Artifice #1 Review/Contest, mission shells, enormity of mass

OK, After a couple of weeks, the web page is back and alive. It when down for a while due to some technical reasons that I had to get some google app help for. So, I will get back on the horse again.

Finished Artifice #1 during my trip to Tampa. I know that I am reading something good when, well … I am jealous of it. Jealous that I did not write some of those stories. All in all, some great choices from the editors and some great stories.
My favorites:
Roxane Gay - Contrapasso. I mean damn. A damn good story where the after dinner drinks and strong and burny.
Blake Butler – And This Would Happen Too In Other Homes. The guy can write and has an imagination.
Ori Fienberg – The Strong Man. Have never run into Ori’s work before, but this is a good start. Best line in the book: “To rise up he put tragedy on one shoulder and the sky on the other.”

Special thanks to Rebekah and James for sending the book for free (won a twitter contest). In turn, I will mail this (slightly used) copy of Artifice #1 to the first person who e-mails me the Webster Version dictionary definition of ‘artifice’ (tribute to David Silverstein).

enormity of mass 
jump as the back turned
the gravity of bland sight
without the energy of face
the so many sounds and too many lives
spirit collide and ignore

change line of sight
return and refocus and gone
the disappear of sunshine and power

but the day turns
other stars rise and fall
spiritual pull from all directions 

sinking and save the step

Currently reading Shya Scanlon's 'In this alone impulse' - and only a few times a year does a piece of writing/artwork/music trigger something in me that I like; something that I want to respond to; something like ...

From Shya's poem 'Wit, a sliver' ... "Should I look to the tall grass, the seasons in their bicker, in their rhythmic snapping, or will rough bark replace my funny pink, my following, my second step?"

and I would answer with ...

save the step
after the first i hold
deny the next step
lay the grass and remember the then
sunshine summer years
with los angeles below me
god just to the left
touching his heart

a man in blue
waiting for the stars at night

the rough bark tempts
wants slight ponder to steal
movement future

i stay the grass fold it over me
kiss the rough bark

underlights and the chained fence

The mail was good to me this week:

     "In this alone impulse," by Shya Scanlon - if you have not watched his YouTube videos, check them out. They are a good 60 seconds of time spent. 

     "Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine" by Ben Tanzer - one of the funniest writers I have read lately (the best is his story and "post-interview" on Apostrophe Cast)
     Also some Light Boxes postcards from Shane Jones. Thank You. I have a project spinning around for these.

Also, hit a good bookstore find this weekend:

     "The Desert's Hidden Wealth" by William Wells, 1934

     "Death Valley and Its Country" by George Putnam, 1946

Eddie writing project update: may as well start now: 0 written now (0 total pages written). 5-10 page deadline 2/19.

Here are two things that may make you cry ... Berlin Heart (the song) and Berlin Heart (the real thing).

the chained fence 
above the metal fence
dead trees grow
brittle breath but continual reaching
stealing sun demands
its life piece mathematics
until no more sun explosion

the fence stick drag beats on
attention draw
to the death of us all

no longer keeping pace
but racing forward toward
the final collision
of energy fire and orange pain

dream ring three and all turning and choosing

Enlisted a couple friends (Ryan Bradley and Meg Pokrass) in a joint writing team. Definitely needed some help with the Eddie writing project update: may as well start now.
0 (0) total pages written. 5-10 page deadline 2/19.

Finished my Dream Ring project. Some good shorter fiction pieces coming out lately. Another submission with fingers crossed. Plenty of good stuff out there. Have wrapped (almost) a system up to help spread the love. Possible other good news projects coming.

Received Artifice #1 and Kristina Born's One Hour of Television in the mail and can not wait to get into them.

