I just learned that open mic is on for this month! It's going to be a week later than normally scheduled, but it's still happening apparently. I'm glad. Now to figure out what poems I will read there for the evening.
I also learned something today that upsets me. I heard of how Borders is closing 200 of their Waldenbooks stores. For a while the company has not done well at all, which is say when hearing that in their heyday they were known as a company for people who love reading. The worst part is that they've decided to destroy unsold product, rather than donate it.
Once again it's putting pennies before people. The decision to render an item useless because a company is unable to sell it, rather than give it to someone who normally wouldn't be able to afford it. We've already heard of how some H&M stores are destroying unsold clothing that could go to thrift shops and homeless shelters. Now to hear of the thousands of books that will be destroyed that could go to shelters, libraries, reading programs, schools, etc. (never thought I'd link anything here by Perez Hilton) Just because you can't make a profit on something shouldn't mean that it has to be needlessly wasted. It's sickening how much corporations who adhere to the old ways of things would rather put pennies before people.
After this I don't know if I'll be able to set foot in a Borders again. I love going to Borders because there's such a wonderful selection of books, but a lot of the news I've been hearing about them lately sickens me. It's all about the money and not about reading anymore. Either they're breathing down the necks of workers to upsell like crazy, or they're destroying stock that could go to worthy causes.
There is a Facebook fan page created regarding this issue. I suggest that facebook users who are just as outraged add it.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Attempting to Settle
I'm attempting to get things settled down around here. Hoping to tie my networking together in an organized manner so no matter where people find me, they'll be able to see my other platforms as well. I'll create a new YouTube account just for my performances (unless you want to see some goofy cat videos as well). I should link my Twitter as well, and at some point create a facebook fan page. I know I've blathered about this all before.
I'm feeling kinda bummed, there's no open mic this month. Between winter break/semester starting, and the director needing a little break there is no open mic. Open mics are one of the highlights of the month for me, not just because I perform, but I get to meet other wonderfully talented people. At least there's one next month.
February should be interesting. I'll have more material than usual to go through and pick from if there's no open mic this month. I'll be turning the big 2-7 in a month. In terms of entertainment the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race will begin in February. I'm usually not into reality shows, but I love watching RuPaul's Drag Race. Plus it's always good to be reminded to be fierce, everybody needs a little fierce in their lives.
Other than that, just trying to keep the winter blahs away. Writing helps on the therapeutic end. Because my mind wanders I also like escapism. Lately I've been watching Farscape, I got my fiance the whole series for Christmas, and we've been watching it together. I don't know why I didn't get into it when it was on television, then again I would probably have had to fight with my sister over the TV since she prefers sports.
I'm feeling kinda bummed, there's no open mic this month. Between winter break/semester starting, and the director needing a little break there is no open mic. Open mics are one of the highlights of the month for me, not just because I perform, but I get to meet other wonderfully talented people. At least there's one next month.
February should be interesting. I'll have more material than usual to go through and pick from if there's no open mic this month. I'll be turning the big 2-7 in a month. In terms of entertainment the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race will begin in February. I'm usually not into reality shows, but I love watching RuPaul's Drag Race. Plus it's always good to be reminded to be fierce, everybody needs a little fierce in their lives.
Other than that, just trying to keep the winter blahs away. Writing helps on the therapeutic end. Because my mind wanders I also like escapism. Lately I've been watching Farscape, I got my fiance the whole series for Christmas, and we've been watching it together. I don't know why I didn't get into it when it was on television, then again I would probably have had to fight with my sister over the TV since she prefers sports.
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Decade
I don't feel it's too late to think about leaving the previous decade and entering a new one. There is a lot to think about concerning the decade (how do we name it, what mattered most, what mattered least, etc. ) Plus we think of what we gather from the previous decade that will help us launch into the new decade.
