Everything you've heard is true, if everything you've heard is that I redislocated my right shoulder. It happened. Last Wednesday, it was the Field Day at the elementary school I work at and we'd just finished the water games and we were moving on to the obstacle course. I was running, playing, laughing, and I think everyone was having a fun time. I slipped and it just popped out, my shoulder, but also the fun time.
It's weird: the first time this happened I was being a total idiotjerksadguy; this time I was being a good human being. HMMMMMM
The last five days have been a fog of GEESH NO DISC GOLF and BOOOO this flops atop the summer road trip and GAHHH Layne moved to North Carolina! and the kids are at the pool and not learning from me, not drawing pictures of bananas and monsters for me.
I can be the most selfish person I know.
Yet, the trip must go on as I must go on. June is gonna get smooshed up a bit. July is gonna stay the same hopefully.
I've been chat-chattering lots with the poet and my dear friend Kat Dixon and we say things like NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO ADVENTURE TOGETHER. I wanna see if we are mistaken or maybe we are perfectly right. I bought two bus tickets and I'm going to see her in Atlanta on Wednesday. I've never done anything like that before.
Then, my dear WOLF Ashley and I are gonna go to Akron to see our dear Akron pals. I'm gonna make them talk to me about their city for the Vouched blog. I'm reading in Akron on June 8th and in Cleveland on June 9th. I'll probably still be wearing a sling. Still, I want hugs.
Then then, it's back on a Megabus (I hope they are like 25 feet tall!) to head to Chicago for a reading (THXXXXX Russ Woods for helping with that) and to see Japandroids and to hang out with Tadd Adcox for the Vouched Series.
THXXXXX to Joshua Kleinburg for getting me these readings!
Yesterday was like the worst emotional day I've had since January, which is both good and bad, you know?
It's an overwhelming feeling when people want to hang out and let you in their house and show you their city. It's an overwhelming feeling when someone you like wants none of this.
If you've ordered a poem postcard, you'll get it OH YES YOU'LL GET IT. Mondo thxxxxxxxxxxx to everyone who has supported that project. It's unreal coooool of you.
Wow, who even talks like this anymore?
Showing posts with label Ashley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashley. Show all posts
Monday, May 28, 2012
Friday, July 29, 2011
Some Thoughts Upon Moving Home
1. After four years in Muncie, I can honestly say that Muncie is a cool town. Sweet bars. Lots of mostly fun/mostly free activities on campus. A good disc golf course. The Greenway. Killer food spots (Eva's, Greek's, Savage's, Concannons). Pretty much everything I need.
2. I think I'm a take-for-granteder. It's been a pleasure being able to see some people so often/so easy/so reliably. I think it goes without saying that moving is more out of a necessity than anything to do with getting away from anyone. Like Vega said, "Why would I wanna leave? Everyone I love is here."
3. This sucks: Clark moves to Muncie from Terre Haute, I move from Muncie to Elwood.
4. I'm going to start bowhunting again with my Dad.
5. I'll probably play more cornhole (because of my Dad) my first week at home than I did in my four years in college.
6. Now that I'm home and don't have to pay rent, I'll have more money to spend on cool things (read: books and activities). Future books: everything from Dark Sky and Brand Wells' book. Future activities: Bright Eyes/Mountain Goats, Polyvinyl 15 year celebration, Indiana State Fair, AWP 2012.
7. Muncie people: I plan to visit at least every other week, being only a half hour away. If you'd like me to stay with you, I'd be stoked. Also, you are welcome to visit anytime here in Elwood.
8. My parents are awesome.
9a. My last night in Muncie last Saturday was kickass. Got to see a great deal of budz. Had some great one-on-one time with two of my most cherished (and often taken-for-granted; see above) people: Ashley and Sara. Got to see Cody on his last night in town as well. Saw The Bonesetters shred. Fun fun time.
9b. SUPER BUMMED LAYNE COULDN'T BE THERE:(
10. Besides the people, the number one thing I'll miss is being able to go to pretty much every appealing literary/music event in town.
11. I plan to read a ton of books, write many stacks of poems, throw so many discs into so many baskets, hangout with pygmy goats, and learn lots of things about bikes and musical instruments. Hold me to that.
12. Having no car and a good bike in a town with a great public transportation system and plenty of car-pals is sweet. Being able to borrow either of my parents' cars in a town without public transportation and most of my friends a half hour away is sweet.
