Back to Work, Fifty Podcasts and Panthea Obscura Pitched

Welly well, me droogies... don't know why Alex popped into me melon, but... hello all the same!

Back at work! The legendary Greg Hooker is leaving The Point after 23 years with WNCS, and I've scored his position as Production Director and the afternoon drive gig! You can listen on-line at pointfm.com. I'll be on from 3 pm until 7 pm Mon - Fri, starting Monday. Great music, good people... excited for my new sitch!

Recently posted my 50th Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast! Find the 'cast at clickcaster.com/glowinthedarkradio. I've now read my entire novel "Vatican Assassin" aloud, chapter by chapter, reading the final chapter on the 50th. I plan on continuing the podcasts, on a more weekly basis (as opposed to how often I was putting them out when I was unemployed).

"Panthea Obscura" is my new comic book project. I'm the creator and writer. Juan Carlos Quottordio is the artist. I'm just sending out pitches to publishers now... think good thoughts!

Now, if I could just get Josh to get back to me with his feedback on "Vatican Ambassador"...

This is what I'm talking about...

If you're reading this (and I don't think anyone else is at this point, but I can use the self analysis), you know I've "given up" on the games of the dating scene.
BUT sometimes I meet women I want to get to know better...
I thought ----- might be one of those... I like her, she makes me smile... saw her last night at Nectar's at the Sound of Urchin show. We kind leaned against each other, I kept the beat of a song on her side, it was cool, she yelled at me over the music to meet her tonight (Wednesday) after I got back from work at The OP. "Eight O'Clock!" she yelled. I got there a little late, 8:14... but she wasn't there. Stayed until 12:20... she never showed.

So...

I'm trying not to just say "typical" or "right", but you know...

I'm just sayin'...

It kinda proves my point.

Google Bomb

You know what really bothers Republicans? When they use the internet to their advantage, and then Democrats and Progressives take what they've done and do it better!! Chris Bowers over at MyDD.com has suggested trying to post links to these articles about Republicans, so that Google will "see" these articles. Each article has been chosen for impact, providing truthful, scathing commentary on each candidate. Find out more over at MyDD.Com

--AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl

--AZ-01: Rick Renzi

--AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth

--CA-04: John Doolittle

--CA-11: Richard Pombo

--CA-50: Brian Bilbray

--CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave

--CO-05: Doug Lamborn

--CO-07: Rick O'Donnell

--CT-04: Christopher Shays

--FL-13: Vernon Buchanan

--FL-16: Joe Negron

--FL-22: Clay Shaw

--ID-01: Bill Sali

--IL-06: Peter Roskam

--IL-10: Mark Kirk

--IL-14: Dennis Hastert

--IN-02: Chris Chocola

--IN-08: John Hostettler

--IA-01: Mike Whalen

--KS-02: Jim Ryun

--KY-03: Anne Northup

--KY-04: Geoff Davis

--MD-Sen: Michael Steele

--MN-01: Gil Gutknecht

--MN-06: Michele Bachmann

--MO-Sen: Jim Talent

--MT-Sen: Conrad Burns

--NV-03: Jon Porter

--NH-02: Charlie Bass

--NJ-07: Mike Ferguson

--NM-01: Heather Wilson

--NY-03: Peter King

--NY-20: John Sweeney

--NY-26: Tom Reynolds

--NY-29: Randy Kuhl

--NC-08: Robin Hayes

--NC-11: Charles Taylor

--OH-01: Steve Chabot

--OH-02: Jean Schmidt

--OH-15: Deborah Pryce

--OH-18: Joy Padgett

--PA-04: Melissa Hart

--PA-07: Curt Weldon

--PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick

--PA-10: Don Sherwood

--RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee

--TN-Sen: Bob Corker

--VA-Sen: George Allen

--VA-10: Frank Wolf

--WA-Sen: Mike McGavick

--WA-08: Dave Reichert

The Countdown is On...

...to the 2006 midterm elections. No less than the future of our country is at stake. MoveOn.Org has a program in place that could rival the 72 hour push the Neo Con, Rovian Repubs put on every cycle. The Call for Change program can use your help, click on the graphic for more information about this key strategy for victory!

Eck.

My nose is stuffed up... when it's not stuffed up, it's running like a train. I was talking about it with my friend Aaron at the OP last night, who's had this cold already, by the sound of the symptoms. I've gotta agree with him: it's amazing the amount of fluid your sinuses can produce! It's like, "where's this all coming from?"

Yes, I know, thank you for sharing.

