HAIKU-CENTRIC

In the spirit of my recent haiku obsession I have started a blog devoted to this form of poetry, "Haiku-Centric". What I am really hoping is that it will evolve into a collaborative project (i.e. a "mixed tape") with a number of contributors adding their own inspired poetry to the mix.

My hope is that it will be diverse and reflective of the current time we live in, including not only images from the natural world but also the interplay of the various technologies, media and social changes that are inextricably part of our world. I would also love to see visual and audio components as well eventually.

If you are interested in becoming a contributor please post a comment including your e-mail and I will set you up with some administrative privileges. There is no obligation around how frequently or infrequently one can contribute, so feel free to post whenever your muse compels you to do so.

Let the haiku's begin!

p.s. I may occasionally post haiku related links on the blog, as well as interesting articles or historical pieces about haikus as well.

THE ART OF TWAIKU

In my previous post I expressed my Twitter ambivalence and have since realized that this medium would be more appealing to me with certain parameters in place. Specifically, I realized that the maximum of 140 characters allowed for each Twitter update promotes an economy of language conducive to the ancient Japanese form of poetry known as Haiku.

If I could convince a group of people to engage in an exclusive Haiku format for Twitter than I would be all over it. Just think, your day could be filled with an endless barrage of short poetry that captures the beauty inherent in that simple "Haiku moment".

Here is an example of a Haiku-centric Twitter account might look like for me;

westcoastwalker
3,455,210 followers

tapping fingers - massage the keyboard - typing these words
3 hours ago

staring at the screen -
the glowing canvas
comes to life
1 day ago

one letter at a time
thoughts materialize -
words like these
3 days ago

Of course while I am writing this I googled "Twitter" and 'haiku" and realized there is already a "twaiku" movement, though I am not sure how many people write haikus that are specifically about posting an update on Twitter?

There would have to be some obligatory nature themed haikus as well. Regardless of what they are about I would be thrilled to fill each day with countless tiny poems materializing across my screen, implanting my mind with images that capture a graceful and beautiful moment in time.

Any takers?

TWITTER AMBIVALENCE

I have decided that I am not likely going to sign up for Twitter. If I did have a Twitter account I would probably post annoying and obvious updates like these on a regular basis;

westcoastwalker

2,345,533 followers;

right now I am typing these words
1 hour ago

updating my twitter again
2 hours ago

sitting at my computer, writing these words
5 hours ago

posting another message here
6 hours ago

ad infinitum....

I am not "anti-Twitter", nor do I see it as being inherently good or bad. From my vantage point it reflects both the banality and the vitality of life and everything in between ; Perez Hilton's celeb-o-centric rantings on the inane end of the spectrum, protesters in Iran posting messages to get the true story out on the other end.

If I did use Twitter I would likely resort to my default position of writing cryptic, esoteric or surreal things that would inspire the inevitable WTF moment from anyone with the fortitude to follow my thought process;

I am being stalked by a giant hedgehog named Spiny Norman
2 hours ago

had a nice time levitating in the fire swamp this morning
5 hours ago

Realistically though, if I did use Twitter it would likely be another outlet to pronounce my love for various personal musical obsessions;

listened to the new Wilco album 5 times today - really kicks ass*
35 minutes ago

picked up the "Murmur" deluxe reissue - I am in bonus track heaven
2 days ago

*Note: I actually did listen to the new Wilco album five times the other day, and it really does kick ass

Anyways, I do enjoy some of the Twitter updates from some of my online compadres - I just hope that folks don't sacrifice writing the occasional lengthier and inspired blog posts for the expediency of a few words on Twitter - though if you do, please keep it surreal and cryptic!

GOING DOWN TO THE "FARM"

This album cover makes me smile;

Not only does it make a strong case for tangible forms of music (this one begs to be picked up on vinyl) but it provides great fodder for the imagination. This cover could easily tell a story, perhaps some surreal cautionary environmental tale for children.

If I was in charge of doing promo for the band I would hold a literary contest for the best short story to accompany the picture. The winning story would be included with limited editions of the album of course.

As for the music it seems that Dinosaur jr stick to what they do well with little deviation. So as expected, on their latest album they have created a collection of hook laden semi-melodic songs that are both immediately gratifying and often frustratingly impossible to remember afterwards. This isn't necessarily problematic, as it serves the purpose of providing a quick visceral aural encounter that is great in the moment.

The band also seems quite comfortable with the slacker aesthetic that has been inextricably associated with them for years, as witnessed in their latest video where we see the middle aged hipsters doing skate board and bike stunts that no sane person over 25 would likely ever attempt. Of course the J Mascis stunt double wearing a wig is a nice touch.



That's all for now, I have children's story to write about giant mossy green creatures!

COME OVER TO THE WIDOW....

