if you have known me for any length of time, you know how much i hate losing. even expected losses leave me fucking furious. and away we go...
Dayton got their asses handed to them last night by VCU. they got out toughed, out manned, outworked, exposed in every sense of the word. they certainly had their moments but, when your upperclassmen continue to make stupid mistakes at this point in their careers, wins on the road will always be few and far between.
the sun forgot to appear today. so a very gloomy day with a bitch load of rain on the way. one of those days where i barely have the motivation to wipe my ass. let alone feed cats, go into town to get the mail, read the paper, listen to music, read a book, etc.............
and i'm old enough now that i can no longer trick myself into feeling motivated. and forcing it has never been my style. which, doesn't matter much anymore. this takes me back to something i heard as a teen hanging out with the homeless in downtown Dayton.
find the pleasure in the pain.
it's one of those days where porn is even boring me. most people would be smart enough to sleep. i suppose i like punishing myself.
music today:
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Pixies - Come on Pilgrim
Avante Gauz - Avante Gauz
The Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole
Slayer - South of Heaven
"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." - George Washington Carver
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
your arms are too short to box with god
this blog post is brought to you by The Sam Roberts Show Online, episode #40. you can find this episode on iTunes, Stitcher, and on http://notsam.com/podcast.html. give it a listen and enjoy.
the title line of this blog post is a line that CM Punk said to the Rock on this past Monday Night Raw. has to be one of the best lines i have heard from a heel in years. had me laughing my ass off. can't wait for 2 of the greatest talkers of all-time to go at it.
wasn't exactly shocked that no one was elected to the baseball hall of fame. figures i would have the joy of loving the sport and collecting baseball cards in an era that is now considered completely poisoned and worthless. over 50,000 pieces of cardboard and memories, or, how i look at them now, dust collectors. one of these days i'll find some fool that will want them.
also saw today that the NBA team i have rooted for since i was a child (Sacramento Kings) is close to being sold and moved to Seattle. if that happens, my NBA loyalty will be a free agent. i've got my eyes on a few spots, but i'll hold out hope that the team doesn't leave.
i've decided that for 2013 i'm going to try to listen to the oddest mix of music each day. check out today's music for an example.
huge game tonight for the Dayton Flyers. one the road at VCU. a tough way to start conference play. i'd love to see them win but to be honest, i fully expect a loss. and it doesn't get any easier as the home conference opener is against Butler. 2 ranked teams in a week. 2 wins would be huge for any chance at the big dance. 2 losses wouldn't be death, but it would be a huge rock to move from in front of the tomb. 1-1 is what i'm really hoping for.
my back is aching today. not nearly as bad as a few days ago, but i can definitely feel some rain coming.
music today:
Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
Outkast - Aquemini
and now from the birthday boy
"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing." - Jimmy Page
the title line of this blog post is a line that CM Punk said to the Rock on this past Monday Night Raw. has to be one of the best lines i have heard from a heel in years. had me laughing my ass off. can't wait for 2 of the greatest talkers of all-time to go at it.
wasn't exactly shocked that no one was elected to the baseball hall of fame. figures i would have the joy of loving the sport and collecting baseball cards in an era that is now considered completely poisoned and worthless. over 50,000 pieces of cardboard and memories, or, how i look at them now, dust collectors. one of these days i'll find some fool that will want them.
also saw today that the NBA team i have rooted for since i was a child (Sacramento Kings) is close to being sold and moved to Seattle. if that happens, my NBA loyalty will be a free agent. i've got my eyes on a few spots, but i'll hold out hope that the team doesn't leave.
i've decided that for 2013 i'm going to try to listen to the oddest mix of music each day. check out today's music for an example.
huge game tonight for the Dayton Flyers. one the road at VCU. a tough way to start conference play. i'd love to see them win but to be honest, i fully expect a loss. and it doesn't get any easier as the home conference opener is against Butler. 2 ranked teams in a week. 2 wins would be huge for any chance at the big dance. 2 losses wouldn't be death, but it would be a huge rock to move from in front of the tomb. 1-1 is what i'm really hoping for.
my back is aching today. not nearly as bad as a few days ago, but i can definitely feel some rain coming.
music today:
Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
Outkast - Aquemini
and now from the birthday boy
"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing." - Jimmy Page
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
fear, put to rest
(knocking on wood) fears of my bad back ailing me for weeks thankfully were just mere rumor. i was able to stretch it out good and really relieve the pressure in it. whew! thank fucking god. last night, i was actually able to sleep on my shitty bed for nearly 6 hours. which of course went right into today's catching up on chores from my pain day. i'm sure mom will shit herself when she gets home to see i did the dishes and cleaned the toilet in the same day.
