I thought finally getting Joe bleeping Morgan sacked from his job was validation enough and then I read Michael Lewis' afterword in Moneyball and I knew that the author, too, jumped for joy and punched the air triumphantly too when that happened. But I guess I am getting ahead of myself.

Having done a number of book-to-script adaptations I am often more than a little intrigued to see how others do it. I knew some of the Billy Beane story when I saw the movie this past summer, but I hadn't read the book until this past week. It truly is a fantastic story -- even if you're not a baseball fanatic -- and if Brad Pitt got you to see the film (how much did I like it? Didn't want to punch Jonah Hill, playing Beane's right-hand man Paul DePodesta, in the face once the entire time (I think I may have mentioned that previously)) and you want to go a little deeper, than I really recommend picking up the book and going in-depth.

But, for me, the afterword was like the cherry on top when the author shares some of how the baseball establishment reacted to the tome, most notably Morgan. I have long decried the diminutive second-baseman as one the absolute worst announcers ever because when he makes his "point" he rarely permits what is actually happening in the game affect his take despite all evidence to the contrary. The former Big Red Machine flag-waver never read the book although he lambasted Billy Beane for writing it and he proved to the actual author, Lewis, as he did to me that the more Morgan spoke, the more he got it wrong. I am not claiming to be the expert that Lewis became spending a full season in the know, but it was good to see fine minds thinking alike when it came to Morgan. So there!

On the flip-side, I read the first two Stieg Larsson books before seeing the Swedish movie versions of those two (having lent the 3rd book to someone, I am waiting to get that back so I can finish up the trilogy of books and original films) and was rather disappointed by the films. They stripped so much of the complexity from them leaving mostly plot points. And while they got part of the all-important Lisbeth Salander's physical attributes right in my mind (yes, I am writing about what should be her almost-freakishly small breasts) the Swedish actress looked too old and too tough for the part.

So I was intrigued to see what David Fincher would do with the material; I had not known that Steven Zaillian had penned the script before the movie started. I was concerned that it would be more than Americanized -- I feared that it would be set in the States which would have forced many, many changes. But I was more than pleasantly surprised by the resulting film; It's one the very rare cases where the American re-make is not only necessary, but also surpasses the original language film. Sure there were changes made and, much like the Swedish movie, the filmmakers here also chose to give away the same major plot point 650 pages into the second book in the first film. I am glad I had already devoured that as well.


In my own writing, I think I am starting a new project for the coming year. At this point, I am undecided as to creating a new top-secret blog as its platform or if it's just going into a notebook.

That is all...

B.

Perhaps Brian Cashman is channeling the spirit of "Stand" Pat Gillick as player after player that the NY sportswriters pegged as possible Yankee targets this off-season sign here, there and every-where but the Bronx. Why do I suddenly feel like Carlos Zambrano is going to be fighting for a spot in the rotation come spring training. Although as I wrote that, I could almost picture a fist fight between the Big Z and AJ. Perhaps, like how Giants fans (who must be steaming over giving up a prized prospect for a few weeks of Beltran productivity) hope and pray that the next time Zito gets in a car accident that it's more serious.

The Twins are probably going to be even more of a bunch of sad sack twinkies in 2012 than last season and that is saying something. If Morneau and Mauer come back strong they could bolster the team that has lost a lot of its heart and soul this winter with the defections of Cuddyer and Kubel.


Went to see the well-written "Young Adult" this week. Diablo Cody, re-united with her "Juno" director delivers a pretty scathing character piece. I didn't actually know that it was set in MN, nor did I even know that about their previous venture. At that point, living in the Bay Area and having never visited this state I didn't recognize the place. Looking forward to Fincher's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" this week as well. Having just read the first two Stieg Larsson books and watching the Swedish film versions of both, I hope the screenwriting brain doesn't just play the compare and contrast game. I was pretty surprised to see a MAJOR plot point that isn't revealed until about 650 pages into the second book in the FIRST movie, but there you go.

