Word To Adam West

Paying homage has never been more genius.

Live From New York

The Butter Rum Victory Lap

The people that (actually) know me, know that I write.

I take it seriously. It's not a hobby. I'm a writer. I don't use it as something "cool" to say to people, while I'm in Starbucks sipping a latte and discussing the finer points of 'War & Peace'. It's not something I have to bandy about so that people respect my intelligence.

You're reading this. If you haven't ascertained my intelligence level yet, I've really f*cked up. I mean that in the most humble manner. Seriously.

For the past 9 months, I've been developing a few ideas for TV. Not only have I been working out the logistics of creating a "show bible" and trying to write characters that "work", I've also been sending out sample/spec scripts to various agencies/production shingles/networks. I call myself trying to stoke as many fires as possible (without doing too much and failing before I start).

Monkeys have been rocketed into outer space. I should be able to write a TV show.

I've probably written more in the last year than I have in my entire 3.5 years of college. Yep. 3.5. Me and the title of that first Kanye album have a lot in common.

And I'm not saying that with pride. Nope. That sh*t is frowned upon around here. My disregard for the pursuit of institutionalized academia doesn't sit well with some of my family members. The waste of a higher education garners you being thought of as the "bright scholar-turned-hoodlum". At the family gatherings, I'm a walking, talking 'Good Will Hunting'.

Yeah, Aunt Rose.....I agree. With all these "smarts", I could've been something.

What people don't see is the dedication. As God (whichever one(s) you pray to) as my witness, I'm writing so much that I'm blurring my fingerprints. Long nights are followed by pensive days, where you do nothing but edit the ideas in your head. You write notes on post-its, notebook paper and, occasionally, the oddly placed burrito napkin. Usually, this takes place at a day job. You know? The place you go, that hands out those weekly mule droppings that they call a "paycheck"? Time has been passed, on many a mundane job, thinking about the projects that I have in the cooker.

The other side of this laborious coin is the business aspect. Not only do you have to be creative and actually think of witty things to write, you also have to be a studious businessman. You have to send emails, follow up on said emails, print scripts, ship packages, assemble portfolios, revise scripts, write further drafts, do table reads, make phone calls, hound agents/managers/producers, track submissions, get meetings, take meetings, finesse contacts and track your own career.

That's the non-glamorous part of it. That's the part you hope pays off. That's the part that has you ordering Chinese food at 1 a.m. (after a long night of writing), wondering if you threw your life away.

But make no mistake. This is the beginning. When I make the "big sale", I won't have to do this sh*t. I can have my clan of curvaceous female assistants (who work part-time as my Samurai security team) handle the operatic details. That way, when I wake up, I can start my day off by diving in a pool of powder blue M&M's.....Scrooge McDuck-style. All I'll have to do is come up with the hits. I can do that. But am I doing this solely for the loot? Nope. Actually, I don't even need a bunch of money. Gimme enough to take care of my family, buy books, buy some records and get myself the occasional pair of sneakers. I'm good. You can have the rest. I really don't need it. Are you listening Hollywood producers? It doesn't take much to woo me.

1. A bag of cash (preferably $20's and $1's).

2. A gift card to Barnes & Noble (or a visit to a discarded Borders warehouse).

3. An open tab at either: Flight Club NY/LA, Ubiq, Sole Brother, or DQM.

Do that for me and I'll give you something that stays on TV longer than The Simpsons. The lesser my worries, the easier the creative juice.

In the meantime? I keep writing.

Day job? I'm trying to see what's so necessary about this "necessary evil". Thinking about your day job can make a dick go limp at an orgy.....unless you're a porn star. But I digress. Ghostwriting=cash. Not insane amounts. Not chicken scratch either. It's okay money. I can't complain. There's also the "fixing" I do on the collegiate level. You get that windfall and it's a sweet Christmas for everybody. There were times where I've paid my rent with two days worth of work.

Thank you, college kids.....and your G.I. Bills.

That's where I'm at, boys & girls. Uncle Ziti is trying to make this happen.....for us. Yes. For us. I don't want to go on this ride alone. F*ck that noise. I have to bring some of you with me. You're going to want to document this excursion into Tinseltown.

Why?

This will be one of the few times that you'll see someone navigate Hollywood (and all of its trappings) and not lose/sell his soul in the process.

Somebody, grab my pistol and my prayer beads.

Art-Hop Episode 6: Beastie Texas Pete

Artist: Beastie Boys feat. Santigold

Song: "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win"

Album: Hot Sauce Committee (Capitol Records)

Director: Spike Jonze

Next Stop: Wonderland

Given the name* of this blog, I just realized that I've never posted ANY actual Bossa/Samba songs. Blasphemy.....I'm sure. To rectify this problem, I offer you one my favorites by the legendary Astrud Gilberto. "Stay" from the album, Beach Samba.

*Note: The original blog title, Baked Ziti & The Bossa Nova, has been, temporarily, replaced by the title Low*Priced*Goblins. Why? I don't know. I kinda like it. It may stick.

Planet of The Apes

Influenced by my 100th (late night) viewing of the Bape book.

*NOTE: Pictures courtesy of Hypebeast.com

Apple Crispy

Nigel Sylvester. Professional BMX'er.

This dude is probably my favorite rider. I never seen a better mix of recklessness and grace.

Reminds me of myself.

By the way, I'm still good for curb/bench grind, bar spin or frame stand. All that other stuff? I'll leave that for you teeny-boppers.

Art-Hop Episode 5: Metal Face Villain

Artist: Madvillain (Madlib & MF Doom)

Song: "All Caps"

Album: Madvillainy (Stones Throw Records)

Director: James Reitano

I play a Doom record and it transports me to place where Hip-Hop is merged with ill double entendres, comic book references, mask-wearing emcees and loops from old Japanese cartoons.

That's a good place to be in.

This clip is from Doom's pairing with Madlib and their collaborative 'Madvillainy' album. The vid stands as a 1960's Kirby/Lee comic book (complete with ads) come to life.

Watch it twice. I think it's that good.

In Requiem

Gordon Johnson

1947-Forever

I love this dude. I hadn't seen him in awhile. Loved him, nonetheless. He was a good uncle. When I was a kid, he was beautiful to me. He had those funny colored eyes and this amazing head of white hair. I thought he looked like an R&B singer.

He was a good dude.

I love you, Uncle Gordy.

Be safe on your journey.

Amen.

Love, Zee.

Art-Hop Episode 4: Now That I Found You

Artist: Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones

Song: "Life Is Better"

Album: The Renaissance

Ha! I did it you non-believing bastards! I found an artsy Hip-Hop vid done in the last decade! Booyaakaa SHOT!

I'm joking...kinda. Trying to sort through recent Hip-Hop vids--to find that rare gem--can be a daunting task. You'd figure popular music would necessitate popular artists having a halfway decent clip. Not so. [NOTE: You almost had me post A Tribe Called Quest's "Electric Relaxation" video. I really like that one.] I'm making a serious effort to stay away from "golden era" vids. I'm trying to incorporate more recent vids into these Art-Hop eps. I don't want you to think that I'm some Hip-Hop elitist/Golden-ager who thinks that all contemporary Hip-Hop sucks. Nope. Not me. I only hate 75% of modern Hip-Hop. Ha!

Speaking of which, I like Tribe. I like Q-Tip. I like this vid. It proves you can do a lot (artistically) without having to do too much. It also features my ex-Thing Thing, Norah Jones.

Yeah. I'd rather not talk about our (me and NorNor's) relationship. Those wounds are still fresh.

Just watch the video.