The other morning I deviated from my usual robotic state of commuting and dropped into one of the fine peddlers of high quality java near my home . My decision was immediately reinforced by the sounds of "So Long Marianne" by Leonard Cohen playing in the background as I waited for my dark steamy brew.

Although it doesn't happen as often now, there are still moments where certain songs played in public can transform the immediate environment into a sacred space. This is especially true of certain songs that are so well studied, absorbed and inextricably embedded in my psyche that I forget sometimes they are part of a larger world, outside of my own private universe.

"So long, Marianne It's time that we began to laugh and cry, and cry and laugh about it all again"

The familiar chorus filled the room with a refrain that beckons like the siren's call daring you to no longer stay the course, despite impending peril. It demands the need to step back and examine the elusiveness of fleeting human connection or the unanswered call of the heart's deepest longings.

Whatever it says, it fills empty spaces with life. It reminds me to look beyond my own interior landscape and remember to make connections to a larger world that I often neglect in the midst of my day to day routine.

A well placed song can do this sort of thing.....

A PLATE OF SHRIMP

As I continue to contemplate the experience of synchronicity in my life, I am reminded of the fantastic conspiratorial rant made by the character Miller in the cult classic "Repo Man". So next time you are thinking about a "plate of shrimp" and then hear the same words uttered by someone else at that exact moment please take careful note, there are larger forces at work.......

SYNCHRONICITY

On my ride to work the other morning I decided to rediscover a few CDs from my long neglected CD binder, which is the resting place of many albums that have been denied shelf space in my home (a rare commodity). My choice that morning was "This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours" by The Manic Street Preachers, a late 90's album that I used to listen to a fair bit.

Of course in the strange and mystical universe that I inhabit something magical happened. At almost the precise moment that I was listening to the album and contemplating how it was now 10 years-old, a truck slowly drove past me that had "10th Anniversary" written on a large logo in gold letters on its side.

This completely rocked my world, as I live for those rare moments of synchronicity where the seeming randomness of life is infused with connection to larger forces and a sense of meaning and purpose. Sure, it is probably just a coincidence, though I personally find it comforting to take careful note when this sort of thing happens.

As I was writing this blog entry and looking at what (the ever reliable) Wikipedia had to say about the Jungian concept of Synchronicity, I noticed that writer Arthur Koestler's "The Roots of Coincidence" was referenced at the end of the entry. This was very strange indeed, as earlier in the week I had a vivid dream where the Koestler novel "Darkness At Noon" was featured prominently.

The dream about Koestler's novel was still in my mind throughout the morning, to the point that I felt compelled to read up on him, as I hadn't read his book or thought about it for quite some time (for well over 10 years I might add!). Needless to say, I now feel compelled to read Koestler again in the hope of digging a little deeper behind my recent experience.

So there it is, strange connections in the midst of an ordinary week - a dream about Arthur Koestler - a Manic Street Preachers album - a 10th anniversary sign on a truck - and further references to Koestler coming to my attention. What is the universe trying to tell me?

GOOD FOR NUTHIN' LOW-LIFE SCUM

In the Feb '09 issue, Uncut magazine featured a CD compilation of murder ballads & prison songs, appropriately featuring Johnny Cash on the cover. I am quite fond of theme based compilations and rather enjoyed this one, which features a diverse range of new and older songs about various hapless souls imprisoned for one reason or another.

For me the murder ballads are quite compelling. A good murder ballad provides an engaging narrative that is usually told from the perspective of the killer and often ends with some sort of consequence for him or her in the form of the gallows or some other ghastly ending, complete with a sense of overwhelming remorse (in most cases).

This is different of course from other more nihilistic forms of music where violent imagery is utilized for shock value or to push some misguided image of hyper-masculinity. Think of a murder ballad as the musical equivalent Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart wrapped up in a 3 minute song with country and folk motifs.

The most compelling part for me is the psychological state of the killer, who is either haunted or filled with remorse over his deed, which in some cases may be accidental. Containing this within a short song provides an immediate visceral experience where powerful narrative is enhanced by the immediacy of a well crafted melody. A perfect combination indeed for the literary minded pop connoisseur.

Here are a few standouts that I am enjoying currently (complete with limited duration download links);

"The Rake's Song" (2009)- The Decemberists - This song reflects the mastery that The Decemberists embody around weaving a compelling narrative within an immediately gratifying hook-laden pop song. In this macabre tale the protagonist murders his unwanted children after their mother dies during child birth - with cold calculation he indicates that "my burden I began to divest".

"Delia's Gone" (1994) - Johnny Cash - Interestingly, the first song of Cash's series of "American Recordings" with Rick Rubin at the helm starts with a classic murder ballad. In this case Delia is described as "low down and trifling, and she was mean". Cash sings with a tinge of tenderness and a matter of fact honesty, making it all that more chilling.

