All The Night Tide...

This is creepy but cool. Such a beautiful poem - I never get tired of listening to it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJhvKEMhn20

Turn The Page

2009 has thus far proved to be an exceptionally singular year. I don't know what lies ahead for me, but it's certain to be interesting. A new president, new horizons, new goals... it feels like a page has been turned.

Meanwhile, I met with an incredibly talented artist today to discuss illustrations for an upcoming collaboration. I am extremely excited about this project and think it has the potential to open a lot of doors for both of us. The best part is - I finally get to write what I want (whether anyone actually wants to read it is a different story...)

I know much of this post is vague, but have faith - there will be more forthcoming information in the near future. Stay tuned, stay seated, keep your hands inside the ride at all times, and enjoy your day!

P.S. Planning has started for Halloween 2009. Seriously.

We're Back!

Happy 200th Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POE!

A toast to the greatest American writer and poet - and one of my all-time heroes - Edgar Allan Poe! Poe is probably America's most misunderstood writer. Much of what people know of Poe is based on a dastardly, hateful 'memoir' of Poe written by his arch-enemy - Rufus W. Griswold. If you have a moment, why not look more deeply into the life of Edgar Poe? You might see that there was much more to his genius than the last few, troubled years of his life.

http://www.poe200th.com/blog/

Mysterious Poe 'toaster' returns to writer's grave

The Associated Press
8:33 AM EST, January 19, 2009

BALTIMORE - To mark the 200th anniversary of writer Edgar Allan Poe's birth, a mysterious visitor again placed three red roses and a half-filled bottle of cognac at Poe's grave in Baltimore before quietly slipping away.

The curator of the Poe House and Museum, Jeff Jerome, said about 50 people waited outside the cemetery of Westminster Presbyterian Church, hoping to catch a glimpse Monday of the elusive man known as the "Poe toaster." The man returns each year in the early morning darkness on Poe's birthday.

Jerome says the visitor did not leave any note, not even to comment on the milestone anniversary. He adds the crowd was smaller than he expected and was better behaved than the rowdy groups that have attended the vigil in recent years.

The happiest day—the happiest hour
Mine eyes shall see—have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
I feel—have been...

Movin' Right Along!

As the old Muppet song goes, I'm movin' right along! My beleaguered immune system has finally conquered this (hopefully) final cold, and everything is coming up roses. The last of the flu bugs, cold bugs, and icky, sicky, crap-o-la bugs are behind us - and now we can start concentrating on bigger and better things.

My long-put-off project is now starting to take shape, and I'm happy to say that the children's book I've been planning for more time than I care to admit is finally moving ahead at full force. I have enlisted the aid of an incredibly talented artist, and together we hope to offer something unique for children and adults alike. More on that as it develops - there will probably be a link on my website when the time comes.

In other news... the high today in Minnesota was -8. The low today in Minnesota was -28. Holy smokes land sakes alive ya just gotta love the Northstar State! In a hats-off to our Midwestern brethren, I recognize that Iowa, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and more were just as cold (or colder) but the lucky bastages in Missour-a had 15 balmy degrees!

Anyway - as a wise person I happen to know frequently says: "Be good, enjoy life, and keep dancing!" for Spring is surely just around the corner.

(Right?)

Jar Jar Stinks

For those who had their childhood memories crapped on by George Lucas (whether it be by the abysmal Phantom Menace, the equally bad Attack of the Clones, or the absolute travesty 'The Clone Wars') this video will make perfect sense...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYfibSaDHrM

Are you kidding me?

Sick again? So what's the deal with my immune system lately? I have basically had a cold and/or the flu since Thanksgiving, and am now battling my third ferocious cold. To say I have been miserable is an understatement. Add on top of that a winter from Hell here in frosty Minnesota (and we're only just into January!) and I have been one pathetic human being.

Well, at least the holidays are over and all of the hustle and bustle that accompanies it. I enjoyed tremendously the time spent with my family and got some really cool gifts to boot - the best being a reproduction of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem 'The Raven' in his handwriting on parchment. I begged and pleaded Santa for this gift, and the jolly old elf actually came through! I also picked up the books 'The Unknown Poe' by Raymond Foye, 'The Tales of Beedle The Bard' by J.K. Rowling, and 'Just After Sunset' by Stephen King (for which a review is forthcoming).

All in all, it was a decent Christmas considering everyone and their dog was sick. However, I must admit I'm glad to be home - and can now start focusing my attentions on my top secret project, as well as blue-prints for the upcoming haunting season. Stay tuned for more updates!