Filling the Page

My people

2007-06-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

I've got a musical treat coming to the feed for ya soon. Hold tight. Love Crescent. You know how to roll.

First of May

2007-05-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

This song is dedicated to the memory of podcast pioneer Joe Murphy. It’s only been a month, but we miss him so.

Please visit http://www.joemurphymemorialfund.com/ to find out more about Leiomyosarcoma and to help.

This song is:
Written and originally released by Jonathan Coulton
The brain child of Paul Fischer
Audio mix by Phil Rossi

The P-Cast Allstars are:
Heather Welliver
Phil Rossi
Martha Holloway
Debbie from Mesa
Barb Fischer
Bill Shunn
Rich Sigfrit (impressions)
Jared Axelrod
Tim Callender
Jack Mangan
Mathew Wayne Selznick
Command Line

in the meantime

2007-04-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

It appears that this podcast (FTP) has reverted to it's original form -- a blog. YOu see, Crescent is a'hungry and a'needy. I've been pouring 90% of my air time into production as well as marketing and promotion. I'm working my tail off and loving every second.

I'd be lying if I said I haven't been been fantasizing about kicking off the next episode of Filling the Page. There's been night's where I've almost hit record.

Keyword. Almost. Fantasizing is completely normal.

So, in the meantime, this podcast will mostly be a blog. I'm considering a temporary format change for FTP that will enable me to get it going again. It's funny; I feel I'm at a point in life where I've got the most to say about "filling the page," but I'm too busy doing the filling. ;-)

In other news, hats off to Mur Lafferty who is talked about on BoingBoing.net today!

And that is all for now folks.

Whee!

2007-04-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

I felt my baby kick tonight for the first time. Pretty awesome. Now if only the house doesn't blow away.

:)

ADDcast

2007-04-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

Representin' as the East Coast Wingin' It?

Spent some quality time in Vienna, VA yesterday and took part in a *very* funADDcast.

Check it out :)

In other news...I'm on Twitter now. And I have no idea what I'm doing....

Crescent Trailer

2007-04-09T09:28:00.001-07:00

Crescent Trailer 5.3.2007

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Post this video freely. Here's the code:

Have a podcast? Joe Murphy Memorial Fund bumper

2007-04-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Please take this and put in your feeds.
Set it free.

Take it everywhere.

Joe Murphy Memorial Fund

Music by: George Hrab

Download

Joe Murphy

2007-04-01T15:37:00.001-07:00

We lost Joe Murphy today. Please visit the site dedicated to his memorial fund.

Joe Murphy Memorial Fund

A day late in posting this mp3.

Listen

a super ninja quick quick update

2007-03-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,

I wanted to get infront of a microphone last night and say all this...but I spent the time working on the new Crescent Promo and the fifth (extra special) Vignette. It's been a whole lotta Crescent for me lately. It's wild. Last August, when I embarked on Crescent, doesn't seem so far away. Really, it feels like it was just yesterday when I was put down the first few words of what was to be a writing side project.

Quick update:
1. New Crescent Vignette tomorrow with some news about the novel itself
2. I'm playing a solo set at Whitlows in Alrington next week (4.4.07) for all you DC Metro listeners. I'll post details next week.
3. New Bad Habit track next week.
4. Twenty-week ultra sound was awesome. I'll share a picture or two soon.

xo,
Phil

help a tee morris out

2007-03-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is more or less word fo word from Mr. Morris' site.

If you weren’t aware of it, The Discovery Channel is holding an open call for fans to poke a little fun at their programming. It’s called YouSpoof Discovery and fans are pulling no punches in what they are submitting…

Neither are Paul Fischer, Martha Holloway, and Tee Morris.

Poking a little fun at Man Vs. Wild (a favorite of ours), Dancing Cat & Imagine That! Studios present Man Vs. Child where Science Fiction/Fantasy author and podcaster, Tee Morris, is left alone in his house with a 2-year-old while his wife runs errands. Armed only with household items and his wits, Tee is followed by a camera crew and gives tips on how to survive.

Their hope is to kick up some hype and get a high resolution-full screen presentation of this on Discovery for their next YouSpoof Special. So to get people talking, here’s what I'm asking of you once you watch this ten-minute video:

post a comment on it at Lulu TV and make it one of your favorites. You need to find the orange on black “make favorite” text on the right. Then, you should get a slider bar above saying “click here to rate”. Clicking as close to the right side as you can will give us the highest possible rating.
Pop this on PopCurrent.com
Digg this at Digg.com

The more attention you give these fine peeps, the higher our chances of appearing on Discovery. Enjoy the video, everyone! Stay tuned for more news concerning Man Vs. Child.

pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

2007-03-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

An update for the faithful. It was my intention to do an FTP this week, but I have *a lot* going on. Here's a recap:

a new job (actually, 3 jobs in 1)
a new Crescent Vignette
production of Crescent
getting the Crescent manuscript ready for zee agents
PRBH album (2 new songs done)
Pharmacy Prophets show (big big rocka rocka)
Preggo wife (very cute and awesome)
sleep (uh, seriously?)

So, if you haven't seen me around on the intra-web-net-thingie, it's because any pockets of free time I might've had in the past are now brimming with things to do! That being said, there'll be a delay between now and the release of the next FTP. :) But, it will contain a Tee Morris interview, and that, at least, is worth the wait.

pharmacy prophets: Iota, March 16th

2007-02-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars. The Pharmacy Prophets will be at Iota on March 16th, along with Welbilt.

sunday night

2007-02-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here, half asleep and thought I'd jot a few lines here. A fun weekend of working around the house and working on Crescent. I wrote the third part of the Vignettes series yesterday and I did the final edits on the first few chapters of Crescent the novel.

Jen can feel our little peanut moving around a lot now. It's totally exciting, but I'm a bit jealous, because I can't feel the wee one just yet.

And that's about it. Look for a new episode of Crescent Vignettes this week. :)

Happy Sunday!

episode 17: we did it in front of the mirror! happy birthday!

2007-02-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

Sound issues in this episode not limited to a 60hz hum, clipping, wonky levels, and alcohol abuse.

But herein lies a fun episode, I promise. Birthday parties rock. You know it.

Linky linky:
Crescent
Dominion Brewery
Tag in the Seam
Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword
Podholes

Voice mail: 206-203-4556

Listen|Subscribe

happy birthday filling the page!

2007-02-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

Well--I've been doing this thang for a year now. How awesome-tastic.

:)

That is all for now. Go listen to the first episode of Crescent Vignettes. :)

Crescent Vignettes

2007-02-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

The first episode of Crescent Vignettes is live on the Crescent site!

What is Crescent Vignettes? Crescent Vignettes is a collection of short fiction inspired by the Crescent Universe. At least once a month a new Crescent Vignettes episode will appear on the feed.

Get subscribed now :)

We've got ourselves a winner

2007-02-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody for all the support. I've been declared winner of Podcast Pickle's Pickle Tales. I'm totally happy (which I think is needless to say).

I've received a ton of panicked emails from people who had tried to vote in that last hour of the voting period when the pickle site was down. I've gotten back to some of you and for those of you that I haven't written back--no worries! Thanks for trying :) I hope you didn't lose sleep over it ;-)

Thanks for making this competition so worthwhile. Thanks to my competition, Laurence Simon, for making this last round such a great challenge.