13. This
Plus This
Plus This
Plus This
14. Things might not have worked out between Sara and I, but they certainly are heading in a better direction than they were six months ago.
15. Still Stoked.
2. I think I'm a take-for-granteder. It's been a pleasure being able to see some people so often/so easy/so reliably. I think it goes without saying that moving is more out of a necessity than anything to do with getting away from anyone. Like Vega said, "Why would I wanna leave? Everyone I love is here."
3. This sucks: Clark moves to Muncie from Terre Haute, I move from Muncie to Elwood.
4. I'm going to start bowhunting again with my Dad.
5. I'll probably play more cornhole (because of my Dad) my first week at home than I did in my four years in college.
6. Now that I'm home and don't have to pay rent, I'll have more money to spend on cool things (read: books and activities). Future books: everything from Dark Sky and Brand Wells' book. Future activities: Bright Eyes/Mountain Goats, Polyvinyl 15 year celebration, Indiana State Fair, AWP 2012.
7. Muncie people: I plan to visit at least every other week, being only a half hour away. If you'd like me to stay with you, I'd be stoked. Also, you are welcome to visit anytime here in Elwood.
8. My parents are awesome.
9a. My last night in Muncie last Saturday was kickass. Got to see a great deal of budz. Had some great one-on-one time with two of my most cherished (and often taken-for-granted; see above) people: Ashley and Sara. Got to see Cody on his last night in town as well. Saw The Bonesetters shred. Fun fun time.
9b. SUPER BUMMED LAYNE COULDN'T BE THERE:(
10. Besides the people, the number one thing I'll miss is being able to go to pretty much every appealing literary/music event in town.
11. I plan to read a ton of books, write many stacks of poems, throw so many discs into so many baskets, hangout with pygmy goats, and learn lots of things about bikes and musical instruments. Hold me to that.
12. Having no car and a good bike in a town with a great public transportation system and plenty of car-pals is sweet. Being able to borrow either of my parents' cars in a town without public transportation and most of my friends a half hour away is sweet.
13. This
Plus This
Plus This
Plus This
14. Things might not have worked out between Sara and I, but they certainly are heading in a better direction than they were six months ago.
15. Still Stoked.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
WORDZ AT MY HEADWEEK
In addition to the sweet visit from Brian Oliu and the Alabama Undergradsthis week, I got to see Mark Halliday and Terrance Hayes read in Indy on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
Here is a quick rundown of each, followed by one of my favorite poems by each poet:
Halliday: odd quirky personality, like mix of emotionally tender and cynical, style comes across so well during reading, went with Todd, Sara, Cody, and Tyler, Butler has a sweet reading series (HICOK STILL TO COME), got Jab, got Jab autographed, super fun.
Hayes: Really good reader, pace and tone, tried to be funny at times and came off as COME ON MAN, stopped in middle of a poem to explain something=lame, NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER, poems seem deep like goodness, went with Ashley, Cody, Tyler, and DJ, ate at a 50's diner which was cool, U of Indy, Hayes wears two watches, bought Lighthead, got Lighthead signed, so did Tyler, our books look identical.
ODE: THE CAPRIS
by Mark Halliday
from Tasker Street
How do I feel about "There's a Moon Out Tonight"
by the Capris?
I thought you'd never ask
Marcia Koomen lived across Cherry Lane
getting tall, taller than me in fifth grade
and smiling behind her glasses, she knew something.
The summer nights in Raleigh were thick
with something bright in the dark; you could ride
bikes under the moon and in and out of
lampshine at the corner of Wade and Dogwood,
not caring about touching a girl, or, later,
not caring much still but happy to be a boy
who could some day "have" a girl, and be conscious of
a shivering beauty caught in the word girl
There's a girl at my side
that I adore
-the Capris knew something all together
and it called for this new verb, to adore;
something out there ahead of my bicycle in the dark;
I cared a loy about Paladin on "Have Gun - Will Travel"
but did I adore him? Scotty Koomen, years older,
got sort of pale and brittle when he went to visit
a certain girl in his class, he seemed to have trouble
breathing...
There's a glow in my heart
I never felt before
- not exactly in my heart yet but it was
what would be there if I rode just maybe deeper down
Dogwood Lane in the busy dark.
