where the fuck did 2012 go? i laugh as i get older as i remember bitching while i was a child about how slow things were. now, in the age of social media and nearly everyone living through their phones, i seem to enjoy my pauses more than ever.
i feel like i haven't slept for days. between shoveling snow, walking on ice, waking up in the middle of the night to watch hockey, fantasy football coming to an end, etc etc., i don't think i've had more than 4 hours of sleep in a row for a few days. fuck, i'm too old for this shit.
after 2 really heartbreaking losses for team USA at the World Juniors (both 2-1 to Russia & Canada) they came out today on fire to beat Slovakia 9-3. they advance to the medal round, but i will be pleasantly blown the fuck away if they get one. they are a good team but not great when it matters. too undisciplined to win any big games. hopefully, they prove me wrong. i won't hold my breath. as for the other teams, i will be shocked if Canada doesn't win the whole thing. of course, when you have a handful of guys that should be in the NHL right now, you should win. could be a much different tourney if the lockout wasn't going on.
listened to the Dayton Flyers lose in overtime last night to USC. i'm sure that was a great red eye home from LA after that loss. of course, when you shoot like shit and have that many turnovers, you shouldn't win. thankfully, i wasn't able to watch the game.
enjoyed the Manchester United win over the weekend and will hopefully enjoy another tomorrow. i'll surely enjoy all the rumors this coming month with the transfer window open, but i truly don't expect any moves.
won my 3rd place game in fantasy football on NFL.com for the 2nd time in 3 years. i will win that league sometime before i die.
got a few poems in mind to send out in early 2013. more news on that later in the week.
i firmly believe that a baby from Kanye and Kim K. is a sign of the apocalypse. or perhaps i'm hoping.
i do hope everyone has a safe, happy, fruitful, enter your favorite word here, great new year.
music today:
Metallica - Beyond Magnetic
Grouplove - Never Trust A Happy Song
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
the day after the storm
we got around 9 to 10 inches of snow here yesterday. that was more than we got for the entire last winter. as the snow was falling yesterday, i had the pleasure/torture of watching Manchester United. never having the lead until the Mexican god Chicharito scores right on the 90th minute is not good for my heart i believe. a really entertaining 4-3 game, made all the better with Manchester City losing. lead is now 7 points. only bummer from yesterday, besides the usual shitty defense, was the injury news for Wayne Rooney. out at least 3 weeks with a knee injury. not good. hopefully more miracles are to come and Wazza comes back healthy and ready for the Champions League play.
shoveling this morning was not bad at all. to go with that 9+ inches yesterday was a 40 mph wind. the drifts happened to help me out partly. one sidewalk was basically clear. the other was a bitch to shovel, but not much ice at all to deal with. now, getting over to feed the cats was a bit more tricky. negotiating drifts of snow over a foot deep while still sleepy was a bit funny. saw all but one of the cats this morning. not sure if it's missing or was just hiding. not many of them have seen snow like that.
got done with all that to finally watch some meaningful hockey for the first time since the summer. team USA destroyed Germany in the World Juniors 8-0. was happy to see them play a great game, but the real test starts tomorrow. having to play Russia in Russia will be a huge step up. one piece of advice, stay out of the penalty box. if they get a point out of the game, i'll consider it a win. was also very nice to see Rangers draft pick JT Miller play well and score. hopefully he can keep that up.
my mother is sick so i'm doing my best to avoid that shit. so, i see myself spending the rest of the day in my room reading some books i got for Christmas.
music today:
Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal
"Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret." - Marlene Dietrich
shoveling this morning was not bad at all. to go with that 9+ inches yesterday was a 40 mph wind. the drifts happened to help me out partly. one sidewalk was basically clear. the other was a bitch to shovel, but not much ice at all to deal with. now, getting over to feed the cats was a bit more tricky. negotiating drifts of snow over a foot deep while still sleepy was a bit funny. saw all but one of the cats this morning. not sure if it's missing or was just hiding. not many of them have seen snow like that.
got done with all that to finally watch some meaningful hockey for the first time since the summer. team USA destroyed Germany in the World Juniors 8-0. was happy to see them play a great game, but the real test starts tomorrow. having to play Russia in Russia will be a huge step up. one piece of advice, stay out of the penalty box. if they get a point out of the game, i'll consider it a win. was also very nice to see Rangers draft pick JT Miller play well and score. hopefully he can keep that up.
my mother is sick so i'm doing my best to avoid that shit. so, i see myself spending the rest of the day in my room reading some books i got for Christmas.
music today:
Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal
"Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret." - Marlene Dietrich
Monday, December 24, 2012
could be a happy holidays after all
here's a little recap of my life since Friday...
my mother, sister, and I decided to do Christmas on Friday as my sister would be spending the holiday on call for work. i got some good things, but i more enjoyed the looks of disbelief on the faces of my mother and sister when they opened what i got them. i enjoy when i stun them with actual good gifts that they know actually cost money. we had a really nice dinner, some good wine, and as someone who absolutely hates the fucking holidays, i might have actually enjoyed myself.
so on Saturday it was a noon game for the Dayton Flyers. with not knowing if Kevin Dillard was going to play or not, my hopes weren't high for this game. luckily, he played and did incredibly well for someone who couldn't walk 2 days earlier. a huge win over a Murray State team that had won 16 straight road games and 37 of their last 40 games in total. i really hope this was the game that drives them to a huge season in conference and a trip to the big dance.
spent the rest of Saturday listening to some of the music i got for Christmas. i also wrote 3 poems. typed those up today and i think i may have a winner or two in there. i'll submit them sometime early in 2013.
my Sunday started off with Manchester United. i was hoping for all 3 points but i knew, deep down, that a draw in this game was a real possibility. i wouldn't have minded the 1-1 game if they didn't have so many damn chances to actually win it. fuck. lead is still 4 points. next game is on boxing day.
next, the NFL and my fantasy league playoffs. 1 final and 1 semi-final. it's funny, the semi-final that i was a huge favorite in i lost by less than 10 points. i really wanted to win that league (it's full of other poets), but hopefully i'll do well in the 3rd place game. that would be an improvement from 7th place last year. as for the other game, nothing like being the underdog, watching your bench do incredibly well, watching the Sunday night game just knowing you lost and sure enough, you win by 8 points. holy shit. didn't expect that at all. my 4th NFL Fantasy Championship. and the biggest stunner of all, won it with Tony Romo being my quarterback. talk about fucking stressful.
fast forward to today when my contributor copy of Nerve Cowboy shows up. of course, there were also credit card bills from Christmas, but i have some time for those. i love being in Nerve Cowboy. one of the best zines around.
plus, i got a little editing job that even pays. it's a job for a friend, but i get to set my own hours and pay. good thing she's a good egg or i'd be tempted to fuck someone over. not that i would actually do that, but the temptation surely would exist.
i hope everyone has a great next couple of days and end this year the way you want to.
music today:
Jamey Johnson - Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran
B.B. King - Blues Summit
"Poverty can teach lessons that privilege cannot." - Jack Klugman (April 27, 1922 - Dec. 24, 2012)
my mother, sister, and I decided to do Christmas on Friday as my sister would be spending the holiday on call for work. i got some good things, but i more enjoyed the looks of disbelief on the faces of my mother and sister when they opened what i got them. i enjoy when i stun them with actual good gifts that they know actually cost money. we had a really nice dinner, some good wine, and as someone who absolutely hates the fucking holidays, i might have actually enjoyed myself.
so on Saturday it was a noon game for the Dayton Flyers. with not knowing if Kevin Dillard was going to play or not, my hopes weren't high for this game. luckily, he played and did incredibly well for someone who couldn't walk 2 days earlier. a huge win over a Murray State team that had won 16 straight road games and 37 of their last 40 games in total. i really hope this was the game that drives them to a huge season in conference and a trip to the big dance.
spent the rest of Saturday listening to some of the music i got for Christmas. i also wrote 3 poems. typed those up today and i think i may have a winner or two in there. i'll submit them sometime early in 2013.
my Sunday started off with Manchester United. i was hoping for all 3 points but i knew, deep down, that a draw in this game was a real possibility. i wouldn't have minded the 1-1 game if they didn't have so many damn chances to actually win it. fuck. lead is still 4 points. next game is on boxing day.
next, the NFL and my fantasy league playoffs. 1 final and 1 semi-final. it's funny, the semi-final that i was a huge favorite in i lost by less than 10 points. i really wanted to win that league (it's full of other poets), but hopefully i'll do well in the 3rd place game. that would be an improvement from 7th place last year. as for the other game, nothing like being the underdog, watching your bench do incredibly well, watching the Sunday night game just knowing you lost and sure enough, you win by 8 points. holy shit. didn't expect that at all. my 4th NFL Fantasy Championship. and the biggest stunner of all, won it with Tony Romo being my quarterback. talk about fucking stressful.
fast forward to today when my contributor copy of Nerve Cowboy shows up. of course, there were also credit card bills from Christmas, but i have some time for those. i love being in Nerve Cowboy. one of the best zines around.
plus, i got a little editing job that even pays. it's a job for a friend, but i get to set my own hours and pay. good thing she's a good egg or i'd be tempted to fuck someone over. not that i would actually do that, but the temptation surely would exist.
i hope everyone has a great next couple of days and end this year the way you want to.
music today:
Jamey Johnson - Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran
B.B. King - Blues Summit
"Poverty can teach lessons that privilege cannot." - Jack Klugman (April 27, 1922 - Dec. 24, 2012)
my poem in Nerve Cowboy #34
my poem "checked back into place" was published in Nerve Cowboy #34.
the issue is a steal at $7.
others with work in the issue include Alan Catlin, Michael Estabrook, Ed Galing, Gerald Locklin, normal, Fred Voss, and plenty more. some really cool art as well. 60 pages of the best zine going today.
for more info on subscriptions, submissions, etc. go to the Nerve Cowboy Homepage
the issue is a steal at $7.
others with work in the issue include Alan Catlin, Michael Estabrook, Ed Galing, Gerald Locklin, normal, Fred Voss, and plenty more. some really cool art as well. 60 pages of the best zine going today.
for more info on subscriptions, submissions, etc. go to the Nerve Cowboy Homepage
Thursday, December 20, 2012
it had to end sometime
i was on such a good roll. the writing was going well. the sports teams have been winning, causing me not to miss the NHL as much as i thought i would, and then...
1 point losses fucking suck. no way around it. i would much rather watch a team i'm rooting for get beat by 50 and know there was no way possible they could have won than endure what i did last night. Dayton was asleep for most of the first half until a furious rally to cut the lead to 2. a little back and forth in the second half, even getting the lead until, for some fucking unknown reason, they completely forgot how to beat a 2-3 zone. now, as someone who has known basketball 101 since i was 10, this was horrific to watch. even worse, it went on for almost 10 minutes. fuck me. needless to say, when their best player goes out injured with 4 minutes left (Kevin Dillard), i pretty much gave up hope. they staged another rally until the final shot, down by 1, and no one decides they were going to be the one to step up. so, the 2 last second prayers weren't answered and i get to mumble for the next 7 hours; if they would have done this, done that, no wonder people think i'm insane.
so after some awful sleep, thank you mother nature, i wake up this morning to see Manchester United has drawn Real Madrid in Champions League play. horrible news. only sliver of hope is the second leg is at home. but, that will be surreal seeing CR7 in something other than Manchester red on that pitch.
add in the coming storm, winds supposedly strong enough to knock out the power, my aching back, and the usual holiday blues... what a fucking shit storm all at once.
on the good side, did have a line come to me last night that i believe may spark a fury of writing in the coming days. i would mention it here but i know some fucker would steal it.
thoughts and prayers to my friend in California. hopefully, your health scares will be over soon.
and speaking of California, a thank you to Luis Berriozabal for the poems. much appreciated.
music today:
Disturbed - Asylum
Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind
The Breeders - Last Splash
"Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire." - Patti Smith
1 point losses fucking suck. no way around it. i would much rather watch a team i'm rooting for get beat by 50 and know there was no way possible they could have won than endure what i did last night. Dayton was asleep for most of the first half until a furious rally to cut the lead to 2. a little back and forth in the second half, even getting the lead until, for some fucking unknown reason, they completely forgot how to beat a 2-3 zone. now, as someone who has known basketball 101 since i was 10, this was horrific to watch. even worse, it went on for almost 10 minutes. fuck me. needless to say, when their best player goes out injured with 4 minutes left (Kevin Dillard), i pretty much gave up hope. they staged another rally until the final shot, down by 1, and no one decides they were going to be the one to step up. so, the 2 last second prayers weren't answered and i get to mumble for the next 7 hours; if they would have done this, done that, no wonder people think i'm insane.
so after some awful sleep, thank you mother nature, i wake up this morning to see Manchester United has drawn Real Madrid in Champions League play. horrible news. only sliver of hope is the second leg is at home. but, that will be surreal seeing CR7 in something other than Manchester red on that pitch.
add in the coming storm, winds supposedly strong enough to knock out the power, my aching back, and the usual holiday blues... what a fucking shit storm all at once.
on the good side, did have a line come to me last night that i believe may spark a fury of writing in the coming days. i would mention it here but i know some fucker would steal it.
thoughts and prayers to my friend in California. hopefully, your health scares will be over soon.
and speaking of California, a thank you to Luis Berriozabal for the poems. much appreciated.
music today:
Disturbed - Asylum
Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind
The Breeders - Last Splash
"Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire." - Patti Smith
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
quick hits
go to http://notsam.com/podcast.html and listen to episode #38. especially before the world ends on Friday.
i really can't believe some dumb asses want to make sure teachers have guns in the classroom. if you ever want to make sure there is more school violence, continue down that path. and people wonder why i have refused to vote for years now...
props to Cassadee on winning The Voice last night.
props to google+ for the communities feature. might actually make my experience worthwhile. and anyone reading this, come find me on google+. please.
music today:
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
and now a quote from my first celebrity crush, Happy Birthday...
"It's nice to be important, but it's important to always be nice." - Alyssa Milano
i really can't believe some dumb asses want to make sure teachers have guns in the classroom. if you ever want to make sure there is more school violence, continue down that path. and people wonder why i have refused to vote for years now...
props to Cassadee on winning The Voice last night.
props to google+ for the communities feature. might actually make my experience worthwhile. and anyone reading this, come find me on google+. please.
music today:
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
and now a quote from my first celebrity crush, Happy Birthday...