FOCKER OUT!

a plea from phil's wife

2007-02-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

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Day Two Voting Coming to an End

2007-02-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a neck and neck race, folks. Thank you for everyone who has voted and for everyone who has even just gone and listened to the competition! It has been a long ride since last Novemeber.

Tonight, Tomorrow, and Thursday morning. That's all the time you've got left to vote for your favorite before the champion is crowned.

To listen to the actual show, you'll see the following line in the first post on the forum:

"The Pickle Tales Final Round is now online! Get it on the feed, or download direct: Final Round"

Click "final round" to download the show.

To vote.
1. go to www.podcastpickle.com/forums
2. register for the forums.
3. go the podcast discussion group
4. go to the pickle tales finals thread at the top.

"The Pickle Tales Final Round is now online! Get it on the feed, or download direct: Final Round"

Click "final round" to download the show.

5. vote for your favorite here. <--direct link to the voting thread.

Voting is done in that top box with the story titles and authors. Click on the little, white button next to your favorite and you're done!

Pickle Tales Final Round!

2007-02-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

Wow -- the Final Round has been posted already so I wanted to get this posting up as quick as possible, being that I say in my entry for credits see this blog, yada yada (it is very importante to give credit where credit is due!).

Go to the PodCast Pickle forums and vote for your favorite.

Here is a listening of the effects obtained from the FreeSound Project. I'll pretty up this post when I get into the office :)

Now go vote for your favorite!

episode 16: we made a what now?

2007-02-02T03:45:00.000-08:00

Magically delicious show notes:

Lots of schtuff this week including but not limited to babies, Pickle Tales, inspiring footwear-type rant, voicemail (!), and podcast novels.

Pickle Tales - Get out and vote next week
Tee Morris' Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword
Voicemail from Leann of Tag in the Seam
Crescent - Coming terrifyingly soon
Laurence Simon - I must break him

Listen|Subscribe

shake shake shake!

2007-01-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

Well. The first edit/rewrite of the Crescent is done. The next round will include polishing and the hand-over to my first reader.

Whee!

I finished the final chapter last night and was pleasantly surprised to be able to say - "Gee. I kinda like the way that ended." Well, those might not have been my words *exactly*. I probably said something to the effect of - "I'm so tired. This bed feels so good...and oh yeah, that didn't suck so much."

A reminder: next week is the final round of Pickle Tales (holy toledo!). Its down to me and the mighty, Laurence Simon. I suspect the gloves are off and things should be really, really entertaining.

Current research (milk-shooting-out-the-nostrils goodness):

Barfly

2007-01-29T06:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday, peeps.

I appear on the latest Barfly episode - go check it out. :)

Barfly: Stories of Love, Loss and Liquor

Crescent - Coming this Spring

2007-01-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

The feed is live.

Get on over to www.crescentstation.net to subscribe to the Crescent feed. There's going to be a lot of cool stuff in the weeks leading up to the official roll out of my first [audio]book.

I think we're straightened out here, more or less

2007-01-26T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the sum total of the grief here was switching the act of switching from the old school blogger to the google powered blogger. I think every thing is back on track. Thanks to PG Holyfield and Zach Upton for a. discovering the problem (PG) b. pointing out when it had gotten worse (Zach).

And while I'm in a thankful mood -

Thanks to all you awesome people for voting me through to the final round of Pickle Tales.

That's all for now. If you're feeling unfufilled -- go hug a puppy.

more technical difficulties

2007-01-26T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well gang, the feed is all twisted. Episodes are being released to new subscribers out of order - and maybe even 're-released' to you current subscribers in wacky order. Wacky!

I'm working on it. :) Thanks for the patience.

Technical Difficulties

2007-01-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

Apparently, none of the FTP episodes are showing up on iTunes and possibly even other podcatchers. I'm lookin' into this and will hopefully have the feed working again.

And if not.

I'll just change providers - blogger be damned!

pickle tales round 5

2007-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this competition is nearing the end. Go check this latest round out at the PodCast Pickle forums and vote for your favorite.

This round I wanted to take the opportunity to promote some of the great stuff out there that is available under the Creative Commons License.

Music appearing in my entry was found on the PodShow podsafe music network. Which is also really worth checking out. You can find that here.

The artists: Adhesion, Fonkmasters, Colie Brice.

I found most of my sound effects on the Freesound Project which can be found here:

And here is a listing of the effects I used in round 5. Freesound will actually create an html list for the user to make giving credit where credit is due easier: Sound Effects Listing (opens in a new window)

episode 15.5: i'm still here, but you probably knew that already

2007-01-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

My lovely listeners, here is a brief audio update as well as a promo for Captain Tee Morris and his upcoming and anticipated new PodCast novel:

I make an appearance in Billibub Baddings, so be sure to check it out!

As requested, Daylight Come, the Pickle Tales round 4 winner, has been posted on MySpace for download. Sorry it took me so long to get it you.

That's it for now. In addition to the continuing Pickle Tales saga, you'll hear my voice on an upcoming skit on Comedy4Cast. In addition to that, I'll be doing a read for the kick ass podcast Barfly very soon.

For those of you that have sent me promos to play (and voice mails) I have not forgotten about you. You'll be in the next full show. Promise :)

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I have not Pod Faded

2007-01-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

I haven't pod-faded, in case you're all wondering. Believe it or not, I actually recorded Episode 16 of Filling the Page last week. It was rushed and just not up to the standards of quality I've come to impose on myself. So, I won't be posting it.

I'm investing my efforts into the Pickles Tales competition at the moment and that, along with a couple of other PodCast projects, is taking up the casting bandwidth. The PodCast will be back in Febuary, full force. I'll continue to work on all my other projects between now and then ,with the plan to have some new, cool stuff to share when I do release Episode 16. You see, for me, it's more important that I produce a good podcast and not just release episodes for the sake of meeting a schedule. It's not for lack of love for you, my audience - if anything, it's the opposite.

I'll be posting my round four winning tune - Daylight Come (Penelope's Song) on the feed tonight.

Below is a shot from Friday night's show courtesy of Zach. Iota is, hands down, one of my favorite places to play. Ever.

And today's APOD is just to cool not to share:

Pickle Tales Round 4

2007-01-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

Voting runs until tomorrow at noon, my little friends. Sorry I haven't posted on this sooner! This was a really challenging round for everyone involved. I talk about that in more detail in the forthcoming episode of FTP. Keep your ears peeled (pealed?) Until then, go check out Round 4!

This Friday night, I'm playing double duty at Iota in Arlington. The Pharmacy Prophets are headlinging and I just discovered I will be doing a solo set (along with Steve) to kick off the night. Hope to see some of you out there!

Crescent

2006-12-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Draft one of Crescent is officially complete!

Happy Holidays

2006-12-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

A quick holiday well wishing post. I hope you're all not getting too caught up in the insane present gathering, food cooking hub-bub of this wacky season and are gearing up to just simply enjoy spending quality time with those you love.

For me, that's what this time of year is about - taking the time to be thankful for all the great people in your life and enjoying their company :)

The first draft of Crescent is approaching completetion and I couldn't be more psyched. I've side-lined all other projects to meet my goal of finishing this mamma-jamma before the end of the month and it look like that is going to happen. The story is out of my hands now. It's almost as if my fingers are moving of their own accord as I write these last few chapters. It's exciting and terrifying they way things are coming together.

