National Novel Writing Month

CELEBRATING: National Novel Writing Month. You have no excuse not to getta workin' on your novel. Visit NaNoWriMo's website and get inspired. I'm currently finishing up my novel about a guy who writes a blog by day, but at night, he sleeps. Hey ...they say "write what you know" and that's something I know a whole helluva lot about.

PHENOMENIZING: Phenomenon. What better way to be spoooooooky on Halloween than to air unexplainable, mind boggling, borderline-witchcraft for two hours, right? Or, as NBC opted to do, air some totally lame, totally-set-up-non-magic "magic." But wait. There's more. Throw in this guy who talks to the dead (clip found on wwtdd.com ) ...wait ...hold please ...

(I'm acting like I'm having convulsions because of my conversation with the dead, writhing and jerking my head back and forth ...wooooooo ...scary)

...sorry about that. I just got a message from a dead guy that my drivers license is in my wallet. Hold please ...lemme check.

(pulls wallet from back pocket ...looks inside ...OH GOOD GOD!!!! A DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! ...Raven Simone runs away and overly-flamboyant-gay-man screams in a high pitch)

Whoa! My drivers license ...in ...my ...wallet.

I'm a mentalist!!!

As if these unbelievable feats of mentalism weren't enough ...how 'bout you pretend that Crissth Angel is really mad and there's a fight or something? The clip is on YouTube and can you believe NBC doesn't want it removed? Why? Shouldn't something so unexpected and not pre-scripted and potentially embarrassing be removed?!?!?!

(scratching chin and pursing lips)

Waddya know about that?

Where Does the Blog Time Go?

PROCRASTINATING: Blogging about Heroes, The Bachelor, Michigan State University, Phenomenon, and Halloween.

BLOGGING: Celebrities. What am I doing when I'm not blogging, procrastinating, or pretending to work? Reading other blogs. Trio put together a list of 66 celebs who blog. Curt Shilling's is actually impressive and worthy of a bookmark (or RSS). Mark Cuban, as one might expect, keeps his posts up-to-date and relevant - even commenting on his ouster from Dancing With the Stars. Trio could've actually checked a few of these and probably made it "30 Celebs Who Blog." I'm just sayin'. Another blog I read, and this guy really isn't a celebrity unless you are from Detroit or a fan of Michigan State basketball, is Maurice Ager's blog on Men's Health. He really keeps this thing current.

VISITING: Home towns on The Bachelor. This show always gets more interesting when the non-attention-starved family members get in on the act. You can't fault them. The bachelorette's Moms and Dads didn't audition for a reality show. Some of them don't even watch reality TV, obviously, because they never fail to embarrass themselves, not understanding the way writers and directors will take 3 hours of dialogue and cut it down to the :55-seconds you talked about astrology and metaphysics. Poor, poor Sheena. She was the prettiest gal left of the bunch. Some might say her crazy-astrologer mother was her undoing, but it must've been something more. Something left on the editing floor. Cuz how does this nice (and pretty) girl get sent packing whilst arrogant, boring, stiff Bettina and her holier-than-thou, uppity, snooty family get to hang around? Grrrr. I hate Bettina. The Donniego household was never a fan of Deanna, but suddenly, she's the front runner. Bettina is annoying and pre-worn. Jenni's laugh will drive you insane, trust me. Plus, she's not giving up her Phoenix Sun dancer world for Austin-bar-owner's wife.

PREDICTION: Deanna and Jenni in the final week.

HEROES: Once again, I'm two days late. By now you've probably read message boards and fan blogs (including A Nickel for the Swear Jar's blog entry ...damn, this kid is obsessed ...but in the nicest possible way). Ya know how when you graduate high school you try and keep in touch and slowly you and your friends all drift apart (despite having written K.I.T. in all their yearbooks)? Maybe that first year back from college you all party like crazy together, but you realize that, sadly, you are all drifting apart. You all have your own college friends, now. You can't help but patronize and look down on the friends who didn't go to college, stayed home, got jobs. Someone, no doubt, has a girlfriend that you all hate. Point is. It just kinda happens. Its natural. However, imagine if all your friends possessed freakish powers capable of destroying the world and you were all united by a single thread that made you different. Would you really lose track of each other?

Angela Petrelli: "Hey. Have you heard from Linderman lately?"
Bob: "Didn't he play cello?"
Angela: "Yes. Oh, and he could bring things back from the dead."
Bob: "Oh, yeah. I totally remember him. Damn, we had some wild times. What ever happened to him?"
Angela: "I think he founded his own company doing research and stuff on something. I don't know." (lights cigarette with her finger tip)
Bob: "Loony Linderman? Has his own company. I'll be damned. There's hope for us all."
(both laugh)
Bob: "Oh ...you know who I ran into? Parkman? Remember him?"
Angela: "You're kidding. I ran into him, too."
Bob: "No shit? Where?"
Angela: "He haunted me in a dream ...I nearly cried I was so terrified."
Bob: "Wow! Same here. I couldn't really make out everything, but I'm pretty sure he's going to be in New York in a week or two. And he's going to kill me. And everyone. Wow! It'll be good to see his crazy mug again."

