I had a really down night last night…not entirely sure why.
I did see “House of Sand and Fog” which might have had something to do with it. Suicides in movies or the news tend to depress me. Can’t imagine why.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Been reading and listening to people dissect the slams they’ve been in lately.
Not sure what to say about it, other than the obvious:
1. Slammers take themselves WAY too fucking seriously.
2. I think slam is becoming more and more like a Star Trek convention — of interest as a phenomonon only inasmuch as any subculture is, with very little relevance to anything outside, no matter how much the insiders strain to convince themselves and everyone else that it IS relevant.
3. If the majority of slammers who claim to be pissed off at PSI, the poor state of poetry in slams, Def Jam, etc., would simply leave/boycott the institutions, we’d see actual change pretty damn fast. Unfortunately, people get so hooked on “going to Nationals” they don’t see that.
Quick question for all the slammers out there: suppose you took the money you put into traveling to/from NPS, regional bouts, etc., and put it into developing greater outreach in your local communities. How would that be?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I feel better already.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In other news…there is no other news.
I’ll be at the Hut tonight for Alixa and Naima. Come say hi.
Dark Matter 
May 17th, 2004 at 2:52 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Good point. Let’s hope so.
May 17th, 2004 at 2:52 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Good point. Let’s hope so.
May 17th, 2004 at 2:52 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Good point. Let’s hope so.
May 17th, 2004 at 2:32 pm
Re: Nationals is…
True –
but when the fourth poem with the same theme shows up in a bout maybe it’ll click?
May 17th, 2004 at 2:32 pm
Re: Nationals is…
True –
but when the fourth poem with the same theme shows up in a bout maybe it’ll click?
May 17th, 2004 at 2:32 pm
Re: Nationals is…
True –
but when the fourth poem with the same theme shows up in a bout maybe it’ll click?
May 17th, 2004 at 2:29 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Originality is a great addition; I hope the judges take it to heart. Still, while I admire the intent, what do random judges know from “originality”? We’re still going with the notion that uninitiated judges are best, right? Even the most discerning may not recognize the slam tropes until it’s too late.
May 17th, 2004 at 2:29 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Originality is a great addition; I hope the judges take it to heart. Still, while I admire the intent, what do random judges know from “originality”? We’re still going with the notion that uninitiated judges are best, right? Even the most discerning may not recognize the slam tropes until it’s too late.
May 17th, 2004 at 2:29 pm
Re: Nationals is…
Originality is a great addition; I hope the judges take it to heart. Still, while I admire the intent, what do random judges know from “originality”? We’re still going with the notion that uninitiated judges are best, right? Even the most discerning may not recognize the slam tropes until it’s too late.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:16 am
Re: Nationals is…
Well, it can’t hurt.
Someone will have to tell me how it goes, though, since I’ve kissed Nats goodbye.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:16 am
Re: Nationals is…
Well, it can’t hurt.
Someone will have to tell me how it goes, though, since I’ve kissed Nats goodbye.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:16 am
Re: Nationals is…
Well, it can’t hurt.
Someone will have to tell me how it goes, though, since I’ve kissed Nats goodbye.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:04 am
Re: Nationals is…
We are going to be adopting a new word into the MC spiel this year, suggested by the esteemed Mr. Ellik and heartily endorsed by your’s truly.
expect to hera – judges rate the poet on – performance, content, and ORIGINALITY.
one word – but it could make a big difference.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:04 am
Re: Nationals is…
We are going to be adopting a new word into the MC spiel this year, suggested by the esteemed Mr. Ellik and heartily endorsed by your’s truly.
expect to hera – judges rate the poet on – performance, content, and ORIGINALITY.
one word – but it could make a big difference.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:04 am
Re: Nationals is…
We are going to be adopting a new word into the MC spiel this year, suggested by the esteemed Mr. Ellik and heartily endorsed by your’s truly.
expect to hera – judges rate the poet on – performance, content, and ORIGINALITY.
one word – but it could make a big difference.
May 16th, 2004 at 10:34 pm
Hi Tony- Did you see the Fog of War?
I haven’t, and am severely behind on viewing. Want to know about the LadyKillers too. If you’re sad I recommend the Mystery Men, and for inspiration, The Mighty.
The Patriot Act stuff is all at my lj place, and I’m glad you asked.
Also, I loved your Guernica poem. But, I disagree a little bit about political poetry not making a difference. I know that you make a great deal of difference and I do appreciate you. The arts can be a light to the world. Notice I said, “can be.” The whos, whats and wheres, whens and hows have to be worked out. And yes, culture in the hands of the (stupid), (notice: not the intelligent) elite, is misplaced to put it plainly. And by intelligence I also say spiritual intelligence.
I loved the comedy on Sex and the City. But, when Charlotte was set to volunteer to help the blind and walked into a shoe display…well she isn’t such a pretty kitty anymore is she? I love beautiful things, but let them put an equal amount over to charity with what is going to an extreme makeover. I have too much to say on this, more on my lj. I also loved Basquiat, for the beauty and quality of the script, acting, cinematography, and most importantly, the truth.