Presently, I'm rewarding myself for the past couple of prolific days with some Arrogant Bastard Ale.

So - happy holidays. Reward yourselves!

-Phil

It's not that I don't love you

2006-12-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

I do love you all, so very deeply. That's why it pains me to make you wait for Episode 16 and all of it's holiday goodness. You can blame Tee Morris and DFH Ale House. That, and the fact that my schedule during this holiday season is balanced on a dime. Getting sick really through things outta wack.

Episode 16 is in the works (along with 9,000 other things).

Thanks to everyone who helped me advance to Round 4 of Pickle Tales. It was a close race. Due to the large gap between the issuing of the round 4 challenge and the submission deadline (large gap due to the holidays), the powers that be have made the latest challenge a whopper. In a nutshell, we've got to take a portion of Homer's the Odysessy and recreate it as a 7 minute audio epic. I'm fearing another buzzer beater is in my future. ;-)

So, that's that. Tonight it's down to the bar in Alrington to meet with Steve and a couple of film guys to discuss the Fantome' project. After, I plan on banging out some more of Crescent.

pickle tales round 3

2006-12-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

Round three of Pickle Tales went live today. It's a fun and light hearted round. Once again, I'm against some serious competition. It's really a talented bunch!

Go listen and vote for your favorite!

the first illness of the winter season

2006-12-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

I've got my first cold of the holiday season and it's a doozy. Benefits: the haze of cold remedies. Not-so-benefits: the desire to do nothing but sleep.

episode 15: burn out (episode mcshortie)

2006-11-30T03:46:00.000-08:00

Episode 15 is here - a week late - but better late than never. I had a lot going on before the Thanksgiving holiday and quite simply ran out of time. (pictured above - scene from the Great Thanksgiving Mustache Caper)

What to expect in episode 15:
Burn out and how to cope
What are they smoking?
New track: Sally

And other goodies.

Links del sauce-a-lito
Alan Light's CIC
New Tee Morris Podiobook - Feb 2007!
Paul Levinson's Light on Light Through

Let's not forget about Pickle Tales. Round two was some tough competition.

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A post of worth

2006-11-28T06:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't written a decent blog post in almost a month. So, here is a shot at doing just that.

My birthday is coming up on Friday. It's hard to believe another year of my life has gone by. I'm not going to make this a year in review post - maybe I'll do that on Friday. If you haven't already noticed, the PodCast is a week late. There was just too much going on last week (not to mention, I only had a day-and-half at home base to get stuff done before heading to CT). I had to scramble to get my Pickle Tales entry completed and that was all I had time for in the end. I think you should go vote for me (if you like the goods, that is)!

I actually managed to write a bit while in CT with the ol' get up before everyone else routine. My plan is to finish the first draft of Crescent by the end of December. That will mean a pause in the Thread Garden, but those characters aren't going anywhere without me. It's nice to be in control ;-)

Progress on the Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit EP proceeds unhindered. Well, mostly, unhindered. I need to restring my guitars and currently I have no money for strings. The Pharmacy Prophets continue to write cool, different material for our ambitious Fantome' project.

Suffice to say, I'm busy, but a happy camper.

post holiday

2006-11-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

I survived the holidays, therefore, episode 15 will be posted this week.

episode 14: strike your fantasy with caffeine

2006-11-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

Quickie show notes:

Bouncing off the walls hepped up on caffeine. I say a lot of words including (but not limited to): focus, music, so, and, writing, November, Ashtray.

Links del sauce-a-lito
7th Son
Pickle Tales
Tee Morris

Correction: I know NanoWrimo is not national writing month, but national novel writing mouth. Call me marble mouth :-p

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pickle tales

2006-11-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

A quick update: my submission for PodCast Pickle's Pickle Tales story telling competition was one of twelve pieces accepted for the battle royale. :)

The Pickle Tales team reviewed the initial batch of entries for creativity, writing and skill of production and my short piece "Vagabond" was chosen to move on. It will be played on the Pickle Tales feed tomorrow. You've got three days to vote for me (if you like the story) and help me move on to round two!

Needless to say, I'm surrounded by good company.

Updated voting info:
Well gang, if you my submission, take five minutes and give me a vote

Go here to register (quick process):
http://www.podcastpickle.com/forums/index.php?act=Reg&CODE=00

Then go here to vote (and hear my story, along with the other great
submissions):

http://www.podcastpickle.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10427

Just click the radio button next to the story entitled "Vagabond."

Thanks for the support!
Phil

PseudoWrimo

2006-11-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

In honor of NanoWrimo, here's the Phil Rossi battleplan to turn November into a raucous productivity-fest:

- 50,000 words over multiple projects
- Record a new song a week
- PodCast

I've got a cool announcement. You've heard me mention 7th Son on the p-cast. I've mentioned that JC has released Book II. On November 14th, there will be a guest appearance on 7th Son by none other than Firefly's Nathan Fillion. Very kick ass. Congratulations, JC!

All you FTP'rs, go check out JC's stuff. He's the man - he's had great things to say about this PodCast and even played my promo on one of his 7th Son Episodes.

bad template

2006-11-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

I don't like this blog template one bit. Ugly!

Update: Green is gone. I'm going with "blank".

happy halloween!

2006-10-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

Happy halloween! I can't believe that it's October 31st. Crazy how time can just disappear. To all my NanoWrimo involved listeners - good luck. I'm still deciding on how I will use the NanoWrimo fervor for my own nefarious purposes. As I've stated before, I'm not participating directly. I do feel that November is a good month for crazy goal setting. I may focus the month on cranking out a stack of short fiction, while I continue to work on Crescent and the Thread Garden.

Then again - I might just commit to finishing one of the above mentioned books.

Or a combination. We'll see ;-) In other news, I'll hopefully be finishing up a brand-spankin'-new track this week. Zach is coming over tomorrow to hit things on microphone.

Happy Halloween.

Be safe. Be magnificent.

:)

episode 13 complete - and I want to set blogger on fire!

2006-10-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

There must have been an upload error. Only half of episode 13 made it onto the server. Trying this again from Cape Cod folks before the devestating winds set in. Thanks for the patience!

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episode 13: trip the light spooktastic - part 2

2006-10-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

This show concludes the halloween fun. Thanks go out to my contributors. :)

Karen from Kalifornia - mastermind behind the Bunkcast (and yes Karen, you totally freaked me out).
Tee Morris - we shared ancient beers during his telling. There is a *wee* technical fumble at the start of the segment, but in interest of not sitting around for thirty-minutes of bounce-to-disk, we're gonna roll with it. (Mur said I should "stand strong")
Adam from NYC - his wit is cunning, his voice is of the velvet.

Potbelly concludes.

Promo:
Wander Radio

Link:
Voices: New Media Fiction at Podiobooks

Technology is great when it works

2006-10-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

The server that hosts philrossimusic.com and the earlier episodes of Filling the Page is down - and I can't determine why. I'm waiting to hear back from the keeper of the magical whirring box of sound and light. I knew I should have migrated the old episodes to the new server. So, why didn't I? I was lazy.