Very impressed with Christy Call's art at Dispatch Litareview. The Art in Dispatch 18 is great; the writing is good, and what do you know, it ends with a quote by Thurston Moore.

all turning and choosing 
silent peace dragging the light
under the mountains
as the top gets blown away
the black breath will take
us all down

choices slide away
and the turns drop straight lines
the broken air stops the song
drags it to the dirt
buries us all

not dead
but living beyond it all
beyond the me
at the now

sunlight and the green orange

Finished a draft book of short stories for Jim O'Loughlin. The guy can just damn write. His "Bartleby the Temp" (Flatman Crooked, First Winter) was one of my favorites last year, and there were 5-6 stories in this collections that were jest as good. Hope he nails it, hope he finds a home for it.

Received an acceptance at Leaf Garden on some artwork: the pull and the built drawn. Thanks! the pull is one of my favorites.

Greying Ghost sent I Will Unfold You With My Hairy Hands by Shane Jones. And man they included some cool stuff. Random stuff, but I am a collector at heart and dig yard sales, antique stores, old crap. They included:
     a page tear from "The Lure of Garden," Hildegarde Hawthorne, 1911.
     a rip out from a New England (Boston) Newspaper classified ads from the last 1800s (maybe a reprint, but cool to read it)
     some old photos of people playing hockey, old travel photos, etc.
Thanks!!

Guy Benjamin Brookshire has some illustrations that are up north at South First Street (San Jose). There are a lot of good pieces, but I am particularly partial to this one ... iwasoftenwillful

One more draft of my ring story and on she goes. Trying to get a handle on submission organizing.

the green orange 
the first one coming
the whispers burned
away on the green orange

we foresee
predict and ignore
betting the children today
the future on the now
everything on today’s common

some message scream
others ignore
my resolution of the too fast train
uncontrollable but self aware
racing
to a new beginning

just to begin

after the end
soon
one day

star of jonas and it is never over

thank you to Dispatch Litareview for some encouraging words. My story of the one psychedelic dream ring is coming ...

I have some friends who have written a great book. Something that should definately be on your reading list: Skeletons Don't Sleep.

personal rejection from Apparatus Magazine - thanks Adam. poems not having enough of a strong voice or structure.

also, circling the final thoughts on the story of non-existing gravity

also, been sending some random pics to my twitpic account ....

it is never over
my return
is to my own kind
my own guilt and broken charms
dreams almost realized
potential sent a day away

drugs booze women
crime selfishness
stripped and left to rot
under the bridge

the fire tried
lives ravaged
permanent burns on lamb souls
the iron bridge stand strong
the invitation still stands

the blue slide and the blow cloud

Read "dreams from the darklands" from David Peak and liked it pretty well. Seemed like a well written adult version of McCarthy's Child of God and Monster House. nice pick Mud Luscious Press.

Excited to know that some of my work will be going in Sententia's first issue from Artistically Declined Press! Thank you!

Thanks to Artifice Magazine for their contest!!

Travel to AWP booked.

pssss, submissions. c'mon, you know I am waiting for you.

the blow cloud 
horizon sun pushed
flat by black clouds
we sail on red ghosts
and the whisp
haunts no eyes see

beauty in the angels
and side glances of water in air
the mountain higher
the sun splits
and the orange world
spreads the horizon

below
the river flows
hugging the turns
watching above

joshua sky and start the walk

thank you to Artifice Magazine and their contest. I look forward to the issue.

helping a friend with some guidance on a short story collection. the guy can write.

plenty of submissions out there. a bunch of them matter. i want one in particular, badly. maybe two.
all of them.

start the walk
the reach
of just long enough
the arms to hold four
as the fire heat burns
and the gate crashes

religion will fail again

most gods disappear
all the prayers claim
personal victory

nature and reason protest
force of lion and lamb
i stretch the reach further
strengthen the grip
and start the walk

a thousand people and don't fall on me now

rough day
plenty of outstanding submissions
plenty of half-written stories
a growing pile of books I have promised to read and comment upon
the Slovik story waits for me
the list can go on

i want to say i am sorry

don’t fall on me now
you jump the red bird
from star to star
chasing and star darkening

you pull the sun
pull the sin weight to the heavens
weight ignore and pray

eastern sun blast
all blind light and warm
bringing the sky chaos
and power of gravity

block horizon video project

block horizon and listen to the oriole

Here are some preliminary shots of a video/piano project I will try in the next couple weeks ...

