BashaMO

Dolly Mixture - Been Teen

2009-09-07T23:34:00.001-07:00

Falling In Love Again

2009-09-05T13:11:00.001-07:00

Life Is Busy

2009-08-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

Tone Set was a New Wave/Technopop band from Tempe, Arizona that formed about 1982. It was comprised of Galen Herod and Greg Horn. KSTM radio helped them promote their hit, "Out out!" which featured sampling from The Gomer Pyle Show, a tra...ck that got some airplay in the Phoenix area in the 80's.

doh-influential

2009-08-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

http://doh-influential.tumblr.com/

I will be phasing out BASHAMO in favor of a more focused and minimal format of sharing only sources of inspiration-- the things that influence me.

Please come along for the ride and follow me.

2009-08-22T01:38:00.001-07:00

Reconfigurations of Subjectivity

2009-08-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

3.2 Reconfigurations of Subjectivity in White Noise

From: Television and Literature: David Foster Wallace's Concept of Image-Fiction, Don DeLillo's White Noise and Thomas Pynchon's Vineland

The use of conceptual language, deja vu, the blending of the real and the simulated: i.e. the ways in which the characters of the novel perceive the world are deeply influenced by the media. Jack Gladney's perceptions and thoughts are completely based on televisual stereotypes. He does not use the media in a conscious way, but rather his consciousness is remodeled along their lines of association and reasoning. At the "showdown" he appears less as an individual about to have an intense experience than as an actor distanced from himself and acting according to someone else's script. Instead of an epiphanic revelation of his own identity in this confrontation, Jack experiences the loss of a stable self: "I was a Buddhist, a Jain, a Duck River Baptist." (p. 310)

The form of subjectivity represented by Jack Gladney is comparable to the one described by Jean Baudrillard in his essay "The Ecstasy of Communication". Gladney's experience at the showdown with its emphasis on surfaces and "structures and channels" resembles Baudrillard's descriptions of schizophrenia, a state in which the subject completely loses himself into "networks of influence". For Baudrillard schizophrenia is "the absolute proximity, the total instantaneity of things [...] the overexposure and transparence of the world which traverses [the subject] without obstacle."(75)

This chapter explores the ways in which DeLillo represents the alterations in subjectivity which occur in a culture deeply informed by the media. The barrage of images, signals and stimuli, the "white noise" which surrounds the Gladney family, has led not only to changes in the ways in which subjects perceive the world, but also in their understanding of themselves, their relation to death, and the ways in which they relate to power and knowledge. Baudrillard's "schizophrenia" is only one way to conceptualize this new kind of subjectivity which rests at the heart of Don DeLillo's
novel.

Textilian Inspiration

2009-08-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

fringe

2009-08-11T00:36:00.001-07:00

1. fringefringe - the outside boundary or surface of something
outer boundary, periphery
bound, boundary, edge - a line determining the limits of an area
2. fringefringe - a part of the city far removed from the center; "they built a factory on the outskirts of the city"
outskirt
city district - a district of a town or city
suburb, suburban area, suburbia - a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
3. fringe - one of the light or dark bands produced by the interference and diffraction of light
interference fringe
optical phenomenon - a physical phenomenon related to or involving light
4. fringe - a social group holding marginal or extreme views; "members of the fringe believe we should be armed with guns at all times"
social group - people sharing some social relation
5. fringe - a border of hair that is cut short and hangs across the forehead
bang
coif, coiffure, hair style, hairdo, hairstyle - the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)
6. fringe - an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
edging - border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
Verb 1. fringe - adorn with a fringe; "The weaver fringed the scarf"
handicraft - a craft that requires skillful hands
adorn, decorate, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify - make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; "Decorate the room for the party"; "beautify yourself for the special day"
2. fringe - decorate with or as if with a surrounding fringe; "fur fringed the hem of the dress"
border, environ, surround, skirt, ring - extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle; "The forest surrounds my property"

2009-08-10T13:56:00.001-07:00

TuathadaDanaan (2 years ago) Show Hide
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Not much life in those background gals lol...that was trippy!! Thanx!! Peace!
hallyhopper (1 year ago) Show Hide
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tuathada, baby. the video was made in the early 80s just as MTV and video culture was being launched. the actual vehicle for the song to get out in the world was a 45rpm so you get the idea how long ago this was. you might not have even been born then. continued in next box...
hallyhopper (1 year ago) Show Hide
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the budget was lower than zilch. still, the song managed to make it to the esteemed Village Voice Pazz and Jop Poll as a top single release of the year. continued in box below.
hallyhopper (1 year ago) Show Hide
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among the background singers you find lifeless is none other than the very lively syd straw, who, in addition to having her own amazing career as a solo artist, has worked with everyone from ricky lee jones to loudon wainwright to michael stipe. (keep going below..)
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the strength of the piece was the song itself. waldman was out there early creating pop culture to encourage necessary poltical protest. maybe if we had had more trippy vids like this one, who knows? lifeless background babes and all, we might not find ourselves as a nation in the not so felicitous state of affairs in which we are in today, had their been more background gals like those in the video. (one more to go.)
hallyhopper (1 year ago) Show Hide
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personally, i see them as vital and lively, an crew composed of courageous women, real pioneers on every front. may i respectfully ask, so what do you say now, miss tuathada danana? (i like your name. it's got riddim.)

From the Melody Nelson TV special

2009-08-05T01:30:00.001-07:00

Agent Cooper (aka Taco)

2009-08-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am drinking coffee with my new little skitty. My other cat Agent Scully (aka Burrito) hasn't quite taken to lil Coop.

How come babies aren't born monkeys?

2009-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

All text taken directly from online Christian fundamentalist forums.

Digestion Digest

2009-06-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have been keeping an ingestion journal that has turned into something I would like to make into a book one day. Will scan parts soon... (it's all done with a typewriter).

I showed it to Marisa Plumb.

Here is her response:

"i really like the cooking/journal pages you gave me, the voice seems really intertwined with the aesthetic of the text, and there seemed to be little slippages in the topical focus that sparked, in my little old brain, ideas about the sometimes turbulent nature of experience and linearity and mood........"

I Love You Still Belaire

2009-06-13T20:33:00.001-07:00

This video is beautiful.

You Really Got Me Goin' from Cari Palazzolo on Vimeo.

Another confirmation that my comrades are incredible. Yes.. can you tell I'm feeling a little homesick for Austin?

David Lynch Camp

2009-06-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

Had a dream that I was in David Lynch Camp.

He appeared and told me that my challenge is to
"stay on the path... no matter what."

Then he disappeared and I was in a house full of mole guys. Guys who were not friendly. And I was to work on my stuff-- which involved writing and playing distorted bass. All I know is that these guys kept laughing at me. And if I entered a room they were in, they would all leave the room, whispering. I was feeling very left out and flustered.

David Lynch appeared again.
"Do what you do... no matter what."

Then I was in a room with my bass and was working on some feedback. And this guy comes in, smerky, and asks if I can turn it down. And I say, "I can't-- I'm doing feedback, if I turn it down there will be no feedback." And he was like, "well can you at least put some headphones on." And I respond, "well if I put headphones on, then I won't be using the amplifier, then there surely won't be any feedback."

Then he turned around and walked away and went into the other room where everyone started laughing. I felt a stride of confidence and walked into the room and said "What's up guys?" and they all whispered, giggled, then left me alone again in the room. I was feeling sad and confused.

David Lynch appeared again.

"Do not get distracted."

Stay on the path. No matter what.

----

-
Also, remind me to tell you about my Arthur Russell camp dream-- I was assigned to the World Of Echo cabin.

3 Ludus'

2009-05-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Three Definitions of "Ludus"

1. a love that is played as a game or sport; conquest

2. Britain’s "Leading Dance in Education Company"

3. British post-punk band formed in 1978

Key Words

2009-05-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

Nanobangbang.5 Vogue Off Dance Fight Instructions

2009-05-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

Sneak peek at part of the choreography for one of the dances for NANOBANGBANG HIGH FIVE. To be performed on June 7th @ SVT. More info http://deenaodellehyatt.com/

3 Quotes of the Week

2009-04-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

1. "It’s not where you take things from-- it’s where you take them to.” -Jean-Luc Godard

2. “Knowledge of the technical makes creativity possible.” —Josef Svoboda (1968)

3. "Aesthetic discoveries are socially different from scientific discoveries, and this difference is political." -Lyn Hejinian

Last FM Loved Ones

2009-04-27T21:00:00.001-07:00

The Literary Merits of Lolcats

2009-04-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

INTERNET-AGE WRITING SYLLABUS AND COURSE OVERVIEW.
BY ROBERT LANHAM

- - - -

ENG 371WR:
Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era
M-W-F: 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Instructor: Robert Lanham

Prerequisites

Students must have completed at least two of the following.

ENG: 232WR—Advanced Tweeting: The Elements of Droll
LIT: 223—Early-21st-Century Literature: 140 Characters or Less
ENG: 102—Staring Blankly at Handheld Devices While Others Are Talking
ENG: 301—Advanced Blog and Book Skimming
ENG: 231WR—Facebook Wall Alliteration and Assonance
LIT: 202—The Literary Merits of Lolcats
LIT: 209—Internet-Age Surrealistic Narcissism and Self-Absorption

---

Excerpt from McSweeney's Internet Tendency

Where Single Ladies Video Came From

2009-03-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Compare & Contrast

Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" awesome hot video here (They disabled embedding)

ORIGINAL

TO WALK IT OUT

FOSSE ORIGINAL PLUS BEYONCE CUT TOGETHER

Literary Reductionism

2009-03-12T17:27:00.001-07:00

Dream Come True

2009-03-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

from a google image search for "peripatetic cinnamonstick."

Per+i+path+e+tic

2009-03-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

The Peripatetics were members of a school of philosophy in ancient Greece. Their teachings derived from their founder, the Greek philosopher Aristotle and Peripatetic (Greek: περιπατητικός) is a name given to his followers. The name refers to the act of walking, and as an adjective, "peripatetic" is often used to mean itinerant, wandering, meandering, or walking about. The school derives its name from the peripatoi (colonnades) of the Lyceum gymnasium in Athens where the members met, although a later legend claimed that the name came from Aristotle's alleged habit of walking while lecturing.

....rest of wiki entry

80's Fashion Video

2009-03-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

It's all my favorite kinds of clothes plus cats. The narrative and music sequence is too much too hilarious. Thanks Eric!

There are so many great quotes in here: "I am a woman in motion. A fluid abstraction of an untamed doll." "I'm the news as it races to the front page."

...but, I guess while I'm here I might was well dance

2009-03-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

Casting

2009-03-04T19:25:00.002-08:00

Wong Kar-wai frequently re-casts actors who he has worked with on previous movies:

Twitter can be funny

2009-03-04T19:25:00.001-08:00

So is facebook.

RXR Re-Blog

2009-03-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 23, 2009

This is from Reverse XRays' blog.

Underground venues, punks vs. art-rockers, midget keyboardists?

There was a time when I could keep track of the underground venues in town,such as warehouses, galleries, and various DIY show-spaces, but nowadays there are so many, with new ones popping up rather often. Independent artistic culture gives me that feeling of inspiration when I visit one of these places where folks are making their dreams happen now. A few years back some architecture students from the university opened up a well-received space called the Green Door in an East Side industrial zone, and while the residents lacked basic amenities and comforts, the guests could shimmy and cavort on raised platforms framed by painted silvery surfaces. Alas, these wonderful micro-worlds generally last for but a season, yet much excitement prevails in the meantime.

Early on, some of us in Reverse X Rays let it be known that underground-type spaces (rather than the downtown clubs) were where we preferred to play. After the record and tour, interest in our performances has grown apace, and as a practical matter a show with more than 50 or 60 people may require an official venue, and we are happy to play those nightclubs that display honesty and ethics in their dealings with artists. Nowadays we can fill up a higher-profile space like Club Deville, but to me, what is more inspiring is a DIY space some kids put together out of love for music and good times with friends.

