Empty the Void

Then there's the post-event event. Scrubbing the floor, stacking the chairs, polishing the porcelain. The upside to having a really tiny storefront space: it's easy to clean!

Plus there's something cool about inhabiting the space when it's completely empty: not a soul but me. Burning incense, blasting Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti."

It's the necessary cleansing. Empty the void so it can be filled up again...

A Stream...

Wow. We unleashed a stream of good vibes and love. Sort of overwhelming. Sort of cool. Best not let it go to our heads.

Onwards to the next... something.

Blackforestpalooozzzaaa Post Mortem

It turns out Blackforestpalooozzzaaa worked out really well...

I was there for it all. From the first light bulb popping in my dark brain stem to the organizing, the promoting, the setting up, the programming the wrap-up and the clean up.

We ended up with an over-flow crowd - out the door, on the street. It was hot and as expected our little air-conditioner was badly over-matched. Lots of sweat. But as I think Flea once said (yes, Flea, he is a role model) it's not rock and roll unless some blood, sweat, or tears flow.

We even made some cash. Plus there's some beer and hot dogs left over. Time to plan another event!!

Monster Whim

Every once in awhile I get carried away by a whim. One of my features is to run with my whims until they drop, run my whims into the ground.

Today one of my whims is gonna fill our little storefront space. You create a monster you must live within the monster...

The Nay-sayers say...

Anytime you try something, the Nay-sayers will line up and tell you why it won't work, and how disaster is lurking just around the corner - the building will fall down, the place will be robbed, people will faint, the cops will bust everyone, everyone will spontaneously combust, time will stop, a meteor will strike, you will go insane, you will surely regret doing whatever you were thinking of doing... etc.

The Nay-sayers say lots of things...

Caught!

There's a delicate balance between "building expectations," and "down-playing expectations."

I'm caught between the two...

BLACKFORESTPALOOOZZZAAA!

What's a Palooozzzaaa?

Not exactly sure.

But we are hosting an event I'm calling...

BLACKFORESTPALOOOZZZAAA!

at our tiny storefront space on Saturday.

It's basically a party, a happening, a scene. It's free! DIY and BYOB! We invited a whole bunch of artists (musicians, comedians) to come and perform. There will also be a BBQ.

As always, you're never sure if it's a good idea, or if anyone will actually show up. It's supposed to be very hot, and our air conditioner basically sucks, it's a funky little unit way over-matched! It will for sure be a sweaty something!

Mahavishnu Orchestra!

Another blazing hot yoga session last night. It's a challenge, but one I enjoy. Our lovely and kooky yoga teacher surprised us with some music during our meditation. She put on the Mahavishnu Orchestra at maximum volume. It was so powerful, so thrilling, the music washed over us like a volcanic eruption. It's been a long time since I listened to this band. This morning I logged onto Pandora and set up a Mahavishnu Orchestra radio station. Sublimely thrilling stuff!

Writing!

Writing on demand!

It's demanding!

Tripping...

This space. This moment. This now...

It's everything. And not enough.

"Once upon a time..."

OR

"What if...?"

OR

"In a land far away, in a time long gone..."

Free Advice...

Close your mouth...

Open your mind...

I have entered the nebulous zone...

The Nebulous Zone - hazy, vague, indistinct, confused, cloudy, cloud-like...

Foot

Some days it's just as simple as putting one foot in front of another...

Question Authority!

Yes, that's right.

Question authority!

You are on your own.

Even though we are all in it together.

Rely on your own head to guide you.

You are the authority.

Question yourself!

Flying Fingers

Sometimes my fingers can just fly across the keyboard. Faster than I think. Not sure if this is a feature or a flaw!

Tattooed My Brain

Syd Barrett's "The Madcap Laughs" keeps finding it's way onto my cd player.

It has become the soundtrack of my summer.

It's starkly beautiful. Kind of sad and I guess just a little twisted.

The mad legend of that "Crazy Diamond," kind of hangs over it like a shadow.

Why does it speak to me so, this summer of my discontent?!

Tattooed my brain almost all the way...

Summer

And the summer days are expansive.

Long meandering days.

Lots of space between moments.

You can get lost in the spaces between moments.

Wordless, soundless.

Light and shadow.

Wind and water.

The Chatterers

I've spent an inordinate amount of time with the Canine Class. It's a marginal existence. It's very physical. Each step counts. Affords me lots of quiet time. Lots of time to think.

I think it's made me less verbal. I mean, I'm not growling or anything, or no more than usual, but hearing myself speak words doesn't bring me any great pleasure. Silence is golden.

My thoughts run free. My words sort of evaporate on my tongue. I've found a sort of distance from the Human Class. I notice their chattering more now. Chattering, speaking words with no weight.

I suppose it's a feature of that class of being.

I'll Take Both!

Cosmic Traveler swimming in a universe of connections?

Or...

Lonely Traveler lost in a Universe of Hard and Cold?

How about BOTH?!?

The Universe Made Me Do It!

Yeah... that's right...