Across Dogwood lived Ann Dailey
who had freckles and an awesome kind of largeness,
not fat but big and this made my eyes feel hot and burny;
she moved slowly doing chores in her yard,
her long tanning thighs seemed sarcastic
as if she knew soon her freckled beauty must positively
carry her somehow out, out and away...And
Shelby Wilson one night kissed her on the lips.
I saw it happen - on the sofa in the basement -
her folks weren't home. Right on the lips!
Amazing lips are in your future, boy. That's
what the Capris were telling me; the North Carolinia moon
is natural and it can find you anywhere;
you have to let the moon paint you and your bike
and the picture of Elvis in your pocket
and it shines down on Marcia's hair
and on the thought of the green eyes of Ann Dailey.
Ride and wait, wait and watch;
you laugh, you shiver in the summer - cool - dark.
You speak of the Yankees and the Pirates but
cut a side glance at Marcia's tall shape
but when she says anything serious exasperate her
yelling Little Richard's wop bop alu bop
but this dodging, dodging will end -
somewhere -
the Capris being on Marcia's side.
Baby, I never felt this way before
I guess it's because there's a moon out tonight
and once that shining starts
no amount of irony will ever quite ride the Capris out of town.
I picture a deep pool with yellow flowers drifting
on the surface. The song pours up
out of that pool.
At Pegasus
by Terrance Hayes
from Muscular Music
They are like those crazy women
who tore Orpheus
when he refused to sing,
these men grinding
in the strobe & black lights
of Pegasus. All shadow & sound.
"I'm just here for the music,"
I tell the man who asks me
to the floor. But I have held
a boy on my back before.
Curtis & I used to leap
barefoot into the creek; dance
among maggots & piss,
beer bottles & tadpoles
slippery as sperm;
we used to pull off our shirts,
& slap music into our skin.
He wouldn't know me now
at the edge of these lovers' gyre,
glitter & steam, fire,
bodies blurred sexless
by the music's spinning light.
A young man slips his thumb
into the mouth of an old one,
& I am not that far away.
The whole scene raw & delicate
as Curtis's foot gashed
on a sunken bottle shard.
They press hip to hip,
each breathless as a boy
carrying a friend on his back.
The foot swelling green
as the sewage in that creek.
We never went back.
But I remember his weight
better than I remember
my first kiss.
These men know something
I used to know.
How could I not find them
beautiful, the way they dive & spill
into each other,
the way the dance floor
takes them,
wet & holy in its mouth.
Here is a quick rundown of each, followed by one of my favorite poems by each poet:
Halliday: odd quirky personality, like mix of emotionally tender and cynical, style comes across so well during reading, went with Todd, Sara, Cody, and Tyler, Butler has a sweet reading series (HICOK STILL TO COME), got Jab, got Jab autographed, super fun.
Hayes: Really good reader, pace and tone, tried to be funny at times and came off as COME ON MAN, stopped in middle of a poem to explain something=lame, NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER, poems seem deep like goodness, went with Ashley, Cody, Tyler, and DJ, ate at a 50's diner which was cool, U of Indy, Hayes wears two watches, bought Lighthead, got Lighthead signed, so did Tyler, our books look identical.
ODE: THE CAPRIS
by Mark Halliday
from Tasker Street
How do I feel about "There's a Moon Out Tonight"
by the Capris?
I thought you'd never ask
Marcia Koomen lived across Cherry Lane
getting tall, taller than me in fifth grade
and smiling behind her glasses, she knew something.
The summer nights in Raleigh were thick
with something bright in the dark; you could ride
bikes under the moon and in and out of
lampshine at the corner of Wade and Dogwood,
not caring about touching a girl, or, later,
not caring much still but happy to be a boy
who could some day "have" a girl, and be conscious of
a shivering beauty caught in the word girl
There's a girl at my side
that I adore
-the Capris knew something all together
and it called for this new verb, to adore;
something out there ahead of my bicycle in the dark;
I cared a loy about Paladin on "Have Gun - Will Travel"
but did I adore him? Scotty Koomen, years older,
got sort of pale and brittle when he went to visit
a certain girl in his class, he seemed to have trouble
breathing...
There's a glow in my heart
I never felt before
- not exactly in my heart yet but it was
what would be there if I rode just maybe deeper down
Dogwood Lane in the busy dark.
Across Dogwood lived Ann Dailey
who had freckles and an awesome kind of largeness,
not fat but big and this made my eyes feel hot and burny;
she moved slowly doing chores in her yard,
her long tanning thighs seemed sarcastic
as if she knew soon her freckled beauty must positively
carry her somehow out, out and away...And
Shelby Wilson one night kissed her on the lips.
