Hey ya’ll. Sorry I’ve been a bit out of commission lately. We finally did sign a six-month lease on a place out a bit farther in the country than our current place, for more $$ than we wanted to spend, but hey, at least it’s a nice place and the person we’re renting from seems great. That’s always important to me.
I’ve been a bit under the weather. They’re checking me for some heart stuff, including infections of the heart, especially since I had some dental work before the symptoms, so if you want to think good thoughts for my health, go for it, you powerful positive thinkers! I’m going to a cardiologist and they’re also testing me for other fun stuff too, including Lupus (again.) I actually feel okay, but the tests always make me nervous. (Did I mention the doc who told me when I was nineteen before some blood work on a Friday: “Well, we think it’s either AIDS, Lupus, or cancer. Have a good weekend!” Hilarious in recollection, but not hilarious at the time. Did I mention at the time I was a lab tech in an infectious disease blood testing lab? Good times. )
Seriously, though, mostly I feel fine, just tired. I’m even going to MC for the lovely Rebecca Loudon on Thursday Night at the Soul Food Books reading. So I’m still going out and about, just taking it a little easier than usual and making more stops at the labs. I should get a frequent buyers card from those guys or something. At least a lollipop.
Loved the new issue of Rhino, especially Steve Mueske’s “My Life as a Kung Fu Movie,” and work by several friends including Lana Ayers, Kelli Agodon, and Martha Silano (way to work it, Seattle girls!) A little more dark and “experimental” (I know, everyone hates that word, I’m sorry!) than I’m used to from Rhino, but I really enjoyed a ton of the work. And did get a chance to read and admire Jessica Smith’s Organic Furniture Cellar. Production values are off the charts. Jessica’s definitely a visual-poetry person, and I love the way she uses the page, and the phrases she uses to tie the poems together. I admit it’s challening work, but interesting and a worth a little effort. I wish I was more of a visual-art type. Seriously, I think I failed my arts-and-crafts classes in elementary school. And maps. Nobody ask me to make anyone else a map of anything.
Feeling a little sad after a rejection from A Public Space, one of my favorite magazines. Usually I don’t take these things too personally, I hate it when you love a magazine and they don’t love you back. It makes you feel like one of those eighties teen movie characters, the ones that always end up “best friends” with the guy.
Note: first writing cartoons for the Poetry Foundation, and now this? Sellout! Now I wish I could make maps and draw cartoons!
Other Note: Nice work, Peter! And now I know why I get along so well with Peter – he’s one of those Cancer men!