Many, many apologies if you're trying to get the old episodes. I'm working on it :)

Update - the blog feed will be going down at 2:00pm PST. The folks at blogga-blogga need to replace some vittles. What the hell is going on in my digital world today? Yowsa. I'm working on moving the feed to fillingthepage.com but the nice people at ftp.com's current registrar are making the domain tranfer more-or-less a living nightmare. :) Anyway, the outage will only run 60 to 90 minutes.

cha cha cha

2006-10-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Filling the Page Episode 13 is on its way. I had planned on finishing it up tonight, but the writing fever had been running hot. After cranking out 3,000+ words today (spread between the two projects), I'm inclined to sit on the couch, drink some wine, and watch some Lost.

The show will be posted before tomorrow is out. To hold you over, below find a picture of a little green frog I met last weekend. No, I didn't lick him. I didn't think of it at the time.

Oh. I've named the untitled book. I'm not saying that I won't change the name down the line, but for now, I dig it.

xo

episode 12: trip the light spooktastic - part 1

2006-10-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

We get our ghost on this week. Tales of Dudleytown (entrance road pictured above), one of the most hautned spots on the East Coast. Zach calls into the show and recounts a story of New England small town horror. And bowling.

Also in this episode, the premiere of my new short story, Pot Belly. Part one this week, part two next week (yes, I said next week. Two weeks of FTP - sweet.)

I received a few more audio submissions today. Please allow me to say, you all rock. They'll be in next week's show.

Boo!

Additional linkage:
the Warrens

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Comments? Leave'm here, call the voicemail, or shoot me an email.

PubCast on Wingin' It

2006-10-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

There' s a new PubCast on Michael and Evo's Wingin' It Episode 81. What's a PubCast? Each month Tee Morris and I venture off to a different pub/bar in search of delicious microbrews. Why? Because beer is good.

be part of the action

2006-10-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be heard in the FTP Halloween two part series of glory and awesomeness? Call into the voicemail line with a scary story (that happened to you). Things went bump in the night? So scared you almost...well, you don't have to share that story in particular - but you get the drift.

206-203-4556

I won't say it, but you know what day it is...

2006-10-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 4:00 am today. Believe me when I say it was not of my own volition. My brain turned on and that was it. I was thinking novels, podcasts, short stories, breakfast, coffee, commuting to work, the weekend, the drop in temperature.... you get the picture. I gave up on falling back to sleep and got up around quarter-to-five. My fingers haven't been working that well this morning. Goes without saying. So, I mistakenly added an 's' to google and and a few short seconds later I felt like I was tripping. This web site is the last place you should go when on zero sleep. Googltopia. Home of the Googles from Goo. From this point forward, I'll be haunted. (pictured above).

Oh and 'googles' is apparently slang for boobies. (Trust me).

The Phil Rossi Experience web site has had a URL reduction. Its googles were causing undue problems. It can still be reached at it's original URL, but also as www.philrossi.net .

In other news - I'm slowing beginning to repopulate my link section.

And one last thing - Any artists out there want to do some pro bono work? I'm looking for sketch work on a recurring basis. Darkly sci-fi type stuff. Shoot me a line at philrossimusic@gmail.com if you've got any interest or know anyone that might.

Radiations Kings Reunion Show

2006-10-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Many, many, many years ago I played horn in a band called the Radiations Kings (I'm pictured above being supremely bad ass). There is a little reunion show planned for December 2nd at the Knitting Factory in NYC. I've been listening to the music today and feeling nostalgic. We had some really good and strange times.

In other news - I'm back at the keyboard plugging away on the untitled masterpiece and Crescent. I also feeling like I'm coming down with a cold or some other seasonal change malady. Chalk it up to burning the candle at both ends. I'm cheerful as can be, though.

I'm contemplating a move to WordPress as it seems to be more PodCaster friendly than blogger. We'll see.

Promo Numero Uno

2006-10-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Now you too can spread the love like Smart Balance on a whole wheat english muffin.

Filling the Page Promo

episode 10: the place is here the time is now

2006-10-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Episode 10! I'm dashing off to Roanoke for a wedding in about five minutes, so the show notes are scimpy. I get informative on this episode and broach the subject of writing/being creative with limited time and preparing a press kit to become a human juke box.

I haven't listened to the entire file, so if anything strange happens,I don't want to know about it. ;-) Ignorance is bliss.

7th Son

PodCast 411

xoxoxo

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Comments? Leave'm here, call the voicemail, or shoot me an email.

turn on the bright lights

2006-10-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Every time I see this shot, it amazes me (if you click on it, you'll get a bigger shot). We lose a little more of our dark skies with each passing day. Learn how you can help save an often overlooked natural wonder. International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

lines are open!

2006-09-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

episode 9: from little richard to ancient civilizations

2006-09-21T07:51:00.003-07:00

Episode 9 is here and she's a beauty. I'm joined in studio by Jen, Doobie, and Tipsy. Show notes are brief this week:

Celebrity Duets

Hot Cyclon

The Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy

Toltec Wisdom

Stephen King

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Comments? Leave'm here, call the voicemail, or shoot me an email.

he could only move his little eyes

2006-09-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Looking back, it's tough to think that Doobie [pictured below] was ever paralyzed. It was a pretty terrible situation that came at an already stressful time. It sucked. At the same time, I think both Jen and I learned something about ourselves, something about our love for each other, and something about our love for the little poo-eater. Looking at him bound around the house, pant, and jump onto Jen's laptop knocking off a quarter of the keysn provides a constant reminder that even when things are crappy it is possible to make it through to brighter shores.

No, I haven't been sitting here waxing philosophical all morning...just now. I found a picture of Perushka taking advantage of the fact that Doobie couldn't move and it got me thinking.

this made me smile

2006-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

a crappy piece of legislation

2006-09-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

WIPO Broadcast Treaty.

This puppy is evil. I've never been one to get to invested in anything "political". But, this is certainly worth my time *and* your time time to go check out.

So - clicky clicky!

10,000 words

2006-09-13T13:57:00.002-07:00

I hit the 10K marker on the yet-to-be titled masterpiece (note the progress bar to the right). To that end, I shall be rewarding myself with....beer. Afterall, we are entering that season where it is important to grow the belly a wee bit for that extra snugglization. And far be it from me to come up with a reason to celebrate....anything.

Current research:

From the Pen of Michael A. Stackpole

2006-09-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

Subject: Concerning Disney’s 9/11 show

Hi,

The ABC television network–part of the Walt Disney corporation–unleashed a promotional blitz in the last week for a new “docudrama” called “The Path to 9/11″. ABC has thrown its corporate might behind the two-night production, and bills it as a public service: a TV event, to quote the ABC tagline, “based on the 9/11 Commission Report”. Part of their promotional campaign was to release the film in advance to right wing bloggers and pundits, like Rush Limbaugh, who have immediately hailed it as an unbiased look at the events leading up to 9/11.

You all know me to be a very careful writer who advocates doing a lot of research. In the area of 9/11 I have done just that, reading tons of books and articles about the history of Islamic Fundamentalism, the intelligence community and the various military and political campaigns waged since 9/11. (Yes, someday I’ll do a book…) I’ve actually shied from the partisan political stuff because I find the shrill rantings from either side too anoying to tolerate. And from my reading, there is no doubt that there were significant problems dealing with Islamic fundamentalism that dated from the founding of Saudi Arabia, and were exacerbated by our opposition to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

In short, there is plenty enough blame to go around, both for politicians and bureaucrats. I’d welcome a show that delves into all of this. A show based on the 9/11 commission report actually should do that. This is certainly what ABC has claimed about their show.

