Scott Semegran's Blog, page 23
December 22, 2014
Best of 2014
I love reading positive reviews of music and movies and books and stuff. Since I am a creative person, I find that I have an insatiable appetite for other people's creative work. I'm a music nerd, a movie nerd, a book nerd, an internet nerd, a cooking nerd--I think you get the picture. So, I thought I would recap my favorite things from 2014, things that I loved so much that I plopped down good ol' fashion dollars (and that means a lot considering you can find a lot of this stuff for FREE in the dark corners of the interwebs) or were given as gifts because a loved one plopped their hard-earned money down. Nothing says I love you more to an artist or musician or writer or company than paying for their stuff. There are a ton of "Best of 2014" lists but here's mine and, without further ado, here's all (well, most anyway) the stuff I loved in 2014.
Music
Run the Jewels
Without a doubt, Run the Jewels 2 was my favorite hip hop of 2014, if not my favorite music of all. Endlessly repeatable and fun with great beats, this album pickups immediately where the first Run the Jewels album left off but with better production, better songs, just as skilled rapping, and a fully-formed group identity and persona. El-P and Killer Mike were good rappers before they joined forces but their collaboration brings out the best in both, more swagger and bravado, more humor, more of everything. Killer Mike even knows the power they possess when he says "The gates of hell I'm pugnaciously pacin' / Waitin' / I give a fuck if I'm late, tell Satan be patient / But I ain't here for durations, I'm just taking vacations / And tell him fuck him, I never loved him and salutations." A biblical throw down. Fuck boys, be warned.
November 24, 2014
The Gift
http://www.scottsemegran.com/words/bl...
November 23, 2014
The Gift
I have been thinking about my father a lot lately, more than usual, because of two controversial topics I have read about in the media this past year: suicide and assisted suicide. What initially prompted me to think more about my dad was Robin Williams' suicide on August 11, 2014. Having such a high profile person commit suicide definitely put the spotlight on this topic even though suicides claim the lives of tens of thousands of people every year and is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (CDC). My father, Michael Semegran, committed suicide on December 4, 2002. He was not a famous person, he was just my dad. Robin Williams and my dad had a LOT in common which was what got me thinking about my dad so much. I'll get to that in a bit; now to assisted suicide. Brittany Maynard committed assisted suicide on November 1, 2014. Maynard was diagnosed with a stage 4 malignant brain tumor. She moved with her family to Oregon so she could legally kill herself with lethal medication prescribed under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. She definitely put a new face on this topic since she was young and attractive and very vocal on social media about her path to death with dignity. What is the difference between a family member who commits suicide and a family member who commits assisted suicide? There is a very fine line between dignity and shame on the way to the same end, apparently. I find that to be very strange and perplexing and hurtful.
When Robin Williams committed suicide, I was shocked--if only for a few minutes--and it seemed the world was shocked as well. How could someone so universally loved and admired do such a thing as commit suicide? By all accounts, he was a very successful and brilliant man, actor, and comedian. He starred in several universally acclaimed movies such as Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, The Fisher King, Aladdin, and Good Will Hunting. He was a unique stand-up comedian who intimidated his contemporaries, many considered great in their own right. He earned an Oscar, two Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards. And he made millions of dollars doing all of this. My father was also brilliant and successful although on a different, more down-to-earth scale. He earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Industrial Engineering. He had a decorated, 25-year career in the Air Force leading a team programming computer software. He was called a genius by his commanders and way ahead of his time. He retired from the Air Force and made six figures working as the Director of Tech Support at Ashton-Tate, one of the "Big Three" software companies of the 1980s, which included Microsoft and Lotus. By all measures, both my dad and Robin Williams were successful men and geniuses.
November 19, 2014
Writing Updates
I'm 34,000 words into the novel I've been working on. I'm hoping to be done with the first draft by the end of 2014. I'm really enjoying the process so far. I love these characters I'm working with. SALUD!
October 31, 2014
Latest Writing Updates
I completed a short story called "Good Night, Jerk Face" and submitted it to a short fiction journal for their consideration. They're based in Austin so I'm very hopeful.
I'm 28,000 words into the novel I've been working on. I'm hoping to be done with the first draft by the end of 2014. I'm really enjoying the process so far. I love these characters I'm working with. SALUD!
August 8, 2014
Writing Updates
I am currently writing a novel and a short story. I hope to be finished by the end of 2014. Until then, the updates on my website will be light. Sorry homies. :(
I am also looking for representation for my work. If you are a literary agent and you would like me on your roster, then please send me an email. I am looking for a publisher for my new novel and a magazine or literary journal for my new short story. I am also interested in finding a new publisher for my other books as well.
Peace out, Scott
March 27, 2014
Books on Scribd
http://www.scribd.com/scott-semegran
October 21, 2013
New websites
Check out my new websites:
Scott Semegran's website
http://www.scottsemegran.com
I Heart Mr. Grieves
http://www.iheartmrgrieves.com
Sugar Skull Books
http://www.sugarskullbooks.com
Enjoy!
Scott
June 8, 2013
Lunch Bag Art 2013
It's that time of year again for me to create custom lunch bag art for my kids. They enjoy getting them during summer camp and their friends love it too. I have to admit, it's getting tougher and tougher each year to top the previous years but I'll try my best. My goal this year is to create them for each of my kids once a week. Enjoy! Check out the previous ones here, here, and here.
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