Jack Scribe

Allow me to regurgitate comments from Ken Levine's blog. He's a very successful sit-com writer and all around character in Hollywood. Here's a few thoughts (distilled from a very lengthy posting) from last week's competition: First up was David Hernandez. Picture a young John Tarturro. He showed us how Peabo Bryson would sing

Saw a promo poster for Stop Loss in the movie theater today. It'll be released March 28. Anyone "in the biz" aware of this film? Eye candy alone should make this one a winner. Here's a little more poop on imdb. Great still shots from the movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489281/. Images of Ryan Phillippe, Tatum Channing and Joseph Gordon-Levitt running around shirtless are appealing. Jack

You're moving a great pace. I appreciate your thoughtful, energetic posts in general and, specifically, participation in my story forum. Also, a special salute to you as one of GA's newest Promising Authors! Jack

I'll follow the "pin cushion" with one final thought. CJ revealed an additional dimension to Vladimir in Chapter 27. Me thinks that the kangaroo-fetish man is some sort of double agent and he has his backside covered. Vlad, with some sort of uncoordinated assist from Lump, will bring down this devilish assault on the world by S/J. I have a feeling that the additional scene that CJ is adding to Chapter 28 will somehow feature Lycra-material swimsuits. BTW, in honor of Graeme, I bought Australian cheddar cheese today. Jack

Uh, oh...the BIG ONE SEVEN! Happy Birthday, Nick. All the best to a very talented guy! Your friend, Jack

I just found a clip of David's performance last night. http://madeinbrazil.typepad.com/madeinbraz...reaking-ta.html. What fantastic poise and talent. Paula is right about David channeling an older soul. Jack

I make mention of metrosexual Ryan in next week's chapter of Desert Fantasies (BLATANT STORY PLUG ALERT). Last night was my first viewing of this season's AI. The guys are quite talented and there are definitely a few FOD in the crowd. Most sung pretty old songs with not much arrangement range. I'm going to check out the women tonight and ascertain the quality level. I agree with Canandra: keep gorgeous Luke around for a while. Wow! These talent shows are prolific in eye candy. The two guys dancing for Bruno's team on ABC's Dance War are HAWT. Especially Philip... Jack

Thanks, guys. I'm banking on Chapter 24, next week, standing on its own and being well-received. Jack

The chapter should have been titled, The Return of the Speedos. Kudos to CJ: everyone got their just rewards at the end of the day without complications. One must ponder when and what Joe will eventually remember. It has to be something connecting his father and a Russian past. Hmmmm? Can we order the video? Fun chapter. Jack

How about a grand prize basket including: * A Jeep Wrangler * Life subscriptions to Vanity Fair and GQ * Complete wardrobe compliments of Polo, Lucky and AussieBum * Weekend Broadway theater trip (musicals only) to NYC including a suite at the Westside Y. Seriously, Coco3, congratulations on being the member to hit this impressive milestone. A BIG CONGRATS to Myr and the admin support troops!!! Well done. Jack

Uh, oh. Setting the stage was definitely on my mind and I realized that it wasn't too exciting. Just hope it isn't boring. Originally, Chapter 23 was "The End". However, by the time I had prepared the final draft, the length was almost two chapters. I made the decision to take a logical break and finish up next week. Maybe I over-engineered it? Let me ask the readers this: on other editions (GA is the early read), should I re-attach Ch. 24, make it 18 or so pages and make it one final chapter? I need your feedback. Jack

Gracious sakes, CJ. You mean we might have to coronate you queen in another area? Jack

Me, too. Either that or we're going to be reading LTMP into Christmas, 2008. Just took my houseguest of this past week to the airport and I'm back in circulation. I keep thinking that Vladimar's stuffed kangaroos will be decor for his funeral. Dimitri and J/S must be planning on his departure...soon. Airplanes, Lump back in the picture, private islands...goodness. There is much activity. We must be ready for a Speedo scene soon. Jack

My mind is running out of evil lurks. Gallant Security would have checked out the vehicle and Spike did plan on washing the car when he noticed the dust. Just another day on the 'back forty' in Vegas. Jack

Doing anything awful to Drew and Bob would be like committing author's hari-kari. In a story, main characters can experience difficulties BUT they must be creatively extracted at some point. The last line expressing Cray's thoughts was meant to finish the chapter (actually 22) on a positive note. Consider that he fled Utah in the summer and it's now approaching Christmas. A crazy five months. I must admit I loved using a variation of the famous line that begins A Tale of Two Cities. The absence of Drew would be understood by Cray because of his other dad's responsibilities at work. He knew that the gift was from both. We can assume that the family unit celebrated together later at their home. Jack

