Weblog 172
May 24 2009~ 12:00am
I had the great pleasure this week of listening to a CD by Steve De France, called
and I have to say I was blown away.
I've been a fan of this poet's writing for some time, but till now, I'd not had the extraordinary experience of hearing him read aloud. (Actually, 'read' is not the right description. These poems are small, sharp pieces of life that are performed... and beautifully so.)
There's nothing quite like driving in a car and hearing the world weary rumble of Steve's voice roll from the speakers, and by turns, be moved, delighted, surprised-- then laughing out loud because one of the most charming things about Steve is his satiric and often very wicked sense of humor.
He paints an accurate picture of modern life-- with its annoying phones, and the disconnected souls who incessantly dial them-- always, it seems, with a hiss of steaming rage beneath. Steve's poetry hits both nerves and keys with equal accuracy and to listen is to 'wake up'... leaving you with a desire to whistle and cheer.
Sound effects are incorporated...and music. There's light rain falling.... African drums.....street sounds...and of course, the intermittent phone ringing, which always ushers in another tale. The pitch and the rhythms are just right, so these chosen pieces fit delightfully into this venue; Steve packs a lot of life into this little disc, and you can hear the world in his voice.
Even the banter with his guitar player is intimate and amusing.
If you've ever rolled your eyes at the way we live or at the 'supposed conveniences' of modern America- or sat in a smoky bar and swapped stories with the assorted characters there, this disc will make for the same kind of wonderful listening I experienced.
And if you call Steve....
I do believe he'll answer.... and I guarantee his responses will tickle your post-modern, hell-bent soul. (What you will not hear, however, are those other wonders on this CD-- the deep-throated cello notes of absolute poetic purity that come from an accomplished, experienced poet playing his instrument as only the best ones do...until your eyes fill up, and you'd swear you've been listening to angels sawing their wings against something fragile, and that would be your heart.)
Visit Steve's site, right here at
Steve De France Poetry.
There's a good sampling of his writing ... and books to buy (and I hope his "Hello, Out There..." shows up soon, because it's not to be missed.)
Finally...a way to listen
to Steve. Just click here.
Even those souls who grumble and mutter, "I don't get poetry" will be greatly surprised at just how damned poetic all of our lives are... it's just that some are able to write it out: to make it sing, bark and howl. Steve does just that, and I thank him for a pleasurable commute this week. It perked me right up- made me think and made me laugh, and there's nuthin' better.
May 24 2009~ 8:00am
We watched the 2006 movie, "The Dead Girl" last night. It's dark, disturbing and strange.
It can't really be catagorized because it's not so much a linear story, as a study in a catalyst-- the catalytic event being the discovery of the corpse of battered young woman, and the effect that grim discovery has on seven people. Just the image of that young woman alone on the LA streets at night, makes my hair stand on end.
In that one shot, you can sense how vulnerably unprotected she is and as the movie progresses, we find out why. The framing of the opening scenes are eerie and stunning. A cameo appearance by Piper Laurie was an unexpected pleasure in a small role with maximum impact....(no one plays a crazy mother like that actress.)
By turns, we're introduced to the lost and dominated waif (who's the daughter of the dragon lady just mentioned) as she happens upon the dead girl in the opening sequence, and we meet the sister of a missing girl whose whole life has been squelched by the shadow of a mother obsessed with finding her missing daughter......and we meet the killer... the wife of the killer, the mother of the victim...all of them riveting. It's a chilling film; as noir as they come.
And if there's anything as creepy as this shot
which shows the soon-to-be-victim picked up while hitchhiking- and the shadowy unknowable face of her killer at the wheel-- I'd be hard-pressed to find it. Certainly a film not for everyone-- but for those who love to discover others' darkest secrets, this will suit you perfectly.
May 24 2009~ 12:00am
June is BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER! With the extra time I had today on this extended holiday weekend, I took the opportunity to daub the finishing touches on the lastest issue of THE BLUE HOUSE poetry ezine. If you have some extra time and care to peruse, here it is-
There's some mighty fine writing in there...every style different, and every personality shines through. I love getting these issues out... and love every poet just to death.
(It's a hang-out for old friends is what it is, and very cozy. Enjoy!)
May 27 2009~ 8:00pm
This was sent to me via email, and I got a GOOD CHUCKLE out of it. LOL!! I think you will too.
THE MIRACLE OF TOILET PAPER
Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a suggestion.
"If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds."
Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts.
"How long will this take?" I asked.
"They will grow larger over a period of years," my husband replies.
I stopped. "Do you really think rubbing a piece of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?"
Without missing a beat he says, "Worked for your butt, didn't it?"
LOL!!! I love punchlines that sneak up and goose ya! Seriously though, America as a whole is obsessed with big boobs and small butts, young women who mostly look like adolescent boys-- with implants. But if you like the robustness of a good old, GREAT-SIZED BUTT
The creator of that fabulous image is a new-found favorite artist of mine, and her name is Sarah Bishop. I'm providing a link to her site (a 'rated PG') link....just in case you're browsing at work-- though the 'ladies' are certainly not over-exposed, they are provocative. First, look through this extraordinary file at her site-- the images here look like a combination of Klimpt and Modigiani. Just gorgeous! Go to Sarah Bishop. (Then you can click on the other files at the bottom (pun intended)....if you so choose.) Honestly, all of her work is exciting, colorful and imaginative. She's quite a talent!
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
I had the great pleasure this week of listening to a CD by Steve De France, called
and I have to say I was blown away.