"It's nice to be important, but it's important to always be nice." - Alyssa Milano
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
a week to something or other
first off, a link i would like to share. http://www.tenaciouspoodle.com/2012/12/westboro-baptist-church-bringing-us.html i had a good laugh after reading that.
i'm really looking forward to seeing who wins The Voice tonight. i believe it's fairly obvious that Cassadee will win. she's grown on me over the weeks. i suppose i'm actually more psyched to see the performances. should be a nice send off for the season.
big game tomorrow for the Dayton Flyers. a little better competition than the previous teams on this winning streak. if they win the next 2 games at home i'll really start to believe that this team could do something this year. my fingers are crossed but i'm not holding my breath.
i had a nice huge win in fantasy football. always good to get revenge in the playoffs. i'm in the finals in one league with CBS Sports and in the semi-finals with my number 1 seed on NFL.com. i would love to pull off the double this year, but i know it won't be easy at all.
with a week to go to Christmas, i hope everyone is well, nearing the end or start of their shopping, and most of all, happy and peaceful.
not sure how many posts i will be doing here in the near future. of course, i could get hit with the writing bug and send out 20 poems in a blur, or maybe my end of the year trip to the doctor gets eventful. who knows.
a special thank you to Alan Catlin for the poetry in the mail.
music today:
Over The Rhine - Snow Angel
Cowboy Junkies - Studio:Selected Studio Recordings 1986-1995
and one from the birthday boy
"You wanna get the truth out of me, get me hammered." - Ron White
i'm really looking forward to seeing who wins The Voice tonight. i believe it's fairly obvious that Cassadee will win. she's grown on me over the weeks. i suppose i'm actually more psyched to see the performances. should be a nice send off for the season.
big game tomorrow for the Dayton Flyers. a little better competition than the previous teams on this winning streak. if they win the next 2 games at home i'll really start to believe that this team could do something this year. my fingers are crossed but i'm not holding my breath.
i had a nice huge win in fantasy football. always good to get revenge in the playoffs. i'm in the finals in one league with CBS Sports and in the semi-finals with my number 1 seed on NFL.com. i would love to pull off the double this year, but i know it won't be easy at all.
with a week to go to Christmas, i hope everyone is well, nearing the end or start of their shopping, and most of all, happy and peaceful.
not sure how many posts i will be doing here in the near future. of course, i could get hit with the writing bug and send out 20 poems in a blur, or maybe my end of the year trip to the doctor gets eventful. who knows.
a special thank you to Alan Catlin for the poetry in the mail.
music today:
Over The Rhine - Snow Angel
Cowboy Junkies - Studio:Selected Studio Recordings 1986-1995
and one from the birthday boy
"You wanna get the truth out of me, get me hammered." - Ron White
Saturday, December 15, 2012
a welcome distraction
so, after a day of being completely glued to the tv watching the news coverage of the shootings in Connecticut, i was very happy to have a mental break this morning and watch Manchester United play. more on that in a bit.
as for the shootings, i usually am pretty numb to violence. i've witnessed more than my fair share in my 36 years. but, i believe it was the age of the victims that caught me off guard on this one. not having any children of my own, but having plenty of friends and family with children around the same age... just a total sense of helplessness. my thoughts and prayers to all of those that need them.
now for the game. was pleasantly thrilled to see Manchester United didn't need to warm to the occasion; they were ready from the start. goals from RvP, Cleverley, and Rooney put the game to bed. of course, they couldn't go a game without at least one defensive fuck up, but the late goal really meant nothing. lead is back to 6 in the league. and a welcome back to the Captain. please, STAY HEALTHY.
got a basketball game later today that i will be attending. hopefully the Dayton Flyers will continue their good run of late and not show any rust from finals week. other than that, a little Saturday Night Live tonight, some ROH as well, a bit of sleep and then start the grind of my fantasy football playoffs. thankfully, i started the right defense on Thursday night, so i'm off to a good lead. hopefully, i won't blow it. fingers crossed.
i hope everyone has a decent rest of the weekend. and perhaps as a nation, we start to finally give a shit about guns and mental illness. if not now, when?
"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time." - Arnold H. Glasow
as for the shootings, i usually am pretty numb to violence. i've witnessed more than my fair share in my 36 years. but, i believe it was the age of the victims that caught me off guard on this one. not having any children of my own, but having plenty of friends and family with children around the same age... just a total sense of helplessness. my thoughts and prayers to all of those that need them.
now for the game. was pleasantly thrilled to see Manchester United didn't need to warm to the occasion; they were ready from the start. goals from RvP, Cleverley, and Rooney put the game to bed. of course, they couldn't go a game without at least one defensive fuck up, but the late goal really meant nothing. lead is back to 6 in the league. and a welcome back to the Captain. please, STAY HEALTHY.
got a basketball game later today that i will be attending. hopefully the Dayton Flyers will continue their good run of late and not show any rust from finals week. other than that, a little Saturday Night Live tonight, some ROH as well, a bit of sleep and then start the grind of my fantasy football playoffs. thankfully, i started the right defense on Thursday night, so i'm off to a good lead. hopefully, i won't blow it. fingers crossed.
i hope everyone has a decent rest of the weekend. and perhaps as a nation, we start to finally give a shit about guns and mental illness. if not now, when?
"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time." - Arnold H. Glasow
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
my 2 poems at Dead Snakes
my poems "as much genius as disease" and "crept upon my face" have been published this morning at Dead Snakes. you can find the poems by going here: http://deadsnakes.blogspot.com/2012/12/jj-campbell-two-poems_11.html
after a good weekend
i was going to do this blog post a few hours ago but my "high speed" internet (wink, wink) shit the bed once again. supposedly someone will be out here on Wednesday to "fix" the problem. so, once again Frontier Communications, thank you for the bullshit.
i'd like to welcome RvP into the Manchester United immortals after this weekend. go win the league and the Champions League and you will never be forgotten. and if you City fans ever wonder why i've always thought of you as worthless pieces of shit, the blood running down Rio's face should always be exhibit a. may the 6 points quickly become 15 and the world can forget about the blue turds.
won 2 of my 3 fantasy football matches. would have won 3 but my dumb ass didn't start the Patriots TE. that cost me, but that team still won the division. next week, the playoffs.
thanks to those of you who have let me know that my Christmas gifts arrived. after the week i've had with the post office, good to know miracles still exist.
my sister's last gift arrived so now it's all about deciding do i wrap the presents with the comics or the obituaries. decisions, decisions.
looks like the Yankees will be getting older in the next few days. there are times when i wonder why i bother.
thankfully, the Dayton Flyers have turned the season around pronto and things are looking promising once again. as i stated in the preseason, this team goes as far as Kevin Dillard takes it. thankfully, he's now understanding that as well.
looking forward to the 12/12/12 concert coming up. always good when i can just sit back and listen to music for hours and hours. torn if i should get the Rolling Stones PPV on the weekend. i've seen them live before (with Beck) and i'm not convinced this is really the last tour. but still, it's the Stones...
enjoyed the final 4 on the Voice. i'll be completely shocked if someone from team Blake doesn't win again after the performances earlier.
enough of my ramblings. hope this finds everyone well.
music today:
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
The Civil Wars - Live at Eddie's Attic
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
i'd like to welcome RvP into the Manchester United immortals after this weekend. go win the league and the Champions League and you will never be forgotten. and if you City fans ever wonder why i've always thought of you as worthless pieces of shit, the blood running down Rio's face should always be exhibit a. may the 6 points quickly become 15 and the world can forget about the blue turds.
won 2 of my 3 fantasy football matches. would have won 3 but my dumb ass didn't start the Patriots TE. that cost me, but that team still won the division. next week, the playoffs.
thanks to those of you who have let me know that my Christmas gifts arrived. after the week i've had with the post office, good to know miracles still exist.
my sister's last gift arrived so now it's all about deciding do i wrap the presents with the comics or the obituaries. decisions, decisions.
looks like the Yankees will be getting older in the next few days. there are times when i wonder why i bother.
thankfully, the Dayton Flyers have turned the season around pronto and things are looking promising once again. as i stated in the preseason, this team goes as far as Kevin Dillard takes it. thankfully, he's now understanding that as well.
looking forward to the 12/12/12 concert coming up. always good when i can just sit back and listen to music for hours and hours. torn if i should get the Rolling Stones PPV on the weekend. i've seen them live before (with Beck) and i'm not convinced this is really the last tour. but still, it's the Stones...
enjoyed the final 4 on the Voice. i'll be completely shocked if someone from team Blake doesn't win again after the performances earlier.
enough of my ramblings. hope this finds everyone well.
music today:
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
The Civil Wars - Live at Eddie's Attic
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
Saturday, December 8, 2012
an email from Rebecca Schumejda
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Schumejda <rschume@hotmail.com>
To: Rebecca Schumejda <rschume@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:01 pm
Subject: Reading
From: Rebecca Schumejda <rschume@hotmail.com>
To: Rebecca Schumejda <rschume@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:01 pm
Subject: Reading
Happy Holidays! I can't believe it is already December. I just wanted to let you know, if you are in the area, that I will be reading from my new collection Cadillac Men tomorrow at the Colony Cafe in Woodstock at 2pm.
If not and you are interested, my new book is available: http://www.nyqbooks.org/title/cadillacmen
at spd:http://www.spdbooks.org/Producte/9781935520689/cadillac-men.aspx?rf=1
at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Men-Rebecca-Schumejda/dp/1935520687/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&keywords=9781935520689&linkCode=ur2&qid=1350461689&sr=8-1&tag=poetscraftcom-20
at powells" http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781935520689?&PID=29591
at Barnes and Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cadillac-men-rebecca-schumejda/1113244126?ean=9781935520689&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-B9ULI30VrRs-_-10:1&r=1
and also at a bunch of other independent booksellers.
Here is some info about the book if you are interested. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who may be interested.
Hope you have an awesome holiday season!
Best,
B
Rebecca Schumejda's second full-length collection, Cadillac Men, explores the pool hall subculture before the economic downturn in 2008, when the narrator and her husband took a calculated risk and purchased a pool hall in downtown Kingston, New York. During their arduous planning, they did not consider that their business and livelihood would depend on men who threw pebbles in church collection plates, shot up in the bathroom, and had nicknames like Bobby-Balls-in-Hand, The Butcher, and Mikey Meatballs. Cadillac Men is a fractured poetic memoir about the year the narrator's husband chased his lifelong dream by starting Crazy Eights, and the recessions that occurred as her family, the economy, her health and The Cadillac Men all took downward spirals.
"Rebecca Schumejda, a poet who has already shown some considerable chops, has penned a breakthrough collection with Cadillac Men. With unflinching honesty, Becky has the unique ability to make this cast of debauched and indigent pool hustlers sympathetic without ever fishing for sentimentality. Cadillac Men is the poetic mosaic of an aborted American Dream, and like all good art, Becky brings to the forefront our collective humanity."
"It has been my great honor to watch the evolution of Rebecca Schumejda's writing for nearly two decades now. What has always struck me about her work is the quiet beauty she infuses into every word. A dignity that comes from growing up with a little dirt under your fingernails.
The poems in this latest collection come at a price, there is a struggle here, not just the author's, but out there in the world, they take the reader beyond the pages. They are cool and deliberate, with a steady hand and a warm heart, they are the life we all live in one way or another, as sweet and painful as breathing, they are human, they are love songs for a working class culture that is sadly disappearing from our landscape. I adore this book as much as I do its author, which is to say a lot."
"Rebecca Schumejda has long been one of my favorite poets, and her new book Cadillac Men is her best yet. These poems are rendered beautifully and with a keen eye. It's refreshing to read a book of poems where the author has taken the time to observe the people around her with such uncanny insight and empathy. The stories and character portraits in Cadillac Men build upon each other to reveal a larger story—one not only of a struggling underclass, but of when we rest our hopes and dreams on one final gamble. It's the kind of book one reads all the way through like a good novel and then starts right back at the beginning. I really love this collection."
"Rebecca Schumejda has written an amazing collection of poems that reads like a novel. A poet of place, she sets her writing in a neighborhood pool hall. Like an act out of the series Cheers, the players come in with their attitudes, their names (Mikey Meatball, Artistotle, Bobby Balls-In-Hand), their ruinous and marginal lives, and their game. They come to play pool, tell lies, fill the hours, and play it straight. It rains, it snows, and who can deny the beauty of Schumejda's version of snow: '…lonely women/disappearing quietly.' There is a strange love going on between all, never spoken out loud. It's impossible to select one line from this powerful, fascinating collection, but I chose: 'We are trying to collect what we can from what we lost.' If this collection doesn't garner its author wider recognition, I would be surprised."
If not and you are interested, my new book is available: http://www.nyqbooks.org/title/cadillacmen
at spd:http://www.spdbooks.org/Producte/9781935520689/cadillac-men.aspx?rf=1
at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Men-Rebecca-Schumejda/dp/1935520687/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&keywords=9781935520689&linkCode=ur2&qid=1350461689&sr=8-1&tag=poetscraftcom-20
at powells" http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781935520689?&PID=29591
at Barnes and Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cadillac-men-rebecca-schumejda/1113244126?ean=9781935520689&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-B9ULI30VrRs-_-10:1&r=1
and also at a bunch of other independent booksellers.
Here is some info about the book if you are interested. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who may be interested.
Hope you have an awesome holiday season!
Best,
B
Rebecca Schumejda's second full-length collection, Cadillac Men, explores the pool hall subculture before the economic downturn in 2008, when the narrator and her husband took a calculated risk and purchased a pool hall in downtown Kingston, New York. During their arduous planning, they did not consider that their business and livelihood would depend on men who threw pebbles in church collection plates, shot up in the bathroom, and had nicknames like Bobby-Balls-in-Hand, The Butcher, and Mikey Meatballs. Cadillac Men is a fractured poetic memoir about the year the narrator's husband chased his lifelong dream by starting Crazy Eights, and the recessions that occurred as her family, the economy, her health and The Cadillac Men all took downward spirals.
"Rebecca Schumejda, a poet who has already shown some considerable chops, has penned a breakthrough collection with Cadillac Men. With unflinching honesty, Becky has the unique ability to make this cast of debauched and indigent pool hustlers sympathetic without ever fishing for sentimentality. Cadillac Men is the poetic mosaic of an aborted American Dream, and like all good art, Becky brings to the forefront our collective humanity."
—Nathan Graziano, author of After the Honeymoon
"It has been my great honor to watch the evolution of Rebecca Schumejda's writing for nearly two decades now. What has always struck me about her work is the quiet beauty she infuses into every word. A dignity that comes from growing up with a little dirt under your fingernails.
The poems in this latest collection come at a price, there is a struggle here, not just the author's, but out there in the world, they take the reader beyond the pages. They are cool and deliberate, with a steady hand and a warm heart, they are the life we all live in one way or another, as sweet and painful as breathing, they are human, they are love songs for a working class culture that is sadly disappearing from our landscape. I adore this book as much as I do its author, which is to say a lot."
—John Dorsey, author of White Girl Problems: Poems & Stories
"Rebecca Schumejda has long been one of my favorite poets, and her new book Cadillac Men is her best yet. These poems are rendered beautifully and with a keen eye. It's refreshing to read a book of poems where the author has taken the time to observe the people around her with such uncanny insight and empathy. The stories and character portraits in Cadillac Men build upon each other to reveal a larger story—one not only of a struggling underclass, but of when we rest our hopes and dreams on one final gamble. It's the kind of book one reads all the way through like a good novel and then starts right back at the beginning. I really love this collection."
—Daniel Crocker, author of Like a Fish
"Rebecca Schumejda has written an amazing collection of poems that reads like a novel. A poet of place, she sets her writing in a neighborhood pool hall. Like an act out of the series Cheers, the players come in with their attitudes, their names (Mikey Meatball, Artistotle, Bobby Balls-In-Hand), their ruinous and marginal lives, and their game. They come to play pool, tell lies, fill the hours, and play it straight. It rains, it snows, and who can deny the beauty of Schumejda's version of snow: '…lonely women/disappearing quietly.' There is a strange love going on between all, never spoken out loud. It's impossible to select one line from this powerful, fascinating collection, but I chose: 'We are trying to collect what we can from what we lost.' If this collection doesn't garner its author wider recognition, I would be surprised."
—Ann Menebroker
Thursday, December 6, 2012
the happiness lasted for maybe 6 hours at best
i was not shocked at Manchester United's loss yesterday. thankfully, i didn't watch so my frustration with the lack of goals was muted somewhat. i was not thrilled to see that Cleverley came off with an injury. if he can't go this weekend, one of the old men (Giggs, Scholes) may have to play the whole 90 on Sunday. fuck, hopefully RvP is ready to destroy City and leave those blue fuckers crying for the rest of the season.
i was pleasantly shocked to see Dayton beat Alabama last night. easily, the most complete performance they have had all season. they finally looked like the team i thought i would see for the most of this season. hopefully they remember to play that way again when i see them on Saturday.
and any happiness i may have had from last night ended when i saw the Yankees offered a contract to Kevin Youkilis. fuck me, has it really turned to this? i mean, i had to accept Boggs and Damon even though it felt like part of my soul was dying, but, Youk? fuck me. turn to one of the kids and allow them to fail before you waste money on the Red Sox trash. knowing my luck i'll wake up tomorrow and he's accepted the deal.
bad enough my NFL.com fantasy team is going against someone who has half his roster playing tonight. i know i have already clinched the regular season title, but 1 loss looks much better than 2, i'm just sayin'.
got all the music i needed to burn for gifts for my family done today. so, now it's just waiting for one more gift for my sister to arrive and then time to break out the newspaper and wrap gifts. where the fuck did this year go?
NFL and The Big Bang Theory tonight. maybe a little of Dave's Old Porn as well later on. that and trying to keep up with everything going on with my google+ account. my thirst for knowledge will eventually drive me insane.
