My five-year-old and I went to her first concert this week. We saw Marker, a group of younger musicians led by Ken Vandermark. She loved it but wanted to leave 20 minutes in because she was tired. It was cool to finally see the Jaybird (Hi Burgin!), which houses the Alabama Zine Library. I’ve seen … Continue reading The Week That Was, or Even More Tireder
An exhausting week. Sometimes in a good way–a decent amount of work and writing done, children’s art and messiness–and sometimes bad–just sort of, well, exhausting. I wrote about Fever Ray’s Plunge and the last of The Outrider’s season on resistance and community is available. David Foster Wallace said that the production company’s edits on Lynch’s Dune meant that … Continue reading The Week That Was, or Waiting Out the Clock
The week began with some semi-restful snow days. I don’t believe anyone in our home was permanently damaged, though a few tears were shed and more than a few markers bled. The almost-four-year-old sang while we were discussing dinner plans. Her song began, “Tiki masala / I need a dolla.” Not bad. I wrote about … Continue reading The Week That Was, or You got some Duncan Idaho on my Gurney Halleck.
I think I’ve garnered more rejections in the last year than I’ve ever received. The takeaway from that is that I’m submitting more than I used to. Sometimes that makes the process seem easier and sometimes it doesn’t. Lost Chords and Serenades Divine #2 is available for your perusal. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) … Continue reading The Week That Was, or Down and Out on Electronic Submission Platforms
Most of the week was taken up with getting the second semester of school under way. That and the continual fight with the dryer. I will now have to hire a true mercenary after four troubleshooting attempts that have exhausted my limited handyman artillery. I’ve been a lifelong horror fan and spent a lot of … Continue reading The Week That Was, or And But So
Along with trying to meet some deadlines, I’ve been getting time in with the kids and their wonderful goofiness. Even in winter, the three-year-old seems to be allergic to pants. I am also watching videos about changing dryer heating elements. ‘Tis the season, I guess. Part of a conversation I heard last night: 3YO: *Leaps … Continue reading The Week That Was, or Poverty Row Double Feature
Though in different ways, this year was as tough as last year. Maybe that’s just what it is. I wrote seven installments of Test Prep, my contribution to The Terror Test, a horror podcast made by two fellow English teachers. I wasn’t able to write as many as I wanted to, but I’m proud of … Continue reading The Year in Writing 2017
Titles in bold are ones I particularly liked. Animated “Drums West” (1961) Documentary Art / Literature Poetry in Motion (1982) Music Ornette: Made in America (1985) Art House Nostalgia (1983) Horror / Sci-fi / VHS Weirdness The Black Cat (1981) Death Watch (1980) The Alchemist Cookbook (2016) Everything Else The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) … Continue reading Some recent viewing…
Over the last few years, I’ve posted mega-lists of works I’m either just starting to chew on or digesting. I’ve tried to write about this more frequently this year. Titles in bold are ones I particularly liked. If you’re interested, I posted a Criterion and AFI Top 100+ lists this year, too. Animated “Logorama” (2009) … Continue reading Some recent viewing…
Stephen McClurg 