so watch for the cars babe, cause they can fuck you up watch for the cars babe, cause they can fuck you up

i forget sometimes i am supposed to write things in here.
days of production then days of promotion i suppose.
i remembered when i was folding my heavy socks
what it feels like
and then i wanted to spend all day in a sleeping bag
one of the hooded ones
in some grass by the ocean
or maybe somewhere in canada

soft-pedal

I will be reading some poems from my new book soft-pedal tuesday. there are some other people reading too.. not sure who exactly. 8pm @ the half. i may read some other stuff too depending on how much time i get. hope to see you there.



it should be available for sale sometime... maybe... when i stop slacking and get it listed somewhere.

Best recordings of VT 2008 and Indiepages review.

Hey everyone... hope you had good holidays...

indiepages reviewed No Order here.

Thanks Indie Pages!

Also 7d listed No Order as one of the top 10 Vermont Recordings of 2008. See it here. There are some other great VT bands on there... like Crinkles, In Memory of Pluto, Lendway and Forrest Mulerath... Check them out!

Thanks 7d!

we can go where we want to a place where they will never find and we can act like we come from out of this world leave the real one far behind

a bunch of stuff to write about but i dont feel like putting together a real post. been busy. holidays and all.

spending time listening to closing credits of movies
the dark, 8th notes
hot rods and hiding
snow snow snow rain and cold
not dancing
in conference rooms
converted to reception
space
lots of space

FLESH FEAST - THE HUMAN BRAIN

Socrates Adams- Florou sent me a copy of his book, Flesh Feast The Human Brain. Its a pretty awesome short little book about messed up brains and an old man who will eat you and take over your life. The ripped edges are sweet and make it feel special but the content makes you feel a little dirty for holding it... in a good way.

the ending is great.

nice job.

thank you.

my headphones they saved my life your tape it lulled me to sleep nothing will be the same i'm fast asleep

kimi records is giving away some music from iceland... you should go to their site and download it so icelandic people can sing at you through your headphones.

im not sure exactly whats going on with it cause the description is written in icelandic but. you know. its music. you dont need to read it. you need to listen to it. here is a track listing:

* BENNI HEMM HEMM - Beethoven í Kaupmannahöfn
* PIKKNIKK - Nóttin tekur við
* HJALTALÍN - Mamma kveikir kertaljós
* MARK NOSEBY - Þrír og hálfur
* SIN FANG BOUS - Catch the Light
* FM BELFAST - Made a promise
* LÉTT Á BÁRUNNI - Þegar jólin koma
* MÚGSEFJUN - Dag eftir dag
* RETRO STEFSON - Life
* SKAKKAMANAGE - Now or never
* AGENT FRESCO - Above These City Lights
* SUDDEN WEATHER CHANGE - Prey Mode
* MORÐINGJARNIR - Ég er kominn heim
* REYKJAVÍK! - Repticon
* BORKO - Continental Love
* KLIVE - Tidy Granny
* HELLVAR - Nowhere
* RÚNK - Bréfberinn

Stand out tracks:
BORKO - Continental Love
HJALTALÍN - Mamma kveikir kertaljós
RETRO STEFSON - Life
SIN FANG BOUS - Catch the Light


--
slipping silver under tongues
it helps us stay clean and pure.
it reminds us of cold and steely skies,
cold ocean water and winds floating
mist up our sleeves.

splitting time in foreign cities
at shows
outside during the shitty first band
kicking piles of dirty snow
with the smokers
the street gets dark fast in either direction
both ways uphill
windows keeping the crying baby screams
inside.

bedrooms
monitors burning eyes and radiating heat
of emails traveling
secret messages
and captured sounds
understood melodies
'things to say'
'best to type'
'send and forget'

shaking and blurring hands moving fast
blurring and burning
brrrrr
clinch release clinch release clinch release

everyones a hero
if you are alive

you are organic
eating carrots with dirt still on them

energy
circus

girlfriends are for singing shitty back ups on the stupid songs you wrote in high school.

the key to every good recording is an appropriate sounding snare.

if i could be a cowboy i would never come home.

better watch out.

nite soldier.

the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved...

indie pop heaven posted some stuff about colin clary and the magogs her life of crime here.

it looks like there may be a real audio download of the record there. which is fine. we put a lot of work into that record a few years back and i'm glad people still like it.

no one in iceland has looked at my blog yet. i think im going to make it a goal to have someone in iceland look at my blog before christmas. i dont know why, or how to make it happen. if you know someone there... send them an email asking them to go to this page. it will be awesome for me.

treble fury
silenced missions
false faces
whispers
white white whispers
cold winds
grass houses
frozen fogged breath of visitors
bringing gifts
warm drinks
neighborhood pride


... desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”

scarves v. scarfs

lets all take a nite to sleep.
call yr self up yr favorite snuggle hooker
make an appointment
and call it quits early.

nite soldier.

I'm coming up only to hold you under I'm coming up only to show you wrong

its sometime about now
the doe faced pasty whites
and steely blues
i dont know what this all means
but the memories kill
and absences are distressed

i noticed lack of culture produces people who 'like to have fun'

jewels / rough francis before the white wind show



vacant lots playing

i have lots of other pictures but they are all dark with lights all over. they look cool but wont do you much good...

enjoy the snow.

good winter.

the tick tick white wind show last nite was great. tons of fun and lots of people. thanks for coming everyone! I have some pictures to post. im sure i will get around to it soon.

i feel like today has gone on for days.

sticking q-tips in my eyes has almost become enjoyable at this point.

i am glad for the snow... was hoping for the ice... but snow works for now.

bon iver is on letterman. for some reason i refuse to pronounce it the french way, if he can have an intentional mis-spelling i can have an intentional mis pronunciation. right?

nite soldier.

more rough francis / death music

video from the monkey rough francis show...

Whereever I go, your shadow follows me I don’t want to see you leave. Are you here with me?

got some good work done today. i tried to stop at one point but ate dinner and started again. pretty happy with the way things worked out.

angioplasty media and burlington music journal had some nice things to say about the rough francis show last nite. which is cool cause i respect their musical opinions.

we have one last show at metronome on wed 12/10. it should be a psychedelic experience as i understand it. the show is called White Wind: a spectacle of sight and sound. bands will be set up all over the club. it will be a constant nite of music. from what i understand the place will be completely psychedeliced out. we will be set up on the floor. please come say hi. it will be a fun time. we might have a secret surprise that's not vegan chicken and hot sauce.

i should be asleep but that doesnt seem to be an option. it takes very little for me to lose my responsible sleeping schedule. my body says the nite time is good for me. im going to listen to album leaf and try to shut off.

nite soldier.

shhhhhh.

i feel good about tonites rough francis show. if you have any pics please send them to me. i didnt take any cause i must have been busy watching music and being surrounded by awesome people. thanks for coming. i'm really glad you all got to hear these great songs.

i cant sleep but need to. my ears are ringing. shhhhh.

frozen clothes and a towel coated in ice and held down by rocks at the lake the other day

rough francis played tonite at 242. it was sold out. thanks to everyone who came. there was a small circle pit and some dude got headbutted in the face. at the end there was gratuitous man love and hugging. super fun. i didnt take any pictures except this one:


music lesson and 'a leprechaun told me to burn things'

the show got brents seal of approval.

please come to the show tomorrow at monkey. it should be a bunch of fun.

i drank a bunch of coffee and cant sleep now. im in trouble.

rock it.

more music stuffs...

7d did an interview with bobby sr about death here.

its pretty awesome... cant wait to play the show tomorrow and saturday. make sure you come ok?

also the freep weekend section had some pics of rough francis... and an mfdoj review. i cant post a link because its paper. but maybe i will re-type it for the mfdoj blog. think that will happen? i dont know? maybe you should check.

AND a track I recorded / mixed for One Happy Island is #4 track of the year at indie mp3.com. Nice job One Happy Island!

i feel like i should write more poetry related stuff but i've been too busy with musics... maybe soon. blah blah blah...

death oh baby you know that dying is fine but maybe I wouldn't like death if death were good

i got 2 tickets from nick at angioplasty media + HG to go to the ra ra riot show tonite. thanks nick!

ra ra riot was kind of samey sounding for a while but they played the songs i liked. so many dynamos kind of sounded like the faint if they were more of a rock band and were still writing good songs. princeton was just awesome in like 30 ways.

death got some press from the freep here and 7d's here. you should read the story then come to the shows. it will be awesome for you and me.

rock it soldier.

