We are in the age of technology, yet our world persists in a sorry state.

To-Do Lists

Have you noticed that your to-do lists keep lengthening?

The only way to conquer them is to prioritize. Right now, since it's the end of the semester, and I'm being bombarded with student stuff, teaching duties must take priority, even if it means I don't get any writing done. (Unfortunately, that's been the case lately. But with five classes and a lot of students, the workload tends to be intense.)

I don't like not getting to everything on my list in a given day, but I have to remember that I am a mere mortal and trying to complete the tasks on my lists every day will cause me to be more stressed and sleep deprived than I already am.

Perhaps I'll be reincarnated as Wonder Woman someday.