Perhaps because of our admiration for this kind of underground culture, we got booked in a punk warehouse space: a bit of an odd match for RXR. Now, for some background, I must mention my interest in an undeservedly obscure part of 1970's music history: punk-rockers vs. art rockers! What perhaps began as a disappointment with not getting a decent view of the stage at a 20,000 person Yes or Moody Blues concert turned into a insouciant, spiky-haired backlash against muso technique borrowing classical bits, mysterioso cosmic lyrics, and expensive synthesizers. This reaction is understandable: these jet-set prog-rockers really had gone too far into pomp-rock, what with Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer playing a grand piano suspended from a crane, Rick Wakeman of Yes (and David Bowie’s “Changes” and “Space Oddity”) dressed up in wizard robes (http://www.huxrecords.co,/bio15.htm), playing keyboards while sundry knights staged a sword-battle as they skated about an ice rink. Such spectacle was an unfortunate sign that prog was morphing into a bloated variant of arena-rock. After the initial burst of genuine progressivism roughly '68-'73, fewer good songs appeared from the prog wing of art-rock. A ponderous, would-be magnum opus LP often contained longer and longer pieces, with songwriting prowess giving way to mathlete* muscle or jazzy noodling, while the live shows relied on flash and spectacle (or laser displays!) to stimulate the baked brains of the throngs of not-so young youth. Something was going to challenge this dense, largely undanceable music, so overly reliant on technical sophistication and complexity.

There was a period where what is now called "zolo" emerged around 1974 as a post-prog, new direction in art-music, with artists such as Tin Huey or Pere Ubu showing a danceable, less technically complex approach that was still quite imaginative. Certain tracks of the Brian Eno records of the '73-'74 era and Robert Fripp's League of Gentlemen, virtually all of the '76-79 era Taking Heads, as well as bands like ESG, were likewise economical/arty/funky/novel. There was a focus on songs that were much more to the point, with no need for prog-rock elaborate theatricality or cryptic lyrics about elves or starships. These and other new bands could more-or-less fit in with the early punk (at first a movement, not a genre) and new wave. But after an initial premise of radical creativity and innovation, in the UK and then the US, the kids needing to do their own thing regressed to a back-to-basics aesethtic: cliched bad boys with tough guitars in leather jackets, etc, and the critics sided with these brash upstarts. Unsurprisingly, Talking Heads later fretted about being labeled "art rock", but that was their own fault, as they had Adrian Belew, a member of King Crimson, playing with the band! For that matter, various punk rockers, from Sid Vicious, to some of Bad Brains, had influences from progressive rock (as it turned out, punk over the decades increasingly became a mohawked parody of itself, turning the original streetwise freak-boom that demanded total artistic freedom into artless formulaic aping of early anti-heroes by antisocial malingerers on the dole and on the syringe, 1,257 '80's hardcore outfits ranting against Ronald Reagan, and in recent years, radio-friendly boy-bands providing the soundtrack for confused alt-mallrat youth "rebellion" at chains like Hot Topic)

Now RXR are not a prog band, but as I was preparing for the show at a punk venue, I certainly did want to look as un-punk as feasible, so I selected striped trousers and a dark blue suitcoat. Time to represent the art-rockers in the 512! While I do actually like some some early punk, such as the Fall and the Clash (though I personally think the Sex Pistols are almost as overrated as Madonna) I thought it more entertaining to dress fancy-style, as if I were invited to a midnight tea party in a garden with handsome lady professors, cellos, and miniature cakes. I also remember Kate Pierson of the B-52's talking of their early days in Athens Georgia, and how they would wildly over-dress for the parties they went to, resulting in raised eyebrows.

As it turned out, I got no more than the odd quizzical glances from the subcultural denizens at the warehouse we played the show at. I did ask a gentleman with a facial tattoo about his opinions about implanting microprocessors into the brain, but was unable to get much going there. Maybe the connections between Jack Ruby and Hank Williams Sr. would have been a better icebreaker? Later I went around afterwards loudly announcing “has anyone seen our little green flute?” (which was, in fact, missing) noone reacted with disdain or sarcasm. Perhaps the speedy tempos, gong, and car-horn sax had won them over?

The highlight of the night: a blotto time-traveler* who was evidently a 9-string guitarist and ex-prodigy, informed me that Reverse X Rays "need a keyboard-playing midget" in the band. The more I think about it...the more interested I become. Any takers?

O

* -"mathlete"-originally meaning braniac math student, here referring to highly technically skilled musician

* -“time-traveller”-someone who was around in much earlier
periods of the pop-scene, such as the new-wave 1970’s

Art to Set Tibet Free?

2009-02-25T11:37:00.000-08:00

Saint Laurent Art Sale Brings In $264 Million

A dispute has unfolded over two Qing dynasty bronze animal heads, a rabbit and a rat, originally looted from an imperial palace in China but purchased legally. China has demanded their return, but a French court ruled Monday evening that the auction of the heads can proceed as scheduled on Wednesday.

Here’s what Mr. Berge has declared, “Moi, je suis prêt à offrir ces têtes en bronze au gouvernement chinois, tout de suite…Il leur suffit de déclarer qu’ils vont appliquer les droits de l’homme, rendre la liberté aux Tibétains et accepter le dalaï-lama sur leur territoire.”

Translation: “I am ready to offer the bronze heads to the Chinese government immediately… They simpy have to declare that they will enforce human rights, give freedom back to Tibetans and allow His Holiness The Dalai Lama entry into Chinese territory.”

DAY ONE - SIX

2009-02-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

D A Y O N E

They were filming here, which is why I am just starting to go to bed and it’s 3:38am.
A horror movie. There was much screaming. My claim to fame is that I talked to the “soup nazi” you know, from Seinfeld. He didn’t act at all like the soup nazi, though.

A moth just attacked the computer then my neck; I suspect it’s from the glow. Once I shut this down, it will go for the lava lamp. Yeah I found a lava lamp here and plugged it in and the hue is quite pleasant, the gob’s movement quite mesmerizing.

You can see the stars here, clear and bright, if you go outside and look up.
Also, there is a paper cutter and wood burning stove in this room.

D A Y T H R E E

It’s 7:37AM and I took my morning pee in the great outdoors then tip toed into the main house to make coffee and toast. Also I will have some yogurt with honey. Then I will wander around the premises which are much vaster than I originally thought. Will get back to this after that.

Ooops I burnt the toast because I was writing this.

Oh tried to take a shower. I ended up washing my hair in the sink.

The three of us perused the grounds. We jumped on the trampoline. Tried to chop wood. And found all four of the parameters. I want to make a map, my own map of the land.

D A Y F O U R

So anyways I got home here and the dogs greeted me with curious barks.

I no longer need to turn on the trail lights to get to my den from the main house.

Ate some yogurt then came back here and greeting Scully with cuddles and pets. And she greeted me with purrs and chirps.

I’m up in the loft. I still have to carry Scully up and down the ladder. It’s pretty cute. Amanda and I both tried to teach her how to master the ladder, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.

I’m in bed typing this. She’s all curled up now. She’s all I have.

D A Y F I V E

Slept way later than I wanted. It’s all about the morning light here. I’m still catching through the trees at 11am. Inexplicable dreams

Scully is currently making her curious questioning helpme meow as she tried to figure alternative ways to get up to the loft.

I’m hoping she and Maya, the cat who lives here, can get along. Maya’s been nothing but sweet but Scully all skitzed out from the move and territorial in general. I think Scully would benefit from a cat friend when I’m not around. The dogs, sweet as can be, are big and scary to her I’m sure. But she doesn’t hiss, she just stares intently and backs away.

The tap water here isn’t tap water. It’s well water. And it’s delicious.

---

Made some French Toast on the cast iron, topped with yogurt and berries and a touch of agave nector. Percolated espresso coffee with soymilk. Took Scully for a little walk… well, she took me. Slowly introducing her to the grounds outside our little den.

D A Y S I X

Woke up without an alarm on time. There’s this crazy clock. I would say it’s noisy, because it is, but then you would start hearing that conventional tick-tock. This clock makes the strangest noise, it’s insistence and constant, and kinda psychedelic. Anyways, I’ve come to like it. And I’ve always hated clock noises. This one doesn’t sound like time edging on one second at a time; it sounds like time constantly in radical flux. Also, it creates an ambient noise inside the den as a buffer to the outside creeking and howling.

BIG NEWS: Scully now goes up AND down the ladder.

Today is lovely. I’m drinking tea. Just ate a bagel with half cream cheese half butter and a smidgen of jelly across it all. And yogurt with a little salt and a blackberry. Typing this outside on the picnic table as the trees filter the sun into patterns.

I’m starting to get an idea of what kind of home environment life style I truly want.

Involving much Solitude.

----------------

Temporary retreat hiatus living situation:

""

Adobo Yum

2009-02-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

I have moved.

But this is not where I'm staying right now. These are homes where people live. Chad and I ran into them somewhere in Texas when driving from Dallas to Austin.

KITTENS INSPIRED BY KITTENS

2009-02-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

I will never get over this. There are about 100 amazing things going on here.

kitten book narrated by weird 6 year old:

Portsmouth Sinfonia

2009-02-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

We were listening to Brian Eno's Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) today. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL INFINITELY AMAZING ALBUM.

Did you know Eno was also a part of this? He played clarinet...

The Portsmouth Sinfonia was a real orchestra founded by a group of students at Portsmouth School of Art in Portsmouth, England, in 1970—however, the Sinfonia had an unusual entrance requirement. Players had to be either non-musicians, or if a musician, play an instrument that was entirely new to them. Among the founding members was one of their teachers, English composer Gavin Bryars. The orchestra started as a one-off, tongue-in-cheek performance art ensemble but became a cultural phenomenon over the following ten years, with concerts, record albums, a film and a hit single. The impact of the Portsmouth Sinfonia was considerable and their name and reputation has endured even though they last performed publicly in 1979.

The early repertoire of the Sinfonia was drawn from standard classical repertoire ("The Blue Danube" waltz, "Also Sprach Zarathustra", etc), so that most orchestra members had a rough idea of what the piece, or at least famous parts of it, should sound like; even if they could not play their chosen instrument accurately, they would at least have an idea that they should be going higher at one part then lower at another, and so on. The end result was the musical ensemble producing not only the correct note but several notes nearby, 'clouds of sound' that gave an average impression of the piece.

via wiki

Vector Quantity

2009-02-10T15:28:00.001-08:00

Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction.

Band Lotto REMIX

2009-02-09T21:02:00.000-08:00

Henry Gillespie, one of the youngest members of Business Deal Record's BAND LOTTO, created a MEGAMIX out of the Lotto Album Compilation. PARTYTIME

LISTEN TO IT! This will be fun for those of you who already have it. For those of you who don't, this will give you a taste incentive to get the album that chronicles this social and musical experiment.

This project included members from: Charles Potts Magic Windmill Band, Count Dracula/ Jam Engine, The Carrots, Low Red Center, Cry Blood Apache, Total Abuse, Finally Punk, Cave Dweller, Pataphysics, Gayle Gold, MVSCLZ, Belaire and more..

Inspiration

2009-02-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

I still love Sparks, and I'm not talking about the alcoholic energy drink controversially being taken off the market.

CADENCE

2009-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

Cadences give phrases a distinctive ending, which can, for example, indicate to the listener whether the piece is to be continued or concluded. An analogy may be made with punctuation,[3] with some weaker cadences acting as commas, indicating a pause or momentary rest, while a stronger cadence will then act as the period, indicating the end of the phrase or musical sentence. A cadence is labeled more or less "weak" or "strong" depending on the sense of finality it creates. While cadences are usually classified by specific chord or melodic progressions, the use of such progressions does not necessarily constitute a cadence—there must be a sense of closure, as at the end of a phrase. Harmonic rhythm plays an important part in determining where a cadence occurs.