Bear Ridge Project.

this guy is pretty much my hero.

shhhhhh.

pseudo mention non reviews of free things you can have too.

Concord Free Press was giving away copies of give+take by stona fitch a little while ago. I got one of those copies and had a chance to read it over Thanksgiving.

From their website:

Our first book—Give and Take by novelist Stona Fitch—is circulating through the world. We distributed 1,500 copies free via online requests and our network of independent bookstores. In return, readers are making voluntary donations to a charity or someone in need. And we ask them to pass the book on, so that every time the book changes hands, it generates more contributions.

The book is pretty ok. It's well written and is a fast read. It's a robin hood style story with a traveling jazz musician. There are multiple mentions of Vermont and the fact that there is no good mexican here. That's the truest thing I have ever read in a fiction novel. It was a bit predictable and not nearly as amazing as the blurbs made it out to be but it was still fun to read and is well worth the price of a small donation to a charity.

If you would like the copy I have please send me an email with your address and I will forward it on to you per instructions that come with the book. 440a440@gmail.com

(Note to the editor. There should be an end quote on the line "So why did you do it?" on pg 142. Don't worry. I drew it in on my copy so the next person who gets it wont even notice... actually they might notice a little. I only had a sharpie on hand when I noticed and it was a fine point so its not the most discreet.)

---

matt pond PA is giving away a free holiday ep here. The songs are not holiday themed which is a great thing. They are very simple but with good melodies. There are a few instrumentals which are refreshing. It sounds really nice. Its not slicked up and over polished like his official releases. More warm and organic sounding. You should download it and like it at least a little. It will never offend you when the songs come up in shuffle. I can guarantee that.

mp3hugger + indieviduel

mp3hugger posted a link and a really nice paragraph about No Order here. They also posted the video for From a parked car which is a song from Songs for Darla. Thanks mp3hugger! You should go listen to some of the great music they post and also check out the stuff on their label Indiecater. They just put out a new Christmas record. It looks like it has some great stuff including songs from Remington Super 60 and My Teenage Stride. I like them both a lot.

Also, indieviduel was nice enough to post the video to From a Parked Car here. They have a ton of videos posted I'm sure you will like.

Thanks! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break it

i feel pressure to update because i am home and done my chores. i need to start other work soon. at least for a few hours. but right now i seem to be listening to south in the dark.

i wish i cataloged everything i wrote by music i was listening to when i wrote it. that would be handy.

trying to picture the sky
yellowed and bright
refracted light from
streets and snow
frozen tree limbs clacking together
sitting on a cold stone
waiting, waiting
every thirty minutes turning on
the radio
listening to the weather band
for company
because moose dont say much
with their steamy nose grunts

ég fel hausinn minn undir sæng starir á mig lítill álfur hleypur að mér en hreyfist ekki

lots of people are posting their blog stats. i think its funny. i look at mine sometimes. most people find my blog because they are looking for info on the border between greece and albania. i dont have much information on that. nor do i have any information on the lyrics i post in my the titles. sorry to let you all down. especially the people in greece. you are on your own.

i dont know why so many people in dublin read my blog but i would go there. please invite me to your home. i will be a gracious guest.

if you know how to get people in iceland to read this please tell me. maybe if i post things about iceland they will find me when they google themselves. i read in a paper today people in iceland are protesting the economic meltdown. i dont know how you protest a meltdown. its not like someone is making it happen and you can just stop it. someone from iceland should explain this to me.

i had something real to post earlier but i cant seem to get it out... back to work.

It's really too bad that so much crummy stuff is a lot of fun sometimes.

a copy of western medicine
just over there
teaching love of life.
images on pencil and paper.
spray painted t-shirts.
its all alright
and we're having fun.

my brother you were born and you will try to do what you did before pull the wool over your eyes

recorded, edited, etc, blew off extra work.

--

the cold is not a meat slicer.
it will not cut you into slices when you walk out the door.
it kills everything without blood
cause blood moves
and moving is important
if you dance.
which i dont
but the leaves...
even they tried to surround me...
their dead dance with
the tiny fake wind devil
on the alternating grey disco floor
sidewalk

you tell me that you like her you just wish you did you tell me that I make no difference at least I'm fuckin' trying

a plague of angels posted some colin clary and the magogs samples off her life of crime here.

also powerpopulist posted the shape of this town here too.

awesome thanks friend blogs!

i dont know whats happening to may days and nites lately. they just seem to go away. I think i just like making shit for myself to do and I dont seem to be good at focusing.



got lots of rough francis photos to go through and edit, thanks to isaac for doing a last minute photo shoot.

ummmm.

and also.

swirling head holes
and hair sucked in
mixed with chemicals
and turned to liquid
just like tanning a deer hide

i bet that shit smells like honey

there's a whole generation with a new explanation people in motion people in motion

been boring / busy lately working on projects, making things, recording things, fixing things, etc.

not much of a mind for writing or thinking...

death.

death got some press from the detroit free press here.

that's pretty awesome.

busy busy. got home later than I thought. so um. yeah.

tomorrow nite starts another marathon weekend recording the dark hues.

i think if you want to use some mfdoj songs in one of your movies or a commercial you should contact me so i can say yes to you.

Politicians In My Eyes

12/5 @ 7:30 242 Main
Rough Francis (Playing Death), In Memory of Pluto and the Vacant Lots


12/6 @ 8:30 Money House, Winooski, VT
Rough Francis (Playing Death), Blowtorch and The Jazz Guys

It will be the great start to a weekend of rock. You are going to have to provide rock for me on Sunday.

(Check the death link for some mp3's. They are both from the 7" that came out. We will play both of those songs and a bunch more.)

albino moon tanning

let the son shine in
see the star of the son
your smile makes me happy
no need to climb 9' fences to get away from people

--
had all plans canceled so i watched some movies and decided on a new project. got a good start on that.
--
city hall park
drummers are playing and dancers are dancing inside
a hippie fights with a girl by their blankets
she says shes leaving
she doesnt want to be there any more
she starts to walk away
he reminds her to take her blanket
she goes back and gets it as angrily as she can
she is not a hippie.
the drummers inside are drumming
she walks away disgusted
he runs after her
all the way to the edge of the park
trying to talk to her, a smug smile on his face.
i cant hear what they are saying. just the drummers.
she keeps walking... leaves him at the edge of the park
he turns around, starts walking back,
stops at a trash can, pulls a bagel out and starts eating.
he stops at a second can and takes something out to drink...
walks back to his blanket, grabs a bucket and starts drumming
a group gathers around him
they start hitting things
it drowns out the drummers inside
'rhythm is free man'
'love will keep you warm'

cut your hair. rude people stare. hawks never fall. i hate them all.

i think i have a lot to do
on my short trip to the post office
i accidentally went to radio bean for a cider
the girl did something special to it that made it super good.
then went to crow and bought a langston hughes collection
from a girl with a slow way and easy smile.
i thought i would read my book on a bench
but they got rid of the benches.
the bastards.
so i walked home.
now i am killing time reading this when i should be working.
i could easily read now.
langston hughes
is the best.

focus. focus.

when we've been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.

so, we have a new president. its a good thing. i like that people i know cared, feel relief and a have a new sense of pride. its good good. of course, all of the work really comes after you've made a decision to do something. so, i hope now that everyone has made their decision, they take the next step and start working.

i dont know what that means specifically. but i am pretty sure its true.

maybe you should ask yourself what can you do today to make the world a better place for someone else? once you come up with an answer. act on it. ask yourself the same question tomorrow.
---

the pressed white form fitting button up
taking space on the street
the posters and press clippings
the sun on the face

sleep talking
rolling over and over
hand on chest
shhhh
the sun is too loud
in the early am
its fucking shit up
reading tao lin poetry in your ear..
"Stabbed
by hooded black youth.
Shocked by the willingness of grade-schoolers
to kill me. And eat my heart. The things that do not happen to me
each day. I feel
like shit. My life
is good, fantastic. I am not deformed. Thank you."

even when i dont know why you had a bad day
i understand why you had a bad day

i am not ben lee in an indie comedy
you are not claire danes in a cameo
i think if that were the case
i would be from austrailia
standing on the hood of a car
on main street in burlington
vermont singing you a song
while you drank coffee
in new york city wearing
fancy clothes and expensive shoes.

this is going no where
i dont mind the fancy ride
in circles
with company.

