The Creature Stirs...
Monday, April 22, 2013 at 9:33AM I have been conspicuously absent and completely inattentive for the past two months. There were several very personal issues that arose and one, in particular, was explained on my Facebook page. I won’t go into any details here for obvious reasons. This is not a place to offer extraneous information regarding such issues, but suffice it to say, I am once again sticking my head out of the rabid hole and seeing the light of day.
There was something else quite pressing during the past two months that I would like to share. I decided to take an online songwriting course at the prestigious Berklee College of Music located in Boston. What happened there last week was a real tragedy, and my heart goes out to everyone.
Anyway, I was a graphic artist for many years when I decided I was getting a bit old. I always had dreams of becoming a writer, so I decided to make a move in that direction. I mean, think about it… If you were an ad agency art director, would you be inclined to hire a 25-year-old with fresh ideas or a 50-something getting paid a higher salary? I realized my glory days were behind me and I wanted to write, so I switched gears.
I think most of you are aware of what I’ve done as a writer or you wouldn’t be here. I’m certainly not bragging, but one thing I’ve always told aspiring artists is that you’ve got to think you’re great at what you do or you wouldn’t be very good at it. This rings true in every profession. A car mechanic is someone you have confidence in; just as much as a brain surgeon. Who wants mediocrity?
I went from being a graphic artist to writing and making a name for myself. There is one final frontier for me and it’s a natural progression because I love new challenges. I will never get old of that, and as a creative person, why not try songwriting? Yes, I’ve dreamed of doing that, too; figuratively and realistically. I used to wake up in the middle of the night with original songs in my head. Within seconds, they were gone. Now, with an iPad purposely nearby, I can record the gist of them on a piano App with one finger for future reference — to work into complete songs, hopefully. Well, I’ve written two already, and I will share a link to one of them. Two links, actually. One is on SoundCloud and the other is on YouTube.
Please keep in mind, this is a SONGWRITING COURSE, not a SONG-SINGING COURSE. Therefore, you will have to put up with my voice, sadly. My grade IS NOT based on singing. None, whatsoever, so don’t even consider it. Don’t comment on it, either, inless you want to tell me I’ll never replace Joe Cocker. I’m mostly interested in the music and lyrics.
60 Second Friend
Please don’t read too much into the lyrics. It’s just a fictional song — not retribution or anything.
and
——-
Now, to completely switch topics without a proper segue, I have other news of importance. I was granted media credentials by the Seminole County Courthouse. That means I will sit in the courtroom during the entire George Zimmerman trial as a journalist. For those of you who followed me during the Casey Anthony case and subsequent trial, you know I wrote for a magazine. I learned a lot from that experience. This time, I want to do it on my own. I do not want to have to answer to an editor. I will write what I want and from the hip. Take it or leave it. Because of the hours involved — sitting in the courtroom only to come home to write — I will not have much time to respond to comments, but you will be free to discuss the case among yourselves. My intent is to not try to steal anyone’s thunder, but to complement other blogs and forums. Take my observations for what they’re worth and use them any way you see fit.
I have one other obligation with my Berklee course, and that is to critique the songs of other students. That will be my final assignment and by week’s end, I will be freed up. It means I will be able to, once again, write about the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin case. I may have lost some readers and I may be a bit rusty, but I will plug along anyway. Thank you for hanging in there. This was an extremely difficult course and I had to give it my best shot. I’m sorry I neglected my blog, but I had to focus on it as best I could. (By the way, I am also taking piano lessons, which will be followed by guitar lessons. If I plan on writing music, I need to feel it and play it.)
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Reader Comments (28)
Wow, Dave...you certainly are chomping off a big bite...I commend you for all your new endeavors and I hope you are not compiling a "bucket list"...I shall remain an avid reader of whatever you write, be it song or article...I am looking forward to your twist on the Z's trial...
[I have been chomping, Estee, but there is no bucket list, I assure you. I think that, as a creative person, music is a natural progression. It's an art form as much as painting, sketching, and writing words fluidly.