Edward Lowinsky thought that the cadence was the "cradle of tonality."[4]

anonymous quote

2009-02-07T15:27:00.001-08:00

"The work is the art for a machine that produces the ideas that means the air she breathes."

-Quoted (I believe this was SPAM inspired)

2666

2009-02-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhhh just finished the first book of Roberto Bolaño's 2666.

Onto the second of three.

If anyone else is reading it let me know so we can discuss it. There's so much going on, so many interweavings of plots, so much poetry, I know I'm missing some intricacies that someone else might be picking up on and picking up on some intricacies that someone else might be missing. The beauty of the personal exchange with reading.

This makes me miss the BOOK CLUB us gals had back in 2006 we'd meet at spiderhouse when it was totally different and I used to live nearby.

goosebumps

2009-02-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

from a SHOW with Gayle Gold at bootybar

"A Carillon"

2009-01-13T22:02:00.001-08:00

A carillon (/kaʁijɔ̃/, /ˈkærɪljɒn/ or /kəˈrɪljən/) is a musical instrument consisting of at least 23 cast bronze cup-shaped bells which are played one after the other (to play a melody) or sounded together (to play a chord). A carillon is played by striking a keyboard (called a "baton") with the fists and by pressing the keys of a pedal keyboard with the feet. The keys mechanically activate levers and wires that connect to the metal clappers that strike the bells, allowing the performer (known as a "carillonneur") to vary the intensity of the note according to the force applied to the key.

Carillon bells are usually housed in the bell towers of church towers, belfries, or in municipal buildings. The carillon is the heaviest of all musical instruments; the total weight of bells alone can be 100 tons in the largest instruments. The greatest concentration of carillons is still found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Northern France, where they were symbols of civic pride and status. Some of the most spectacular are now protected by UNESCO as part of the world heritage site the Belfries of Belgium and France.

-- Wiki

"Crammed"

2008-12-28T14:20:00.000-08:00

"Aksak Maboul already contained some of the key elements of the Crammed æsthetics: eclecticism, internationalism, deliberate and playful mixing of forms, cultures and genres."

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Crammed Discs : Genre-bending Around The Globe

"Crammed is recognized as one of the most exciting, adventurous and boundary-breaking independent labels worldwide. Crammed has kept reinventing itself, and has been coming up with new forms of fusion, mixing elements of world music, rock and electronica ever since its inception in the early ’80s, often anticipating the musical movements which bloomed during the next two decades."

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--Via LastFM

The Ann Steel Album

2008-12-25T00:47:00.000-08:00

Another album straddling the line between avantgarde and pop music. Love it.

"This music can be utilized in many ways and listened to by different people, which is what makes me happy because I want it to be accessible to everyone. I would like it to be even more simplistic, in fact, and my aspiration is to uncover it on a weightless day – so weightless, in fact, as to have it fly away like a balloon."

-- Roberto Cacciapaglia on The Ann Steel Album

Collaboration between Roberto Cacciapaglia, "a prominent figure on the more innovative Italian music scene and a point of reference in Italy and abroad, for his musical research between classical and experimental electronic and direction towards music without borders that goes beyond divisions," and Anne Steel--- who I really don't know much about actually. Would love to if anyone has any info! She's fantastic. I really enjoy her lyrics on this album and her vocal stylings.

I would write more about it, but you should just listen to it. It's fantastic. You can find more HERE on the blog Mutant Sounds. Great resource. Recently, he even wrote something on Zom Zoms!

Pierre Cardin

2008-12-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

I can't even begin to tell you how aesthetically pleased I am feeling right now looking through these images. It's like he's inside my brain.

1970: From the book Pierre Cardin: Past, Present, Future

Special thanks to Will Kane's flickr photostream which triggered this latent obsession.

Oh how I wish Nanobangbang costumes came close to this. Give me time.

Low Red Center Album in the words of Gary B

2008-12-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

This Low Red Center album is number #3 on the KVRX Charts right now. Limited addition realease on Instincto Records, only 50 copies left! As the most recent member of the Low Red Center collective, I am on track 1, 3, 5, 8.

From Gary B's blog:

On The Presence of Absence

2008-12-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

On November 17th, 1966, shortly before eight in the evening, a man left his favorite café on the Place Saint-Jean in Brussels, to go to a restaurant on the Grand-Place where it was his costume to take dinner. As the weather was mild, he left his coat at the café, intending to return for it later.

Arriving at the restaurant, he died of a heart attack. For several months his coat continued to hang from a peg at the Petit Rouge, as though to demonstrate that, just as a gesture may give an object special meaning, so the absence of a gesture, a gesture interrupted or uncompleted, may have the same result. Thirty years before, that man had written a story entitled Le Rite du billet de chemin de fer.

Job Hunting

2008-12-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes this is what it begins to feel like when you're searching for a job...

look up!

2008-12-15T07:46:00.001-08:00

Go / Don't Go

2008-12-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

Trying to think about these oscillations:

1. Please don't go because I don't want it to be too crowded.

2. Please go because I don't want it to be empty.

regarding events I want to go to

The Other Day, In "Future Prologues"

2008-11-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

Ben Aqua had us running around and falling down in black lights, neon, and smoke.

I come to find out, this video is why:

Third Life animation HD from robotsluvme on Vimeo.

POSTURE POSTURE POSTURE

2008-11-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

I got a new specialist who is like FIVE doctors in ONE-- covering all grounds. She's supervising my physical therapy-- I have new PT, too. New approaches / variations on a theme. I'm starting to remember all of the medical lingo, since I've heard it in different contexts, through different mouths over the past three years. It's kinda starting to make sense and come together-- as I understand my body better and see better or more specialized doctors who have good explanations and a plan. I feel about 50% better since the surgery; it had a 50% chance of success. But still not fully functional-- but at least I can turn a door knob or a key without wincing.

Anyways, if you don't know already, it's for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. But Dr.W has expanded and specified the diagnosis: "radial neuritis @ the quadrangular", and added a "sympathetic component to the pain", and mentioned "myofascial"-- which I've been hearing a lot. She even assigned books for me to read: It's Not Carpul Tunnel, and Fibromayalgia & Myofascial Pain (but she says I do not have Fibromayalgia, because my pain is specific and with known cause).

OH!OH! She is the first Western Doctor I've ever been to that suggested accupuncture, yoga, and bike riding. I'm feeling hopeful that with hard work, discipline, and continuing life changes, I can get this TOS under control and soon live a pain free life!

But here's a little something for you readers, who are at the computer right now!
Don't forget the proper posture....

A bit more about Barack Obama...

2008-10-29T14:12:00.001-07:00

An Email, Regarding Obama

2008-10-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

"oh the bailout is a big load of bullshit. make no mistake about that. it does nothing but throw our fake money system on a big fire and further indebt the next 100 years into wage slavery to massive transnational corporations. and as far as i'm concerned, it was utterly pointless from the perspective that it will prevent further economic collapse. all it does is incentivize bad behavior from wall street. feingold and sanders voted against it, so i feel fairly justified in saying that.

and all our money goes to finance the bloated, pernicious military-industrial complex. no democrat can straight up say as much if they want to become president. i'm not going to pretend like i'm 100% satisfied with obama, and i'm not opposed to voting 3rd party from time to time, to pull the democratic party to the left, if it seems necessary. i thought it was necessary in 2000, i would have voted for nader in 1996 as well. i probably would have voted for anderson in 1980.

so i do recognize that automatically voting democrat in every scenario is not necessarily the best course of action. but this year i think it is necessary for obama to win, despite the fact that his centrism is in some ways not very encouraging. mostly i think it prevents the democratic party from shifting further to the right. especially since he is the candidate that opposed the iraq war from the beginning. it puts pressure on all potential future democratic candidates to not tack to the neoconservative right, like they did in 2002. i think it was important that hillary clinton lose the primary for that reason, and i think it is important that obama win for the same reason.

now, as a diehard cynic, i'm not expecting a whole lot from an obama presidency. but i think it ought to be better than clinton on a policy-level, and at least as good on a managerial level, which is to say, about a billion times better than we can expect from mccain or palin, who are both total tools of the neo-con oil cabal."

"Sprinters at Painted Barn" GIF

2008-10-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

Another favorite .GIF! This one from Ginger Anyhow, out in San Francisco. H0ller!!

Dinner4Four Part II

2008-10-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

Last night i cooked dinner for four again as a part of my "Dinner4Four" home cooking personal series. So far, sooo0000OOOOoo good.

I made:
- Flounder Bundles in a fresh tarragon garlic scallion lemon butter wrapped around carrots, squash, and red onion. (The esparagus didn't look so good, the recipe calls for it, but I had to make a last minute panic decision, and I substituted it with yellow squash. It worked. But I'm excited to use asparagus next time.) I steamed the fish! It only took about 7 minutes of steaming. I've never steamed fish before but it's the most healthy way, while still being fast (baking takes forever).
- Wild Rice Pilaf, the most exciting part is that it had dried cranberries and crushed roasted pecans in it. Chad helped with the pilaf!!!! Thanks Chad.
- Also, I made a staple of mine: pan fried Cauliflower with my Tahini sauce draped upon it. It's good to always include a staple when testing out new recipes on people. Eric S and Jason L kindly enjoyed my experiment. OH! Also, strawberry water with a touch of lemon.

I tested out two new recipes and didn't flop! It was good, but I know that next time it will be even better.

Spirituality & The Internet

2008-10-03T10:58:00.001-07:00

People often want a sense of community. Religion speaks to that. So does the internet.

After hanging out with Kevin B. last night I have been thinking a lot about community. And about the positive benefits of the internet. The ability to share, which is the goal of this blog, and find people who are interested. The ability to also produce at your own rate, and not have to worry as much about being at a certain place at a certain time. However, you remain social.

Also we talked about yoga. And healthy food eating discipline-- which involves always eating at home. Also it involves flax!

Here are some inspiring images off Maximum Sorrow from his Current Exhibition "MONUMENTS TO THE INFOspirit" at V&A Gallery in NY.

New Music Coop's Game Show @ Ballet Austin

2008-09-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

I will compete/perform in COBRA, RAW SHACK and a FLUXUS piece
(I can't tell you which because it will ruin the surprise), and the rest will be a surprise to me!

"Seeing through the skin"

2008-09-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

I know I know, but woah, I had to post this:
(Plus it's just a cut&paste job from an email from Elana)

Leonid Yaroslavsky, a professor and researcher at Tel Aviv University, suggests that humans may have an ability to "see" colors and shapes with their skin. His optic-less imaging model is presented in a chapter of a new book, Advances in Information Optics and Photonics, and could lead to a new form of optical imaging technology that beats the limitations of today's lens-based imaging devices. His model may also explain how this controversial primordial instinct, which is observable in some plants and animals, might have evolved over millions of years.

"Some people have claimed that they possess the ability to see with their skin," says Prof. Yaroslavsky. Though biologists usually dismiss the possibility, there is probably a reasonable scientific explanation for "skin vision." Once understood, he believes, skin vision could lead to new therapies for helping the blind regain sight and even read.

Skin vision is not uncommon in nature. Plants orient themselves to light, and some animals -- such as pit vipers, who use infrared vision, and reptiles, who possess skin sensors -- can "see" without the use of eyes. Skin vision in humans is likely a natural atavistic ability involving light-sensitive cells in our skin connected to neuro-machinery in the body and in the brain, explains Prof. Yaroslavsky.

"Seeing through the skin" (Eurekalert.org)

Before & After Deena OH Co-Lab Special Event

2008-09-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

View As Slideshow

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It's true, there was Lots and Lots of Paper......

Real life prop to the right of my desk in the set:

(funny)

This is where I emerged from in Phase Two: "The Telephone Rings" ~ 2 minutes in. The pile starts breathing and moves towards the phone ~ 4 minutes into the performance and I make my way out of all those discarded ideas to answer the phone. I imagined I was talking to a number of people who I was glad to hear from, and frankly I needed the break, but I was kinda in the middle of something.

