Song 1

Harker's Run, April 2009

Cicadas failing, green hills unfurled
scroll-long into a mute map.

First night in dark trees, thunderheads,
wafts of red clay, cigarettes.
On the floor of those woods: an empty eastern box turtle shell,
withered condoms, horn coral fossils and morels past consumption.
The detritus of a green and buzzing creation.
Such abundance made meal,
rast-ways of urge rendered hollow.

The bilge water down there, 4 Mile Creek,
slank past slugged and rainbow-sheened with oil film.
Giant carp in their chain mail, approaching heaven,
sucking horseflies from the surface.

And not far off, garden rows of Civil War dead and
city fathers--then the unmarked stones far from view--
simple women, drunks, blacks. Caskets borne up
by locust roots and time.

The trail to the pond winding
through sacred groves of snakegrass and damselflies,
sun luxuriating, green breathing in time
and the sound waiting for me.

I wish I didn't know you. I can't keep caring for you
and I can't pretend not to--such a place as this:
Your undiscovered common places,
your overturned perfection.

Delightful Stuff

Looavull, in the Great State of Kentuckee

A few months ago, I had the chance to grade AP English Language examinations in Louisville, KY. The process and experience (and the fantastic Louisville itself) are worthy of separate posts, but I wanted to post some of the interesting writing constructs I encountered while grading. Before I do this, I want to make it clear that this is again not an attempt to poke fun. I find most of these as casual mistakes/omissions/oversights that aren’t out of my range currently, and definitely were things I might have produced as a high school writer. If anything, these stand as artifacts of the playfulness of language, and to take it even further, none of these errors alone warranted a reduction in grade or anything of the sort.

The prompt that students were responding to was the following: “In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to entertain but ‘to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.’ Because society allows humorists to say things that other people cannot or will not say, de Botton sees humorists as serving a vital function in society. Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the role of humorists (cartoonists, stand-up comics, satirical writers, hosts of television programs, etc.). Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies de Botton’s claim about the vital role of humorists. Use specific, appropriate evidence to develop your position.”

In response to this prompt, some actual exam excerpts [with my comments in brackets, and italics on some for emphasis]:

*Jeff Dunham uses a tranquilistist puppet. [With one of those, I could throw my voice…calmly]

*Kings and Queens of Mid-Evil times acquired gestures to enlighten them. [Is this sort of like a Jester skilled in the Mime arts?]

*A famous comedian that EVERYONE knows is Charlie Chapman. [And his musician sister Tracy]

*An example of humorist is William Forstchen’s “As I Lay Dying”. [If it is anything like Faulkner’s, it is hilarious]

*Jeff Dunham has a gang of puppets very different from your traditional antoinettes. [Puppetry really seemed to trip students up]

*Since the WTC Attack on Sep. 9^th, 2001…[A date that will live in mediocrity]

*I don’t want to feed around the bush…[I’d like to see this, though]

*Pardon my french, but R U SERIOUS, Alain? [No comment. This one made me so happy, not sure why]

* It is completely unacceptable to reference fat people in non-humorous terms in our society. [“What I just wrote there? Acceptable, because it’s funny”]

*President Reagan resigned because of the Watergate scandal. [The repercussions are STILL being felt]

*A Modest Proposal was able to convey to the public in a consumable way [Swift’s] idea of solving the food crisis. [I hope this was a deliberate attempt at a quality pun. Either way, it works for me]

*Larry King’s image skyrocketed downward. [Reminded me of dialog from Rize “There IS no limit! The SKY is the limit!”]

*Sometimes, humorists get the icy cold stare of a person because they have touched upon a subject that was voodoo. [Perhaps voodoo is also a taboo subject to some]

*During the 2008 election, SNL poked fun at Sarah Palin, often highlighting the human qualities she possessed. [She sometimes does seem like a human]

*Bugs Bunny and other characters took on the fascade of Hitler and Mouseolini to inform the public. [I know what they were referencing, but what they meant???]

*Humorists may be entertaining in many different ways, but behind clothes doors, they are polluting the world. [They are befouling the earth from dressing rooms?]

*How many damn times are we going to watch a man getting nailed in the crotch on America’s Funniest Home Videos before it gets old? Maybe if the writers had at least one unique bone in their body, the slop they produce could be entertaining. [I just included this one because it was written by the most bitter high school student on earth. He (unwittingly) had me crying, struggling not to burst out in raucous laughter, disrupting the busy grading going on about me. Just so snarky, upset, and fresh out of excuses]

*The declaration of independence is a humoris document that was translated from original english to english that is spoken in today’s society (informal english). [I again hope that this student is a radical and that this is some sly attempt to decry what they see as the false equality stated in the Declaration, but the rest of the essay gave me doubts]

*From Brian Regan to Brad Stine, and Jeff Foxworthy to Larry the Cable Guy, these are our soldiers for truth. [And we know how the original crusades ended…]

*Yes, it is funny to see overweight people slip and fall on YouTube, but the overall moral behind the story is that he or she was hurt. [Yeah everyone. Come on.]

*Humor is a lubricant. It makes things easier to take. [ahem]

*Robert Colbert of the Colbert Report…[a classic humorist]

*It is a proven fact that laughter causes a release of stress in one’s mind. [I love this one because it either indicates that the mind will feel added effects of stress as a result of laughter, AND/OR that this release of stress is illusory or “all in the mind.” Beautiful ?Unintended? consequence]

*Now it is extremely sad what happened to the millions of Jews, but Hitler criticizing them was vital. [What would be the proper emoticon for an aghast/confused face?]

