Platypossum

Six years in the blink of an eye

Well, I'm back. Wow, it's been a long time. I don't know why I quit writing this blog - with the exception that their were some worthless SOB's watching it, thinking they could get me in trouble at work. Well, I have since retired from that retard show and moved on to more interesting things in life. I've been writing and making movies. My film, PLATYPOSSUM, debuted in an unfinished form at the Cape Comic Con in Cape Girardeau, MO a couple weeks ago. It will make an honest and finished debut here in Carbondale, Illinois at the Varsity Theater on August 19th, 2017. Anyway, I figured I'd drop in and say "howdy" again. I'll come back more often, I promise. In the meantime, here's a listing of all my books on www.amazon.com. Buy one, would ya? Thanks. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=roger+dale+trexler

New Year, New Hope

Well, here we are more than two weeks into the new year. I've been trying to finish the screenplay to SH*TSUCKERS FROM OUTER SPACE. With luck, I'll finish it by month's end. We'll film it when the weather gets a little warmer, and I get my tax return back and buy that high-definition digital video camera. Til then, we'll work on short little films. Check out the first one, FARTULA, over at my Facebook page. Just go to Facebook and look me up. Next weekend, we're going to film my entry into the PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE short film contest, and probably the sequel to Fartula, FARTULA RISES AGAIN. I'm dedicating 2011 to exploring film making....and I'm slowly learning the ins and outs of Final Cut Pro. Ought to be fun. I'll post the videos on youtube soon. Til then, you'll have to visit Facebook to see them.

almost Christmas

When I was young and naive, I used to think that you reaped what you sowed. If you were a good person, good things happened to you. You passed on the goodness, so to speak. Sadly, now that I am older and, I hope, wiser, I realize that the world, as Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P.) so appropriately put it: "is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams."

My advice for the new year?

Don't let them.

Be a dreamer. It's the only way this shit-hole of a world will change.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

been a while

It's been a while. I've been busy writing, painting the inside of the house, finally getting the BSA on the rode, writing, sleeping, eating, etc. Hope everyone is well. I'll write when this keyboard is replaced with one that will work properly.

Countdown to extinction

Well, here I am on the eve of my 49th birthday. It still amazes me I've made it this far. So many good people I've known have perished while I survived. Makes you wonder about the design of the universe and whether or not there is a plan at all. My father died at the ripe young age of 50 and it bothers me that I am approaching that age. But, I figure if it's my time, it's my time. There are so many people my age and younger who seem to have given up on life. I refuse to do that, although I sometimes find myself giving up on the human race. I've been trying not to do that, either....even though it is hard sometimes. Things like the oil spill in the Gulf and the ensuing lack of concern by my fellow man just really, really, really bother me. We're all so insensitive to things these days. All so self-centered. Or, at least, that's the way it seems to me. I could go on and on about things.....and I probably should. Things just aren't right, my friends. So, I try my best to be a good person, love my children, be a good father, and dream of a better day for us all. I think, in the end, optimism is the best answer to the pessimism the world throws our way. Smile at the SOB's.....it'll confuse their tiny little minds....and maybe, if we are lucky, it just might rub off on the idiots. One can only hope.

There I was on a July morning looking for love

The title for this installment comes from one of my favorite bands, Uriah Heep. They played in Chicago last night but I missed it. First time they've been in the states in ten years. Damn, I'm gonna regret that. I always loved the song "July Morning" with its anthemish keyboard intro and the twenty years+ dead voice of David Byron. Their new lead singer, Bernie Shaw, has sung with them for twenty years. They're still a viable band. Their 2008 album, "Wake the Sleeper", rocks. Wish I'd seen them.

The illustration to this installment was done to accompany perhaps the most controversial story I've ever written. "Mary had a little lamb" is about the daughter of God. Things don't go so well for her when she is sent to St. Louis to face her destiny. The story ended on a positive note, though. It was written way back in the good ol' 1980's. It never found a home....till recently, that is. It was published in an online magazine about six months back. I really love this illustration because it captures the mood of the story perfectly. If you like the illustration, hunt down "Marginal Boundaries" on the good ol' Internet. Lots of good stories in there.

Anyway, I need to try to sleep now, folks. Have a happy 4th of July.

Father's Day 2010

Well, it's Father's Day again. Seems like the years just fly by. My son, Darrien, is sitting on the couch playing Leggo Indiana Jones 2 on the Wii. I promised him he could play a while, but I'll be shutting that thing off soon so we can go out and do something fun. Hope everyone out there calls their dad today and thanks them for this interesting life.

Out of the Frying Pan

Well, the weather in southern Illinois has turned from quite pleasant to incredibly hot. I'm still holding to my "no air conditioning till the first of June" motto, but it's tough today. Gonna sit in the basement and watch TV to avoid the humidity upstairs.