That’s a false claim. “The Path to 9/11″ is a bald-faced attempt to revise history. And ust to make things more fun, they even slander Democrats right before Americans vote in a major election. One scene depicts the Clinton administration as refusing to okay a CIA hit on Osama bin Laden–showing CIA agents being outside a house where bin Laden was staying at the time they called for permission. Not only is that scene a complete fabrication, but in the 9/11 report and all of the histories I’ve read, the Clinton Administration repeatedly pushed the CIA for an operation, but CIA Director Tennent never gave his operatives the greenlight. (And for good reason: the closest they ever got to bin Laden was a plan to take out a compound where he was living with cruise missiles strikes, but that strike would have also killed the other people living there–mostly women and children.)

The miniseries, which was scripted by right-wing conservative writers, is the first salvo in the 2006 GOP campaign to terrorism to scare Americans. It irresponsibly misrepresents the facts and completely distorts the truth in an attempt to make you believe that a vote cast for a Democrat is signing a death warrant for your children, your church, you way of life and your nation. This is completely absurd and, as someone who loves the Constitution and hates seeing it being mangled by fear-mongers, I hope you’ll resist the message being pumped out as we approach the election.

But, first things first. Please join me in telling Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger to keep this propaganda off the air. We don’t need the memories and sacrifices of our fellow citizens being morphed into a partisan political event. Don’t let Mr. Iger turn Mickey Mouse into a rat; and don’t let him turn history into a malignant fantasy.

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/pathto911/ftvrwv

Sincerely,

Michael A. Stackpole
http://www.stormwolf.com

episode 8: welcome back me

2006-09-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

The subtitle to this episode should read "numerous plugs." It's good to be back. I had a lot of fun with Episode 8 and gained a new appreciation for lengthy edit sessions. But, rather than get long winded about the joy that was podcasting episode 8, I'll let the podcast do the talking. Special visits from Jen, Zach, King, and Tipsy. As an aside - I am madly and deeply in love with my Mac.

I call her Vera.

Show notes (and if I missed any, sorry):
Infection by Scott Sigler
Heaven by Mur Lafferty
Magic Hat Brewery
Dogfish Head Brewery
Podzinger
Podiobooks
Spherical Tomi by Jack Mangan
Morevi and Legacy of Morevi by Tee Morris (and Lisa Lee [Morevi!])
Eathrcore by Scott sigler
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
the Deadpan Podcast
the Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy
Feedburner
Farpoint Media
Speaking of Beer

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!

2006-08-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

My mind has been officially boggled. I wasn't aware that these two perennial favorites of mine had been collaborating. I was bummed out that the rain is preventing me from going for a run - or more specifically, that the threat of rain prevented me from bringing my running stuff to work. It's not raining now. Harrumph. Good thing I discovered this gem to distract me from the crushing guilt that is soon to come. :)

Update: By some bizarre, compulsive, yet entirely absent-minded miracle, the gym bag made it into the car. I now feel complete. Wahoo.

Okay. I lied.

2006-08-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

I've started work on Episode 8 of filing the page.

Touch the monkey.

Love the monkey.

state of the union

2006-08-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

I was reprimanded on Saturday night. You see, I haven't made a squeak or a peep about the goings on in my special universe in sometime. And now you, my voyeuristic friends and family members, are getting restless. I'm going to give it a shot. I'll try to appease your appetite while at the same time not stuff you so full of magical delights that you don't feel the need to visit me ever again.

Like that would ever happen!

First order of business. Adam had requested I post a few more wedding pictures. I updated an older photo album not too long ago, but of course, neglected to link it anywhere. There are about 5,283 pictures from the month long occasion. I'm going to endeavor to create multiple galleries. At this time, I haven't mustered up the courage or motivation to futz around with the database on my server so that I can install phpGallery (which is super swanky, by the way - especially for massive uploads).

So, here you Adam and the whole lot you: A Bit of the Nuptials

Second order of business. Work on the studio has been completed, with the exception of some minor tweaks. Jen did all the work herself, with minimal assistance. If you ever hear me talk about being feeling under appreciated, go ahead and kick me square in the mommy-daddy box. I've got a few pictures: My Precious

I love it. I've been having a gay ol' time getting acquainted with my new gear.

Okay. Now that I've gotten that bit out of the way, I can let you know what I'm up to. I'm writing a lot of music, focused around putting together a solo EP. You can hear one of the offerings up on the MySpace page (Bright Midnight). The Habit album has stalled out for the moment being, due to various reasons. These things do happen, and it is a bummer for all involved. Ann and Zach have invested some serious effort and Brian is eager to record weird sounds. I'm sure we'll get some of it completed soon.

For right now, my heart is definitely in my new material. I'm writing from a different place than I have in the past and its place I need to be writing from. For whatever that is worth, and whatever that means....

It was 100% bad ass to play at Iota this past Saturday. There were oodles of people there - familiar faces and complete strangers alike. I played a lot of the aforementioned new material and it went over handsomely. Afterwards, I did a little jig and drank beer(s) with my loving friends, allowing them to praise me and my coif. Brad Pugh if you are reading - thanks again for giving me that opportunity.

On to the writing. I can sum this up with a fair degree of ease. I haven't been writing at all. Last month, I started rewriting my first novel. This quickly became a disheartening experience. Now - I didn't find the manuscript to be complete crap. The story is solid. The writing is...bleh. To my defense, it is my first novel and at the time of writing it, I wasn't reading anything and hadn't read a book in years. What did I expect? Did I think I'd be writing with the same glory and panache as Neil Gaiman? Who knows...Regardless, I'm not sure how to proceed with that project. The past couple months have presented themselves with certain stresses, thus making it more difficult to put pen to paper. I need to start writing again for the sheer fact that I enjoy it a great deal. I'm (hopefully) having cocktails with Tee Morris tomorrow, I'm sure he'll have some inspiring words to say.

And finally, the PodCast. That's been the lowest (sorry!) on the priority totem pole. But, with the ground feeling pretty solid beneath my feet, I will likely kick it off again. It may progress in a different direction. I dig the idea do doing some serialized fiction as Mur Lafferty did with her Heaven tale. I'll try and keep this blog updated.

Honest..

Current Research:

sweet release

2006-07-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present an update. I'm sure there has been much gnashing of teeth brought on by anticipation for the next RossiCast. From my fingertips to your eyes -- it's going to happen. I've got a lot of good things to share - of the variety that stay crispy in milk for *hours*. I have no idea what that is supposed to mean. Maybe some one can tell me. I'm working hard (that is to say I'm working), so I'll have a lot to say when I finally get around to speaking. At least more to say than "I'm working on a lot of projects".

In my downtime, I've been filling my head with lots of fun stuff:

dog days

2006-07-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Life is slowly returning to normal in the Rossi household. Normal being used in the most loose and relative sense of the word.  We have slugged our way through hospitalizations, surgeries, and recoveries. We've weathered the illness of one pet (Doobie was paralyzed!).   In the end, we survived it all with barely a scratch (well, a few, tiny, incisions).  I want to say I'm not superstitious - but I've been knocking on wood for days.

