February 13, 2008

I don’t know about you…

…but I may make some popcorn for these Congressional hearings.  I don’t know the last time I so looked forward to being a voyeur.

The interesting part–at my brother’s wedding, my sister and I were talking about Amy Winehouse.  She’s fascinated by her.  The whole train wreck thing.  I’m fairly disturbed by Winehouse.  Like, I really feel uncomfortable listening to that sort of nakedness, particularly in description of such self-destructive behavior.  Don’t like hearing about the crash and burn.  That said, I love Lou Reed.

And I’m going to watch this peculiar circus because, quite honestly, somebody’s going to crash and friggin’ burn today.  I do want to see who it will be.  I want to see them look at each other to see who blinks first.  I want all that tension and drama.

I’m so damn nosy!

February 12, 2008

Where are the columns? Good question

Justin left a comment asking why it’s so hard to find longer-form offerings of my writing.  For the most part, all I’m doing here are quick bullets, except for really long items on my obsession, The Wire.  Can’t say that’s not a good question.  In fact, I wonder the same thing sometimes.

Well, the game has changed substantially in the last few months.  Gone from paying the bills writing two columns a week to doing so by teaching a course and hosting radio shows.  Both are gigs that involve more work than it sounds like they do.  Trust me, for I’ve learned those lessons the hard way (though the lesson about a class was learned well before now).  All the same, the time to write just isn’t what it was.

Also, I’m trying to get a book proposal off the ground.  A friend that’s working on a book right now described the process of writing a book as being similar to “going to the top of the Empire State Building taking the steps.”  That’s real as steel, man.  The proposal includes a couple of sample chapters, and the process is one of the most frustrating and draining processes that’s there.  That’s especially true for someone that’s used to working 1,000 words at a time.  After that, writing about 13,000 words fully understanding that they are, for right now, the best you’ve got but, ultimately, not nearly good enough seems like swimming upstream around the Aswan High Dam.  You better stroke like hell before you hit that wall, Jack.

At the same time, it’s one of the more rewarding.  As a columnist, much of my time was spent reading back through old pieces and considering what could have been done to make the work more effective.  To make the opinion clearer, to the make the words float a little more, to make the lead catchier.  Now, I’m doing that all the time with things I already thought were done as well as I could do them.  That’s so incredibly difficult, but I’ve never challenged myself like I am with this.  I hate it, but I absolutely love it.

But hopefully, I’ll get to do more writing soon.  Just not really the time right now.  I did write a gamer off the UNC-Duke game the other night, and I just didn’t get around to posting it.  Here’s the link.   Mostly wrote it for the practice because I don’t ever want to get out of the habit of being a columnist.

That’s what’s funny about where I am right now.  The work I’m doing is probably as fulfilling as anything I’ve done before this.  The class is great, and radio is as much fun as I’ve had doing anything professionally.  But even with all that, there are days I wake up and see something and hate that I don’t have a column to put forth my take on the issue.  There’s something about that gig that’s just in me.  Maybe it’s being a know-it-all, or maybe it’s some of that “true calling” talk.  I don’t know.

Either way it spins, I can’t believe I won’t be writing columns again.  At the same time, I made the decision a few weeks ago that my writing will be primarily done on this proposal.  So that’s what I’m on right now.

There is an interesting feeling I’ve got about all of this.  In a way, I feel like an artist that came out the box regularly releasing singles, but now I’m in the lab working on an album.  You sure as hell hope you get it done while people still remember who you were.  Well, at least the 15 people that knew who I was before.

Either way, it’s moving along.  Hope to have more to share about the book soon.

February 11, 2008

The Wire–Episode 56

So glad this made some sense of Episode Five. So, so glad. I’m still left thinking that there’s a whole lot that’s gotta be resolved by the end of the city. No idea how they’ll do it.

1. Was that Nick Sobotka? If so, isn’t he supposed to be in witness protection? I don’t understand. There’s no way The Greek ‘nem can be back and in the same place, and Nick Sobotka’s just hangin’ around, heckling politicians with Little Big Roy and the black dude with the bald head (can’t remember his name)? Don’t seem possible. Speaking of which…

2. David Simon redeemed himself. At least Omar’s in real bad shape. I’m still not exactly sure how he pulled this off without his clothes being dirty, but thems the breaks. More important than anything is that he’s not shaking this off like a superhero. He’s not a superhero. He just robs people.

