My Gentle Plug for Others to Join Me on Next Month’s Quest.

I always introduce myself as a writer and sort-of musician, and now I add to that, a ramp agent. And as a writer, sort of musician, and ramp agent who writes about being a ramp agent, I am going to use my little forum to invite anyone interested to do something that I have been doing for the last 2 years.

The National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an event that is now in its 12th year. It is a fun exercise in what founder Chris Baty calls “exuberant imperfection,” or in other words, writing a 50 thousand word novel in only 30 days--during the month of November. More info here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano

It’s hard, it’s messy, it seems impossible. But it is possible, and what’s more, it is so much fun that I can’t possibly imagine ever going a year without doing it.

November is already my favorite month of the year, with my birthday (the 19th!), football season, the leaves changing, Thanksgiving (along with the Fourth of July, my favorite holiday), and add to that the 30 day sprint to 50 thousand words. And I’m especially excited for this year, because my new job has introduced me to so many people and so many new situations (as my lovely wife said it would when she encouraged me to take this job!) that I think I have a whole new well of inspiration to draw from.

The first year I did it, I came up with the book I called The Best of Thunder Johnson, a story about a cable access employee who accidentally broadcasts a porno movie over the air and then becomes the focus of a disturbed mental patient’s rage. It was fun, it was inspired, and overall I am happy with the final result. It is a story that would never have been possible had I not put forth the effort to write so much in so little time, even if the original product was a complete mess.

I encourage anyone out there to try this with me. You say you don’t have time, that no one can possibly do a good job on a novel in such a short time? That’s half the point! It’s actually more fun to do things like this when you have less time. Because that way, the time you spend writing becomes sacred, and more meaningful, and dare I say, more meditative. It creates a break from the busy world you inhabit. And besides, sleep is overrated.
So do this with me: write a novel. Be my writing buddy! Writing starts November 1!

Happy Halloween!

The "G" c-o lantern!


www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

National High Five Day Tomorrow!!!

I feel like I must get on board with National High Five Day, the Third Thursday in April, (since, you know, I have a song called “High Five.” Actually, I also have a song called “Handshake.” Maybe I should do a whole album with songs about greetings, like maybe with songs called “Hug” or “Friendly Wave” or “Polite Nod” or whatever. )
This site explains it all. The video is sort of rambling, but amusing. At any rate, the concept of just randomly hi-fiving people amuses me to no end. So tomorrow, put your hands up and just go for it.
High Five.



www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Election Day!

11-7
Election Day! Finally, the day when I can vote for candidates who properly reflect my radical agenda. So far, nobody’s coming out against parking tickets and meter maids, so fuck it.
I’m sorry, I’ve been working at my Wash The Dish Job a little more than usual and haven’t spent any more time on writing stuff. But 1L and I attended the Center For Fawkesian Pursuits Celebration of Guy Fawkes Day People really ought to check this Conrad guy out--he has this party every year at his home in Linthicum.
So many links, I’m surprised I don’t have a nine-iron handy. (Sorry--it’s been that kind of week.)
Better Jokes Now! Vote for Me!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Happy Halloween to all Davey G Fans!

More great Davey G posts tomorrow!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Columbus Day!

10-9
Ah, another Columbus Day! I’m still tinkering with the story I’ve been doing, pretty much thinking that either it’s going to make people laugh or it will not. I have that “just want to get it out of my system” feeling and it may be the one really strong motivator.

Here’s an excerpt:

It was the evening of June 27 when everyone at the Jackson Firm knew they could no longer put up with Rhonda’s incessant bitching…

One by one, the men turned over the slips of paper they’d drawn from the shoebox. Stanley turned his over, not breathing for an instant, and then quickly looked down: nothing. He let out a sigh of relief. Allen couldn’t see straight, but as he turned over he slip of paper, suddenly he knew. It was Jim. Jim had drawn the black stained paper. Jim had the cruel misfortune of being the one to have to take out the boss.
“It isn’t fair!” cried Jim. “You didn’t give me enough time to pick the paper I wanted!”
“C’mon Jim: take one for the team,” said Stanley. “We all took the same chance.”
“It wasn’t fair,” Jim said again, sobbing. “It just isn’t fair.”

It's funnier if you're familiar with Shirley Jackson's The Lottery.