Thursday, May 1st, 2008
My latest adventure? Putting beloved cds into itunes. I have rows and books of discs, songs I just stopped listening to for sake of convenience and a sudden(slightly strange) disinterest in that form of media. Even still I shy from it–after all I’m only putting the cds in my hands to add to the collection on my computer. But that’s not the point. The point is I’m rediscovering songs once listened to over and over and then over some more. Songs I know the words to, old friends. Old memories of surroundings. Some of it can still be seen.
Like Elvis Costello. Introduced back in high school. I had a little steady at the time who loved Buddy Holly–in the process of educating himself on the subject, he stumbled over Mr. Costello. I remember his videos–insane! Singing by the open trunk of a car in a trench coat, guitar around middle.
Bjork’s version of “Gloomy Sunday” from a jazz mix collection–I still lived at home and found it wedged between envelopes in the mail. “El Toppo” by the Llama Farmers? One oddly defiant number for me. Purchased the cd after Randy stole it from me(he bought it and at the end decided I was not worth it/I was not allowed to have it). Oh that time, of living on a couch and being the only kind of stupid that the age of nineteen calls for.
Listening again after a long absence brought it back a bit(one of the most beautiful things we get is distance). And it’s funny to find yourself “re-inspired,” feeling the way you felt when you heard it the first time. Here you are older and there it is the same, kicking your ass and making you write. Then you’re making mixes again for other people, enjoying the process of it.
Another process that I am enjoying? Reading. Yes that’s right: reading. “Hopscotch” by Julio Cortazar is blowing my mind. His writing is just exquisite. I have a similar affection for ee cummings, Milan Kundera. Still, my dear Julio, carries his own torch to spotlight my heart. My goodness. I’m really impressed. If you remember, this is the book that you can read normally front to back, or disjointed in the numerical order noted in the “Table of Instructions.” I am reading the disjointed suggestion. How many books allow you to do such a thing? More should, that’s for sure. I like that I’m left roaming for more of the story. I’m in it for the long haul.
Billy Wright is releasing a book next month. We are joining forces on May 29th, so the show will be a double book release / birthday shindig(I turn 27 on the thirty-first). I’m quite excited for both of us.
One more thing…I am accepting submissions for an anthology–my most recent brain child. All pieces written by women. I’m looking for memory, for moment, for honesty. This refers to anything. I want that first kiss. I want the overheard conversation at the grocery store. Tell me about something that happens every day. Tell me when you decided enough was enough. I want to hear it. Deadline is June 20th. Yes I loathe deadlines too but in order to make this a tangible reality I must apply one. This anthology is known as “said the goodbye cerebellum to the hobo heart,” if you’re into titles and like to write with that in mind. At completion, I’ll put on another show for all the contributors.