MORE INFO

"Reprisal & Renovation of Discarded Ideas" @ Co-Lab

2008-09-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

This little video (taken on a canon camera) starts with Phrase Three. Sound Composed by Feedback, expanding on central theme in the piece. Feedback generated by my LineSix I got off craig's list and the Loop Station: pedals talking to each other.

Then Phrase Four. Composed with Bass. I'm striking the bass that's in my lap with a noname percussive instrument I found at a thrift store in California.I will put a picture up here. It's red and adorable. It's in the set. So is the bass.

Followed by Phrase Five. Composed with whistles, breath, and then live wind chimes.

What you don't get to see here at all is:
Phase 1 (The Beginning) or Phase 2 (The Phone Call) or Phase 5 (The End).

Or the part when I leave the building cause "I had to get out of here" (Phase 5) and skipped around the building singing "Try Not To Get Worried" from JCSS. Hoping to get around back and surprise the audience, but alas, the door was locked, so I skipped back around singing. Apparently you could hear me from inside.

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This is where I'm being a writer struggling with a character in the story she's trying to write because she's not really a writer.

Deena Meets Rose:

I was [overhead]projecting transparency sheets of a moment collage style mystic story draft. All of which I got feedback on by: Marisa Plumb, Benjamin S. Lowencron, Eric Shaefer, David Longoria, among others. I type on a typewriter, I really do. Because as you know I try to limit computer time. Plus it's just about writing and not about internet or photoshop. I need to hire an assistant.

There's a lot more I want to say. In fact, I want to talk about the questions part. Awkward, but I did get to talk about the lamp I spent three hours sewing buttons on even though I could have just glued them in a few minutes. But then you wouldn't have the different color thread.

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Last note, I paid tribute to some of the editors on the draft idea here, but I'd like to add that I paid tribute in the show either verbally or in the set design. Sam Gary, who I do vocals for in a Zappa inspired complex catchy band called Gayle Gold. Well his shirt was one of the one's I tried on in the performance. I made a paper island for Chad A: to sit on and man the sound (loop station)--- very symbolic and just plain realistic. Also I talked about Ivan Lozano, because when I was working on a movie called "One, Two, One, Two" (almost finished), he helped me by letting me use Final Cut Pro and teaching me the basics. And so one my elaborate storyboard, I had his user name there. And so I blacked out parts. I also blacked out Hunter Harris' address. He just so happened to call me while I was typing up "the end" to The Rose story. And I wanted to get his address. So I could send him my "Keep Your Brain Alive" Zine. (Part of my campaign to keep your mailbox alive. Will have those scanned and posed on my coming-soon-website once I get a chance.)

PS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS IS THAT THIS STRANGER FROM SUPERIOR EVENT TECHNICIANS CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HE WOULD FINISH SAID MOVIE FOR ME. I GOTTA FIND THOSE TAPES. AARON ULMER, DO YOU HAPPEN TO STILL HAVE THEM? WE COULD GET THIS DONE!

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I know there are some better higher quality photos and video out there but I'm excited to share quick! Although I don't know if it's too dark (wish I could do the lights again, hard to incorporate projector), but Sean @ Co-Lab has footage of the show's entirety, Ben Aquawas capturing it. How appropriate since it was performance expansion on portraits he took of me. Just curious to see the beginning because I had a very different perspective; couldn't see it at all.

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Anyways, I'm going to start recording this blog with my voice instead of typing on the computer. It's part of my new life plan. I'll hit BashaMO up when I get a podcast line in.

OH yeah one more thing: A Performance Installation@ CO-LAB

2008-09-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

I'm performing a piece called "The Reprisal & Renovation of Discarded Ideas" at Co-Lab Sunday evening. I really enjoy that Co-Lab is incorporating performance into their space, every sunday night.

Click:

Here's a peek at the STORYBOARD and INSTRUCTIONS:

One Last Thing: I Love THE WIRE

2008-09-04T15:52:00.001-07:00

Even the New York Times cares about The Wire. And The Washington Post.

Really, I don't watch TV. Truthfully. I just don't. It's not just a statement (although I wouldn't want to watch most of what's on there anyways), but really just a way of life. So for me to invest how ever many hours into The Wire. I'm going keep this short and say, it will help your understanding of society, politics, systems, power dynamics, and the streets. So as entertaining as it very well is, it's also informative on a practical emotional level.

Reasons I Can't Do Computer

2008-09-04T13:21:00.001-07:00

Still struggling with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It's been almost three years now. Chronic pain remains a very strange problem to deal with and I need a new approach. I'm researching and implementing a different plan. Which involves far less computer. Not doing computer jobs, have too much to do on computer for event scheduling etc. Not using the computer is never easy as I always hope. So much information I need to get out of and put up on the computer all the time.

Whenever I am able, I do post about events, music, arts etc on www.AWTHUM.com Great place. So you can look for me (DeenOH on Awthum) there for those such things. Otherwise, I will rarely be posting much from now on and will reserve that energy for physical therapy and the like.

Low Red Center

2008-08-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

Live

Low Red Center live at Awthumfest 2k7 from Zonk Out on Vimeo

Low Red Center performing tonight @ EMOS OUTSIDE @ 10 pm for KVRX Benefit
Saturday August 30th 2009
8 bands, 5 bucks

Nano Bang Bang Live & Condensed

2008-08-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

A 10 minute rendering of Nanobangbang's live set
in The Cave at the O.P.E.R.A house Grand Closing on August 10th 2008.

This set spans many moods and genres...

SET LIST:

1."Introduction"- text by Deena OH, sound collaboration with Chris Cuellar.

2. "Lonely" - solo, portishead style version of Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" sang over a found tape of heartbroken and lonley Texas woman.

3. "Flutter & Bounce"- barbershop quartet style song with drums featuring Allison Moore & Dakota Smith of Peel, Kevin Adickes of Moth!Fight!, and Winston Reed Chapman of Gayle Gold.

4. "I Need Your Love"- the dismantled and reassembled "Unchained Melody" into a 3-part soulful cheer featuring Elana L of Krazayzayzay.

5. "Rainbang"- signature track, collaboration with Eric Shaefer.

6. "The Long Goodbye"- our unique cover of the song from the Altman movie based on the Chandler book, collaboration with Chad A:

7. "Travel Technique"- solo prepared improv which ended up being part high-pitched rap,
collaboration with Chad A:

Enjoy.......!

Here's a couple photo's of the cave nano gang:

Zappa on Crossfire

2008-08-18T14:17:00.002-07:00

Pure brilliance of interaction.

GAYLE GOLD DEBUT

2008-08-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

I'm playing as and with Gayle Gold tomorrow night @ End of An Ear Records at 6pm sharp.

GAYLE GOLD = Sam music
Realized by Chad synth, Winston percussion, and Deena vocals, plus more (casio, slide whistle, kazoo), and Gary B himself guitar & vocals.

MORE INFO

FOR THE RELEASE OF GARY B'S "GOOD ONE, CHERYL"

album cover photo by Ben Aqua

Space Work

2008-08-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm going crazy over my workspace (aka deenasphere) not being in order.

I'm in session in process in progression of the space.

Gonna come back and put up a few images of some Deenasphere's at varying locations over the years.

But the reason I posted was to share what's below..

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If only I could have such sweeeeeet sense of completion in my set-up visionnnnnnn.

such as sOOOOOO000000oooo...

I commend the thoughtfulness, creative use of space, unique sense of style, and most important, the over functionality of the room--- CHALKBOARD!

image from:

This NY Times Article

JepJep (Yip Yips) & Yo Gabba Gabba

2008-07-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

BASAHMO is takes you back... .... .. .

Opera House, to be continued

2008-07-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

(I just wrote this first part in an email, and now it transformed into a blog)...

I once found these amazing bright orange, perfectly fitted for my tiny hands, completely unique gloves-- at an outdoor thrift mart in Somewhere, Texas. They were sooo dirty! I washed them a gabillion times. ANYWAYS then I was at The Cave and I spotted the exact same gloves, there at Opera House-- but bright green and not filthy. They were 5 bucks. At Feathers, something like that would be like $25.

I don't remember if it was Leah or Liz who had found them. At some other thrift store somewhere. There's probably only like 10 of them existing and only half of them are on sale.

About to perform with lrc, with the largest group i've ever played with live improv-- Of course, I had brought my orange pair. So it was exciting to have some synchrotron and still unique bright orange AND bright green gloves hanging out my back pockets!

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One other time, I went to O.P.E.R.A house, when Awthum Fest got moved from the Enchanted Forest to The Cave. Saw and experienced great things there.

Opera House
"provides a space for art experiments" -- Jeanne Stern

The O.pen P.ower E.xperimental R.esearch A.rts House

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Sad about it's closing. Understanding though. Word is the New Bohemia will be locating there instead. So the vintage clothes aspect of the space will stay alive. Though the live performance aspect will die.

I wonder what relational venue will spring up?? OH I do hope something like opera house feel will spring up in Austin soon!

I wonder what Leah will be up to? I wonder what a lot of people will be up to!

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The Erich Ragsdale and Eric Archer show installation was epic. I'll come back and post some pictures. I have some footage of Gary Barftits' noise set there, while interacting Erich Ragsdale's installation which was still up at the time.

Ben Aqua's photographic series Invasion of Privacy is there now. You should go check it out!! And pick-up his card (best card I've seen yet, and I have a hefty collection) and pay attention to where he placed them (hint: lego). Also pay attention to the way he hung his photographs. Truely inspired.

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The Opera House Closing Show Party is the AUGUST 10TH. Party starts at 5pm, bands stop playing at 11pm. Night Viking (chad of palfloat, amanda, kevin, and sam of gary b) are going to play together again, reunion, and also maybe for the last time?

Nanobangbang will also be playing around sundown. So I will perform, along with exquisite sound helpers (flier info soon). Very good space for Nanobanginging.

It's a small intimate place so, don't too many people come.

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So I wanted to write a blog about Opera House and I don't think this is sufficient, but I have to go get some work done.

80's Estonian Meat Commercial

2008-07-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

ummm...

youtube: "An intense meat commercial from Soviet-era Estonia. I'm told that the words beef and chicken are what is repeated throughout."

Category: Comedy
Tags: meat grinder foreign estonian soviet communism commercial advertisement chicken food disgusting intense kanahakkliha

Good Reads

2008-07-19T12:03:00.001-07:00

Just joined Good Reads. Great idea.

Currently Reading & Enjoying:

More Captured Nuggets

2008-07-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here are two more Movement Picture Moments.
Both located in Venis Beach, LA.

"LORYN HOOLAH DANCE NUGGET WINDOW IN TIME" by Deena OH

"BODY BUILDER HAT DROP MOMENT" by Deena Oh

The raw version below. Which I like because it's slow anticipation and real time.
I love the way he misses the first time. And how he takes his shoe to the sand to smooth it out, as if that will increase his chance of success. And the fact that I zeroed in on the shadowed sand just as his hat dropped.

The Fate Of BashaMO plus some

2008-07-19T01:41:00.000-07:00

Clearly, The BashaMO Blog has been dusty. I'm feeling particularly inspired right now. And wanting to share. I've been making time to post the most since BashaMO's fairly recent birth.

Nanobangbang resurrected it, and that's my own project. Just wrote a post about how I love these "long still movement pictures"-- I feel strongly about sharing these nugget moments in time that I witness or create.

Will BashaMO take another more personal turn maybe?

I was most active in July, where I only show up once in the Richard Serra post.

Then I did get a little more personal there and probably rather tedious with the Drs.'Letters during my medical times. I still think the language creates a fascinating exchange study.

At some point when I was hanging out in that house-to-be (about to get surgery), I put up a bunch of my own captures of the house being constructed.