I've been a fan of this poet's writing for some time, but till now, I'd not had the extraordinary experience of hearing him read aloud. (Actually, 'read' is not the right description. These poems are small, sharp pieces of life that are performed... and beautifully so.)
There's nothing quite like driving in a car and hearing the world weary rumble of Steve's voice roll from the speakers, and by turns, be moved, delighted, surprised-- then laughing out loud because one of the most charming things about Steve is his satiric and often very wicked sense of humor.
He paints an accurate picture of modern life-- with its annoying phones, and the disconnected souls who incessantly dial them-- always, it seems, with a hiss of steaming rage beneath. Steve's poetry hits both nerves and keys with equal accuracy and to listen is to 'wake up'... leaving you with a desire to whistle and cheer.
Sound effects are incorporated...and music. There's light rain falling.... African drums.....street sounds...and of course, the intermittent phone ringing, which always ushers in another tale. The pitch and the rhythms are just right, so these chosen pieces fit delightfully into this venue; Steve packs a lot of life into this little disc, and you can hear the world in his voice.
Even the banter with his guitar player is intimate and amusing.
If you've ever rolled your eyes at the way we live or at the 'supposed conveniences' of modern America- or sat in a smoky bar and swapped stories with the assorted characters there, this disc will make for the same kind of wonderful listening I experienced.
And if you call Steve....
I do believe he'll answer.... and I guarantee his responses will tickle your post-modern, hell-bent soul. (What you will not hear, however, are those other wonders on this CD-- the deep-throated cello notes of absolute poetic purity that come from an accomplished, experienced poet playing his instrument as only the best ones do...until your eyes fill up, and you'd swear you've been listening to angels sawing their wings against something fragile, and that would be your heart.)
Visit Steve's site, right here at
Steve De France Poetry.
There's a good sampling of his writing ... and books to buy (and I hope his "Hello, Out There..." shows up soon, because it's not to be missed.)
to Steve. Just click here.
Even those souls who grumble and mutter, "I don't get poetry" will be greatly surprised at just how damned poetic all of our lives are... it's just that some are able to write it out: to make it sing, bark and howl. Steve does just that, and I thank him for a pleasurable commute this week. It perked me right up- made me think and made me laugh, and there's nuthin' better.
May 24 2009~ 8:00am
We watched the 2006 movie, "The Dead Girl" last night. It's dark, disturbing and strange.
It can't really be catagorized because it's not so much a linear story, as a study in a catalyst-- the catalytic event being the discovery of the corpse of battered young woman, and the effect that grim discovery has on seven people. Just the image of that young woman alone on the LA streets at night, makes my hair stand on end.
In that one shot, you can sense how vulnerably unprotected she is and as the movie progresses, we find out why. The framing of the opening scenes are eerie and stunning. A cameo appearance by Piper Laurie was an unexpected pleasure in a small role with maximum impact....(no one plays a crazy mother like that actress.)
By turns, we're introduced to the lost and dominated waif (who's the daughter of the dragon lady just mentioned) as she happens upon the dead girl in the opening sequence, and we meet the sister of a missing girl whose whole life has been squelched by the shadow of a mother obsessed with finding her missing daughter......and we meet the killer... the wife of the killer, the mother of the victim...all of them riveting. It's a chilling film; as noir as they come.
And if there's anything as creepy as this shot
which shows the soon-to-be-victim picked up while hitchhiking- and the shadowy unknowable face of her killer at the wheel-- I'd be hard-pressed to find it. Certainly a film not for everyone-- but for those who love to discover others' darkest secrets, this will suit you perfectly.
May 24 2009~ 12:00am
June is BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER! With the extra time I had today on this extended holiday weekend, I took the opportunity to daub the finishing touches on the lastest issue of THE BLUE HOUSE poetry ezine. If you have some extra time and care to peruse, here it is-
There's some mighty fine writing in there...every style different, and every personality shines through. I love getting these issues out... and love every poet just to death.
(It's a hang-out for old friends is what it is, and very cozy. Enjoy!)
May 27 2009~ 8:00pm
This was sent to me via email, and I got a GOOD CHUCKLE out of it. LOL!! I think you will too.
THE MIRACLE OF TOILET PAPER
Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to my husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a suggestion.
"If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds."
Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts.
"How long will this take?" I asked.
"They will grow larger over a period of years," my husband replies.
I stopped. "Do you really think rubbing a piece of toilet paper between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?"
Without missing a beat he says, "Worked for your butt, didn't it?"
LOL!!! I love punchlines that sneak up and goose ya! Seriously though, America as a whole is obsessed with big boobs and small butts, young women who mostly look like adolescent boys-- with implants. But if you like the robustness of a good old, GREAT-SIZED BUTT
The creator of that fabulous image is a new-found favorite artist of mine, and her name is Sarah Bishop. I'm providing a link to her site (a 'rated PG') link....just in case you're browsing at work-- though the 'ladies' are certainly not over-exposed, they are provocative. First, look through this extraordinary file at her site-- the images here look like a combination of Klimpt and Modigiani. Just gorgeous! Go to Sarah Bishop. (Then you can click on the other files at the bottom (pun intended)....if you so choose.) Honestly, all of her work is exciting, colorful and imaginative. She's quite a talent!
(Return To Weekly Archives)
...
. or pay a visit to my Audio site to hear things
I've written- 
Some are just 'jotters', thoughts as they fly- going
nowhere but where they are. If you stop and read a few~ or post a
few~ thanks for
the perusal. Last of all, if you've a hankering for rants and raging,
try making a stop at my other blog- 
