It's the future...

I snapped this picture on a very gray day, while Dan and I were in St. Louis over "The Holidays". Dan informs me that this facility has been closed down for years. I found the windowless concrete building and empty parking lot arresting. The yellow paint had a nearly toxic glow in the diffuse light. The building may as well be a tomb, it's so devoid of human presence. I like to think of it as a monument in that sense, commemorating the death of the old world.

Dan and I are currently working on a web site that we're hoping to use as a vehicle to explore these types of themes. We'd like to make it, in part, a large co-operative art project. Coming soon...

RE-Think Buffalo

First rate co-oper, Buffalonian, and all around good guy, Kirk Laubenstein, has started an active and interesting blog over at Re-Think Buffalo. Since moving back to East Wind in March of last year I've really missed it. Kirk loves that town and his affection and hope for it is infectious.

New Link

There's a new link up to My Humble Voice Page. There might be a poem or two there not on the Active Artist Alliance Site. I should probably get them both up to speed.

Potentially the most important thing I have ever learned about economics.

I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to watch this.




It's a little clunky at times, but more than makes up for it.

Recent Readings

I suppose it's a little misleading to classify The Golden Compass as a recent reading, more like a listening. The audio book was really enjoyable. And, after a few mornings listening to it in the kitchen while I made breakfast, I've completed it. I feel like I'll eventually read The Subtle Knife, but I'm not really in any hurry. I've got Stranger in a Strange Land to finish with Alex, and Cat's Cradle on my own.

Yesterday, I picked up Annie Dillard's Living By Fiction and read the introduction. Once I get started on that I expect to complete it in a day or two. I always tear right through some Annie Dillard. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and Teaching a Stone to Talk have had a huge impact on both the way I read and write.

On a somewhat related note, I have an old edition of Mother Goose illustrated by Arthur Rackham back in Missouri that I've been missing. I found this nearly complete on-line version. I don't have any tattoos, but if I were to get one, I'm rather partial to Polly.

Plans, plans, plans... and some new reads.

It's been just about a week now since I quit my job. That's the second job I've quit since my return to Babylon last summer. I'm just not a very good wage slave. I've been desirous of a return to East Wind and that style of living. There are, of course, changes I'll need to make. I want to have a healthier writing and work routine. I'm going to try like hell not to get roped into any managerships until I have my own shit together.

But, that's all for the future. Right now I'm faced with the challenge of living in the second poorest city in the country. For the record, if it weren't for the Nickel City Housing Co-op, Buffalo would have ground me down way before now. Plans still need to be considered and solidified. I've still got to support myself through the next few months, at least. And, I've got to not let the omnipresent cloud of urban desperation catch me.

There are times that I absolutely love Buffalo. And, as a doomed settlement trapped in a destructive system, it's my favorite. Ah, charming desperation. Like a waif in winter.



As far as new reads go, I'm midway through Cat's Cradle and have just started on The Golden Compass. I saw the film with my family over the holidays, I've been told the book is far better. I hope to confirm these rumors.

Oh Noes!

I did it. I made a lolpanda.