Eyes. Ears. Ego?
I haven’t been writing or performing comedy lately (I’ve not been feeling particularly literate or funny), but I have been spending more time with my first artistic love: music.
I’ve been listening and playing a lot in recent weeks. Last weekend I purchased a guitar for no other reason than that it looked and sounded like it already belonged to me.
Greenland
Another thing: David Lowery of the bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker may be one of our best practicing songwriters. As evidence, I recommend Cracker’s latest CD, Greenland.
Knock Knock
“Being funny is a means of avoiding scrutiny. It’s a deeply concealing activity that invites attention while simultaneously failing to offer any detailed account of oneself. The reason humor is so popular today is that it provides the comfort of intimacy without the horror of actually being intimate.” — Andrew Stott to Peter Hyman
Meet the Flockers: Brian Beatty
Writer. Comedian. Dude with a beard.
We Jam Econo!
The subtitle of this documentary is “The Story of The Minutemen,” but that’s considerably underdoing it. It’s a film about so much more than music — or even one band, no matter how important their influence. It’s a film about what it means to make art and live life and get old without regret, none of which is easy.
Consolation
The New Yorker didn’t like the piece I submitted for the Shouts & Murmurs pages. But they do like my jokes at McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. I would have liked it if they’d written a $1,000 check to show me how much they like my jokes. Or liked.
TV
I would make a better transvestite than you probably imagine. Right now, for instance, I’m dressed as the butchest lesbian you’ve ever seen. If you were here with me, you would have to agree.
Beer Advertising
“Is it just me, or is it finally the weekend?”
Poetry
I’ve been re-reading a couple of my favorite poetry collections: Philip Whalen’s On Bear’s Head and John Berryman’s The Dream Songs.
It’s a tricky balance.
Just as well.
If I had gone to medical school and become a doctor, I think I would have specialized in treating hypochondria.
Community Radio
[Zany radio ad music; fades beneath stereotypical obnoxious commercial radio announcer voiceover] Down at KFAI community radio, we don’t play ridiculous ads that sound like this! In fact, we don’t play ads at all! [Honk of a horn and a slide whistle drop; into little boy’s earnest voice] Then how does KFAI stay on the air, mister? [Announcer] I thought you’d never ask, Jimmy! But I’ll be honest…uh…I don’t know. [Zany music screeches to a halt; Jimmy cries, then fades out; begin real voiceover] Listener support keeps KFAI on the air. That’s how community radio works. Because of people just like you. Right now, KFAI is looking for listeners to help us answer phones during our upcoming pledge drive. It’s easy and fun — and we really do appreciate it. [Frightening overproduced commercial radio announcer voiceover again] So if you prefer your radio without boundaries — and lame-o commercials for tanning salons and muffler shops — volunteer today.
Truth in Comedy
Everybody’s a comedian — except Dane Cook.
Convenience Store Parking Lot Art History 101
Those paintings of dogs sitting around playing poker tell only part of the story.
The truth is, most breeds are terrible at cards.
In the beginning they gamble because they believe that’s what their masters want. Then it becomes an addiction — like chasing cars or bringing back a Frisbee or smoking crack.
I bet you thought that was cigar smoke.
Michael Martone
Under the influence of cold medicine, I recently reread his Alive and Dead in Indiana, his Blue Guide to Indiana, and his Seeing Eye collection, which includes his Dan Quayle monlogues. Subtle, hilarious stuff all the more powerful because of its big, Hoosier truths.
Sober now, I remain confounded by Martone’s genius for regional surrealism. Or as critics like to call it, regionalism.
Joe Frank
He’s the only public radio commentator for these weird, dark end times. NPR should ask him back…give him a show…let him speak his weird, dark mind 24 hours a day. Just put their best microphone right up to his skull.
Since that’s unlikely to happen, you should go register to listen to his free archives, then pay to hear everything else. Really.
Baby News!
Having a baby changes everything. Especially when it’s not your baby.
Two States (Alias Joseph Smith)
The thing about Utah
I’ve never understood
is how all that beauty
makes peace. Illinois
once upon a time ago
turned ugly & violent.
To this day, it remains
every loving inch of it.
Belief is so mysterious.