(somewhere i hear my family laughing, muttering eventually? more like already.)
music today:
Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land
"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy." - Spike Milligan
i was pleasantly shocked to see Dayton beat Alabama last night. easily, the most complete performance they have had all season. they finally looked like the team i thought i would see for the most of this season. hopefully they remember to play that way again when i see them on Saturday.
and any happiness i may have had from last night ended when i saw the Yankees offered a contract to Kevin Youkilis. fuck me, has it really turned to this? i mean, i had to accept Boggs and Damon even though it felt like part of my soul was dying, but, Youk? fuck me. turn to one of the kids and allow them to fail before you waste money on the Red Sox trash. knowing my luck i'll wake up tomorrow and he's accepted the deal.
bad enough my NFL.com fantasy team is going against someone who has half his roster playing tonight. i know i have already clinched the regular season title, but 1 loss looks much better than 2, i'm just sayin'.
got all the music i needed to burn for gifts for my family done today. so, now it's just waiting for one more gift for my sister to arrive and then time to break out the newspaper and wrap gifts. where the fuck did this year go?
NFL and The Big Bang Theory tonight. maybe a little of Dave's Old Porn as well later on. that and trying to keep up with everything going on with my google+ account. my thirst for knowledge will eventually drive me insane.
(somewhere i hear my family laughing, muttering eventually? more like already.)
music today:
Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land
"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy." - Spike Milligan
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wednesday musings
this blog post is brought to you by episode #37 of The Sam Roberts Show Online. i really enjoyed this episode. brought back some horrific memories of growing up and really not knowing what to do in social situations. you can find the episode on iTunes, Stitcher, and by going to http://notsam.com/podcast.html. be sure to do ALL your Christmas shopping through the amazon.com link on the podcast page. that all goes a long way in helping Sam reach his goals.
i will be following Manchester United online today in Champions League play as i don't pay the extra $15 a month to have Fox Soccer Plus. i don't really care if they win or lose this game, i simply want them to come out of it fully healthy. the match with Manchester City is coming up on Sunday and that will more or less decide my week.
tonight i will be watching the Dayton Flyers play Alabama in college basketball and most likely have their asses handed to them as revenge for last year's upset victory. i would love to be surprised and see a team play together and score and defend the way i believe they can, but i'm not going to be holding my fucking breath.
i was actually shocked at who made the top 4 of The Voice. i didn't see Amanda getting eliminated. no more team Adam. which makes me laugh as his music has never done anything for me. and in case you are wondering, i am team Blake but totally think Trevin will win.
sorry to hear about CM Punk's knee surgery. hopefully he will be back soon as he is one of the few reasons to watch the WWE at the moment. does set up an interesting moment for the company to really push the newcomers and perhaps realize Ryback needs a bit more seasoning before you let him run with the ball.
another day, another set of rumors on the Yankees. and more frustration on my end. the only hope i have is when these next 2 years are over and they decide they can start spending money again, all these young players who are great won't be able to resist millions and millions of dollars. fingers are crossed.
lastly, i'm dying with no hockey. and i won't believe any of the good reports until they are voting on a deal and players start coming back from Europe. college hockey and the Canadian juniors just aren't getting it done for me.
music today:
Joshua James - Build Me This
"I'm always hoping for the nights that are inspired where you almost have an out of body experience." - Dave Brubeck Dec. 6, 1920 - Dec. 5, 2012
i will be following Manchester United online today in Champions League play as i don't pay the extra $15 a month to have Fox Soccer Plus. i don't really care if they win or lose this game, i simply want them to come out of it fully healthy. the match with Manchester City is coming up on Sunday and that will more or less decide my week.
tonight i will be watching the Dayton Flyers play Alabama in college basketball and most likely have their asses handed to them as revenge for last year's upset victory. i would love to be surprised and see a team play together and score and defend the way i believe they can, but i'm not going to be holding my fucking breath.
i was actually shocked at who made the top 4 of The Voice. i didn't see Amanda getting eliminated. no more team Adam. which makes me laugh as his music has never done anything for me. and in case you are wondering, i am team Blake but totally think Trevin will win.
sorry to hear about CM Punk's knee surgery. hopefully he will be back soon as he is one of the few reasons to watch the WWE at the moment. does set up an interesting moment for the company to really push the newcomers and perhaps realize Ryback needs a bit more seasoning before you let him run with the ball.
another day, another set of rumors on the Yankees. and more frustration on my end. the only hope i have is when these next 2 years are over and they decide they can start spending money again, all these young players who are great won't be able to resist millions and millions of dollars. fingers are crossed.
lastly, i'm dying with no hockey. and i won't believe any of the good reports until they are voting on a deal and players start coming back from Europe. college hockey and the Canadian juniors just aren't getting it done for me.
music today:
Joshua James - Build Me This
"I'm always hoping for the nights that are inspired where you almost have an out of body experience." - Dave Brubeck Dec. 6, 1920 - Dec. 5, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
let the silly season begin
hard to think of this as winter as the temp is around 60 degrees. just what i need is another fucking drought. the one over the summer didn't hurt us as bad as i thought it would. after insurance, we made out pretty good. but i don't think the ground can take another drier than shit season and still put out a decent crop. fingers are crossed.
so, i was shooting the shit this morning and see some Yankees news come across the wire. turns out A-Rod played most of 2012 with a torn labrum in his "good" hip. surgery next month and will be out 4 to 6 months. lovely. so the Yankees starting left side of the infield are now entering the relic stage of their careers where injuries should be the norm. i'll be interested to see how the brass figures out the replacement parts on a budget. this upcoming season already smells like a close but no cigar try for the playoffs. yuck.
and speaking of sports, had an interesting past Saturday. one thing i totally fucking hate is when a team plays down to their competition. drives me insane. so to see Manchester United and the Dayton Flyers both do it but still win was infuriating. i'm already readying the rubber room when all of this shit comes to fuck them later on in the season.
hope everyone i sent cards and some poetic gifts to get them soon and enjoy them.
i'm on the verge of winning all 3 fantasy football matches from this weekend. i've got decent leads in all 3. i won't watch much of the game tonight though, too much college basketball, The Voice, and Monday Night Raw to keep my brain active with. maybe one of these days i'll get a DVR and be somewhat normal.
or maybe not.
wish i had the balls to act out one of my great porn fantasies today. for some reason this woman brought a package from amazon.com out to the farm. attractive and curvy. of course, having no game i just smiled and said thank you and watched her walk away like the creep i am. and instead of watching soccer or doing some household chores, i spent the next 2 hours on redtube letting my imagination take a tour of filth.
thank god for a towel nearby.
totally loved the last 3 episodes of Boardwalk Empire. and i can't wait for a bunch of my favorites to come back next month. back to the old days of getting to sleep at 3 in the morning after all the Sunday night television.
music today:
The Black Keys - El Camino
Over The Rhine - Snow Angel
"Everybody knows how to raise children, except the people who have them." - P.J. O'Rourke
so, i was shooting the shit this morning and see some Yankees news come across the wire. turns out A-Rod played most of 2012 with a torn labrum in his "good" hip. surgery next month and will be out 4 to 6 months. lovely. so the Yankees starting left side of the infield are now entering the relic stage of their careers where injuries should be the norm. i'll be interested to see how the brass figures out the replacement parts on a budget. this upcoming season already smells like a close but no cigar try for the playoffs. yuck.
and speaking of sports, had an interesting past Saturday. one thing i totally fucking hate is when a team plays down to their competition. drives me insane. so to see Manchester United and the Dayton Flyers both do it but still win was infuriating. i'm already readying the rubber room when all of this shit comes to fuck them later on in the season.
hope everyone i sent cards and some poetic gifts to get them soon and enjoy them.
i'm on the verge of winning all 3 fantasy football matches from this weekend. i've got decent leads in all 3. i won't watch much of the game tonight though, too much college basketball, The Voice, and Monday Night Raw to keep my brain active with. maybe one of these days i'll get a DVR and be somewhat normal.
or maybe not.
wish i had the balls to act out one of my great porn fantasies today. for some reason this woman brought a package from amazon.com out to the farm. attractive and curvy. of course, having no game i just smiled and said thank you and watched her walk away like the creep i am. and instead of watching soccer or doing some household chores, i spent the next 2 hours on redtube letting my imagination take a tour of filth.
thank god for a towel nearby.
totally loved the last 3 episodes of Boardwalk Empire. and i can't wait for a bunch of my favorites to come back next month. back to the old days of getting to sleep at 3 in the morning after all the Sunday night television.
music today:
The Black Keys - El Camino
Over The Rhine - Snow Angel
"Everybody knows how to raise children, except the people who have them." - P.J. O'Rourke
Sunday, December 2, 2012
trouble
my poem "trouble" was published this morning at The Camel Saloon. you can find the poem by going here http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/2012/12/trouble.html.
Friday, November 30, 2012
the end of the world
got all my Christmas shopping and cards done before the end of November.
sent out some poems to ZYX and ART:MAG. hopefully my good run of luck with both zines continue.
i get that the Yankees want to tell all of us they are on a budget. but to see on the same day they bring back the hammer of god, Mariano Rivera, they lose their starting catcher to the Pirates because they offered more money. you've got to be fucking kidding me. i know all the benefits they will get if the team gets under the pseudo salary cap. i'm not sure i want to see 2 years of fucking sucking in order to do it. but, if it means that afterwards the team payroll goes up to $300 million, i'll live with it. i just don't see that happening either. the fucking Pirates.
i always thought the end of the world would sneak up on me. i'll be damned, it did.
lucky people, start checking your mailboxes in the coming week or so. some goodies are on the way. goodies or shit taking up space in my bedroom. you be the judge.
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." - Walt Whitman
and remember to put sunscreen on that face if you don't want cancer.
sent out some poems to ZYX and ART:MAG. hopefully my good run of luck with both zines continue.
i get that the Yankees want to tell all of us they are on a budget. but to see on the same day they bring back the hammer of god, Mariano Rivera, they lose their starting catcher to the Pirates because they offered more money. you've got to be fucking kidding me. i know all the benefits they will get if the team gets under the pseudo salary cap. i'm not sure i want to see 2 years of fucking sucking in order to do it. but, if it means that afterwards the team payroll goes up to $300 million, i'll live with it. i just don't see that happening either. the fucking Pirates.
i always thought the end of the world would sneak up on me. i'll be damned, it did.
lucky people, start checking your mailboxes in the coming week or so. some goodies are on the way. goodies or shit taking up space in my bedroom. you be the judge.
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." - Walt Whitman
and remember to put sunscreen on that face if you don't want cancer.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
...and back to reality
first things first, this blog post is brought to you by episode #36 of The Sam Roberts Show Online. you can find the show on ITunes, Stitcher, and by going here http://notsam.com/podcast.html. give it a listen, you'll enjoy it. and even if you don't, tell someone about it. and help Sam out if you can. help him add a video element to the podcast as well. this guy has all the goods to be big one day. get on the train early.
hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday. i had my usual family dinner on Friday. i don't do much family shit on Thanksgiving. i decided as a teen it probably wasn't the best for me to be with the cousin that molested me as a child. so, i imagine once she dies, maybe i'll come around again. until then, it will be me, some football, some porn, and an early start to Christmas shopping. which, thankfully, i am about 98% done with.
i was going to get on here earlier and give a long rant about UD losing tonight by 1 fucking point to Weber St. but i decided to let my anger pass. i didn't go to the game as my mother is in Columbus at a conference and i really didn't feel like driving at night with these new glasses. (quick side note, holy fuck my eyes are bad. first time i've had new glasses in 3 years and fuck, it was like the first time i saw HD. oh, so that's what i have been missing. i'm willing to bet in 10 years i'll be legally blind.) but, by watching the game i remembered why i always like going. god, the UD tv announcers fucking suck. just god fucking awful. let alone the game. when you can't make a shot from 3 feet to save your life, you die. it's really that simple.
thankfully, Manchester United won earlier in the day 1-0. RvP scores 31 seconds in and the other 93 minutes were nearly a complete fucking bore. but, 3 points are 3 points. and a clean sheet, been a long fucking time since i remember one of those.
random thoughts
tomorrow will be a laundry day, wait around for the UPS/FED EX guy day, hope my fantasy football team gets off to a good start day, who did the Yankees sign day, does this still look good to eat day.
i gave in to the hype and got Trilogy by TheWeeknd. glad i did.
totally stoked for the final 6 from The Voice. i'm good with any one of them winning.
Boardwalk Empire has really got hot with the last 2 episodes. can't wait for the season finale coming up.
welcome back Kuroda and Pettitte. may father time elude both of you AGAIN. fuck me, sign someone under 40 for a fucking change.
i think i figured out what was leaking in the fridge. and if my mother reads this, i mopped and cleaned it well. if she's not reading this, i love strong paper towels.
music today:
Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.
Buffalo Tom - Big Red Letter Day
Audrey Rose - Smoke EP
The Lighthouse and The Whaler - Pioneers EP
Matthew Perryman Jones - Land of the Living
Guided By Voices - Class Clown Spots A UFO
Guided By Voices - The Bears For Lunch
TheWeeknd - Trilogy
and in honor of the greatest guitar player that ever walked the earth
"You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven." - Jimi Hendrix
hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday. i had my usual family dinner on Friday. i don't do much family shit on Thanksgiving. i decided as a teen it probably wasn't the best for me to be with the cousin that molested me as a child. so, i imagine once she dies, maybe i'll come around again. until then, it will be me, some football, some porn, and an early start to Christmas shopping. which, thankfully, i am about 98% done with.
i was going to get on here earlier and give a long rant about UD losing tonight by 1 fucking point to Weber St. but i decided to let my anger pass. i didn't go to the game as my mother is in Columbus at a conference and i really didn't feel like driving at night with these new glasses. (quick side note, holy fuck my eyes are bad. first time i've had new glasses in 3 years and fuck, it was like the first time i saw HD. oh, so that's what i have been missing. i'm willing to bet in 10 years i'll be legally blind.) but, by watching the game i remembered why i always like going. god, the UD tv announcers fucking suck. just god fucking awful. let alone the game. when you can't make a shot from 3 feet to save your life, you die. it's really that simple.
thankfully, Manchester United won earlier in the day 1-0. RvP scores 31 seconds in and the other 93 minutes were nearly a complete fucking bore. but, 3 points are 3 points. and a clean sheet, been a long fucking time since i remember one of those.
random thoughts
tomorrow will be a laundry day, wait around for the UPS/FED EX guy day, hope my fantasy football team gets off to a good start day, who did the Yankees sign day, does this still look good to eat day.
i gave in to the hype and got Trilogy by TheWeeknd. glad i did.
totally stoked for the final 6 from The Voice. i'm good with any one of them winning.
Boardwalk Empire has really got hot with the last 2 episodes. can't wait for the season finale coming up.
welcome back Kuroda and Pettitte. may father time elude both of you AGAIN. fuck me, sign someone under 40 for a fucking change.
i think i figured out what was leaking in the fridge. and if my mother reads this, i mopped and cleaned it well. if she's not reading this, i love strong paper towels.
music today:
Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St.
Buffalo Tom - Big Red Letter Day
Audrey Rose - Smoke EP
The Lighthouse and The Whaler - Pioneers EP
Matthew Perryman Jones - Land of the Living
Guided By Voices - Class Clown Spots A UFO
Guided By Voices - The Bears For Lunch
TheWeeknd - Trilogy
and in honor of the greatest guitar player that ever walked the earth
"You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven." - Jimi Hendrix
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
behind the clouds
my poem "behind the clouds" was published this morning at The Camel Saloon. you can find the poem by going here http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/2012/11/behind-clouds.html.