"Why don't you ever whip me?" she pouted one night.

i think i can read a book from the middle to the end and not care about what happened in the beginning.

i might test that.

i am good at knowing whats possible and whats not.
or i am completely wrong.

its a toss up.

get excited, it will be exciting.

its cold,
i like it
listening to songs with bad melodies
and dry words

my head still hurts from earlier, but whatever.

got the jacks in the wall it came out well and is silent.

do you?



phew. i was sweating it.

crinkles recording went well last weekend. this weekends marathon is darker hues. starting tomorrow nite, going through sunday.

Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know

eardrums listed her life of crime as a recommended album of the week here. That was nice of them.

im glad that no one replied to my last post. it gives me a tiny amount of faith in the world.

eyes wide open on the coast of maine red signs outside which I contain some sensuality that I can't explain transparent radiation

i dont know why i am still up
but this isnt saying much for my tomorrow.
you should probably avoid me.

walked in the rain
listened to spacemen3

i think this bet has become a race to lose
i think the competition will lose friday
i was told if i wanted to lose i would need to make it known
that no reasonable offer would be refused
that sounds awfully slutty
but if you are dressed as a cowgirl and are able to find me on friday
your offer will not be refused
although it might be a little awkward because a bunch of dudes will be watching
and you will be a cowgirl standing on a rubber roof

also, please post a comment if you have ever made out with someone because of a blog post, or have been made out with because of something you posted in your blog.

if you are a girl and you make out with a dude because of something he posted in his blog you need to comment. you are going to give many many sad pathetic guys a glimmer of hope and I think thats the least you can do for them. you can post anonymously. that's ok.

this is serious.

it's a chemical embrace that kicks you in the head to a pure synthetic sympathy that infuriates you totally

this stuff and their
pictures pretty faces
and stories

i dont know when i grew up
or became some sort of observer
that isn't seeing

sometimes destruction is a good thing.
it ends one cycle so a new one can begin.

im going to keep making things for you until you like one of them.
tough luck.

notch, fletching and broadhead

i am not a good communicator sometimes
sorry about that, i try.

shits real.

i sat in a tree
that was part of a clump
that lived in a field.
late october.
5 until after dark.
waiting
cold
layers of clothes washed in anti reflecting UV fluid
an apple tree less than 30 yards away
waiting
nose running
cold
back against the tree
platform barely big enough for both feet
12 feet up
bow across my lap
enough branches cleared
so i could draw the bow without making noise
sun setting
waiting
breath watching
listening
shhhhhhivering
white nylon rope painted black
to let the bow out of the tree after dark
falling on a broadhead is bad.
tiny slippery metal steps screwed into the tree
darkness
silence
anticipating being able to move
a doe walks around the edge of the field
a few leisurely steps
heading no where
a few minutes later wanders into the woods
cold cold
the focus fades and dark comes fast
ready to leave
climb down
walk to the old truck to meet up with the others.
'you see anything?'
'nope'
'you see anything?'
'nope'
'you?'
'i saw a doe at the edge of the woods'
'probably that same one i saw the other day'
'yup'
attempt to warm hands from truck heater
failed
home to hot chocolate and homework.

my bones wish to escape and run along an alien expanse to collapse from the heat in a cartoonish heap to sleep oh to sleep

just got home ipw's birthday surprise and from cleaning/setting things up at the studio. starting recording on a few songs for crinkles tomorrow. should be fun.

there was a bit of snow this am. that was nice.

i dont know why i am up. but since i am...

you realize that life goes fast it's hard to make the good things last

apparently, punk is dead, but it came to life again, and is eating the brains of your children


tricycle, no handlebars
laser, no gun

had a loud death practice. bobby played drums. seriously. i think i lost more hearing.

so. this weekend. scary movies @ BD's, practice, zombie walk, art opening, marie and brett, live free or die harder, hannah walls 1/2 celebration, breakfast at AE's, played music for 9 + hours, and walked a lot.

this week starts busy fall. lets make plans now.

music for your head, love is for your pain, drugs for when you're lonely

i met a guy
here from texas
wanted to see his first fall
he just got a new girlfriend
decided he was going country all the time
'back to his roots'
he liked brett and marie.
he found some cowboy boots at old gold
said they were 'square toed and cheap'
he also found a pair for his new girl
same size as his
'she is tall, real tall'
but thought it was too soon to buy her boots
wants to wait and see
'maybe next month'

-
its kind of cold
my fingers are still sore
it feels refreshing
but maybe i'll need a jacket or gloves
later
saw lots of people
did lots of things
-

he sits with him arms spread thinks,
'this is a great thing. life is finally good'
its like the windows are open, the screens are gone, and the wasps just wont come in
in his world
and still
he's just got got lots of time

shadows blue and red your alarm bells your alarm bells they should be ringing they should be ringing

its cold outside
i like it

it gave me a headache
i took it

sounds good, he sounds alright on the first day he swears the secrets in the sacrifice

songs:illinois posted a nice write up about the digital re-release of her life of crime here. thanks songs:illinois!

---

1. blowing wheat
2. back porches
3. wind wind wind
4. blue cloud skies
5. trees surrounding the house
6. old pick up trucks on dusty roads
7. a single string of power lines
8. 1 neighbor, miles away, their boy, still in the driveway
9. a little tractor, a giant field
10. you

i am forming a collection
of things that piss me off
its getting to be large
im sure yours is too.

dont join a facebook group or watch sarcastic tv
dont forward emails or sign a web list
it doesnt help
be active in a way that involves getting off your ass

and i dont mean for just this election, or this financial situation

i mean for your life

thanks.

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out when a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight

isaac and jessie had a contest to see who could eat more mirabelles cupcakes. rules are 1 bite per cupcake. jessie ate 3 isaac ate 5.


... remanded to the prison from whence he came and put into a low dark chamber, and there be laid on his back on the bare floor, naked, unless when decency forbids; that there be placed upon his body as great a weight as he could bear, and more, that he hath no sustenance, save only on the first day, three morsels of the worst bread, and the second day three droughts of standing water, that should be alternately his daily diet till he died, or, till he answered.


envy, love yourself. ok. thank you junction box.


where we belong.


minutes before a dark dark hike down the mountain. flashlights are for pansies who dont know how to sense the trail by the sounds of the leaves they walk on.


stability + structure


the geese were silent, the seagulls weren't flying, the grey clouds pressed against the mustard wall and the waves were frozen solid.

The clanking of crystal explosions off in the distance

went to see the new year tonite. it was amazing. so good and fun. it was like 1998 in there. and you all know how i love the 90's. PLUS they were selling large tour poster by jay ryan and i got one for ELEVEN DOLLARS.

tonite was the best 19 dollars i could have possibly spent.

full at midnite
food and the moon
trees make division
and landing on slopes away
stretch stretch
to get the most

i am collecting things
i am not allowed to write about now.
letting them cure
so i can distort them later.

the world keeps telling me to slow down and relax
right when i thought i was done a break and ready to get going again.
fuck you world.

I wasn't born so much as I fell out Nobody seemed to notice me We had a hedge back home in the suburbs Over which I never could see

1.thursday
a.lets whisper

2.friday:
a.drive to georgetown, ma
b.house tour
c.drive to salem, ma
d.cemetary
e.haunted house in a wax museum
f.aura photographs
g.dinner
h.chicken bone reading
i.witch stuff
j.drive home

3.saturday
a.bryans memorial
b.intervale walk
c.hike up mt. mansfield
d.sunset from the mountain
e.hike down the mountain in the dark with no flashlight
f.tiny thai
g.body of lies

4.sunday
a.walk
b.ran into people
c.hot apple cider
d.fixed a guitar
e.rough francis practice
f.kens
g.walk home

tons of pics. too tired to convert and post.

i hope you had a good weekend.

i am tired. nite. shhhhh.

MFDOJ on Powerpopulist

Powerpopulist posted some songs and said some very nice things about No Order here. I like the blog and they post some great stuff over there. Go read and discover some new music you don't even know that you love yet.