I saw it happen - on the sofa in the basement -
her folks weren't home. Right on the lips!
Amazing lips are in your future, boy. That's
what the Capris were telling me; the North Carolinia moon
is natural and it can find you anywhere;
you have to let the moon paint you and your bike
and the picture of Elvis in your pocket
and it shines down on Marcia's hair
and on the thought of the green eyes of Ann Dailey.
Ride and wait, wait and watch;
you laugh, you shiver in the summer - cool - dark.
You speak of the Yankees and the Pirates but
cut a side glance at Marcia's tall shape
but when she says anything serious exasperate her
yelling Little Richard's wop bop alu bop
but this dodging, dodging will end -
somewhere -
the Capris being on Marcia's side.
Baby, I never felt this way before
I guess it's because there's a moon out tonight
and once that shining starts
no amount of irony will ever quite ride the Capris out of town.
I picture a deep pool with yellow flowers drifting
on the surface. The song pours up
out of that pool.
At Pegasus
by Terrance Hayes
from Muscular Music
They are like those crazy women
who tore Orpheus
when he refused to sing,
these men grinding
in the strobe & black lights
of Pegasus. All shadow & sound.
"I'm just here for the music,"
I tell the man who asks me
to the floor. But I have held
a boy on my back before.
Curtis & I used to leap
barefoot into the creek; dance
among maggots & piss,
beer bottles & tadpoles
slippery as sperm;
we used to pull off our shirts,
& slap music into our skin.
He wouldn't know me now
at the edge of these lovers' gyre,
glitter & steam, fire,
bodies blurred sexless
by the music's spinning light.
A young man slips his thumb
into the mouth of an old one,
& I am not that far away.
The whole scene raw & delicate
as Curtis's foot gashed
on a sunken bottle shard.
They press hip to hip,
each breathless as a boy
carrying a friend on his back.
The foot swelling green
as the sewage in that creek.
We never went back.
But I remember his weight
better than I remember
my first kiss.
These men know something
I used to know.
How could I not find them
beautiful, the way they dive & spill
into each other,
the way the dance floor
takes them,
wet & holy in its mouth.
Friday, February 11, 2011
WORDS WORDS WORDS
A wackyweirdstressfulconfrontationaladjusting week weaved with good words is nice.
Tuesday, a few of my friends--Ryan Rader, Ashley Ford, and Cody Sean Davis--read at one of my favorite bars, Be Here Now.
Cody read a few things including his poem "Virgin," which is gonna be in the 2011 Broken Plate, and a short story, which I saw an earlier draft of and man his edits blew me away. LANGUAGE TIGHTENED IS LANGUAGE USED.
Among other things, Ashley read this powerful story about her brother wearing her clothes. I'm stoked that Ashley will be reading at the next Vouched Presents... reading on March 26th. It'll be nice to see her get an outside-of-Muncie audience for her strong personality.
Ryan released two chapbook, one of which I've blogged about before, and another, First Rodeo, that features himself, Shaun Gannon, Jeremy Bauer, Joe Betz, Joe McHugh, and Daniel Bailey. I read First Rodeo on the bus this morning; having read/heard several of these pieces before, it was awesome to see them packed together in this nice-for-reading-on-the-bus collection. Ryan's poem "Self-Portrait at 21" is killer associations and images. I WAS IN AN ODD MOOD THAT NIGHT BUT IT WAS FUN.
I haven't read in a while and I miss it.
Last night, super pal Layne got to open for a Faculty Reading here at Ball State, featuring Cathy Day and Matt Mullins. Of course, she ruled. She'll be reading again, for longer, as the winner of last Fall's Writers Gala, at the Gala Winners Reading on March 1st.
I'd never seen Cathy or Matt read, but they were both excellent readers. Matt read a mix of poems and short stories, some stories which will be in his forthcoming book from Atticus Books, as well as showing a poem/video thing he's been working on called Highway Coda. Really dug the feel of the video. Also, his reading approach matched his content so well. Excited to be going to read with him (AND LAYNE) at the Slash Pine Festival in Alabama later this semester.
Cathy Day's approach, like RESEARCH HEAVY and mashing lives/stories/etc., is so impressive. The book she read from seems more Sara's style, but definitely an interesting writing project.
