A-Musing Henry Rollins

Photo by: Nic Walker

God, I love Henry Rollins. Smart, handsome, funny and interesting--everything museworthy. He's a radio announcer, vocalist, columnist, writer, punk icon and much more. Oh, and he's also Brave. He's touring Canada in January. It was -17 Celsius in Edmonton last night. Note the capital 'B'.

My husband and I got to see him last night, doing one of his spoken word shows. In fact, when I told my husband Henry Rollins was coming to Edmonton his response was "Oh yeah, let's go!"  You see we saw him a few years back, and I have never heard my husband laugh so much and so hard. And I've been with that troll for twenty years.

How does anyone talk about themselves for two hours, all the celebrities they've met, all the places they've visited and all the things they've accomplished without being boring and pompous? That's a rare gift.

There's a lot about the Black Flag frontman that astonishes me. How does he travel the entire world and keep up with a regular column? I can't figure out what to blog about. Where did he find the time to write books while touring? I can barely pump out a book a year. How does he keep up with and answer all his emails? Sometimes I can barely look at mine, never mind respond timely. How does he keep up with world politics? How does he know about which country voted for who? I've been getting my news from social media. (I know. I'm sorry.) and can barely stand to look at what Canada and the US are doing. And HOW does this guy make time for friends and fans who ask advice and opinions from him on a weekly basis? How does he seem to have the right answers? How does he tell the sad stories of the broken people he meets and turn those tales into pure inspiration? How does he make us laugh? How does he sound geeky and humble while talking about meeting Iggy Pop, David Bowie and Lemmy Kilmister? Must be a muse thing. Do you understand why he is MY muse?

Henry Rollins, if you ever see this blog, I want you to know I am grateful for you. I'm grateful for your books and your lyrics. I'm grateful for your sense of humor (Thanks for making my husband laugh so hard. That's a rarity in itself.) I'm grateful for your sweet neurosis and that you choose to share it for the sake of entertainment and inspiration. YOU are truly MUSEWORTHY and you bring me happiness and ideas. You also gave me a much needed kick in the pants. If you can do all these things and still write, I can hold down a job and write novels.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to begin the edits I'm afraid of. I also need to research Eastern mythology for my next novella.

When is a Muse Not a Muse?

Borrowed from Post Secret

The man on the left is Henry Rollins. He is a punk icon from the eighties. He has continually re-invented himself as a musician, poet, publisher, activist, radio and TV host. If you ever get a chance, go see his spoken word tours. He's funny, smart, strong and not hard to look at either.

He is my muse. I've been a fan of his since I read the lyrics from 'Grip.'

When those walls close in around you
When all about you doubt you
When the world can live without you
Get a grip and keep it
Henry Rollins - Grip Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

The man on the right is Bruce Dickinson.

He's been the lead singer of Iron Maiden for more than three decades. He's also an author, songwriter, world-ranked fencer, and commercial pilot. He hosts his own radio show, brews beer and has a company called Cardiff Aviation dedicated to aircraft maintenance and pilot training. Is there anything this guy can't do? He's fighting cancerous tumors at the back of his tongue and if anyone's going to beat cancer, it's Bruce. I believe he is invincible and he is my number one muse. Always has been.

The person in the photo below is no longer my muse. All the good this guy ever did is over-shadowed by the fact that he is facing appalling charges of sexual assault. I want to rant. I want to burn up my keyboard with my disgust and rage. But my husband reminds me that he hasn't been charged yet. My words would be tantamount to slander.

In the past, I have called this television personality my third muse. I'd like to publicly renounce those statements. Convicted or not, this will be the last time I mention the name 'Bill Cosby' and the word 'muse' in the same sentence.


I guess from now on, I'll stick to old rock stars to be my writing inspiration. And to think...Parents used to be afraid of metal/punk musicians corrupting their kids!

What if 'Thoeba' Were a Movie?

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Cover by Terra Weston-Koster

I've given it some thought before, but it wasn't until my fellow Staccato author, Emma Hibbs did it that I decided to blog about it. Here's Emma's blog about HER cool dream cast.  
http://echibbs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/blindsighted-wanderer-my-imaginary.html

 I thought, "Awesome! It's been a long time since I thought about who would act in the movie...and I've never blogged it either."
So I made a small list. Not everybody is going to be here, but the major characters will be. What do you think?


