"I passionately hate the idea of being 'with it,' I think an artist has
always to be out of step with his time."
- Orson Welles
3.22.2004
Only in dreams:
Two nights ago, I remember dreaming about being at work, some type of office/corporate business environment and “the government” arrived to pick up the people selected for military duty. I remember thinking that this had become normal and I guess my time had come due. At some point in the future, federal officials would arrive at your home or work to pick you up when it was your time. You know the officials, dark suits, dark glasses, and officious tone. Direct.
Much is hazy until I recall being in uniform, outside, some place warm, by the sea. I am among many new recruits. I recognize the New Zealand national flag. Somehow we’ve been shipped to New Zealand for ‘training.’ Welcoming us were women soldiers of New Zealand, I suppose. Instead of barking orders, we were greeted with sympathetic hugs, and welcomes.
So last night, I’m playing bass for the Rolling Stones – in concert. It’s quite exciting and oddly normal. There’s Keith, Mick and Charlie. I don’t have a clue how to play the songs or what the set list is. Keith walks up and says, “Don’t fucking worry about it, nobody gives a shit.” Later, Keith and Mick and I are in a grocery store and Keith and Mick have very little consideration of others and very bad manners. Their behavior is appalling yet quite funny. At one point, Keith whips out a straightedge razor and snorts a huge line. The both look like hell, they smell even worse.
People are falling all over themselves to get closer to us. The cops have to be called in to control the fans. Next thing you know, we all have on women’s clothing and we’re trying to sneak out of the store. Mick finds the whole thing hilarious. Keith continues to get really wasted. Obviously, I’m along for the ride…of my life. Charlie loves the wigs. They've all done this before.
Two nights ago, I remember dreaming about being at work, some type of office/corporate business environment and “the government” arrived to pick up the people selected for military duty. I remember thinking that this had become normal and I guess my time had come due. At some point in the future, federal officials would arrive at your home or work to pick you up when it was your time. You know the officials, dark suits, dark glasses, and officious tone. Direct.
Much is hazy until I recall being in uniform, outside, some place warm, by the sea. I am among many new recruits. I recognize the New Zealand national flag. Somehow we’ve been shipped to New Zealand for ‘training.’ Welcoming us were women soldiers of New Zealand, I suppose. Instead of barking orders, we were greeted with sympathetic hugs, and welcomes.
So last night, I’m playing bass for the Rolling Stones – in concert. It’s quite exciting and oddly normal. There’s Keith, Mick and Charlie. I don’t have a clue how to play the songs or what the set list is. Keith walks up and says, “Don’t fucking worry about it, nobody gives a shit.” Later, Keith and Mick and I are in a grocery store and Keith and Mick have very little consideration of others and very bad manners. Their behavior is appalling yet quite funny. At one point, Keith whips out a straightedge razor and snorts a huge line. The both look like hell, they smell even worse.
People are falling all over themselves to get closer to us. The cops have to be called in to control the fans. Next thing you know, we all have on women’s clothing and we’re trying to sneak out of the store. Mick finds the whole thing hilarious. Keith continues to get really wasted. Obviously, I’m along for the ride…of my life. Charlie loves the wigs. They've all done this before.
3.16.2004
"It's so obviously the truth what Kerry said, and the Republicans are just having fun with it -- everybody knows it's true. . . In the last six or seven months, I've been in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. I've met with leaders in all of those regions, and they have overwhelmingly -- not unanimously but overwhelmingly -- said that they hope that there's a change in leadership."
Richard Holbrooke on John Kerry’s assertion that world leaders support his candidacy
Richard Holbrooke on John Kerry’s assertion that world leaders support his candidacy
3.11.2004
Branding the Un Brand Able
Tears from behind eyes dreaming
Of heroes turned bums
Laid naked before children
Their intuition tuned toward the obvious
Sympathies intact but waning
In face of pathetic begging and ingratiations
A friendly front despite harmful data
Oh, but does time erode our mountains
In all fairness
We have lived our moments
Of the dreams that have already come true
For that time (of inexperiences)
But as we individually evolve
So must those dreams
Because if “the future is now”
Then us visionaries and futurists are unemployed
Tears from behind eyes dreaming
Of heroes turned bums
Laid naked before children
Their intuition tuned toward the obvious
Sympathies intact but waning
In face of pathetic begging and ingratiations
A friendly front despite harmful data
Oh, but does time erode our mountains
In all fairness
We have lived our moments
Of the dreams that have already come true
For that time (of inexperiences)
But as we individually evolve
So must those dreams
Because if “the future is now”
Then us visionaries and futurists are unemployed
It’s the children of like age
Who specifically rip my heart to shreds
The ‘missing’ is incomprehensible
Yet the relief of being off duty
Only serves guilt in grotesque portions
Yeah, you didn’t receive a tip
Because you shorted me a penny
If you have the temper for it
Mass transportation is a viable alternative
Jitter fumbling phones
Suits, suits and more suits
I cannot stand the sight of
The standard-issue sell-out motherfuckers
The devil in me is the devil in us all
It’s us as a company of
It’s not ‘they,’ it’s ‘us’
You have to be careful with your team
Caught out in the proverbial rain
Like an addiction to Jesus Christ
At least that’s the company line
In the company of converts
Who specifically rip my heart to shreds
The ‘missing’ is incomprehensible
Yet the relief of being off duty
Only serves guilt in grotesque portions
Yeah, you didn’t receive a tip
Because you shorted me a penny
If you have the temper for it
Mass transportation is a viable alternative
Jitter fumbling phones
Suits, suits and more suits
I cannot stand the sight of
The standard-issue sell-out motherfuckers
The devil in me is the devil in us all
It’s us as a company of
It’s not ‘they,’ it’s ‘us’
You have to be careful with your team
Caught out in the proverbial rain
Like an addiction to Jesus Christ
At least that’s the company line
In the company of converts
3.06.2004
3.03.2004
From the Culture War front:
PORTLAND -- Multnomah County will issue same-sex couples marriage licenses at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
&
Nyack Mayor John Shields will join the New Paltz mayor, Jason West, in issuing the licenses. West vowed to go ahead with up to two dozen same-sex weddings this weekend, despite being charged with 19 criminal counts and possibly facing jail time for marrying gay couples.
