Tuesday, September 30, 2008

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

Monday, September 29, 2008

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.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

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.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

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.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

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.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

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

Monday, September 15, 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008

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

Saturday, September 13, 2008

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.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

...

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.
...
...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

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.

Monday, September 8, 2008

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.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

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?

Saturday, September 6, 2008

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

Thursday, September 4, 2008

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.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

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

Monday, September 1, 2008

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.