I'm getting back on track with my projects.  I'm recording. I'm writing.  I'm feeling creative again.  Wahoo to that.  The eight PodCast should, for all intents and purposes, show up sometime next week.

A heat wave has rolled into Virginia this week.  The weather is *almost* hotter than my wife.  I actually set up one of those reflective contraptions to keep my car from melting today.  I don't know that I've ever used one before.  I found it in the trunk (of all places)   I decided to give it a shot, after burning myself on the seatbelt yesterday.

I, for one, don't mind the dog days.  I can't wait to go running this afternoon.  I'll just avoid the shiny objects with heat waves rising off'm.

Happy day.

married away

2006-06-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Marriage has me feeling extremely cheerful. It's not just that I get to wear a real swanky ring and have a month-long celebration. There is this indescribable and unquantifiable sense of join the pops up every time I realize I've got a wife. An incredibly intelligent, beautiful, sexy, funny, perfect wife. Once the dust and smoke have fully settled, I look forward to resuming all of my projects. But as for right now, it feels good to relax and not do too much of anything at all. Well - not anything.

a wee babe of an update

2006-05-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished another short story. One more to go and I'm on to the writing of my next novel. I already have the novel conceptualized, and I'm eager to get started on it.

My nuptials are fast approaching. A matter of weeks now. There won't be much time for recording/working on the album during that time.

episode 7: sucking is cool

2006-05-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

A little late - but better late than never. In this episode:

-Sucking is okay, so long as you are aware that you suck.

-Jokul: Short Fiction by none other than me!

-the Phil Rossi Experience (.com) the site that brings it all together (and brings faster PodCast downloading action)

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and another one away

2006-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Just sent story #3 to market. Whee! See ya in a few months, story-story. For better or for worse.

more of anything? more of everything.

2006-05-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where you’re thankful that you’re able to enjoy great books, music, and etc? But, at the same time, you wish could extend the day by about ten hours, because there is so much goodness out there to enjoy? Welcome to my world. I’ve cut way back on TV over the past couple of weeks, with the exception of the Sopranos and Season 2.0 of BSG. That said, I’ve had a little more time to enjoy some non-televisualuar pursuits:

Powder Burns – the Twilight Singers

This latest offering from the Twilight Singers (Greg Dulli – former Afghan Whigs) has been at the top of my iPod spin list. Just released in May, Powder Burns is lush, dark, and, soulful. Pretty much everything you’d expect from the brilliance that is Greg Dulli. Dulli seems to be at the top of his vocal game on this offering. He gets really melodic at times, in a good way. Not in a Magic Flute kind of way. There’s nice use of strings and horns throughout the album, making for some really cool arrangements. I realize this sounds vague – but I’ve only listened to it a handful of times. Enough to know that I really dig it.

Mona Lisa Overdrive – William Gibson

I love the way this man writes. I have yet to pick up a book of his and set it down unfinished. Like his other books, the writing is extremely intelligent, yet accessible at the same time. Gibson does well creating believable characters and having these unique personalities breath life into a dark, but colorful world. Drugs, sex, movie stars, and voodoo. How could I not like it?

American Gods – Neil Gaiman (audiobook)

This is my second sampling of the wonder that is Neil Gaiman. The book reads and feels like a trip on mushrooms as Gaiman toys with your head, juxtaposing the mundane with the average – just as he did in Anansi boys. It’s at a different level in American Gods. You feel like a leaf, caught vibrating between the fantastic and the real. I really like Gaiman’s exploration and reinvention of mysticism and religion. Mas cool.

The Sandman Vol 1. Preludes and Nocturnes – Neil Gaiman

A double dose of Gaiman this month. This is a graphic novel. Way, way, way back in the day, I enjoyed a good comic and I thought graphic novels were pretty bad ass. I’ve been hearing about the Sandman series for quite sometime now. Everything I’ve heard about it has been 100% positive. I think Sandman came out as a series of comic books in the early 90’s. The premise is as such: an eccentric fellow tries to capture Death and instead, ensnares the Dream-king, el Sandman. Needless to say, it makes for a very surreal read.

Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana (Podiobook) – Tee Morris and Lisa Lee

Morevi was one of the very first PodioBooks. This is my first taste of the Tee Morris/Lisa Lee duo. One of the pretty wild things about Morevi – the coauthor’s never actually met during the writing of the book. I think Morevi is a testament to the efficacy of the internet as a collaborative tool. The narrative is coherent and concise – you’d think it was written by a single author. I’m really enjoying it thus far. It’s a good, swash-buckling adventure. The characters are likable and have a certain depth that creates a real sense of realness. Both the dialog and the descriptions are fantastic. Morevi is narrated by Tee Morris. It’s a great performance. The story is told with emotion, conviction, and with good accents.

Eve – MMORPG, CCP games

In my quest for knowledge on the whole MMORPG craze, I came across Eve. It was pointed out to me by my friend Jeanette, who I now curse, because I really, really like it. I don’t get to play much. A few hours here and there, spread out over the course of the week. It’s a dark, sci-fi, space-faring game. You buy stuff, you sell stuff, you run missions, people hire you to get shot at. It’s a visually spectacular game. The thing I really like about Eve is that I can do about fifty other things while I play it. Usually, playing Eve coincides with the small slices of TV viewing during the week.

BSG – Season 2.0 Vol 1.

You know how I feel about all things BSG. Creeping along at an episode a week. How I long for more.

And there you have it. Yes, I’m still being wicked and creative. Finished off another short story this weekend and I’m closing in on finishing yet another. Two more chapters down in the novel. I’ll submit for the first time either the end of this week, or beginning of next week. I’ve got the synopsis written and I’m doing the outline sometime tonight, after Prophets practice. Tomorrow night, polishing up a few parts on a couple tracks off the Habit album and recording the PodCast, for airing on Thursday. Brian asked me the other day, if I find fulfillment out of all these projects as I embark on them and as I complete them. And, I can say, yes. I feel extremely fulfilled with the 10,000 things I’ve got going. And I’m finishing projects, to boot.

The show at the Wonderland Ballroom was a kick ass good time, as I’ve discovered seems to be the routine there. Flo played a good set, and Michael Jantz was kick ass, as always.
Next event de force: The Pharmacy Prophets at the Black Cat.

update

2006-05-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

A wee, wee update.
The show in NYC was a smash. Zach does a great job of recounting the tales of adventure here. I’ll talk about it on the ‘cast next week as well. For, the details from fuzzy to non-recollection were omitted.

It was great seeing some of my old buddies.

I just finished up another short story and I’m prepping in for submission. I started another short story yesterday and I’ve got quite a bit done in the novelizing department. I’ve been doing my best to spend my time off the internet.
Not an easy feat!

episode 6: these pants are covered in martini

2006-04-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks. Episode 6 of Filling the Page. I take a martini bath and talk to my fiancé, Jennifer, about me, oh, and about her too. My first interview experience, her first recording experience. Yes a night of firsts. Parental guidence is *highly* suggested. Gripes include telephones and kerosene fire dances.

