iPod Essentials #84: "I'm Only Sleeping"--The Beatles

Revolver marked a turn in the Beatles music. The band began to experiment with ethnic instrumentation and complex melodies. This track is no exception. It features a sitar and John lamenting about being busy, when he only wants to sleep, daydream, or mentally chill.

Fire: It's an Early Morning Wake-up Call

When the phone rang at 5:36 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, I immediately thought, Who died? No deaths other than the school day at Moorpark College. The Ventura County College District's Emergency Alert System was in full swing on my landline and cell phone.

The Guiberson Fire was burning hills way above the campus, so officials thought it best not to take chances. Can't blame them. Evacuating a campus of 11,000 students and about 1,500 staff and faculty would be a difficult task.

My department chair, in fact, never even got notified by the Emergency Alert System. She drove all the way to campus from Newbury Park and had to turn around again.

Since I don't teach at Moorpark on Wednesday, it was business as usual for me at Pierce College. Because of the calm winds, I knew the fire would never reach the campus, unlike the frightening situation back in 2003. The Simi Hills Fire stopped across the street from campus. Very close. For the rest of that fall semester, the smoky smell always reeked the air.

Regardless, fire is common around Southern California. We learn to live with it. At least no home or lives have not been lost this time, but many citrus and avocado orchards have. Not good for several local farmers.

Oddly, neither my students nor I received messages that the campus would reopen on Thursday. That bothered us. Apparently, that news wasn't worth a wake-up call.

Adding Widgets

Adding widgets to one's website or blog should not be impossible. The instructions seem easy, as they too often do. But do the writers of the instructions physically test out their directions? I think not.

Technology should be reliable and simple. After all, it's how we all communicate nowadays. In a way, it's sad that we have to rely on widgets to get recognition for blogs and websites.

Thanks for all my FB friends for confirming that I am the author of THE FREQUENT HOWLER. Wishing you all working widgets.

Silence

I have five query letters out to search for a new agent, yet I have heard nothing from the agents themselves. Granted, it's harder now more than ever to find a quality agent because so many are not taking on new clients due to the weak economy and publishing perils. Writers must persist to realize their dreams and goals.

This silence, however, is deafening.

iPod Essentials #83: "Photograph"--Ringo Starr

Okay, it's not a Beatles song, but I don't like any of Ringo's Beatles tunes. This is the only song of his I like, in fact. It fits his limited vocal range, and his voice fits the song: "Every time I see your face, it reminds me of the places we used to go." Lost love though told in an upbeat way.

iPod Essentials #82: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"--The Beatles

I know--The Beatles aren't on iTunes yet. Even so, in honor of the Beatles Rock Band game, these next four selections will be dedicated to the Fab Four.

First comes my pick from George Harrison. This lovely but sad ballad was written toward the end of the Beatles' reign. It's complex yet simple. Full of contradictions like Harrison himself. Great guitarwork toward the end of the song; it almost sounds as though the guitar is actually weeping.

Agent Anguish

Yesterday in my e-mail account, I received something I feared: a rejection from my #1 choice for a new literary agent. The killer was that she really liked my manuscript, liked the dialogue and characters. She loved the premise and the writing. "You have a wonderful imagination," she wrote in my rejection. She just wasn't passionate about the work to take me on as a client.

This is the second letter from an agent that has told me something similiar. If my manuscript is so wonderful, why can't I find an agent who is as enthusiastic as me? Why aren't agents passionate about the tale involving my young protagonist? Terribly frustrating. I've put two years into seven drafts of this novel. By far, it's my best work. But being an agent is a subjective thing.

I have to buck up and believe that there will be my perfect agent match. WRITER'S DIGEST says that there are 1,300 literary agents in the U.S. One of them has to be right for me. Until then, the e-query process will continue.

iPod Essentials #81: "Moments of Love"--Art of Noise

Another ahhhh selection. I'm glad the Weather Channel is playing part of this New Wave song during its Local on the 8's segement. Slow and sexy, this instrumental deals with love and its sensuality. It reminds us all to chill, act slowly, and love the act of love.

It's a shame that in-band bickering lead to its demise. Art of Noise was one of the first bands to use a Fairlight, and its sounds were certainly unique back in the mid 80's.

iPod Essentials #80: "Love Comes Quickly"--Pet Shop Boys

Ahhh, my favorite song of this band, a dark, moody ballad dedicated to the surprise of finding love and to do so while being yourself. Every time I listen to XM/Sirius's First Wave as of late, this song pops up. Will I find love without trying? Maybe.

This song has it all: hypnotic beat, positive message, unique delivery.

Starbucked Vegas

Yesterday my hairdresser's assistant told me that children and their families were ruining Sin City. Based on my recent visit a few days ago, I'd have to agree with her.

Corporations own Vegas now--Mirage MGM, Harrahs. Most everything on the Strip is neon, chain store. Even slots machines have gone high tech. It's terrible not to feel coins falling into your hands when you hit 777 on a slot. Don't get me wrong, The Strip is still fun but I don't want to be reminded of home. (Bally's, this means you, with that ridiculous news ticker underneath your hotel sign.)

Vegas should retain some of its old history, like the Flamingo and the Tropicana. Imagine the scene: you could see Sinatra and his Rat Pack walking through the now-deceased Aladdin to get a steak. Cigarette smoke billowing through casinos. Elvis, alive and well, in the lounge. Men wear suits, and women wear cocktail dresses and heels. Vegas equaled heat and class.

If there is a Starbucks in every hotel, I might as well stay home.