First there's all this talk of what do we call the previous decade. The Oughts? The Noughties? the Nulls? etc. Maybe it's best to leave it nameless. Part of the conundrum is that it's hard finding something with a good ring to it, it's not like you can have a simple, catchy, explanatory name like previous decades from the teens on. Does it even need a catchy name? We know it's already defined by some strong moments.
It was a decade where the modern generation lost its identity and innocence. 9/11 was a changing moment in history, Americans hadn't felt that fear since Pearl Harbor. What happened in the aftermath were a bunch of political snafus that we still feel the effects of. Two wars in the Middle East, an economic downturn that was a combination of the costs of war along with corporate greed. The job landscape is changing, and there are a lot of questions now.
As a member of the millenial generation there is a level of uncertainty. We first saw it a few years back with the "quarter-life crisis", graduates having a hard time finding employment in their degree fields. Which has now expanded to finding employment, period. Even though I'm working towards what can be called a flexible degree, I wonder if I'll even be able to find anything after graduation. Especially with discussion of it taking this whole decade for the job market to stabilize. Unemployment statistics are not accurate because they don't count people who have lost hope of finding work. They say that more jobs will be temporary, unstable, and employers will be much harsher on their help, with more work and less pay. It begs the question of if there will be such a thing as a "good" job. I even see it in my current employment. It is not the company that hired me years ago, the way things are conducted now are like many businesses. It's about making profits, upselling, the employer end creates a more restricting, pressured hold on the employee. It seems to be like this everywhere though.
It looks like the best way to accomplish anything in these uncertain times, is to work towards being self-made. We've been seeing this over the past couple years, consumers aren't as swayed as marketers want them to be, and people who have their own branding power are able to take control. Especially in this digital age, where anyone with talent and charisma (and sometimes lack thereof) can become a star if they know the right buttons to push. More and more that's becoming the way to take control of your future. Those with privilege are shutting out the little guys to protect their own assets and the world has gotten a little more dog-eat-dog. Now the best strategy is to bypass all of that and use accessible resources for all they can be worth. The marketing-focused business giants are slowly dying because they have forgotten the passioned, and human element. They forget such things as pride in work, and encouraging such pride through strong values beyond dollar signs.
I'm not a business person, I'm just a writer. But, one major thing that helps in my writing is the ability to observe and analyze the world around me. I can give the perspective of a blue-collar retail worker, I can give the perspective of a college student uncertain about my future even if I know the ways my degree can be used. I can speak as someone concerned that post-graduation there will be few stable jobs that pay enough to make ends meet, and I can speak of my frustrations towards these concepts. I need to feed myself too, I know poetry is a career of passion and not money, so I need a paying job to at least sustain myself, and want to go beyond being a convenience store clerk. The cocky part of me says I'm too smart for that kind of work, but cockiness and pride have to take a back seat in times like these. One of the few things I've learned from growing up poor. You have to give up pride to feed yourself.
Innovation is making the way, we're already seeing this in pop culture, and if it grows the next decade will be a changed, but hopefully fruitful one. I know that I will be utilizing these ideas more in the future as a writer, if anything just to let my voice reach out.
First there's all this talk of what do we call the previous decade. The Oughts? The Noughties? the Nulls? etc. Maybe it's best to leave it nameless. Part of the conundrum is that it's hard finding something with a good ring to it, it's not like you can have a simple, catchy, explanatory name like previous decades from the teens on. Does it even need a catchy name? We know it's already defined by some strong moments.
It was a decade where the modern generation lost its identity and innocence. 9/11 was a changing moment in history, Americans hadn't felt that fear since Pearl Harbor. What happened in the aftermath were a bunch of political snafus that we still feel the effects of. Two wars in the Middle East, an economic downturn that was a combination of the costs of war along with corporate greed. The job landscape is changing, and there are a lot of questions now.