Also, I love writing prompts, contests and the like. Broadsided press asked writers for a poem (possible as a joke?), but here you go ..

listen
to the oriole bird

memory existence
when we all smoked
with the women in plaid
all wearing hats

you look to the sky
and still believe in god
in the sunshine the blue sky
not watching for larger wings
confidence in ignorance

moving from open areas to closed
singing the songs a bit softer
pushing the orange under the black
bullock knows how to last

we grab the branch one last time
smile at the ground instead of the air
hold the breath

snow and sun

Eddie Slovik - Received today "Six Award Winning Plays" by Norman Beim. Never heard of the gentleman myself, but a quote from Katharine Hepburn about him on the cover, so ...  And lookie-there, signed by the author.

One of the plays, 'The Deserter' is based on Eddie's life. Took a first read, and there were some minor differences, but it was good.

And, a tease from the Buffalo Art Voice - "intelligent, right to the jugular ..." A small world. I have submitted there before (no success ... yet). A writing friend Matt Bell had a flash published there recently.

Still have another historical book, a music interpretation, and a possible trip to Michigan to complete for this project. I doubt I can roll to Paris quite yet.

snow and sun study, grand canyon ...

Edward Abbey - I don't know where you can find one, but if you do, burn it.

     Edward Abbey. How to describe him? I'd go with a desert writer - but he wrote about much more, from the Colorado to New York City. I think he liked to stay away from California and its "syphilization."
     It was in my late 20s or so when I discovered his book Desert Solitaire and it changed me then and there. He had died 7-8 years before that, and I was crushed o know that he was no longer "with us." He was the mentor I always wanted to have. I quickly rolled through his other 20-30 books by or about him, countless essays, and articles. Pretty much studied the guys life and realized that I loved the damn guy.
     (p.s. - special thanks to my wife Jen. I dragged her 5-month pregnant beautifulness on a road trip from San Diego to Moab, Utah to participate in an Abbey celebration!)
     I learned so much from the old man that he literally changed my life, guided me in my thinking during those tough years. I am always thankful of him and Bukowski (believe it or not) for making me the man I am today. No other man has had an influence on me more than those two dead writers.

     All this is a prelude to a "treasure" that should be in my hands on friday: Abbey's first book "Jonathan Troy." I have never seen a copy of it, and I always had this geek literature fantasy that I would find a copy "out west in some used book store."
     I did not think I would find it online in West Hollywood. So it was.
     I received the e-mail today that the seller is holding it for me, and I am crazy excited. Pictures will follow.

Jonathan Troy (1954) was Edward Abbey's first published novel, as detailed in James M. Cahalan's biography of Abbey. Only 5,000 copies were printed and almost immediately after it was released the author wanted to disown the work. He asked that it never be published again, and it has not been, making it very rare and the only one of his eight novels that many Edward Abbey fans have not read.

When a fan once asked where they could find a copy of the novel, Abbey is reported to have told them "I don't know where you can find one, but if you do, burn it."

gravity

Recommended to all: Jen Michalski's P.E. - I always have a soft spot for stories about sports, and this fits the bill pretty darn well. Always liked Jen's writing, and she is knocking them out.

Been knocking out science shows in a non-stop fashion. NatGeo and Naked Earth, all good. Five global extinctions; comets and asteroids; what made the Sahara and Rockies. The stuff is too cool. Why can't mathematics shows be as cool as science.

Just downloaded Tom Yorke's new song, "Hearing Damage." Darn good. Just could not find the will to but the Twilight soundtrack to get it.

Finally, I know I am probably a bit late, but John Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Damn. This is why I am sad ...

Maya told me once to "create my own path" and You Should Have Been Nice To Me

As 1/1/2010 symbolizes a new year, it seems like a fitting time for me to change this blog. I have committed 2010 to Eddie Slovik. For 3-4 years, I have bantered around the idea of telling his story. It has been told before (books in the 50s and 70s), but it seems so relevant now. It has seemed so relevant for years.