Gumbo Fun

A big shout out to Bill Fitzhugh (author of THE ORGAN GRINDERS, PEST CONTROL, and other mysteries and Sirius Deep Tracks DJ) along with his lovely wife for the fabulous gumbo party they hosted at their wonderful Woodland Hills home last Saturday night for members of the So Cal chapter of Mystery Writers of America. There were about 50 people feasting on tasty seafood or chicken and sausage gumbo in the backyard. A great time was had by all! I will be returning next year!

Here's to cajun cuisine and its spicy tales...

iPod Essentials #79: "Suspicious Minds"--Elvis Presley

I'm heading to Vegas for a few days tomorrow, so it's only fitting that I honor THE KING. Although I like most Elvis tunes, this one, by far, is my favorite. It's rock, intense, and shows Elvis as a true performer (Watch the Elvis concert footage from 1970, and you'll see what I mean.).

BTW, Kurt Russell was robbed for an Emmy for his portrayal of Elvis in the miniseries back in the early 80's (not sure about the exact year). His reenactment of "Suspicious Minds" still sends goosebumps down my arms.

Remembering John Hughes

Who hasn't watched a John Hughes film? I've seen most of them (FERRIS BUEHLER, my fave). Hughes's films epitomize teenage angst in dramatic and entertaining ways. You feel for Molly Ringwald's character in SIXTEEN CANDLES when her parents forget her Sweet Sixteen because they are too busy controlling their older daughter's wedding plans. You get a lump in your throat when you hear the characters of Anthony Michael Hall and Emilio Estevez discussing their troubled family lives and self-doubt in THE BREAKFAST CLUB. You want to ride on a float and twist with Ferris Buehler.

Never patronizing, John Hughes's films respect teenagers. This explains the popularity of his films during the mid 80's.

He left us far too soon. Thankfully, his films are still with us and future generations.

iPod Essentials #78: "The Ghost in You"--Psychedelic Furs

Since I'm not a "Pretty in Pink" fan (the song, not the movie), I'm going to chose this selection for this week's Essential. This song is Synthopop New Romantic to the max: "Ain't it just like rain/And love is only heaven away." It's inspiring and hopeful, something we all could use during these troubled times, as I mentioned during last week's blog.

Ipod Essentials #76: "Wouldn't It Be Nice"--The Beach Boys

It wouldn't be a summer without this quintessential band, would it? The Beach Boys, in their prime, created simple tunes with complex melodies. Lyrics were about cars, summer, surfing, and of course, love.

This song about longing makes me long for happier times, when I wasn't worried about job security or finances (Yesterday's routine trip to the mechanic turned into an expensive day.) The lazy days of summer are now rare events.

Will we ever get these days back again? Or will our technologically busy-busy-worry times keep us feeling this void?

iPod Essentials #76: "Smiling Faces Sometimes"--The Undisputed Truth

Ahhh, backstabbing. Just like the politicians in this once-prosperous state of California, like Arnold. While he was running for office during the disasterous governor recall, he promised never to cut anything in education.

What have he and his smiling legislators done?

The truth is, politicians are a joke. They stand in front of podiums, smiling mouths spouting campaign promises they have no intention of keeping, as they keep one arm behind their backs, fingers crossed.

What's Wrong With California, Part 2

So, California has finally passed a 'budget." It appalled me that Ahnold, along with chief legislative officials, had the nerve to announce the budget agreement, with smiles pasted on their doublespeaking mouths.

There's nothing to smile about. Education will be hard hit, with K-12 and community colleges, being faced with a $4.3 billion cut.

It's become clear that politicians want to keep the future stupid and either under or unemployed. Educated people ask tough questions. Educated people can think critically and with more farsight that these so-called leaders.

As my late grandfather would say, "Vote the bums out."

What's Wrong With California?

As a native Californian, I have seen the decline of this once glorious state, and it scares me.

California used to have good schools, good jobs, good government. Among the 50 states, it carried prestige.

So what the hell has happened?

Too much ineffective government. Take for example, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who spent two weeks in South Africa while law enforcement and city council members were figuring out how to pull off "The Funeral of the Century"--the Michael Jackson affair. L.A. is millions of dollars in debt due to the severe budget crisis. It's only fitting that AEG or the Jackson family pay for the service. No, said Villaraigosa. During a news conference, he said that the death of Michael Jackson was a "special circumstance" and the city would pay for the police and pricy affair.

Gee, when most of us die, Mr. Mayor, will we get services at the Staples Center, too?

California is in this financial mess because of frivolous spending and senseless political posturing. Our governor acts his way through the job, and the legislature representatives need to grow up and work together. The waste doesn't come from schools or health services; it comes from the closed doors inside that big white building in Sacramento. Do politicians need perks like "state cars" and "necessary travel?" If they have to budget like the rest of us do, they would soon learn that actions, not words and tantrums, are needed right now. Maybe then they would learn to do their jobs.

iPod Essentials #75: "Philadelphia Freedom"--Elton John

Ahhhh, the Summer of '75. Lazy days, Hide and Seek, Cul-De-Sac Tennis, and this song.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote this catchy tune to honor Billie Jean King, the terrific tennis player who beat Bobby Riggs in a Battle of the Sexes. If women can be free, why not our country as well? I remember hearing this song on July 4 and feeling excited about my future.

iPod Essentials #74: "Am I the Same Girl"--Swing out Sister

This catchy tune is a remake of the late 60's tune by Barbara Akin, but before that it was the great instrumental, "Soulful Strut" Young-Holt Unlimited, also featured on my iPod and will be discussed on a later Essentials blog. Yes, it is featured on the MARTHA STEWART SHOW.

Swing out Sister is one of those bands that should have become more popular than it did. It was British, sophisti-pop. Two guys and a gorgeous girl, Corinne Drewery, who could also sing.

This song has a positive message about change and affirmation: "Yes, I am. Yes, I am."

Stop and look it over...