Promos:

The Dragon Page
APA PSA (acronyms, baby. So hot!)

it's been nice knowin' ya

2006-04-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

This is King. He twenty pounds of feline. King has been living with us, along with his compadre, Peanut for nearly a year now. He and Peanut will be moving out on Friday. I was reticent when they moved in, but now I'm sad to see both of them go. But, their affection is needed elsewhere - and we're not really lacking in the animal departement, anyway.

Recording the PodCast tonight, or at least a portion of it. You can look for it later in the week.

I continue to pull tunes out of my...hat left and write. I've put off the novel-rino for the past couple weeks, as I did accomplish my initial goal of polishing up the first three chapters for submission. But, I've been hit with the bat of inspiration from Mur's PodCast and the Tee Morris interview on the DeadPan.

I'm going to try to find time to polish another couple chapters.

Off to NYC this weekend with the Bad Habit. Whee!

available in lady's small and extra small only

2006-04-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks Jeremy and Andrea for starting....something.

It's been an interesting week thus far. After getting back from a great weekend trip to CT to visit the ol' fam, I decided to make Tuesday a night full of making electronic music. As it turns out, Windows XP decided to burn my night away in napalm blast of frustration. I should've just picked up the guitar at the first "unable to switch device, please install pointlessfile.INF", shunning technology all together. But I didn't. I confess, I fell into this classic WinSuck trap and spent several hours trying to figure out why Reason (a kick ass soft-synth program of sorts) thought my computer was an idiot.

I couldn't sleep later that night, even dosed on sleep-aids. The fact that I couldn't make the computer work was driving me crazy. I got out of bed around 1:00am, discovered a temporary fix and worked up a few cool loops. Considering I was on an over-the-counter sleep aid, I'm sure said loops mostly consist of fart noises and water-fowl mating calls.

Last night, I managed to get away from the city lights for a little stargazing. It was needed. I feel a lot more relaxed today. Thanks for asking. I'll be posting in detail about that in my other, other, other blog. Prophets practice tonight. We'll be working on some new tunes. Habit practice this weekend in prep for the NYC debauchery that is fast approaching. Details on that show to come. I also have a PodCast to deliver this coming monday. Feed back was great for the last one. I think you people are afraid of the telephone. Please call in, lest I resort to: "So in so from here and there wrote me to say, nice podcast." or "So in so from here and there wrote me to say, you have beautiful eyes." Or "So in so from here and there said, meet me behind the super Target in Sterling - wear comfortable shoes."

206-222-CAPN

As for now, it's time for my run. Be sexy.

Current research:

episode 5: can you hear my ice a tinkling

2006-04-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here it is, folks. Episode 5. It's magical. Hear me gripe about toilet seat covers.

Show notes:
Scott Sigler's Infection
Jack Mangan's Dead Pan Podcast

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pharmacy prophets - saturday night at Iota

2006-04-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

the show de force has almost arrived:

Catch me with the Pharmacy Prophets at Iota in Alrington, Va this Saturday evening with our good friends the Speaks and Koshari.

Debauchery shall ensue, no doubt.

Saturday April 8th - as part of the 6 Points Music Festival
The Pharmacy Prophets, the Speaks, and Koshari
Iota club and cafe
www.iotaclubandcafe.com

Any New Yorkers out there? Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit will be banging around the city at the end of April.

more podio-goodness

2006-04-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

My current diversion while working out:

episode 4.5: entangled

2006-04-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

AAs I said in the previous post, I've been working on *a lot* of new music. I decided to demo one of the songs so that you nice people could hear what starting from scratch is all about. A mildly inebriated me recorded a really cheese ball intro. I was wearing my smoking jacket. Huzzah!

Hope you enjoy it:

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monday, monday

2006-04-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hi kiddies. I had an extremely productive weekend, cranking out several new songs. It's been a while since I wrote a song I felt really good about. To come up with a few felt pretty damn good. I also spent a little time tinkering with some recent photographs (see above). This is the off week for the 'cast, but I'm planning on demoing one of these new tunes and throwing it up there.

Big Pharmacy Prophets show at Iota this Saturday. More info to come.

episode 4: paris and back again

2006-03-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Episode 4 of Filling the Page. We can't be stopped. Or rather, I can't be stopped. Prepare to be regaled with the gripping tales of Paris, a book review or two, and the first ever airing of my fiction - Chapter 1 of a Prayer for Rain. I had some minor technical difficulties with the recording process and overcame most of them. Show volume level might be a few dB lower than last week, but that is why the good Jebus created the volume knob.

Show notes:

the Kite Runner
Spherical Tomi
PodioBooks
Jack Mangan

The closing tune is Highway 85 by your very own Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit to appear on the forthcoming album.

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Presenting the Smart Car, made entirely of reconstituted baguette and fromage.

here I am, baby

2006-03-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

You’ll hear all about this in the forthcoming PodCast, but I’m just giddy to be back on track. I jumped back on the novel editing and I’m back at it with the recording. Things sound yummy
I think I’m finally beating off this nasty bug.

xo,
Phil

germs are so inconsiderate

2006-03-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

The nasty cold monster has decided to stick around longer than I would’ve liked. I had hoped to record the PodCast this evening (Wednesday), but the odds grow more slim with each successive cough, sniffle, sneeze, and groan. There have been *a lot* of new subscriptions over the past several days (Thanks Mur). I not disappoint any of you fine people, both new and existing listeners. If I don’t get to it by weeks end, I promise to be back on track next week.

This weekend, I’m up to the Big Apple to lend credence to the adage, “the show must go on.” It’s always an interesting experiment in biochemistry when doing a show feeling like death warmed over. You’ve got to find the right amount of Afrin, honey, tea, and whiskey to supplement the adrenaline of performing to make you viable for forty-five minutes to an hour.

they let me back in to the country

2006-03-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Paris was great. I’m more than slightly jet-lagged and I feel like I spent last night gargling razor blades. Why am I telling you this? (other than for the sympathy and love) It means the PodCast will be a little late.

Treats will include but will not be limited to:
the magical properties of Parisian water
the bad teacher
the riotous youth
the cougher

photography schtuffs

2006-03-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Had some fun with the camera on the way home from work last night...not that kind fun! You people. Click the image below to check out some of the shots. :)

Octavia Butler

2006-03-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

Octavia Butler, author of the recent novel Fledgling, and several other novels, pasted away recently. There is a great interview with Octavia at the Dragon Page. Be sure to check it out.

-Phil

episode 3: look out paris, here I come

2006-03-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Episode #3 of Filling the Page – the best Phil Rossi PodCast anywhere. I’m getting ready to head out to Paris at the end of the week, but decided to put together a bonus show. On this week’s show, I confess a deep-rooted fear, I have a computer meltdown and lose fifteen minutes of PodCast glory, and, subsequently, I re-record the show on too much beery goodness.

Comments, questions, proclamations of love? Leave a voice mail, comment, or send an email.

Talk to you in a couple of weeks!

Promos (don’t act surprised).

I Should be Writing
Dragon Page

Other links of interest:
Pyramid Brewery
The Pharmacy Prophets
Tee Morris (I had talked about Tee on the PodCast, unfortunately, his shout out was gobbled by the gremlins).