By the end of this year, I have resolved to have a first-draft manuscript of this book completed.

A small history: Eddie Slovik has been the only American soldier executed for desertion since the civil war. In essence he was killed because he was unwilling to risk his life for his country. Regardless of personal opinions, it is one of the saddest stories I have ever heard with dozens of facts that make my jaw drop. (Tease fact: his wife did not know he was executed until eight years later).

With this new commitment, I thought to sacrifice all other creative outlets and submissions for 2010. I struggled with that because 2009 was my best year for creative production and publication. But, I have concluded that I can have it all.

This blog will change a bit. I want to highlight people/places/things that motivate me; possible drop in some artwork; announce updates on the Slovik project. Possibly continue some writing directly for this web page, but that will be the main sacrifice.

So, how about something I heard this morning ...

road ladders and light and gravity

road ladders

the up and down, resting on asphalt

hiding in night

awaiting the scare and terror

possible horror

and the change of all things

the tools of men

can win again

against all plan and prayer

the land stretches below

after the reminder dream

an old woman sings

and we count our last days

breathing the sun

My top 10 influences in 2009

These things drove me this year to be more creative, more approachable to new ideas, more demanding of myself in production. 'More of' quite a bit.


The last 12 months would not have been the same without them. Thank you, and I hope you will have the same effect on me next year and on.


1. Meltdown in a Major by The Dears
The Dears have been a Top 5 band for me over the last few years. However, this song nailed me to the wall. It's a love song, a song I can fall asleep to, a song I can cry to. If you have not heard it yet ...
http://www.lala.com/#song/360569483843600620


2. The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky
I am particularly loyal to artists I have come to like for one reason or another. "Pi" was a life-changer for me; Aronofsky's version of Hubert Selby's "Requiem for a Dream" was crazy stunning. Even this year's The Wrestler was damn good. However, The Fountain is his best. The movie demanded true belief. Also, the music by Clint Mansell was the cornerstone that held that movie together. I have sent this around before, but this is one of the best videoclips ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsPHrqmmD3o


3. Mud Luscious Press
JA Tyler is consistently finding and cranking out some of the best short work I can find. There were four small chaps that remain on my shelf now and are not going anywhere anytime soon:
Parts by Molly Gaudry
Thunderstorms as Family Convulsion by Ryan Call
Texas by C.L. Bledsoe
I am Richard Simmons by Ben Tanzer


4. FlatmanCrooked
OK, they started with a good First Winter and followed it with Great New Anthology Done During an Economic Depression, even mixed in a damn good Fly-Over state by Emma Straub. Next year, they will combine content with one of my favorite sites (BigOther.com). But anyone that can track down and publish Bartleby The Temp by Jim O'Loughlin is doing damn well. Whenever I am jealous that I did not write the story, well ... yeah.
http://www.flatmancrooked.com/archives/3545


5. My Amboy Trip
I took a multi-day, 80-mile hiking trip through the Mojave desert. From a dead-end road east of 29 Palms to the Amboy crater just west of the almost ghost-town of Amboy, California (which is the Radiator Springs in the movie Cars). Didn't have enough water; it was freezing cold at night; and was met on the top of the crater with the strongest winds I have ever felt (not counting the typhoons in Okinawa). 
The trip was the basis for 'days on the loneliest' which has just been published. The wind storm was written in a smaller story:
the wind off the crater: God tried to take me with him when he finally decided to leave. A thousand feet above these dead lakes and dying city, he pulled me from the top of Amboy Crater with his howling winds racing back home to the pacific. I held until the sun fell behind Iron Age Peak and thankfully God quit. Then I stumbled over the empty broken route to Amboy.