And ...scene! How in the hell did this happen?!?!?!? The "Group of Twelve" (as they're called) were obviously close at one point ...close enough to take a nice photo together. But now they're scattered all over the world. The writers had better have a darn good explanation for this ...or ...well ...I'll keep watching. But I might audibly gasp a bit more.

Also funny how Mohinder thinks he's back on solid footing with Ned Ryerson just cuz he refused to inject the Mimic Waitress. Is Mohinder really that stupid, or is he simply feigning stupidity in order to be trusted - and not be turned into a solid gold statue of himself at the hands of Ned Ryerson?

And finally a fist-pump and a head-cock. Bennet's in control. Complete control. He knows Mohinder is a moron, but he's OK with the moronic actions he's taken. He'll kill everyone and his plan is still on track. Bennet knows he'll die from a bullet-to-the-eye ...but he's cool with that. What will be, will be, says Bennet. And I'm pretty sure (said in high pitch with eyes squinting to indicate sarcasm) that he knows Claire (the Cheerleader) is dating a flying Hero guy and that she's lying to her ol' man. If he can read the poker face of a 60-year-old character actor, he can certainly figure out when teen-star Hayden Panatierre is lying. Right? Of course, of course.

I wish I could bump into Sylar right now ...I'd take advantage of his weakened state and taunt him mercilessly. Until, of course, he killed me and took my power of Common Sense. The world would be in some serious trouble, then.

PHENOMINIZING: The show Phenomenon is as horrible as I had expected. These tricks are not tricky. They're all set-ups. Relying on Carmen Electra to actually remember which nail gun she's supposed to load or how she's supposed to "secretly" indicate to you which nail gun will kill you was the most impressive thing of all. Or that the sequence of "tickles" would be 1. chin, 2. head, 3. nose, and 4. boobs. How does Carmen Electra remember 7 things at once? Wait. Check that ...the biggest trick continues to be how Criss Angel hides his dorky lisp. Yup. That's right, Crissth. I'm onto you. And your magic sucks. And what's with the super-femmy, high-pitched celebrity judge-slash-assistant. As if the show wasn't unwatchable enough, they put this guy on there. I'm pretty sure he makes gay people uncomfortable, even. Ah, who am I kidding. All you need to know about this show can be found at ANFTSJ and his All Pilot Project review of Phenomenon. Will ANFTSJ watch again? I don't know. But I will because its fun to make fun of this turd bag and his lame show of lame magic.

Do I pimp for ANFTSJ, enough? Get used to it.

Friday Fodder

DEFINING: I just looked up the word "fodder" and I totally nailed it!!!

SURVIVING: No merge. Yet, again. But my guy - James - survived, again. Somehow, incredibly, his fellow competitors gave him the immunity idol and told him where he could find a 2nd immunity idol. Never thinking for a moment about the long-term consequences. Now, it appears, the physically-strongest guy in the competition who could probably win immunity every single week has TWO immunity idols already. Sha-ree (sp?) is gone. Ho-hum. Gamblore (whom they call John Roh-Bear) is so annoying to his fellow survivors that I actually want him to be in the final three. Cuz, really, what good is it if a tribe-favorite gets grilled at the final tribal council? Well. Next week's the merge, so the show will finally start. Oh. They ate chicken fetuses. I'm trying desperately to bury that deep in my subconscious and trap it there.

TOYING: With my emotions. With an idea. With a column of my very own on pop-culture and random stuff. A web-site is set to launch. It will be called something-dot-com and it will be about life, leisure, hobbies, and stuff. It'll need piping-hot-content and columnists who write something once or twice a week and blog daily. Guess who's blog they've been reading and who they approached? You guessed it. Some chick in my writing class. No ...seriously ...me! I shouldn't go all braggin-and-all until the actual site is up and running and I get my first writing assignment, but the little conversation-slash-interview I had on Wednesday was enough of a thrill I thought I'd share. There may be a day when I'm like Woody Allen and you'll remember when I was just one of a million other bloggers bloggin' about not much of anything. I'll be a famous author-slash-columnist and one of you will take all the entries from this blog, organize them into book-form, and sell them as the "garage years." It'll be as sought after as Kurt Cobain's or Jim Morrison's poetry notebooks.

I will also buy a flying car and travel through time.

WATCHING AND WRITING AND HEMMING AND HAWING: Ya know, I just wanted to give ya'll a little something for your troubles (I really am mega-appreciative anyone checks this blog) and tell ya what's going on. 1. The greatest movie you'll ever see is being written. 2. A really good reality show is actually being pitched. Actually. Like, right at this moment. 3. I might spend more time with my family's blog this weekend and with my scripts and stuff. 4. Should I grow my hair out for Locks of Love? The question becomes ...would I scare more children whilst growing out my hair than I would actually help in the long-run? You know when your wife recoils at the thought of you with Jesus-hair for a year-and-a-half, you've got to really think through a decision like that.

WISHING: That Friday hadn't gotten so busy. I had planned to blog for most of Friday afternoon on my company's dime. I didn't. I'm old school.

