WALKING THROUGH THE PATH PROSE

Stones lead toward a majestic wall
Surrounded by wild flowers
Scattered around and hitting the ground.
When this begins to itch, you will not be able to scratch it.
Strangled in the blackness
Without feeling the river in the sky
That is full of potholes
And the snow is cold and wet
And does not bend for your kindness.

Music is ready for my ears to listen
It’s a new way to say “I am not here.”
I create moments and you live inside of them.
Walking through the shadows
Erase the night with a smile
Give me a shed of sweetness
They’ll be no more substantial focusing
On the path of glorious turmoil
In the sunshine of yesterday’s promises
They’ll never remember what was said before.


Growing love teaches passion
For the wild beauty
Of the human soul.
Let us delight in the mystery
Of a morning sky.
Make room for your spreading dreams
To fully extend.
Do not let good friendships die.

Carry your weight of sweetness
Others will take notice of
Your good will
Just sit down and listen to a thunderstorm
Out there under the stars
It splashes….and it feels good
I am a soul…..being
In everlasting motion.
Puncture me with your words
Hit me with an angry face.
Damage my heart with your dots
That no longer connect
Converse with my nonsense
And hear my defense
I push it all over.
The wet world will dry
Give it a call.

Denielle

This is a pop art version of my fiance. Her name is Denielle. We met online through eharmony in March of 2007. We plan to be married on October 16, 2010. We are very happy together. She has brought sheer joy to my life. More on us later.

Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV

A brief history first.

Nine Inch Nails is considered by many fans to be one of the most influential industrial rock music groups. Trent Reznnor is the founder and the singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is actually the only official member of Nine Inch Nails. He is responsible alone for taking the band in its direction from 1989 to present day. It's hard to believe that its been twenty years now. NIN's music covers a wide range of genres, while retaining a characteristic sound using electronic instruments and processing. Some might say that its heavily computer generated progressive rock. Typically after recording any new album, Reznor tends to assemble a live band to perform with him. It has constantly been a revolving lineup and they often have to rearrange songs to fit a live setting. On stage, NIN often use spectacular visual elements to accompany the performances, which frequently concluded with the band destroying their instruments. I have witnessed such an event. Particularly at a show at the UIC Pavillion in 1999, where Trent was repeatedly kicking the drumset, knocking over the microphones, and throwing his keyboard to the ground.

Nine Inch Nails released Ghosts I - IV, a 36 track instrumental collection in the spring of 2008. It is almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over a ten week period during the Fall of 2007, Ghosts I - IV is a little different and even more mellow for Nine Inch Nails. However it does explore a plethora of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

Go here to get the music in the format you wish: http://ghosts.nin.com/main/order_options

Poem Of The Day

About Face


Is there a starting point?
a birth place for the face?
an empty canvas for the soul
awaiting a stroke of unique magic?
this face that I have
was always intended to be my face
and it was originally this face
and eventually it will wrinkle and decay
but my eyes
with or without a face
are the eyes of the world
turn around and face
your identity
before you look ahead at a mirror
which only reflects
it does not capture
the holistic essence of your being
my face is a vehicle for expressing
laughter, tears, anger
sarcasm, strain, and the
individual look of fear
can God see beyond my poker face?

My favorite Pop Art peices....

Andy Warhol: "Shot Blue Marilyn"

"What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?" by Richard Hamilton

"Drowning girl" by Roy Lichtenstein, 1963.

New Bob Dylan Album Out Today!

Download a cut off the new record here:

http://aolradio.podcast.aol.com/aolmusic/mp3s/BobDylan_BeyondHereLiesNothin.mp3

Reservoir Dogs Critique

Reservoir Dogs really packs a lot of punches and by the end of the film leaves us viewers completely battered. From the moment that we tumble into the realm of the gang of eight, we are hopelessly trapped there until the final credits roll. For actor/director/ writer Quentin Tarantino, this is a triumph, displaying all the marks of a longtime fan of the genre.
A jewelry store robbery has gone wrong - extremely wrong - for the thieves. One member of the gang is dead, and several are missing. The survivors, including Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), and a critically-injured Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), are stuck in a warehouse, trying to figure out how to get out of the situation. Suspicions start to run wild, as White and Pink discuss the possibility of a traitor among them, and the tension escalates when Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) shows up with a little surprise in the trunk of his car. Whenever I hear the song "Stuck In The Middle With You," by Steelers Wheels, it gives me the creeps.
The cast is top notch, and the parts the actors have to play are fully exposed. Tarantino invests each member of his group with a unique and distinct personality. Since he's never been content with stereotypes, the writer/director digs deeper into the mind, bringing out the humanity in even someone as viciously sadistic and psychotic as Mr. Blonde. To go along with the characters is a surprising plot, filled with wonderful little twists and turns, never knowing what's around the corner. The non-chronological manner in which the story is told is slightly confusing at first, but everything eventually makes sense later.
Tarantino's directing creates a high-voltage style that's entirely his own. The writing is crisp and clean. The quick-witted dialogue leaves the audience consistantly wondering and laughing aloud. The absurd humor and dark comedy are among many of Reservoir Dogs' defining elements. This is one of those rare motion pictures that's both intelligent and crude at the same time.
Highly recommended! BUT those who are squeamish about blood should be wary. While the gore in this film isn't gratuitous, there's a great deal of it, and one particular torture scene is chillingly and vividly depicted. As I said earlier, the song I previously mentioned will never sound the same again! Gripping and gut-wrenching, Reservoir Dogs is likely to stay with you for a long time.

I am pretty stoked about the lineup this year!!!!

Interesting Magician

I found this pretty hilarious!

Listen To Slint

Spiderland is one of the most acclaimed underground albums of the 1990’s. The critics consider it as THE FIRST TRUE POST-ROCK ALBUM,which opened doors to a great progression in music,reinventing rock without leaving its main ideas behind.Brian McMahan’s voice varied between grunge-likescreams, delicate whispering and a narrating voice,which created a very sublime feel. The mood captured on the album is rather cold and dark. In fact, it is very intense, sometimes seeming to reach the almost suicidal state of depression. There are even rumors that some of the band members of Slint had to be occasionally institutionalized during the album sessions.The songs flow as if Brian McMahan was narrating a story without a happy ending. It contains disturbing aspects of teenage existence. The band members were simple kids at the time. The first two tracks are the less depressive of the collection. Guitar interplay and distortion in the opening track creates a strange and original effect. The guitars literally sound as if spiders or creatures from the deep are awakening and actually crawling over the instruments. The music is constantly building towards a climax with aches and pains along the way until it reaches its energizing finale. The last track, “Good Morning Captain” is the album's finest moment, their most known track, dealing with the loss of friends in a terrible event. The combination of a double-guitar approach with the disturbing narration recreate perfectly such ambience, until the final explosion, with the scream “I’m in hell, I’m in hell, I miss you...” The album as a whole deals with the awareness of difference in the world and the band creates a very depressive atmosphere with the subtle guitar lines. The sound is trembling, tense and nervous. Getting close to the edge but not quite going over it. It may be hard to believe how a group of 4 kids had such a visionary construction of rock, opening doors to bands like Helmet, Tool, and well, all of the post-rock scene. I urge all grunge enthusiasts out there to venture to your local record store and pick up a copy of Slint’s Spiderland. This composition will truly resonate with you for a very long time to come.

Pacific Overtures

Porchlight Music Theatre and artistic director, Walter Stearns should be very proud of their most recent production. I am talking about Pacific Overtures. This is an exotic musical story of the painful westernization of Japan, beginning in the 1850’s and leading up to present day. I was there for press opening on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 pm. This show is a work of art with an effectively memorable score and colorful characters that were unforgettable. The show features characters such as shoguns, fishermen, and geisha. Also, it mixes elements of traditional Japanese theatre with Broadway.
What was pretty amazing about the cast of Pacific Overtures was that they were all Asian-Americans. Broadway actor, David Rhee gives a very dramatic performance of the Reciter, especially in the opening few minutes. I practically jumped from my seat because he was so intense and expressive. There are some other real treasures in this cast, including Keith Uchima’s moving and emotionally powerful work in a number entitled, “Someone in a Tree.” It was so imaginatively beautiful that I wanted to hear it several times in a row. The moment I most enjoyed Wednesday night was “A Bowler Hat,” performed by a youthful actor named Danny Bernardo. It captured paradox in this advisory tale about the dangers of compromising yourself before you know the full scope of historical change.
The atmosphere on this intimate stage setting was created with Kurt Sharp’s sliding door set, which seemed to resemble traditional Japanese rice screens. John Horan masterfully illuminated the fine lighting. The players were dressed in gorgeous Japanese Kimonos with authentic wigs and they glided across the playhouse with Kabuki movements and Noh theatre elements. A strongly Oriental influenced score is immaculately played by an extraordinary 5 piece orchestra. The singing was brilliant and the movements and Samurai fighting were top notch.
Pacific Overtures is a history lesson filled with suspense, comedy, beauty, and poetry. Hurry over to 1225 West Belmont before it ends on May 2nd. You will be astonished!