Thanks Powerpopulist!

complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings

cold and uncovered
because its refreshing
and i think about slipping
my feet (back and forth)
on the ice while sitting
and silvertone guitars.
a breath you can see
messed up hair and
bubble gummed lips

ive decided you dont call because you arent good at talking and would rather write me letters but dont have my address let me give you my address.

seriously. i will be your pen pal.

i really dont like listening to people read poetry much still. i tried again today. i dont mind listening to people explain their poems. i think its because i miss using my eyes to interpret things.

i walked to winooski and saw lets whisper, paralax & doppler and baby shivers boutique tonite.

the execs from steven hazen williams inc. are going on a retreat tomorrow to celebrate an expected misuse of his money. the execs may just decide to not come back. i may need to sleep on your couch at some point or use your shower.

good nite.

I'm having trouble making sentences, I'm older but I don't feel any smarter

i have been listening to alkaline trio a lot. I listened to 3 records today. i think the older the record the more mentions of suicide and blood there are. i like the suicide and blood references.

i have a feeling i have been boring lately.

i thought maybe i could write something worth reading today. but apparently not. oh well.

you should just keep writing things that are worth reading. and i will pay attention to you being interesting for a while.

goodbye economy. hello itunes and trade.

Thanks to our great friends at Skipping Stones Records, Songs For Darla The Fake Girl is now on Itunes and emusic. Feel free to download the record some jerk probably stole out of your car 2 years ago when you accidentally left it unlocked.

I also noticed its on Amazon in CD form used for $39.99. That might be a bit pricey. Buy it from me instead. They might be ripping you off.

I haven't really had much of a mind for poetry. I think it started when I got tied up in watching the market crash and listening to politics. I even considered posting an economic entry entitled 'What the economy crash means to the indie artist'. 90% of the post was in my head and then I decided 'fuck that' and buried the idea.

I support trade. email me. 440a440@gmail.com. Tell me what you want. We will trade the shit we make and consume without using money.

Too Much Rock!

Count Me In, I'm Good To Go was played on Too Much Rock's Podcast. Click here to download the podcast. Or you can go to the website to rss feed the podcast. Or, of course, go to itunes and subscribe to the feed.

Here is the description:

Podcast #95 is a TMR podcast through and through. Listen to
new music from TV On The Radio, Hospital Grade, Freshkills,
Okkervil River, Chumbawamba, Parenthetical Girls, & My
First Days On Junk.

Thanks, Too Much Rock!

When hand grenades and napalm flames are leaving you tonight

i like it when people compliment me on lines from fight for your frequency and they are blink 182 lyrics. it makes me laugh for 3 reasons

everything is better at nite. remember? call me tomorrow and we will do something in the dark.

this is safe
and i am not afraid of danger.

i think i am going to walk as far as I can tomorrow and call you for a ride home.

i have a limited love for
the piles of architecture
steepled above the streets

flailing around and falling
through the nite
relying on others
to make the drunken nite move

an exception to roots and dirt

i have the feeling of simpleton
here
its the result
things that grow out of
complication

absolute - on

dig a whole it's all over forget the words and good intentions unless we rise! tear it down. rise!

where's your anger? where's your fucking rage?

couple things:

1. i would like someone to do a study and report back to me. subject: does choice encourage selfishness? i had a long thought process on why it could but i dont want to sway your research so i'm not going to share.

2. i think if mccain/palin win i am going to give up again. i havent given up in almost over a year now. which is probably a record for me.

4. everyday sociology blog had a good article today. normally their sociology articles are too cheesball for me. full of lame clip art and 'geeze i just dont get text messaging' type posts but this one by Bradley Wright was pretty good. I have a thing with emotion rules imposed by society.

5. i was listening to some songs i wrote a long time ago. like this one and reminded me of some other things, which lead to thinking about some other songs i wrote for way back when, etc etc etc and i came to realize that girls dont give a shit when you write them songs. most times they think its creepy when you give them a song you wrote for them. or, maybe they just feel like they should think its awesome, then it happens and its just not as awesome as it should be? i dont know. tell me what you think of that song i wrote you, if i wrote you one... or tell me what you think of a song someone else wrote you. or, you know, dont. it doesn't matter. this was actually an internal thought i dont know why i wrote it down.

6. return of college kids means an increase in these things:

-white chicks in coffee shops talking about what africa is 'really' like
-freshman fros
-empty alcohol bottles alongside the street
-the smell of pot at random places outside
-hippies (any variation)
-longboards
-hippies on long boards
-public arguments
-girls crying talking on cellphones walking hurriedly somewhere


i feel cynical. i am going to blind myself now.

i heard on the radio 'chance of snow in the mountains'

Milk Milk Lemonade reviewed no order here.

i am starting a rumor that the first rough francis show, which is us covering the forthcoming death record, is on december 6th at the monkey.

there is a new thing called htmlgiant which is all about internet lit. i'm pretty sure its the second step in some sort of revolution. you should probably add the site to your e-reader so you can be one of the hip lit kids who was reading it before it got huge.

through this journey we can see all the trees their changing leaves this safe place where we can hide away

me being a 'model' for a darker hues poster.


i still like it when people put sticks in the sand

straightforward
'romanticizing'
mechanical
responsive
dry
2D
imagination
nonsensical
inflammable
building
accepting

shhhhh.

i dont feel clever today. well, i rarely do

i thought i read somewhere about a blog people update with their iphones from the bathroom. i was going to look for it but i decided its not worth it.

i want my next ep to come out on 10" vinyl with screen printed covers.

the 2'x2' mfdoj poster on super nice paper will be done soon. i will post a high res picture so you can print it on your plotter and not buy it.

i am tired of blinding myself before i go to sleep so i can see when i wake up, then blinding myself again, waiting, then driving to work. i only have to do this 11 more days. i hope. it makes me cranky. but i am not complaining anymore.

the gary taxali print that i ordered is on its way.

i have nothing creative to write right now. i dont feel like faking it. but i am going to anyway.

we had 4 words
it was nice
seeing you on the street
with the fall under our feet
and curved bricks
looming over their own thin magic shadows
closed stores dark windows
fuck neon lights
and fake smiles
its like every day when you are away every day
and i dont mind
it was nice seeing you on the street
with the fall under our feet
i think i can only take 3 or 4 words
one being hello and two good bye

this is why you shouldnt fake it.

pancakes for you.

5acts posted a link to Try Hard. Go and listen to my music and some other music posted. leave lots of comments.

the debate happened and i dont know how i feel about it. aside from still hating politics.

i think the best idea i had today was for michael moore and al gore to run for president. the moore gore campaign is a sure winner.

im sitting here in the dark with meds in my eyes. well, i put it in about 30 minutes ago so i can kind of see now. if i blink right it goes back to looking like i have vaseline all over them.

blue sky sent my 6.5 monitor back to me today. they didnt call or anything but it has a new tweeter. i'm assuming its fixed. its at least 2 years out of the 5 year warranty. assuming it works, thats pretty awesome. i will try it tomorrow.

i was close to writing a poem. the start of it was mediocre. i thought maybe when i wrote the mediocre part it would lead to something better then i could go back and delete the mediocre part. but none of that happened. and actually, now i've forgotten the mediocre part.

i might make pancakes tomorrow. if you want some come over. call first so I will know to make extra. i have coffee too. and eggs. and toast. if you want anything else you might have to pick it up on your way here.

that time i accidently went on a date to get reeses peanut butter pie with mila kunis

my idea hole is shallow and clean. fresh. i'd rather have it deep and dirty.

i listened to george talk about the economy. its frustrating to hear him talk about it. for years he has been saying the economy is strong while economists warned of all the problems.

i think walmart needs to take over the financial institutions that have failed... they should take over fema too while they are at it.

i recently started looking at google analytics and i think its funny how many people find my blog because they type 'free wedding porn' into google.

i realize this post has no content. sorry. i will try harder next time.

shhhhh.

nite.

i dont think i am capable of unfolding you with my hairy hands and we will never make each other feel 'normal'

got a hot cider and listened to every iron and wine song on my ipod.
tried to scrounge up some saturday fun but apparently im not very good at it so i
went to muddys, ate a macaroon and read I Will Unfold You With My Hairy Hands by Shane Jones, Jereme Dean sent it to me. that was nice of him.

the book reminds me of old cbc style jumpy line drawing animations. maybe like cordell barker. something that would have been on o canada.

it was good to read and made the drunk frat boys who yelled stupid shit at me through the window easier to ignore.

it looks great too. its nice to hold.

you should buy it. ok? thanks.

nite.

there will be food in our mouths, there will be teeth in the grass

simpleton hands
mixing the mud
spread out spread out
separated by
the biggest fields
and wet on by the biggest skies

a strawberry field
fert for the farm
pickin berry
tiny hands
spread with sugar-n-
biscuits-n-whip

lookin out the kitchen
window at the north
thinking of faulkners
sanctuary south cause your copy
is new and popeye
makes you think of spinach
not moonshine
and corn cobs are for pipes
not rape.

a stare and the turn around
and around. slapping of
shoes on the porch floor
dusted boards
and the kids need some
lemonade. the man needs
a banjo
the neighbor boys father
plays guitar, mostly gospel
and sometimes they join
on the porch
if the suns just right
and the breeze is cool
enough to make the sweat
evaporate faster than normal.

sweet sweet pies too.
let them cool on the sills
the scent draws in
the rascal boys like sweeeet magnolia
draws bees they aim to steal
the nectar off your sill but not no more
them boys haffa go hungry
or rely on tha food the mamas give em.

the neighborhood stray limps his skinny ribs
near a mile for a chance at a scrap
cause he aint been lone long enough
to know hes wasten more than he gains
and every extra step he makes
is a step to the turkey vulture

a slower than usual set
red sky at nite
but the rivers miles away
we're just happy replacing pies on the sill
pickin berries, playin music
and watchin that crazy dog die.