So no new podcast today... I'm hoping to be able to talk/hear/sound/feel better tomorrow, because I want to read my poem "We Are Grey" for the 5th Anniversary of September the 11th.

The podcast is going well, although it takes a long time to put the Vatican Assassin chapters together. They seem to be the least listened to, but I still plan to keep doing them. Ultimately, I'll compile my own audiobook, me reading my novel. At least, that's my plan at this point.

The 9/11 Report: The Comic Book

Ernie Colon and Sid Jacobson are two old-time comic book creators who have decided to try to make the 9/11 Report more accessible by turning it into a graphic presentation. Yes, a comic book, or graphic novel, if you prefer. To me, it reads like an illustrated school textbook. I think it aptly illustrates the potential for sequential art to make a subject more easily understood. Check it out for yourself online:
Slate presents The 9/11 Report

Better yet, go out and buy a copy and support this experiment in sequential art!

Readers Draft Done!

The "readers draft" of Vatican Ambassador: Vatican Assassin Part Two is at lulu.com getting printed and shipped as I write this. So, if you've read Vatican Assassin and would like to read the RAW version of the sequel, talk to me, or get yourself a copy at lulu.com\mikeluoma... just follow the links on the right.

This isn't the official release, mind you. I self publish, and have no editor, so I rely on friends to read, critique and proof my books. This is the "Whew! It's done, I think... what needs to change to make it better?" I know of one change I'll be making: smaller type. I had the first book printed in 12 pt type, so I did the same for this one. But Vatican Ambassador is 120 pages longer! That makes the book more costly. Smaller type will bring the price down!

I should thank again those who helped by reading the first book, some of whom have offered to do so once again: John Blaha, Josh Bridgeman, Jeremiah Cook, Johnnie Day Durand, Chris Stecher, and... I know I'm forgetting someone... damn, killed too many brain cells over time.

Slacking...

I've been slacking... not too many posts at this here blog. I wrote a new poem, "Lasers, Your Eyes", just posted below. Still writing the 3rd draft of "Vatican Assassin." Working part-time for "The Point" on the air on Saturday afternoons from 2 until 7 (pointfm.com). Just published "Synthetic Marmalade" whose cover is pictured below. Also put out "Neo Gnosis". Get 'em all at glowinthedarkradio.com!

Lasers, Your Eyes.

Lasers, Your Eyes.

Scratching lines, ink on paper:
Circles, shadows, cast a spell –
Cast a cage around my heart:
Build back the walls,
Bring back cozy comfort,
Restore my shattered shell.

Lasers-
Your eyes are pale blue lasers.
I can’t hide!
Locked on –
Steady beams burn through,
Slice this shell apart,
Break out the chill heart
I keep safe inside.

I stare into your solar source,
Two pale blue suns.
Going blind…
Can’t look away!
A blink and
You’re gone.

More ink, another page,
A sigil calls your name:
Play games with my mind,
My time and attention.

Close my eyes, I still see
Yours in my memory,
Afterburned images
Seared onto retinas:
Pale blue
Lasers, Your eyes.

Too Excited, Have to Share...

I'm really psyched with the way the cover to "Synthetic Marmalade" turned out:

Writing and Publishing

I've been writing a ton... Not here, I'm afraid. I may not post on this blog as often as I should if I expect anyone to read it... Sorry about that. But I have been getting a lot of writing and publishing done! I'm awaiting the proof copies of two new books, just formalized them on Monday. "Synthetic Marmalade" is a collection of my poems, lyrics and "spells" with my b&w illustrations, and "Neo-Gnosis" is my Rant on Christianity today, some of which became (in greatly condensed and graphicized form) "Holy Shit: Or... Pat Robertson Is the Anti-Christ".

I've also been able to get a lot done on the sequels to "Vatican Assassin". Untitled book three is rolling along, but I've spent more time working on book two: "Vatican Ambassador"! I've been able to finish the second draft (I think... some indecision over where book two will end and book three begin...), and I'm cranking on the third draft, which is where the book really starts to come together in my process.

My process? In this case, I wrote the original short story years ago, beginning with BC in the sewers trying to get away with murder. Something clicked for me, and I decided to figure out a future history to get me to the story's date and time. That timeline suggested a larger story, so the timeline turned into an outline for a trilogy. I also began writing background pieces on different aspects of my universe: BC, the UTZ, the OPO, other aspects you won't be coming across until later... I work from my outline to write my first draft. I like to write the first draft out in longhand in notebooks, just letting the ideas spew forth. My second draft comes as I type what I've written out into the computer. I edit and polish and fix as I go, adding bits and pieces, fixing continuity. But the third draft, I love! This is when I come back to the text as more of a reader, and realize where I need to smooth out the story so the reader knows what I'm talking about.

