Possible Book Title: Black Oops: The Blackwater Story

I've got no use for that one. Too much research.

red cliff

Orson Welles and InDigest Anniversary

I almost forgot. InDigest turns two years old today. Nice.

Also, I still love Orson Welles:

The Year in Mustaches

...and other things in the InDigest Awards.

Future Brodeur

read

New Issue of InDigest is Up and About

There is a new issue of InDigest in the streets right now. Contributors include: Anthony Robinson, Jennifer L. Knox, Ricardo Maldonado, Nate Pritts, David Bartone, Lisa Lim, Alex Lemon, Ian Jacoby (of Laarks), Cynthia Hawkins, Jon Loomis and a bunch of other stuff like an interview with Jeff VanderMeer and Murder By Death.

See it here. (indigestmag.com)

Thanks for reading and things.

The Hold Steady did Radio Happy Hour on Saturday....yay

Scott at Music Taster's Choice got some good video of Craig and Tad playing Radio Happy Hour on Saturday.





We're doing it again on Dec. 12.

A New Issue of InDigest, and a New Look as Well, KaBlam

We just had a couple of great designers finish up a whole new look for InDigest, which you might take a look at. That's one thing that you could do.

We've got some new editors too, who I'm in love with. Not in a weird way though. The new issue that they have created is quite wonderful. It features these people: MattHartAlexLemonPeterSilbermanWillSheffAdaLimonRodrigoToscanoJCHallmanCharlesGreeneFrederickZydekandabunchmorepeoplewhowontfitonthislineifikeepgoingonlikethis

You can see the magic at indigestmag.com

Read It

David wrote an article about Radio Happy Hour at MNartists.

More video from Radio Happy Hour

Radio Happy Hour With Andrew W.K.
Uploaded by ephman. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.

InDigest is Looking for New Writers

As you may have read, InDigest is taking a little break over the summer while we organize some new projects, redesign the website, and get some new staff ready for our new life.

As a part of this process we are looking for some new writers who are interested in contributing monthly columns to InDigest. Columnist positions at InDigest are unpaid - none of us really get paid for this thing. We are working towards making sure everyone is compensated, but at the moment that's not the case.

What we are looking for:
- Film Critic
- Music Critic
- Fiction Critic
- Poetry Critic
- Political Columnist
- Sports Columnist
- a cartoonist who'd like to have new work featured regularly
- If you have an idea for a column that is not listed here please feel free to send a proposal
- We are also looking for an intern for the fall semester

None of the positions are location specific, though we do prefer an intern who is either located in New York City or Minneapolis.

TO APPLY:
Please send an e-mail to writers [@] indigestmag.com. The subject line should be "YOUR NAME [TYPE OF COLUMN YOU'RE APPLYING FOR]."

In the body of the e-mail include a proposal for what column you would like to write, your past experience in this field and other publications you have written for. Please attach three writing samples of the type you are applying for.

If you are interested in the intern position please send an email to editors [@] indigestmag.com and explain why you are qualified for the position and attach a resume as well.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ATTACHMENTS SHOULD EITHER BE IN .DOC or .RTF format.
If you can't follow the submission guidelines here (which are pretty simple and straightforward) you will not be considered.

Please be somewhat familiar with the magazine and know what what type of work we have previously published.

amazing.

Last weekend the third episode of Radio Happy Hour was recorded at LPR, with guest star Andrew WK. It's up online now for your listening pleasure. Get it at RadioHappyHour.com or from iTunes.

New Things

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Beeswax>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>and>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Thirst>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>ok.that's>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>all.

Help

Hey, you. Please go here. There is a large grant that is about to be awarded and it's awarded on votes. A program I used to work for, The Lab (ex-The Poetry Lab), is up for a lot of money if it wins this grant. So go vote for it because it's a great program that helps get "at risk" students into college and gets them exploring poetry and art. Good luck Mary.