Okay, hope your halls are decked...

B.

It's been great seeing all the people I invite come down to the writing work space I've been a part of downtown. Oh, wait-- right -- I haven't actually gotten any events off the ground so you at least have an excuse. Me? A few, but I'm sure I've "shared" them here already. But since the headline on this page says I am sometimes here to kvetch about people here we go:

One of the 5 studio mates has made our shared work space into his personal clubhouse. He has spent what I thought was his own money to make some modifications and then says our private  work space is an after-hours club. My desk and all my possessions are moved all over the place every other time I go in. I had clearly stated and was in before anyone else that this is supposed to be my steady work space. One person has changed all that. And although this time when I went in my desk was still where it was supposed to be, but my work area should not be used by this other person for storage. I have 100 square feet in a 2000sq foot (all approx.) studio so my space should just be left alone. That is not much to ask for especially since I am paying for the privilege.

This past Saturday we had a holiday party that was supposed to be our joint affair. And again this same one person had too people there who were not kept in line. When the organizers of the party have to all not get what they want so one person can it is unbalanced and unacceptable to me. This was supposed to be a mellow, watch movies on couches affair. There should not have been fire breathing and such nonsense. That was last week's party --- not this one. The rest of us did not want to be breathing in white gas for hours; I sure as shit did not want to wake up with black crap all up my nose.

Someone this inconsiderate and clueless that they are is something I don't have the strength to battle. Right or wrong I am going to lose so now I am strongly considering backing out of something that I was very interested in doing and despite getting in on the ground floor all I feel is stepped on.

Thanks for nothing
B.

Well, since it hasn't happened yet, changing the name of the salon isn't the worst thing in the world. Yes, Malcolm McClaren said "establish the name" as an important tenant, but when Nick freakin' Punto, who I had actually thought retired when he disappeared from the Twinkies only to show up in the playoffs with the Cards, joins the hated Bosox I can't spread his name and fame. So there. And as a baseball move, Punto ain't gonna solve the sox' problems as their utility guy; getting rid of Lowrie seems like a downgrade. And bringing ex-Yankee middlin' reliever, Mark Melancon into their pen doesn't send shivers down my spine. And as much as I disliked Papelbum for his ugly mug, I won't mind not seeing him come out of their pen.

Angels dumped a lot of money on Pujols and CJ Wilson. I am intrigued in getting to see one of the best hitters in baseball on a more regular basis; I don't watch much NL ball so I haven't seen him play too much. The best comment I saw out of all that commentary came from Pujols' wife who was crediting God for bringing her hubby to below the Orange Curtain to play ball; she said it was only right that it would be for the Angels. Good one!


Had the interesting, still recuperating from flu experience of being able to read a book and then watch the movie in the same week. The original Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" made the book seem so much better. What was a multi-layered, slowly unraveling tale became a lot more straight forward; I am a little intrigued now to see what David Fincher does with the American re-make that is out now or soon. I'm halfway through the second one and the Swedish film version of that one is on Netflix instant as well.

The casting of Lisbeth was right on in some ways. I was pleasantly surprised to see them be faithful to the novel in casting a tiny-framed, tiny-breasted woman for the role, but she seemed too old; I would never mistake her for a 14 year old except in some of the more flattering (read: dark) lit scenes; she seemed to have an aged bitterness that didn't exactly fly with my vision of Miss Salander.

Off to my first practical class at bartending school today; I suspect they water down the drinks; I expect to do some additional homework, happy hour research afterwards...

Cheers,
Brian

I swear I used to look at insomnia as just a way of getting over on just about everyone else. Why you were sleeping, I was thinking. Of course I could write a 50,000 word novel in a month; of course I could complete a work-for-hire screenplay in 5 short days: I never stopped working on it, even when I may have looked like I was sleeping.