As a member of the millenial generation there is a level of uncertainty. We first saw it a few years back with the "quarter-life crisis", graduates having a hard time finding employment in their degree fields. Which has now expanded to finding employment, period. Even though I'm working towards what can be called a flexible degree, I wonder if I'll even be able to find anything after graduation. Especially with discussion of it taking this whole decade for the job market to stabilize. Unemployment statistics are not accurate because they don't count people who have lost hope of finding work. They say that more jobs will be temporary, unstable, and employers will be much harsher on their help, with more work and less pay. It begs the question of if there will be such a thing as a "good" job. I even see it in my current employment. It is not the company that hired me years ago, the way things are conducted now are like many businesses. It's about making profits, upselling, the employer end creates a more restricting, pressured hold on the employee. It seems to be like this everywhere though.
It looks like the best way to accomplish anything in these uncertain times, is to work towards being self-made. We've been seeing this over the past couple years, consumers aren't as swayed as marketers want them to be, and people who have their own branding power are able to take control. Especially in this digital age, where anyone with talent and charisma (and sometimes lack thereof) can become a star if they know the right buttons to push. More and more that's becoming the way to take control of your future. Those with privilege are shutting out the little guys to protect their own assets and the world has gotten a little more dog-eat-dog. Now the best strategy is to bypass all of that and use accessible resources for all they can be worth. The marketing-focused business giants are slowly dying because they have forgotten the passioned, and human element. They forget such things as pride in work, and encouraging such pride through strong values beyond dollar signs.
I'm not a business person, I'm just a writer. But, one major thing that helps in my writing is the ability to observe and analyze the world around me. I can give the perspective of a blue-collar retail worker, I can give the perspective of a college student uncertain about my future even if I know the ways my degree can be used. I can speak as someone concerned that post-graduation there will be few stable jobs that pay enough to make ends meet, and I can speak of my frustrations towards these concepts. I need to feed myself too, I know poetry is a career of passion and not money, so I need a paying job to at least sustain myself, and want to go beyond being a convenience store clerk. The cocky part of me says I'm too smart for that kind of work, but cockiness and pride have to take a back seat in times like these. One of the few things I've learned from growing up poor. You have to give up pride to feed yourself.
Innovation is making the way, we're already seeing this in pop culture, and if it grows the next decade will be a changed, but hopefully fruitful one. I know that I will be utilizing these ideas more in the future as a writer, if anything just to let my voice reach out.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Post
Making a post before I go out to First Night. I told the paper I'm interning for I'd help take photos along with their regular photographer. Covers more ground that way. Looking forward to it, looks like there's going to be some great acts for the evening. There is going to be some poetry from local students that I'm going to catch. It's kids from the local schools, so I'll see what kind of talent is growing there.
Speaking of which, I feel I have grown a lot as an artist this year. It really helps that I've gone out and read my work for audiences and have received so much support from people. I've had room to experiment and go through phases and themes. I'll still continue to do this, but it feels great to say I've come quite a way. I'm forming my own identity over time as an artist and as a person. I'm taking elements and seeing what works for me personally, my views on the world around me are changing.
It's not always easy, and at some times it's rather painful to go through a catharsis. I've been dealing with one this past month actually. I've had good days and bad days. Days full of cheer and days where I feel completely jaded. I know I should keep pressing forward though, it's the only way to grow and improve. It gives my mind the fuel needed to create more works to share.
Speaking of which, I feel I have grown a lot as an artist this year. It really helps that I've gone out and read my work for audiences and have received so much support from people. I've had room to experiment and go through phases and themes. I'll still continue to do this, but it feels great to say I've come quite a way. I'm forming my own identity over time as an artist and as a person. I'm taking elements and seeing what works for me personally, my views on the world around me are changing.
It's not always easy, and at some times it's rather painful to go through a catharsis. I've been dealing with one this past month actually. I've had good days and bad days. Days full of cheer and days where I feel completely jaded. I know I should keep pressing forward though, it's the only way to grow and improve. It gives my mind the fuel needed to create more works to share.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Holidays, Whee!