6. Chihuly glass
I went for a small hike to the Desert Botanical garden outside Phoenix and left a few hours later with a cornerstone of art projects for 2009. Dale Chihuly had glass sculptures throughout the desert park, and the desert light, the heat, the glass color, my sweat -- all cemented the images in my head. It was the entire basis of my 'blaze glass one-eight' project, pieces of which are currently planned for publication in The Centrifugal Eye and Blue Moon Literary & Art Review in 2010.
http://www.chihuly.com/


7. Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski and Edward Abbey are the two writers who "fathered" me through my 20s and 30s. They have had a great influence on the man I am today. However, as many of you already know, Buk could just be a straight-out a-hole at times. For me, this book let's him off the hook. He never called it an autobiography of his childhood, but everyone else did, and it was the saddest book I have ever read.


8. Cormac McCarthy
If I ever read three different books from one author in one year, he must be doing something damn right. To me, he is the ultimate "show and not tell" author, and I wish to hell I could have that rub off a bit. Sure, there was No Country For Old Men and The Road (plus their movies) and that would have been enough, but Child of God was one of those books that when I was done, I was pissed, upset and thought I just lost a friend.
p.s. The Road was the best book I have read in years, mainly because I have a five-year old son I am sure.


9. The National
I totally stumbled upon Boxer, but man was fortune looking out for me. I know this is cliche, but they have some of the best poetic lines and there seems to be one in every song. Hit Santa Clara and Gospel, and then follow it up with some Lucky You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcJgpv6S1c


10. Another slow Morrissey song
Year after year, I can always count on him.


I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
A child in a curious phase
A man with sullen ways
Oh, I know very well how I got my name

You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone

When thirteen years old
Who dyed his hair gold?
Oh, I know very well, I don't need to be told

You think you were my first love
You think you were my first love, but you're wrong
You were the only one
Who's come and gone

You were the only one
Who's come and gone 

but not here and the dark west

but not here

i hang with the crash of water

to my right, left

everything black

but a pin light far above

i look and concentrate

let the light spread

to me and beyond

flashing the waterfall

and the hell void below

the train roll thunder

constant and growling

hilo far to the east with open arms

enchanting and safe

the throw of fire and elements seven

the throw of fire
the flame burn
the skies behind
awaiting their time
to blue heal again
a friendly sun and non-rain clouds

i spin by it all
but see nothing move

the end fate
over a picking noise
grown faint and then drown
over the breath
and scream of fire

leaves from the sun and bloom and explode

leaves from the sun
practiced as leaves
drawn to enormous scale
eye follow predictable
as the wind's large value

nothing random anymore
nothing by chance
the start push and continuance
no deviation from the standard

so nothing unique
warm sun on green leaf
one lets go and no one notices
again the over look
the non interest

the gods will die
when leaves never touch
the ground

the heat of all power and composite sun

the heat of all power
black sun on jagged mountain
the dark air and the dark sky

forget the sand crawling
and the hills rising higher
familiarity with god
and all the mistakes

the fire rises higher
and the heat wins

under the clouds of bamboo
a coast away
stands the tree
away from all others
wishing again

over the high side and matisse four and five

over the high side
tall climb and slip grass
past the bamboo
confinement
road hit and run
follow the signs
til there are no more

crave heat
sand under toes

another life
awaiting to start
the movement off twelve
the burning sun
places never gone
still awaiting the step

bull of the stars and the fall life

bull of the stars
the angel voice sings
to the stars every night
then quits
awaiting its next turn
another turn
to burn past dark sky open air
and touch the fire presented

the song will start again
on an abandoned hill
of little memories
the eyes will rise
the voice strong
the stars will fall again

the unpractice and green above the water

the unpractice
dance in all directions
never repeating never repeated
until the growth hold fails
gravity wins
and recycling destruction

the unpractice
and cold skin under dark moon
disappear and all will forget
who was there when and
why will it all start then

revenge of the once home and matisse portrait

revenge of the once home
the ever feel never leaving
always sunlight bright and piercing
driving mind crack to exposed

i walked
and closed for a purpose
never return never remember

tonight the soft bed
then crisp clothes of tomorrow
money a moment away
but i hear the hoarse cry
the demand for revenge
the desire for life renew

another last stand
another smoke prayer