Watch Your Shins

New Episode of Radio Happy Hour is Online

If you missed this past weekend's performance of Radio Happy Hour you can catch the podcast of the second episode (w/ Michael Showalter) online now. Click here to download the podcast from iTunes.

Radio Happy Hour is Today (and is featured in the NY Post)

The New York Post did a feature on Radio Happy Hour today. There are still a few tickets available.

(Thanks for coming, should you decide that is what you will do with a couple hours of your afternoon...)

Radio Happy Hour Podcast on iTunes

Hey all - you can now download the new Radio Happy Hour podcast over at iTunes. Awesome. There is a teaser for this weekend's show and the full first episode with Norah Jones. Awesome, again.

If you happen to be in New York this week come down to LPR and see the second installment of Radio Happy Hour which will be featuring Michael Showalter. You can get your tickets here.

Episode #1 of Radio Happy Hour (w/ Norah Jones) is online now

Dig it. You can listen to the first episode of Radio Happy Hour now. The first episode featured Norah Jones and can be downloaded by right clicking here. So, there's that. Enjoy it. And then you should maybe be thinking about coming to the second installment of Radio Happy Hour on Saturday which features Michael Showalter. You can buy tickets for that show here.

Minnesotans in New York

Tonight is another installment of Nora & Taya's Minne-apple in the Big Apple at LPR. I'm going to be DJ'ing - it'll be just like The Local Point but without Pockets, and with more than Paul, Colin, Eamonn, and Jake sitting in the studio drinking.

Post-Radio Happy Hour

So, Radio Happy Hour was yesterday. It went really well, and thank you for coming, if that is something you did.

And this is wonderful.

There are some great photos of yesterday's show here (these will probably be up on both the LPR and the RHH websites soon). Come again next month for Michael Showalter's guest appearance on Radio Happy Hour. It's sure to be humiliating for someone.

Ok, that's all. Enjoy the unicorn.

Free Stuff

I haven't really been posting anything I've been writing lately...or at all I suppose...but I've been doing a weekly "column" at F10 for a while now that highlights the best free downloads of the week. Not singles, usually, but full live session, albums, mixtapes, etc. I think it's pretty good. This week there is a live album from Jeffery Lewis & the Junkyard, White Rabbits live on WOXY, John Hardy & The Public's Randy Newman tribute EP, and some other stuff that is also good. You can see it here. It's always at the top of the main page on Mondays.

ok. bye.

ha. humbly.

InDigest Issue 11

Issue 11 is now up, and our contributors in the Narratives section find, through their fiction, new and interesting ways to deal with relationships gone south, and our Poetics section contributor expresses his joy at your appearance in that crown! We also bring you the beautiful work of Sougwen Chung in our Gallery, and welcome back our series InDialogue, where writers and artists talk to each other about, well, anything they want to talk to each other about. Here, two long-time members of the InDigest family, Meakin Armstrong and Sam Osterhout, discuss, among other things, the fate of the funny man, growing old, and why Meakin’s characters don’t have enough sense to get themselves out of the damn basement.

And remember, if you're in New York stop by (le) Poisson Rouge the first Wednesday of every month for the InDigest 1207 reading series, where in June we will be welcoming Stephen Burt, Angela Ball, Rodrigo Toscano, and Giao Buu (and later this summer, John Wray, Marlon James, Ronaldo V. Wilson, and Geoff Herbach).


Narratives
Nicole Callihan's delightfully odd story about a man who sees his friends' relationship somewhat differently than they do.

"One Fish, Two Fish"

&

Peter Bognanni's wild ride into the mystical world of swords...and how they can spice up your love life.

"Historical Replicas Unlimited"


Poetics
Three poems by Michael Ogletree:

"Look at You in That Crown!"
"The Thread"
"Anything Goes, I Guess"


Gallery

Beautiful, swirling prints with muted colors and surprising depth by Sougwen Chung.


InDialogue

Past InDigest Narratives contributors Meakin Armstrong and Sam Osterhout InDialogue.

the 1967 animated Spider-Man TV show

The animation on this is beautiful. Almost a little Deco-ish. Great colors too.