PORTLAND -- Multnomah County will issue same-sex couples marriage licenses at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
&
Nyack Mayor John Shields will join the New Paltz mayor, Jason West, in issuing the licenses. West vowed to go ahead with up to two dozen same-sex weddings this weekend, despite being charged with 19 criminal counts and possibly facing jail time for marrying gay couples.
[Howard] Stern has been a vocal Bush supporter in the past, but over the last few days he's been ranting on the air about Clear Channel's deep financial ties to the White House and claiming that he's become the target of a conspiracy since he began trashing the president in recent weeks.
...Stern -- after reading a copy of Al Franken's book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" -- told listeners: "If you read this book, you will never vote for George W. Bush ... I think this guy is a religious fanatic and a Jesus freak, and he is just hell bent on getting some sort of bizzaro agenda through."
...Stern -- after reading a copy of Al Franken's book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" -- told listeners: "If you read this book, you will never vote for George W. Bush ... I think this guy is a religious fanatic and a Jesus freak, and he is just hell bent on getting some sort of bizzaro agenda through."
3.02.2004
03.01.04
Gone are the "Days of Marijuana"
of colors gone wrong with warmth and texture
and perfectly interlocking intertwining sounds despite
Paranoia is now a product of
The realities of our government and our religions
Noise harsher and sites much more grotesque
The cat geriatric now
Howling for food when fed
Dragging its shit every where
Judgment honed like dissertation data
America over-romanticized like pre-masturbatory pornography
The maxing of credit limits becomes
The last great act of patriotism
Yet for a simple tweak of art
Joy is there for harvest
One last salve for the spirit before we die again
Gone are the "Days of Marijuana"
of colors gone wrong with warmth and texture
and perfectly interlocking intertwining sounds despite
Paranoia is now a product of
The realities of our government and our religions
Noise harsher and sites much more grotesque
The cat geriatric now
Howling for food when fed
Dragging its shit every where
Judgment honed like dissertation data
America over-romanticized like pre-masturbatory pornography
The maxing of credit limits becomes
The last great act of patriotism
Yet for a simple tweak of art
Joy is there for harvest
One last salve for the spirit before we die again
01.12.04
Thirty-eight things to say
Like
Mexico sure is fun
or
Happiness is a fallacy
I don't know who lived in more places
McKenzie or Big Dave Wave
at one brief point, they lived together
with Aaron
Perfect phrases of the English language
Are as elusive as large fish that
Always somehow manage to get away
You will hit me on the head forever
You are playing something related to the dulcimer
Thirty-eight things to say
Like
Mexico sure is fun
or
Happiness is a fallacy
I don't know who lived in more places
McKenzie or Big Dave Wave
at one brief point, they lived together
with Aaron
Perfect phrases of the English language
Are as elusive as large fish that
Always somehow manage to get away
You will hit me on the head forever
You are playing something related to the dulcimer
01.09.04
Culture Gurus
Are masters of sellout philosophies
Fulfillment of potentials
Can't trust it
The subtle & the mundane
How individuals impact groups
How guitars make you air
Thinking
meticulously the documented
Planning a grand escape
Diligently they schemed (no lie, homey)
That is not how you play guitars and drums
Culture Gurus
Are masters of sellout philosophies
Fulfillment of potentials
Can't trust it
The subtle & the mundane
How individuals impact groups
How guitars make you air
Thinking
meticulously the documented
Planning a grand escape
Diligently they schemed (no lie, homey)
That is not how you play guitars and drums
How come nobody's freaking on Kid Rock?
Isn't there a Constitutional amendment in the works here too:
Flag Desecration at Superbowl
Isn't there a Constitutional amendment in the works here too:
Flag Desecration at Superbowl
3.01.2004
"That someone was sitting with a finger poised on a sanitizing switch suggests in itself that we are to have a new wave of heavy-duty censorship in America and all caused by the exposure of one breast -- Janet Jackson's on the halftime show of this year's Super Bowl. That single unveiling seems to be fostering a climate of suppression and fear the likes of which no hard-core porno film was ever able to engender. "
Tom Shales, Washington Post 03.01.04
Tom Shales, Washington Post 03.01.04
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