She had almost gotten away but not in time and now leaving wouldn't save her. She lay down on the deck with the woods all around her.

slipping as is the
stance of
dance
... into wilted
corns, tomatoes
potatoes plants
making tracks
on the trip
working
to the porch
from the
field
where there
is a rocking chair
suitable for sitting
and a last glass
of lemonade
before fall
a last chance to
sweat out stress
... seep dried wood
close eyes
and rest them
in the shade
rock rock
everything outside
and in is
gone today
rock rock

There is a time to STOP trying to WRITE, there is a time to kick the whole bloated sensation of ART out on its whore-ass.

not old enough for wisdom
too old for optimism
too calm for anger
not calm enough for peace
practical or nothing.
fuck that.

we're on a bender when it's 80 degrees at the end of december

1. stills of small frames bent and holding a camera
2. the relation of the world... the dead, just like rocks
3. tripping over ee cummings words because they dont work how my brain works.
4. beautiful, cynical and sad
5. a penguin walks to the mountains.
6. wood nuts
7. trespassing
8. no helpful messages
9. where you are
10. you

Inspirational Teachers

7d asked me to write something about a teacher that inspired me. Its published here. When they asked me to send them something I originally wrote something longer because I tend to be wordy when my fingers move. Obviously, I had to re-do it in short form. But this was the full thing. Its probably good I had to cut it way down.

I have one teacher from Johnson State College who really changed my life. I don't remember her name and, by my reaction to what she did, I'm sure she doesn't remember mine either. The only thing she did was assign our American Lit class to read Ralph Waldo Emerson's The American Scholar.

Later I found out that this address to the Phi Beta Kappa society was called the "literary declaration of independence". To me it solidified what I was thinking about my own educational independence. I needed to drop out of school. One section in particular sealed the deal for me:

"Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given, forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they wrote these books."

I grew up in libraries myself. I was never exceptionally smart. I always did ok in school. I loved to learn but I always found myself learning things that weren't being taught. That's why up until this point I stuck with school. I figured I was learning I might as well continue. Upon reading this address I realized that learning was everywhere. I was currently learning things incidentally and the only thing I needed to gain the knowledge I wanted was the desire to learn and the willingness to think.

I don't mean to say that structural education isn't valid. It is, after all, what led me to this decision and showed me I had everything I needed to learn what I wanted. Schools provide great opportunity if you recognize it and exploit it. It provides many tools, opportunities for connections and leadership that many professions need. Any of the sciences or engineering related professions for example require degrees that can only be provided through education. That is completely valid. Personally I was an English / Creative Writing student. I was left asking, what would a degree REALLY get me? Am I making connections I cant make elsewhere? If I took the money I am spending on college and put it in to my writing / music (my other love) would it help me more?

My decision was that it would. I learned that I can look at course plans online, find out what the assigned reading is for classes, and read the books for myself. I learned that I can buy a lot of gear for the price of an education and I will always be able to find a band that will let me record them for free until I got good at it. The willingness to pay attention, learn, and desire to work hard really provided invaluable experiences.

My teacher (and Ralph Waldo Emerson) unknowingly helped throw me into the world full of motivation and desire to learn. I consider myself very lucky to have learned a lot of things from every situation I've ever encountered, every book I have read, every person I've ever met and every project I've completed successfully / totally flubbed up. I continue to learn every day of my life and strive to make what I do better through hard work and understanding. I probably wont be building you your next house or developing new technology that will revolutionize the green energy industry but I will be living a life that I've always wanted to live.

Lots of times I wonder if I should go back to school and complete my degree. Every few years I look at applications from schools and think, 'From what I know now I could really make the educational system work for me'. Whenever I do this I also re-read The American Scholar as a gauge for whether or not I should try formal education again. Emerson did, after all, graduate from Harvard. It turns out this forces me to try harder at whatever project I am working on at the time and it challenges me to find a new way to learn from the world around me. It forces me to, as my teacher paraphrased the above quote, "Be my own Cicero."

I will never be a Cicero, Locke or Bacon but I will make sure I am me, doing the things I love, to the best of my ability. All thanks to my teacher. Whoever she was.

...

hows the place?
quiet.
what are you doing?
listening.
to?
neighbors. the wind blowing. my window is open a bit... i like the fresh air. the lights are off. there is a dog barking.
oh. are you doing anything later?
no.
...
...
um. do you want to?
maybe. what are you doing?
i don't have plans.
oh.
...
...

stuck in vermont

eva used 2 more songs from no order on stuck in vermont.





wooo. thanks eva!

i'm beat. insanely full day.

nite soldier.

we call them like we see them and we'll call it a nite

Dave Heaton at erasingclouds reviewed the new mfdoj record here.

I always enjoy Dave's reviews. I'm not just saying this because he gave my record a favorable review. His reviews show that he pays close attention to the music and cares about making the reviews an accurate helpful portrayal of the record. That's helpful to a music fan looking for new things to listen to. (like me)

tkbs and I went to l'amante for dinner. mmmm good.

i had a long ranting blog post to write today full of freddie mac, fannie mae and more auto manufacturer bail outs. but you will be spared. i think i got it all out of my system ranting to tkbs over dinner. plus its late. so i will leave it at 'our govt is a bunch of t-hole d-bags' and assume you will agree with me.

happy birthday tkbs.

nite.

lay it down easy, lay it on me, lay it down easy, but lay it on me

ipw's bike race. speed city.


i like it when people put sticks in the sand



drunk rock say "hi, hello lake, hello word, bye"


been writing a lot lately for one reason or another. non blog stuff. i've also been enjoying my recent found slow reading method.

i cant tell how many ways
a conversation comes to mind
when speaking within my head.
all conversations
as one way monologues
or with anticipated responses.
simple and sweet
is what i forget
every time.
that is the hardest.

sweating turned steam making way
for coolness under layers.
my stomach grumbles at the thought.
"i need a western burger"
grumble grumble

lets talk soon
something simple
over something sweet.
pie? apple?

link filled post of sites you have already been to.

art hopped last nite. it was a good time. i saw some cool stuff. i picked up a copy of the higher ground / jdk book '1 of 1500'. i am in it in the sonic youth section and a poster is in it from when my band played with ted leo and electralane. check it out.

also designed an mfdoj / von hayes advertisement for state capital which will appear in magnet next issue.

and went to the last lakemonsters game of the season.

its funny making everything a link.

i was supposed to learn a song for death band today but with the studio being open then the ball game i didn't get to.

i want to write a poem but i am going to read.

shhhhh

we'll sniff the sulfer steam
on the volcanic rock
someday
dip our toes in the lava warmed water

hometown love 3 - I challenge you Burlington Arts Media

7d posted an apology in the paper because they credited mfdoj to colin. It was rather snide but I appreciate it.

Then they listed that mfdoj is playing at art hop tomorrow nite. Which is not true. We are not playing. I dont even have a band for that project.

*sigh*

Then I read isaacs blog post where he says this:

Basically, UVM's VT Cynic used a bunch of his art full color on the back cover to advertise the art hop. They didn't ask him OR mention his name. Hows that for support of artists in a situation that's supposed to be all about the artists? They should have asked him, credited him appropriately and provided a link to his web page.

Thank you Burlington. Please get your heads out of your asses.

I might be overly angry because I am watching the RNC.