3. Marlo’s not too happy with Chris. But dude, the fool jumped out a 4th floor window! What else do you want?

4. Oh, I know what you want. Everything. Marlo just gangstered the co-op. He’s running it. He’s jacking up the price. And ain’t nobody say nothin’. Maybe I’ve been assuming that drug dealers are harder than they are, cuz them old timers is layin’ down like some punks. That said, they did see two of their brethren perish at the hands of that sociopath. A sociopath, I might add, that isn’t as smart as we thought. Why do I say that?

5. Because he’s actually giving Cheese responsibility! Fool, hasn’t this moron proven that he can’t be trusted? Marlo. This nigga. His kind. They got to fall. They got to. I keep seeing so many ways this could happen, but Marlo’s always a half-step ahead. Cheese, however, could bring down the sharpest man.

6. Kinda liked what they did with Templeton. It was good to see he’s not just totally corrupt. Got a good one from that Marine. Of course, it seems he’s run game on another.

7. Does Sydnor have the stomach for this plan? I just don’t see it. But he’s down for Lester. Either way, Simon said months ago that Sydnor would be the only person on the whole show that didn’t wind up in disgrace. Wonder how that can happen given that he’s now on the illegal wiretap.

8. Randy. Damn. Just damn.

9. See, told y’all. I told people for a while that we’re going to find out that Joe had an insight man in the department or at the courthouse. It was practically given away, but it was also forgotten in the shuffles of Seasons Three and Four. Still, I wonder where that goes.

10. Carcetti sucks. That’s all.

11. Oooh, Bunk done pulled the right file. Soon as they can run that trace evidence, Chris goes down for beating that dude down. Knew that would get him.

12. I hope everyone knows what et al means. That’s all.

13. Give this to Jimmy and Lester. They don’t give up easy. Clever gentlemen they are.

14. There’s something hysterical about Fat Face Rick owning a bail bond service. Also, Omar ran up on Rick kinda fast. Hmmmm. Either way, Rick has such a “I’m too old for this shit” vibe. It’s really funny.

15. Clever, clever Greeks. Picture messages. Great move. I’m not quite sure how this works, but OK. They get a call, then they look for a picture. Can you do both at once?

16. Chris anxiety’s fascinating. He’s, like, a family man. I just don’t understand.

17. Hey, where’d Omar get that coat from? Omar left his coat in the janitor’s closet. He turns up on the corner–when he set that car on fire–in a trench coat and a do-rag. Am I nitpicking?

February 11, 2008

Kanye West Continues to Confuse Me

Since The Grammys were going on against a Carolina game and The Wire, I’m just watching it now.  In fact, I’m not really watching it.  I just heard Kanye cut up, and you can’t miss a good Kanye cut up.

Well, he didn’t cut up.  He just punked the Grammys in a way never done.  He actually got them to cut the music off.  Never mind that he rambled about other stuff that it’s his own fault they cut the music on.  Then he started talking about his mother.  Yeah, Kanye, that’s on you.

But calmly saying “it would be in good taste to stop the music” did the trick.  Nice and gangster, my man.

I gotta say this for Kanye–if I were him, I’d probably behave the same way.  I can’t think of another rap superstar that’s more of a self-made phenomenon.  None ever.  I mean, this image he’s got is carefuly crafted according to a template never seen before.  He’s not a pretty boy.  He’s not an absolute beast on the mic.  He’s just off on something else, and he’s pushed it so hard that it’s irrepressible.  Oh, and he’s a musical genius.  That certainly helps.

But he only got here by demanding attention.  Even though he no longer has to do that, I can understand how he’s stuck in that groove.  I should hate him, and he gets on my nerves.  But if I said I had anything less than the utmost respect for the way he’s made his career, I’d be lying.

Also–Kanye said that he did Graduation as a way to cross genres and show that hip hop still has that fire.  While I, like eauhellzgnaw, don’t like the notion that you have to “transcend” hip hop to really show people you’re talented, I do think hip hop has gotten to into itself.  Chuck D makes the point that rap is the only music made from music, constructed from what’s already been out there.  Not inspired by it, but literally constructed from it.

But in the post-sampling, keyboard/computer era, cats are making more stuff up themselves.  That’s cool, but their influences are more narrow.  Early producers didn’t grow up with hip hop because there was no hip hop.  They had broader frames of reference.  Now?  Not so much.