Had another wonderful open mic last Thursday. I swear I see so many delightful surprises from people when I'm there. You never know what you'll see, and it's always changing. This past open mic I saw a horn trio and someone play the digeridoo. I hope there will be one next month, it depends on demand though, since during January many of the students who populate the are go home for winter break.
I'm still figuring out which of the videos I've had taken will be uploaded and shared.
Been tired and generally bummed out, hoping it's just the winter blahs. Happy Solstice though, it means the days will start getting longer now. Can't argue with that. I have everything ready for Christmas, shopping's done, gifts are wrapped and cards sent out to family. Went to a party the other night with a huge tray of cookies I made.
At the moment I'm also reading Nightlight, a Twilight parody. I don't totally understand the hype, then again when I was a teenager Lestat was the prime vampire. Not all this Byronic *sparkle* crap. The adventures of Belle and Edwart are much funnier though, as he saves her from buying Sega products, and such.
I'm still figuring out which of the videos I've had taken will be uploaded and shared.
Been tired and generally bummed out, hoping it's just the winter blahs. Happy Solstice though, it means the days will start getting longer now. Can't argue with that. I have everything ready for Christmas, shopping's done, gifts are wrapped and cards sent out to family. Went to a party the other night with a huge tray of cookies I made.
At the moment I'm also reading Nightlight, a Twilight parody. I don't totally understand the hype, then again when I was a teenager Lestat was the prime vampire. Not all this Byronic *sparkle* crap. The adventures of Belle and Edwart are much funnier though, as he saves her from buying Sega products, and such.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Performance Videos Finally! and a Recent Inspiration in my Life
I finally have time to share my performance videos. I've been busy lately and had to pull out of a funk I got stuck in, but I'm feeling fine now.
And I have another open mic I'll be attending in two weeks, I'll be sure to have some material as well, been getting some good inspiration lately.
The first one is a returning favorite, I had to revise it to fit current news. It's still fun, and I ended up changing more than just to fit current events. I took out some of the more "angry" lines, feeling they took away from the general playfulness and whimsy I wanted this poem to have. I now present: Miss California's ABCs, Second Edition
And this next one, which has had a few more plays, pays tribute to a music artist I discovered back in October. I found what he did to be pure magic, even if he is an obscure artist, but I can share more videos, love him or be weirded out by him, I wrote an Ode to Klaus Nomi
Now I'll share some videos of Klaus Nomi, because he was just that awesome. First starting with a classic.
Truly unusual, but beautiful. There's a bounty of other videos on YouTube, with performances, TV appearances and a couple more music videos if anyone else is intrigued.
And I have another open mic I'll be attending in two weeks, I'll be sure to have some material as well, been getting some good inspiration lately.
The first one is a returning favorite, I had to revise it to fit current news. It's still fun, and I ended up changing more than just to fit current events. I took out some of the more "angry" lines, feeling they took away from the general playfulness and whimsy I wanted this poem to have. I now present: Miss California's ABCs, Second Edition
And this next one, which has had a few more plays, pays tribute to a music artist I discovered back in October. I found what he did to be pure magic, even if he is an obscure artist, but I can share more videos, love him or be weirded out by him, I wrote an Ode to Klaus Nomi
Now I'll share some videos of Klaus Nomi, because he was just that awesome. First starting with a classic.
Truly unusual, but beautiful. There's a bounty of other videos on YouTube, with performances, TV appearances and a couple more music videos if anyone else is intrigued.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Interning and Performances
I'm having a wonderful time with my internship. I actually get to get out and do things because I can finally make the time. Beforehand my paying job would get in the way of any events I'd like to go to.
I attended a performance of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later in October. At the end of the month I went to my first midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Shows that I live in the middle of nowhere, seeing it took until now for such a thing to happen. Of course the venues were very happy I was covering those events.