http://www.porchlighttheatre.com/current.htm#pacific

Neko Case at Chicago Theatre

Let me tell you about Neko Case. She is an alternative country singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and guest vocalist with many popular artists. Neko is gifted with the guitar as well. She’s originally from Virginia and has travelled and recorded albums all over North America, including Chicago. Case primarily performs her own material and has recorded cover versions of songs by artists such as Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams. Her sound is very unique as it contains “country noir” elements that have truly defined her style. Neko Case has said that filmmaker David Lynch, composer Angelo Badalamenti, and Neil Young’s soundtrack to the film Dead Man have influenced her style. Her last two albums are her most commercially successful ones. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood was released on March 7, 2006. Critics praised this record for her use of desolate imagery and nonstandard song structures. It debuted at number 52 on the Billboard Top 200 list. Her latest album, Middle Cyclone, was released on March 3, 2009. Just before she began her U.S. tour to promote the record, Case appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the Late Show with David Letterman. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard charts and it is her first album ever to reach the top ten in the United States.
On Friday April 24, 2009 Neko Case played a sold out 90 minute show at The Chicago Theatre. The stylish lobby with its magnificent staircase, stunning auditorium complete with murals above the stage and on the ceiling, all make up an amazing building called “The Wonder Theatre of The World” when it first opened in 1921. The Theatre was the first of its kind in America; a huge and extravagant movie palace. It remains today as an excellent symbol of State Street in Chicago. An assortment of the entertainment world’s brightest stars and most excellent productions have taken place on this stage, including Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson, and now for the first time Neko Case. Her material is predominately introspective and passionate. You would not think that ridiculous humor would be so widely integrated into her live gig, but this was exactly the “case”(pun intended) at the show. With a charming and audience-engaging spirit, Neko and her entourage of band members made silly comments and jokes between songs for the duration of the performance. While the music remained perfect and even emotional, the banter in between involved lighthearted chatter about things like Diana Ross wearing too much makeup, Chicago being a sausage town and of course the idea of someone requesting the song “Free Bird.” The crowd was an interesting blend of intellectual college students, the heavily tattooed folks, and bearded-hippies. They watched the entire performance in church-like silence. The only comments from fans came between songs, during which they had no trouble expressing themselves (i.e. “You Rock!” “I Love you!”) in order to verbally contribute to the band’s onstage behavior.
Playing a mix of songs old and new, the inspirational redhead and her squad, gave a magnetic performance that had some 3,000 onlookers completely mesmerized. They had a large screen behind the stage set-up all night where they were projecting unique images of tornadoes, tigers, and a machine-crane among other things. A giant owl seemed to be holding the screen with eyes that glowed red. Before they even took the stage, the audience was treated to several minutes of ambient nature sounds, mostly tree frogs chirping. The room was dark except for a few flickering specs of light projected on the abovementioned screen. Earlier on, opening act Crooked Fingers, brought their own style of Indie experimental rock ranging from soothing, to edgy megaphone, and electronic sounds. Guitarist Eric Bachmann delivered commanding vocals. However, the most dazzling member of the trio was Tim Husmann, a percussionist, pianist and master noisemaker of all kinds. I was honored to be a part of these spectacular musical performances. Both Crooked Fingers and Neko Case are inspiring, powerful, and relevant in our troubled times. It’s good to know that exciting and original music is still alive.