It's really beginning to feel like a story of sorts to me. Well, I guess I'm writing.
So maybe it's ok if I put a little of myself back in here and share some of my productions. Excerpts or fragments or previews or segments or glimses or nuggets of my time moments.

Since I seem to want to share a lot of my workings, I'm thinking I might start a different blog for my very own teeny spurs, teency clouts, nano bang bangs, itty boom booms, etc. And leave this one for others and less me. With Ben Aqua's help, working on a website. So perhaps that will take over and I can just link you there.

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Confused Cell Lady Observation

2008-07-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

This marks my first sharing post of my "long stills" or "mini videos." Under the video I would like to talk about this for a second. I'm excited about sharing these observational moments in time.

"Confused Cell Lady Observation" by Deena Oh

Video: Taken at the Dallas Texas airport
Sound: Taken at Tryst, a coffeeshopslashbar, in Washington DC

I think that flickr introducing less-than-90-second video is brilliant. Everyone's still camera has video on it now.

These long pictures blend the brevity ("brevity is the soul of wit") with the motion of video. Motion pictures. The photographer's favorite concept should state the singularity of the moment. Video loses that, but gains precious time. The breaking time down into these nuggets is perfect for us when we are being attention deficit multi-tasking internet readers. Youtube of course approaches this, you could argue it created this, and sometimes it accomplishes this-- but you have to go through so much trash and looooooong unedited crap that remains interesting only if it is you or your buddy. A 90 second cut off causes you to choose more carefully what time you want to keep-- what moment to show. This being said, of course there are very uninteresting flickr mini vids, but at least it can never waste too much of your time.

But careful everyone: those 90 seconds, like that $3 coffee, adds up.

Hans quoted someone saying "humor is a waste of time." Then he explained that it sounds much better if taken out of context, but in context he's simply referring to wasting your time scavenging for internet humor.

What about wasting your time scavenging for beauty?

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Nanobangbang Debut Recap

2008-07-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Nanobangbang headlined their debut performance at the Parlor on Friday July 11th.

First off I'd like to thank everyone for your support. I know how many shows there are in Austin every night and I was super impressed with such a great turn out! Josh R, Josh D, Caitlin M, Kevin B, Jason C, Cari P, Rachel B, Tim S, Rick G, Amanda J, Bianca, Teri F, Luke G, Katherine M, Lace, Hans R, George M, Michelle G, Anna L, Allison M, Dakota S, David L, Beverly A, etc etc-- everyone I forgot and everyone who just stumbled in. And that guy who tried to sing with me! yall, it meant so much for you to witness the only performance of its kind (I'll expand on that later).

And of course I must thank DIY Danna for putting on the show. And Attic Ted for asking me to play.

THE CONCEPT:

The show was a semi linear, start from nothing and build, representative of a progression. Where NBB came from, where NBB is, where NBB is going. From acepella vocal exercise to noise/field recording with only voice to more beat oriented and structured collaborations.

My old outlet was described best by my dear friend Willis Dyer: "One of the things I think make for great art is the seamless combination of what's obscure and what's familiar. I think you blend those two things beautifully in your music, with your re-appropriation of old songs sung over ambient dissonance. You have such control and discipline and feeling when you sing, and I think it's your forte as an artist."

There was this. I did my very own version of Phil Spector(via The Teddy Bears, thenn the Beatles)'s "To Know Him Is To Love Him" over a digital recording of my friend reading a letter email out loud and a found tape (by Chad) of a woman talking to the tape recorder as if it was her old lover-- which I had pre-manipulated manually. I had put these and the other backing tracks into a loop petal as phrases. (see diagram below)

Nanobangbang will be departing from this sound; this show marked the passage of that era which I may only pay homage to at future shows. Very happy to have been asked in time to perform this -alone music- before moving on to more collaborative and structured work.

THE VISION:

Everyone "on stage" was to dress in black & white. This Everyone Included:
me, Eric Tierkunde, Winston Reed, Sam Gary, Chad Allen, [Kevin Adickes rendered a last minute absence due to recording for Moth!Fight!, so I did the Flutter & Bounce a duet solo]

and...

The Liddell sisters reading.

I decided since I was solo enough of the time, to use people as props in order to divert some attention off me and create an image that could provoke a thought-- so I had The Liddle sisters reading. I found Annecy's black & white silky unique looking dress from Goodwill and Hannah's black & white birded silk blouse from Goodwill as well, and she provided her skirt. They both brought their own books. Lots of people commented on that after the show-- their ideas of what it represented etc. A guy talked to me about how he thought it was about the Catholic religion; reminded him of Catholic school. (The happened to be library books).

THE VENUE:

I found the Parlor to be an ideal venue for a low pressure arrangement. I always thought Nanobangbang's first show should be there. I happen to like pizza and beer too.

As you may likely know, I've performed before with other ensembles, have performed people's pieces that they wrote, but never my own creation. It's a very different feeling to perform what you yourself have envisioned rather than being a vehicle for other people's vision. So it was nice to be in a casual environment.

But what Nanobangbang has in mind is a little more theatrical than the Parlor's aesthetics can allow and plus I couldn't use one of my pedals because the sound was so bad there (I think it was the feedback from this one particular light). Luckily, I don't NEED effects for my voice-- but it sure is fun. I was going to do some looping stuff. Which brings me to my next post I should write because I purchased the vocal petal I've been wanting Chad found it and I got it from some dude off craig's list. (tangent!)

THE SOUND:

see "the venue"

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Set List with Petal reference guide:

Notes on drums and noise for NBB's version of Roy Orbison's Crying:

Tentitive Set list with sunlike loop petal diagram:

Thank you for reading! Hopefully see you next show-- I have some bookings in the works. Will be back to let you know when and where. Most definitely Quacks (38th), hopefully The Opera House before it closes: maybe at the closing show.
[upcoming: post on sadness of the opera house closing]

I want to do it at Salvage Vanguard Theatre (Church of the Friendly Ghost) and/or The Blue Theatre and play up the more theatrical components. In fact, I have this whole furniture installation in my head I'd like to see. With people as props again-- but this time more active. I want to re-create that film noir scene where everyone is at a cocktail party-- waitresses come around with drinks for real, people sit among each other, then we perform inside that environment but on stage. Think Rita Hayworth.

OH! Speaking of film noir. Chad & I did our cover of The Long Goodbye. The song done many styles in Robert Altman's movie rendition of Raymond Chandler's novel: The Long Goodbye.

Thanks for letting me share all those thoughts with you,

Nanobangbang

del.icio.us

2008-03-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

http://del.icio.us/D.O.H

"Art as Magic"

2008-02-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.ubu.com/historical/wrtma/art02.htm

--The Western Round Table on Modern Art (1949)

Anne Waldman

2007-12-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

After hearing a soundbite of "Uh Oh Plutonium" on UBU: John Giorno Poetry Systems a.k.a The Dial-A-Poem Poets , I looked into Anne Waldman.

A poet, protester, musician, writer, etc etc etc. Anne Waldman and her work are often associated with the Beat Generation. There are many articles about her here.

I'm so obsessed with this song right now:

Colors in the Mechanism of Concealment:

Friend's Videos

2007-11-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some links and videos made by friends:

Black Magic Rollercoaster is great. Thomas is skilled at mimicking genres. Mostly inspired to make stuff for Alamo Draft House's various competitions, his videos show great style and a suburb sense of humor. Whether it be the Unnecessary Sequel Trailer Contest, or the 48-Hour Bloodshots Horror Film Contest, or in the case of my personal favorite that I embedded below, the BPM 48-Hour Music Video Contest, it proves that Thomas has a cool brain.

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You should definitely also check out the unnecessary sequel "SON OR DAUGHTER? OF GLEN OR GLENDA?" because it is very very well done. Wiley does a really amazing job in it, tough role too. You may know him from Dazed and Confused and Waking Life. He made a little video that I'm in. Made from footage taken through his infrared camera of a little walk we took around my old neighborhood. Nothing crazy, very simple and sweet. What's awesome is that it looks like it's winter and we're on another planet, but actually it was summer in Austin, Texas. Here's a link to that: Going for a Walk, it's on his blog:New of The Dead.

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Speaking of things I'm in, but really this has very little to do with me, Jason directed and Ben produced and edited this Super 16mm film called Rut. It Won Best Overall at the 2006 Open APPerture Film Festival, got Viewer's Choice at the 2006 Jumpcut Film Festival, and an Audience Award at the 2006 Cinematexas Film Festival, and was Feature at Fantastic Fest 2006. I'm only in it for a second, dressed as Dorthy and holding a shotgun! Which made for a great photo op that got published in the Daily Texan, even though I barely did anything. That was one of the best costumes ever!

It's worth seeing eventhough it's in a little flash box as opposed to how beautiful it was in its original format. strange subject, odd tone to the film, interesting, really well shot.

Here's a link: "Rut"

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Speaking of little videos with me. My friend Brandi made this little thought provoking flower half outta footage from us karaoking and half outta I'm not sure what. She describes it as: "simpletone explores night setting." It's both kinda terrifying and sorta sweet...

dear deena

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There's much more I want to share at this moment but I'm tired of blogging. I'll come back and put more friend's videos up soon. And hopefully soon enough I'll put some stuff I've been working on as well. I went on an erasing spree recently, caused by Vincent Gallow. I'm afraid to write his name here now. He had one of my videos on youtube taken down due to "copyright infringement" because I mention him in the description. I didn't use any footage or music or anything that he has a copyright on. When I posted the little homemade video, of which I did the sound & music too, I threw together a description. It read "Vincent Gallo went looking for his lost love tripping on mushrooms and it was very difficult. He put all his blood sweat and tears into this journey, but to no avail. As if in a dream, he heard the eerie voice of a mysterious woman detective that could find his lost love." And that was enough reason for him to get it taken down and accuse me of copyright violation. Ugh! I'll also mention that he took down footage from the original movie that the song "Come Wander With Me" by Jeff Alexander was in. As you may know, he used that amazing song in Brown Bunny, which I really liked.

Anyways... tangent!

construction one

2007-10-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

There's this house being constructed down the street.

I have been going there a lot lately.

At risk of being too metaphorical, I just had a major operation that I am recovering (very well) from. I will have to build my life back together very soon. In identifying with the concept of being under construction, I guess I was drawn to this place.

I am glad that I was because it is such a great place to hang-out.

There is a sense of privacy and openness. This vacancy inside a construct.

Without a roof the sky's the limit!

And also a sense of progression. Look! Another layer has been added:

It appears someone's been playing soccer...

Music Sharing

2007-10-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Generally, I have observed a huge mischaracterization of music sharing ("piracy"). I happen to be amongst a community of music lovers, collectors, and sharers. These things tend to go hand in hand. Many of my friends are in bands. I have learned about artists I probably would have never discovered if not for music sharing and because of that I have gone to their shows, bought merchandise, and further promoted. Spreading the word is free marketing. The only artists I imagine don't benefit from music sharing are big labeled artists who are already banking and don't need promotion because they are already huge.

I'm sure there are some real pirates out there, people who only download music and never buy it, never pay to go to shows, never buy merchandise, nothing, they just are free loaders. The ones that make music sharers become menacingly characterized as pirates who who want to ruin the music industry. I don't know them. But NONE of the people I know are like that. They have HUGE collections of purchased music (cds and records) and also HUGE collections of music they got for free. You can't stop people from making each other mix cd's, that's just cruel. Mix cds are one of the best things in the world! Or burning each other disks.

In the world I live in: It's fair trading. I bought this amazing album and want to share it, and someone else bought an amazing album and wants to share it! Someone hears a record at a friend's house, then goes and downloads it easily and freely and listens to it constantly, then s/he looks up when a the next show happens in the area, gets a bunch of people to go pay to see the band! Someone loves a particular song and sends someone a free mp3 of it, then that person wants to go buy the album! Etc etc etc. These are the kinda of scenarios I encounter when it comes to sharing music.

