CHAPTER 6
[There was a baby carriage in the back of the garage, dark blue and canopied, with 5” wheels and a wobbly suspension. It was empty by then, but for years it had been filled with bundles of old newspapers, wrapped portrait and landscape in twine.
They huddled together bottomless in that carriage in the dark garage. Inside the house his father drank Champale and groped his mother's tits at the kitchen table. His mother practiced a Chopin nocturne on her knee in an effort not to notice.
-It looks like a little apple.
The garage door opened and bathed every corner in late afternoon light, and they didn't dare move an inch.]
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
CHAPTER 4
-Crackers, cookies, crackers, cookies, crackers, cookies...
She tried to keep her mind busy.
Then she saw him reach. He was probably in his late 30s. Underdressed for the weather.
He was reaching to pluck something from an aluminum display tree adjacent to the Fudge Stripes. A Hot Wheels car. He ran a finger over the clear plastic shell, and raised the package up slightly to look at the undercarriage.
She dropped the bottle of soda, and a quick surge ran through her upper back. She waited for everything to turn red, she waited for the densified concrete floor to open and swallow her whole. But instead she just cried, low and quiet and shuddery.
-Crackers, cookies, crackers, cookies, crackers, cookies...
She tried to keep her mind busy.
Then she saw him reach. He was probably in his late 30s. Underdressed for the weather.
He was reaching to pluck something from an aluminum display tree adjacent to the Fudge Stripes. A Hot Wheels car. He ran a finger over the clear plastic shell, and raised the package up slightly to look at the undercarriage.
She dropped the bottle of soda, and a quick surge ran through her upper back. She waited for everything to turn red, she waited for the densified concrete floor to open and swallow her whole. But instead she just cried, low and quiet and shuddery.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CHAPTER 3
She turned and walked down the soda aisle. Only a few people there, which was good. She wanted to move. She wanted to move.
There was a little girl dancing lightly from Pepsi to Sprite. The stock clerk had the black dead eyes of a shark or an alcoholic. This would be easy.
As the neck of the bottle pressed against her thenar eminence she grasped and lifted, barely breaking stride.
Done.
She turned and walked down the soda aisle. Only a few people there, which was good. She wanted to move. She wanted to move.
There was a little girl dancing lightly from Pepsi to Sprite. The stock clerk had the black dead eyes of a shark or an alcoholic. This would be easy.
As the neck of the bottle pressed against her thenar eminence she grasped and lifted, barely breaking stride.
Done.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CHAPTER 2
-Parmesan Goldfish and Mr Pibb.
He reached into his right pocket until his leg was completely straight, and his foot strained against the floorboard.
-Here's 5. You sure you want to?
-Yes.
She grabbed the bill and stepped out of the car onto a two-foot tall orange E. FIRE LANE.
He muttered to himself-- Shit-- and fiddled with the knob on the car stereo...
-Parmesan Goldfish and Mr Pibb.
He reached into his right pocket until his leg was completely straight, and his foot strained against the floorboard.
-Here's 5. You sure you want to?
-Yes.
She grabbed the bill and stepped out of the car onto a two-foot tall orange E. FIRE LANE.
He muttered to himself-- Shit-- and fiddled with the knob on the car stereo...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
KOOKIE, KOOKIE, LEND ME YOUR COMB
I was explaining to Taeko why I didn't have a comb.
“I dropped it in the toilet by accident a few days ago.”
“So. You wash it.”
“No, sorry. Strict rule: If it falls in the toilet, game over.”
“You'd never survive in a war.”
“A war? Is there some global combat imminent that's going to involve dunking my personal-grooming products in the toilet?”
Silence
“Because I think I have a right to know, dammit.”
Additional silence.
“But yeah, if those are the rules of warfare, I'm pretty much a dead man...”
I was explaining to Taeko why I didn't have a comb.
“I dropped it in the toilet by accident a few days ago.”
“So. You wash it.”
“No, sorry. Strict rule: If it falls in the toilet, game over.”
“You'd never survive in a war.”
“A war? Is there some global combat imminent that's going to involve dunking my personal-grooming products in the toilet?”
Silence
“Because I think I have a right to know, dammit.”
Additional silence.
“But yeah, if those are the rules of warfare, I'm pretty much a dead man...”
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
I FOUND THAT ESSENCE RARE
Politics, huh? Well, OK.
I became aware of politics in the 70s. My grandmother was prominent in the local Republican woman’s club. I wrote derogatory grade-school limericks about Gerald Ford. In 7th grade, I stole a copy of The Doonesbury Chronicles from the school library.
In the 80s I felt mildly oppressed by first-round Reagan, and morbidly oppressed by second-round Reagan. The America of 1984-1988 was not my America.