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Current Research:

Les animaux du film

2006-03-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Warming up/figuring out how to use the camera prior to the great Parisan adventure. Snapped a few animal shots. Because, they make good subjects - not the best behaved, but certainly the cutest.

episode 2: fluffy's got a death wish

2006-02-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Episode # 2 of Filling the Page. The PodCast by a guy who wants to do everything. This show features discussion on work environment, beer, books, and fluffy dogs. I was shocked to discover that I had to leave about half my intended material on the cutting room floor. I was more comfortable when doing episode #2 than I was doing episode #1, hence the verbosity.

Coming off several rock and roll shows, two back to back from this past weekend, I was feeling quite brain dead. But I had a good time recording this.

Feel free to comment, email, or call:

206-222-CAPN.

Show links of note:

Dragon Page
I Should Be Writing
Flying Dog Brewery
Rogue Brewery
Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit

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From the weekend:

happy weekend

2006-02-24T08:31:00.000-08:00

A quick, Happy Friday to my new readers….and to Brian and Zach. It’s been a good week. I got my new guitar – finally. I submitted my first short story to market, which coincided with my first successful short story completion. Today, I made a concrete decision to submit my novel in the next couple of weeks. Needless to say, there is definitely plenty to talk about on next week's PodCast.

Some subjects I’ll be hitting, not necessarily in this order:

Fitness and Focus

Working Environment

Cocktail of the Week

Gripes

Mini-book Review:

-Anthem, Ayn Rand

-A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin

Thought of the moment: It is impossible to listen to the Who and be in a bad mood. Don't forget to call and say hello as the voice mail is working now. (206) 222-CAPN

Be sexy,
Phil

Current research:

her kiss was sweet

2006-02-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

I know I’m loveable.  But, really…For everyone who has sent me a message, thanks for the kind words.   I firmly believe that I adhered to the PodCasting rule of firsts; however, your support and affection is much appreciated.  Several of you fine people have asked that I make this a weekly PodCast (as opposed to bi-weekly).   I don’t see that happening just now.  I’ll *never* be able to fit claymation into my schedule.

I’m not opposed to the idea of a weekly PodCast.  It’s just not in the cards right now. I’ve got hectic show schedules, international trips, recording of albums, writing of novels, and being magnificent to contend with.

Oh. Voicemail is working now, too.  So, you don’t have to pretend to be fax machine.  Or you could pretend to be a fax machine.  I’m sure I’d get a kick out of it.

xoxo,
Phil

post title (required)

2006-02-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

Happy day after President’s Day. I was shocked to have yesterday off from work. However, that shock did not stop me from enjoying my day. I managed to finish a web design project and I got about half-way through writing a new short story. I’m actually digging this one. The last story I wrote gave me that bad, Sci Fi Saturday vibe. Don’t now what I’m talking about?
Consider yourself lucky. Lou Diamond Philips would know what I’m talking about, though.

Anyway, here is a link to something *very* cool:

Escape Pod

episode 1: allow me to introduce...myself.

2006-02-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to episode one of Filling the Page.

Here, I introduce myself, the show, drink a cocktail or two, and enjoy the velvet sound of my voice.

Promos:

I Should Be Writing
Dragon Page Wingin’ it

Enjoy the show!

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Check out the bands at:
www.philrossimusic.com
www.pharmacyprophets.com

problem child

2006-02-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, you just need to know when to give up. Right? I wrote a short story a few weeks back. I’m presently going through and editing it. But, the thing is terrible. I mean, it’s really, really, really bad. You know what it makes me think of – one of those completely terrible Sci Fi channel flicks they air on Saturday afternoons. Only worse.

So, what do I do? Do I try to finish the damn thing? Or do I surrender to its crappiness?
I’ll be recording the PodCast *very* soon. Oh, how much you have to look forward to!

snap

2006-01-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

I confess.

I haven't worked on editing the novel *at all*. That's not to see I don't have several other creative enterprises in the mix. I've just started work on the Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit album de force. The Pharmacy Prophets are writing a lot of new, kick ass music. And I'm trying my hand at a bit of the photography with a broken camera. Bear in mind, none of the activities really interfere with the editing of the novel. However, I have picked up a bit of freelance web work and the only times I can play designer are those where I would normally be novelizing. However, money before literary magic. 2006 is all about getting things done and I'd hazard to say that both this novel and the first shall be fully edited before Spring.

So, about the photography. I can't say how much I'd love to own a nice, digital SLR. That's just not in the budget right now. What I've got to work with is an older Nikon camera that thinks the batteries are always dead - that, and it shuts down for no reason other than apparent laziness.

I drive some interesting country roads on the way into work. There are a ton of great subjects. Today, I finally left early enough to be able to pull over for a few quick shots. You can click on the photo for a bigger shot.

I'd like to do a whole series of photos with buildings and objects that are in disuse/left behind. There's this little derelict eatery on route 28. Lots of good opportunites for pictures. However, I got to this last and the camera died.

On route 28 there is a building that is totally falling apart. Again, a lot of good photos can be taken here. I played a bit in Photoshop, with curves.

This last shot I took as the camera was gasping its dying breath - through the windshield, no less.

here's to a bright 2006

2006-01-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely ecstatic right now as I’ve discovered my favorite band of all time will be touring in the United States. This happens about as often as me waking up in the morning saying “I can’t wait to go to work today!” I realize this bit of good news may seem to have nothing to do with writing. The Sisters of Mercy served as the soundtrack to many chapters of both the books I’ve written thus far. It is only appropriate that I take this opportunity to express my glee.

Glee!

It is now 2006. Pretty crazy to fathom that 2005 has come and gone. I’m hungry to finish off these two books. I’m am ready to sit back in front of the computer, with the notes I’ve made (scribbles, line-outs, drawings, hieroglyphics, etc…) and bang this puppy out. I want to finish this project sooner rather than later (of course). I have a clear picture of my next novel and I’m really eager to get started on that. With that said, I don’t want to rush this phase of the editing. I’m in a place now where I can really bring the world, the characters, and their stories to full life.
And that is what I plan on doing. I’ll start with book two and go back to book one once I’m done with that. I’m excited and I feel like I can now introduce the project properly.

The Lovidian Cycle
Book I: A Prayer for Rain
Book II: Floodlands

Happy New Year!

Current Research:

filling the page with little pen marks

2005-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well, it certainly has been a while, hasn’t it? The holiday season has always been hectic, and this year has been no exception. December is half over and Christmas is fast approaching. I’m now more than halfway through editing (scribbling) on the hard copy of the book. I’m right on track. I’ve definitely been enjoying reading the story. It’s good, what can I say?

I’ve tried to be very careful up to this point. There has been the urge to really speed through things. I really don’t want to rush it. I’m not trying to set a record or winning a race. It is amazing how much you can change an entire chapter just by massaging a few key sentences. It is this subtly that, in my opinion, makes for a great book. Each word is worth a million dollars. Each sentence is worth its weight in fine malted hops and barley. I tread with caution. If I’m feeling the slightest bit disengaged or impatient, I set the mighty ream of paper aside.

There have been no major rewrites thus far. I’ve tweaked various passages, but for the most part, the hardcopy edits have been stylistic tweaking. Getting the most of out my words and sentences. Then it’s back to the pitter-patter of my lovely fingers on the keyboard. I discovered a well-placed outlet in Starbucks and wonder if there is such an outlet in the pub. One can only hope.

Cheers and happy holidays!

Current research: