And even Fox News is reporting that.
Surprised? Nope.
Seroquel — it’s not just for breakfast anymore
Because I trust you, I’ll tell you guys that the new Zero Point Zero column that’s up now is an act of sheer desperation — drugs really caught up with me last night and I was unable to put more than a single sentence together.
This AM, feeling somewhat better, I chose to drop the column I’m writing on multi-part poems and their performance and simply reprint my column on political poetry and the sins committed in its name, along with some new commentary.
Seems lazy — but you know, what I say in the column about why I don’t mind doing occasional reprints is completely true — and it also feels timely.
Go check it out, if you’re so inclined. And feel free to leave comments there, too!
More later….
Seroquel — it’s not just for breakfast anymore
Because I trust you, I’ll tell you guys that the new Zero Point Zero column that’s up now is an act of sheer desperation — drugs really caught up with me last night and I was unable to put more than a single sentence together.
This AM, feeling somewhat better, I chose to drop the column I’m writing on multi-part poems and their performance and simply reprint my column on political poetry and the sins committed in its name, along with some new commentary.
Seems lazy — but you know, what I say in the column about why I don’t mind doing occasional reprints is completely true — and it also feels timely.
Go check it out, if you’re so inclined. And feel free to leave comments there, too!
More later….
Jumping
from one thing to another…finished a class, talked a bit with some folks afterward, ran and got lunch, now I’m starting prep for a meeting at 3:00.
No introversion available today (MBTI type INTP), no matter how much I need it…
Jumping
from one thing to another…finished a class, talked a bit with some folks afterward, ran and got lunch, now I’m starting prep for a meeting at 3:00.
No introversion available today (MBTI type INTP), no matter how much I need it…
New piece — first draft
The things I should be doing before I end the day at work are never the ones I end up doing.
New piece — first draft
The things I should be doing before I end the day at work are never the ones I end up doing.
Ten reasons Kerry’s gonna lose…
if he doesn’t get his shit together.
I was listening to NPR on my way into work this AM after my various doctor’s appointments. One of Kerry’s campaign officers was on, along with a journalist and one of CLinton’s ex-foreign affairs guys. Topic: Kerry and Iraq.
Two random observations:
1. The campaign guy freely admitted that Kerry’s campaign is short on specifics right now, specifically because they see no need to define themselves against Bush’s actions until more info shakes out.
2. Callers seemed universally pissed about Kerry’s unwillingness to be long on specifics.
Here’s why I think Kerry’s in trouble:
1. Because McCain is currently seen as this moment’s definition of political integrity…not Kerry.
2. Because in spite of all the bad news out of Iraq, Kerry’s barely moving the needle versus George.
3. Because the vast majority of the American electorate is already committed, regardless of what happens; and the small minority that isn’t will do whatever feels good the week before the election; and George has got too many hands to play before then.
4. Because Kerry is from Massachusetts.
5. Because Kerry’s wife is seen as a foreigner.
6. Because Kerry’s wife is seen as a RICH foreigner.
7. Because Kerry speaks French, not Spanish, he will be seen as elitist, not pragmatic.
8. Because America likes its presidents to be simple, at least on the surface. (If the simple goes all the way through, they’ll take it, as long as it doesn’t make them too worried.)
9. Because, al-Qaeda, don’t you know.
10. Because anyone who thinks an American election is decided on the issues wasn’t watching in 2000.
Ten reasons Kerry’s gonna lose…
if he doesn’t get his shit together.
I was listening to NPR on my way into work this AM after my various doctor’s appointments. One of Kerry’s campaign officers was on, along with a journalist and one of CLinton’s ex-foreign affairs guys. Topic: Kerry and Iraq.
Two random observations:
1. The campaign guy freely admitted that Kerry’s campaign is short on specifics right now, specifically because they see no need to define themselves against Bush’s actions until more info shakes out.
2. Callers seemed universally pissed about Kerry’s unwillingness to be long on specifics.
Here’s why I think Kerry’s in trouble:
1. Because McCain is currently seen as this moment’s definition of political integrity…not Kerry.
2. Because in spite of all the bad news out of Iraq, Kerry’s barely moving the needle versus George.
3. Because the vast majority of the American electorate is already committed, regardless of what happens; and the small minority that isn’t will do whatever feels good the week before the election; and George has got too many hands to play before then.
4. Because Kerry is from Massachusetts.
5. Because Kerry’s wife is seen as a foreigner.
6. Because Kerry’s wife is seen as a RICH foreigner.
7. Because Kerry speaks French, not Spanish, he will be seen as elitist, not pragmatic.
8. Because America likes its presidents to be simple, at least on the surface. (If the simple goes all the way through, they’ll take it, as long as it doesn’t make them too worried.)
9. Because, al-Qaeda, don’t you know.
10. Because anyone who thinks an American election is decided on the issues wasn’t watching in 2000.
One for Scott Woods
and anyone else who cares…
Scott, you asked for it.
John Powers, my hero, has set it up so that you can see all the past Zero Point Zero columns if you want.
Here’s how:
1. Go to http://www.gotpoetry.com .
2. Click on “Topics”.
3. Click on the word “more” in the frame for “The Zero Point Zero Regular Column”.
4. When you get to that page, check the bottom of the screen — you’ll find page numbers to go through to see all the past columns.