saw new songs today from David Bowie and Tom Waits with Keith Richards. my ears have been in ecstasy for most of the day.
a big warm up is on the way here. close to 60 by the end of the weekend. that should do the trick to make sure everyone gets sick. hopefully, whatever rain that is supposed to come along with the warmer temps is dried by the time the temps go back down next week. i really don't want to replace the few inches of snow we have left with a few inches of ice. not good.
i'm not allowing myself to get happy at all that the NHL season will be starting 2 days before i turn 37. though, i did join a fantasy hockey league last night. my hypocrisy runs deep my friends.
with that in mind, if anyone wants to send me anything for my birthday, you are more than welcome to do so.
music today:
David Bowie - Best of Bowie
Nine Inch Nails - Broken
"Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose." - Baltasar Gracian
saw new songs today from David Bowie and Tom Waits with Keith Richards. my ears have been in ecstasy for most of the day.
a big warm up is on the way here. close to 60 by the end of the weekend. that should do the trick to make sure everyone gets sick. hopefully, whatever rain that is supposed to come along with the warmer temps is dried by the time the temps go back down next week. i really don't want to replace the few inches of snow we have left with a few inches of ice. not good.
i'm not allowing myself to get happy at all that the NHL season will be starting 2 days before i turn 37. though, i did join a fantasy hockey league last night. my hypocrisy runs deep my friends.
with that in mind, if anyone wants to send me anything for my birthday, you are more than welcome to do so.
music today:
David Bowie - Best of Bowie
Nine Inch Nails - Broken
"Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose." - Baltasar Gracian
Sunday, January 6, 2013
how a bad back can ruin a good weekend
my Saturday was pretty good.
team USA wins the gold at the World Juniors.
Robin van Persie pulls out a late goal to give Manchester United a draw against West Ham. replay should be in a week or two, this time at Old Trafford.
the Dayton Flyers hold on for their 10th win of the season. i was happy for the win, but, they played like shit for most of the game. they should have buried UAB, instead hold on to win by 7. some things never change. they can't beat the spread at home against anyone it seems.
then, before i fall asleep after some ROH, i hear rumblings that the NHL lockout could be over soon.
i wake up Sunday to see the lockout is over, although i refuse to get my hopes up just yet. get all the trash picked up and get ready to go upstairs to put on some more clothing to go out to feed the cats.
and then it happens. that holy shit feeling that i have dreaded for the last 5 years or so now. as i'm taking the first step up my back completely locks up. now mind you, i still managed to get up the stairs, get dressed, feed the cats, get back to the house walking over the sheet of ice we have here on the farm, and get some ice on it before the first spasm took place.
the cold did nothing at first. tried some heat and that felt pretty good. of course, until the spasms started. got those calmed down (we have no pain pills in the house that i'm aware of, so, hello my old friend alcohol) and got some ben gay cold on it. that seemed to do the trick, at least for a few hours.
there are times where i wish i had no pain tolerance. i'm sure in a few days i'll get an x-ray, i'll have some bulging discs, here comes the steroid shots and rehab again. or maybe not. only time will tell i guess. really, all i'm hoping for this evening is to be able to sleep with out screaming.
by the way, got 3 of the 4 NFL playoff games correct. would have been all 4 if the Colts remembered you have to score touchdowns to win.
if you don't see any posts from me for a few days, don't be alarmed, just know that it's probably impossible for me to sit at a computer long enough to post anything. if those days turn into weeks, i'll be sure to have someone post what hospital or morgue i'm at.
music today:
Johnny Cash - My Mother's Hymn Book
"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." - Albert Camus
team USA wins the gold at the World Juniors.