*The Ellen Degenerate show is a popular humorist program. [Again, I hope satire…but…doubtful]

*When Obama went to Birmingham palace in London…[…was about the time that Reverend King wrote a letter from Buckingham Jail…]

*Some humorists just promote idioticness

*One of the most famous attempts at shock laughter was the time Kramer from Seinfeld used the “N” word during his act—he neglected to use it correctly. [He failed to consult his ‘Use of the N Word Protocol’ in the Chicago Manual of Style]

skech, tk. 1

øøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøø

"Where's Kendra? Is she coming in today?"
"No no. She's home. Not feeling too well. Bun in the oven and all."
"Ah. I see. Constipation is the worst."

Things. 2 of Them.

Thing 1--There are a host of possible ways to don a balaclava, as illustrated by the included photo:



Thing 2--I posted a free mix for download on the Plunder Guild website. Free songs for the coming spring and such. If you're so inclined, it's HERE

Saturday the 14th Eve

Ash and I normally take the time to celebrate Friday the 13th with a 'scary' movie and a night at home, and for this occasion we are throwing in a new element----unnerving shadow puppetry.

Last night we discovered that my Princeton Tech headlamp, when aimed just so at the ceiling, helps create the effect of stunningly realistic eyeball to accompany puppetry.

Some of our creepy favorites:

Fig 1: Three-eyed Jake

Fig 2: Jake (regular eyed)

Fig 3: Dr. Needlefish

Fig 4: The Grumpy Bunny



Fig 5: Clean Teeth McGee

Fig 6: Colonel Alonzo Pembrose

Two Double-Ought Ocho

What last year done brung...some things I found that had "nift."

Musically:


Santogold--This album got whored out majorly in 2008 to everyone making a commercial, it seems. But it stands to reason--it is that good, that catchy, that flat-out great. I appreciate this album because I can't pigeonhole it. I don't know what kind of music this is other than music I enjoy to hear playing loudly.
Santogold--Lights Out


Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago." Yeah...I probably listened to this album more than any other. And if you haven't yet snagged a copy of this, you needs to. 2008 really wasn't all roses and ponies, and I think the mood of this album was just tailor made for the happenings of the year, at least for me. Instant gold.
Bon Iver--Flume

Bottomless Pit "Congress." Again, the remaining members of Silkworm combined with drummer Chris Manfrin to make an unrivaled 4 track EP that, I think, is still wrestling with the death of Mike Dalhquist (drummer of Silkworm), whose life was taken by a despondent driver bent on self-destruction. "People are frightening...when they don't got a reason to live"
Bottomless Pit-Fish Eyes

Cat Power "Jukebox." I openly crush on Chan Marshall--even Ash knows this. Chan can do no wrong, and this album is so much fun to listen to. It is really a cover album, but it is telling of Marshall's ability as a musician that my favorite track on here is her own (linked below).
Cat Power--Song to Bobby

Mogwai "The Hawk is Howling." Can't ever get away from my post-rock leanings, especially if Mogwai keeps putting out good albums. They seem to be deepening their bag-o-tricks...it isn't just 'crescendo into face melting rock' or 'play sad sad sad sad quiet'.
Mogwai--Thank You Space Expert

Sholi. Serious talent from the Bay Area--their short demo was, well, too short because it is incredible (includes an interesting remake of Joanna Newsome's "The Sprout and the Bean.") Some serious chops in this group, especially the drummer, who my cousin Wyatt reports is a joy to watch live.
Sholi--All That We Can See

Other winners from 2008 (also, if you haven't already, go to Bottomless Lakes or Frozen Banana or Tenbu for more free mp3 links--blogs on the side there)
Fleet Foxes--Blue Ridge Mountains --this song is glorious...euphoric...one of my favorites from 2008
Crystal Castles--Magic Spells
Sun Kil Moon--Heroin Blue (really wanted to link in "Lucky Man"..couldn't find it).
That is plenty on music...the blogs mentioned above have some grand link work that introduced me to some sounds I had missed...I suggest getting on it.
The Gaslight Anthem--Great Expectations --sometimes I appreciate a good hook. This group has hook...listen to this track once and lines will lodge in your skull. Sure, there is a little frat rock feel to some of it, but i like the broody angst and the bass line of this song particularly.

A few films from 2008 that i thought should have gotten far more play are these three here.

Son of Rambow. I was shocked with how much I dug this film--made me laugh hysterically in spots, hit me in the chest in others, a movie that I forgot I was watching...does that make sense? If anyone has seen this, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Man on Wire. I was sweating, trembling, ill just watching this. I don't think it is perfect, and I think the protagonist has some interesting hangups (Eiryn and I had uncannily similar grievances about this), but on the whole this is a top-drawer documentary.

The Visitor. I tend to enjoy movies that feature music as a transformative force, and this movie does that (and much more) but not in the mawkish August Rush vein. It has some serious depth and sadness, and it tends to interrogate some of the priveliges we take for granted.

This 2008-ish list is really lacking...but others have already highlighted the major players elsewhere. I am just getting tired of due diligence on the hyperlinks.

Bon Iver--Blood Bank

Anyone who is a fan probably already knows that Bon Iver's upcoming EP "Blood Bank" leaked a few weeks ago (official release is Jan 20th). I plan to actually buy the album when it comes out, but I have to confess that I followed the leak and yoinked the 4 tracks. I am interested in what people think about these songs, especially "Woods."

I am linking the mp3 posted by Bon Iver's label for others to snag, in case they haven't yet.

Song: Bon Iver--Blood Bank