Odd writing related thing of the day: My former professor Michael Meyerhofer just walked in here, I'M AT WORK SHHHH, and had me sign as a witness for his contract in which he won ANOTHER book contest. I won't give details. I don't know if I'm allowed, but SWEET.
I've also been doing a good deal of reading. In addition to the Dickman book (see previous post) and First Rodeo, I had the pleasure to read Come On All You Ghosts by Matthew Zapruder. While sometimes, my eyes pulled away in the middle, a little loose at times, the tightest moments were emotional associations and cool images. Take Dobby's Sweatshirt. OH MY GOODNESS.
Also, I Vouched Brian Oliu's story in the new kill author. WOAH-WEE the pile of sentences buried me a little then I was all hugging it with my lit-reading arms to never let it go. Also also, Oliu is coming to Ball State in two weeks for the Alabama-BSU exchange. SWEEEEEEEEEEET.
Tuesday, a few of my friends--Ryan Rader, Ashley Ford, and Cody Sean Davis--read at one of my favorite bars, Be Here Now.
Cody read a few things including his poem "Virgin," which is gonna be in the 2011 Broken Plate, and a short story, which I saw an earlier draft of and man his edits blew me away. LANGUAGE TIGHTENED IS LANGUAGE USED.
Among other things, Ashley read this powerful story about her brother wearing her clothes. I'm stoked that Ashley will be reading at the next Vouched Presents... reading on March 26th. It'll be nice to see her get an outside-of-Muncie audience for her strong personality.
Ryan released two chapbook, one of which I've blogged about before, and another, First Rodeo, that features himself, Shaun Gannon, Jeremy Bauer, Joe Betz, Joe McHugh, and Daniel Bailey. I read First Rodeo on the bus this morning; having read/heard several of these pieces before, it was awesome to see them packed together in this nice-for-reading-on-the-bus collection. Ryan's poem "Self-Portrait at 21" is killer associations and images. I WAS IN AN ODD MOOD THAT NIGHT BUT IT WAS FUN.
I haven't read in a while and I miss it.
Last night, super pal Layne got to open for a Faculty Reading here at Ball State, featuring Cathy Day and Matt Mullins. Of course, she ruled. She'll be reading again, for longer, as the winner of last Fall's Writers Gala, at the Gala Winners Reading on March 1st.
I'd never seen Cathy or Matt read, but they were both excellent readers. Matt read a mix of poems and short stories, some stories which will be in his forthcoming book from Atticus Books, as well as showing a poem/video thing he's been working on called Highway Coda. Really dug the feel of the video. Also, his reading approach matched his content so well. Excited to be going to read with him (AND LAYNE) at the Slash Pine Festival in Alabama later this semester.
Cathy Day's approach, like RESEARCH HEAVY and mashing lives/stories/etc., is so impressive. The book she read from seems more Sara's style, but definitely an interesting writing project.
Odd writing related thing of the day: My former professor Michael Meyerhofer just walked in here, I'M AT WORK SHHHH, and had me sign as a witness for his contract in which he won ANOTHER book contest. I won't give details. I don't know if I'm allowed, but SWEET.
I've also been doing a good deal of reading. In addition to the Dickman book (see previous post) and First Rodeo, I had the pleasure to read Come On All You Ghosts by Matthew Zapruder. While sometimes, my eyes pulled away in the middle, a little loose at times, the tightest moments were emotional associations and cool images. Take Dobby's Sweatshirt. OH MY GOODNESS.
Also, I Vouched Brian Oliu's story in the new kill author. WOAH-WEE the pile of sentences buried me a little then I was all hugging it with my lit-reading arms to never let it go. Also also, Oliu is coming to Ball State in two weeks for the Alabama-BSU exchange. SWEEEEEEEEEEET.
Monday, January 17, 2011
LETTERS; OR I PROMISE I WONT READ THE ALPHABET AGAIN
So, two of my cool friends and sweet bloggers, Ashley Ford and Megan Betz, are doing this 30 day challenge of letter writing. Basically, there is this list (see below interested person) and the blogger is supposed to write letters to those people/things. Okay, that sounds fun. I'm gonna try. Here is the list:
Day 1 — Your Best Friend
Day 2 — Your Crush
Day 3 — Your parents
Day 4 — Your sibling (or closest relative)
Day 5 — Your dreams
Day 6 — A stranger
Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to
Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain
Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you
Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from
Day 15 — The person you miss the most
Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country
Day 17 — Someone from your childhood
Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be
Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind. Good or bad
Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest
Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to
Day 23 — The last person you kissed
Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times
Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day
Day 28 — Someone that changed your life
Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to
Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror
I'm gonna say right now right here right now right here that I won't do this in 30 days. Also, I'll apologize now if I offend or say something silly-awkward. I'm just doing this like gushy and shit. I thought it would be a good exercise to get my woahness out.