Robin van Persie pulls out a late goal to give Manchester United a draw against West Ham. replay should be in a week or two, this time at Old Trafford.
the Dayton Flyers hold on for their 10th win of the season. i was happy for the win, but, they played like shit for most of the game. they should have buried UAB, instead hold on to win by 7. some things never change. they can't beat the spread at home against anyone it seems.
then, before i fall asleep after some ROH, i hear rumblings that the NHL lockout could be over soon.
i wake up Sunday to see the lockout is over, although i refuse to get my hopes up just yet. get all the trash picked up and get ready to go upstairs to put on some more clothing to go out to feed the cats.
and then it happens. that holy shit feeling that i have dreaded for the last 5 years or so now. as i'm taking the first step up my back completely locks up. now mind you, i still managed to get up the stairs, get dressed, feed the cats, get back to the house walking over the sheet of ice we have here on the farm, and get some ice on it before the first spasm took place.
the cold did nothing at first. tried some heat and that felt pretty good. of course, until the spasms started. got those calmed down (we have no pain pills in the house that i'm aware of, so, hello my old friend alcohol) and got some ben gay cold on it. that seemed to do the trick, at least for a few hours.
there are times where i wish i had no pain tolerance. i'm sure in a few days i'll get an x-ray, i'll have some bulging discs, here comes the steroid shots and rehab again. or maybe not. only time will tell i guess. really, all i'm hoping for this evening is to be able to sleep with out screaming.
by the way, got 3 of the 4 NFL playoff games correct. would have been all 4 if the Colts remembered you have to score touchdowns to win.
if you don't see any posts from me for a few days, don't be alarmed, just know that it's probably impossible for me to sit at a computer long enough to post anything. if those days turn into weeks, i'll be sure to have someone post what hospital or morgue i'm at.
music today:
Johnny Cash - My Mother's Hymn Book
"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." - Albert Camus
response from Zygote in my Coffee
i heard back from Brian Fugett at Zygote in my Coffee on my poetry submission from November. my poems "the fountain of heartbreak", "pariahs", "decisions", and "the lost art" have been accepted for publication. they are scheduled to appear in issue #140, due out Jan. 15.
Friday, January 4, 2013
response from The Camel Saloon
i heard back from Russell at The Camel Saloon on my poetry submission from earlier today. my poems "solve every problem" and "it could have been something more" have been accepted for publication.
bring on the weekend
wrote my first poems of 2013 today. i believe all 3 are pretty damn good. i imagine if they get published, as they were all submitted today, i'll know for sure that someone other than me thinks they are good.
sent off poems today to The Camel Saloon and The Gap Toothed Madness. when i hear back from these places i'll be sure to post it here on the blog.
other than that and some porn today, just resting up for the weekend. team USA in the gold medal game of the World Juniors will start off my Saturday. then, Manchester United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. would be nice to keep the winning streak going. then, some NFL playoffs before i get ready to go see the Dayton Flyers play Saturday night. other than the snow that is supposed to come, i can't think of a better start to the weekend. more NFL playoffs on Sunday and hopefully 3 victory beers from the day before.
hope everyone has a good weekend.
music today:
The Killers - Hot Fuss
David Gray - White Ladder (this CD was sent to me by a woman over a decade ago. of course, i have lost touch with her. so, wherever you may be Kelly, i do hope you are doing well. i still think of you when i play this music.)
Muddy Waters - Blues Legend
Pantera - Official Live:101 Proof
"I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a Ferris wheel." - E.B. White
sent off poems today to The Camel Saloon and The Gap Toothed Madness. when i hear back from these places i'll be sure to post it here on the blog.
other than that and some porn today, just resting up for the weekend. team USA in the gold medal game of the World Juniors will start off my Saturday. then, Manchester United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. would be nice to keep the winning streak going. then, some NFL playoffs before i get ready to go see the Dayton Flyers play Saturday night. other than the snow that is supposed to come, i can't think of a better start to the weekend. more NFL playoffs on Sunday and hopefully 3 victory beers from the day before.
hope everyone has a good weekend.
music today:
The Killers - Hot Fuss
David Gray - White Ladder (this CD was sent to me by a woman over a decade ago. of course, i have lost touch with her. so, wherever you may be Kelly, i do hope you are doing well. i still think of you when i play this music.)
Muddy Waters - Blues Legend
Pantera - Official Live:101 Proof
"I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a Ferris wheel." - E.B. White
Thursday, January 3, 2013
a rare moment indeed
i normally pride myself on being right. being right as close to 100% of the time as much as i can. so, it truly is a rare moment when i'm very happy to be wrong.
woke up early this morning/still night to me after a nap. what i witnessed was something i did not expect to see.
team USA absolutely destroyed Canada today at the World Juniors 5-1. i didn't see that one coming at all. not even imagined it could happen. i'm so happy to have been wrong about this team. they play Sweden in the gold medal game on Saturday. thankfully, at 8 am, so i'll actually be able to sleep decently before the game. what makes me even more happy is that the New York Rangers draft pick, J.T. Miller, looks like he's going to be a player. and sooner rather than later. music to my ears.