Just something worth thinking about.

Wire recap later today.  Yes, actually on a Monday!

February 10, 2008

Prince at the R’NR Hall of Fame

Does anyone out there have a copy of Prince’s performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps?” I’ve heard so much about it, but haven’t heard it.

Re: the original–how cool is it to say “we can’t get it right, lemme just call Clapton?” Of course, Lennon was, at one point, ready to replace Harrison with Clapton, so maybe there’s another edge to that sword.

FYI–The White Album finishes third on my Beatles list, behind Abbey Road and Rubber Soul, but ahead of Sgt. Pepper.

<i>EDIT–FOUND IT</i>

February 6, 2008

The Wire–Episode 55

Yeah, I’m late. Been busy times here at the Palatial Bomaniland Estate. Plus, you know what’s going on tonight.

Anyway, Episode 55 was interesting on a number of levels. First, the ending screamed out that this must be a set-up episode, which is a frustrating phenomenon of The Wire. Since the show has basically abandoned the notion that episodic television requires some measure of resolution at the end of each show, we occasionally get episodes that can feel a tad unsatisfying. I don’t really go through that, though, because I get that it’s the set-up. Just gotta be a bit more patient. That said, let’s get into 55.

1. The Greeks confused me. I didn’t get the feeling that they gave Marlo the green light to take Joe out, and their meeting with Marlo didn’t give me that feeling, either. However, their willingness to deal with him seemed uncharacteristic of their cautious ways. They gotta know this dude is trouble.

2. Chris has a family! Now, Chris has become interesting to me. That angel of death thing didn’t do a lot for me, honestly. It was creepy, but not fascinating. Now, that he can be like that, have a family and a yard and all of that, and be the victim of abuse? Now that’s something that gets me to thinking.

3. Poor Dukie. He’s got 8-year old’s testing him. AT least he handled the little dude. That said, Duke vs. Spider–formerly Cutty’s prize pupil–was quite a mismatch. Not even sure why Spider bothered throwing more than the one-hitter-quitter. Further, the kid that plays Spider does have nice hands. He looked like he was on some “Enter the Dragon” when Dukie was going down.

4. Mike’s really nice with a pistol. He scares me. But I find it so interesting how encouraging he is of Dukie, even though the kid’s so overwhelmed. He never plays him for not being cut out for the street. Only encourages him that he can do other things. That’s beautiful.

5. Marlo on a cell phone? Recipe for disaster, and Levy knows it. But you know what’s even more of a recipe?

6. Herc stole Marlo’s cell number! Yep, go ahead and initial that death certificate, kid.

7. Omar in the car with the old man is so interesting. Listening to oldies and staking out a house. The scene when the old man sings the wrong words on “Just My Imagination” is brilliant.

8. The scene with Lester and Daniels in the office arguing about moving the case is some of the greatest stuff in the history of the show. The frustration on Daniels face. The look of understanding on Lester’s. Great stuff.

9. As was Cutty and Dukie. How heartbreaking was it for Cutty to say he wishes he had more than goodwill to someone that wants to get out of the hood?

10. Not working well for McNulty’s serial killer. Guess it’ll get better for him, but this ain’t enough to get the dough. That’s gotta suck.

11. Noreese is gangster. Put ol’ Clay in check. For real.

12. You know what sucks? Bubbles was happier as a dope fiend. Not sure what to say about that.

13. Break out the kente cloth! Cuz Clay’s about to take it there. Watch.

14. And the scene with Mayor Preach? I love the hustle.

15. Omar is a superhero. Really, out the window? Marlo outsmarted him, and all he could do was go out of the window. That actually was plausible. But he better be really messed up on the back end. Ain’t no surviving that, in general. But man, Omar doesn’t have anyone left now. He’s totally rolling for dolo, and he’s gotta be crippled. How can he keep this stuff up with no crew and no legs? Simon’s got a tall order, trying to make sense of this. If he doesn’t, this is just another TV show.

February 2, 2008

This Week on Sports Saturday

We’ve got Pat Forde from ESPN.com, Bruce Feldman from ESPN The Magazine and the author of “Meat Market,” a great book on recruiting, this week’s Big Dummy, ACC talk, Super Bowl, and more.  Tune in from 9-12 Eastern.  The link to the live feed is on the sidebar of the blog.