Free The Mind

So much waiting to do
So little patience there is
Of course the sun has to go down
Things come and go
Between the coming and the going
One needs to use the space in the middle
To create a moment
Or else
False impressions are formed
Opportunities flicker
And communication melts
Like an ice cream cone
Held too long
In the sun beams
Take a bite at what you want when you want it
Or else the waiting will come back
And so will the regrets and they’ll haunt you
Until you are buried inside of your emotions
Fear is the dirt
Communication is the shovel
Anyone can hold the shovel
But it takes patience to dig
You’ll see
The waiting will become easier
And the patience will stay forever!

Solitary Interrogation

Conversation with myself
Locked inside it feels like hell
Cannot find a place to dwell
Staring though my prison cell...
And I wonder...
If I'm out of me
then where am I?
If I can't find a way
then where do I go?
If life catches up with me
then where do I run?
If time went to sleep
then how would I wake up?
If the end never comes
then when will I die?
If isolation comforts me
then when am I insane?

SCREAM

my thoughts roam in the corners of the night
sweetness dances softly inside my head
i''m swallowing a love i can't deny
and smile in the face of death again
awake i lay and search for something real
dreams shall not go or leave this place of mind
inside this thought i turn to where i feel
a chapter of my life not hard to find
memories come and sing a joyful tune
now i forgot the will and the passion
i sense a change is coming very soon
i reach inside and take out my action
and look upon my body lying still
having escaped the night which i have killed

Getting Out

movement without purpose is not movement
it is pointless
its going nowhere in a hurry
living each and every day
just simply wasting away
serves no purpose at all
although it is very easy
to fall victim
to circular motion
the daily cycle of life
can use you and consume you
until there is no you
where can you go?
look for the smiles
they always arrive
at the right time

It Is Understood

jumping from a stone
daredevil in the sky
soaring through my wishes
praying for my hopes
will travel around the earth
the realization has unfolded
memories replenish the absence
awakening spirituality within
presence of the dawn
takes me away from pain
blasted out of youth
the patient will wander alone
he forgives every soul

Realizing in the Now

The stars forced their radiance to encompass my sight
welcoming silence in the now's light
but music for the EYES
a dancing, joyful delight
suspended in dusk, feeling the chill of echoing smiles
faces for me
stars' flickering flame falls away
clouds thicken in the now
LOUD rolling sonic blasts
and the trickles start to drizzle
even my cup is overflowing
fantastic electrical showers sprinkling madness everywhere
swimming within the chaos,
basking in the now
and all i can take in from all of this:
life is a miracle filled with moments
so many moments...

WALKING THROUGH THE PATH PROSE

Stones lead toward a majestic wall
Surrounded by wild flowers
Scattered around and hitting the ground.
When this begins to itch, you will not be able to scratch it.
Strangled in the blackness
Without feeling the river in the sky
That is full of potholes
And the snow is cold and wet
And does not bend for your kindness.

Music is ready for my ears to listen
It’s a new way to say “I am not here.”
I create moments and you live inside of them.
Walking through the shadows
Erase the night with a smile
Give me a shed of sweetness
They’ll be no more substantial focusing
On the path of glorious turmoil
In the sunshine of yesterday’s promises
They’ll never remember what was said before.


Growing love teaches passion
For the wild beauty
Of the human soul.
Let us delight in the mystery
Of a morning sky.
Make room for your spreading dreams
To fully extend.
Do not let good friendships die.

Carry your weight of sweetness
Others will take notice of
Your good will
Just sit down and listen to a thunderstorm
Out there under the stars
It splashes….and it feels good
I am a soul…..being
In everlasting motion.
Puncture me with your words
Hit me with an angry face.
Damage my heart with your dots
That no longer connect
Converse with my nonsense
And hear my defense
I push it all over.
The wet world will dry
Give it a call.

