Hi Everyone!

Yep, there’s still someone at the helm.  I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I’m nearing the end of my doctoral dissertation (otherwise known as the thing that keeps me from updating this site).  I’ve already been getting my feet wet with Shh, Listen – a new music blog that’s meant as a companion piece to this one.  It’s simple, and only requires small updates as things come up.  So, very handy.

Mostly, though, I just want to say thank you to the thousands of you that continue to stop by each month.  Those of you that listen to our silly podcast, and those that ask when there will be updates.  Your interest and enthusiasm are wonderful, touching, (and probably undeserved).  My hope is that the March, which comes in like a lion, will also bring you new material.  With luck, I’ll even have something up for you before that (and in time for this site’s third anniversary!).

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.  For now, just let me say: Thank you.  And hey, come say hello on the new site, or on twitter.

~Jon

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Hi Everyone,

As you can see, I’m in the middle of making some little design tweaks to the site.  These are partly to satisfy my own sense of whimsy, and partly to help highlight the newest work in various areas of the site.  This is, in fact, Phase One of a major project.  More on that in the next week or so…  Until then, I’d be very happy to hear your thoughts (good or bad) about the new nav bar on the front page.

Apart from that, I continue to toil away with Chris on our Generation Goat podcast, and am very grateful for all of the people that have wasted an hour or two along with us.  Make sure to tell your friends about the podcast – everyone loves practical jokes!

And that’s it for now.  More content coming this week!

~Jon

A couple of years back, a contributor named April wrote one of the most visited entries on this site: Afghan Whigs – Gentlemen.  Now, she’s contacted me to let me know that she’s written and directed a movie called “Before We Get to Seattle.”  Here’s the description from the project’s website:

It’s 1991 and Chloe, a runaway, is leaving for Seattle with her bass player boyfriend, Slater. She dreams of grunge rock stardom and “getting the hell out of Jersey.” Before the two hit the highway Chloe insists they stop off at a local deli to pick up supplies. Her real motive is to see her best friend Michelle one last time before she leaves.

Chloe has a secret and she desperately needs a favor. Michelle, who is very busy making sandwiches for a long line of hungry customers is both overjoyed and frustrated at the sudden appearance of her missing friend. Chloe and Michelle hide out in the store bathroom and are constantly interrupted by angry store customers while they solve Chloe’s big problem.

You can read more about the project on its facebook page, or you could drop in on the filmmakers on Thursday if you’re in NYC.

I’d encourage you all to have a look, and to do what you can to support independent film!