The online mental storage facility for Ryan Vemmer, a writer of plays and film scripts (largely short or unfinished), and some poetry, living in the very small state of Rhode Island. I seek enlightenment, but more often a good cup of coffee or nice piece of music (or joke) suffices. Great things, one would hope, can still be expected. Contact me: remmev (at) yahoo.com

A band I discovered (after a bunch of other people already had), a sort of “post-rock”/prog-rock group, with some Tom Waits and down tempo chamber music, and mid-period Pink Floyd thrown in, called Crippled Black Phoenix, is putting out a series of recordings with the theme “Endtime Ballads.” I love several so-called “post-rock” bands, such as and especially Mogwai (actually a couple of these guys are in CBP), Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Explosions In The Sky, Rachel’s, Tortoise, and several lesser-knowns, and if you enjoy those groups you’ll like this as well — though CBP has more songs with lyrics. They soon will be releasing a double CD “The Resurrections/Night Raider”. Check them out. You’re in for a treat if you haven’t heard them yet. Here’s an excellent early review of the recordings in case you need further proof. And, one track off the releases is available here (”Rise Up And Fight” a great fist pumping song). Or, listen on MySpace.

Also, you can get their first full-length recording A Love Of Shared Disasters at eMusic, iTunes, and probably buy one of those round things, those CDs or whatever they’re called, in stores too. A track called “Northern Cobbler” is my favorite — very much in the transcendent mold: found sound, rousing music, back to found sound.

Big shout out to this coffee roaster in Pawtucket, RI: New Harvest Roasters. Really great coffee. All organic and fairly traded, and a huge variety. They also make some of the most superb, rich, and dark flavored coffee. I’m not usually a flavored coffee fan, but theirs is dynamite. Better yet, are the medium and dark roasts. Great flavor. Small company. Again, organic and treats the growers right. Enough said. 

it’s supposed to be largely a resource site for the plays I’ve written — and me babbling about music and other stuff. Here’s to it actually becoming that in 2009.

Made some progress today on a film script I’m working on. This script is the first thing I’ve ever written that is in many ways based on my own life, especially the last few years. The great thing about writing something somewhat based on your life is that you can then claim that the years you spent being unproductive can now simply be called: research. 

YES, THAT’S RIGHT, I UM, AM, UM, NOT REALLY A LOSER BUT RATHER A WRITER RESEARCHING WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO NOT BE ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING WITH MY LIFE.

It was very thorough research.

I’ll report what I find when I find it.

Farewell for now,

management

Though this site got a nice new design update this year, I’ve been plagued with various other issues, the last of which caused me to lose about a month’s worth of posts.

So, lost time. A shame. There were some fun posts in that time. But, now it’s gone. It’s not missing time in the alien abduction/UFO sense of missing time. But, gone nonetheless…

Oh well, onward and onward…

A number of years ago my good pal Gary turned me on to a man named Stew and his brilliant music. Gary is elated that finally, via his new broadway musical Passing Strange, he is getting some broader recognition. I’m too tired and perhaps not smart enough to really describe this guy’s work, but to me it is entirely unique. It’s rock, pop, funk, R&B, jazz, baroque, or whatever, mixed into something… now adding some broadway. Good for him. Long live Stew. Maybe one of the two or three people that stumble onto this blog this year will buy the recording, out now for download and available as a CD 7/15.

As i just emailed a friend to ask, I’ll ask all of you in web land. Just saw the new Indiana Jones movie.
It begs this question:

Why can’t Steven Spielberg make films anymore that have good endings or, more specifically, good final quarters?

Oh, I ask you, why?

Ugh. I was digging the movie until a little past the half-way mark. Then, well, Indy got lost in the scenery and I started looking at my watch, basically.

It’s unlikely that I’ll post too much about the Election in the fall, but it is a fascinating one. We in America can at least take heart that, no matter which candidate is chosen, we will have much smarter leadership.

As you might expect, I’m definitely of the more liberal persuasion. So, obviously I lean towards the Democrats more naturally. But, I like to keep an open mind. I also like to think I can think rationally and objectively about candidates without getting sucked into hype. So, regardless of whatever hype out there that still exists, I do think Barack Obama is pretty fascinating. You see, once I determine that I generally agree with a politician’s political perspective, ideas, etc., then it comes down to a vibe I get — a tone, a style. And I really admire Obama’s calm, poise, and ability to communicate. He seems pretty sane, as well. I’m not interested, nor do I believe in, perfect human beings, so obviously my standard for potential leaders leaves a lot of room open for inevitable failures, disappointments, and all that jazz. He’s not perfect, Hillary’s not perfect, and Mr. McCain isn’t either.

Also, to me Obama’s inexperience is a complete plus. If what we’ve gotten from “experienced” leaders in Washington is what we can measure against, then I say the less experience the better thank you very much. Let someone new have a chance. Could things get any worse? What have we to lose by electing a person that has good potential?

What will the general election look like? I think Obama has had a bumpy ride of late, and he’s definitely bored fighting against Clinton. Events this week, however, give us a hint as to what the fight will be like.

My prediction: The Republicans are going to have their hands full with Obama’s ability to communicate his ideas with fire. They underestimate him now, and they could definitely pay for it. For example.