Monday, November 26, 2012
my poems in ZYX #62
my poems "a moment like that", "the cold winds of death", "and then some", "certain for death", "the dark angel of hindsight", and "contemplating death in early march" have been published in ZYX #62.
others with work in the issue include Jean Esteve, David Stone, Nathan Whiting, Alan Catlin, B.Z. Niditch, Guy R. Beining, John Grey, and Arnold Skemer.
for more information contact:
ZYX
c/o Arnold Skemer
58-09 205th Street
Bayside, NY 11364
others with work in the issue include Jean Esteve, David Stone, Nathan Whiting, Alan Catlin, B.Z. Niditch, Guy R. Beining, John Grey, and Arnold Skemer.
for more information contact:
ZYX
c/o Arnold Skemer
58-09 205th Street
Bayside, NY 11364
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
and here come the holidays
first off, this blog post is brought to you by The Sam Roberts Show Online, episode #35. i urge all of you to listen to this for Sam's take on the Elmo controversy. you will never look at puppets or cartoons the same again. you can find the show on ITunes, Stitcher, and by going to http://notsam.com/podcast.html. if you can help Sam out, by all means do so. also, if you like what you hear, tell as many people as you know.
i had an eye appointment yesterday (my left eye has gotten worse, but, new glasses coming soon) so i missed Manchester United's loss yesterday. given that they have already clinched the group in Champions League play, i'm not too concerned. BUT, they better fucking win this weekend against QPR.
i did manage to see that Chelsea lost and their manager got fired after the game. pure fucking glee on my end.
after i get done with this i will hopefully catch CR7 eliminating Manchester City. fingers are crossed.
i'm on a bit of a Rolling Stones kick here lately. really enjoyed Crossfire Hurricane on HBO and the new video for Doom and Gloom is interesting. of course, i may have just liked it for the nudity, but the song is pretty damn good as well. hunt the internet a bit, you'll find it.
speaking of music, found some new music on NoiseTrade.com today. check out the music section and do check out the bands. well worth your time.
lastly, i do hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. if you happen to be going shopping, please lose your patience and murder someone. ok, that was just to see if people are actually reading this.
i have started my Christmas shopping. hello internet. given that most of the stores around me have closed, i don't know if i will leave the home to buy anything. of course, it feels like i'm trying to keep the postal service afloat by myself. that being said, a few lucky ones should be checking their mailboxes in the coming weeks.
music today:
Pixies - Doolittle
Saints Apollo - Saints Apollo EP
Boots & Wesson - Boots & Wesson EP
and now from the birthday boy:
"When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion." - Voltaire
i had an eye appointment yesterday (my left eye has gotten worse, but, new glasses coming soon) so i missed Manchester United's loss yesterday. given that they have already clinched the group in Champions League play, i'm not too concerned. BUT, they better fucking win this weekend against QPR.
i did manage to see that Chelsea lost and their manager got fired after the game. pure fucking glee on my end.
after i get done with this i will hopefully catch CR7 eliminating Manchester City. fingers are crossed.
i'm on a bit of a Rolling Stones kick here lately. really enjoyed Crossfire Hurricane on HBO and the new video for Doom and Gloom is interesting. of course, i may have just liked it for the nudity, but the song is pretty damn good as well. hunt the internet a bit, you'll find it.
speaking of music, found some new music on NoiseTrade.com today. check out the music section and do check out the bands. well worth your time.
lastly, i do hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. if you happen to be going shopping, please lose your patience and murder someone. ok, that was just to see if people are actually reading this.
i have started my Christmas shopping. hello internet. given that most of the stores around me have closed, i don't know if i will leave the home to buy anything. of course, it feels like i'm trying to keep the postal service afloat by myself. that being said, a few lucky ones should be checking their mailboxes in the coming weeks.
music today:
Pixies - Doolittle
Saints Apollo - Saints Apollo EP
Boots & Wesson - Boots & Wesson EP
and now from the birthday boy:
"When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion." - Voltaire
Saturday, November 17, 2012
what should have been
so, today started off well enough. last night i got the 2 poems accepted. Dayton whipped Boston College in basketball in a holy shit, did we really make over 60% of our shots for the entire game. i was glad to have seen it as that might be the only way i would ever believe it happened. they play Auburn tomorrow to try to come home 3-1 on the season. they should be able to get it done. another name to remember, Dyshawn Pierre. if this kid ever reaches his full potential, look out.
so this morning i'm up early to watch some soccer to prepare myself for Manchester United this afternoon. lackluster would be too kind of a word to describe the game. listless might be a better fit. frankly, i should have known this shit filled game was coming as soon as i knew Wayne Rooney wasn't playing. so much for first place.
after that shitty experience, here came Ohio State. i figured the game would be tough, all the road games are. especially at Wisconsin. in a game that maybe set back offense 100 years, Ohio State wins in overtime 21-14. they totally didn't deserve to be anywhere near winning this game. i hope they know if they play like that next week, there will be 100,000 fans looking for... use your imagination as it will be Michigan week.
i still had the victory beer. didn't taste as good as it should have. oh well, some more football this evening. maybe i'll get a head start on picking up the trash as i have a morning full of fantasy football shit ahead of me. if my old ass can stay awake, i'll try to catch the new Saturday Night Live tonight and some ROH as well.
hope everyone has a good rest of the weekend.
peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Bassnectar - Freestyle Mixtape
"There's no such thing as simple. Simple is hard." - Martin Scorsese
so this morning i'm up early to watch some soccer to prepare myself for Manchester United this afternoon. lackluster would be too kind of a word to describe the game. listless might be a better fit. frankly, i should have known this shit filled game was coming as soon as i knew Wayne Rooney wasn't playing. so much for first place.
after that shitty experience, here came Ohio State. i figured the game would be tough, all the road games are. especially at Wisconsin. in a game that maybe set back offense 100 years, Ohio State wins in overtime 21-14. they totally didn't deserve to be anywhere near winning this game. i hope they know if they play like that next week, there will be 100,000 fans looking for... use your imagination as it will be Michigan week.
i still had the victory beer. didn't taste as good as it should have. oh well, some more football this evening. maybe i'll get a head start on picking up the trash as i have a morning full of fantasy football shit ahead of me. if my old ass can stay awake, i'll try to catch the new Saturday Night Live tonight and some ROH as well.
hope everyone has a good rest of the weekend.
peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Bassnectar - Freestyle Mixtape
"There's no such thing as simple. Simple is hard." - Martin Scorsese
response from The Camel Saloon
i heard back from Russell at The Camel Saloon on my recent poetry submission. my poems "behind the clouds" and "trouble" were accepted for publication.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
frustration and poetry news
got my daily chores (getting the paper and mail from town) done early this morning so i could try and watch the Dayton Flyers via the internet this afternoon. let's just say i would have been better off forgetting they were playing today.
the feed was spotty at best but i hung with it because Dayton was winning. as soon as the game turned to shit, i gave up on my supposedly high speed internet feed and just turned on the radio. a loss by 10 points to Colorado is not that bad in the general sense. the game was much closer than that for most of it. the shitty part is you are now in the losers portion of the bracket and the teams you will face in that will be a drag on your strength of schedule and RPI later on in the season. all shit you need to be good to get into the NCAA tournament. needless to say, i'm not a happy camper.
so, the only way i know how to blow off some steam and not kill something, music and poetry. turned on some tunes and sent out some poems today to The Camel Saloon and Zygote in My Coffee. 2 of my favorites and 2 that i figure i have the best shot at some good news coming back. i'll pass along the (good) news as soon as i get it.
the rest of my day will be spent on dishes, google+, checking fantasy football injury reports, and getting ready for a Thursday of tv viewing.
i really wouldn't mind if the players i have going tonight in NFL action actually have great games so the stench of last weeks 3 losses can finally come off of me. fingers are crossed.
music today:
Shooter Jennings - The Wolf
John Prine - Souvenirs
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keeffe
the feed was spotty at best but i hung with it because Dayton was winning. as soon as the game turned to shit, i gave up on my supposedly high speed internet feed and just turned on the radio. a loss by 10 points to Colorado is not that bad in the general sense. the game was much closer than that for most of it. the shitty part is you are now in the losers portion of the bracket and the teams you will face in that will be a drag on your strength of schedule and RPI later on in the season. all shit you need to be good to get into the NCAA tournament. needless to say, i'm not a happy camper.
so, the only way i know how to blow off some steam and not kill something, music and poetry. turned on some tunes and sent out some poems today to The Camel Saloon and Zygote in My Coffee. 2 of my favorites and 2 that i figure i have the best shot at some good news coming back. i'll pass along the (good) news as soon as i get it.
the rest of my day will be spent on dishes, google+, checking fantasy football injury reports, and getting ready for a Thursday of tv viewing.
i really wouldn't mind if the players i have going tonight in NFL action actually have great games so the stench of last weeks 3 losses can finally come off of me. fingers are crossed.
music today:
Shooter Jennings - The Wolf
John Prine - Souvenirs
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keeffe
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
back on the horse
watched team USA play Russia to a 2-2 draw that they totally didn't deserve. if it wasn't for Tim Howard, the Russians would have scored 5 or 6 goals. i am happy for Michael Bradley though. he is really coming into his own and hopefully can be the midfielder this team has needed for years. the defense played like absolute shit once again. that has to get better or the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying will be gut wrenching in 2013.
seeing that it was International Friendly day in soccer around the world, most people interested will be talking about the bicycle kick goal from 35 yards out in the Sweden vs. England friendly. some are calling it the best goal they have ever seen. it's close, but i doubt think i have ever seen a goal as good as the one Wayne Rooney scored against Manchester City a couple of seasons ago. in a game that mattered. against your in city rivals. PURE FUCKING BRILLIANCE. look it up on the internet one day. you won't be disappointed.
sat down today and realized i have written 2 poems in the last two months. so, in order to change that, i went to my room, put on some tunes and forced myself to write. one hour later and i'm typing up 8 poems, a few true gems as well. i'm always a bit leery of forcing creativity but i'm getting better at it. i know i have to combat the lazy fuck inside of me.
i will hopefully get a couple of submissions out before turkey day.
check out episode #34 of The Sam Roberts Show Online. especially if you need a good laugh. i highly recommend it. it can be found at iTunes, Stitcher, and at notsam.com. help him out if you can as well. Sam totally deserves to be heard by many more people.
home alone tonight. not sure if dinner will be just beer or some food as well. i figure if i get drunk enough, i'll break out the watercolors.
until we meet again my friends.
music today:
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
Ruckus Roboticus - Playing With Scratches
Jeff Buckley - Grace
The Black Crowes - Greatest Hits 1990-1999
The Firm - The Firm
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs (Live at McCabes)
"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." - Lorraine Hansberry
seeing that it was International Friendly day in soccer around the world, most people interested will be talking about the bicycle kick goal from 35 yards out in the Sweden vs. England friendly. some are calling it the best goal they have ever seen. it's close, but i doubt think i have ever seen a goal as good as the one Wayne Rooney scored against Manchester City a couple of seasons ago. in a game that mattered. against your in city rivals. PURE FUCKING BRILLIANCE. look it up on the internet one day. you won't be disappointed.
sat down today and realized i have written 2 poems in the last two months. so, in order to change that, i went to my room, put on some tunes and forced myself to write. one hour later and i'm typing up 8 poems, a few true gems as well. i'm always a bit leery of forcing creativity but i'm getting better at it. i know i have to combat the lazy fuck inside of me.
i will hopefully get a couple of submissions out before turkey day.
check out episode #34 of The Sam Roberts Show Online. especially if you need a good laugh. i highly recommend it. it can be found at iTunes, Stitcher, and at notsam.com. help him out if you can as well. Sam totally deserves to be heard by many more people.
home alone tonight. not sure if dinner will be just beer or some food as well. i figure if i get drunk enough, i'll break out the watercolors.
until we meet again my friends.
music today:
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
Ruckus Roboticus - Playing With Scratches
Jeff Buckley - Grace
The Black Crowes - Greatest Hits 1990-1999
The Firm - The Firm
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs (Live at McCabes)
"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." - Lorraine Hansberry
Monday, November 12, 2012
the opposite of fun
saw the first flakes of snow this afternoon as i was pumping gas into my truck. all i could think was fuck, the holidays will be here soon and i'll be fucking miserable. dysfunction, molestation and apathy aren't the greatest qualities to be afflicted with as a child if you truly want to enjoy the holidays as you get older. the joy of experience.
what a totally fucking shitty Sunday. bad enough i watched Manchester City come back to win, but my fantasy football teams absolutely shit the bed. or, as i should put it, their owner did as well. i bet, even with the stats from tonight's game unknown, i have players on the bench of all 3 teams that if i had started them, i wouldn't be bitching right now. unforced errors are the absolute worst. i'll be beating myself up over this for a few days. unless of course a miracle is pulled off tonight by the Steelers. let's just say i'm not holding my fucking breath.
i doubt i will watch much of the game. The Voice is on tonight with probably my favorite group at this point of all 3 seasons. also, The King makes his return to Monday Night Raw tonight after his heart attack a few months ago. i should have gone as the show is in Columbus. the joy of being poor.
between wasting time on google+ and remembering all the people that have forgotten me over the years, i realized i haven't written shit in a few weeks. seeing how the cold front that came through dropped the temps over 30 degrees, i got a feeling a pen and paper will meet rather soon. and given the pain in my back at the moment, blossoms of rage will be all over the pages.
music today:
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Ana Tijoux - La Bala
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Getting angry doesn't solve anything." - Grace Kelly
what a totally fucking shitty Sunday. bad enough i watched Manchester City come back to win, but my fantasy football teams absolutely shit the bed. or, as i should put it, their owner did as well. i bet, even with the stats from tonight's game unknown, i have players on the bench of all 3 teams that if i had started them, i wouldn't be bitching right now. unforced errors are the absolute worst. i'll be beating myself up over this for a few days. unless of course a miracle is pulled off tonight by the Steelers. let's just say i'm not holding my fucking breath.
i doubt i will watch much of the game. The Voice is on tonight with probably my favorite group at this point of all 3 seasons. also, The King makes his return to Monday Night Raw tonight after his heart attack a few months ago. i should have gone as the show is in Columbus. the joy of being poor.
between wasting time on google+ and remembering all the people that have forgotten me over the years, i realized i haven't written shit in a few weeks. seeing how the cold front that came through dropped the temps over 30 degrees, i got a feeling a pen and paper will meet rather soon. and given the pain in my back at the moment, blossoms of rage will be all over the pages.
music today:
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Ana Tijoux - La Bala
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Getting angry doesn't solve anything." - Grace Kelly
Saturday, November 10, 2012
what a lovely Saturday
a nice southern breeze taking the temps into the mid 60's. some sunshine and some college basketball. i couldn't ask for more.
went to UD Arena to see the Dayton Flyers open up the season for real. a sluggish game with plenty of hope. when your best player doesn't score in the first half and you are up by 7, i always think that means you have a team with great depth. and when that best player finishes the game with 12 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds and you know he played like shit for most of the game, you can smile. this team has plenty of good parts. but relying on freshmen the way they have to, this season will have plenty of warts as well. a win by 13 is a nice way to get the season going.
then, a little bite to eat and a trip to the grocery store. wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it would be. seeing that Ohio State is off this week, i kind of figured everyone would be at the store instead of in front of a television. it was packed but i managed it. when i'm calm i have a real fuck off look to me, so i'm usually left alone. makes it easier for my mother to get through the aisles, i know that much.
got home to see that Manchester United won 3-2. the usual, go down 2-0. enter the Mexican God, Chicharito, and just like that, 3-2. i learned a long time ago, this team has a will that can't be extinguished. no matter the players, the conditions, or the odds, drama is never far away. been a fan since the early 90's. they probably have taken a few years off my life, but it's been enjoyable.
then, enter chaos into college football as Alabama loses at home. down goes the number 1 team in the land. i smell a god conspiracy going on to make sure Notre Dame plays for the national championship. just sayin'.
and since the NHL can't decide if it wants to be relevant or not, this Saturday night will be spent with a beer, some more football, waiting for Saturday Night Live. i'd much rather be watching Canadians fighting, just sayin'.
music today:
Bassnectar - Freestyle Mixtape
Escondido - Escondido EP
Joshua James - Build Me This
Yellow Red Sparks - Simply Put Me In Your Place EP
"The beginning is the most important part of the work." - Plato
by the way, as some of you may have noticed, not that any of you should really care, a part of my soul got robbed last night and i'm now on google+. the world has officially started to end. you're welcome.
went to UD Arena to see the Dayton Flyers open up the season for real. a sluggish game with plenty of hope. when your best player doesn't score in the first half and you are up by 7, i always think that means you have a team with great depth. and when that best player finishes the game with 12 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds and you know he played like shit for most of the game, you can smile. this team has plenty of good parts. but relying on freshmen the way they have to, this season will have plenty of warts as well. a win by 13 is a nice way to get the season going.
then, a little bite to eat and a trip to the grocery store. wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it would be. seeing that Ohio State is off this week, i kind of figured everyone would be at the store instead of in front of a television. it was packed but i managed it. when i'm calm i have a real fuck off look to me, so i'm usually left alone. makes it easier for my mother to get through the aisles, i know that much.
got home to see that Manchester United won 3-2. the usual, go down 2-0. enter the Mexican God, Chicharito, and just like that, 3-2. i learned a long time ago, this team has a will that can't be extinguished. no matter the players, the conditions, or the odds, drama is never far away. been a fan since the early 90's. they probably have taken a few years off my life, but it's been enjoyable.
then, enter chaos into college football as Alabama loses at home. down goes the number 1 team in the land. i smell a god conspiracy going on to make sure Notre Dame plays for the national championship. just sayin'.
and since the NHL can't decide if it wants to be relevant or not, this Saturday night will be spent with a beer, some more football, waiting for Saturday Night Live. i'd much rather be watching Canadians fighting, just sayin'.
music today:
Bassnectar - Freestyle Mixtape
Escondido - Escondido EP
Joshua James - Build Me This
Yellow Red Sparks - Simply Put Me In Your Place EP
"The beginning is the most important part of the work." - Plato
by the way, as some of you may have noticed, not that any of you should really care, a part of my soul got robbed last night and i'm now on google+. the world has officially started to end. you're welcome.