Bush the First held the faintly unpleasant aftertaste of the Reagan years. I crinkled my nose and swallowed hard.
I forgave Clinton his peccadilloes in light of many of his policies, but I didn’t trust a word he said. I spent my time waiting for Cuomo… but Cuomo never came.
Gore seemed to possess a developed sense of fairness and decency, so I was satisfied when he was elected, Tipper notwithstanding. Then Bush the Second stole the consarnit thing, and we were condemned to four years of an Empire of Idiocy, then complicit in it for another four.
Yesterday we woke up. And for the first time in a long time, I can say that I am proud of this country.
Well done, America. Well effing done…
Politics, huh? Well, OK.
I became aware of politics in the 70s. My grandmother was prominent in the local Republican woman’s club. I wrote derogatory grade-school limericks about Gerald Ford. In 7th grade, I stole a copy of The Doonesbury Chronicles from the school library.
In the 80s I felt mildly oppressed by first-round Reagan, and morbidly oppressed by second-round Reagan. The America of 1984-1988 was not my America.
Bush the First held the faintly unpleasant aftertaste of the Reagan years. I crinkled my nose and swallowed hard.
I forgave Clinton his peccadilloes in light of many of his policies, but I didn’t trust a word he said. I spent my time waiting for Cuomo… but Cuomo never came.
Gore seemed to possess a developed sense of fairness and decency, so I was satisfied when he was elected, Tipper notwithstanding. Then Bush the Second stole the consarnit thing, and we were condemned to four years of an Empire of Idiocy, then complicit in it for another four.
Yesterday we woke up. And for the first time in a long time, I can say that I am proud of this country.
Well done, America. Well effing done…
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
THE STARS BEGIN TO TWINKLE IN THE SKY
I actually listened to Smoke on the Water all the way through yesterday, and it reminded me of everything I love about rock and roll:
An idiot can be a genius, and a genius can be an idiot. An idiot can be an idiot, and a genius can be a genius.
Any old way you choose it, my friends…
I actually listened to Smoke on the Water all the way through yesterday, and it reminded me of everything I love about rock and roll:
An idiot can be a genius, and a genius can be an idiot. An idiot can be an idiot, and a genius can be a genius.
Any old way you choose it, my friends…
Monday, October 27, 2008
TIGER BEAT
Some random thoughts on the weekend's Deerhoof show...
Some random thoughts on the weekend's Deerhoof show...
- Flying and Experimental Dental School both had one fewer member than they did when the reviews were written for their respective 2008 releases. Looks like downsizing has hit third-tier indie rock, and hard…
- Satomi, Deerhoof singer/bassist, is tiny, but rocks large.
- Greg, Deerhoof drummer, is Keith Moon on a Chris Partridge kit. Careful with those sticks, Eugene.
- Greg endeared himself by introducing some acquaintances in attendance: the cousin who gave him his first album (Kiss Alive— not Kiss Alive II, fortunately), and three-quarters of his high-school barbershop quartet.
- Satomi trotted out a plush tiger mask for the encore. (The last song they played was “Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back” from the new album, so I’m not quite sure what was up with that.) It did remind me of my favorite quote from this weekend: Sebastian called to me from the dining room, where his mother was enforcing one household rule or another, and said “Daddy, I think you married a tiger!” I fell off the couch, and even Taeko found it fit to laugh…
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
AGNOSTIC FRONTING
Conference today, and at some point I found myself making the following note: "Utilize precis in push?" Needless to say, 16 year-old me showed up at lunch break and kicked my ever-loving ass.
The phrase du jour (which I swear I heard five different people use)? "Content agnostic."
Don't worry 16 year-old me, I'm not going down that road...
Conference today, and at some point I found myself making the following note: "Utilize precis in push?" Needless to say, 16 year-old me showed up at lunch break and kicked my ever-loving ass.
The phrase du jour (which I swear I heard five different people use)? "Content agnostic."
Don't worry 16 year-old me, I'm not going down that road...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I JUST GOT OUT MY LITTLE BLUE PILL
Geez, can't anybody sitting on their couch watching football/baseball get it up?
Because if I have to hear Viva Viagra one more time, so help me...
PS, I do still snicker at the solemn warning regarding an "erection lasting more than four hours." I'm only human after all.
Geez, can't anybody sitting on their couch watching football/baseball get it up?
Because if I have to hear Viva Viagra one more time, so help me...
PS, I do still snicker at the solemn warning regarding an "erection lasting more than four hours." I'm only human after all.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
COMMUTER BLUES
I tried to convince myself that traffic was moving slowly because we were all in awe of the same sunset sky, which looked like the salmon in a Zabar's case. But then I noticed in the distance a left lane clogged with police lights. I sighed and turned up the radio. Fuck, it's October again already, and the 21st century too...