Amazing Mad Minutia

PROMISING: Proof reading. Grammar and spelling checks. More concise prose. How can I expect to lure and maintain readers if I banter about using run-on sentences, too many participial and prepositional phrases, mismatched pronouns, and misspelled words. My eyes just returned from two or three mostly-unreadable blogs that droned on and on with too many words.

Still reading?

UNCOMPROMISING: In light of my recent grammar and spelling proclamation, it should be noted Donniego will never relinquish it's overly-hyphenated-nouns nor it's ellipses ...known by many as dot-dot-dots. I also like commas. I'll use them in ways that'll make your head spin.

JOKING: Popular songs are remade and become hits. I assume both the original artist and the new artist "get paid." Popular movies are remade. Occasionally a song or movie is remade multiple times. I wonder ...why I can't I just remake popular jokes from classic comedians and create an entire seven minute set? What's the deal with taking my wife, please? My wife and I were happy for twenty years. And then we met. The other night while staying in a hotel in Chicago a woman was pounding on my door for hours. Finally I let her out.

See me being boo'd off stage at a comedy club near you.

FANTASIZING: That someday I will be David Sedaris. Great interview, here. Someday my movie script will be done and picked up by a Hollywood studio.

ENDEAVORING: To be a columnist. I'm close. If Event A, B, and C happen and Person A and Person B come through, there may be a day in the near future where my Ego has its own column and this will be a link-through FROM that site. Oh, joy. Joy to the world.

WORKING: My write-up on Mad Men and The Bachelor. Why? For whom? Don't you get it, yet? Me! See top of page for further explanation.

AMAZING: My second favorite show, The Amazing Race, is returning in place of Viva Laughlin (BIG THANKS to Donniego reader Myndi for the tip-off ...no ...I won't call it T.A.R. ...ever ...but thanks, anyway). The Amazing Race 12 premieres November 5th. I only hope the contestants won't be singing. And I'm tellin' ya ...I'm going to be on The Amazing Race, someday. My brother and I or my wife and I. It will happen.

As for the show. Just look at the group pictured here. Just look!!! I haven't words for how excited I am. I won't "get to know" the teams via the site, but I do always wanna see how hot the chicks are. There's a few. But while 'click'ing around, I couldn't help but notice Kynt and Vyxsin. They describe themselves as "dating goths."

What? Oh ...I guess my boss is asking I do some project-thinga-ma-jiggy and come into a meeting ...but he doesn't understand.

Back to Kynt & Vyxsin. Yes. I rush to judgement. That's how I roll. I've decided I hate them already. How could the show get better? How 'bout you throw in a couple of married lesbians who are also ordained Christian ministers!?!?!? (breathing into a paper bag ...excitement level too high ...hoooooph ...hoooooph ...ok ...color coming back to my face) There's also an old couple, a grandfather and his grandson (neither is gay ...go figure), and at least 6 hot chicks. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up in 11 days!!!

For the record, it is my lunch hour. And, thank goodness I have a coworker *AS* excited as I am and she was able to come into my office and we were able read the bios, high five, jump up and down together, and scream!!!

OK ...I'm about to faint, again. I need to get back to that paper bag.

The Worst Heroes Blog Entry on the Web

HEROES: I'm pretty sure if I lived in Hero-world that my power would be the ability to see the obvious. The power of common sense.

People I would have saved last night? Everyone. And I would have only had to use my common-sense-power three times. 1. Do not bring the little girl to Ned Ryerson. 2. Do not trust your father who haunts dreams, kills people, and left you. In fact, don't trust anyone ever. Keep the handcuffs on. 3. Considering the man you found in a box can move things with his mind, heal himself, and paint-by-future-memory, assume that whomever's looking for him is probably gonna have more than handcuffs, an arrest warrant, and a wanted-poster. You'd think Peter might have wanted to take a peek in the box before hoping his new friends could handle everything with some brass knuckles and Irish bravado. I'm not even saying you should assume a totally-smokin'-hot-blond who can shoot lightning from her fingers might be coming for Peter. But maybe expect someone with a gun, at least.

Who's her Daddy!?!?!?! Who's her Daddy!?!?!? I'm guessing it's someone we haven't met or seen or heard of. I know. Can you believe they'd invent another character? I hope its Michael Gross.

Ando's power (Ando is Hiro's friend) apparently is the ability to always be the stupidest guy in any room that he enters.

The Waitress Mimic. I wonder if she was prone to getting orders wrong! HA! Write that down, folks. Get it? She learns quickly ...that's her power. So, she wouldn't get orders wrong. Oh. My sides. Moving on. I don't recall anyone in any previous episode playing the piano. I audibly groaned when she walked into the apartment and Fix-It-Boy was playing the piano. Like ...can you guess what's going to happen next? If only the Grizzled-Star-Trek alum was hosting a tap dancing, knitting bee while her son worked a butterfly knife and watched the DIY Network. Let's also recap what she's learned ...a flying-round-a-pole kick, tomato carving, piano, double-dutching, and we assume how to dunk a basketball. World? Are you listening? Consider yourself saved.