When I'm done, I'm gonna make my own 30 day list and some people gotta do it.
Day 1 — Your Best Friend
Hey you,
Isn’t this funny that I’m writing you a letter and you are in the other room? That’s nice, you being in the other room. Not that I don’t want you here because it’s nice when you are here. But I’m typing and you need to be sleeping, which I think you are, and I sing sometimes when I’m typing and you don’t need that. It’s nice too that you’re in the other room because if you are not in this room you are usually in the other room or soon will be. OH I CAN COUNT ON YOU. I think that’s what best friendship is about.
Another thing best friendship is about is protecting people. You were sheltered as a kid and not always able to be an independent person, so I watch out for you and make sure you don’t bump your head or end up broke. Well, I do my best. Also, the people next door are loud and you are trying to sleep and I wanna go over there and be like HEY SHUT UP MY BEST FRIEND IS SLEEPING. I think they are talking about coasters or toasters or maybe breakfast. I don’t know. But I know yelling at them would not be protecting you in the long run, like opening a can of worms, which usually leads to opening a can of whoop-ass. HAHA. I don’t want them to seek yell-revenge and shout at you when you are leaving for work or throw their old toaster through our window. WHAT DOES THAT SOLVE? I think you are sleeping fine anyways.
You protect me so good. Like that time I went to the hospital and you told me it was gonna be okay and guess what, IT IS. You held my hand and kissed me goodnight and slept in that awful chair. Sorry about that. But yeah, you protected me and protect me and are protecting me now in some awesome you-are-sleeping-but-watching-over-me-not-like-an-angel-though-you-are-angely-sometimes-and-not-like-Santa-because-that’s-just-weird-but-more-like-your-hey-I-got-your-back-whisper-way. I have this head that worries and shuffles and loves in ways that are often difficult or fuzzy or sucky. You’ve got this heart that’s like bigger than my bed. I’m gonna go sleep on your big comfy bed heart.
Goodnight and sleep well,
Tyler
Day 1 — Your Best Friend
Day 2 — Your Crush
Day 3 — Your parents
Day 4 — Your sibling (or closest relative)
Day 5 — Your dreams
Day 6 — A stranger
Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to
Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain
Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you
Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from
Day 15 — The person you miss the most
Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country
Day 17 — Someone from your childhood
Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be
Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind. Good or bad
Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest
Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to
Day 23 — The last person you kissed
Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times
Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day
Day 28 — Someone that changed your life
Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to
Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror
I'm gonna say right now right here right now right here that I won't do this in 30 days. Also, I'll apologize now if I offend or say something silly-awkward. I'm just doing this like gushy and shit. I thought it would be a good exercise to get my woahness out.
When I'm done, I'm gonna make my own 30 day list and some people gotta do it.
Day 1 — Your Best Friend
Hey you,
Isn’t this funny that I’m writing you a letter and you are in the other room? That’s nice, you being in the other room. Not that I don’t want you here because it’s nice when you are here. But I’m typing and you need to be sleeping, which I think you are, and I sing sometimes when I’m typing and you don’t need that. It’s nice too that you’re in the other room because if you are not in this room you are usually in the other room or soon will be. OH I CAN COUNT ON YOU. I think that’s what best friendship is about.
Another thing best friendship is about is protecting people. You were sheltered as a kid and not always able to be an independent person, so I watch out for you and make sure you don’t bump your head or end up broke. Well, I do my best. Also, the people next door are loud and you are trying to sleep and I wanna go over there and be like HEY SHUT UP MY BEST FRIEND IS SLEEPING. I think they are talking about coasters or toasters or maybe breakfast. I don’t know. But I know yelling at them would not be protecting you in the long run, like opening a can of worms, which usually leads to opening a can of whoop-ass. HAHA. I don’t want them to seek yell-revenge and shout at you when you are leaving for work or throw their old toaster through our window. WHAT DOES THAT SOLVE? I think you are sleeping fine anyways.