PETER MASON: This guy...Henry Rollins?! You ask. You're probably wondering why I would choose a punk icon to for a romantic lead. It's not just because he's my muse. It's because he's handsome, a good actor, and when I think of a tough guy with a compassionate side, this is the face I see. 

Thomas Gibson from 'Criminal Minds

Of course, I wouldn't kick THIS guy out of the role either.

Apparently she was in Paranormal Activity 4

Next we have his daughter, KAYLA MASON. Too bad Dakota Fanning is too old for the role. I had to think about this one. I googled "teen blonde actresses' and I got this...Her name is Kathryn Newton and she looks exactly how I imagine Kayla looks.

Now, how about her crush, PRIVATE BREWER?  This is Alex Pettyfer aka Number 4. He seemed pretty good in that movie. What I actually watched of it, I mean. He'd be great if we could bulk him up a bit. Which could happen. He'll be in Magic Mike 2.


JIM (Oh my God, did I even give him a last name?) has to be the toughest actor to choose by far. I can think of at least three actors who could fill the role. What do YOU think?

Sean Bean might be too handsome, but the caption up there actually happened at a bar in England.

Or maybe...


Michael Rooker was fantastic as Merle Dixon, and maybe I like him because Merle reminded me a lot of Jim. And because I'm a HUGE fan of 'The Walking Dead'.

But my very first choice is this actor: Don't know who Jackie Earle Haley is? He was the hottie way back when in 'The Bad News Bears'. He's the new Freddy Kruegar. He was Rorschach. Enough said.


And I saved the best for last. There's only ever been ONE actor that fits the role of THOEBA. I always thought she was stunning and talented, and the very first time I visualized THOEBA it was her.

     I'm curious to know what you people think. Any other ideas out there?

Oh, and if any of these fine actors see this after I tag their names in this blog and think they'd like to produce a great movie to be in, message me on Twitter or Facebook! I'm Donna Milward :D

Rollin' Along with Muse #3

Photo provided by: www.sickchirpse.com

"When those walls close in around you,
When all around you doubt you,
When the world can live without you,
Get a grip and keep it"--Henry Rollins 'Grip'

The first time I read those words they were quoted in probably one of the last issues of Creem magazine. The journalist clearly worshiped Mr. Rollins, praising this verse as a profound message to the masses on how to survive. 

As a matter of fact, I found them to be the exact words of wisdom I needed to get through my teens. I figured if he could not only exist, but THRIVE in the chaos that was HIS life, then so could I. This verse became a kind of mantra for me, and I've been an admirer of his ever since.

And over the years my respect for him grows. He's a punk icon, having fronted Black Flag and The Rollins Band. And when the punk scene gave way to metal, glam rock, and grunge, he traveled the world. He got his own radio show. He did documentaries for National Geographic.He went on spoken word tours. (You may have noticed I appreciate musicians who evolve their careers to stay relevant.)

And guess what? He's funny, educated, and cares a great deal for the world and its inhabitants. And he's' absolutely fearless. 

My husband and I got to see him here in Edmonton on his "The Long March" Tour. He told us stories about the punk scene: Like the poor girl who lost an eye when a large stagediver landed on her. He told us about trying to decide between a chocolate bar he loved and a larger one he hated because the gross one was bigger and he was down to his last 30 cents. How while he was deciding this, two cowboys tried to bully two cross-dressers and ended up running away like frightened little girls. He told us how he was filming for National Geographic and drank a glass of cow urine...Only to discover he was drinking the unsterilized version...Then his cameraman insisted on another take. Even my jaded troll loved him.

He made us laugh, cry, and think for three hours without missing a beat and without even a drink of water. It was after that show that he became an official muse for me. As my career waxes and wanes, will I have the same courage he does? 

I learned so much about him. What I don't understand is how a man who has been through so much can be so strong, humorous and caring. He's a brave and passionate man and I guess he never lost his grip.

And for those reasons, Henry Rollins is museworthy.