Villaging

The Villager just published their list of the best things to be doing in The Village this summer. Among the list: Radio Happy Hour and The InDigest 1207 Reading Series. Hot damn. Makes me want to fillet a bear. Oh man, there are instructions below. This is my lucky day.

things you need to know

found at the bank last sunday

new show

I am involved in a new show (not performing or anything) but it's going to be great. Especially if you are a displaced Minnesotan living in New York, who happened to Love Electric Arc Radio. Sam and Geoff (the geniuses behind EARS) are starting a new radio show here in New York called Radio Happy Hour and it's going to be fantastic. The first show is on June 13 and the guest star is Norah Jones and we have tickets available here. We've also got a show with Andrew WK in August (and there is a show in July too).

those are all the things i know

Not Doing Much

So, it appears that I never post here any more. I am a manic poster. (as I have deduced from one of those little features I have chosen to stick to the right hand column here)

Population: 485

I just completed reading a book that has been one of those books for me. Sitting in my "to read" pile for far too long. And when this happens, more often than not, the book is returned to the shelf unread and is replaced by the most recent purchases from wherever it is that I'm buying books from this week.

The book, as you may have surmised from the title of this post, is Michael Perry's Population: 485. It's not really a new book, so this probably isn't news to anyone (though he does have a new book out, now at the top of my list). It does exactly what a good memoir should do: it shows the inherent paradoxes of living. The paradoxes we all face. Perry's great insight here is that he can see the paradoxes in his own life and is completely ok with these paradoxes (the trick being that even if you aren't ok with them - which most of us seem not to be - you're going to live with them anyway). He's more than willing to see the incompatibility of the varied lives every person inhabits (the public self, the working self, the private self), weigh out what it means to him, knowing that truth is subjective, and just roll with life as it comes.

I'm little biased here, to be sure, I grew up in a town neighboring his little hamlet of New Auburn, Wisconsin, where the majority of Population: 485 takes place. The book deals with him returning to the small town of his birth and trying to reintegrate himself to everyday life there. He's a writer and volunteer firefighter. His "career" doesn't place him in the mix of community life and, as he finds out, you don't just get accepted into a community (of any kind) just because you're standing nearby. The subtitle of the book, Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren At A Time, sums up the trajectory of what the book is getting at. Yet, the book does so much with so little. It deals with the desire for adventure and heroism, the desire for communal acceptance, what happens when the desire for acceptance isn't compatible with your lifestyle, the nature of watching death repeatedly and how that affects his life, of being someone that an entire community becomes dependent on.

In one passage in particular he digs into what death really means to a community, and looks at how we deal with death on a more personal level, and how we deal with the death we see all the time that doesn't necessarily directly involve our own lives. He sees some old women discussing the recent death of a girl in the community at a cafe. They don't appear to have known the girl very well, if at all. This passage is just beautiful:

Names sand-blasted into the polished Bangalore marble of the Vietnam Memorial, notes left at Ground Zero in New York, the white rose on the folding chair [left in memory of the girl in question at the graduation she would have attended], these are commemorations, but they are also attempts by the living to draw conclusions from the dead. A lot of it, I'm sure, comes from years of being steeped in Christianity, of being told Christ died for our sins. For something. Surely, we tell ourselves, we can't die just because we hit a patch of pebbles on a curve. Surely this is preordination in the pea gravel. We are creatures of myth, hungry for metaphor and allegory, but most of all, hungry for sense. Death-a stillness within the chaos, after all-serves these cravings. Death provides us the pretext and the context within which we may arrange and participate in out own symbolic mythology, to establish significance and import, to reassure ourselves that it all means something. Death is the ultimate passion play, and we want to be on the bill, if only as a member of the chorus.

Ultimately, he finds the redemptive value in this. He sees the paradox in how we deal with death. They grieve because it is part of a communal process, if that can't help the family in a tangible way, if they can't bring the girl back to life, they can try to join in the grieving and make it a communal moment. The flaws in the logic being obvious he praises our desire nonetheless, as humans - as animals, to come together over death.