Southern Illinois. You gotta love it.

And the laughs just keep on coming!!!!

More off-kilter humor for her

Sorry, had to post this one as well.

How can you not find this humorous?

Yes, my sense of humor is a little south-of-center but, you gotta admit, this is true. Posted exclusively for "That Woman" or "She Who Shant Be Named."

Another March post? WTF?

Howdy y'all.

I strongly urge everyone to sign up for the Zombie Walk here in Carbondale on May 1st. Google it (or look it up on Facebook). Fun for the whole family.

Did you miss me?

It's been a while since I last posted. I've been busy with a few things. I'm finishing up a 20 minute or so play for Clifton Bailey's Little Dready Boy Productions. It's a zombie play to be produced the day of the Zombie Walk here in Carbondale. I believe it's the first weekend in May. Just Google it for info. Also been doing some modifications around the house. If you drive by, you'll see that I tilled the area in front of the house and planted flowers. I pruned all the vines that have grown in to small trees, and will till up the area behind the garage to plant a garden soon. I need to wash and stain the deck this weekend, too. Too much work, too little time. Hope everyone is well (with the exception of a few assorted douchebags). Later, Roger

It sucks getting old

Jeez, has it really been a month and a half already?

I can't believe it's been a month and a half since I last posted to this blog. I guess the blog hasn't been as important to me as it has in the past. In the past, two years or better ago, there was a lot of confusion in my heart. I pretty much stepped back and took 2009 to think about life and where it was taking me - or, rather, where I was allowing it to take me. I didn't much like the avenue I was going down. The person I had become was not the person I wanted to be. I was letting people affect me who didn't deserve that right. There's an old saying: "no one can make you feel bad about yourself unless you let them." Well, I was letting them. Nine months ago now I said, "to hell with you, I'm not taking your crap any more." I walked away from some of the idiocy I had been dealing with for two years before. Idiocy that was compounded by the other forces. I pretty much told those forces what they could do with their crap, too.

The result?

Well, I guess, a happier me. I know that my decision nine months ago was the right one, even if it was a difficult one that should never have occurred. Sometimes, life throws you a curve ball. You can either swing or get cold-cocked by it. Sadly, I did the latter. I was reeling, dazed and confused for a while. But now, I think, I have recovered from the blow and come to my senses....and, YES, I do still have senses. Contrary to what those idiots think. To hell with them. Or, as the old saying goes: "Say what you want. Those who mind don't matter; those who matter don't mind."

Words of wisdom from someone who should have listened to them a loooonngg time ago.

Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. One week away from a new year. 2009 was a year of change. I hope 2010 is a better year in all regards for everyone, and hope this crappy economy picks up.

Roger

Something I wish I'd written

The Christmas Tree Won't Light

Last night
the Christmas tree wouldn't light
I strung all the lights with care
you know the story, hoping St. Nicholas soon would be there
but when I plugged it in the socket
thinking it would light up like a rocket
much to my chagrin
the room stayed dark as sin
the damned tree wouldn't light
frustrated, I had to keep trying
to stop the kids from crying
a Christmas tree
you see
needs to glow
you know
what can I say?
you need a tree for the holiday
and one that's not bright
is a horrible sight
now, I have to check every light
and that's gonna take all night

On Being Thankful

Well, now that Thanksgiving is past us and we're "straight on till morning" for Christmas, I've been reflecting on what I should be thankful for. It's hard sometimes to be thankful. It seems like over the past few years I've tolerated every idiot there is to tolerate on this planet. I've lost a lot; but I've gained a lot, too. I've had my heart ripped from my chest and spat upon; I've been harassed by what Harlan Ellison would call "arrogant stupidity"; I've been to the lowest spot I think I've ever been in my life, dear readers. But, even in the darkness, there were things to be thankful for. I've had great times with my children and friends; I've laid in the arms of a truly beautiful woman and felt a rare but, sadly, short-lived, moment of nirvana there; I've been more creative than probably any time in my life, and I have laughed. I filmed a low-budget movie - something I've ALWAYS wanted to do, and something I plan on doing again very, very soon. I've met and befriended some wonderfully eclectic peopled ("Better weird than plastic", I always say....and there are a lot of plastic people out there, my friends). So, I guess I'm just saying that I have much to be thankful for. I have my health (according to recent check-up) and I've fought some battles these past few years. I've won some; I've lost some. Some were ties, I think. I am thankful for all the people who have made my life a pleasure. Those who didn't....well, I'm not quite so thankful for them. But, I will not "go gently into that good night." I will rage, rage, against the dying of the light.

I hope everyone has a joyful holiday season.
Roger