"Where The Wild Roses Grow" (1996) - Nick Cave (featuring Kylie Minogue) - A sweet duet with a touch of fatalism, where Cave and Minogue exchange vocals about Elisa Day and the unnamed man who enraptured with her beauty later pronounces that "all beauty must die", placing a red rose between her teeth. Apparently this song was inspired by "The Willow Garden", a tale of a man courting a woman and killing her while they are out together.



"Pretty Polly" - recorded by various artists (link to free MP3 download by artist Daniel Dutton); This traditional folk song tells the tale of a ship's carpenter who murders poor Polly and places her in a shallow grave. In some versions he is later haunted by her ghost and goes utterly mad while at sea, ultimately ending his own life. Interestingly, writer Greil Marcus has theorized that the song "Polly" by Nirvana is derivative of this tale.

If anyone is interested, I am in the process of compiling a great murder ballad compilation, so send me an e-mail and I can hook you up with a great mix of macabre tales to murder your eardrums!

FREAKY DEAKY COMMUTING

Recently, my potentially soul sapping commute to work has been enhanced by the presence of wise cracking shylocks, fraudsters, hit men, burnt-out cops, deceitful debutantes, extortionists and bomb yielding ex-hippies. No, I am not carpooling with the mafia, but rather listening to some fabulous audio books by yarn spinner extraordinaire Elmore Leonard.

Leonard is probably best known for his books that were made into movies ("Get Shorty", "Be Cool" ,"3:10 To Yuma"), and these stories pretty well offer a consistent snapshot of much of his work. There is usually a large cast of characters that are interwoven by a combination of some elaborate scam and/or vendetta that plays out in some outrageous fashion towards the end.

While the main characters are often a little more complex with some sordid history behind them, they are often complimented by a litany of two-dimensional characters that adhere to various exaggerated personality traits, including, but not limited to, some wannabe low grade gangster character that is often too stupid for words.

Leonard's stories work well as audio books due to the fact that they are primarily driven by rapid fire dialogue rather than traditional narrative devices. They play out like some 30's or 40's era radio drama mixed with some late 20th century irony and some pop culture references thrown in for good measure.

I have picked up a few more of his audio books from the library recently and I have been so engaged with the stories that I am often reluctant to get out of my car while in the midst of some rather witty and engaging pieces of dialogue. The stories are gripping and often pick up the pace as the multiplicity of characters end up coming together for a dramatic clash towards the book's climax.

Right now I am listening to one of his books from the late 80's, "Freaky Deaky" about a couple of ex-hippies looking to extort some cash out of some fellow former radicals who are now yuppies, while eventually getting mixed up with a prototypical burnt-out and relationship challenged ex-cop. Of course I am only about a third of the way through, so things should get even more interesting.

It is all great fun, and in addition to providing temporary respite from the minute by minute swine flu updates on the radio, it is also great fodder for my imagination. Even better, it transforms the road I travel on a daily basis into a platform to explore and enjoy the absurd, farcical and wonderfully sordid tales that are an inherent part of the human condition.

O LAPTOP, WHERE ART THOU?

My laptop was in the repair shop for eight long days, and despite the initial bought of separation anxiety things turned out remarkably well for both of us. For my laptop it was an opportunity to meet some new friends, get a little tune up and gain some perspective on life.

As for me, in addition to reinforcing my belief that absence does make the heart grow fonder, I had fun in the (mostly) non-digital realm soaking up the beautiful spring weather, gardening and driving my people mover to work so I could earn enough money to keep that same people mover on the road and continue to drive it to work…..ad infinitum.

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some of a few other things I did during my little laptop holiday;

Walking/Hiking

Breathing (a regular activity)
Cleaning up after my busy tribe of Munchkins
Catching up with my favourite music magazines
Ongoing denial of the impending tax filing deadline
Reading a great book - "The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson
Supervising bouncy castle mayhem for the Munchkins
Dreaming
Scheming
Fretting over which of my fav shows will likely be cancelled (RIP "Chuck")

A good time really, and the only difference now that my kindly little laptop has returned from its spa holiday is that I will continue to do all of the above, albeit I will be able to blog about afterwards, sort of like I am now.

ALL HAIL THE INTANGIBLE!

I have recently been made aware that one cannot offer "free advice" as a service under the "For Free" section on Craigslist. Apparently there is a sub-culture of regular Craigslist users who refresh their browser every five minutes in this section in the vain hope of being the first to stake a claim on whatever treasure they can get their hands on.

This same group also apparently does not take kindly to anyone clogging up Craigslist with "intangible" offerings (such as the benevolent desire to offer free advice to anyone seeking it), as it may interfere with their capacity to get their hands on that vintage 8-track someone is going to give away at any moment.