The types of music sharing scenarios that I know of help the music industry and they are made up of genuine music lovers.

I understand the concern, believe me. And it's money. I get it. Hm...I wonder, would a band rather to never be heard of or be popular, loved, and free? I mean, if those were the only choices...

I know there is a fine line that becomes a slippery slope between music sharing and piracy. But I also think that we live in a digital age where there is tons of access and exposure. With the good comes the bad, and with the bad comes the good. This also means that someone can steal my idea pretty easily, but it also means that someone can like my idea who would have never had access to it.

One more philosophical query... if a band worked hard, and they got a huge fan base of loving listeners out of people downloading their mp3s for free unbenounced to them, is all their hard world lost? Probably this means that they will be doing better as a band. And by better I mean: selling more cds, t-shirts, show tickets, etc. And by better I also mean happier because people know who the hell they are and like their work.

Again, this need not apply to big huge bands on big huge record labels who are already living in luxury. I imagine music sharing doesn't help them one bit, but, aren't they already banking?

I realize the piracy and copyright issues in our modern interwebbing world is a can of very complex worms that I haven't quite gotten a handle over. But in general, I'll say my little say. I think the first priority of art is either to be private or public. If you make it for yourself, no problem. If you are making it hoping for an audience, once you go public, isn't the goal to create as many listeners as possible???? To see if people relate to your work and if they do then you CELEBRATE THAT! If it is for money, than you should go back to college or go to college and get a degree in marketing or business or something and I promise that you will be more likely to bank.

Operative Report

2007-10-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

For a year they couldn't figure out what was wrong, then I got tentatively diagnosed with a pretty rare and highly misunderstood: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. For more information about the diagnostic process, I have abridged two of the DOCTOR'S LETTERS. One who ended up doing the surgery, and the other, writes a humorously verbose letter. I find it hilarious (in my weird textual sense of humor) the way he tries to cover all his ground.

After about four or five months of physical therapy with two different therapist's approaches, I still wasn't better. I resorted to a seemingly draconian surgery based on a nebulous diagnosis because I figured, what other choice do I have? To be in chronic pain and unable to use my right hand (I am right handed) and wait for it to magically disappear didn't seem like a good option. So I risked the surgery, also because I had faith in these surgeons: Dr.Ducic and Dr.Marshall. They were planning on taking out my first rib, scalene muscle, and doing other things I couldn't recall because I don't have the medical vocabulary. See, they were going to remove those things hoping that might work because it sometimes does relieve symptoms of TOS. Turns out I made the right decision; upon opening me up they did indeed find the real cause of the pain I'd been suffering for a year and a half...

(A drawing a few weeks before the surgery)

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OPERATIVE REPORT
SURGEON: BLAIR MARSHALL

Preoperative Diagnosis: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Postoperative Diagnosis: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

INDICATIONS OF THE PROCEDURE:
Patient is young woman with impingement of her brachial plexus on the level of the thoracic outlet. She was evaluated preopertively and found to be a good candidate for the first rib resection. She was aware of the risks and details associated with the procedure in fact a 50% chance of improvement of her symptoms. She was willing to proceed.

These collages I made a few weeks before the surgery, includes copies of my real X-RAYS.
If you click on em you can see em bigger.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROCEDURE:
After Dr.Ducic performed the incision division of the scalenes and neurolysis of the brachial plexus, we were called into the room. The tubercle of the first rib was identified. The subclavian was retracted superiorly and we dissected onto the periosteum of the rib and then dissected circumferentially around the rib. We extended this underneath the subclavian and the brachial plexus up posteriorly to the level of insertion on the transverse process.

There was a quite strong verticle angle of the rib in this location, suggesting that it may have in fact certainly been the cause of her symptoms.

We dissected all the way to the vertbral body and then ligament was divided. Initially we transected the rib between the subclavian and brachial plexus, and then sequentially took out the posterior aspect of the first rib all the way back cleanly off the vertebral body at the level of the ligament, and then anteriorly, taking care to avoid the injury to the brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and vein, anteriorly to the level of the manubrium.

One this was done, the wound was packed. Hemostatis was obtained, and then a Penrose drain was placed and the wound was closed in laters with absorbable suture. I, Dr.Blair Marshall, was present for the entire thoracic portion of the prodecdure and responsible for the conduct of the case.

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So that's just Dr.Marshall's operative report; still waiting Dr.Ducic's. He took the scalene muscle out, re-arranged nerves and veins, clipped arteries, somethingsomething. I'd like to read it because he said some crazy stuff was going on in there and all the medical terminology slips my mind. I'd like it in writing.

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New Leaf

2007-10-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

I've been going through some bloggers and have decided to turn a new leaf, I mean, it is fall. Mainly I've been writing only on things generally classified as "the arts." No I will continue with all that because it is a part of my life and I think sharing is important. I don't know where I'd be without the sharings of others.

However now I've decided to expand my sharing and write WHATEVER I FEEL LIKE WRITING ABOUT. In other words, I've been sifting through some other people's blogs and I liked the personal parts of them. I'm not gonna get all livejournal, but I am going to share other tidbits about me, other than what impresses me in music, visual art, or film, etc.

Oh by the way this tracks what I listen to on my computer and ipod, so not all the CDs or records, but still does show a substantial amount, enough to call it my music profile: lastfm: DeenaOdelle

DR LETTERS

2007-10-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Dr. letter regarding surgery part one:

Although longer and more confusing, this letter is far more entertaining. Especially the end. What's even funnier is that my Dad and I were sitting there as he dictated this overly eloquent and verbose letter. And I have trimmed it down pretty considerably.

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Dear Dr.McMahon:

As a follow-up of today's introductory evaluation of Ms.Hyatt, I write this letter. The patient is being seen for a possible right upper extremity thoracic outlet syndrome. I spend most of our time today listening to the patient's complaints.

In brief recapitulation, the patient is a twenty-five year old white female with initial swelling of the right hand over a year ago. She underwent subsequent evaluation in Austin, Texas with a subsequent evaluation for persistent symptoms. Chronic adema combined with intermittent pain in the upper arm, forearm, and hand, as she points in the latter to the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand (those which appropriately correspond to the ulnar nerve). She notes as well appreciable pain in the neck. She also has a history of a left iliac vein thrombosis, which was rather extensive secondary to May-Turner's syndrome with an angiolysis in 2001 and subsequent stent placement but not further problems. The patient has been ongoing with physical therapy for the last seven weeks with some appreciable benefit.

The patient remains on significant medication, including Neurontin 300 mg b.i.d., cyclobenzaprine q.h.s., and additional medications she does not recall.

At this point, the patient is noted to have bounding pulses and bilateral radial arteries on standing at military posture, Adson position remains unaffected. Yet, with hyperabduction of the left and right upper extremities, there is adiminution of pulses.

I think most importantly, at this point, the patient is out of school on the basis of pain with any movement of her right hand and arm, as she is right handed. Her function is minimal without great consequence.

At this juncture, the patient has recently and locally seen Dr.Ivica Ducic, whom I know and admire. I was not aware that Dr.Ducic had any interest or expertise in thoracic outlet syndrome, but I do know him to be an excellent individual and surgeon. I know that the patient will be seeing dr. Blair Marshall, who is another outstanding individual. Dr.Marshall is a thoracic surgeon, having finished her training at the University of Pennsylvania and is well known locally, having come through the general surgery program at Georgetown University Hospital and having rotated at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

I have stated that many surgeons have many different opinions about TOS. My own opinion, in regard to Ms. Hyatt's history, I would probably say that I favor some element of TOS in her history; however, at this juncture, I do not see anything that would push me to recommend surgery. Physical therapy, which probably restores individuals to a reasonable function in 50% of the cases, is my recommendation. If, however, the physical therapy does not deem successful, surgical intervention may be necessary.

I have further stated to Ms.Hyatt and her father who is accompanying her today that there are numerous, different opinions about thoracic surgery, even if surgery is recommended. I am en enthusiast for a rather traditional first rib resection through a transaxillary approach, taking down all of the attachments tha might effect the ipsilateral subclavian vein, artery, and/or brachial plexus. Other individuals favor a supraclavicular approach with release of nerve entrapment and scalenus anticus division, etc.

My recommendation is that if the patient were to have surgery, she should have one definitive surgery, minimizing the chance for complications or repeat operation where most of the problems come to fruition. On that basis, I recommend the patient defer surgery until it absolutely needs to be performed. This is not to put her in a position of severe end-stage nerve-related symptomatology, but rather until a point where she has proven that she does not benefit adequately with physical therapy, and that she must do something, even if surgery is felt to be a diagnostic maneuver.

I apologize for waxing too eloquent and being verbose. Again, I have stated that there are numerous individuals who think in wildly conflicting ways with regard to this entity, and it is well known to be most often treated in Denver and Dallas where two surgeons in those same communities are very aggressively minded. However, at the same time, it must be kept in mind, at least over the past decade, that thoracic outlet syndrome ........

Finally, Dr.McMahon, at some point......

Again I apologize for this lengthy note, and I ask Dr.Marshall to send me a copy of her evaluation of this patient.

Thank you for allowing me to participate in the evaluation and care of Ms.Hyatt.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Keirnan, M.D.

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Dr. letter regarding surgery part two:

This is the surgeon who ended up operating on me, as he predicts in the letter.

Dear Scott:

I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs.Hyatt who is currently 25, and, for the past year, has been experiencing symptoms related to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in her right upper extremity, primarily related to pain, pins and needles, and also coldness/loss of pulse with arm elevation/abduction. She is having most of the symptoms corresponding to the ulnar nerve.

On physical examination, she did have a positive Tinel's sign and tenderness of right but not left brachial plexus. She did have a visually loss of pulse (right hand becoming pale with arm elevation).

Based on her presentations and current findings after a lengthy and detailed discussion, I would summarize my conversation with her as following: I instructed her to obtain a consultation with Dr. Blair Marshall in thoracic surgery for her to discuss whether the 1st rib would need to be addressed at the same time, and I would be planning to perform a brachial plexus neurolysis and anterior scalene muscle removal.

I explained to her that, based on her discussion with Dr. Marshall, the 1st rib can be removed at the same time when the decompression of the brachial plexus and anterior scalenectomy would be performed.
As far as the part of the surgery that I will perform, that would be done through a suprasubclavicular approach with the limited incision that I am using. The possible risks and limitations have been discussed with the patient. Considering that she is currently undergoing physical therapy and is planning to do it through the end of June, then that would be approximately three months of the therapy. Should her symptoms go away by that time, certainly surgery would not be necessary, but based on how abrupt the loss of her pulse is with her current problems with tingling are, I suspect most likely physically therapy might not address her problem and she will require surgery.

In the meantime, thank you again for involving me in the care of this kind patient.

With warm wishes.

Sincerely,

Ivica Ducic, M.D., Ph.D.

Yellow Fever

2007-09-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have serious yellow fever. And it's actually an amazing thing to have.

Yellow Fever, the band from Austin TX. They just keep getting better and better. Some changes in arrangement underwent; which forced Jennifer to be the one and only frontwoman and damn can she take that stage. This woman has an amazing voice. Ahh I hate to do comparisons but if it will help I'll throw out there: White Magic, Cat Power, with more rock, I already don't like doing this comparison. Ohh, I have an idea! Listen to every song. Then buy their stuff. And if you can, go to their shows.

Ross McElwee

2007-08-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

Ross McElwee makes documentaries. "It seems I'm filming my life in order to have a life to film, like some primitive organism that somehow nourishes itself by devouring itself, growing as it diminishes." -RM

Read more about him here (PBS Frontline).

I absolutely love all of his work but if you are to pick only one I would say Sherman's March.

Sherman's March: A Meditation on the Possibility of Romantic Love in the South During an Era of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, (1986) Autobiographical documentary on life, love, nuclear preparedness, and the various neuroses of General William Sherman.