This episode was much better without the Keystone Cheerleader bumbling around. The preview for next week looks like she'll be back. But so will Sylar and Bennet and Bennet looks like he'll be acting badass. That's good. His Ward Cleaver shtick was getting old.

But, gee, Don. Sounds like you hate the show. Why even watch? No, actually, last season was so, so awesome that I'm completely riveted by the show. I don't think I had a single complaint. I guess I just wonder what happened to last year's writers.

So, what do I like? That Mind Reader can actually control minds ...meaning ...put thoughts inside as well as take thoughts out. Badass. I mentioned Bennet and Sylar will be back next week and will be getting closer to kicking some ass and killing people. I'm also completely enthralled by the big picture storyline. I struggle with the minutia, a little. I'll admit. But check the msg boards and the ratings and you'll see I'm not alone.

And, if you want more, real analysis. I direct you to ANFTSJ. This blogger has the attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and ...um ...the time on his hands to do what I only wish I could. For example ...I watch Mad Men and I see only a guy with the same name as me, great hair, cool suits, a lascivious lifestyle that looks AWESOME, and the advertising industry - which is the industry I work in. ANFTSJ sees this. Are you kidding me? I should just start watching WWE Wrestling and NASCAR and forget it all.

LAUDING: My Pandora station, Weeze Pleeze, might be my proudest accomplishment. It's Weezer based emo music that rocks. Does such a proclamation seem a bit misplaced? Perhaps. But don't judge until you've heard it.

TASTING: Decaf coffee looks like regular coffee, smells like regular coffee, brews like regular coffee, but it disappoints like a Grisham novel. I'm not all stupid, see?

Not a Secret

READING: A friend of mine sent me this great article. It pretty accurately sums up my thoughts, exactly. If you have 10-minutes, read it. I joke about The Secret, but only half-joking. It's really, really worth the time to read.

Yes ...I said, "really, really" which is way more emphatic that just saying "it's worth reading."

READING 2: The Whole Picture: Strategies for Screenwriting Success in Hollywood by Richard Warren. I've already lauded I had a GREAT story idea ...but I have no idea how to write a script, what it looks like, and how to get it read by someone who matters. So ...I hit the library and got 5 books on the topic.

OBSERVING: I sat at the mall enjoying a cup of coffee and counted 217 ugly people, 86 attractive people, and 96 neutral-looking people walk past. Most amazing is that 399 people actually passed by me. Would've never guessed that many.

REMEMBERING: I remember when we used to "call the time." Why? To get the time. "At the tone the time will be (pause) . . . two-thirty-three-and-forty-five-seconds." Suddenly I'm nostalgic to hear someone tell me the time.

WATCHING: Overture. Hit the lights. This is it. The night of nights. And oh what hieghts we'll hit. On with the shows, this is it! Thursday was a whirlwind. I didn't get to Mad Men so don't spoil it for me. Will Don Draper throw Pete Campbell from the window. Will it be premeditated? Or will it be in self defense when Pete starts waving the gun? Pete did mention the gun and he DOES have a gun in his office. And Pete is unstable. It could happen that he comes after Don Draper and he's thrown from the window. Or he could jump when Don fires him - cuz the big, barefoot, bossman said he could fire him. Maybe Pete jumps to his death. The opening credits show someone falling from the building. Dammit! When is that going to happen? Personally, I still have hope for Don and that he'll work through the one, two, or thirty issues he has. I wonder if someone will have an affair with someone? That would be an interesting twist, eh? Survivor. I'm happy Green Mile survived one more week and I hope the producers figure out a way to stop the losers from throwing their immunity challenges and voting off Green Mile. Someday I hope they have a show called Real Survivor that will handle the issue of absolutely helpless people staying alive ...figuartively and metaphorically. Every year some whiny, skinny, hopeless, hapless, unskilled, cry-baby makes it through week after week because they don't "threaten" the stronger players. Ooooooh, I get so mad. It wasn't the merge (as I was hoping) but I'm watching. I'm hoping for the merge next week. The Office. Um. I hate to complain, but what was that? Is this a comedy or a love-drama? I remember I used to laugh alot watching this show. Last night I chalked it up as a date night for my wife and I and I'm off the hook for Saturday. It couldn't have been more chick-flicky if it had starred Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, or the cast of Hairspray. Also watched Rutgers v. South Florida which was, by far, the best theatre of the night. Whoa! I don't mind college football on Thursday if they're all this good. And tonight, courtesy of Tivo I'll go blind watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, South Park from Wednesday, Best Week Ever, The Soup, and all of this week's The Daily Shows and The Colbert Report. I hear Steven Colbert is running for President. Hilarious. Oh, but all that's gonna follow the Donniego-World-Television premiere of Toy Story. The boy is potty-trained. This was the big incentive. Popcorn will be popped. The big screen TV and Dolby Digital will be in their glory, and Toy Story will be enjoyed by all.

Are you impressed that READING came before WATCHING? It's like I'm cultured or something.

