Started work on the final edit for a documentary on the Ukraine. Actually it's about a lot more. It follows students from the US who create a coproduction in Kiev following the fall of communism. The play interprets the life of a Russian poet sentenced to death by Stalin. During the production, a real coup takes place as the hard liners try to reclaim the government. It's engaging material. Good people involved. More on this as it develops.

WalMart Blitz has hit the air. (Post Thanksgiving spots geared to power-purchase Republican Christian types). Shitloads of shit flying around with price points. Harpies racing to their death. Must've seen those spots play 20 times in 2 days.

Thanksgiving was pleasant. Met the folks in Waxahachie. Watched biblical amounts of Fox News and played Super Scrabble.

One Scabble moment of note: I was at a loss for a word and could have gotten a really good one had I not been playing with Ginger's parents. It could have been a triple word score. The taboo word - CUNT. Just couldn't do it. Not in front of the Christians. Maybe if they were Scottish.

Ready for the Octopus video. Must shoot and build in the next few weeks. G5 will get here next week.

Counting down the ship date for my imac G5: On or before Dec. 2. Can't wait. I've been dying to get out of 1998 - I've been running the clunky beige g3 desktop since Clinton was in office.

I've been trying to follow Pleix since Wiley showed me the "Beauty Kit for Little Girls" short a few years ago. Just found a little interview with them -

PLEIX INTERVIEW

The work is technically amazing, not to mention darkly humorous. The team really works well together, meshing 3d and 2d beautifully.

Bought a Komeda album years ago just because I liked the video. I sometimes buy shit just because I like the cover art. That's how it goes. Aside from having the obvious pop comparison to Stereolab, they are just about as perfect as a pop band can get. The new album Kokomemedada, which is probably a year old at this point, is making me very happy right now. I had written them off as an blue-speckled egg anomaly, but I saw a video for 'Blossom' on sputnik7 recently. It was enough to get me out to the store. Maybe it's the colder weather. The crispy air kind of lends itself to pop music.

komeda site

sputnik7

Been working with Wayne Coyne this weekend on the "Psychic Wall" video for the Spongebob Squarepants movie. Mostly green screen work of the guys in a crows nest of a pirate ship. All this became more ironic as I talked with Wayne about his past experience as a cook at a Long John Silvers. He had this job from 1977-1990. This floored me. Kind of inspiring. I like them even more. What a busy fucker, too. Building sets for his film, recording, touring... Never really taking a day off. I admire that.

Another thing floored me this week. I found out Jandek palyed a show in Scotland.

I have nothing to report but heat misrery on all fronts.

Items purchased today:

a) French press b) 3 way lightbulb c) 4 40-watt lightbulbs d) flip-flops e) coffee f) a fine plate of enchiladas from an interior-Mexican restaurant establishment.

I can honestly say that these products have enhanced my life and will continue to do so for years to come. I would recommend them to anyone in need of life-enhancing accoutrement.

I can't seem to get the opening riffs of "Breakin the Law" out of my head. I know this makes me a loser. If I had any will power whatsoever, I would be able to erase this stain upon my mental jukebox.

Jandek albums purchased as of late!
a) Staring at the Cellophane b) Hopeless Recluse

Not much into Staring quite yet, but hopeless was a long overdue acquisition.

Purchase!