I tried to convince myself that traffic was moving slowly because we were all in awe of the same sunset sky, which looked like the salmon in a Zabar's case. But then I noticed in the distance a left lane clogged with police lights. I sighed and turned up the radio. Fuck, it's October again already, and the 21st century too...
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
LUCKY NUMBER
I have set up a tracking system at work that will reach its logical end in 73 years. As a result, if things are still being done the same way in 73 years, I have set in motion a potential problem for my robot successors.
So, to my robot successors in the year 2081: I knew damn well what I was doing, and I am laughing my ass off at you from across the years...
I have set up a tracking system at work that will reach its logical end in 73 years. As a result, if things are still being done the same way in 73 years, I have set in motion a potential problem for my robot successors.
So, to my robot successors in the year 2081: I knew damn well what I was doing, and I am laughing my ass off at you from across the years...
Friday, October 03, 2008
DON'T FORGET TO SAY GRACE
“And you tell meeee, over and over and over again…”
“………………….............over and over and over again…”
Lana was stunned when I started singing along.
“Dad! You said you didn’t know the Pessimist Song!”
“Huh?”
“The Pessimist Song. I asked you if you knew the Pessimist Song and the Optimist Song, and you said you didn’t!”
“Oh, that’s the Pessimist Song? Of course I know that—it’s Eve of Destruction. What’s the Optimist Song?”
“Last night I dreamed the strangest dream…”
Resolved: Lana’s teacher is a fecking hippie.
Anyway, I searched iTunes, and downloaded Eve of Destruction for her. We sat on the couch, and Lana sang along in a light lilting soprano that put Barry McGuire to shame…
“And you tell meeee, over and over and over again…”
“………………….............over and over and over again…”
Lana was stunned when I started singing along.
“Dad! You said you didn’t know the Pessimist Song!”
“Huh?”
“The Pessimist Song. I asked you if you knew the Pessimist Song and the Optimist Song, and you said you didn’t!”
“Oh, that’s the Pessimist Song? Of course I know that—it’s Eve of Destruction. What’s the Optimist Song?”
“Last night I dreamed the strangest dream…”
Resolved: Lana’s teacher is a fecking hippie.
Anyway, I searched iTunes, and downloaded Eve of Destruction for her. We sat on the couch, and Lana sang along in a light lilting soprano that put Barry McGuire to shame…
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
AFTER CLASS
Random thoughts on the Chessie/Atlas Sound/Stereolab show last night:
-So, yeah, rhythm guitarist from Chessie. Um, I'm, uh, sorry that I tried to sell you my extra ticket out in front of the club. But really, how the fuck was I supposed to know?
-Chessie is an awww cute name.
-Atlas Sound is a dolphin. Doesn't look like one. Doesn't sound like one. He just is one.
-Atlas Sound coaxed some awesome noises out of this tangle of wires and diodes, a guitar, and a couple of mikes. Mesmerizing.
-Atlas Sound is a hero. Doesn't look like one. Doesn't sound like one. He just is one.
-Stereolab played a good bunch of new stuff, and just like when they were touring Fab Four Suture, they punched it up for certain.
-Stereolab were also getting all 1993 up in here, what with Lo Boob Oscillator, French Disko, Jenny Ondioline, and John Cage Bubblegum. Y'all got yr Lolla tix?
-Tim Gane busted a guitar string, and who retrieved the axe from the stage, replaced the string, and brought it back a song later? Atlas Sound, MF. Atlas Sound. Like I said: Hero...
Random thoughts on the Chessie/Atlas Sound/Stereolab show last night:
-So, yeah, rhythm guitarist from Chessie. Um, I'm, uh, sorry that I tried to sell you my extra ticket out in front of the club. But really, how the fuck was I supposed to know?
-Chessie is an awww cute name.
-Atlas Sound is a dolphin. Doesn't look like one. Doesn't sound like one. He just is one.
-Atlas Sound coaxed some awesome noises out of this tangle of wires and diodes, a guitar, and a couple of mikes. Mesmerizing.
-Atlas Sound is a hero. Doesn't look like one. Doesn't sound like one. He just is one.
-Stereolab played a good bunch of new stuff, and just like when they were touring Fab Four Suture, they punched it up for certain.
-Stereolab were also getting all 1993 up in here, what with Lo Boob Oscillator, French Disko, Jenny Ondioline, and John Cage Bubblegum. Y'all got yr Lolla tix?
-Tim Gane busted a guitar string, and who retrieved the axe from the stage, replaced the string, and brought it back a song later? Atlas Sound, MF. Atlas Sound. Like I said: Hero...
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