the wind has picked up here a little today, so now it really feels cold. between the furnace and the heaters, still around 70 inside the farmhouse. barely.
got a little editing work done today and i believe tomorrow will be the first poetry hunt of the new year. dust off the unpublished file and see if i can find any gems. if not, tomorrow will be a writing day.
music today:
Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
Garth Brooks - No Fences
Cypress Hill - Live at The Fillmore
"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." - Ernest Hemingway
woke up early this morning/still night to me after a nap. what i witnessed was something i did not expect to see.
team USA absolutely destroyed Canada today at the World Juniors 5-1. i didn't see that one coming at all. not even imagined it could happen. i'm so happy to have been wrong about this team. they play Sweden in the gold medal game on Saturday. thankfully, at 8 am, so i'll actually be able to sleep decently before the game. what makes me even more happy is that the New York Rangers draft pick, J.T. Miller, looks like he's going to be a player. and sooner rather than later. music to my ears.
the wind has picked up here a little today, so now it really feels cold. between the furnace and the heaters, still around 70 inside the farmhouse. barely.
got a little editing work done today and i believe tomorrow will be the first poetry hunt of the new year. dust off the unpublished file and see if i can find any gems. if not, tomorrow will be a writing day.
music today:
Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
Garth Brooks - No Fences
Cypress Hill - Live at The Fillmore
"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." - Ernest Hemingway
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
winter as i used to remember her
first off, this blog post is brought to you by The Sam Roberts Show Online. episode 39 is highly recommended. you can find it on iTunes, Stitcher, and by going here: http://notsam.com/podcast.html.
it's been an interesting 2013 so far. managed to stay up to see the ball drop but with no mumbling Dick Clark to laugh at, it just wasn't the same.
woke up in the morning to see Manchester United win easy over Wigan. 2 from RvP and 2 from the Mexican god Chicharito. 2 clean sheets in a row. i'm fucking amazed i just typed that. keep it up boys.
manged to pick all 6 bowl games correctly on New Year's Day. which, thankfully, included a Michigan loss. that never gets old.
the weather has taken a turn to holy shit, this is what winter used to be like. 9 damn degrees this morning. i don't mind it, just hate walking on ice. not fun when you have back problems.
woke up early this morning to watch team USA destroy the Czech Republic 7-0 at the World Juniors. next up is Canada. semi-finals. winner goes to the gold medal game. another 4 am start time. suppose, i'll be bleary eyed once again.
thankfully, the Dan Patrick Show is back. that helps me greatly in the morning. also, allows me to put off feeding the cats and birds until it gets a little warmer outside. you know, like 13 degrees.
had a doctor visit today. given my family history of diabetes and thyroid problems and my history with blood clots, i'll be going to get my blood drawn in a few days i guess. i'm not really worried about what they find. i'm betting on nothing, just like 4 years ago.
if you happen to notice on the right hand side of this blog, i've added some links to Nerdist and WTF. hope you enjoy.
music today:
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Follow your own star!" - Dante Alighieri
it's been an interesting 2013 so far. managed to stay up to see the ball drop but with no mumbling Dick Clark to laugh at, it just wasn't the same.
woke up in the morning to see Manchester United win easy over Wigan. 2 from RvP and 2 from the Mexican god Chicharito. 2 clean sheets in a row. i'm fucking amazed i just typed that. keep it up boys.
manged to pick all 6 bowl games correctly on New Year's Day. which, thankfully, included a Michigan loss. that never gets old.
the weather has taken a turn to holy shit, this is what winter used to be like. 9 damn degrees this morning. i don't mind it, just hate walking on ice. not fun when you have back problems.
woke up early this morning to watch team USA destroy the Czech Republic 7-0 at the World Juniors. next up is Canada. semi-finals. winner goes to the gold medal game. another 4 am start time. suppose, i'll be bleary eyed once again.
thankfully, the Dan Patrick Show is back. that helps me greatly in the morning. also, allows me to put off feeding the cats and birds until it gets a little warmer outside. you know, like 13 degrees.
had a doctor visit today. given my family history of diabetes and thyroid problems and my history with blood clots, i'll be going to get my blood drawn in a few days i guess. i'm not really worried about what they find. i'm betting on nothing, just like 4 years ago.
if you happen to notice on the right hand side of this blog, i've added some links to Nerdist and WTF. hope you enjoy.
music today:
Red Wanting Blue - Live at City Winery
"Follow your own star!" - Dante Alighieri
Monday, December 31, 2012
the end of the year
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
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
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
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