Thank you so much for remaining my friend. I truly hope I never disappoint you. Whatever I do, the blog will always be here.]
Hello Dave
I have missed you. Welcome back.
Your 60 Second Friend needs a whole opera. Why not write the book (Opera) and then write the other songs. Well I guess that is asking a lot from a person, especially since I don't write prose or poetry or music. I do make large abstract painting which I sell all over the Southeast.
One time a good friend in the art biz said, "I like your pictures but I wish I could see the part outside the edges" That is what I mean about your song.
Also in the words of another song writer, Jimmy Buffett, "I try to be prolific"So do I.
Glad to hear from you Dave and see your writting your blog again.Looking foward to your comments from the trial if it happens.
I still feel there may yet be a plea...
Sounds like you are having a great time! Welcome back, I have missed your posts.
Dave!!! I missed you! Great song-writing. I like "60 second friend." How many other talents are you hiding? :-)
Thanks for your commitment to be at Zimmerman's trial. The days are going by fast and before we know it, June 10th will be here.
Welcome back Dave. Was starting to worry about you. Look forward to more posts and your take on the Zimmerman trial when it starts.
Fantastic Dave! I hear that at our age its a great thing to want to go back to school and learn something new. That is exactly what I have been checking into. I have decided on three different things and I need to narrow it down to one for now.
For me one will work best and then move on to two and then maybe the third. It will depend on the first two. I'm still with you here on your blog as well as on Facebook. Still love the song and the music and its still catchy and plays in my head. Hope you had a great Happy Earth Day! Is was beautiful here at home.
Impressed with your 60 second freind song Dave excellent reminds me of a track from a early Neilson Album.
John Lenon rekoned Neilson was the most under rated song writter America ever produced.
Marvelous news on both fronts, Congrats! And so happy to see this up, if for no other than the selfish reason that the "other" trial, involving Boyfriend-Killing Skank, is really a cheap floozy of a thing with no redeeming value!
I'm so glad you're back,I've been really worried.
I've been keeping you in prayer for some time now,so it good to know all is well. Congrats on your pursuit of song writing, I think it's great.
BTW I'm keeping that lady Shade in prayer also. Has there been any word from her?
Woot woot, Marinade! *smile
Glad to have you back, Dave! You have been missed! I am glad you were able to get your own media credentials. I look forward to your covering the Zimmerman trial and reading your take on it, especially since you will be our eyes and ears in the court room. I love your 60 Second Friend song. Good luck with learning guitar and the piano.
High five on your latest venture, liked it immediately. I always know if I like a song immediately, the tune grabs my attention calling for more air play, or it never will. This is great, very catchy!
As for your credentials for the Z trial, that's very good news too. Very good news indeed :) Looking forward to your straight from the hip views.
Dave, You brought your video coverage to your blog. They served to prove the stories of George Zimmerman's couldn't be the whole truth, and gave different scenarios and theory through on the spot visuals. I don't mention enough, the extent of time and effort you put into the finalizing of each time you go out, the long tiring hours and costs. You often have written that you enjoy what you do and it is not for celebrity. The exceptional extension you make of yourself from which we enjoy and benefit is greatly appreciated, although you may not actually receive the gratitude you deserve.
I am glad you were selected to receive the Media Credentials to be in house for this case, happy you plan to see it through and post to your blog. The intimacy in your writing style far exceeds the regular media in the way you take your readers into the courtroom. Thank you for going to the trial daily and writing through the nights. We will have the pleasure of your take on the proceedings.
So while we have been wondering where you dashed off to, look what you have been doing, among much else, working hard, getting into music and songwriting with a toe tapping piece already on board. This "60 Second Friend", is gradually taking over my head and although....60 Second Friend....is somewhat of a tongue twister for me personally, the story and the beat is fast taking over some of my cells. That is what good music and songs do to us, leave their impression. No surprise, to think you may be doing a lot of this from this works you exhibit.
Will most certainly be reading your posts and be excited to listen to any of your songwriting you choose to share. NP
SANFORD --
George Zimmerman's defense has released several new documents, most notably a motion from prosecutors, who want to know whether or not there will still be a "Stand Your Ground" hearing.