Friday, November 9, 2012
my 3 poems in ART:MAG #39 (The Election Year Blues Issue)
my poems "ditches and graves", "gravity always wins", and "some asshole thinking he's profound" appear in ART:MAG #39 (The Election Year Blues Issue). others with work in this issue include Guy R. Beining, B.Z. Niditch, normal, Cathy Porter, Alan Catlin, Neal Wilgus, John Grey, and Jon Bush just to name a few.
subscription: $8 (includes 2 issues, plus any chapbooks)
Peter Magliocco, Editor
ART:MAG
PO BOX 70896
Las Vegas, NV 89170
USA
subscription: $8 (includes 2 issues, plus any chapbooks)
Peter Magliocco, Editor
ART:MAG
PO BOX 70896
Las Vegas, NV 89170
USA
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
what a strange last 2 days
first off, this blog post is brought to you by the Sam Roberts Show Online, episode 33. a must listen as Sam gives a first hand account of going through hurricane Sandy. you can find the show on Itunes, Stitcher, and at notsam.com. click on podcast, and help Sam out if you can.
secondly, a nice FUCK YOU to Frontier Communications as my phone and internet were out for 4 hours today. you couldn't have done that before the fucking election when the GOP was calling here 7 times a fucking day?
woke up yesterday to a coyote in the lane looking for food. on the other side of our wood lot there was a roll over accident. and as i was going to out to feed the cats a medical helicopter was taking off from the field next door. not your usual start to election day, but fitting i suppose.
i did have fun today driving into town to get the mail. all the yard signs of candidates that lost. i love it. living out here with all these rednecks in the sticks. the anger and disgust on their faces today was priceless.
i did watch the last few hours of election results. my mother was worried that Romney was going to win, knowing that meant the farm was going bye bye most likely. i did my best to calm her as i explained political math and how only 10 states really decide this shit. once Ohio was called she felt some relief and went to bed. i stayed up for another few hours laughing at all these assholes on tv explaining away how they had the numbers wrong, etc. etc. fucking beautiful.
but thank fucking god the election is over. living in a battleground state fucking sucks with the constant tv ads and robo calls. enough to drive normal people to a suicidal urge. personally, i enjoy the chaos. i learned a long time ago, don't bother picking up the phone. and, when all else fails, there's always porn to watch.
i did settle down to watch Manchester United this afternoon in Champions League play. just get a draw and you advance to the round of 16. when i saw the lineup Sir Alex put out, i knew this was going to be a fruitless struggle. but, after giving up the first goal. make a few substitutions, get a well timed power outage in the stadium, and get fucking Nani off the pitch and well, well, well, a 3-1 win. RvP, Rooney, and Chicharito. not pretty, the effort sucked ass, but the result was golden. all 3 goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game. and with the result the group has been won. with 2 games to spare. that victory beer will taste good at dinner tonight.
been getting the itch to do some writing or painting here soon. the weather has been like a fucking yo-yo here. decent amount of sun but cold. hopefully it warms up the next few days and a creative spark starts a fucking fire inside me.
of course, there's enough college football and basketball and fantasy football going on to keep my brain occupied. i just like to be using more than 10% of it at all times.
welcome to the world of constant failure.
music today:
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
"Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." - Albert Camus
secondly, a nice FUCK YOU to Frontier Communications as my phone and internet were out for 4 hours today. you couldn't have done that before the fucking election when the GOP was calling here 7 times a fucking day?
woke up yesterday to a coyote in the lane looking for food. on the other side of our wood lot there was a roll over accident. and as i was going to out to feed the cats a medical helicopter was taking off from the field next door. not your usual start to election day, but fitting i suppose.
i did have fun today driving into town to get the mail. all the yard signs of candidates that lost. i love it. living out here with all these rednecks in the sticks. the anger and disgust on their faces today was priceless.
i did watch the last few hours of election results. my mother was worried that Romney was going to win, knowing that meant the farm was going bye bye most likely. i did my best to calm her as i explained political math and how only 10 states really decide this shit. once Ohio was called she felt some relief and went to bed. i stayed up for another few hours laughing at all these assholes on tv explaining away how they had the numbers wrong, etc. etc. fucking beautiful.
but thank fucking god the election is over. living in a battleground state fucking sucks with the constant tv ads and robo calls. enough to drive normal people to a suicidal urge. personally, i enjoy the chaos. i learned a long time ago, don't bother picking up the phone. and, when all else fails, there's always porn to watch.
i did settle down to watch Manchester United this afternoon in Champions League play. just get a draw and you advance to the round of 16. when i saw the lineup Sir Alex put out, i knew this was going to be a fruitless struggle. but, after giving up the first goal. make a few substitutions, get a well timed power outage in the stadium, and get fucking Nani off the pitch and well, well, well, a 3-1 win. RvP, Rooney, and Chicharito. not pretty, the effort sucked ass, but the result was golden. all 3 goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game. and with the result the group has been won. with 2 games to spare. that victory beer will taste good at dinner tonight.
been getting the itch to do some writing or painting here soon. the weather has been like a fucking yo-yo here. decent amount of sun but cold. hopefully it warms up the next few days and a creative spark starts a fucking fire inside me.
of course, there's enough college football and basketball and fantasy football going on to keep my brain occupied. i just like to be using more than 10% of it at all times.
welcome to the world of constant failure.
music today:
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
"Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." - Albert Camus
Monday, November 5, 2012
my 2 poems in Gutter Eloquence Magazine #24
my poems "sixteen years" and "bring back old memories" were published today in Gutter Eloquence Magazine #24. you can find each poem by clicking on the links below.
sixteen years
bring back old memories
sixteen years
bring back old memories
Saturday, November 3, 2012
my 2 poems in Big Hammer #15
my poems "the lessons we are to learn from" and "tv in the afternoon" were published in Big Hammer #15. the issue arrived in the mail today.
others with work in this issue include: Ed Galing, Ron Androla, Marc Olmstead, Mather Schneider, Mark Weber, normal, Lyn Lifshin, Guy R. Beining, John Bennett, Steve Richmond, Hugh Fox, B.Z. Niditch, Douglas Blazek and many more. 58 pages of goodness.
the issue can be purchased for:
$5 in person
$10 postage paid in USA
$20 postage paid to the rest of the world
Iniquity Press/Vendetta Books
c/o Dave Roskos
PO BOX 906
Island Heights, NJ 08732-0906
iniquitypress@hotmail.com
others with work in this issue include: Ed Galing, Ron Androla, Marc Olmstead, Mather Schneider, Mark Weber, normal, Lyn Lifshin, Guy R. Beining, John Bennett, Steve Richmond, Hugh Fox, B.Z. Niditch, Douglas Blazek and many more. 58 pages of goodness.
the issue can be purchased for:
$5 in person
$10 postage paid in USA
$20 postage paid to the rest of the world
Iniquity Press/Vendetta Books
c/o Dave Roskos
PO BOX 906
Island Heights, NJ 08732-0906
iniquitypress@hotmail.com
Friday, November 2, 2012
it wouldn't be a Friday afternoon without...
i just love watching tv in the afternoon, nearly asleep, when i see something come across the crawl. and not really sure if this is real or my evil side is making up shit to fuck with me, i make a mad scramble to the computer. and sure enough, the news was real.
always fun trying to find a replacement running back when your most important fantasy match up is just a few days away. and when the choices are basically shit, you slowly begin to realize the chances of you being 9-0 after this week have just about ended. i could think of about a trillion other ways to start my weekend...
just heard from my publisher. Sofisticated White Trash should be hitting the streets in January 2013. a nice way to mark my 37th year on this planet.
saw today that the NHL cancelled the Winter Classic. a quick note to the owners. you already have a loaded gun in your mouth. pull the fucking trigger and cancel the season already so the rest of us can get on without a sport we have devoted our lives to. and when the most loyal fans in sports don't come back, don't question why, just look in the fucking mirror. you brought this upon yourself. ask the players to police you by giving money back that you have already paid them. let alone, ask them to do it twice in 7 years. what a fucking joke. hopefully some network here is smart enough to show games in Europe on a regular basis. and it wouldn't shock me if most of the players just say fuck it and don't come back.
i'm going to try to get to bed early tonight as Manchester United plays early in the morning. let alone Ohio State in the afternoon, 3 huge college football games at night (overlapping each other on top of it), and one of my favorite comedians ever hosting Saturday Night Live (Louis C.K.). i'm getting too old for this shit.
and on Sunday, the Dayton Flyers play their final exhibition game. nothing like a little college basketball while i'm sitting there wondering how all my fantasy football players are doing. the game is just late enough that i won't see how the late games finish. and, of course, most of my guys are in the late games. fuck me runnin'.
and to top all of it off, i'm developing a pain in my left elbow that feels like a pinched nerve. my mother believes it could be some kind of carpal tunnel given all the typing i do. fucking lovely.
hope all of you have a lovely weekend. to my friends in NY and NJ, i'll send my love and some cash, but i urge all of you to grab a weapon and embrace anarchy. and with that lovely thought, a fond farewell.
music today:
Slayer - Reign In Blood
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
"A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him." - Brendan Francis
always fun trying to find a replacement running back when your most important fantasy match up is just a few days away. and when the choices are basically shit, you slowly begin to realize the chances of you being 9-0 after this week have just about ended. i could think of about a trillion other ways to start my weekend...
just heard from my publisher. Sofisticated White Trash should be hitting the streets in January 2013. a nice way to mark my 37th year on this planet.
saw today that the NHL cancelled the Winter Classic. a quick note to the owners. you already have a loaded gun in your mouth. pull the fucking trigger and cancel the season already so the rest of us can get on without a sport we have devoted our lives to. and when the most loyal fans in sports don't come back, don't question why, just look in the fucking mirror. you brought this upon yourself. ask the players to police you by giving money back that you have already paid them. let alone, ask them to do it twice in 7 years. what a fucking joke. hopefully some network here is smart enough to show games in Europe on a regular basis. and it wouldn't shock me if most of the players just say fuck it and don't come back.
i'm going to try to get to bed early tonight as Manchester United plays early in the morning. let alone Ohio State in the afternoon, 3 huge college football games at night (overlapping each other on top of it), and one of my favorite comedians ever hosting Saturday Night Live (Louis C.K.). i'm getting too old for this shit.
and on Sunday, the Dayton Flyers play their final exhibition game. nothing like a little college basketball while i'm sitting there wondering how all my fantasy football players are doing. the game is just late enough that i won't see how the late games finish. and, of course, most of my guys are in the late games. fuck me runnin'.
and to top all of it off, i'm developing a pain in my left elbow that feels like a pinched nerve. my mother believes it could be some kind of carpal tunnel given all the typing i do. fucking lovely.
hope all of you have a lovely weekend. to my friends in NY and NJ, i'll send my love and some cash, but i urge all of you to grab a weapon and embrace anarchy. and with that lovely thought, a fond farewell.
music today:
Slayer - Reign In Blood
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
"A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him." - Brendan Francis
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
a tough lesson for the kids
just got done watching Manchester United lose to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup 5-4. tough lesson to learn for all the young defenders when you are winning 3-2 right before the final whistle of regulation. i'm disappointed but, to be honest, to win without Rooney, RvP, Scholes, Rio, Cleverley, Evra, and Evans would have been a minor miracle. one less trophy to win this year. hopefully, what rest this loss may give to them in the future goes to the double this season.
another day here where it appears the sun no longer exists. a murky drizzle and a wind gusting every once in a while. not sure when the sun is supposed to come back either. onward with my shitty mood.
i imagine i'll waste my time tonight watching the NBA.
hope everyone enjoys some candy or scaring the shit out of someone. however you best like to be on this night.
music today:
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Various Artists - Sugar Hill-o-Ween
William Fitzsimmons - NoiseTrade Sampler
"If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
another day here where it appears the sun no longer exists. a murky drizzle and a wind gusting every once in a while. not sure when the sun is supposed to come back either. onward with my shitty mood.
i imagine i'll waste my time tonight watching the NBA.
hope everyone enjoys some candy or scaring the shit out of someone. however you best like to be on this night.
music today:
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Various Artists - Sugar Hill-o-Ween
William Fitzsimmons - NoiseTrade Sampler
"If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be." - Yogi Berra
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
a Tuesday glued to storm coverage
i woke up this morning to the same persistent fuck me winds i went to sleep with. and some blowing snow. went out to feed the cats and it felt like it was in the teens. i get it mother nature, you're a bad motherfucker. enough already.
one thing that DIRECTV does during these major storms is take an extra channel and devote it to all local coverage of the storm. so, as you can imagine, the majority of my day has been spent watching that.
not sure how the friends i have in Queens or New Jersey are doing. i'm hoping ok. i figure when the power comes back on they will find the emails.
NBA season starts tonight. i'll try to catch some of that to take my eyes away from storm damage coverage. plus, a part of me will love seeing LeBron get his ring. i always love a good heel.
love the knockout round on The Voice. great new element to the show. should be an interesting second night. that said, the live shows can't come soon enough.
hope everyone is well.
music today:
Joshua James - Build Me This
"Literature is news that stays news." - Ezra Pound
#Team Punk
one thing that DIRECTV does during these major storms is take an extra channel and devote it to all local coverage of the storm. so, as you can imagine, the majority of my day has been spent watching that.
not sure how the friends i have in Queens or New Jersey are doing. i'm hoping ok. i figure when the power comes back on they will find the emails.