Autobiography Prose

Now that I think about it
I have only driven by
But never visited my birthplace
The hospital is gone too
Life is a series of memories
Surrounded by family members
And friends you pick up
Like a hitchhiker on
Life’s highways
Been to Disneyworld twice
Once when I had the chicken pox
I guess I wanted to infect the world as a
Small school boy
I love the outdoors
I have part of a mountain
A rock in my garden from Crazy Horse
I’ve always loved Halloween
And the autumn season
Scary movies thrill me to death
I have a sister
She’s four years younger than I
We’re good friends
My parents divorced when I was 21
Despite what Frank Sinatra says
It was not a very good year!
Flew to Washington D.C. when I was in Junior High
I remember homeless people, I pity them
Who sleep under subways and sewers
I wanted to help but I had to stay with the group
The memorial wall and a lady crying
I stood in front of the White House
Behind cold black steel rails
I’ve been to the Big Apple several times
What an amazing place!
Busiest city I’ve ever been to
And the Lincoln tunnel was a real treat
I’ve met a lot of strangers
Some became friends
I got reacquainted with my best friend from
Childhood
I hadn’t seen him in about 14 years
It was right around the time my mother
Got very sick and close to death.
She’s better now.
I love rock and roll music
Saved every ticket stub from all the concerts
I’ve been to.
Wouldn’t it be great to be a rock critic
For a magazine and people actually liked what I had to say?
A friend and I drove to Hannibal, Missouri
Back in 97’. We explored
Mark Twain’s caves and hiked through the Ozarks
We decided to pass on the train ride
I’ve ridden on so many trains
From zoos to parks to Metra rails
To old-fashioned late 1800 models
To cable cars to the dreaded L in Chicago
So many interesting people riding those late at night
One time my car got broken into
My stereo was stolen.
I was in 2 car collisions
Within one week
Both times I was not at fault
Made a lot of money and
Bought a new stereo
Been to Long Island many times
My mother’s family lives there
I remember block parties in Brooklyn
Backyard BBQ’s at Grandpa’s
Going to Port Jefferson for lunch
Climbing the lighthouse stairs at Montauk Point
One time I lost a pair of prescription sunglasses
In the ocean.
“Won’t see those again!” someone said
I wish I could record everything I’ve done so far
One time another friend and I brought a tape recorder into
A Baker’s Square Restaurant and for nearly 90 minutes
We recorded everything we said and did
And even wrote a screenplay
I went to Marmion Military Academy for high school
Yes we marched and shot rifles
There was discipline
And it was a great experience
I met Bobby Love and Danny Aing
They’re professional basketball players
My favorite trip was one my dad and I went on after the divorce,
A bit of Irony.....but a way to put closer on things
We drove to the Black Hills in South Dakota
In a town called Wall, lies the badlands
I remember Iron Butterfly’s “ Inagoddadivida” was playing when we
approached this waste land
Of volcanic destruction
And we drove to Wyoming to witness Devil’s Tower
That’s were they filmed the finale of
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
I love movies
I wrote my first short story in 92’
It was entitled ”Wake Up Joe!”
I placed first out of my entire high school
There was a contest
And they displayed my work in our art museum
I’ve never left the country........yet
But I’ve experienced summer love
And took long drives
I’ve slept in a field under the stars with rain pouring down on me
That’s how I became an eagle scout
I drove my friends’ uncles boat one time
Caught a carp with my bare hands
Then his uncle beat it to death with a stick
We didn’t eat it.
I’ve thrown eggs at houses
And played truth or dare
I’m 32 now
Officially off the calendar now
Still plenty to experience, however
I am a Gemini with random thoughts
Still longing to go
Scuba diving in the coral reef someday
But for now
I’ll see what’s in store for me today.

Patience

Life is all about waiting
it is not easy to wait
waiting...
for the miracles to kick in
for the sun to rise
for the storm to approach
for a song to play on the radio
for the work to get done
for the room to be straightened
for the questions to be answered
for the child to grow up
for that very first car
for that car to get fixed
for the clothes to dry
for the meals to be served
for the dishes to be cleaned
for the new shoes to be worn
for the headache to go away
for the dog to stop barking
for the hair to get cut
for the parents to understand
for the cough to be cured
for the laugh after a joke
for the family to go on vacation
for the pictures to be taken
for the traffic to move
for the movies to begin
for the concerts to start
for the film to be developed
for the relationships to develop among friends
for the hand to be held
for the right moment to kiss
for the right words to say
for the energy inside to emancipate itself
for the love inside to find an outlet
for the phone to ring
for the friends to call
for the confusion to go away
for the mistakes to be corrected
for the girl to say yes
for the bad days to end
for the mysterious tomorrow to arrive
for the past to somehow allow you to give it
another chance...
another chance for love
another chance for smiles
another chance for events
another chance for sports
another chance for grades
another chance for friends
another chance for romance
another chance for anything
another chance for the better and
for the worse
another chance for patience...