After today, I'm about 30 pages in to the third draft. Here's a sneak peak, in all its raw goodness:

BC zones out and lets the ceremony go by in a blur. He tries not to pay too much attention. He knows they sign the Declaration; he stands and applauds with the crowd. Then he files out with the rest of the attendees for the mandatory after-reception.

Well, gotta attend this, at least for a little while. I don’t want to deal with any of these assholes, really. There’s Wentworth... looking at me, coming this way! Shit.

BC tries to avoid him, manages to duck out a side door.

Strategic exit. He’s the last guy I want to talk to. Especially after the news I got about Fiza.

A couple months ago, Fiza’s name was listed among the recently deceased on a report from Wentworth Station.

I might have to kill him on the spot. And that would be so messy, so undiplomatic of me as the ambassador...

BC hurries away from the reception. He heads back towards his office. He’s just heading down the hall to his section when two goons appear in front of him. BC tries to look nonchalant.

“Hi guys! Afraid you missed mass this morning...”

When all else fails...

BC turns and runs... right into the chest of a third goon who's snuck up behind him.

“Ooof!”

“Mr. Wentworth wants to see you,” the goon says to BC.

Insistent Bastard...

“Unh...” is all BC manages to say, as one of the first two goons catches up behind him and clubs him hard on the back of the head.

That hurts...

BC blacks out.

Just a taste of what's to come (and, as advertized, fresh and raw)! BTW: I'm looking for readers to read through the third draft (once completed)and give me feedback. Email me if you're interested. I'll post more on the two new books, the poems and the rant, when they're out and on the street, probably in a couple of weeks!

Strangely Numb

Well, you know, you do try to put the best spin on things you can. You know, put on a brave face, have a positive outlook, don't let the bastards get you down, one door closes and another opens, everything happens for a reason... man, I've been hearing them all. But I still feel strangely numb, slightly detached, observing me living my life but not quite all in... sitting in the pilot's seat, driving the bus, but not quite all in... music falls flat... women are nice to look at, but none of them seem interesting... hitting the blahs, I guess. And feeling strangely numb...

Catching Up...

And here I thought I'd have nothing to do...

Grooving on the original soundtrack to JCS as I write this... Ian Gillan, later Deep Purple, as Jesus, nice...

So, I've kept occupied. An interview tomorrow at 11am, one last Tuesday at 1pm... no job per se, just conversations, so far.

I did take off for Atlanta and saw the Red Sox play there Sunday the 18th... that was fun and spontaneous. A great time, from talking to Milen the Bulgarian shuttle driver getting me to my hotel from the airport, to wandering around Atlanta, to the game (we won)seeing Schilling pitch and Papi hit a homer, Trot slide and catch, nice... waiting 4.5 hours in Detroit for the connector on Monday, not so nice.

Spent last Saturday afternoon out on the lake in my friend Leo's boat... how amazing is it to have that lake right here, that ability to escape out there? Spent hours out in the sun... now I'm sunburned and sore, but it was worth it. I didn't think I'd end up taking my shirt off. I usually don't. My Buddah belly ain't that appealing, I'm sure. I see other dudes, larger, even, shirtless and unappealing... I just don't want to be one of them, you know?

But I am writing this with my shirt off... the burn is still there, starting to itch, too (great), so I'm making do.

I talked to my old friend Sean yesterday. He called up to check up on me... and how cool is that? Just good to know you have friends out there, isn't it?

I've been writing the sequels to "Vatican Assassin", too. The second draft of "Vatican Ambassador" and the first of "Vatican Abdicator". Both of those titles are tentative, by the way. There's some continuity with those titles, but I don't know if they'll stick.

Working and living...

Unemployed Deadbeat

Well, here it is, day two of the rest of my life. I cleaned out my office last night, left a lot of crap, took a lot of crap with me. It was nice to see everyone one last time... I'm sure I'll see folks again, but it will be different. Poor Sue almost cried. It was emotional. It's been great working with Sue, and almost everyone else. Chris was kind, too; even Kevin was sympathetic and offered any help he could give. Brian Crogan called, left a message on my home machine. Some good people I'm leaving behind. Went and got drunk at the OP, talked serious magical metaphysics with Casey, didn't pay for a beer... cabbed it home, devoured pizza...

Woke up this morning and scored my triple latte from Radio Bean, prepped some script samples and audio files to go with my resume, called back Joe Egan who'd called with a possible lead, but he was with a client, checked in on the comic book writers forum, and responded to Ethan who said he might have a lead on some voice work... checked on the news... and started writing an entry for my blog. Now it's time to do some writing!