I also went to a wonderful show presented by the Adirondack Center for Writing. Word! It was held in conjunction with a high school writer's retreat, where three professional performance poets gave workshops to students. These poets, Roger Bonair-Agard, Rachel McKibbens, and Samantha Thornhill, then gave a free public showing at Bluseed Studios. All three were fantastic live and just as wonderful to meet. I purchased some books and had them signed. I really should share some of the photos sometime soon. I can't wait for next year's show.
The other weekend I attended a blues rock concert at one of the local bars. Last weekend I attended a storytelling concert to benefit First Night activities. My latest article, which will be out on Wednesday is for an upcoming concert with folk artist Anais Mitchell. The interview was wonderful. I had to do an email interview because of scheduling issues, but the responses she gave me were wonderful. I wish I could have put everything in. Hopefully I'll get to speak with her in person on Friday after the show.
If anything these experiences are showing me how much I have my roots in this town. I'm not saying my hometown is the best place in the world, but it is home for me. I see the bad, but I also see a lot of the good about being here. I see a very strong art community, as a regular at Bluseed's open mics I see a supportive group of artists.
This past Thursday was another Open Minded Mic Night at Bluseed. As always I had a great time. I've actually decided I'm going to have my more performance oriented poems filmed to share on YouTube. I enjoy the instant gratification I get after a performance. Especially since when it comes to doing submissions you have to wait a while for a response, and usually you're at the whims of a publication's editor. I understand that's the business and it's not going to stop me from submitting when I get the time. As of now I'm taking a break from that for school since I don't have much time to pour over journals and decide what poems to send in. My focus right now is more on writing the poems themselves. I'll save submitting for winter break.
Okay, I'll wrap this entry up before it gets too long. I'll share videos of my performances soon. I promise I'll try to update my blog more, maybe get my other half to design a better layout for me. I like green, but I want something more reflective of my own personal style.
I attended a performance of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later in October. At the end of the month I went to my first midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Shows that I live in the middle of nowhere, seeing it took until now for such a thing to happen. Of course the venues were very happy I was covering those events.
I also went to a wonderful show presented by the Adirondack Center for Writing. Word! It was held in conjunction with a high school writer's retreat, where three professional performance poets gave workshops to students. These poets, Roger Bonair-Agard, Rachel McKibbens, and Samantha Thornhill, then gave a free public showing at Bluseed Studios. All three were fantastic live and just as wonderful to meet. I purchased some books and had them signed. I really should share some of the photos sometime soon. I can't wait for next year's show.
The other weekend I attended a blues rock concert at one of the local bars. Last weekend I attended a storytelling concert to benefit First Night activities. My latest article, which will be out on Wednesday is for an upcoming concert with folk artist Anais Mitchell. The interview was wonderful. I had to do an email interview because of scheduling issues, but the responses she gave me were wonderful. I wish I could have put everything in. Hopefully I'll get to speak with her in person on Friday after the show.
If anything these experiences are showing me how much I have my roots in this town. I'm not saying my hometown is the best place in the world, but it is home for me. I see the bad, but I also see a lot of the good about being here. I see a very strong art community, as a regular at Bluseed's open mics I see a supportive group of artists.
This past Thursday was another Open Minded Mic Night at Bluseed. As always I had a great time. I've actually decided I'm going to have my more performance oriented poems filmed to share on YouTube. I enjoy the instant gratification I get after a performance. Especially since when it comes to doing submissions you have to wait a while for a response, and usually you're at the whims of a publication's editor. I understand that's the business and it's not going to stop me from submitting when I get the time. As of now I'm taking a break from that for school since I don't have much time to pour over journals and decide what poems to send in. My focus right now is more on writing the poems themselves. I'll save submitting for winter break.
Okay, I'll wrap this entry up before it gets too long. I'll share videos of my performances soon. I promise I'll try to update my blog more, maybe get my other half to design a better layout for me. I like green, but I want something more reflective of my own personal style.
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