* I haven’t decided about Courtney Love, though.
May 16th, 2004 at 10:34 pm
Hi Tony- Did you see the Fog of War?
I haven’t, and am severely behind on viewing. Want to know about the LadyKillers too. If you’re sad I recommend the Mystery Men, and for inspiration, The Mighty.
The Patriot Act stuff is all at my lj place, and I’m glad you asked.
Also, I loved your Guernica poem. But, I disagree a little bit about political poetry not making a difference. I know that you make a great deal of difference and I do appreciate you. The arts can be a light to the world. Notice I said, “can be.” The whos, whats and wheres, whens and hows have to be worked out. And yes, culture in the hands of the (stupid), (notice: not the intelligent) elite, is misplaced to put it plainly. And by intelligence I also say spiritual intelligence.
I loved the comedy on Sex and the City. But, when Charlotte was set to volunteer to help the blind and walked into a shoe display…well she isn’t such a pretty kitty anymore is she? I love beautiful things, but let them put an equal amount over to charity with what is going to an extreme makeover. I have too much to say on this, more on my lj. I also loved Basquiat, for the beauty and quality of the script, acting, cinematography, and most importantly, the truth.
* I haven’t decided about Courtney Love, though.
May 16th, 2004 at 10:34 pm
Hi Tony- Did you see the Fog of War?
I haven’t, and am severely behind on viewing. Want to know about the LadyKillers too. If you’re sad I recommend the Mystery Men, and for inspiration, The Mighty.
The Patriot Act stuff is all at my lj place, and I’m glad you asked.
Also, I loved your Guernica poem. But, I disagree a little bit about political poetry not making a difference. I know that you make a great deal of difference and I do appreciate you. The arts can be a light to the world. Notice I said, “can be.” The whos, whats and wheres, whens and hows have to be worked out. And yes, culture in the hands of the (stupid), (notice: not the intelligent) elite, is misplaced to put it plainly. And by intelligence I also say spiritual intelligence.
I loved the comedy on Sex and the City. But, when Charlotte was set to volunteer to help the blind and walked into a shoe display…well she isn’t such a pretty kitty anymore is she? I love beautiful things, but let them put an equal amount over to charity with what is going to an extreme makeover. I have too much to say on this, more on my lj. I also loved Basquiat, for the beauty and quality of the script, acting, cinematography, and most importantly, the truth.
* I haven’t decided about Courtney Love, though.
May 16th, 2004 at 8:57 pm
Asses in seats are important…
but what’s interesting to me, Chaz, is that I don’t even think slam is the best way to do it.
Worcester’s slam is an addition to an existing series. The Asylum existed before there was a slam — not much before, but enough.
We only slam once a month, and I’m not even sure the slam brings in the biggest crowds. I bet we’d continue to be successful without it.
Tonight I saw a room stuffed to the gills tonight, SRO, for Alixa and Naima, and 23 names in the open mike.
And the crowd stayed for all of it.
I think as long as there’s a community to support interesting work, it’ll happen…Worcester, NYC, the Bay, Chicago, lots of other areas have it anyway. There’s a huge poetry community here that has nothing to do with slams.
What I’m trying to figure out is this: in an area that isn’t so blessed, does the slam truly create a community, or merely an insular and self-congratulatory cult?
It’s probably not an either/or — but I wish some of these areas would move past the “Nationals is the goal” mentality.
May 16th, 2004 at 8:57 pm
Asses in seats are important…
but what’s interesting to me, Chaz, is that I don’t even think slam is the best way to do it.
Worcester’s slam is an addition to an existing series. The Asylum existed before there was a slam — not much before, but enough.
We only slam once a month, and I’m not even sure the slam brings in the biggest crowds. I bet we’d continue to be successful without it.
Tonight I saw a room stuffed to the gills tonight, SRO, for Alixa and Naima, and 23 names in the open mike.
And the crowd stayed for all of it.
I think as long as there’s a community to support interesting work, it’ll happen…Worcester, NYC, the Bay, Chicago, lots of other areas have it anyway. There’s a huge poetry community here that has nothing to do with slams.
What I’m trying to figure out is this: in an area that isn’t so blessed, does the slam truly create a community, or merely an insular and self-congratulatory cult?
It’s probably not an either/or — but I wish some of these areas would move past the “Nationals is the goal” mentality.
May 16th, 2004 at 8:57 pm
Asses in seats are important…
but what’s interesting to me, Chaz, is that I don’t even think slam is the best way to do it.
Worcester’s slam is an addition to an existing series. The Asylum existed before there was a slam — not much before, but enough.
We only slam once a month, and I’m not even sure the slam brings in the biggest crowds. I bet we’d continue to be successful without it.
Tonight I saw a room stuffed to the gills tonight, SRO, for Alixa and Naima, and 23 names in the open mike.
And the crowd stayed for all of it.
I think as long as there’s a community to support interesting work, it’ll happen…Worcester, NYC, the Bay, Chicago, lots of other areas have it anyway. There’s a huge poetry community here that has nothing to do with slams.
