carpet anyone?

The Weekly Journal

Foot in mouth this week McCain...

John McCain was on CNN last week declaring the surge a success. "Areas of Baghdad are safe, even General Petreaus can walk without guard or armor."

CNN cut to Michael Ware, in Baghdad, immediately after the McCain interview to verify the situation on the ground. "Senator McCain is off is rocker," Ware said. "McCain's comments were met with laughter down the line from US military sources."

Within a day, McCain's people backtracked. McCain himself, denied saying it, but I saw the actual interview, live. He said that and more. How could a smart guy be so dumb? He's backed into a conservative corner and can't get out. Unless the surge works, he's done.

McCain is in Baghdad now buying carpets.

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It's been an odd couple of months for me. I rewrote my novel, recorded some new songs, and I did some freelance consulting. I also waited for the result of my MFA applications.

The novel was ready, but that feeling wasn't shared by the publishing community. Several agents showed interest, but I got no takers. I pulled it off the market, and rewrote it, yet again. It's in great shape now. I totally believe in it, and I’m thinking positive in the way that movie, The Secret, says you must; but it's not easy to keep doubt from undermining my vibe.Last night

I saw Ricky Gervais interview Garry Shandling on a new program airing in England -- Gervais, is the genius behind The Office. In this new series, he visits his comedic heroes. It's an awkward and amusing hour at Garry's house. At one point, Garry says in regards to success -- you can't get caught up in the results of your work -- it's meaningless. He's right. The value of my work is not linked to the amount of money it generates. It's so obvious, and yet, it's so easy to forget.

I received an offer for a teaching assistant at Ole Miss. I wanted to accept their gracious offer of free tuition and stipend, but I couldn't make the numbers work. I've deferred the opportunity for a year.

I could have sold my Westport house, but it's not a good time to sell, and I didn't want to give up the last remaining jewel from my life as a music biz executive. I had intended to rent this house out. The numbers were close, but I have outstanding obligations that made this move impossible.

Some say situations are tied to fate, that if it was meant for me to go to Ole Miss this year, it would have happened. I'm not convinced that's true. I think that destiny is forged in real time, that a result is not in stone until it happens. But I do believe it's the culmination of all your effort -- things that occurred years ago still contribute to the future. And so everything I do and think, does affect what happens…

Let's hope I can keep writing, but more important, let's hope someone finds a solution that gets us out of Iraq without starting WWIII…