LISTENING: Timbaland's self titled debut CD, Timbaland. Timbaland, who I thought was mainly the only rapper on the planet who would align himself with Justin Timberlake and not lose street cred, apparently is a big collaborator. Seriously ...I thought he even dropped whatever his original Emcee name might've been and just named himself after Timberlake for a quick buck. Like my studio-emcee might be called Donnieland or Donnie Cent. This CD is a thousand times better than I had anticipated. Good, funky beats. Awesome guest artists - which he has on every track. For what it is - which is studio beats, limited lyrics and vocabulary, a shameless plug for established artists, top-40 constructed hits with little substance, and way too many tracks lacking any overall theme save for dance-ability - its quite good. I'll probably listen to it quite a few times over the next few months.

ALSO LISTENING: Kid Rock's Rock n Roll Jesus. I've given each song about :30-seconds worth of listening and I can tell I'm going to like this a great deal. Hard to believe he was once a rapper. This is not a rap CD. This is a southern-rock, blue-collar, play-it-loud, scream-and-shout masterpiece. And he says "Detroit" a few time. I know. Who'd a thunk?

QUOTING: SpartanPlus columnist Jim Comparoni on '98 MSU quarterback Bill Burke...

Burke is so calm he can take the caffeine out of coffee just by looking at it.

Did he make that up? If so, that's good stuff.

REHASHING: The Beastie Boys Gala Event. Here's me and my brother ...dressed quite impressively, eh? This was an unforgettable show and probably tops the list of all the Beastie concerts I've attended (9 of them). Oh, and here's a super-white-trash Walmart Wolverine who made us laugh. See all pictures here.

What'd I Tell Ya?

BOASTING: Did you watch the ALCS last night. Isn't Paul Byrd a hoot? I could so totally be a sports writer (though I probably would have to stop using phrases like "so totally" and "hoot"). AP writer Tom Withers writes:

The Cleveland Indians, relying on a throwback pitcher who looks as if he stepped out of their 1948 team photo, moved one win from another crack at winning an elusive championship.

Pumping his arms with an old-school windup, Paul Byrd blanked Boston long enough and Casey Blake homered to start Cleveland's seven-run rampage in the fifth inning as the Indians beat the Red Sox 7-3 Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the AL championship series.

I'm just happy I'm not alone in enjoying his flair for the dramatic. Not enough of that, these days. Now, all he needs is a Rollie Fingers mustache. And let's face it, couldn't the world use a few more mustaches like that and alot more flair?

SPEAKING: One more thing I got from Heroes this season ...the word "Boyo." Peter's kidnappers-turned-best-friends-in-the-whole-world call him "Boyo." They say it through a thick Irish accent. It's cool. I'm going to use that word. OK, boyo?

THANKING: My Tyler Durden for clearing up a few of my issues and questions regarding Heroes.

APOLOGIZING: For those who check Donniego daily and expect piping hot content for their sexy bods, I simply must utilize my precious early morning moments as effectively as possible. Remember ...there's a TV pilot and a movie screenplay goin' on.

READING: Screenwriting books. I'm not kidding. I've had a million great ideas in my day, but this is the top idea. I'm convinced this premise can become a story and then, ultimately, can become a movie. I'm even collaborating with someone on this project. That's right. I have a collaborator.

Have a great Wednesday!!!

Five Days Gone

Holy cow! When did it get to be October 16th?!?!?!

WRITING: Where've I been, you ask? Honestly, workin' on my TV pilot concept. I'm convinced this show can work and if I had an ear of a TV producer, I'd get a green light. Look for the show coming to your TV soon.

ALSO WRITING: Oh ...and my cousin inspired me to write a movie screenplay. This little idea is even better than my television pilot or my book - but not better than my hair. Does anyone have Jason Bateman's phone number. I'm writing the role for him.

WATCHING: So much watching going on I don't know where to begin. Mad Men. I will miss you so much. I can't wait until your return after Christmas. *sniff, sniff* Survivor - China. The weird guy who thinks he's the leader and got naked that one time ...he got voted off. There's been quite a bit of nudity this season, but his was not a welcome nude. Gamblore remembered perfect Mandarin that he knew when he was two. Trust me ...the merge is coming soon and this is all you need to know, for now.

Ya know, I wanna offer my two cents on all this stuff, but with The Office, Heroes, The Bachelor, Chuck, It's Always Sunny, and South Park ...gasp ...I can't keep up.

SPORTING: The Colorado Rockies haven't lost a game since 2004, I think. Someone check that fact. But I'm pretty sure I'm right. And tonight's a real treat. 38 year old Paul Byrd goes for Cleveland. He may not win, but he wears his socks up high and has a wind-up you'd expect to see in an old Looney Tunes cartoon. He's a riot to watch. Michigan State kicked some huge butt against Indiana. I'm happy. And I'm going to Columbus this week as MSU takes on the #1 ranked Buckeyes.