What I’m trying to figure out is this: in an area that isn’t so blessed, does the slam truly create a community, or merely an insular and self-congratulatory cult?
It’s probably not an either/or — but I wish some of these areas would move past the “Nationals is the goal” mentality.
May 16th, 2004 at 8:24 pm
Nationals is…
The carrot at the end of the stick I use to get poets motivated to WORK. It’s great motivation. And the whole specticle of team qualifying season and Semi’s and Finals builds up excitement and interest and audience size. It’s a terrific gimmick for getting asses in seats.
That said, YES, organizers need to do more than just run a slam. I run a weekly wordshop in my home. The combination of MOTIVE (slam team) and resources (workshops) gets poets to step up, work, and GO to workshops and improve.
I’m not sure that a boycott is the best idea. I’m not sure the institutions are really the problem, but a symptom. Seems to me the solution is figuring out a way to motivate slammasters to become community organizers and run workshops and provide guidance to new poets.
Next question is, are these hypothetical organizers decent writers and able to actually give any meaninful guidance?!?
May 16th, 2004 at 8:24 pm
Nationals is…
The carrot at the end of the stick I use to get poets motivated to WORK. It’s great motivation. And the whole specticle of team qualifying season and Semi’s and Finals builds up excitement and interest and audience size. It’s a terrific gimmick for getting asses in seats.
That said, YES, organizers need to do more than just run a slam. I run a weekly wordshop in my home. The combination of MOTIVE (slam team) and resources (workshops) gets poets to step up, work, and GO to workshops and improve.
I’m not sure that a boycott is the best idea. I’m not sure the institutions are really the problem, but a symptom. Seems to me the solution is figuring out a way to motivate slammasters to become community organizers and run workshops and provide guidance to new poets.
Next question is, are these hypothetical organizers decent writers and able to actually give any meaninful guidance?!?
May 16th, 2004 at 8:24 pm
Nationals is…
The carrot at the end of the stick I use to get poets motivated to WORK. It’s great motivation. And the whole specticle of team qualifying season and Semi’s and Finals builds up excitement and interest and audience size. It’s a terrific gimmick for getting asses in seats.
That said, YES, organizers need to do more than just run a slam. I run a weekly wordshop in my home. The combination of MOTIVE (slam team) and resources (workshops) gets poets to step up, work, and GO to workshops and improve.
I’m not sure that a boycott is the best idea. I’m not sure the institutions are really the problem, but a symptom. Seems to me the solution is figuring out a way to motivate slammasters to become community organizers and run workshops and provide guidance to new poets.
Next question is, are these hypothetical organizers decent writers and able to actually give any meaninful guidance?!?
May 16th, 2004 at 1:04 pm
I agree with you on all these things, although I really miss having the structure of needing to rehearse, excuses to do events, etc. It looks like I may sign on for the NE Slam League, though, which may light a fire under my ass and cause me to start memorizing again. We’ll see if my resolve can wrestle my attention span to the floor best 2 out of 3.
May 16th, 2004 at 1:04 pm
I agree with you on all these things, although I really miss having the structure of needing to rehearse, excuses to do events, etc. It looks like I may sign on for the NE Slam League, though, which may light a fire under my ass and cause me to start memorizing again. We’ll see if my resolve can wrestle my attention span to the floor best 2 out of 3.
May 16th, 2004 at 1:04 pm
I agree with you on all these things, although I really miss having the structure of needing to rehearse, excuses to do events, etc. It looks like I may sign on for the NE Slam League, though, which may light a fire under my ass and cause me to start memorizing again. We’ll see if my resolve can wrestle my attention span to the floor best 2 out of 3.
May 16th, 2004 at 9:37 am
Re: another challenge
yup. a good one, oscar.
we’ve got to become more conscientious about this. we need to grow our credibility beyond our own circles.
May 16th, 2004 at 9:37 am
Re: another challenge
yup. a good one, oscar.
we’ve got to become more conscientious about this. we need to grow our credibility beyond our own circles.
May 16th, 2004 at 9:37 am
Re: another challenge
yup. a good one, oscar.
we’ve got to become more conscientious about this. we need to grow our credibility beyond our own circles.
May 16th, 2004 at 8:59 am
another challenge
that was posed to me by a friend-
“take all the energy you put into slam and transfer that to submissions for journals & grants”
it may not change the world but it would open up the incestuous slam.fam circle
dos centavos,
o.b.
http://geminipoet.blogspot.com/
May 16th, 2004 at 8:59 am
another challenge
that was posed to me by a friend-
“take all the energy you put into slam and transfer that to submissions for journals & grants”
it may not change the world but it would open up the incestuous slam.fam circle
dos centavos,
o.b.
http://geminipoet.blogspot.com/
May 16th, 2004 at 8:59 am
another challenge
that was posed to me by a friend-
“take all the energy you put into slam and transfer that to submissions for journals & grants”
it may not change the world but it would open up the incestuous slam.fam circle
dos centavos,
o.b.
http://geminipoet.blogspot.com/