I highly recommend reading this book. It looks as though it may be some sort of regional fare, a book about small town life. It is not. It is much more than that. It is one of the best memoirs I've probably ever read.

Name of the Year Contest

This is hilarious

Martin Brodeur wins 552nd game, is most winning goalie ever

Where are the new ideas we've been promised?

From the New York Times today:

The American International Group [AIG], which has received more than $170 billion in taxpayer bailout money from the Treasury and Federal Reserve, plans to pay about $165 million in bonuses by Sunday to executives in the same business unit that brought the company to the brink of collapse last year.

The company is claiming that they "have no choice," bonuses had already been promised in contracts. At what point does the government quit fearing the big businesses and lobbyists and say That's too fucking bad? If those bonuses have to be paid than AIG should figure out how they can fulfill those contracts outside of government money. 

The government's stance when it comes to the companies receiving bailout money who are doling out huge bonuses has been What can we do? They have the money already. There are contracts. There is plenty that can be done. Tax them for their bonuses. Hell, just take some back, all of the installments haven't been paid at this point. It's unacceptable. Obama's chief economic advisor, Larry Summers, said on ABC's "This Week" that the bonuses are "outrageous," but that's not good enough when the government continues to posture itself as helpless, they have all the leverage. Furthermore, they understood from the beginning how these companies have been using their bailout money, yet Congress refused to attach any strings to TARP. The administration's response to this news is leaving me feeling, like Jon Stewart said in his Jim Cramer interview, that they're all in on it, that the average American is providing the capital for their adventure. The notion that AIG can't break their contracts for CEOs bonuses is unbelievable. On two fronts we are already seeing that in a situation like this contracts are not always the most important thing. Auto-workers are letting the industry shred their contracts and create new terms for the unions, and the government is considering giving bankruptcy courts the power to shred contracts and re-negotiate homeowner mortgages. Why should bonuses for executives be exempt? 

Remember in January when John C. Hope III, chairman of Whitney National Bank in New Orleans, publicly talked about what his bank was going to do with the $300 million they received in bailout funds? "Make more loans? ... We’re not going to change our business model or our credit policies to accommodate the needs of the public sector as they see it to have us make more loans." If this is how the banking industry and Wall St. feel then what was the point of giving them more money? Between CEO bonuses and banks, like Hope's, that are just storing the money away, it seems that there was no logical reason to bail them out. They could not have needed that money that bad if they aren't using it to sustain the business. And why does it continue to happen? At this point we should have realized that there is no trickle down. The only way the country is going to recover is by putting money in the hands of those who are actually struggling. $165 million could provide a whole lot of scholarships to people who might not be able to afford skyrocketing tuition, provide help to failing public schools, assist homeowners with failing mortgages, or help new businesses start up. 

The problem with these kinds of measures to revive the economy is it is putting faith in the exact same businesses and ideas that got America into this mess. There is an overwhelming lack of funding for new ideas right now. When the New Deal brought America out of the Great Depression there was an emphasis on new ideas. Reviving the economy through new businesses, new jobs, new public works. What we've seen so far is an attempt to get what has failed back on it's feet. The businesses that have received bailout money have shown no signs of planning on changing their methods. They should not receive a second or third chance. The executives who have put us in this situation should be given a cell right next to Madoff.

This notion of reviving what is already there instead of trying something new is part of the plan up and down. The NEA received funds to help ailing non-profit arts organizations. All of their new funding has to be distributed to organizations that have received NEA funding in the past. Again, why can't everyone apply on equal ground and give start ups a chance where they see fit. AIG is just one of many companies that is giving out bonuses to CEOs with taxpayer money, but take what their giving out alone - $165 million - how many non-profits could benefit from that? This is becoming a standard, we're investing in businesses that refuse to invest in America.