HEROES: As always, I would suggest you read ANFTSJ's recap and meanderings. Personally, I can see why some fans are losing a wee bit of interest and faith. The writers have stripped the whole deal down and are basically starting from scratch. Sylar has no powers. Peter is halfway across the world ...oh ..and inside his brother. Maybe. Ned Ryerson is the new Sylar. The little girl who sees things in dreams and was scared shitless of Sylar, before, is now scared of Mindreaders' Dad. And just where was this guy in her dreams last year? And Clare?!?!?!? Are you f'n kidding me (sorry for the harsh apostrophized language)?!?!?!?! Your Pretend Dad (his name's Bennet, right?) saved your ass and raised you your entire life and this is how you repay him? You won't even let him meet your flying boyfriend??!?!?!? I'd have to check Season 1's DVDs, but I'm pretty sure she saw about six or seven other Hero-people and nearly witnessed a nuclear holocaust in NYC, and now suddenly she's going to keep a secret from her Pretend Dad?!?!?! Then again, shame on Bennet for trusting her dumb ass to be able to handle herself. Come to think of it, with all the new powers we've seen, I'm not sure why we're "saving the cheerleader" anymore. Wouldn't the Mexican Immigrant Life Force Stealing chick truly be the person to protect? And, what's more, we now see the power of healing ain't even all the great or unique. Amnesia Peter can do it. And so can White Rice. And, finally, what about the girl in the diner. Her power is the power to learn things quickly. This is a GREAT (sarcasm) power to have during high school and college, but I don't see how she's going to be doin' any butt-kicking with this skill.

I'm still watching, but they're losing me a little.

Oh, look ...my daughter just learned to walk by watching me, her mother, brother, and sister. She might be a hero like the girl who works in the diner and can't get a promotion. Maybe now that her boss saw her pull a Jackie Chan, she'll get that raise and promotion.

Blogging aimlessly, sadly, seems to be my only power. I'm going to try that swing-around-a-pole kick in front of my boss and see if I get a raise.

My Inner Dæmon?

OK ...I gotta share my daughter's dance interpretation of National Popcorn Poppin' Month. Very touching.

Note: If anyone knows how to rotate a .mov file, please leave a comment. Thanks.

INVENTING: My animal spirit. This is kinda cool. I'm sure in the next few weeks this'll be forwarded to you a dozen or so times from your secretary or your sister. And they'll say in their email "this is pretty cool..."

Always the dot-dot-dot.

What is a dæmon? Your inner-animal-spirit.

Honestly ...I don't snort when I laugh. You've got to believe me.

Go here ...'click' dæmon at the top. Then 'click' Meet Your Dæmon. Answer 20 questions.

I did it twice ...both times I came up a raccoon. Modest, sociable, assertive, outgoing, and competitive. Yup. Modest. That's me!!! Sophistra.

Sadly, I hate to break it to that site's creators, but I have already forgotten what movie I was supposed to be noticing and, even if I did remember, I'm thinking it'd probably be a little too juvenile or fantasy-geeky for me. I've never played D&D in my life and I ain't about to start, now.

And when I wasn't finding my animal spirit, I was almost finishing my television pilot (laugh now, but when I'm at the Really Awards and beatin' up Johnny Fairplay, we'll see who's laughing), reading a book, watching Survivor, The Office, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, bowling, surprise partying, and more.

Trapped in the Closet

Thank goodness for a slow Tuesday night of TV. Check out the closets! See. I wasn't kidding. This, obviously, would be much more dramatic with a few "before" pictures.



How's your popcorn poppin' goin'? If you didn't have a piping hot, buttery bowl of goodness during last night's South Park or Pushing Daisies, you have no excuse not to pop some up tonight. The Office, 30 Rock, Survivor, Mad Men, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, or the MLB divisional championship series.

I get so excited just thinking about all that awesome TV each Thursday - and the accompanying popcorn.

NOT READING BUT MEANING TO, BUT WATCHING: I Am America (And So Can You). Colbert's book came out Monday. Soooo, naturally, he interviewed himself as a guest on his own show. Funny stuff (how's that for a review). Did I buy the book, you ask. Heh, eh ...well ...see ...I've got to finish these other books. Does it count that I've "started reading" 9 books this year? Or do you actually have to read them all the way through?

I should do an entire blog entry about the-books-I-almost-read, the good-intentions-and-ideas I had, the hobbies and interests I meant to pursue, and ...well ...yes, I'll totally post that when I'm just feeling a tad bit too happy for my own good. Lord, would that be a sad post.

CONTINUING: ...the blog. Where was I?

ENTHRALLING: MHD. That's how the cool kids refer to MTV's HD channel ...which as far as I can tell is all concerts. The amazing list of performances continues to grow and my viewing of said channel does, too. Last night ...Sting and Kid Rock.

I'm really sticking with my dental flossing. Yes. Hmmmm? I probably should get a haircut. Just trim off a little over the ears. The hair sure is looking good these days. We're making a hawaiian themed scarecrow for a neighborhood grocery store's competition. That's kinda exciting.

(spins around in desk chair, looks at ceiling, sighs)

Sorry, folks. I have to apologize. I'm a little distracted. Not what you're thinking. Let me explain. Do I want this blog to be full of riveting content? Yes. Of course. But the Donniego blog, as you know, was started by me, for me. Mainly as a quasi-daily-semi-weekly-every-now-and-then tool to free up writers block. What's that you ask? Oh ...yes ...I fancy myself a "writer." OK ...not a writer, per se, but a wanna-be writer. In my mind, I've written novels, shows, and some of the best jokes late night talk shows have ever witnessed. I wrote a best-selling foll0w-up to my first book. And because of that success, people have come out of the woodwork to ask me to work on a TV-pilot with them. And that's not to mention the 100s of scripts I've seen and been asked to collaborate on.