NBA season starts tonight. i'll try to catch some of that to take my eyes away from storm damage coverage. plus, a part of me will love seeing LeBron get his ring. i always love a good heel.
love the knockout round on The Voice. great new element to the show. should be an interesting second night. that said, the live shows can't come soon enough.
hope everyone is well.
music today:
Joshua James - Build Me This
"Literature is news that stays news." - Ezra Pound
#Team Punk
Monday, October 29, 2012
what a weekend
went to see the Dayton Flyers play their first exhibition of the college basketball season. a nice win by 19 points. better than i expected, especially given all the recent distractions. one name to remember, Jalen Robinson. kid has all the making of the real deal.
got home from there in time to watch Ohio State play football at Penn State. a total shit show in the first half that filled me with dread. then, they finally let Braxton Miller take over and just like that, a relatively easy victory going away. never gets old seeing 100,000 assholes dressed in white sit quietly on the verge of tears. makes the victory beer that much sweeter.
started off Sunday filling out my fantasy football rosters, thinking i had a good chance on 2 of 3 of them. sure enough, looks like i will win 2 of the 3 regardless of what happens tonight. that out of the way, i could devote all my attention to Manchester United at Chelsea. when Man U went up 2-0 early, i was gleeful but nervous. early in the second half when Chelsea tied it up, i was near panic. but a good panic as this team usually loves drama much more than i care for. thanks to a deserved red card and then a gift red card, enter Chicharito and a lovely, albeit offside goal for the winner. do i really give a shit that Man U got nearly every call in the game? NO. do i care that it was the first Premier League win there in a decade? FUCK YES. the defense is total shit and has to improve. but, thank god for RvP. i get the feeling as long as he stays healthy he will be bailing this team out again and again. worth every fucking penny.
another night ahead with the need for the Elvis wall of televisions. The Voice, Monday Night Raw (i'm very interested in seeing where the CM Punk story line goes from here), Monday Night Football, and endless storm coverage. all if the power doesn't go out as we are getting a pretty consistent wind from the farthest reaches of hurricane Sandy. nothing like a day without any sun and a wind that makes it feel like it's 20 degrees outside. fun, so much fucking fun.
thoughts and prayers or whatever helps and works to all my friends on the east coast.
music today:
Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts
Cowboy Junkies - Studio: Selected Studio Recordings 1986-1995
"The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights." - Giotto di Bondone
got home from there in time to watch Ohio State play football at Penn State. a total shit show in the first half that filled me with dread. then, they finally let Braxton Miller take over and just like that, a relatively easy victory going away. never gets old seeing 100,000 assholes dressed in white sit quietly on the verge of tears. makes the victory beer that much sweeter.
started off Sunday filling out my fantasy football rosters, thinking i had a good chance on 2 of 3 of them. sure enough, looks like i will win 2 of the 3 regardless of what happens tonight. that out of the way, i could devote all my attention to Manchester United at Chelsea. when Man U went up 2-0 early, i was gleeful but nervous. early in the second half when Chelsea tied it up, i was near panic. but a good panic as this team usually loves drama much more than i care for. thanks to a deserved red card and then a gift red card, enter Chicharito and a lovely, albeit offside goal for the winner. do i really give a shit that Man U got nearly every call in the game? NO. do i care that it was the first Premier League win there in a decade? FUCK YES. the defense is total shit and has to improve. but, thank god for RvP. i get the feeling as long as he stays healthy he will be bailing this team out again and again. worth every fucking penny.
another night ahead with the need for the Elvis wall of televisions. The Voice, Monday Night Raw (i'm very interested in seeing where the CM Punk story line goes from here), Monday Night Football, and endless storm coverage. all if the power doesn't go out as we are getting a pretty consistent wind from the farthest reaches of hurricane Sandy. nothing like a day without any sun and a wind that makes it feel like it's 20 degrees outside. fun, so much fucking fun.
thoughts and prayers or whatever helps and works to all my friends on the east coast.
music today:
Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts
Cowboy Junkies - Studio: Selected Studio Recordings 1986-1995
"The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights." - Giotto di Bondone
Thursday, October 25, 2012
a lazy afternoon before the weather turns to shit
i was watching some European soccer, falling asleep, and suddenly waking up with Jada Fire on my mind. fast forward 10 minutes and i'm watching porn listening to Wu-Tang Clan. i love these afternoons where i throw what little discipline i have out the window and pretend i'm actually talented and have fuck you money. definitely takes the stress away. i'm not much of a Calgon guy.
between my opponents this week and myself, we have players on both teams tonight. so it looks like it's a NFL Thursday. after that and some late night television, more napping i suppose. i don't think i have slept well in over 30 years. tomorrow is a laundry day as well. between my back hurting in the rain and stooping over to put clothes in the washer, i smell fun.
as you will tell from my musical selections today, the mad genius was out with his freak flag flying high.
music today:
Shooter Jennings - Electric Rodeo
Brandi Carlile - Live at Bear Creek EP
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
Human Cannonball - Let's Be Friends
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Fugees - The Score
"For me, writing something down was the only road out." - Anne Tyler
between my opponents this week and myself, we have players on both teams tonight. so it looks like it's a NFL Thursday. after that and some late night television, more napping i suppose. i don't think i have slept well in over 30 years. tomorrow is a laundry day as well. between my back hurting in the rain and stooping over to put clothes in the washer, i smell fun.
as you will tell from my musical selections today, the mad genius was out with his freak flag flying high.
music today:
Shooter Jennings - Electric Rodeo
Brandi Carlile - Live at Bear Creek EP
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
Human Cannonball - Let's Be Friends
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Fugees - The Score
"For me, writing something down was the only road out." - Anne Tyler
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
what a glorious day
damn near 80 degrees.
my mother called me while i was doing the dishes and wanted to know why so and so got kicked off the University of Dayton basketball team. a rare day that i wasn't glued to the internet, so i had to call her back. a quick search and well, well, well, i guess the rape rumors i heard over the summer weren't just bullshit after all. i always love when upper middle class kids who are pretend hipsters piss away what little talent they have.
after the dishes, sat down to watch Manchester City hopefully lose to Ajax. things certainly didn't look good until the end of the first half. and other than the 20 minutes of the game i missed wiping my first shit in 2 days, what a glorious day watching Man City have their asses handed to them.
not really interested in the World Series. if i had to root for a team, i'm certainly not going to root for the team that knocked out the Yankees.
last day of good weather as, of course, the weekend is supposed to be wet and miserable. welcome back to Ohio. my sister gets home Friday from her trip. just in time for the bad weather. funny.
music today:
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
from the birthday boy
"I want to score in every game and win things. That's the most important thing." - Wayne Rooney
my mother called me while i was doing the dishes and wanted to know why so and so got kicked off the University of Dayton basketball team. a rare day that i wasn't glued to the internet, so i had to call her back. a quick search and well, well, well, i guess the rape rumors i heard over the summer weren't just bullshit after all. i always love when upper middle class kids who are pretend hipsters piss away what little talent they have.
after the dishes, sat down to watch Manchester City hopefully lose to Ajax. things certainly didn't look good until the end of the first half. and other than the 20 minutes of the game i missed wiping my first shit in 2 days, what a glorious day watching Man City have their asses handed to them.
not really interested in the World Series. if i had to root for a team, i'm certainly not going to root for the team that knocked out the Yankees.
last day of good weather as, of course, the weekend is supposed to be wet and miserable. welcome back to Ohio. my sister gets home Friday from her trip. just in time for the bad weather. funny.
music today:
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
from the birthday boy
"I want to score in every game and win things. That's the most important thing." - Wayne Rooney
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
long live Chicharito
when i found out this morning i didn't win shit even though i picked all the NFL games correctly last week, i was a bit pissed. i missed the Sunday night score by 4 points (i had the Steelers score correct, and , as per usual, the Bengals let me down once again). being poor, only making money from doing surveys, the charity of my friends, and selling used shit and the occasional book, this was a bit of a letdown.
given that news, i sit down this afternoon to watch Manchester United in Champions League play. as usual, they give up a goal early. no biggie. 20 minutes in and they give up the next one. now, my usual bitter asshole tendencies come out. but only for 5 minutes, as Chicharito scores to cut it to 2-1. in the second half, Jonny Evans, who somehow has turned into a goal machine, ties the game at 2. then in the 75th minute (or somewhere around there) Cleverley pulls out one hell of a cross to Chicharito for the eventual game winner. winning this way never gets old. falling behind early certainly does. but, when you rest 2 of the usual 4 defenders, you run the risk of shit happening. HUGE game this Sunday with Chelsea. to say my attention will be not completely on the NFL this Sunday will be a gross understatement. lose at Chelsea and the league might as well be a lost cause. of course, i've thought this before and they have proved me wrong. but that was the days when they had great defenders. those days are sadly gone.
after The Voice tonight, i have no clue what i'll be watching. i'm sure i'll find something. probably music related. or history. or food. or college football with 2 teams i don't know. could be an early sleep night.
music today:
Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts
Grouplove - Never Trust a Happy Song
"Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes." - Walt Whitman
given that news, i sit down this afternoon to watch Manchester United in Champions League play. as usual, they give up a goal early. no biggie. 20 minutes in and they give up the next one. now, my usual bitter asshole tendencies come out. but only for 5 minutes, as Chicharito scores to cut it to 2-1. in the second half, Jonny Evans, who somehow has turned into a goal machine, ties the game at 2. then in the 75th minute (or somewhere around there) Cleverley pulls out one hell of a cross to Chicharito for the eventual game winner. winning this way never gets old. falling behind early certainly does. but, when you rest 2 of the usual 4 defenders, you run the risk of shit happening. HUGE game this Sunday with Chelsea. to say my attention will be not completely on the NFL this Sunday will be a gross understatement. lose at Chelsea and the league might as well be a lost cause. of course, i've thought this before and they have proved me wrong. but that was the days when they had great defenders. those days are sadly gone.
after The Voice tonight, i have no clue what i'll be watching. i'm sure i'll find something. probably music related. or history. or food. or college football with 2 teams i don't know. could be an early sleep night.
music today:
Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts
Grouplove - Never Trust a Happy Song
"Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes." - Walt Whitman
Monday, October 22, 2012
starting to feel like an indian summer
mid 70's today. the bugs have gone crazy thinking it's time to be out and about. too bad the sun forgot to show up for most of the day. of course, that could just be out here. i may have permanent clouds.
i will be rooting big time for the Chicago Bears tonight. if they win, chances are, i win. their victory means i would have picked every game of week 7 of the NFL correctly. been a long time since i have done that. and, i think i may be in the running for some prizes from the pick 'em leagues i'm in. fingers are crossed.
other than that, not much going on here. the President and Vice President will be nearby tomorrow. thankfully, i will not be near that traffic nightmare. will be hard to avoid on the television unfortunately. if i could block all political programming i absolutely would. from both sides. driving me insane quicker than i drive myself.
so, some Monday Night Football on tap. along with The Voice and Monday Night Raw. let's see how quick i can give myself carpal tunnel...
music today:
The Crow Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Butch Walker and The Black Widows - The Spade
Pearl Jam - Backspacer
"You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind." - Timothy Leary
i will be rooting big time for the Chicago Bears tonight. if they win, chances are, i win. their victory means i would have picked every game of week 7 of the NFL correctly. been a long time since i have done that. and, i think i may be in the running for some prizes from the pick 'em leagues i'm in. fingers are crossed.
other than that, not much going on here. the President and Vice President will be nearby tomorrow. thankfully, i will not be near that traffic nightmare. will be hard to avoid on the television unfortunately. if i could block all political programming i absolutely would. from both sides. driving me insane quicker than i drive myself.
so, some Monday Night Football on tap. along with The Voice and Monday Night Raw. let's see how quick i can give myself carpal tunnel...
music today:
The Crow Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Butch Walker and The Black Widows - The Spade
Pearl Jam - Backspacer
"You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind." - Timothy Leary
Sunday, October 21, 2012
fill in the blanks
my poem "fill in the blanks" was published this morning at The Camel Saloon. you can find the poem by going here http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/2012/10/fill-in-blanks.html.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
after a few midday beers
went to the red and blue game today at the University of Dayton. some quick observations, defense looks much better this year, the freshman look like they may contribute, but honestly, this team goes as far as Kevin Dillard takes it.
after that, got home to see that Manchester United won, 4-2. nice to see Wayne Rooney was feeling good enough today to score for both teams.
that didn't put me in the greatest of moods as Ohio State was losing at that time. add on that their best player was taken to the hospital and i figured this was a lost cause. cut to the touchdown with 3 seconds left and the 2 point conversion to tie it up at 22 and i was pretty much going ape shit. Ohio State wins in overtime 29-22. definitely a game they had no business winning. i love those. makes the alcohol that much better.
bought the cd of a local band tonight. check them out at http://humancannonball.bandcamp.com/.
long day of NFL games tomorrow, so i have no clue if i make it to Saturday Night Live, let alone Austin City Limits or Ring of Honor tonight. fuck, i'm getting old.
music today:
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Every artist was first an amateur." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
after that, got home to see that Manchester United won, 4-2. nice to see Wayne Rooney was feeling good enough today to score for both teams.
that didn't put me in the greatest of moods as Ohio State was losing at that time. add on that their best player was taken to the hospital and i figured this was a lost cause. cut to the touchdown with 3 seconds left and the 2 point conversion to tie it up at 22 and i was pretty much going ape shit. Ohio State wins in overtime 29-22. definitely a game they had no business winning. i love those. makes the alcohol that much better.
bought the cd of a local band tonight. check them out at http://humancannonball.bandcamp.com/.
long day of NFL games tomorrow, so i have no clue if i make it to Saturday Night Live, let alone Austin City Limits or Ring of Honor tonight. fuck, i'm getting old.
music today:
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Every artist was first an amateur." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Friday, October 19, 2012
what to do now
not sure why i thought the Yankees were going to put up more of a fight than they did yesterday. i suppose all pride on the team left with Jeter's broken ankle. to say they looked lifeless since the break happened would be an understatement. now, since i really couldn't give a shit who wins the World Series, no need to think of baseball until the silly season starts.
instead of staying home and watching Manchester United tomorrow morning, i will be going down to the University of Dayton to watch the red and blue game of the college basketball team i have followed since i was an infant. they look pretty interesting on paper, i'm hoping even better in person. not that you can tell a ton from a scrimmage, but, having played the game, i don't look at what everyone else is looking for. i'm watching screens, cuts, rebounds, eye movement, off the ball moves, and communication. if you can't tell, growing up a loner put basketball pretty high up there on my priority list. one of the few sports i could do by myself and not feel like i was lonely.
i did type up the one poem i had to today. apparently the words are busy visiting others at the moment. and for the weekends, with all the sports on the television, inspiration is usually reserved for the toilet. you'd be amazed at the number of poems, really good poems, that started while i was taking a shit. that might be the next book.
best wishes to my sister and her friends on their trip to London and Paris. safe travels. buy me something good. and hopefully illegal.
as for the rest of us non-privileged folks, i wish all of us a great weekend. peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
"When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick." - George Burns
instead of staying home and watching Manchester United tomorrow morning, i will be going down to the University of Dayton to watch the red and blue game of the college basketball team i have followed since i was an infant. they look pretty interesting on paper, i'm hoping even better in person. not that you can tell a ton from a scrimmage, but, having played the game, i don't look at what everyone else is looking for. i'm watching screens, cuts, rebounds, eye movement, off the ball moves, and communication. if you can't tell, growing up a loner put basketball pretty high up there on my priority list. one of the few sports i could do by myself and not feel like i was lonely.
i did type up the one poem i had to today. apparently the words are busy visiting others at the moment. and for the weekends, with all the sports on the television, inspiration is usually reserved for the toilet. you'd be amazed at the number of poems, really good poems, that started while i was taking a shit. that might be the next book.
best wishes to my sister and her friends on their trip to London and Paris. safe travels. buy me something good. and hopefully illegal.
as for the rest of us non-privileged folks, i wish all of us a great weekend. peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
"When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick." - George Burns
Thursday, October 18, 2012
ready for the funeral
this blog post is brought to you by episode 32 of The Sam Roberts Show Online. you can find the episode on Itunes, Stitcher, and notsam.com. click on podcast and help a budding superstar out. i highly recommend this episode. it is FUCKING HILARIOUS.
i'm in all black today, ready for the Yankees funeral. i'm not very happy mother nature postponed the inevitable, but oh well. here's hoping CC doesn't do the same today. i am so ready for this season to be over and for the team to be blown up. of course, that will be next to impossible with all the horrific contracts they have, but a man can dream can't he...
plenty on the tv docket tonight as well. a good NFL game, a sneaky good college football game, and the usual Thursday night television as well. guess i'll be napping in front of the tv again.
actually wrote a poem yesterday that came out of nowhere. love when that happens. of course, the main line popped in my head at the post office. so, like a madman, i repeated it out loud to myself over the blaring music on the ride home. thankfully, i only live about 5 minutes away. i'll be typing that up tomorrow most likely. hopefully, a few others pop in my head and i'll be thinking about another submission next week.
music today:
The Civil Wars - Live at Eddie's Attic
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
The Charlie Daniels Band - A Decade of Hits
Matthew Perryman Jones - Land of the Living
Metallica - Death Magnetic
"Life is half spent before we know what it is." - George Herbert
i'm in all black today, ready for the Yankees funeral. i'm not very happy mother nature postponed the inevitable, but oh well. here's hoping CC doesn't do the same today. i am so ready for this season to be over and for the team to be blown up. of course, that will be next to impossible with all the horrific contracts they have, but a man can dream can't he...
plenty on the tv docket tonight as well. a good NFL game, a sneaky good college football game, and the usual Thursday night television as well. guess i'll be napping in front of the tv again.
actually wrote a poem yesterday that came out of nowhere. love when that happens. of course, the main line popped in my head at the post office. so, like a madman, i repeated it out loud to myself over the blaring music on the ride home. thankfully, i only live about 5 minutes away. i'll be typing that up tomorrow most likely. hopefully, a few others pop in my head and i'll be thinking about another submission next week.
music today:
The Civil Wars - Live at Eddie's Attic
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
The Charlie Daniels Band - A Decade of Hits
Matthew Perryman Jones - Land of the Living
Metallica - Death Magnetic
"Life is half spent before we know what it is." - George Herbert
response from Big Hammer
i heard back from Dave Roskos at Big Hammer on my poetry submission from back in April. my poems "the lessons we are to learn from" and "tv in the afternoon" have been accepted for publication in Big Hammer #15. the issue should be out in a few weeks.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
should i really care anymore
i suppose i should be in a foul mood, given the Yankees lost and are now down 3-0. but, truth be told, i probably watched more of the Mexican national team tonight than i did of baseball. i did catch the 9th inning. i was happy to at least see them try and make the Tigers sweat a bit. but, having to get a hit with runners in scoring position is this team's downfall. they have fucking sucked at it all year long. CC gets the ball tomorrow night. he could pitch a no-hitter and the offense will find a way for him to lose. that's the way the game goes. at least Cano finally got a fucking hit. 1 for his last 30. and he wants to be paid like he's the best in baseball. fuck me.
i kind of do want them to lose in 4 so the baseball geniuses have to start making some tough decisions. who stays, who goes, who gets traded, which youngsters do you count on next year, etc, etc. why delay the inevitable. old men have slow bats in the playoffs. maybe one day they will remember that.
i did watch team USA win 3-1 tonight to qualify for the final round of qualifying for the World Cup. a good response after they gave up the wake the fuck up already goal at 5 minutes. 2 goals from Clint Dempsey. hopefully they figure out their defense before the next rounds start. they need a consistent back 4. and they need it quick. i'm not sure this team is capable of beating good teams 4-2 all the time. they have to win 1-0 or 2-1.
got a good phone call from my friend in California. funny how life can swing the emotions 180 degrees in just a day. welcome back my friend.
music today:
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.