The government's refusal to fund new ideas, and to just accept that there is nothing that can be done about these big businesses whose back room bargains lead us to this financial crisis is mind-boggling. These CEOs have already been given a get-out-jail-free card, why just accept that they can squander the bailout money they received? If I cheat on my taxes I have to pay for it. If I steal from my place of employment, I get fired. If I steal from a customer at my place of business, I get fired. If I sign a contract that I can't pay I have to find a way to make good on it. If they steal from their business, and it's customers, I have to chip in, with the rest of the country, to ensure that they can continue to have a summer home.

Please Note:

If you have leeches crawling on you, you are either in water or you're with an apothecary.

not in it for the money

More Robert Bolano Discovered

It seems to me that Robert Bolano might be the most prolific dead author I've ever heard of. English translations of three novels and four collections of short stories are already slated to be released in 2001. Then there was the unveiling of a novel that was never published at a book fair (of sorts) in October. Now The Guardian is reporting that, while sorting through his piles and piles of notes et cetera at his estate in Spain they have discovered two more novels that were never published, and what they believe is the sixth part of the previously five part 2666. Add to that list that both 2666 and The Savage Detectives weren't translated into english until 2008 and 2007, respectively, and that makes for eight novels published posthumously in English (four were never released at all), four collections of short stories which were never published, and a possible epilogue to 2666 which was never published. Can't think of anyone who published more work after their death. Dickinson is a close analogy, but her body of work doesn't compare to this. Henry Darger didn't have any recognition until his death either, but, again, that's a little different. His work was epic, but there was really only one gigantic piece of work with art to accompany it. I really can't think of anyone else that compares. No real word on if these newly discovered novels and the sixth part of 2666 are going to be published, but Bolano's widow hired a new literary agent after his death and he's been pushing to get things published. Odds are they will be released at some point.

On Necessarily Skeptical Poetry Reviews

Jason Guriel has written a really great prelude to his reviews at the Poetry Foundation. The article, titled "Going Negative" highlights the importance of negative reviews of poetry and how those types of reviews are necessary for poetry. A small taste:

when a book of poetry receives a tough verdict we often label the review “negative” and speculate about the reviewer’s motives, the agenda behind the takedown. Indeed, behind words like “negative” and “agenda” and “takedown” lurks the sense that the reviewer is the one making the trouble, and the book of poetry—whether it deserved a kicking or not—is being bullied. We’re far less paranoid about motives when, say, a movie receives a tough review in the New Yorker or Slate or Rolling Stone, even when we disagree with the verdict—even when we’re so outraged we fire off an e-mail to some editor’s in-box. This is because negative reviews of movies (and LPs and TV shows, etc.) represent the norm, and aren’t usually labeled “negative.” Movie critics with whom we disagree are merely wrong; poetry critics (and politicians) go negative.

After all, how many volumes of new poetry published in the last calendar year will still be jarring us in five years? In one? Shouldn’t the negative review, if we’re honest and adult about it, be the norm? And if so, shouldn’t we retire the adjective “negative” in favor of something far more accurate, if a little awkward, like “necessarily skeptical,” as in, “Man, William Logan sure has gone necessarily skeptical on that poet?”

Bam

Bam bam-bam

What People I Like Are Doing Right Now

David reviewed Alejandro Zambra’s Bonsai at the Guernica blog.

****

25 Things You Might Not Know About Me by Martin Devaney from Twin Cities Daily Planet.

****

The Antler's were interviewed at Prefix.

****

What authors read at the latest InDigest 1207 with Jibade-Khalil Huffman and Paul Dickinson.

****

Oh yeah, I'm Reading Tonight

Oh yeah, I forgot to put anything about this up.

I'm reading tonight! With great writers! Yay!

It's for Minnesota Monthly Happy Hour at (Le) Poisson Rouge. The event starts at 6pm, and I think the reading starts at 6:30pm.

Sam Osterhout, Paul Dickinson, and David Doody will also be reading. StarDweller (ex Winter Blanket) will also be playing. It's like a little Minnesota in the Village. I think there are drink specials and tatter tot hot dish too. So, at the very least, if you've never had tatter tot hot dish you should come eat Minnesota.