Thanks, John.
On a related note: goddamn, I’ve done seventy of them to this point!
I’m tired
of two-sided arguments,
black helicopters,
white knights.
Give me the circle
and its tender slope
back upon itself.
Tell me things I can’t imagine ever
having opposites.
What is the opposite of water? of breath?
I give up formally
on hot and cold,
good and evil, love and hate.
Give me a face that opens
itself the way
a sunrise can, if observed carefully enough —
it should look exactly
the way a sunset does, even though
it is about beginning it is
also an ending.
Do I know you? Are you
not me? Are we not each other
when all’s spoken?
Why will we not admit this:
everyone’s a problem and a solution.
Random thoughts…
First off, this:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5165435
Yay. I’m getting psyched now — my friends’ wedding is in less than two weeks!
Better finish that poem, eh?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Went out to the Asylum last night — packed house. I had to go outside for big blocks of time because of heat, lightheadedness, and general unease in the crowd.
A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
If only we’d stop preaching to the converted I might believe otherwise. But I see poetry readings as being so lefty-crunchy these days, it’s hard for me to see the utility of getting the approval from the already approving.
Oh well. I got to punch George Bush in the face, anyway.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alixa and Naima were pretty good, in retrospect. I’ve always loved Alixa’s stuff and there were moments I thought were excellent — the poem about the shootings that included the Liberty Bell imagery was especially good, I thought.
I hadn’t heard Naima before. She was a good performer, but I felt less than enthused by her work — not sure why; I’ve heard a lot of it before, I think. Mayhap I’m just jaded.
One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
peragrin_fogin‘s post is up regarding John Kerry’s position on the Patriot Act. (Thanks for posting it, R.)
You know what? It is a perfect example of why so many people are pissed off about Kerry’s candidacy.
He promises to have a plan to adjust the Patriot Act within 100 days of assuming office.
How about offering the ideas NOW? How about showing us something more than a promise to think about it once he’s in? This isn’t rocket science. Civil Libertarians have all sorts of ideas for getting information on terrorism without compromising civil liberties. How about supporting some of them NOW?
This is the characteristic that will likely cost Kerry the Presidency: the unwillingess to commit. The perpetual belief that saying he’ll be better than Bush is enough to get folks to vote for him. You’ve got to give em a sense of how, John. Got to.
Otherwise, there’s no good reason for undecided voters to upset the applecart in a time of fear and indecision.
I hate George Bush, personally and deeply; I won’t be voting for him. But I have yet to find a compelling reason to vote for John Kerry.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
If there was a more visible radical left, it would go a long way toward mobilizing reasonable lefties to action…much as radical rightists have managed to swing agendas toward their end of the spectrum.
Where’s my copy of “Rules for Radicals?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I need coffee. Good coffee.
This cafeteria at work just swung over to Starbucks.
To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.”
Random thoughts…
First off, this:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5165435
Yay. I’m getting psyched now — my friends’ wedding is in less than two weeks!
Better finish that poem, eh?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Went out to the Asylum last night — packed house. I had to go outside for big blocks of time because of heat, lightheadedness, and general unease in the crowd.
A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
If only we’d stop preaching to the converted I might believe otherwise. But I see poetry readings as being so lefty-crunchy these days, it’s hard for me to see the utility of getting the approval from the already approving.
Oh well. I got to punch George Bush in the face, anyway.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alixa and Naima were pretty good, in retrospect. I’ve always loved Alixa’s stuff and there were moments I thought were excellent — the poem about the shootings that included the Liberty Bell imagery was especially good, I thought.
I hadn’t heard Naima before. She was a good performer, but I felt less than enthused by her work — not sure why; I’ve heard a lot of it before, I think. Mayhap I’m just jaded.
One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
peragrin_fogin‘s post is up regarding John Kerry’s position on the Patriot Act. (Thanks for posting it, R.)
You know what? It is a perfect example of why so many people are pissed off about Kerry’s candidacy.
He promises to have a plan to adjust the Patriot Act within 100 days of assuming office.
How about offering the ideas NOW? How about showing us something more than a promise to think about it once he’s in? This isn’t rocket science. Civil Libertarians have all sorts of ideas for getting information on terrorism without compromising civil liberties. How about supporting some of them NOW?
This is the characteristic that will likely cost Kerry the Presidency: the unwillingess to commit. The perpetual belief that saying he’ll be better than Bush is enough to get folks to vote for him. You’ve got to give em a sense of how, John. Got to.
Otherwise, there’s no good reason for undecided voters to upset the applecart in a time of fear and indecision.
I hate George Bush, personally and deeply; I won’t be voting for him. But I have yet to find a compelling reason to vote for John Kerry.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
If there was a more visible radical left, it would go a long way toward mobilizing reasonable lefties to action…much as radical rightists have managed to swing agendas toward their end of the spectrum.
Where’s my copy of “Rules for Radicals?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I need coffee. Good coffee.
This cafeteria at work just swung over to Starbucks.
To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.”
Entry for the AM, updated…
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.
Entry for the AM, updated…
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.