Any offer for a free intangible service is apparently limited to the forum section of Craigslist. Of course this is very limiting for those who desire to offer something intangible as a service or gift to those seeking it, relegating it to a conversation piece in the forum. You can give away free parts for a lawn mower on Craigslist, though free advice be damned!

I would like to make a strong case that Craigslist should make room for "intangibles" in their classifieds service, and not be so hung up on the acquisition and transfer of fleeting (and highly breakable) material objects. Case in point, here is a non-exhaustive list of the type of highly valuable intangibles that could be offered as a free service through the Craigslist classifieds;

Active Listening
Advice
Affirmations
Anecdotes (personal, or otherwise)
Assumptions
Brainstorming
Casual Remarks
Clichés
Compliments
Conspiracy Theories
Encouragement
Esoteric Quotations
Feedback (constructive or negative depending on the need)
Folk Tales
Generalizations (these are always problematic)
Ideas
Insults (I recall a street performer who did this for cash - I would do it for free)
Jokes
Logical Fallacies
Musical Recommendations (no MP3 files exchanged)
Obscure Pop Culture References
Old Wives Tales
Opinions
Paranoid Delusions
Personal Insights
Poetry
Philosophical Discourse
Predictions
Reviews
Sarcasm
Speculation
Tall Tales
Various Quips & Assorted Witticisms
Warnings

I don't know about you, but I would jump at the chance to utilise some free brainstorming if I was stuck at a creative impasse late one night. Also, why bother with useless material things when someone can grace you with their sparkling wit, the occasional sarcastic remark or a really bang-on knock knock joke.

Any other ideas for valuable intangibles that could be offered?

IT'S THE END OF CDS AS WE KNOW IT?

I have been both awe struck and perplexed by the succession of deluxe reissue/ collector's edition CDs that have been coming out lately at a breakneck speed. As a music fan this has been somewhat exhilarating as well as partially frustrating.

On a positive note I have been able to rekindle my relationship with some beloved classic albums that up until recently were only available on inferior CD incarnations (complete with poor sound quality and aesthetically questionable design and packaging to boot!).

Needless to say, the major record companies are well aware of my demographic and are happy to cater to folks like me who are willing to spend some of their dwindling disposable income on tangible music. Ultimately the promise of a few enticing extras to sweeten the deal is an appealing prospect.

Of course part and parcel with this recent reissue frenzy is the underlying sense that this all just one last gasp of air for the CD format as the music industry braces to redefine itself in the new digital landscape.In a recent review of the reissues of Radiohead's first three albums (Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer) Scott Plagenhoef at Pitchfork makes the assertion that "the Beatles' September 9 remaster campaign is, arguably, the end of the CD era" and goes on to expand upon his willingness to scoop up many of the current CD reissues in the meantime, in so far as they are relevant.

This is fitting in some ways if this is indeed the case, as I remember it seeming like a huge paradigm shift the first time you could buy the entire Beatles catalogue on CD. Of course we now know just how incredibly awful and compressed these initial CDs sounded, not to mention the poor presentation of the art work and album concepts.

So if this is indeed close to the end of the CD as we know it, perhaps it is fitting to end it with what are arguably some of the most important and influential recordings of the 20th century (and I humbly beseech the music gods above to ensure that they get it right with these Beatles reissues).

The generational shift away from tangible music hit me a few years ago when I was visiting with my niece and two nephews in the small town where they live. Like any good visiting uncle would do I offered to take them out and let them pick out something from a store they like (in their case it was the local Best Buy).

I suggested they pick out a few CDs and I received a blank look of indifference from all three of them. Of course we ended up buying a few DVDs and a video game instead. It hit me instantly that tangible music wasn't a significant point of reference for them, as it might have been even 5 years earlier if I had made the same offer to kids of a similar age group.

Ultimately what will happen of course is that CDs won’t drop off the face of the earth, but will likely be available on a limited release basis (along with vinyl) at more boutique like places that cater to people who care about this sort of thing. This works for me, as I loathe having to buy my music in places that also sell household appliances.

The other side benefit of this is that as the music biz continues to go mostly digital, the CDs or records that do come out on a limited basis will likely be more interesting. Hopefully there will continue to be more attention paid to some of the more appealing design elements and content as they become less mass produced and more niche oriented.

Anyhow, I will likely be hitting one of my favourite record shops on April 18th to celebrate record store day and participate in the sacred browsing ritual that has been an integral part of my life for a few decades now. I hope to unearth a few musical treasures in the process.

It is one of those strangely comforting rituals that connects me to a part of myself that I need to remain in touch with - a sense of wonder and possibility as I browse the aisles for that one recording that might just change my life.