- Sundance Film Festival
- Best Feature Documentary USA Film Festival, (Dallas)
- Cinema du Reel, Paris National Board of Film Critics, runner-up Best Feature Documentary, 1986
- Selected by Library of Congress National Registry International Doc. Assoc: Top 20 Documentaries of All Time

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And if you can't get over Charleen, which you most likely won't be able to, then you have to pick-up Charleen or How Long Has This Been Going On?.

Charleen, (1978) Portrait of North Carolina native Charleen Swansea, a protégé of Ezra Pound, poet, and innovative teacher in the public schools.

- Best Documentary American Film Festival (NYC)
- Red Ribbon Award Best Feature Documentary of 1980, Boston Society of Film Critics

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And then of course, you should watch Bright Leaves.

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Oh! There's this:

Christian Bök

2007-08-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

This is an online flash version of Chapter E .

WARNING: IT IS INTERACTIVE

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This picture of Christian Bök during his marathon reading of Eunoia:

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Last night I was thumbing through Chirstin Bök's lexical exprmnt:

(I am quoting now straight from blogcritics.org's Mike Daley)

Eunoia. I picked this book up, with its accompanying CD, at Word on the Street in Toronto a couple of weekends ago. The deal is that Bök (pronounced "book") has written a novel that uses the five vowels, but only one chapter at a time. So chapter one is "A", and all of the words in the chapter contain "a" as their only vowel.

It's quite amazing what he does, and clearly virtuosic, which I like. Now, as a guy who can't tell his metonyms from his synecdoches, I am loath to offer much in the way of criticism or analysis. I'll leave that to bookish English-teachin', poetry-lovin' babes, in whose company I like to be seen.

Let me just say that to hear this stuff read aloud, as the author does on the disc, is a striking sonic experience, and very interesting from a musical standpoint. Here's why. With the constant reiteration of the short and long forms of one vowel, albeit punctuated with a variety of consonant closers and openers, a kind of rhythm and melody emerges. Vowels ARE the carriers of tone in language, doncha know. Of course, this melody and rhythm is always present in spoken language, and implicit in written language as well. But the sameness of the vowel sounds (which are really just timbral profiles, which are themselves just formant registers [language babes love when I talk linguistics]) really points up the musicality of the speech.

What's interesting too is that Bök doesn't shy away from giving affective labels to the different vowels ('u' is obscene, apparently). All of this, in my bök, is a recipe for fun. I'll be chewing on this one for a while. Side note: I'm reminded of one of my mum's (9 months gone yesterday) favourite jokes, which is in the form of a newspaper headline: "'Sex before marriage? Not in my book!' claims angry Noah Webster...."

Oldtimes 2

2007-08-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

TIME STAMP:
Wednesday, June 07, 2006

TITLE:
worth living

BODY:
Life is very much a possession.

9:06 AM - 8 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove
Thoracles Odinrocker

One of the more interesting depictions of the consequences of suicide upon the dead comes from Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series: As in Catholic exegesis of scripture, those who commit suicide are condemned to Hell; Gaiman has them turn into gnarled trees, void of leaves. The Sandman remarks that after an one hundred year absence from visiting Hell (the later quarter of the 19th century and the first three-quarters of the 20th) what was once a grove has turned into a dense and sorrowful forest. I find the image to be heart-breaking, particularly in taking into consideration the commentary on modern society's effect(s) upon human moods etc implied in Sandman's remarks.

I am bound to ask by the subject matter of this blog: are you thinking about suicide? Because if so, I better be the person you take with you....We cannot carry the Post Deenaism torch without you to guide the haphazard way.

Posted by Thoracles Odinrocker on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 at 10:10 AM
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Exeter

The thought that a day may come when Deenaism becomes Post is more than a little upsetting.

Posted by Exeter on Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 5:39 AM
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The Bashamo

old school jonathan, you're the sweetest!

Posted by The Bashamo on Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 10:37 AM
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The Bashamo

I am thinking about suicide as a subject matter, not as a course of action.
I'm way too much of a positive thinker and I have way to much to do to be suicidal right now. Maybe later.
But the plan is that I'll have eaten so much fatty foods, drank, smoked, etc that I won't have to deal with too much of a decline and I'll die early enough after having done enough.

Posted by The Bashamo on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 at 10:54 AM
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anna

i don't know enough about philosophy to make an educated argument, but i can share my opinion. the only time suicide seems logical - if you can even call it that - is if you know your life from this point on will be devoid of any significant pleasure. although a masochist may look forward to pain, i'm not really considering him. so, if you know you will only experience pain from here on out, you may as well kill yourself. the problem is that we can never know and therefore, may deprive ourselves from something wonderful. however, if we're dead we won't know what we're missing anyway.

Posted by anna on Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 8:52 AM
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Christopher el Mexicano Barbudo Rojo

There is, to be sure, something to what you are saying here, but might I suggest, to help differentiate between the types of suicides which you enumerate, that we, perhaps, reintroduce the concept of the martyr?

I, of course, decry suicide of all types, as it is the ultimate attack on all life, on your own, and on the world's, it is, from a subjective point of view, a final and ultimate attack on reality--but of course, reality still wins. But to abandon one's life for the sake of another, if that be suicide, is a very different sort of thing--I don't know if that is what you mean by a "bold suicide" or not, but that is all I can think that it might mean. I would highly recommend that you read G.K. Chesterton's comments on suicide in his book Orthodoxy; as much as the work is not "serious" philosophy, it is one of the finest and most thorough treatments of the issue I have ever read.

Happy thinking, enjoy the fatty foods, and God Bless.

Posted by Christopher el Mexicano Barbudo Rojo on Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 9:01 PM
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Thoracles Odinrocker

There are only two suicides that currently come to mind as being even close to "right" or justifiable:

1) Hunter S. Thompson. He is the expression of a right that is often ignored by many, but is always there nonetheless: the right to die. At the end of his life he couldn't even make it up a simple flight of stairs on his own. For someone who embodies the ideal of freedom, being held hostage on the first floor of one's own home is a terrible prison ("In prison I hear there's time to be good, but the first thing you see is the last thing you should" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club). There is something to be said for dying well, and you have to ask yourself if extending a life of physical pain and torment accompanied by psychological deterioration is a life worth living at all. What good can you accomplish for yourselves or others other than to remind them of the person you once were, and to placate their fears of a world without you - particularly when the world with you has become a burden to them beyond what is considered a reasonable cross to bear which brings me to my second suicide....

2) Jesus/God. Okay, so all of you Catholics out there are now most likely too furious with me to continue reading my argument, so go ahead and stop now and write that dastardly response that is itching under the cuticles of your righteous fingers. For the rest of you: according to Christian scripture God gave himself in the form of Jesus - a being who is/was 100% Divine and 100% human - in order to save us all. God did not have to do this, as God can do anything, but since he rigged the game in the Garden of Eden...heck even from Lucifer the Morningstar's rebellion (but this is another discussion that calls for much wine and some pompously proposterous cheese), he felt it was necessary to die an unnatural death (ie a violent one; one not brought about by time and old age...which one would also have to wonder if Jesus would EVER had died since he was, well, God...man we need to open up a Circle K with all these cans of worms...). He for-knew his death (see the Garden of Gethsemene (totally butchered the spelling, I am sorry)) and he allowed it to happen. Of course this is only suicide if you view allowing your death to take place at the violent hands of another when you could have easily stopped it as suicide. Anyway, for those of you still reading, you must really hate your job. Get back to the TPS Reports. That'd be great. Uh huh. Yeah.

Posted by Thoracles Odinrocker on Friday, June 09, 2006 at 7:37 AM
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Christopher el Mexicano Barbudo Rojo

Hi, I'm Catholic and I don't think that my response is particularly righteous or anything, in fact, I merely wanted to say that I more or less agree with what you said about Christ (Hunter S. Thompson is another, as you put it, can of worms); the point, however, is the one I would employ to call Christ's "suicide" a sacrifice. There is and must be a differance. The man who throws himself on the grenade that his friends might not perish does not commit suicide, nor does he who allows himself to be crucified that we may live. That's all really. (oh, and your point about Christ not dying a natural death, being God and all, is a good one: it puts the sacrifice in context. He did not merely give up life like a mortal would, for all mortals must die, but Christ gave up eternal life. Death, after all, is the wage of sin, and since Christ had not sin it stands to reason that he would have suffered not death. Amazing really.)

I hope that wasn't a "dastardly" response.

Posted by Christopher el Mexicano Barbudo Rojo on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 12:48 PM
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Oldtimes

2007-08-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

Severe judgmental culturally elite complex writing literary industry commercial prospects. This is fucked up serious damage.

TIME STAMP:
Tuesday, June 20, 2006

TITLE:
difficult gems

BODY:

key phrases to look out for:

- severe judgment
- This is fucked up
- culturally elite
- neatly equated
- complex writing
- serious damage
- commercial prospects
- literary industry

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Citing Ulysses as the ultimate scare text, he claims, that its frequent placement on top-ten lists of the best books of the twentieth century "sends this message to the common reader: Literature is horribly hard to read. And this message to the aspiring writer: Extreme difficulty is the way to earn respect. This is fucked up. It's particularly fucked up when the printed word is fighting other media for its very life."

Even while popular writing has quietly glided into the realm of the culturally elite, doling out its severe judgment of fiction that has not sold well, and we have entered a time when book sales and artistic merit can be neatly equated without much of a fuss, Franzen has argued that complex writing, as practiced by writers such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett and their descendants, is being forced upon readers by powerful cultural institutions (this is me scanning the horizon for even the slightest evidence of this) and that this less approachable literature, or at least its esteemed reputation, is doing serious damage to the commercial prospects of the literary
industry.

-From a Harper's Article (you know about this Timothy)

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Do I agree?

There's plenty of accessible literature out there being sold and even SOLD-OUT. What's wrong with studying some difficult gems? What's wrong with pushing the limits? So maybe some people get left behind but there's always BEST SELLERS. There's still a middle between Donald Barthelme and The DaVinci Code.

And then there's movie adaptations.

Literature. Hmm...

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COMMENTS:

12:47 PM - 7 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove
The Timothy Corporation

I do, I do.

Posted by The Timothy Corporation on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 12:58 PM
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anna

so maybe some people get left behind, but there's always left behind. now that's great literature.

Posted by anna on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 1:03 PM
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DeenaOdelle

there was a movie adaptation of that in 2000.
the IMDb tagline for the movie = "the future is clear"
bullshit!

Posted by DeenaOdelle on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 1:07 PM
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Exeter

As a card-carrying member of the countrys cultural elite please excuse me while I get out my soapbox. I think its grossly short sighted to say that the force feeding of difficult literature to popular society is such a bad thing. Furthermore I think that as painful as it may (or may not) be, its necessary. Not everyone enjoyed taking basic science and math classes in school, but without some sort of basic bank of societal knowledge about these things communication would be impossible. The same is true of literature.

This concludes the intellectual diarrhea.

I love D.O.H.

Posted by Exeter on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 2:00 PM
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Thoracles Odinrocker

The problem is we no longer have to courage to say something sucks, or I don't understand it (and just because you personally don't understand it, doesn't make it stupid), and we have no idea what constitutes "good literature." I'm not saying that I do, but I do know that there is a difference between "good literature" and "writing that is good only because it makes you turn the page." The latter is a psychological device that can be expertly crafted, but will not push the bounds of literature to new levels of anything except summer-time book sales and terrible movie adaptations. Our children will not read The DiVinci Code; they will read Tim O'Brien's work.

Posted by Thoracles Odinrocker on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 2:57 PM
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The Timothy Corporation

Accessibility and experimentation are not mutually exclusive. There are plenty of writers able to push the boundaries of language and narrative form without sacrificing one iota of their readership. To me, that's the definition of literary genius.

