I Close My Eyes (...)

Walk down the street at this time in the summer gloaming, you might see me through the window.
Sitting up in bed, maybe listening to More Than a Feeling, trying not to dream what-was and youth-elation.
If I fall asleep, how can I live when the past has burrowed inside the present?
Someone keep me awake.

Only I and the sender of a card for my 18th birthday know why it's never been thrown out.

I Saw Drones

The vacuum grew in the hypnotic flames. Eyes peered out and into the maelstrom man.

The nightmare exited the hole in his head, while his soul leaked through his ribs. His iris released the pin that held the chimneys and trains in place.

Now spiritless and immune, John stepped through the furnace. His benefactors presented an offer of employment.

With a handshake, he guaranteed his return.

[edited Feb 2010]

Because Maybe

Tucked in bed in my soft lit room
Time slows down.

The little radio on the desk
Quietly plays Wonderwall.

Peacefully drifting off
On a school night.

Pete Standing Alone

Sergeant Farrell's Theory, Prij, 2005

Back last May I read the story about an uncontacted tribe in Brazil. The picture of their show of force against the low flying plane still makes me laugh. How can they not know what a plane is?

Throughout the Amazon and New Guinea, isolated tribes are blissfully unaware of humanity-at-large. There are some tribes which reject continued-contact with the outside world, which is understandable since up to 90% of the Americas were killed off after 1492. Many are trying to stave off ethnocide and protect their culture from the inevitable assimilation that will occur.

The Sweater Song

I noticed back in November the BBC had a story about Gary Glitter, and it made me think of Minority Report (in which your present-self is held accountable for the crimes your future-self will commit).

In Glitter's case, his widely enjoyed music of the mid 70s is now anathema due to the prosecution of his then-future-self for possession of child-pornography. If you look at him now, he's clearly lost it believing he'll be able to make a comeback. In fact, the mediastorm over his prosecution has probably turned him into a genuine molester, hence his deportation from a number of countries.

Then, last night I was thinking about Woody Allen and his divisive relationship. If someone mentions Allen they'll say he's a great filmmaker. If someone remembers Glitter it'll be as a child molester.

[145]

Music For Your Tape Recorder

Largely thanks to Introducing, I heard some music that's actually recent. I've shattered last year's record number of album purchases (1, 2, 3), though Nights Out has yet to arrive, and Amazon is still looking for a copy of Fourth Drawer Down two months on. Also, Roygbiv is the greatest thing I've ever heard.

[Redacted]

I don't even know why I posted Obama's acceptance speech. Laziness? If you really want to read it that much, Google is your friend. September 2011.