But there comes a time where it starts losing that novelty and becoming an issue where you can see insanity poking from around the corners. It's cute during the 2 week phase where I will find myself losing common, every day words. These are snippets of actual conversations I have had during that phase:

"You know the thing you put food in? You open the door and the light comes on?" I get a look, I get you, 'You mean a refrigerator, Brian?" Well, duh, of course that's what I am almost talking about. I once had to describe an item as "the thing the food is listed on with the costs..." Menu is sometimes hard to grasp out of a sleep deprived mind.

So five nights straight of good, minimum 8 hour sleep is like a godsend. I compared the feeling via text to a friend this morning that I feel like the "new"  battery in my "new, refurbished" laptop and its ability to take a charge. I have gotten a good charge and it feels alright...

Now what am I going to do with it? Ikea...

Cheers,
Brian

Well, so much for this morning's meeting. As he set the time for it etc. and is looking for something for nothing upfront I think waiting on the "line" for half an hour is adequate; we'll see if that gets re-scheduled or not. But really value my time why doncha?

The top-secret MN Burning Man Decompression camp-out meeting was sparsely but enthusiastically attended. Further details will be noted as they come. Did find a pretty good bar close to the studio space and got to see the end of yet another Giants loss; glad I was wearing a Yankee shirt among the Green Bay gear.

Marlins signed Reyes for a lot of money. Can't say that was a surprise to anyone although one of these days some GM is going to learn that long-term contracts for speed guys who are already prone to leg injuries is bad magic. Oh, Davey Collins, I'm *still* talking to you.

Someone just called him "poo-holes" and someone is going to sink a lot of money into that grumpy, young man too. The smart money is on the Cards; bad news for the champs should he move to the Cubs. With a new manager that teams needs his "leadership" such as it is.

And if you think Cashman is really satisfied going into 2012 with that starting rotation then you're really not paying attention. Someone must be crazy enough to take AJ Burnett off our hands. If Vernon Wells can get traded you'd think a guy who can eat innings would be worth the risk, right? Right?

Snow falls...

Cheers,
Brian

I'm looking for a word that takes "irony" to 11. This isn't necessarily a complaint per se, but a few weeks back I decided that I would stop pursuing new writing work as my efforts were being met with silence of all my ears could bear. I am not saying I am stopping writing or that I won't yet again attempt to get paid for my efforts but for now the brick wall wins; I'll clean up the small bloody/hairy patch and move on to something satisfying, like bartending.

So, amusingly enough I go see "Hugo" and get slapped across the face with a lesson and in 3D no less.

A few days later I am in my favorite LES beer bar for "one." That one turns to another as it turns out the bartender is also a writer; there's a surprise, right? The next guy who comes in - the beer salesman and his ringing cellphone and electronic cigarette - and he's a writer, too. As a matter of fact, he's just published his first novel; he retrieves a copy of it for the bartender. He wants me to read the first chapter right there in the bar, but I tell him I don't want to give it short shrift; I can't really concentrate with the bartender's 50's rock n' roll and the beer salesman's phone calls.

After the third or fourth, he and I wander up to another bar where for $10 one can get "a book and a beer." I take his novel hone with me and perhaps the gig of adapting it to the screen. Just finished the book and liked it a whole lot more than I'd hoped for and feel a lot of places where it really speaks to me; places where I feel that I would indeed be the right screenwriter for this. Small ol' world; the people who sit down next to you in bars.

A few days later I get a response from a CL ad I had responded to prior to commencing my hiatus from such things. Guy requests a writing sample, gets right back to me, wants to meet in LA. We schedule a video call for early the next week. He has me google him; I tell him that he's indeed rather google-able (even more so than I in some regard) as he's the bf of a pretty famous pop diva.

Now, he's got no money and he made that clear eventually, but I will speak with him anyway as the world is not beating a path to my door currently. Perhaps he does have some connections and those are worth $omething. My pile of scripts do me little good sitting in the proverbial drawer.

Now, I have to review my first bartending lesson.

Cheers,
Brian