Been a few days since my last blog … busy week at work and needed a little rest.

Speaking of which … last week I finally came to the end of an extremely productive period. Before 2007 kicked off I came up with a game plan for the first 90 days, which are coming to a close. I had several writing goals?one of which was to launch this Web site, thank you very much?and I?m very happy to say that I hit my goals.

And now I?m pooped. But one of the great things about being pooped?about haBeen a few days since my last blog … busy week at work and needed a little rest.

Speaking of which … last week I finally came to the end of an extremely productive period. Before 2007 kicked off I came up with a game plan for the first 90 days, which are coming to a close. I had several writing goals?one of which was to launch this Web site, thank you very much?and I?m very happy to say that I hit my goals.

And now I?m pooped. But one of the great things about being pooped?about having some down time?is to plan for the next phase. And that?s what I?m doing now. I have a tendency to want to just go-go-go, but sometimes a bit all over the place, starting new projects before I finish the old ones, and then having multiple projects?unfinished?all at the same time.

Which planning really helps with. So for the next week or two I?ll be finalizing my spring writing goals?what I hope to accomplish between April 1 and June 30. There will be a few surprises for sure, but I need to have my goals spelled out for me and posted on my wall so that they?re visible to me every day. For me, if I don?t see it, it?s like it doesn?t exist. I?m visually motivated, which bugs Liz to no end, as she likes everything to have a place, and to be neat and organized. (Sheesh. The nerve of some people …)

I?m really excited to get rolling, but I need this little downtime to recharge, to get organized and be ready for the spring.

It?s almost here.

I?m in a state of shock and sadness.

Richard Jeni, one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedians, and probably one of the funniest voices I?ve ever heard, died today. According to reports, he shot himself in the head. He was only 45.

We hear of suicides all the time, and they?re always sad and tragic, but this one is really hitting me hard. As my friend Rich Henn quite accurately pointed out this morning?Jeni?s HBO special Platypus Man (from the early 1990s) is one of the best single I?m in a state of shock and sadness.

Richard Jeni, one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedians, and probably one of the funniest voices I?ve ever heard, died today. According to reports, he shot himself in the head. He was only 45.

We hear of suicides all the time, and they?re always sad and tragic, but this one is really hitting me hard. As my friend Rich Henn quite accurately pointed out this morning?Jeni?s HBO special Platypus Man (from the early 1990s) is one of the best single hour?s worth of comedy you?re ever likely to see.

We?ve been quoting those bits for 15 years, because they still make us laugh. Out loud. A lot. If you ever get the chance, watch it. It’ll have you in tears it’s just that funny.

I?m not sure why this tragedy, among all the tragedies, is hitting me quite as hard as it is. Maybe because I always thought Richard Jeni would get as big as George Carlin and Chris Rock, and never quite got there. Maybe it?s because I just connected with his humor?his voice?in a particular way, and now I?m reacting to the reality that that voice will never speak again.

I don?t know.

I guess it just reminds that me that?despite what we often tell ourselves or would like to think?there isn?t always more time to get to the things we want to do, or say the things we want to say to the people we want to say them to.

How much of our time do we waste with petty bickering and posturing? How many moments do we waste holding grudges? Expecting people to change? Being angry at life for not being what we want it to be, rather than accepting what it is?

This is a very sad day. And while I know that Richard Jeni?s death isn?t the least bit about me, I grieve over his death. I didn?t know the man personally, but I miss him?or what I thought of him?already.

My heart is heavy right now.

But I will celebrate his legacy. Just not today. Today I grieve.

Richard Jeni

1957 – 2007

I have to admit, while I’ve been liking Heroes so far, I haven’t loved it as much as most people who watch it. But the last two episodes–the extended sequence with HRG flashbacks and this week’s with Sylar sneaking Mohinder’s list out of him–the drama’s really amped up. I’m probably more into it now than any point in the season …I have to admit, while I’ve been liking Heroes so far, I haven’t loved it as much as most people who watch it. But the last two episodes–the extended sequence with HRG flashbacks and this week’s with Sylar sneaking Mohinder’s list out of him–the drama’s really amped up. I’m probably more into it now than any point in the season …

I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately. I’ll have to check it out …I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately. I’ll have to check it out …

Now that I?ve been navigating the waters in my quest to land an agent, I?m starting to pick up on some nuance.

One of the keys to finding the right agent is to try and narrow the field a bit. I?m all for the throw-as much-as-you-can-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach, but I?m realizing that I need to throw at the right wall.

When I first started out, I saw Finders Keepers as more of an offbeat, humorous adventure, and approached agents who listed in one place or another that sucNow that I?ve been navigating the waters in my quest to land an agent, I?m starting to pick up on some nuance.

One of the keys to finding the right agent is to try and narrow the field a bit. I?m all for the throw-as much-as-you-can-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach, but I?m realizing that I need to throw at the right wall.