This is my comment on isaacs post and I am re-posting here because I believe it to be true.

"
Here in burlington they call mis-information 'support' and expect accolades for how supportive they are. The only reason this is known as an artistic town is because of the sheer number of artists here. Not because of the support the town provides. I read once that artists flock to places where they are not appreciated. Its part of some desire to be in a 'starving artist' situation. if that's true its no wonder there are so many artists here.
"

I challenge you to change my mind Burlington Arts Media.

Intern Wanted

I'm a musician / writer with too much to do. I need some help with marketing tasks.

The basic things I need help with are:

1. Myspace, Imeem, Facebook and other social networking sites updates.
2. Website updates.
3. Write / Update Promotional Materials. (Electronic Press Kit, Bio, Descriptions, One Sheets)
4. Researching blogs, send out promo material, requesting reviews and following up.
5. Mailing CDs when requested.

A few of the tasks will keep you busy initially but after that a few hours a week should be all it takes. All you need is an internet connection, knowledge of indie music, and some creativity.

What do you get? Well, I cant afford to pay you but you will get the opportunity to develop contacts in the music world and try out your promotion skills. I'll also give you a glowing recommendation when you need it.

Send me an email if you are interested with a paragraph or two telling me why you want to help me out.

Thanks!

-Steve
440a440@gmail.com

if this is the city that never sleeps does it mean that no one dreams?

ive been listening to song about nyc and dependence.

went to oob w/ mkl and bd. it was the most. pics later maybe.

got up too early today to squeeze as much as possible from the day. I think the early morning hair cut and the mass amounts of sun and little amounts of water that my body consumed may have left me a bit sun stroked. i dont feel so hot now. but it will go away and it was totally worth it.

bike racers go fast. they will yell swears at you.

we talked about all the places you can see the heart
beat on the body
when its laying down.
we had an ok list
when you said 'if the
body is oiled up,
something slick,
you can see more.'
you started listing again.
i did not have any experience in that area
so i stayed quiet.
when you were done
i talked about thick steel
rusty from salty ocean air
and drill bit sections
used to get through
permafrost that weigh
125 pound each.


in the end
breathing sections of
expert hunters -
game unknown -
lay sleeping.
stomachs full of kill.
blood still on the face.
twitching feet.

hometown love 2

BD posted a complete account of hometown love here. She even has a Colin Clary Identification Guide in case you're not sure if you have a legitimate Colin Clary in front of you or not.

Went to the fair last nite with mkl and we ran into tkbs and ipw. The demolition derby was the finest example of fair time hot action I've seen in a while.

This car is a hero. It went through 3 rounds. The last 2 it had no rear end. It had spunk, it had charm and it wouldn't die no matter how beat up it got. It wistfully dragged its rear end off the track at the end of the rounds and showed up with its heart glowing ready to attack again. The crowd cheered loudest for #77 as it was dragged off to the dumpster. Just like a true hero in america #77 came in second place. It clearly out performed the pack and put on the best show of the nite. #2 won a trophy but #77 won the hearts of the thousands attending.

rock it soldier.

if it isnt penetration it isnt worth the kiss

i realized i wrote that I had a delusion i would write something 'beautiful' in my last post. which is funny because i've never written anything 'beautiful' in my life. i don't know why i wrote that.

i was thinking about studies and how they have the potential to ruin innovation today... i have an example. actually a few but i dont seem to want to put much thought into it tonite.

i rediscovered pedro the lion today like i do every few years... it was a good re-discovery.

hometown love

one of the things i love about burlington is its support of local artists:

i am the magot.

went for an obscenely long walk yesterday on the bike path in the dark:

some spots were completely black. it was great.

tonite i did laundry then walked downtown for a creemee with BD and MKL. they are both good eggs. now im listening to sigur ros... i really like having studio monitors in my room. even if they are low end.

i had this delusion i was going to be able to write something beautiful tonite while listening to great music... but it appears the music has just made me tired. the fact that I went to bed at 3am is hitting me. i think i will just sleep.

nite soldier. thanks for the cool weather.

going for a while and going for good.

been thinking of a lot of things to write on my way home from various places the past week. both for here and other things. by the time i get home i'm too tired to put the thought into them that they deserve. so they sit and wait.

saw missy bly, james kochalka super star and the maxfranks/vanderpolls/jazzguys tonite.

been thinking about death again
and I am very slow to respond.
every time someone dies i want to write something for them
but i cant and i wont.
if i didnt do it when they were alive
it doesnt count
because death is about the dead.
not the alive.
when i die
i want to have a skylight
so the people who pass over
can see my rotting eyes
and my rotting eyes
can see the moon
because if i can see the moon
i can think of you.

i have thought about everyone i know
while looking at the moon.
its true.

and if i did anything right.
you thought of me while looking at it too.

cocktail weenies cooked in grape jelly

i think that there are
levels i havent seen
i make things up when i need to
using logic learned from wet streets
and simple turns

i need to make more of my last 2 chapbooks. they are gone. well maybe i have 2 sound of the cities left. if you want one let me know and I will send it to you free. email me with your address. 440a440@gmail.com

played tonite at red square with colin. the smittens played after us. it was fun.

i am tired and looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

building your life around waitresses with 3 kids who work at dennys.

i walked around the neighborhood
in my bare feet
stepping on stones.
the carpet was really soft when i got home.

boredom movement

i fell into a marketing scheme. there is this group of writers all writing about each other. or they were a few days ago. I noticed the pattern cause I read blake butler, noah cicero, sam pink and tao lin's blog daily. then one of them posted this:

Blake Butler writes about Mike Bushnell
Brandon Gorrell writes about Colin Bassett
Chris Killen writes about Ken Baumann
Colin Bassett writes about Chris Killen
Connor O'Brien writes about Tao Lin
Gena Mohwish writes about Sam Pink
Gene Morgan writes about Noah Cicero
Jereme Dean writes about Blake Butler
Jillian Clark writes about Kathryn Regina
Justin Rands writes about Matthew Savoca
Kathryn Regina writes about Kendra Malone
Ken Baumann writes about Jereme Dean
Kendra Malone writes about Brandon Gorrell
Matthew Savoca writes about Gena Mohwish
Mike Bushnell writes about Zachary German
Noah Cicero writes about Shane Jones
Sam Pink writes about Justin Rands
Shane Jones writes about Jillian Clark
Stephen Daniel Lewis writes about Two Tears Boy
Tao Lin writes about Gene Morgan
Two Tears Boy writes about Connor O'Brien
Zachary German writes about Stephen Daniel Lewis

i added all of their blogs to my reader. i've been reading them a few days. their strategy worked on me. im sure eventually i will buy some books. i tend to buy writers books if i find their blogs interesting.

i dont think any of them know i read their blogs unless they have google notifier set up to search their own names. then they will all get an email tomorrow linking to my blog.

i read a lot of other blogs where people blog about the content of other blogs. it's like the new news.

i've typed blog far too many times.

maybe i will turn this blog into a blog where i blog about blogs. maybe i will blog about these blogs and i will be the official news blogger of new inter lit blogs. the first thing i would need to do is coin a term describing this group of writers. i am horrible at naming things though. i dont think i am familiar enough with all of them to give them an accurate name but i will come up with one later.

actually, if you are one of these people and are coming to this post because i showed up in your google notifier you should leave a comment with a name for the 'movement' you are 'creating' with your 'marketing strategy'. if you come up with the name you will be like Leslie Paul and can add the fact that you named this 'movement' to your wikipedia entry. you can use your comment to this post as proof.

My First Days On Junk's 'No Order' is now available.

Hey Everyone,

My First Days On Junk's New record No Order is now available. You can get it from itunes, emusic, amazon and everyone else you like to buy your mp3's from. You can also get it direct from me here.

Here's what early reviews are saying:

Press Play Record
"...one of the best records of 2008 has been released!"
Read the full review here.

mp3hugger
"‘Count Me In, I'm Good To Go’ is a classic of its kind and is well matched by its siblings on My First Days On Junk’s sophomore ‘No Order’"
Read the full review here

Rock It!

My First Days On Junk

George Orwell

insulation office

George Orwell's domestic diary is being posted here to celebrate the 70th anniversary of it. They are posting on the same days he posted them for the next 3 years. They are starting the political diary in September.

He likes to write about berries. I can understand that.

katie holmes

mp3hugger reviewed the new mfdoj here.