You protect me so good. Like that time I went to the hospital and you told me it was gonna be okay and guess what, IT IS. You held my hand and kissed me goodnight and slept in that awful chair. Sorry about that. But yeah, you protected me and protect me and are protecting me now in some awesome you-are-sleeping-but-watching-over-me-not-like-an-angel-though-you-are-angely-sometimes-and-not-like-Santa-because-that’s-just-weird-but-more-like-your-hey-I-got-your-back-whisper-way. I have this head that worries and shuffles and loves in ways that are often difficult or fuzzy or sucky. You’ve got this heart that’s like bigger than my bed. I’m gonna go sleep on your big comfy bed heart.
Goodnight and sleep well,
Tyler
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Good People Doing Good Things
On the 15th of every month, The Collagist releases a new issue, and I'm always whoop-whoop to see it come out. One, it is a killer journal. Two, I get to interview the poets, so it's like "What is Matthew Olzmann gonna give me this month?" This month is yet another stellar addition to the Collagist archives. Check out sweet poems by Keith Montesano (Read this one aloud), Justin Bigos (IMAGES IMAGES), Bruce Cohen (WOAH AWARD for those opening lines), and Jenny George (every line is heavy, man). Also, another monthly WOAH AWARD goes to Mike Young for best title for his short story, "What the Fuck is an Electrolyte?" Also, super cool double review by Jeremy Benson of Matt Hart's Wolf Face and Nate Pritts' Big Bright Sun. Both these books are high on my to-read list, so I'm stoked to see them getting some love here. READ THIS ISSUE PLEASE.
Vouched Keeps Doing GOOD STUFF. Like adding contributors. Two online literary machines in Roxane Gay and Amber Sparks joined the party. Also, my good friend Ashley Ford joined up a little while back and has been bringing a cool perspective ever since. SELF PLUG AWARE: Don't forget my Vouches.
AGAIN?: Also, I have a new column up at Smalldoggies, an interview with Ryan Ridge. Self Plug Redemption: Be on the lookout for Christopher's next Vouched Satellite Post at SD. Also, I found this cool column at Smalldoggies the other day. Also also, I really loved this poetry suite with J.A. Tyler. More like Poetry Sweet.
Well, back to being on Christmas Break.
Vouched Keeps Doing GOOD STUFF. Like adding contributors. Two online literary machines in Roxane Gay and Amber Sparks joined the party. Also, my good friend Ashley Ford joined up a little while back and has been bringing a cool perspective ever since. SELF PLUG AWARE: Don't forget my Vouches.
AGAIN?: Also, I have a new column up at Smalldoggies, an interview with Ryan Ridge. Self Plug Redemption: Be on the lookout for Christopher's next Vouched Satellite Post at SD. Also, I found this cool column at Smalldoggies the other day. Also also, I really loved this poetry suite with J.A. Tyler. More like Poetry Sweet.
Well, back to being on Christmas Break.
Friday, September 24, 2010
COME GET SOME
Next Tuesday, I am reading at this cool newish bar called Be Here Now here in Muncie. The line-up reads something like my top friends list, if that thing still existed.
I wrote this sestina in anticipation of this reading:
Welcome to the stage, Tyler
Welcome to the stage, Jeremy
Welcome to the stage, Layne
Welcome to the stage, Elysia
Welcome to the stage, Ashley
Welcome to the stage, Ryan
With a poem about poetry, Ryan
With a poem about babes, Tyler
With a story to twist you between laughing and crying, Ashley
With a poem about space and lightning, Jeremy
With a story about New Orleans, Elysia
With a poem about assholes, Layne
Oh walk with me, Layne
Oh drink with me, Ryan
Oh hug me, Elysia
Oh I’m Tyler
Oh talk with me, Jeremy
Oh dance for me, Ashley
There are moments when I need you, Ashley
There are moments when I need you, Layne
There are moments when I need you, Jeremy
There are moments when I need you, Ryan
There are moments when I need you, Tyler
There are moments when I need you, Elysia
Endearing Elysia
Absolutely Ashley
Tedious Tyler
Lovable Layne
Really Ryan
Good Job Jeremy
Let’s hear some applause for Jeremy
Let’s hear some applause for Elysia
Let’s hear some applause for Ryan
Let’s hear some applause for Ashley
Let’s hear some applause for Layne
Let’s hear some applause for Me
WE GETTING SERIOUS, Ryan, YOU KNOW THIS, Jeremy
STAND ASIDE, Tyler, AND LET US BE, Elysia
WE’VE GOT POWER, Ashley AND THE CHARM, Layne.