Have I mentioned The Secret? I might be missing the point, but I think that's the point. Think it, think it, think it and your actions will start to follow your thoughts. I've had so many successes with this, I can't count. Case in point ...popcorn. I started thinking about popcorn a few days ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about popcorn and then, last night, I had popcorn. My wife was tired of our closets and her "secret" must've been closets, closets, closets ...and ...viola!

Baby steps, yes, but what if I could actually make that work with my book? With a television pilot? I keep thinking book, book, book and book-related things keep jumping out at me. Begging me to finish it. And as I've kept these things in my mind, working on them slowly, doing a few daily affirmations (no, not the "i'm good-enough-smart-enough variety), some very real, strange things have revealed themselves to me.

So, basically, the blog, for today at least, is distracting me from the TV-show-pilot, my book, and short story I've conceptualized. I'm going to post this, have a few sips of some piping hot, organic coffee, and finish that pilot concept. I don't actually know what a TV-pilot script should look like, but I know what the TV show will look like. I'll give the concept to my fearless, tireless friend and I believe he'll make it happen. Two possible outcomes - yes ...no. But ya know what? Having tried and failed is better than never having done something at all.

I'm 34. I look back sometimes and do the old wouldda-couldda-shouldda. I think how I wasted my youth. Think of all the free-time and boundless energy I had when I was 20-24. I couldda been an intern for a network show. Couldda moved to NY. Couldda rubbed elbows with guys writing pilots and scripts. Couldda got a writing gig, myself. Couldda, couldda, couldda.

Like a man's early 20s are the end-all-be-all. Shya! Right! My timeline of life doesn't even include the first 17 years ...cuz really ...what can you do in the first 17 years? Not much without parent or guardian approval.

I can tell you what won't happen. I won't be blogging at age 50 thinking back on all the ideas and opportunity I had at 34 and never carpe'd (siezed). No ...at age 50, I'll look back fondly at the never-ending adventure that I made of my life.

Up, up, and away and kicking these closet doors open!!!

A Big, Beautiful TV Only Post

Yes, I'm making some home renovations, holding a job, raising some kids, exercising, and reading books. But considering I've watched 20-hours of TV in 3 days, its becoming apparent where my interest lies ...and why I can't focus.

WATCHING, Part 1: Heroes. To really get a feel for this weeks episodes, I'll point you to ANFTSJ or Television Without Pity. Or ...read my 400 words on the show. Before I trash it, let me say, for the record, I love this show. But, the show is walking a fine-line between Action-Adventure and Sci-Fi - which we all know is for geeks. And I'm no geek. Would a geek have as fabulous hair as I? No. Last night - and I didn't know it at the time, Heroes introduced a new character (big surprise) and apparently it was Uhura ...another Star Trek alum. She joins George Takai who was also on Star Trek. In their defense, George Takai was killed-off so the show still only has one Star Trek alum. I, however, don't believe George Takai is actually dead, so I'm going to keep the count at two. I swear, if Shatner and Nimoy show up - even in a Guy at Bus Stop Reading Paper cameo - I'll have to stop watching. No self-respecting cool-guy like myself could sleep at night watching something so geeky. Heroes, as it is, is already so geeky that I don't talk about watching it in public (unless you count a blog as "public" ...right). Sylar is back, and he did kill someone, but he did it without much flair. I was happy when someone referred to "the man with horn rimmed glasses", the director immediately cut to the man with horn rimmed glasses ...cuz I had no clue. Ned Ryerson is a bad hero. And Peter has every power, now. But he's in love. So he'll just use his powers for petty theft - if you call armed robbery "petty" ...which I do. I'm hardcore. Screw the why, how, and who, right, Peter? So you have awesome powers and your identity is sitting in a box in front of you ...that was "then" ...you're living in the "now." I almost yelled "shenanigans" at my TV screen ...but it was midnight and the kids were sleeping. And, finally, Clare's in love with a fly-guy. Yick! I just realized this show was all about love, love, love. Hiro loves a woman he can never be with, but she is falling in love with White Rice. Skitzo chick loves her son, and they both love his dead father. Peter loves that Irish bartendress. The little girl loves Mohinder (yes, he's no longer Indian Dr. Guy, I have learned his character's name), and Kinko's guy (aka Clare's Fake Dad) loves Clare. Again I say ...YICK!

WATCHING, Part 2: Chuck. Whoa! What's this ...a new set!?!? A hotel? Nice. Oh ..and a storage room with a chain link cage. Yes, the majority of scenes were still shot at Buy More and Chuck's sister's apartment, but the addition of a hotel, a hotel room, a rooftop, and a storage room shows me the writers and producers really make the best of what they have. Honestly, if my brother ran a Best Buy, I could shoot this entire show and have all the same backgrounds. I'm not sure why I'm obsessing about this small fact, but it is kinda funny. I really do have to give them all credit ...the story line is just good enough to pull it off. I like this show, it has a Season Pass, and I'll watch it every week ...but I don't think it's blog-worthy anymore.