(Name-dropping time! Writers like Alice Munro, George Saunders, and Robert Coover are perfect examples of authors who maintain that balance.)

ps..My mom LOVES the Left Behind series.

Posted by The Timothy Corporation on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 6:25 PM
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Christopher el Mexicano Barbudo Rojo

An observation, perhaps even a thought: There is more to the quote than the idea that "difficult" literature is being force fed, so I think. The problem, and I do believe it is a problem, and grevious one, is that there has been established a great gulf between what academics might call literature and what people are reading. No doubt there is a lot of literature that is accesable, but there is, it must be stated, much that is not. Why? Joyce, and he does deserve to be cited here, and the other modernists, especially later in their careers, filled there works with as much "stuff"--to use the technical term--as was possible. This makes it difficult for your average, even for your exceptional, reader. Anyone can pick up pretty much any 19th century novelist of poet and read and enjoy with little effort or education; the same cannot be said regarding many of the "greats" of the 20th century. The modernists, in an attempt to make literature more rich, made it also more obscure, this necessarily limited their audience. We have seen over the last many decades an increasing academization of literature. It is becoming a specialist field. This is not yet so clear in prose as in poetry, which is will serve as a more stark example. Poetry is no longer written for people, but is written for poets and critics. Eliot himself said that only a poet can criticize a poem. This is a new and exclusionary idea. Poetry is no longer for the people. Prose is going the same way. "But what?" you say, "there is so much literature being printed." And to be sure, there is. But compare this to the prose of a century ago. In the 19th century, newspapers were filled with serialized authors such as Dumas, Hugo, Tolstoy, and Dosteoevsky--names which are not venerable merely because they are old--imagine such a thing today. Imagine even serialized novels. Difficult, I know. Why? That is a big question which I should not attempt to answer in a blog comment. But it must be acknowledged that literature occupies a very different, and much more narrow, space in the lives of people today. At least one factor affecting this, is, I strongly believe, that people do think "real literature"--a term that you will hear them say--is too hard. Perhaps the idea of real literature needs be redefined (or, for that matter, defined at all). You see the same thing in philosophy and music. Few today will read Aristotle for leisure or listen to Palestrina for contemplation. No, there is an aversion to the "difficult stuff." I do believe that "cultural institutions"--we call those universities where I come from--force an idea about literature on people, and I believe this idea is very incorrect. We are losing the middle ground, so it seems, between literature as something to be enjoyed, and literature as something to be studied. Before guys like Joyce & co., it was not necessary to "study" literature. Anyone can enjoy Milton without getting all of his references; without getting all of his references--and who does?--Pound's Cantos are unintelligable. This is a big difference, and I would argue, a big problem. Ok, that's the observation and the thought, I shall close with a recommendation: Read Dana Gioia's book, Can Poetry Matter, and perhaps also some works on criticism and literature by G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis. Pushing the envelope may be a good, but not at the expense of the letter.

Ingmar Bergman

2007-07-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

Mr. Bergman finally fully confronts his famous fear of death today July 31 2007.

Luckily he's got nothing to show for himself except over 50 films, nominated for awards, won some awards, 168 works for the stage, television, and radio.... tax evasion, jail time, nervous breakdown, marriages to Ingrid von Rosen, Else Fisher, Ellen Lundström, Gun Grut, and Käbi Laretei, a daughter Linn who became a novelist, relationships with all his leading actresses: Harriet Andersson 1952-55, Bibi Andersson 1955-59 and Liv Ullmann 1965-70, an inspiration to many and most obviously to Woody Allen.

That brand of extreme laziness will not leave much of an impact.
Except maybe the cover of the The New York Times.

---

Now I will state that I have a profound appreciation for Mr.Bergman's work.

I know that some find him bleak and melodramatic, but I must pronounce that there is a Bergman film for everyone! If you've only seen a few of his films and you've decided he's always this or that, you must know that he does provide us with such a breadth. He made over 50 films, trust me, there is one for you.

I have seen a whole lot but somehow still only like 30%. I'm normally not much of a list person but I've decided to make a list.

Here the Bergman films I've seen
Clumped in descending order of likeness:

- Persona (1966)
- Scenes from a Marriage (1973)
- Wild Strawberries (1957)

- Hour of the Wolf (1967)
- The Passion of Anna (1969)
- Cries and Whispers (1973)
- Fanny and Alexander (1982)

- Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
- The Magician/The Face (1958)

- The Silence (1963)
- The Seventh Seal (1957)
- Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
- Winter Light (1962)

- Summer with Monika (1953)
- Autumn Sonata (1978)

- Sawdust and Tinsel (1953)
- Port of Call (1948)
- The Serpent's Egg (1977)
- Prison (1948)

---

Thank you, Mr.Bergman, for your immense contribution to this world.

Brad Neely

2007-07-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Brad Neely lives in Austin, too (comme moi). And he's funny. real funny. and smart. pretty damn smart.

Watch these specimens of humor and you will inevitably crave more. After that inevitably happens you can go to this link that I have so usefully provided you with. Have fun!

This is a rap about George Washington:

This is part of his series "Baby Cakes":

This is part of his series "Professor Brothers":

Gertrude Stein

2007-07-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

"A writer should write with his eyes and a painter paint with his ears."

"To write is to write is to write is to write is to write is to write is to write".

"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences."

"Poetry is I say essentially a vocabulary just as prose is essentially not. And what is the vocabulary of which poetry absolutely is. It is a vocabulary based on the noun as prose is essentially and determinately and vigorously not based on the noun. Poetry is concerned with using with abusing, with losing with wanting with denying with avoiding with adoring with replacing the noun. It is doing that always doing that, doing that doing nothing but that. Poetry is doing nothing but using losing refusing and pleasing and betraying and caressing nouns. That is what poetry does, that is what poetry has to do no matter what kind of poetry it is. And there are a great many kinds of poetry. So that is poetry really loving the name of anything and that is not prose."

"The great thing about language is that we should forget it and begin it over again."

-Gertude Stein (b.1874)

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Ever since Chris lent me a copy of Tender Buttons I've developed a mild obsession with Gertude Stein. There's a lot to say about her. Many people say many different things. Some post-modern / avant-garde / whatever-you-want-to-call-it literary movements such as "L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E" of the 1970's have claimed her. She lived from 1874 to 1946, so obviously she wouldn't have described herself then in those terms. In fact, I'd be curious what she would think of it. Some feminists have claim her. Some get annoyed with her use repeatition. Some disregard her work as nonsense. Some say her writing is akin to cubist's painting. It's important to note that she did roll with some cubists such as Picasso. She was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania but resided mostly in Paris, France. Quoted to say, "America is my country, but Paris is my hometown."

Wikipedia says: "These stream-of-consciousness experiments, rhythmical word-paintings or 'portraits,' were designed to evoke 'the excitingness of pure being' and can be seen as an answer to Cubism in literature. Many of the experimental works such as Tender Buttons have since been interpreted by critics as a feminist reworking of patriarchal language. These works were loved by the avant-garde, but mainstream success initially remained elusive."

I will say only: it's clear that Stein was experimental, subversive, and innovative as a writer and bold as a personality; she certainly thought outside the timeframe in which she lived. So naturally she wasn't initially taken well by critics because her writings "did not represent a familiar world and could not be read in familiar ways" (to quote Ulla E. Dydo).

Cute tidbit!!! The famous sentance she wrote in Sacred Emily (1913): "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose" was heavily promoted by her life partner Alice B. Toklas; for example, she sold plates with the sentence going all the way around.

The sentence is often interpreted as "things are what they are."
Stein: "When I said. 'A rose is a rose is a rose.' And then later made that into a ring I made poetry and what did I do? I caressed completely caressed and addressed a noun." (Lectures in America, 1935)

Many critics of the time disregarded her work as "nonsense." Her response? "Listen to me."

And my response? I'll use you Stein's words: "A master-piece ... may be unwelcome but it is never dull."

---

Here are some audio links (thank you once again UBU) that you can listen to:

The Making of Americans: A family history and history of whole humanity. Written 1903 - 1911. Only very early notes were written in 1903 in New York; basically the novel was rewritten and rewritten in Europe. recorded in New York, Winter 1934-35.

Matisse: Written in Paris, early 1911; Recorded in New York, Winter 1934-35.

If I Told Him: A Complete Portrait of Picasso: Written late Aug. 1923 in Nice / Antibes, where Stein & Toklas went to see Picasso. Picasso returned to Paris early September, but Stein, working steadily, stayed on for 3 full months, far longer than her usual, short visits.

--

If you are really interested in Gertude Stein, then you sould know that Ulla E. Dydo is one of the world's foremost Stein scholars.

Hahaha of course! someone has created a myspace profile of her with audio recordings.

---

Internet thumbnail version of the portrait Picasso did of Stein (1906):

Leslie Hall: Gem Sweaters

2007-07-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

Leslie Hall has turned her obsession with gem sweaters into a web museum, comedy sketches, music videos, live performances, and more than anything, a cause.

Laura Balch

2007-07-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

Along with being a close friend of mine, Laura Balch is a neverending talent parade! Her drawings, her embroidery, her comic books, her music, and so on and so forth. She's simply fantastic. She has an understanding of the darkest depths but maintains gracefully adorable and clumsily romantic all with the finesse of a lady.

She describes her music: "a girl looking out her window at the moon." And she comically states: "laura balch playing everything she can in varying degrees of ineptitude."

Here's a link to her MUSIC, far far from overly produced, the recordings are done in a low-fi intimate setting. It makes you feel like you're hanging out with Laura, which is something everyone would want to do.

Her previous comic "Cottontales" starred a bunny rabbit and took us through an unexpected funny touching adorable and well-drawn journey.

She is now working on a new comic, which I'm proud to say that I am one of the characters in. "Sheena Riot" is based on me but at age 12. Here's a link to Friends of Pendragon Park.

Here's a little taste of us:

Here are summore of her drawings:

Some of her embroidery:

Are you in love with her mind yet?

Richard Serra

2007-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Tired of living your life inside boxes? All those hard lines and perpendicular angles got you down? Well you should be inside one of Richard Serra's sculptures then.

Be there or be square.

I got a chance to see his work at MOMA NYC. Extremely cranky from plate spinning, wild goose chasing, and spreading myself thin, I still couldn't help but notice that Serra's sculptures are fucking incredible. Inside the kind of spaces that Richard Serra creates, I felt e x p a n s i v e. The only relatable experience I can conjure up is being in the desert (Wadi Rum, Jordan). However, this is the industrial equivalent.

The installation process:

A walk through with MOMA voice over:

Here I am:
"

Takeshi Murata

2007-07-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

I was reminded by Ivan and Eric that Takeshi Murata (American, b. 1974) is featured in the Hirshhorn Black Box circa right now. Nick and I went the other day and were blown away. Who needs drugs when you've got this brand of hallucinogenic video art right in front of you? Of course, then one can't help but wonder about the coupling.

Murata digitally re-works and re-joins various motion picture images individually rendering and altering the pixels into his own creation. Described as "electronic painting," the effect is like "visual quicksand."

I'm not sure if there is much better than a pixelated psychedelic soup where a huge beast emerges. Oh wait, I think there is something better: an epileptic pink dot where Rambo emerges. I can't stop thinking about manly entities disguised as cubed rainbows flowing out of waterfalls!

In Monster Movie (2005), Murata samples from a video of the B-movie Caveman (1981). In Pink Dot (2006) we get Rambo. Also, the music in each piece couldn't have been a better fit. Monster Movie, 4 min: sound by Plate Tectonics. Pink Dot, actually a 5 minute loop: 20 minute soundtrack by Robert Beatty

Here's a little taste of "Pink Dot" though without all the movement this is near pointless:

Death of The Author???

2007-07-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

About the responsibility of text:

Anti-Death: Author is "origin" / "cause" of text.

Pro-Death: Author is "function" / "effect" of text.

Any thoughts or comments please...