This reading is gonna rule. This Saturday is my birthday, and since I'll be in Bloomington all weekend for XRA Fest, I'll be celebrating with these cool Muncie people that night.
OH IVE GOT IDEAS OH IVE GOT SURPRISES
I wrote this sestina in anticipation of this reading:
Welcome to the stage, Tyler
Welcome to the stage, Jeremy
Welcome to the stage, Layne
Welcome to the stage, Elysia
Welcome to the stage, Ashley
Welcome to the stage, Ryan
With a poem about poetry, Ryan
With a poem about babes, Tyler
With a story to twist you between laughing and crying, Ashley
With a poem about space and lightning, Jeremy
With a story about New Orleans, Elysia
With a poem about assholes, Layne
Oh walk with me, Layne
Oh drink with me, Ryan
Oh hug me, Elysia
Oh I’m Tyler
Oh talk with me, Jeremy
Oh dance for me, Ashley
There are moments when I need you, Ashley
There are moments when I need you, Layne
There are moments when I need you, Jeremy
There are moments when I need you, Ryan
There are moments when I need you, Tyler
There are moments when I need you, Elysia
Endearing Elysia
Absolutely Ashley
Tedious Tyler
Lovable Layne
Really Ryan
Good Job Jeremy
Let’s hear some applause for Jeremy
Let’s hear some applause for Elysia
Let’s hear some applause for Ryan
Let’s hear some applause for Ashley
Let’s hear some applause for Layne
Let’s hear some applause for Me
WE GETTING SERIOUS, Ryan, YOU KNOW THIS, Jeremy
STAND ASIDE, Tyler, AND LET US BE, Elysia
WE’VE GOT POWER, Ashley AND THE CHARM, Layne.
This reading is gonna rule. This Saturday is my birthday, and since I'll be in Bloomington all weekend for XRA Fest, I'll be celebrating with these cool Muncie people that night.
OH IVE GOT IDEAS OH IVE GOT SURPRISES
Sunday, September 19, 2010
GUSHY GUSHY WOAH WOAH
1. Blogging explodes words, but why, ain't like the pressure is so high on the Internet, we can all keep cooling nice and fine on Facebook or Craigslist or whatever, right? Sometimes, we gotta scrapbook ourselves, like little collages with our faces and brain maps. Sometimes, we are soooooooo right and everyone has to know! Sometimes, we make friends and blogging is for friends (and others). Todd is blogging now, dishing out some cool links, and Ashley is on a 30 day challenge, where you can find some cool pictures of me thank you very much. These are two cool people and I'm glad to see what they have to share.
2. Yesterday at Hyde's Bookstore, I spent too much money on Who's Who Vivid by Matt Hart, Saying The World by Peter Pereira, Vacationland by Ander Monson, Actual Air by David Berman, and Notes Of A Native Son by James Baldwin. Yikes, my bad on the money dropping. But holy cow, who sells these gyms to a used bookstore in Ft. Wayne IN? Someone who loves me a lot a lot, that's who.
3. Don't buy your friend a bottle of old-fashioned root beer and put it in the trunk.
4. Sacha Baron Cohen is playing Freddy Mercury?
5. Here is one of the first I'm So Stoked poems I ever wrote:
2. Yesterday at Hyde's Bookstore, I spent too much money on Who's Who Vivid by Matt Hart, Saying The World by Peter Pereira, Vacationland by Ander Monson, Actual Air by David Berman, and Notes Of A Native Son by James Baldwin. Yikes, my bad on the money dropping. But holy cow, who sells these gyms to a used bookstore in Ft. Wayne IN? Someone who loves me a lot a lot, that's who.
3. Don't buy your friend a bottle of old-fashioned root beer and put it in the trunk.
4. Sacha Baron Cohen is playing Freddy Mercury?
5. Here is one of the first I'm So Stoked poems I ever wrote:
Ode To A Deer
I’m so stoked
you are alive.
I’ve never killed
one of you, but
it is certainly
on my to-do list
and today I’d like
to cross it off.
I’ll give you a head
start.
Go.
Really, go.
Your blood is something
I need on my hands.
I know
it’s not fair
but I will catch you
and kill you
and eat you.
I can do this.
I am a human.
I have guns
and ammo
and camo gear
and you are just a deer
with a white tail
I can see
from a mile away
especially with my high tech
binoculars.
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