Zimmerman's lawyers requested a hearing last year to determine if Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law applied in the case. Zimmerman claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012. Martin was unarmed, but Zimmerman said the teen attacked him.
But in March, the defense said it did not need the two weeks in April that the court had set aside for the "Stand Your Ground" hearing.
Still, the prosecution wants to make sure George Zimmerman understands this.
More here.....
State wants court inquiry of George Zimmerman
Great to see you are doing well and I'm glad you will be in the courtroom. I wouldn't want updates from anyone else. Congratulations on your song. It is now stuck in my head. :)
M O M says the man with no time to prepare his clients defence.
Not enough hours in the day for us to be ready by June tenth.
But plenty time for B S motions an potions .
How could an alleged intellegent man defending a client guilty of setting his own laws an regulations as he went ahead an profiled Trayvon as up to no good on drugs or summpin thug asshole fkn coon.
Yep– the defense has about 8 motions added today to be heard.
‘Govern yourself accordingly’ says M’OM.
Just like your client governed the retreats at twin lakes acordingly to his rules.
Acording to your client walking whilst black an unknown to he who knows everone in the complex is a death sentance.
Although he cant even remember one of the 3 streets names within the community .
M O M says the man with no time to prepare his clients defence.
Not enough hours in the day for us to be ready by June tenth.
But plenty time for B S motions an potions .
How could an alleged intellegent man defending a client guilty of setting his own laws an regulations as he went ahead an profiled Trayvon as up to no good on drugs or summpin thug asshole fkn coon.
Yep– the defense has about 8 motions added today to be heard.
‘Govern yourself accordingly’ says M’OM.
Just like your client governed the retreats at twin lakes acordingly to his rules.
Acording to your client walking whilst black an unknown to he who knows everone in the complex is a death sentance.
Although he cant even remember one of the 3 streets names within the community .
Out of the public eye for weeks, George Zimmerman is finally back in court and HLN will be covering it LIVE on Tuesday starting at 9am.
There is a critical hearing next Tuesday in George Zimmerman's case, and it could be one of the last pre-trial hearings before his trial gets under way.
Jury selection for Zimmerman's trial is scheduled to begin June 10.
More here plus videos...
Will next hearing set the tone for Zimmerman trial?
O'Mara has his arm around Crump....honest...
O'Mara, Crump agree: Social media playing key role in Trayvon case
ORLANDO - Prosecutors in Florida want George Zimmerman to state publicly at a court hearing on Tuesday whether he will pursue his immunity defence in the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin on the basis of the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, or waive his right to use it
Read more here...
Will George Zimmerman use immunity defence?
SANFORD --
George Zimmerman will be at the Seminole County Courthouse on Tuesday morning for the latest hearing in his second-degree murder case.
It's the last scheduled status hearing before Zimmerman stands trial for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford. The trial is scheduled to begin June 10 with jury selection.
Zimmerman's defense attorney, Mark O'Mara, said his client is ready to answer questions if prosecutors want to ask him anything.
The defense team will address the court about several motions filed on Friday. O'Mara says he wants everything the prosecution has on his client including all the 911 calls made the night Trayvon Martin was killed.
Read more here...
Source
Congratulations on spreading your wings. You have been missed. I look forward to reading your future contributions to your blog, and hearing more of your musical creations too.
I am finally responding to comments. Sorry about the delay. My songwriting course is over, but I signed up at Berklee for another course; learning the guitar.
Hi Dave! I wish I knew you were in Boston. I don't get on to FB too often so I miss a lot of stuff that's going on. I don't live too far from there and I would have loved to have met you. I'm so disappointed. Next time you're in the area, please message me through Facebook and I'll give you my phone number.
I hope you're doing well.
So I guess your musical efforts make you Serenade Dave now?
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I love it, Cleo!!! Thanks, I needed a good laugh...
Cleo, Love your thought for Dave's musical interest "SERENADE DAVE" really neat!