Foy Vance - NoiseTrade Sampler
Shannon LaBrie - Just Be Honest
"I'm for whatever gets you through the night." - Frank Sinatra
i kind of do want them to lose in 4 so the baseball geniuses have to start making some tough decisions. who stays, who goes, who gets traded, which youngsters do you count on next year, etc, etc. why delay the inevitable. old men have slow bats in the playoffs. maybe one day they will remember that.
i did watch team USA win 3-1 tonight to qualify for the final round of qualifying for the World Cup. a good response after they gave up the wake the fuck up already goal at 5 minutes. 2 goals from Clint Dempsey. hopefully they figure out their defense before the next rounds start. they need a consistent back 4. and they need it quick. i'm not sure this team is capable of beating good teams 4-2 all the time. they have to win 1-0 or 2-1.
got a good phone call from my friend in California. funny how life can swing the emotions 180 degrees in just a day. welcome back my friend.
music today:
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.
Foy Vance - NoiseTrade Sampler
Shannon LaBrie - Just Be Honest
"I'm for whatever gets you through the night." - Frank Sinatra
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
a little voice
my poem "a little voice" was published this morning at The Camel Saloon. you can find the poem by going here.
response from Thunder Sandwich
heard back from Jim at Thunder Sandwich on my recent poetry submission. my poems "how sarcasm works", "any tragedy you could imagine", and "the greatest escape possible" have been accepted for publication. the issue should go up around the first of the year.
Monday, October 15, 2012
frustration
so i flipped over to the Yankees game yesterday and saw that Kuroda was dealing (perfect through 6 innings). then i flip back to see Cano fuck up a double play which gave the Tigers their first run. i had the bad fortune of flipping back the next time to see a blown call at second base. and given that i have watched baseball my entire life, i know how the baseball gods work when an umpire fucks up the third out of an inning. sure enough, the Tigers score 2 more runs and eventually win 3-0. given that the offense is more or less dead, i'm not sure if he would have got the call right it would have meant much. but a little note to baseball, given the technology of today when everyone with any kind of device could see within 30 seconds that the call was wrong, wake the fuck up. if you wonder why the sport is becoming obsolete... god forbid you actually have a playoff game where the calls are correct. who the fuck would want that.
and another note, this one to Nick Swisher, who is hurt that Yankee fans are booing him. newsflash, you fucking suck in the playoffs. you've had 4 years of good to great regular seasons and 4 playoff years of complete fucking ineptitude. if you don't want to play in a place where the second season means everything, enjoy collecting a check in some other town next year.
if the getting out of Yankee Stadium excuse doesn't work for the offense, i'm hoping they just lose the next 2 games and get this fucking tease of a season over with. that way i can decide which minor league hockey team i'm going to follow (thank you NHL, you dumb asses) or god forbid, have to watch the NBA season from start to finish.
as for football, had my worst week of picking games in a long, long time. under 50% is absolutely shitty. i am winning my 3 fantasy football games, but i can sill lose 2 of them. that leaves me with no choice but to pay attention to the game tonight. great, 4 hours of Gruden blowing Peyton Manning. lovely.
now, it's to the outdoors to assess wind damage from yesterday. welcome to a farm with buildings from the 1800's on it.
music today:
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
Allison Ann - The Introduction of Allison Ann
Ivan & Alyosha - The Cabin Sessions
"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." - Friedrich Nietzsche
and another note, this one to Nick Swisher, who is hurt that Yankee fans are booing him. newsflash, you fucking suck in the playoffs. you've had 4 years of good to great regular seasons and 4 playoff years of complete fucking ineptitude. if you don't want to play in a place where the second season means everything, enjoy collecting a check in some other town next year.
if the getting out of Yankee Stadium excuse doesn't work for the offense, i'm hoping they just lose the next 2 games and get this fucking tease of a season over with. that way i can decide which minor league hockey team i'm going to follow (thank you NHL, you dumb asses) or god forbid, have to watch the NBA season from start to finish.
as for football, had my worst week of picking games in a long, long time. under 50% is absolutely shitty. i am winning my 3 fantasy football games, but i can sill lose 2 of them. that leaves me with no choice but to pay attention to the game tonight. great, 4 hours of Gruden blowing Peyton Manning. lovely.
now, it's to the outdoors to assess wind damage from yesterday. welcome to a farm with buildings from the 1800's on it.
music today:
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking
Allison Ann - The Introduction of Allison Ann
Ivan & Alyosha - The Cabin Sessions
"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Sunday, October 14, 2012
good morning depression
when a stunning Yankee bottom of the 9th comeback becomes watching the captain carried off the field with a fractured ankle, say hello to my old friend depression. the swings of emotion last night were gut wrenching. i live and die with this shit. it should not come to a surprise to anyone when i'm dead in my mid 50's.
not really in the mood for sports today but it's Sunday. i've already picked up the trash and i have no desire at all to clean old antiques. so football it is. i have no confidence in my fantasy teams today. i have shitty choices all over the place.
keep in mind that my personal mantra since i was 5 has been aim low and accept when you outdo your own negativity. it's worked out ok so far in my life. i think it would probably take a lobotomy for me to have a positive view of life.
i imagine i will flip over to the Yankees sometime in my football viewing to see how bad it is. i haven't watched a Yankee playoff game without Derek Jeter since i was very young. early 1980's young. fuck i feel old at the moment.
all the crops are off as of last night. but, of course, the wind today is out of the south and blowing all the shit from the harvested fields up to the house. i may just be a power outage away from deciding it's time for the madness to take over.
fingers crossed.
music today:
Of Monsters And Men - My Head is an Animal
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
"Listen; there's a hell of a good universe next door: let's go." - e.e. cummings
not really in the mood for sports today but it's Sunday. i've already picked up the trash and i have no desire at all to clean old antiques. so football it is. i have no confidence in my fantasy teams today. i have shitty choices all over the place.
keep in mind that my personal mantra since i was 5 has been aim low and accept when you outdo your own negativity. it's worked out ok so far in my life. i think it would probably take a lobotomy for me to have a positive view of life.
i imagine i will flip over to the Yankees sometime in my football viewing to see how bad it is. i haven't watched a Yankee playoff game without Derek Jeter since i was very young. early 1980's young. fuck i feel old at the moment.
all the crops are off as of last night. but, of course, the wind today is out of the south and blowing all the shit from the harvested fields up to the house. i may just be a power outage away from deciding it's time for the madness to take over.
fingers crossed.
music today:
Of Monsters And Men - My Head is an Animal
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
"Listen; there's a hell of a good universe next door: let's go." - e.e. cummings
Saturday, October 13, 2012
a happy morning
nice to see that CC understands it's always better to earn your money from the Yankees rather than just be an asshole and collect it. always nice when the big man goes 9 innings and gives the bullpen a rest before the next series, which starts tonight. hopefully the other bats that started to wake up, Ichiro, Granderson, Tex, can keep it up against Detroit. maybe a little revenge for last year. i do expect these games will have a much better chance of becoming slow pitch softball than the Baltimore series. a lot of Baltimore's players were playoff virgins. that's not the case with Detroit. anxiety has been replaced with experience. may the pitching continue to be great, may the bats come alive, and may all of Detroit's sluggers go cold.
welcome back to the US national team Eddie Johnson. a great, stunning 2 goals to save the team from disaster. now, advancing in World Cup qualifying is much closer to certain than before. and although this team frustrates the shit out of me, i'll give Jurgen Klinsmann credit for having the stones to leave Jozy off the roster and his replacement scores the 2 goals. hopefully they will take care of business next week and get the job done.
was nice to have baseball and soccer end right in time for my Friday addiction, Boss. great show, just not enough nudity this year. maybe the season finale next week will provide that fix.
a busy night tonight as the Yankees and Ohio State play at the same time. yet another night when i need that Elvis wall of televisions. i know my first purchase if i'm ever blessed with fuck you money.
music today:
Bob Dylan - Time Out Of Mind
Alyssa Sease - Lay Rest Your Soul EP
Escondido - Escondido EP
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
"When deeds speak, words are nothing." - Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
welcome back to the US national team Eddie Johnson. a great, stunning 2 goals to save the team from disaster. now, advancing in World Cup qualifying is much closer to certain than before. and although this team frustrates the shit out of me, i'll give Jurgen Klinsmann credit for having the stones to leave Jozy off the roster and his replacement scores the 2 goals. hopefully they will take care of business next week and get the job done.
was nice to have baseball and soccer end right in time for my Friday addiction, Boss. great show, just not enough nudity this year. maybe the season finale next week will provide that fix.
a busy night tonight as the Yankees and Ohio State play at the same time. yet another night when i need that Elvis wall of televisions. i know my first purchase if i'm ever blessed with fuck you money.
music today:
Bob Dylan - Time Out Of Mind
Alyssa Sease - Lay Rest Your Soul EP
Escondido - Escondido EP
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
"When deeds speak, words are nothing." - Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Friday, October 12, 2012
at the brink...
let me start this by stating that i do have confidence in CC and that i do believe he will do his job. as for everyone other than Derek Jeter and Raul Ibanez, i have no fucking clue. last night's game pissed me the fuck off to the point where i didn't bother with turning on the tv for sports shit this morning. it wouldn't shock me at all if the Yankees spit the bit later on today and feebly exit the playoffs once again. wouldn't shock me if they somehow hit 6 home runs today either. it's one extreme or the other. nothing is consistent about the team at all.
to fill my time and brain this morning, yet another day spent on NoiseTrade.com. and i highly recommend the 2 albums * i downloaded this morning for free. i will list them in a bit. but, do check them out, you will not be disappointed.
not sure how i'm going to fill the next few hours before the Yankees play. i imagine i'll be watching some soccer or maybe a nap, or maybe both.
just in case the Yankees shit the bed later on today and i'm a bit too pissy to post anything, hope everyone has a good weekend.
music today:
Pixies - Bossanova
Yellow Red Sparks - Simply Put Me in Your Place EP *
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking *
"What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible." - Theodore Roethke
to fill my time and brain this morning, yet another day spent on NoiseTrade.com. and i highly recommend the 2 albums * i downloaded this morning for free. i will list them in a bit. but, do check them out, you will not be disappointed.
not sure how i'm going to fill the next few hours before the Yankees play. i imagine i'll be watching some soccer or maybe a nap, or maybe both.
just in case the Yankees shit the bed later on today and i'm a bit too pissy to post anything, hope everyone has a good weekend.
music today:
Pixies - Bossanova
Yellow Red Sparks - Simply Put Me in Your Place EP *
Brooke Annibale - Silence Worth Breaking *
"What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible." - Theodore Roethke
response from Gutter Eloquence Magazine
i heard back from Jack T. Marlowe this morning from Gutter Eloquence Magazine on my poetry submission from last month. my poems "bring back old memories" and "sixteen years" have been accepted for publication. they should appear online sometime in November.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
playoff magic
i had my blog post already in mind, yet another fuck the Yankees rant and then it happened. playoff magic. Raul Ibanez, pinch hitting for A-Rod, ties the game in the bottom of the 9th with a home run. then, for the cherry on top, hits another one to win in the bottom of the 12th. not sure my mother liked the yelling and screaming past her bed time, but this shit never gets old.
so, after a night of great but short sleep, i think i have done everything i did yesterday. you know, i don't want to be the reason they lose. and don't worry, i've been like this since i was 5. music is the same, got the mail at the same time, had the same breakfast. now, it's up to Phil Hughes and the boys to do their part.
i suppose during commercial breaks i will check out some of the shows tonight and the NFL game.
and hopefully i can hold off on the fuck the Yankees rant for a few weeks.
music yesterday and today:
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Matthew Sweet - Acoustic & Live NoiseTrade Sampler
Brandi Carlile - Live at Bear Creek EP
The Lighthouse and The Whaler - Pioneers EP
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
so, after a night of great but short sleep, i think i have done everything i did yesterday. you know, i don't want to be the reason they lose. and don't worry, i've been like this since i was 5. music is the same, got the mail at the same time, had the same breakfast. now, it's up to Phil Hughes and the boys to do their part.
i suppose during commercial breaks i will check out some of the shows tonight and the NFL game.
and hopefully i can hold off on the fuck the Yankees rant for a few weeks.
music yesterday and today:
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Matthew Sweet - Acoustic & Live NoiseTrade Sampler
Brandi Carlile - Live at Bear Creek EP
The Lighthouse and The Whaler - Pioneers EP
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
the day after
i always have a hard time getting to sleep after a playoff loss. i keep running through my head what people should have done, etc., etc. i figure i probably have taken 30 years off of my life between the Yankees and the New York Rangers. with that in mind, i might as well try to enjoy the 10 years or so i have left. somewhere i can hear Bukowski saying don't try.
not much mail for me today. the beauty of not being registered to vote in this state. was hoping to waste most of my day on porn and music. of course, my internet today decided to shit on that plan and be out for a few hours. thank you once again Frontier Communications for being the shittiest internet on earth. much appreciated.
my horoscope today said i was going to feel creative and write some fiction. i laughed pretty good at that. Jim Morrison was correct, it's all bullshit.
i may try to catch some of the Reds game today. i haven't really rooted for them in over 20 years. but, just in case the Yankees don't get there, nothing wrong with having another dog in the fight. not going to jump on the bandwagon. i'm white. i have no hops.
other than that, i'll watch a little of The Voice and then plot fantasy football moves. one team of mine is still undefeated. 5 weeks in and i think that is the longest streak i've had in over a decade. fingers are crossed that i don't fuck this up somehow.
i'll try to sleep tonight with the thought that A-Rod is going to find 2009 again sometime in my lifetime.
music today:
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Audrey Rose - Smoke EP
Marc Broussard - The Atlantic Recordings - NoiseTrade Sampler
Cat Power - Sun
"I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting." - Che Guevara
not much mail for me today. the beauty of not being registered to vote in this state. was hoping to waste most of my day on porn and music. of course, my internet today decided to shit on that plan and be out for a few hours. thank you once again Frontier Communications for being the shittiest internet on earth. much appreciated.
my horoscope today said i was going to feel creative and write some fiction. i laughed pretty good at that. Jim Morrison was correct, it's all bullshit.
i may try to catch some of the Reds game today. i haven't really rooted for them in over 20 years. but, just in case the Yankees don't get there, nothing wrong with having another dog in the fight. not going to jump on the bandwagon. i'm white. i have no hops.
other than that, i'll watch a little of The Voice and then plot fantasy football moves. one team of mine is still undefeated. 5 weeks in and i think that is the longest streak i've had in over a decade. fingers are crossed that i don't fuck this up somehow.
i'll try to sleep tonight with the thought that A-Rod is going to find 2009 again sometime in my lifetime.
music today:
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Audrey Rose - Smoke EP
Marc Broussard - The Atlantic Recordings - NoiseTrade Sampler
Cat Power - Sun
"I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting." - Che Guevara
Monday, October 8, 2012
after a great weekend...
happy pointless Monday off. where to begin...
the Yankees rally last night came out of nowhere. i was shocked when they scored that many runs off of the Baltimore closer. shocked and thrilled. hopefully that fucks him for the rest of the series. hopefully the old war horse named Andy Pettitte can go out tonight and get a commanding lead to the series.
i can't remember the last time Ohio State put up 63 points against a name team. let alone Nebraska. that game was a pleasant sight of hopefully what is coming in the next few years. i can't imagine what this team will look like when Coach Meyer gets all of his players in. i can certainly get used to beating the shit out of people.