Continuity or incontinence? Thanks for pointing out a new title of which I wasn't familiar. Trab actually does that and much more. Jack

Hey, Gary - Mr. Newbie! Glad you came over to GA and the forums. I'm glad you mentioned the "team". The editing each chapter goes through is quite a filtering process. Drew Hunt - an excellent U.K. author - in the first 'go to' guy for initial reactions and some proofing. Next, I send the chapter to Brad, the comma queen , in Denver. Brad's a retired television news director and cleans up my gramatical screw-ups. Then to Vancouver Island and Trab. He's the guy who will remind me that a character did something a few chapters earlier that doesn't wash with a current situation. I think of him as an editor's editor. Finally, I use Rock in Austin. He has a great common-sense approach in making final suggestions. The end result is a better story. Although I have final control, the advice is appreciated and these chefs don't spoil the broth. Jack

I did meet Lance and his boyfriend, Reichen Lehmkuhl, at the restaurant I managed in early 2006. Reichen called earlier and introduced himself. He said he was with Lance Bass, visiting Palm Springs and they'd like to come over for dinner at a private table. I didn't have the foggiest idea who Reichen was but he was very polite. The restaurant is a teppan-yaki Japanese restaurant with group seating. The evening was winding down and I told them to come in. They did arrive and the two gentlemen couldn't have been nicer. Lance wasn't yet out to the press but it was very clear they were a couple. And Reichen...WOW! 6'3"...WOW! A killer smile...WOW! I gave them a table by themselves and no one noticed them. Nice guys. I think Kevin's right on about Clay Aiken. It appears he's carrying a lot of heavy emotional baggage. On the other hand, Ricky seems very comfortable in his yummy skin. Jack

A friend just returned from New York. He LOVED (with appropriate hand gestures) November. It was written by David Mamet and stars Nathan Lane. http://www.novembertheplay.com/?ds_url_v=2 The hot ticket (even with mixed reviews) is Young Frankenstein. http://www.youngfrankensteinthemusical.com/. Megan Mullnally (Will and Grace) is apparently terrific. I saw the pre-Broadway production of Little Mermaid. The production numbers are very clever and the Prince is rather cute. http://disney.go.com/theatre/thelittlemermaid/index.html The prices are crazy. My friend got nose-bleed seats for November in the back for $95.00. Orchestra tickets for musicals approach $400.00. YIKES! Jack

The storm clouds have passed. This chapter was intentionally written to shift gears and lower the rpm's. The next couple of chapters are about relationships and making sure the 'ship is right'. Jack

When I managed Caesars Palace (the hotel end), I walked by the "David" every day. This Statue is an exact replica of the original...everywhere. It stands just over 18 Feet High. Maybe CJ was at a local steam bath? Seriously, I salute fellow Hosted Author, Nikolas James, and his proactive stance with the powers that be. Way to go, Nick!

Here's a link to the story concerning charges being dropped. Sanity reigns! http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/storie...h.848466e5.html

Like CJ's forums don't stray away from topic on occasion. There is something devious going on in an author's mind when he devotes the title of a chapter to an almost absent character. Perhaps Joe, in the hospital, is going to reveal something about his dad? Here's an idea: how about writing "GA Joe" into the story as a Rambo-style mercenery who comes in to save the day? CJ could create a GA Joe action figure to sell for a fund raiser.

Most of us don't have a physique that match their models. Here's the corporate site: http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/index.html. A & F is much more middle-of-the-road 'mellow' in their 'cutting edge' catalog and poster photography these days. Ten years ago, the catalogs bordered on hardcore. I've always found it a little amusing to watch a main-stream retailer be so blatant using homoerotic themes in their marketing/advertising programs. All these photographs of their male models appearing in various states of undress, being very friendly with each other in the poses, is geared to sub-consciously 'ring the chimes' of young heterosexual guys. It works. I had a definite crush on the Carlson Twins when they modeled for the company. Like Razor, I am more interested in value pricing. Between TJMaxx, Marshall and Ross, I'm a happy camper. But, as Kevin said, it is fun to stroll through A & F and check out the scenery. James is correct. Let A & F run the town ragged in the courts. Jack