I thought of something to write about earlier today but I forgot what it was. Maybe I will turn this into a blog of childhood stories instead of daily partial poems. who knows.

until then:

shhhh
suspended strings hung
and flutters in speeds of -3
back..........forth
like sleeping breath
back.........forth
hummmmmms
and words of sleeping dreams
holding hands with
katie holmes while
she reads william blake
from songs of innocence:

"When wolves and tigers howl for prey,
They pitying stand and weep;
Seeking to drive their thirst away,
And keep them from the sheep.
But, if they rush dreadful,
The angels, most heedful,
Receive each mild spirit,
New worlds to inherit. "

some hack plays johnny be good
singing the wrong lyrics.
back.........forth
shhhh
like sleeping breath
back.........forth

Newport, etc.

This is going to be a long post. I am staying home tonite so I figured I would write some stuff out:

MFDOJ got a new 'review' here.

I got a Joy Williams book called 'The Changeling' for free from Small Press Distribution. They have a program called Poetry Trading Post where poets can send them a poem and they will send you back any book you want out of their catalog. If you give them permission to print the poem you could appear in their new lit guide. Print or online version. Thank you very much Small Press Distribution!

Here are some pics for you from my trip to Newport:

Cambridge (?) Dam:


Clyde River Dam:


Clyde river below last dam:


Newport in the afternoon:


Newport in the evening:



And, one last thing. When I was in Newport I noticed the Warren "Jersey" Drown Memorial Parking lot which seemed odd to me. He died a few months after my father and I thought the dedicated a tree to him that was in the little park by the parking lot. So I did some research. I found the Journal to the Joint Assembly from Jan 8th 2002. This is actually Howard Deans State of the State address. Here is a copy and paste if you don't feel like searching for what I am talking about:

----
“Shortly after I signed the controversial clear-cutting bill, I met Warren “Jersey” Drown at a meeting of POST – a group that strongly opposed the law. Jersey, a forester from the Northeast Kingdom, came up to me after the meeting and we talked about his objections. That began a friendship that continued until the time of his death a few weeks ago.

“In fact, a couple of years ago Jersey sent me 100 pine seedlings that I planted on my property in Lowell.

“One day about two years ago, Jersey called me at home. He said, “Howard, you know how you built that state building facing Lake Memphremagog so the whole town would turn toward the lake? Well, if the cars are parked in the building’s lot, you can’t see the lake when you’re driving up Main Street. You need to lower that lot so we can see the lake.”

“The next day I drove to Newport and looked at that parking lot -- and sure enough, Jersey was right. I called Tom Torti in the Buildings Department and asked him to lower the lot by a foot-and-a-half. And now, when you drive down Main Street in Newport by the state office building, you can see the lake, even if the parking lot if full of pickup trucks.

“All because one man – Jersey Drown – called me at home and made a simple suggestion.

“Today I ask the Legislature to name the parking lot of the Emory A. Hebard State Office Building in honor of Warren Drown -- a sportsman, an historian, a great story teller, and a true Vermonter.

“The Drown family is here today, and I ask that they stand so we may pay tribute to all those Vermonters -- like Jersey -- who make a difference in our lives."
---

My main problem with this is they dedicated a parking lot to him. Sure, It was one he helped change, but a parking lot? Howard signed a clear cutting bill and Jersey sent him trees. Sounds like something he would do. Jersey was a real woodsman, sportsman, story teller, forester and true Vermonter with a sense of humor.

I'm sure Jersey would laugh if he saw a parking lot dedicated to him. He said the lot was blocking the view of the lake, they lowered the lot and dedicated it to him after he died. I would imagine he would have really seen the irony.

If they were thinking at all they would have dedicated the light house they put in the little park next to the parking lot to Jersey. Jersey was, after all, watching out for the residents of Newport when he made that suggestion and he did it for the view of the lake. His concern was the lake and the residents. The parking lot was the thorn in the side. Since when do you dedicate the thorn?

I'm going to share my Jersey Drown story with the internet to offset Howards.

I think I was just out of high school or maybe in my senior year. I mowed lawns all summer. I forget how many I was doing. There were at least 5 or six. One was Jerseys house and the other his camp on Mephremagog.

Jerseys camp lawn was a pain. It was on a dirt road so the top was full of stones. There were pricker bushes hanging over one side and shrubs hanging on the other. Next to the rocky waterfront the lawn was pushed up and bumpy. It may have had a clear edge and a beach at one time but the years of erosion ate it away and left it a stony mess. The distance from the road to the waterfront wasn't too far but it was hill from beginning to end.

There were boats that needed to be moved and mowed around which often hid bees nests. There was a large thick moss patch that held water like a sponge and bogged down the mower. The entire lawn was pitted and full of holes.

I showed up to mow his camp lawn one really hot afternoon while he was there. I was in a horrible mood. I don't remember why. It was probably a number of unimportant things that seemed really important at the time. I was not happy about mowing the lawn that afternoon but it had to be done.

I was probably 3/4's done, sweating like crazy and about to hit the waterlogged moss patch when Jersey comes around the corner and waves at me to stop. I do and he motions me over to the bench that's on the edge of the rocky beach.

I assumed he wanted to talk to me about something. I didn't really want to stop because it was prolonging my time there and I was grumpy about doing it as it was but I had no real choice.

I go over and sit on the bench. He hands me a cold coke. We open them and drink. . I got a little confused after a second and said, "Did you want to talk to me?" He just shook his head in a non yes / non no type way and said, "Just look." So I did.

I remember the way the lake looked. It was a summer day at the lake. There was nothing crazy in the sky, no impressive clouds or wildlife around. Just the lake, and occasional boat speeding by in the distance and one trolling by a little closer probably looking for salmon.

I took another drink. It was colder this time. There is nothing like coke in a can when you are hot and gross. I sat there for a few minutes drinking. I was halfway through the coke when I realized I was halfway through and had to start rationing. I was enjoying my time on the bench and wanted it to last longer. I thought it was over when the coke was gone. Back to work time.

I took a small sip and felt my face relax. When I felt my face relax I realized what expression must have been on it. Then I realized Jersey must have seen me from inside with that look on my face stressing out, hot and sweaty, completely unimpressed with everything hating what I was doing.

That's why he wanted me sit on the bench. He saw I needed to slow down and take a second to recognize what was around me and appreciate it for what it was. The lawn wasn't a horrible torture device there to make my bad day worse. It was a gateway to an opportunity to spend some time relaxing at the lake. An opportunity to appreciate whats there and whats always there.

Then I realized that the break wasn't over when my coke was gone so I took a large gulp. I felt refreshed.

We sat there for a little while longer. When he got up I got up. He told me I could go back there and use his cabin or boats anytime I wanted. Just let him know. I thanked him and went back to mowing in a much better mood.

I never went back to use his cabin. I didn't have to. He only said two sentences to me and pointed his finger and it taught me some things I really needed to know. 1. It's always ok to slow down. 2. Beauty is everywhere its important to make time to appreciate it. 3. You need to see things for what they are and react appropriately. 4. There is never reason to not be happy when nature is around.

Really, I didn't know Jersey well. Aside from mowing his lawn and visiting his sons sugar house every year (one year we tapped trees and fallen dead branches off the lines together) I really didn't talk with him much. However, I think just about anyone that did know him, even for a little while, knew about his reputation within the community as a person who appreciated nature and his community.

I'm sure no one who thinks of him ever thinks of parking lots.

That's about it I guess. I should re-read this whole thing before I post it but instead I'm going to bed. Hope it wasn't too fucked up.

rain rain

the lets whisper got a good review here

i need to try harder

driving drops of rain
on guitar colored leaves
wiping away stains with wind
hearing misunderstandings
and translating them to under
standing at the foot absorbing
one after another bouncing
around and losing steam
reverb hydration
giving the false room
an air of moisture.

what you need to do is listen to the the autumns, hush plain girls and feel the grass between your toes.
-
Thrown
into throws
ankles twist
in the tide's winding flight
windblown smiles
bite their lips
.

la la la laaa la

i tried and couldn't do it. maybe next time. sorry. I thought if i tried real hard I could make it longer but I guess the leaves and the wind are stronger.

movie sunday

saw the new mummy movie and mongol today. also had a delicious dinner at tkbs's.

sent a ton of emails this weekend and only got wet twice.

my record also got its first review here:
http://pressplayrecord.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-first-days-on-junk-no-order.html

plus its listed on hype machine with some fans:
http://hypem.com/artist/my+first+days+on+junk


the earth sunk right away from itself. it didn't manage to get away. it just became more exposed.

monday is for you. let me know what you want to do.

rock it soldier.

large long steps burning up the street.

the city's
like a gristle fat filled mouth
of steak that you chew and chew
constantly filling your
saliva with flavor
but never letting you get your teeth
in far enough to tenderize
so you can swallow.

music dump

So today I finished the last in my tasks for the new record. So here some info:

Here's a sample
Count me in, I'm good to go

It's for sale on emusic already. Go here to buy it and put it on your ipod before its even available. You can also sample all the songs there if you don't have a membership and just want to hear it.