I aim to take advantage of this downtime to shepherd the sequel to "Vatican Assassin" into a publication-worthy state!

Onward!

End Of An Era

I was handed my "termination immediately" letter this morning by Hall Communications, after 18 years on the air on WIZN. I brought it on myself: I neglected to update the station's concert line for over two weeks (I've been pretty distant, unfocussed and spacey lately... and hating hearing the ads for Father's Day). I was already on probation, so the axe fell. I'm still a bit stunned by it all, but I'm trying not to stop going, doing, working, communicating (like I am here, I suppose). I've updated my resume and posted with Monster.com and on All Access. Called Mom, emailed my brother and sister, talked to Tim, my brother. Spoke to my friend Joe Egan who owns a recording studio, told him I was available for voice work. Sent an article to my pal Casey at Seven Days to see if he thought it was worth anything, to work up some freelance possibilities. I even called up my old boss, Steve Cormier, who's been on a rival station (a bitter rival, grrr...) for years, just to see if there was anything available there. Dave Parker, another jock from 'IZN just called with his sympathies. I go back to clean out my office later this afternoon, not really looking forward to that.

Why Now? Because They Evidently Can't Read...

So-called "Christian" Groups are coming out of the woodwork to protest this Friday's opening of the movie verion of The Da Vinci Code.

So... why now? Why have they finally decided to protest their displeasure of the portrayal of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene as depicted in The Da Vinci Code?

Well, isn't it obvious? It's because it's a MOVIE. Books just don't seem to show up on their outrage radar... Which, I guess, proves that most of the members of these Christian Groups don't actually read books.

Which, actually, has been obvious. If you judge them by their behavior, most of the members of these so-called Christian Groups certainly haven't read, oh... THE BIBLE!!

I could go into more here, but I wrote a book about it... why not check out "Holy Sh!t: Or... Pat Robertson Is The Anti-Christ" find it here: http://glowinthedarkradio.com

Hear Ye, Hear Ye...

My radio station is streaming online once again!

Listen from here: http://www.wizn.com

I'm on afternoons from 3p to 7p...

Bush challenges hundreds of laws - The Boston Globe

Bush challenges hundreds of laws - The Boston Globe

"I don't need to follow any laws I don't like..."

Delta Dawn, What's That Flower You Have On...

When I was a kid I thought Delta Dawn was a big, red dinosaur. A Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was all the fault of Chris and Johnny Boland. The Bolands lived in Bolton. Maxine, their mom, was a friend of my mom's. George, the dad, had gone through some fucked up shit because of diabetes. He was blind and lost his kidneys, so he required daily dialysis. Maxine cared for George with the patience of a saint, or at least it seemed like it to me as a kid looking in. Even more incredible, she filled the time while she cared for George by making some great stuffed animals: Teddy Bears, bean bag frogs, and more. She sewed them all, stuffed and sold them for additional income. She was gifted, they were really cool stuffed animals! I remember they also had animals of the living variety roaming around the place: geese, a dog, rabbits... and I think I remember them having horses and a horse barn out back, until that got to be too much.
So one night, I'm over there with my mom, and Chris and John were playing with one of those slide show/record player combos they used to make back in the 70s, the Show 'n Tell player. You feed a cardboard mounted strip of slides into the top of the viewer, next to the turntable. While the turntable spins, the slide strip feeds through the viewer and the pictures are projected on a screen beneath the turntable. The two of them fed some dinosaur slide strip in, but instead of the show 'n tell record for that strip, they put on the Helen Reddy single "Delta Dawn" (#1 for 1 week in 1973), and while it played, the screen showed pictures of a giant, red T Rex rampaging through the jungle.I was a gullible youngster, around eight or so. I kept asking them, are you sure that's the right record and strip? Which one's "Delta Dawn"? The red one? Really? Are you sure? Can you play it again? I left there certain that Delta Dawn was a Red, T Rex dinosaur. Thanks to John and Chris Boland, "Delta Dawn" and dinosaurs are inextricably linked in my mind...

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on?
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
And did I hear you say he was a-meetin' you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky-eye?

She's forty-one and her daddy still calls 'er "baby"
All the folks 'round Brownsville say she's crazy
'cause she walks downtown with her suitcase in her hand
Lookin' for a mysterious dark-haired man

In her younger days they called her Delta Dawn
Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on...

RAAAWWAAAAHHHRRRRR!!! (approximation of T Rex roar...)