When I first started out, I saw Finders Keepers as more of an offbeat, humorous adventure, and approached agents who listed in one place or another that such types of books are what interested them, at least to some degree. Thing is, I?m starting to realize more and more that a lot of these agents who say they want offbeat and humorous mean that they want offbeat and humorous just so long as it?s [i]mainstream[/i] offbeat and humorous, which means don?t be [i]too[/i] offbeat and humorous, just enough that I can sell it to a mass audience I think wants something predictable.

So, yeah … there?s been a little of a learning curve for me. But that?s okay, that’s how we learn. Having reality contradict what we?re told.

I?ve since starting targeting agents who specifically look for science fiction and fantasy novels. Now, Finders Keepers falls into light sci-fi, meaning, there are no robots and spaceships and intergalactic wars. It brushes across sci-fi just peripherally. Quantum leap comes to mind. Yes, it?s sci-fi … ish, but really it?s fantasy and fun and you like the show because you like the characters.

Same thing with Finders Keepers. It?s Quantum Leap science fiction, not Blade Runner.

Since this shift I?ve had one agent ask me to send her pages, which I?ve done, and a few others who at least perked up a bit at the concept. So I think I?m more along the right track.

Anyway, I?m sure I?ve got loads and loads more to learn about this process, but hey … every day I?m making more progress, getting me one step closer to where I want to be … signed by an agent who really gets what I write, and a juicy book deal to boot.

The journey continues …

Just recently finished The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie (yup, that’s House to you and me). The book came out around 1995. It’s a humorous spy-type novel. It’s not the greatest book, but it’s an okay read. It’s funny in parts, and his narrative is light and accessible. But what I thought as I was reading it is that it would make a better movie than a book, which is unusual. And lo and behold I hear Laurie has finished the screenplay and it’s being looked at.

If you’re looking for something thaJust recently finished The Gun Seller, by Hugh Laurie (yup, that’s House to you and me). The book came out around 1995. It’s a humorous spy-type novel. It’s not the greatest book, but it’s an okay read. It’s funny in parts, and his narrative is light and accessible. But what I thought as I was reading it is that it would make a better movie than a book, which is unusual. And lo and behold I hear Laurie has finished the screenplay and it’s being looked at.

If you’re looking for something that just pass the time The Gun Seller is okay. But if you’re looking for something meaty, this probably isn’t what you’re after.

He’s a cat. He’s curious. That’s his job …He’s a cat. He’s curious. That’s his job …

It?s been just two short days since my first email blast went out to announce the launch of the Finders Keepers Web site, and already 30 of you have registered for the site!

Awesome!

Early feedback has been killer, and I hope that a) you?ll keep coming back to the site, checking out the new content and participating on the message boards, and b) getting all your friends to sign up too!

As far as the message boards so far, the baseball, music and TV threads are getting off to a rouIt?s been just two short days since my first email blast went out to announce the launch of the Finders Keepers Web site, and already 30 of you have registered for the site!

Awesome!

Early feedback has been killer, and I hope that a) you?ll keep coming back to the site, checking out the new content and participating on the message boards, and b) getting all your friends to sign up too!

As far as the message boards so far, the baseball, music and TV threads are getting off to a rousing start, and I?m sure there will be loads more to come.

Just a quick note today, but I want to thank everybody for registering on the site, and look forward to many years ahead of FindersK fun.

Russ

Give me all your money! I have a gub!

What’s a gub?

That’s gun.

No. That’s a g.

No, look here, that’s an n.

Ahhhh …. good stuff.

And the gun made out of soap is great!Give me all your money! I have a gub!

What’s a gub?

That’s gun.

No. That’s a g.

No, look here, that’s an n.

Ahhhh …. good stuff.

And the gun made out of soap is great!

Now, I’m not saying they’re the greatest thing ever, but … if you liked Stone Temple Pilots and you liked Guns n’ Roses (when they actually made music), then you might want to check out just a few tracks from Contraband’s album. It’s Scott Wieland on vocals and Slash on guitar, and when it works, it works big.

Overall, the album was kind of a mess in my view, but three tracks really stand out:

* Loving the Alien

* You Got No Right

* Fall to Pieces

I wouldn’t even buy the albNow, I’m not saying they’re the greatest thing ever, but … if you liked Stone Temple Pilots and you liked Guns n’ Roses (when they actually made music), then you might want to check out just a few tracks from Contraband’s album. It’s Scott Wieland on vocals and Slash on guitar, and when it works, it works big.

Overall, the album was kind of a mess in my view, but three tracks really stand out:

* Loving the Alien

* You Got No Right

* Fall to Pieces

I wouldn’t even buy the album, but if you can grab these tracks off of iTunes (or wherever), I highly recommend them.