If you are a press type person and have a music blog contact me for a review copy.

otherwise be my myspace friend
My First Days On Junk Myspace

So, its the end of the July and I am officially done all planned music projects. I realized haven't posted much about previous music projects I've finished. So here's some info for you:

One Happy Island

I recorded and mixed their EP called 'secret party that the other party doesn't know about' for Wee Pop. Besides being super nice people they also make some pretty sweet music.

Here's a sample song.
Temporary Tattoo

Its available on CD and 7". Go here to buy. Its a great listen.

Then I played bass, recorded drums and mixed the new Lets Whisper EP which is also on wee pop.

Here's a sample song.
Hey Sunshine

Its available on CD. Go here to buy. You wont be sorry. Danas songs are sweet as wild unprocessed non vegan honey.

I also played bass on the Colin Clary Solo record, which isn't out yet, and another Lets Whisper song that was on another Weepop comp that has sold out.

I think that's all I've completed... on top of, you know, playing shows and the like.

I hope you enjoy everything.

outlaws

the hums traveled far
and drips closing in
rain smells

the trashy hippie dress boots girl
speaking german at the salad bar
dirty dirty shirts
ocean waves

i like to sleep in the mornings

and that's when i need to get up.

push push
push

i made a damn obnoxious advertisement today and did some other productive things. plus i watched the military channel for far too long. they are having tank week soon. i think thats going to be the best week of my life.

i am down for doing things that don't involve furthering my 'career' or my 'fall back'. both of which i am currently 'pursuing' at the same time. some of these things are:

1. going to the ocean
2. going to thunder road
3. going to the fair (soon) (please have a demolition derby)
4. sitting at the waterfront reading
5. attending baseball games
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. you.

need to look harder
deeper
signals, calls, marches
tied together with a pretty
drab green bow
presents for eyes.
'... here ya go soldier. its fa you'

trout fishing in america

sat by the water and read for a while then went to a ball game thanks to AE... not farm share AE the other one.

decided i am going to name my accidental baby trout fishing in america. so which ever one of you ladies gets pregnant in november be prepared for the name choice. take some time. get used to it.

working on getting through all the books that people have lent me / have been recommended to me. I think i've only made it through 3 this summer. which is pretty slacking. but I've been though probably at least 7 poetry books. maybe more. so that probably counts for, what, 2 normal books?

the promo is going out for my record soon, its already up on emusic for sampling but i dont think you can buy it yet. I'm trying to decide what my next project should be. should i finish that book i started or finish that other record? who knows. maybe I will do both at the same time. what the fuck, right?

so, we're timid enough for something
whatever it is
but out going enough
to not worry about
the looks people give
when you act strangely weird
like the girls in bikinis stepping
into cold water off setting the hot sun
for the first time that day
shuffling, hopping their feet
and waving their arms
outstretched like they are off
balance, scrunching
their faces like ex girlfriends
until they get waste deep.

my friends call me manny.

walked a lot

been thinking about the next 2 months for several reasons and the past 2 years for several other reasons.

i have a story worked out and its ironic that i probably wont tell it or write it down...

i just realized that I forgot to eat dinner.

1. sometimes a complete respect for personal space is a sign of disinterest and not really respectful...
2. the world is always big even if your town is small.
3. accidental calling plan
4. revised list of hazards
5. all these emails. whats it about? nothing at all. shhhhhh dont answer. (i wont)
6. dirty
7. magic
8. pure heart purposefully drowning in helplessly bad decisions
9. "I had some help getting in my own way, didn't I?"
10. you

farm share

i sat on AEs (the other AE) porch and ate their farm shares food while a nice thunderstorm rolled in. a good light show to eat dinner to.

trying to go to bed early.
no matter how much i try to clean my plate things keep rolling in by the email.

im beginning to think there is no such thing as a clean plate in my world. im not sure if i am ok with that yet.

sinister smiles
i know that lick
burned into my forehead
in a wet soft mess
a dire browned leg
and hopeful arched back

i've been bad at hitting the rock shows lately
cause they hit back
and after a lot of years you get tender
i swear if some rock and roller
cannibalizes me
they will eat some delicious soft meat.

we are wednesday today, true to form
we are wet and muddy
we know everything is about something
and heat's in eyes in sighs in belted black
thighs with chucks at the bottom.

send me a signal that says 'you're an idiot, come here, idiot'

maybe poetry has left me forever.

we know what slow means,
you and i,
because we avoid it everyday.

it takes time to clean things out of your system.

i think if gaye symington wants me to vote for her she needs to hire an editor for the emails she sends out. i swear an 18 year old intern is writing those things. not impressive.

music blogs

thanks for your suggested blogs...

http://sixeyes.blogspot.com/
http://www.fluxblog.org/
http://www.3hive.com/
http://www.daytrotter.com/
http://www.daggerzine.com
http://www.pauseitmedia.com
http://www.drownedinsound.com
http://www.heavenisabove.blogspot.com
http://www.skatterbrain.org
http://www.erasingclouds.com
http://www.pressplayrecord.com
http://www.tullycraft.com
http://eveninthefuture.blogspot.com/
http://www.questionablecontent.net/rlblog/
http://www.hearya.com
http://www.aversion.com
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com
http://www.punknews.org
http://www.bigtakeover.com
http://milkmilk-lemonade.blogspot.com
http://stereogum.com
http://mgdistrict.wordpress.com
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/blog/brent/
http://7d.blogs.com/solidstate
http://www.bradleysalmanac.com
http://false45th.blogspot.com
http://burlingtonmusicjournal.blogspot.com
http://angioplastymedia.wordpress.com
http://toomuchrock.com/
http://www.hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/

ee cummings will not live again.

saturday w/ bd and mkl:

1. breakfast in waterbury
2. bostons good will store
3. ee cummings grave for a brief poetry reading and cemetery tour.


4. portsmouth
5. friendly toast dinner
6. slippery rocks and seaweed, thunderstorm
7. beach
8. fireworks
9. home

great day and friends...

hello america, i love you.

the power supply to my laptop broke and i cant fix it because mac uses cheap strain reliefs and their connectors dont come apart. damn them. i have one hour left and probably 5 days before the new one comes in so sorry i am typing this fast without links.

1. some dude from GM was saying today after announcing the factory closings and restructuring that no one can just expect any big company to be able to adapt fast enough to keep up with the changes in the auto market these days. I dont have time to look for the exact quote... but it was something like that. i would like to submit this as proof that american large companies arent hiring forward thinking people to run their companies... toyota, honda and VW dont seem to be having any problems. maybe because they caught on to everything 10 years ago when all the warning flags went up and didn't have their govt bail them out so they could make / force SUV on people for years after they should have stopped selling them. you cant force people to buy what they dont want... and... oh yeah, since i dont like complaining without offering solution... Dear GM, remember when you made an electric car in the 90's and recalled them all /refused to sell them anymore? that was awesome. remember when, if you kept selling them, you would have been way ahead in the market right now and had an entirely different business? i remember that. so my solution, stop being stupid bull headed americans and try creating a product people want and need. one that fits in with the future of the US and works with the materials available to the customer. thanks.

2. the bra that generates power to charge your ipod as you run:
one sample article of many...
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/bionic-bra-victorias-circuit-862875.html

this has been going around for a while. its completely stupid. i mean, i am all for finding a million ways to collect residual energy but... ummm. the only reason its getting so much press is because its about bouncing tits. really, lets think, when running, what else moves far more on both men and women that you could collect energy from? yes, thats right. arms and legs. 2 arms and 2 legs moving a lot with every step.

i will not start talking about stupid things in the press regularly. i promise. i just dont have time to turn my last 3 days into a poorly written cryptic 'poem' right now.

i only have 37 minutes left.

nite soldier... x5