Okay. I Give Up.

Went to the OP last night, formerly the favorite watering hole of cool folks like me in B-town. Only problem? It's gotten popular! How did that happen? I used to love the OP for the lack of crowds... all of a sudden, college students have infiltrated the bar! Now, hopefully they'll all leave for the summer, and maybe the place will get back to normal by the end of May. I hope so. Because... well, while it was nice to see so many girls at the bar, it wasn't so nice dealing with the moronic males following those girls into the OP. AND... huh, maybe it's me, but it seems like many of these freshly minted 21 year olds are incredibly shallow. Just the products of consumer driven, media and tech saturated childhoods, I suppose, the evil spawn of the equally shallow Baby Boom generation.

BUT that's not what I wanted to go into here.

Nope. It does lead me to my main subject. As I ogled the many young women in the bar last night, I realized I'm done. I give up. I'm not suddenly turning gay or something, or even practicing celibacy to make a point, but I am through playing the games it seems to take to "hook up" with a woman these days. Not that I was ever any good at THOSE games. I've always felt like I never got the memo. Never got the instruction book that seemed to make meeting and dating girls look so easy for the other guys. I've had some serious girlfriends, mind you, but they were usually agressive enough to make the first move, or suggestion.

You see, I've realized that when it comes to interpersonal communication between guys and girls, I AM AN IDIOT. I'm kinda smart about a lot of things. Except this. I don't pick up on the non verbals, I don't "get" it when a girl shows interest, I don't even know what the "first move" is, never mind how to execute one. Yup, when it comes to relationships with women, Me Am A Moron.

So, I'm writing this post to put it in writing somewhere, even if noone reads it. It's kinda been my policy anyway. I give up.

I don't blame anyone else for this but myself. I'm an unnattractive, introverted dude who looks like late 20s but just turned 40. I've never dated any girl longer than 8 months. I'm bitter after numerous betrayals and breakups (one girlfriend fucked a roommate years ago, that was fun). I've got self esteem issues. Clearly. All of which adds up to a really attractive package, huh? With so much baggage, I'm pretty much figuring I'm a lost cause. So this is my "I Give Up" on trying to get into a relationship manifesto post. Put the proverbial fork in me. I'm done.

Tryin' Google AdWords

I'm trying out the Google "AdWords" Program to try to sell my books. I've taken out ads for both 'Vatican Assassin" and "Holy Shit: Or Pat Robertson Is The Anti Christ". I'll let you know if they work...

Creating New Energy

Okay. It's time to create some new energy...
planting seeds...

Just Finished Reading: "The Lucifer Principle" by Howard Bloom

"The Lucifer Principle" is a fascinating examination of human history, of what motivates we human beings to do the things we do. Howard Bloom looks back through history and examines our need to compete, the actions of human groups, and the motivating factors that drive human existence. "The Lucifer Principle" is comprised of three combining factors: The Superorganism, The Meme, and Pecking Order.

For those who wonder about the "Lucifer" in the title: The book is not a magic oriented text, nor is it "occult" in any sense, other than the fact that these motivating forces have not actually been brought to light with such clarity of vision before, and so have been "hidden", ie "occulted". The "Lucifer" referred to is the devil that exists in us all, as a result of these factors.

New Blog Now Loaded up with Reviews

Scroll Down, Scrowl Down, my faithful ones, for to read the fine words of the reviewers of my books...

Seven Days: The Passion of the Assassin

Margot Harrison covers both VATICAN ASSASSIN and HOLY SHIT: in Seven Days:

Seven Days: The Passion of the Assassin

Shining a light on an antichrist

The Vermont Guardian covers "Holy Shit..."

Shining a light on an antichrist

Las Vegas Weekly: Arts & Culture: Comics

Nice Review from Sin City, too (by J. Caleb Mozzocco):

Las Vegas Weekly

NEWSARAMA - BEST SHOTS: ACTION, BoP, DD, FIRESTORM, NIGHT FISHER, & MORE

Great Review from Troy Brownfield:

NEWSARAMA - BEST SHOTS: ACTION, BoP, DD, FIRESTORM, NIGHT FISHER, & MORE

Comic Book Resources - Comic Book News, Reviews and Commentary - Updated Daily!

Steven Grant Reviews "Holy Shit..."
It's down around the middle of the page. Review is from February 8th, 2006 (in case the archive page doesn't load)

Comic Book Resources - Comic Book News, Reviews and Commentary - Updated Daily!

Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Lukewarm Love for "Holy Shit...":

(The review is about 2/3rds down the page)

Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

First Post

It's a new blog!