WATCHING, Part 3: Mad Men. If this show wasn't on little-watched AMC I'd be one of way-too-many people loving the show. And, I wonder, would I like it as much? Or do I like it because I feel like its my own little super-awesome show and I'm on the cutting edge - like with my Docksiders. Is Mad Men the next Sopranos or Entourage (many articles have suggested as much), but because its not on HBO, it just hasn't taken off? And if and when AMC moves it to a sister network or to an actual broadcast network, will it jump-the-shark and will I be a Mad Men snob? I have a hunch that, a year from now, Mad Men will be plucked from AMC and it will be a smash hit with an Emmy to its name. Oh, Don Draper. You poor, misunderstood, genius, cheating, horrible, enviable, well-coifed badass! I loathe you. I want to be you. I am you. I'll never be you. If you were a real person, would you be my friend. Or would I be a real life Pete Campbell with you around? Or worse ...one of the laughing-guys who don't even show up on the radar? Two more episodes left until the fall hiatus and then it returns after Christmas. I will miss you. Who's going to jump from the building? Where's the shotgun?

WATCHING, Part 4: The Bachelor. Still funny. The best bachelor, yet. He's really pretty funny. He didn't say, "amazing" even once, last night. And ...they trotted out his twin brother to mess with the girls' heads. I love it. A few girls didn't even notice it was his twin. I'm sad the lap-dance-topless-skinny-dipping-Christian-values chick didn't get a rose. Her crazy-machine was just getting warmed up. I implore you ...if life's got you down ...watch this show.

WRITING: My buddy had a great idea for a show. So I'm writing the concept and we're going to pitch it to the networks and cable networks. We don't know what we're doing or how the whole game works, but we're gonna jump right in. We want to be famous and rich. Or at least one of the two. Also, I'm back at my book. A best selling book and a top-rated hit show will be mine in 2009. That's how The Secret works. Say it, think it, and tape a picture of it to something and it will happen.

Talk to y'all tomorrow unless something profound hits me this evening. Truth be told, I'll be organizing my closet. Ain't nothin' but a gangsta paaahtay!

A Great Hair Day

Happy Monday! Why am I so happy? Well, for one, my hair is kickin'! I'm in a zone!!!

Second, I had a great weekend. Among the highlights were This is Tom Jones, Little Miss Sunshine, football and baseball in HD, Michigan State (everything 'cept for the actual football game), apple pickin', and Mad Men.

OFFSETTING: I learned a new term this weekend ...carbon offset. The concept is that you can justify any pollution you create by planting a tree or something. I have fungus growing between my toes. Does that count? Apparently many "environmentalists" justify their multiple, huge homes and SUVs with carbon offsets. Airlines have gotten in on the act and you can feel good about flying in a plane because you can purchase a small tree sapling to offset the thousands of gallons of jet fuel a single flight uses. Like say I own a Hummer, but I planted a shrub and a pine ...I'm all set, right? I'm no scientist, but I don't think that's going to cut it. I have a 12 gallon gas tank in my Saturn. I fill it up twice a week, meaning I burn 24 gallons of gas each week. My wife fills her Buick with 30 gallons a week. I'm guessing 3 or 4 two-foot pines don't quite account for my carbon output.

ADDICTING: A new blog I heard of from Pop Candy. It's highly addictive even if it's quite sad. PostSecret is a forum where people can send in HUGE secrets and this guy, Frank Warren, posts their secrets anonymously. I want to buy his book ...grrrrrr! I can't finish the two books I have - how can I justify another one?!?!?!?

CELEBRATING: October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month. That's pretty cool and a great reason to pop popcorn while watching everything you Tivo. But I implore you ...don't use the microwave!!! Use a pot, some popcorn kernels, some cooking oil, some butter, and salt. Old school poppin', baby! Popcorn should leave your fingers greasy and your pallet dry. I haven't had a bag of microwave popcorn in 4 or 5 years and I'm not looking back. Sometimes the best things in life take more than 2 or 2 1/2 minutes until pops are 3 or more seconds apart. Wanna really pop like a pro ...two words. Whirly Pop. Yes, an old school pot and lid will work, but this'll give your routine a li'l flair. Impress your friends and family, too.

WATCHED AND WATCHING: Ran out of time to today to blog my thoughts on all the great TV and movies ...I really wanna tell you about This is Tom Jones, but suffice it to say, buy it, rent it, or get it to the top of your Netflix queue asap! More to come.

BUSYING: Monday is always a whirlwind ...Chuck, Heroes, The Bachelor, and Monday Night Football, and now the MLB playoffs. And of course there's the kids and family that just take, take, take of my time and energy (that was sarcasm for the sarcasm averse). I also have to rip and destroy my bedroom closet, paint it, and make sure its ready for a closet organization system to be installed tomorrow.

Phew! A closet organization system?!?!?!?! I know. Riveting. When MTV's Cribs goes through my house, someday, you'll be totally impressed.