Sunday morning was the best i have seen Manchester United play this season. a complete 90 minutes. 3-0 to repay Newcastle back for the loss last season. shockingly, the goals came from Evans, Evra, and Cleverly. i can only imagine the amount of money you could have won if you got those 3 names right. hopefully they bottle that performance and repeat it for the rest of the season. if so, shine up the trophies.
the only negative of the weekend was how i can manage to score over 100 points in fantasy football and still lose. hopefully i can pull out 1 of the 2 remaining matches with a good performance from the Texans tonight. between the baseball playoffs, Monday Night Raw, and The Voice, i doubt i'll watch much of it. what ever happens happens.
music today:
Ivan & Alyosha - The Cabin Sessions
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
Escondido - Escondido EP
Various Artists - Mom + Pop Mixtape Vol. 1
"Picture deface walls more often than they decorate them." - William Wordsworth
the Yankees rally last night came out of nowhere. i was shocked when they scored that many runs off of the Baltimore closer. shocked and thrilled. hopefully that fucks him for the rest of the series. hopefully the old war horse named Andy Pettitte can go out tonight and get a commanding lead to the series.
i can't remember the last time Ohio State put up 63 points against a name team. let alone Nebraska. that game was a pleasant sight of hopefully what is coming in the next few years. i can't imagine what this team will look like when Coach Meyer gets all of his players in. i can certainly get used to beating the shit out of people.
Sunday morning was the best i have seen Manchester United play this season. a complete 90 minutes. 3-0 to repay Newcastle back for the loss last season. shockingly, the goals came from Evans, Evra, and Cleverly. i can only imagine the amount of money you could have won if you got those 3 names right. hopefully they bottle that performance and repeat it for the rest of the season. if so, shine up the trophies.
the only negative of the weekend was how i can manage to score over 100 points in fantasy football and still lose. hopefully i can pull out 1 of the 2 remaining matches with a good performance from the Texans tonight. between the baseball playoffs, Monday Night Raw, and The Voice, i doubt i'll watch much of it. what ever happens happens.
music today:
Ivan & Alyosha - The Cabin Sessions
Hammock - Departure Songs Sampler
Escondido - Escondido EP
Various Artists - Mom + Pop Mixtape Vol. 1
"Picture deface walls more often than they decorate them." - William Wordsworth
Saturday, October 6, 2012
response from Underground Voices
i heard back from the fine folks over at Underground Voices on my poetry submission from last month. they have decided to pass.
Friday, October 5, 2012
response from The Camel Saloon
i heard back from Russell from The Camel Saloon on my poetry submission. my poems "a little voice" and "fill in the blanks" have been accepted for publication. i'll be sure to post links here on the blog when they are published.
a Friday before the rain comes
this blog post is brought to you by The Sam Roberts Show Online, Episode #31. you can find the show on ITunes, Stitcher, and notsam.com. check it out and help him out if you can.
wanted to get this blog post done before the baseball playoffs start, before the rain comes, before i spend another hour on the toilet, etc. etc.
i couldn't sleep for shit last night. my back was in horrific pain and i'm not really sure if i want to know what the pain in my right leg is. but, i decided to actually get some shit done today. so, with that in mind, i actually sent out 13 poems today. the lucky ones receiving these gifts are The Camel Saloon, Carcinogenic Poetry, and Thunder Sandwich. hopefully, i will have good news to report soon.
not really surprised that the NHL are fucking up once again. in most labor spats, i side with the players. and this is no different. i love rich people who can't control themselves with spending but want others to take responsibility for it. if they don't watch it, hockey will be somewhere around lacrosse before long in this country. lose another season and us die hard fans will be the only ones left. just when the Rangers were on the cusp of the cup, fuck me.
a long weekend of sports is ahead for me. Yankees in the playoffs, Manchester United in action, NFL and all the fantasy fun and games. and who knows, maybe i sneak in a little writing on the side. depends on the pain i guess. or if the Yankees are winning or not. if you think i hate to lose in the regular season...
sad to see Bobby Valentine go so soon in Boston. wanted him to stay on for a decade and run that franchise into the ground.
hope everyone has a great weekend. peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
Warren Haynes Band - Live at the Moody Theater
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs: Live at McCabes
Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
"There's more to life than cheek bones." - Kate Winslet
wanted to get this blog post done before the baseball playoffs start, before the rain comes, before i spend another hour on the toilet, etc. etc.
i couldn't sleep for shit last night. my back was in horrific pain and i'm not really sure if i want to know what the pain in my right leg is. but, i decided to actually get some shit done today. so, with that in mind, i actually sent out 13 poems today. the lucky ones receiving these gifts are The Camel Saloon, Carcinogenic Poetry, and Thunder Sandwich. hopefully, i will have good news to report soon.
not really surprised that the NHL are fucking up once again. in most labor spats, i side with the players. and this is no different. i love rich people who can't control themselves with spending but want others to take responsibility for it. if they don't watch it, hockey will be somewhere around lacrosse before long in this country. lose another season and us die hard fans will be the only ones left. just when the Rangers were on the cusp of the cup, fuck me.
a long weekend of sports is ahead for me. Yankees in the playoffs, Manchester United in action, NFL and all the fantasy fun and games. and who knows, maybe i sneak in a little writing on the side. depends on the pain i guess. or if the Yankees are winning or not. if you think i hate to lose in the regular season...
sad to see Bobby Valentine go so soon in Boston. wanted him to stay on for a decade and run that franchise into the ground.
hope everyone has a great weekend. peace and chicken grease.
music today:
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin
Warren Haynes Band - Live at the Moody Theater
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs: Live at McCabes
Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road
"There's more to life than cheek bones." - Kate Winslet
Thursday, October 4, 2012
so close to a perfect day
got 3 poems accepted for publication
the Yankees beat the shit out of the Red Sox to win the division and the best record in the American League.
on the bad side, Manchester City gets a 90 minute pk from Balotelli to salvage a point in Champions League play.
so damn close to a perfect day.
i did type up the one poem i had sitting around. got a few places in mind i will be sending to in a week or so.
music today:
The Right Now - Half As Much (Free MP3 Single)
Van Morrison - Moondance
Guided By Voices - The Grand Hour
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin (found this gem on NoiseTrade.com for FREE)
"The first mistake of art is to assume that it's serious." - Lester Bangs
the Yankees beat the shit out of the Red Sox to win the division and the best record in the American League.
on the bad side, Manchester City gets a 90 minute pk from Balotelli to salvage a point in Champions League play.
so damn close to a perfect day.
i did type up the one poem i had sitting around. got a few places in mind i will be sending to in a week or so.
music today:
The Right Now - Half As Much (Free MP3 Single)
Van Morrison - Moondance
Guided By Voices - The Grand Hour
Humble Wolf - Paper Thin (found this gem on NoiseTrade.com for FREE)
"The first mistake of art is to assume that it's serious." - Lester Bangs
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
response from ART:MAG
i heard back today from Peter Magliocco at ART:MAG on my poetry submission from July. my poems "some asshole thinking he's profound", "gravity always wins", and "ditches and graves" were accepted for publication. they will be in issue #39, due out in Nov./Dec. 2012.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
a foggy, rainy day
i suppose this is a great day to be a duck. no sun, off and on rain, fog, just a fucking blah day. so i settled down to watch Manchester United and hopefully see something good. 15 minutes in and i'm sitting in a ah, fuck me, why do i bother type of stance in my chair. really, i was just hoping for something. thankfully, it was another wake-up call. Rooney and RvP to the rescue. 1 lucky goal and another that was pure fucking brilliance from both of them. the best thing that came today other than the 3 points was Sir Alex may have found the replacement for Scholes. and that man is none other than Wayne Rooney. He was fucking great today. i'm hoping they play him in that role for the rest of the season so both he and RvP can play together all the time. notice i didn't bitch about the defense. it sucks. but, nothing will get better until the injured can come back. so, it's all about winning ugly and knowing the shit goal is going to happen. i hate it, but that's not going to change a fucking thing. i believe some people call that maturing. i call it blood pressure.
could be a good night for the Yankees. repeat the drubbing of Boston from last night and hopefully Baltimore slips up again and hello division title. i don't think the playoff mess will be decided until the last night of the season. and welcome back to Tex. please, stop getting injured.
nothing much else going on. always love when it's raining and the crops haven't been taken off. just piling on shit after a summer of fuck. hello insurance claim.
i highly recommend the 3 EP's that are listed in the music today section below. you can find all 3 of them at noisetrade.com.
tomorrow will be a typing day. hopefully tonight will be a writing night. or, tomorrow will be a short typing day.
music today:
Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs: Live at McCabes
Escondido - Escondido EP
Matthew Sweet - Acoustic & Live NoiseTrade Sampler
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan
could be a good night for the Yankees. repeat the drubbing of Boston from last night and hopefully Baltimore slips up again and hello division title. i don't think the playoff mess will be decided until the last night of the season. and welcome back to Tex. please, stop getting injured.
nothing much else going on. always love when it's raining and the crops haven't been taken off. just piling on shit after a summer of fuck. hello insurance claim.
i highly recommend the 3 EP's that are listed in the music today section below. you can find all 3 of them at noisetrade.com.
tomorrow will be a typing day. hopefully tonight will be a writing night. or, tomorrow will be a short typing day.
music today:
Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
Grant-Lee Phillips - Green Corn Songs: Live at McCabes
Escondido - Escondido EP
Matthew Sweet - Acoustic & Live NoiseTrade Sampler
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan
the darkness in us all
my poem "the darkness in us all" was published this morning at The Camel Saloon. you can find the poem by going here.
Monday, October 1, 2012
dancing across the water
i decided to take the weekend off from the blog. i figured no one needed to read all the bitching and moaning from this weekend.
thankfully, the whole weekend was not lost for the Yankees. they did manage to make the playoffs. now, they have 3 games to go win the division. i'm hoping for a sweep of Boston while Baltimore loses at least 1 game against Tampa Bay. i don't care how they do it, just get it done. avoid the 1 game playoff at all costs. although, i'm pretty sure Detroit is going to win the Central Division, so hopefully Texas stumbles and the Yankees end up with the best record in the AL. i don't feel good about another first round against Detroit. not with our pitching. unless, they plan on turning every game into slow pitch softball.
watching Manchester United fall asleep on defense 3 fucking times and lose 3-2 was humbling on Saturday. i was a bit torn as Clint Dempsey scored the winner for Tottenham. Clint is one of my all-time favorites among American players. back to Champions League play tomorrow. back in the old days, after a loss like that, i would expect big things. but, it's now 2012. those days are long gone. i'll be happy with 3 points and no fucking injuries for a change.
i was very happy that Ohio State won on Saturday. ugly, but a fucking win. hopefully, the tackling continues to get better and maybe they can start making things easier for themselves.
thankfully the Global Citizen concert was on and provided some much needed relief for myself. i really enjoyed all the acts and they really helped a shit Saturday for the most part be much less stinging. not sure how much more of a Global Citizen i want to be, but my eyes were opened.
as for Sunday...
incredible choke job by the USA in the Ryder Cup.
looks like i have a decent chance to win 2 of 3 of my fantasy football games. of course, the 1 that is getting beat like a abused child was previously undefeated. hard to win when none of your wide receivers score. fuck me.
actually managed to write a poem over the weekend. hopefully that will start a flood and i'll have a good batch to type up and send out soon.
a thank you to my stepbrother for being an asshole. i'm really enjoying your baseball cards.
a funny thought i had while driving today. when i was 18 years old i was supposed to move to Portland, Oregon but the friend i was going with left without me. fast forward 18 years later and i find out today that my former muse and possibly the last woman (maybe ever) i fell in love with, is moving to Portland, Oregon. what a cruel prick the lord can be.
music today:
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Tom Waits - Mule Variations
Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert
"You may delay, but time will not." - Benjamin Franklin
thankfully, the whole weekend was not lost for the Yankees. they did manage to make the playoffs. now, they have 3 games to go win the division. i'm hoping for a sweep of Boston while Baltimore loses at least 1 game against Tampa Bay. i don't care how they do it, just get it done. avoid the 1 game playoff at all costs. although, i'm pretty sure Detroit is going to win the Central Division, so hopefully Texas stumbles and the Yankees end up with the best record in the AL. i don't feel good about another first round against Detroit. not with our pitching. unless, they plan on turning every game into slow pitch softball.
watching Manchester United fall asleep on defense 3 fucking times and lose 3-2 was humbling on Saturday. i was a bit torn as Clint Dempsey scored the winner for Tottenham. Clint is one of my all-time favorites among American players. back to Champions League play tomorrow. back in the old days, after a loss like that, i would expect big things. but, it's now 2012. those days are long gone. i'll be happy with 3 points and no fucking injuries for a change.
i was very happy that Ohio State won on Saturday. ugly, but a fucking win. hopefully, the tackling continues to get better and maybe they can start making things easier for themselves.
thankfully the Global Citizen concert was on and provided some much needed relief for myself. i really enjoyed all the acts and they really helped a shit Saturday for the most part be much less stinging. not sure how much more of a Global Citizen i want to be, but my eyes were opened.
as for Sunday...
incredible choke job by the USA in the Ryder Cup.
looks like i have a decent chance to win 2 of 3 of my fantasy football games. of course, the 1 that is getting beat like a abused child was previously undefeated. hard to win when none of your wide receivers score. fuck me.
actually managed to write a poem over the weekend. hopefully that will start a flood and i'll have a good batch to type up and send out soon.
a thank you to my stepbrother for being an asshole. i'm really enjoying your baseball cards.
a funny thought i had while driving today. when i was 18 years old i was supposed to move to Portland, Oregon but the friend i was going with left without me. fast forward 18 years later and i find out today that my former muse and possibly the last woman (maybe ever) i fell in love with, is moving to Portland, Oregon. what a cruel prick the lord can be.
music today:
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Tom Waits - Mule Variations
Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert
"You may delay, but time will not." - Benjamin Franklin
Friday, September 28, 2012
the phone won't stop ringing
i never question why anyone commits suicide in the state of Ohio around this time of year. you can't escape the political ads at all. the phone won't stop ringing, every other commercial is some horseshit approved by someone, the radio is filled with them. thank god i have a ton of CD's i can listen to and try to avoid this fucking mess. just wish i had some good headphones...
watched the Yankees play themselves to sleep last night in Toronto. what a fucking bore. now, if they really want to win the division, which i question from time to time, they basically need to win all 6 games left in the season. the chances of that happening are slim and fucking none. and slim just slit her wrists.
nice to see the real refs back in the NFL. now i can at least watch guys with experience get the calls wrong.
the sun is trying to peek out today. not sure if it will help my brooding mood... who the fuck am i kidding? of course it won't. might pick up a pen later on and see if anything other than pure bullshit comes out. fingers are crossed.
hope everyone has a great weekend. take it easy. and if it's easy, take it again.
music today:
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave
"I think I have a dark view of the world. I have to make everything funny, otherwise it all seems so sad." - Moon Unit Zappa
watched the Yankees play themselves to sleep last night in Toronto. what a fucking bore. now, if they really want to win the division, which i question from time to time, they basically need to win all 6 games left in the season. the chances of that happening are slim and fucking none. and slim just slit her wrists.
nice to see the real refs back in the NFL. now i can at least watch guys with experience get the calls wrong.
the sun is trying to peek out today. not sure if it will help my brooding mood... who the fuck am i kidding? of course it won't. might pick up a pen later on and see if anything other than pure bullshit comes out. fingers are crossed.
hope everyone has a great weekend. take it easy. and if it's easy, take it again.
music today:
Ryan Bingham - Tomorrowland
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave
"I think I have a dark view of the world. I have to make everything funny, otherwise it all seems so sad." - Moon Unit Zappa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)