Zombie Novel

A few months ago I finished the zombie novel I have been working on for almost three year(it still needs lots of edits so maybe finished isn't the right word, I got it to a point where I'm not embarrassed to show it to people I respect) . Five months ago I sent it out to twelve friends who had all expressed an interest in reading it at some point. I've only heard back from two. I'm guessing this is not a good sign. Granted it is a zombie novel so it isn't everyone's cup of tea(I'm pretty sure this is why my wife hasn't read it) but I was expecting to hear back from a few more people. I've been working on new projects since then and I feel like my writing is better now but how bad was that first novel? This week I'm going to sit down and read it. Not edit it which is a different, much-less-pleasant, type of reading but try to read it for pleasure. I haven't really messed with it all summer so maybe I can come at it with fresh eyes. Wish me luck.

On the ipod

My ipod played a dirty trick on me yesterday and played a string of songs I wasn't in the mood for while I was in the middle of working on a quilt and unable to get up and change the song. Usually my ipod plays a pretty good mix so I thought I would see what it has in store for me today. I am currently using an old click wheel 30 gig ipod hooked to a speaker in the living room in addition to my touch who does most of my musical heavy lifting. Here is a rundown of the next ten songs for each device.

Classic Ipod.
1. Girl Talk - Still Here
2. Wilco - Jesus, Etc.
3. The Dead Milkmen - Caitlin Childs
4. Death Grips - Punk Weight
5. R.E.M. - Pilgrimage
6. Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction
7. The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
8. The Rentals - Friends of P
9. Iron & Wine/Calexico - Prison on Route 41
10. The Specials - A Message To You Rudy

Touch
1.Ryan Adams - Chains Of Love
2. The Dead Milkmen - MEaningless Upbeat hAPPY Song
3. Titus Andronicus - Arms Against Atrophy
4. Bon Iver - Blindsided
5. Girl Talk - On and On
6. Fucked Up - Queen of Hearts
7. Jane's Addiction - Ain't No Right
8. Iron & Wine - The Trapeze Swinger
9. The New Pornographers - All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth
10. Father John Misty - Nancy From Now On

Not bad

World's Greatest

I've been listening to this amazing R Kelly cover by Bonnie Prince Billy a lot lately. He owns it and his mustache is glorious.

If you don't know the R Kelly version you can hear it here.

Here is another cool cover from the Ameoba series.

Missing You

I miss the iphone. When I was in Oklahoma for a couple of weeks I got to use an iphone. It was pretty awesome. I have had a "burner" for the four years I've lived in Paris and never thought twice about it. Granted I only have about four people who ever call but I text regularly and like to be in contact in case one of the kid's schools call.

I used the hell out of google maps while I had the iphone. I can't imagine how handy it would be here in Paris. I do have friends here that use the iphone in the car which is a must with all of the tiny, one way, name changing streets. But I have a pocket map of Paris that I've used to find ever destination in Paris plus I've put lots of cool stickers on the covers so maybe the physical map wins in this category.

Having a place to jot down notes with me at all time was cool. In Paris I carry a small moleskin pocket notebook. I guess the advantage there is that I can draw pictures in it and if I need to leave a note on someone's door I can just tear out a page. On the other hand, when I fill one up I put it on a shelf and don't have all the door codes, story ideas, quotes and tattoo sketches with me anymore.

The camera on the iphone is great. I carry a point and shoot digital camera right now that takes pretty good pictures but I don't always remember to bring it with me. A big plus for the iphone is that concert and party venues will often not allow cameras but they always seem to let in phones. It's not a problem I run into too often but it really chafes when I want to take a picture and don't have a camera with me.

Texting is all anyone does here and having a phone with a keyboard like the iphone makes it tonnes easier. With the crappy phone I have now I type so slowly that the person I am texting is often several texts on before I can answer the first one. This makes for some pretty bizarre conversations but I just have to assume everyone I text is used to it at this point.

The biggest advantage of the iphone is that you have everything wrapped up into one device. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before you can use it to open your door and then it can truly be the only thing in your pocket. Luckily in Paris guys can carry purses so for now I'm all right hauling all my stuff around.