A Thoroughly Self-Interested Post About What People I Know, or People I Like, Are Doing

David wrote a piece that made me go straight to Alibris and purchase two books by Bill Holms. Holm's passed away earlier this week. David wrote about him for Guernica.

> > > > >

Crack in Damn just joined MySpace and posted some new songs. You should be their friend, I like them. These new tracks are really great. Stand by for east coast touring.

> > > > >

Bob Boilen, on All Songs Considered, is claiming that 2009 is already a better year in music that 2008. His number one album of 2009? The Antlers' Hospice Nice. I would have to agree. It's great.
The Antlers have a CD release show at Union Hall (Brooklyn) on Thursday. I am going to go to this. It's going to be great.
There is a listening party on Tuesday, at (Le) Poisson Rouge, for their new album. Open bar from 9-10. It's true. I'm not a liar. At least right now I'm not.

> > > > >

Brad has a great new poem on The Daily Poem Factory Machine called "I Don't Even Know How Whitney Houston Got My Number." It's a marvelous thing. Really.

> > > > >

Marlon James had a review of his new novel, The Book of Night Women, published in the New York Times Sunday Book Review. They liked it. You might as well. I'm not sure, maybe you should read the review.
Marlon is reading at Common Good Books in St. Paul at the end of the month. You could do this instead of reading the NYT review.

> > > > >

Kendra Grant Malone has a new flash fiction piece posted at NanoFiction. Which I site I am just discovering and I think it has some really great stuff.

> > > > >

The Music Slut is giving away free tickets to the Cut Copy DJ Set at LPR.

> > > > >

Haley Bonar just did a Daytrotter session. It's pretty good.

> > > > >

The New Yorker just published an excerpt from the IRS novel David Foster Wallace was finishing when he died. It will be released...at some point

> > > > >

Cursive is giving away their new album Mama, I'm Swollen for $1 today. It goes up $1 every day until it comes out on 03.10. It's ok. Worth the $1 I paid.

> > > > >

Oh, and, I've said this, but there is new InDigest up. It has Mackenzie Epping, Kate Casanova, Charles Greene, Ashleigh Lambert, and Mandy Herrick.

> > > > >

I wrote stuff recently at Rift, Tiny Mix Tapes, and f10.

Read This. Do it now.

Everyone interested in literature, war, politics, or life should read Haruki Murakami's speech "The Novelist in Wartime".

Bill Holm

Some nice words from David about Bill Holm over at the InDigest Blog.

where were you last night around 3am when I was watching steel magnolias bawling my eyes out?

I've Been Writing

NewDispatchFromFakeIndustries>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>again>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>RIFT:AVENPITCH>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>RIFT:CWNANNWN>>>>>>>>>>>TMT:MYMANGODFREY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>TMT:SilentLight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>AndThereIsNewInDigest>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Probably>>>>>>>>already>>>>>>>>>>>>posted>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>most>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>of>>this.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Also>>>>you>>>>>>>should>>>>>>>>>>>>>>go>>>>>>>>>>>>>checkout>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mike's>>>>blog>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CollectionsDepartment>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>it's good.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>DailyPoemFactoryMachine>>>>>>too>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>as>>>>>long>>>>>>>>>>as>>I'm>at>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>it>>>>>>>>>>>>>InDigest1207>>>reading>>>>>>>on>>>>March4>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>willbe>>>>>>>>>>Really>>>>>>gooD>>>>>>>>>>>>>youshouldcome.>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jibade>Khalil>Huffman>>>>>>>&>>>>>>>Paul>Dickinson>>Will>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Be>>>>>>>>>READING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Detailsarehere>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>there>>>is>>>also>>>>Free>>>>absinthe>>>>for>>>>>>>>>>>>>the>>>>>>>>>>>>first>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>hour>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>okethat'sall

New InDigest Up Now!

Dear Readers,

Hopefully you've had time to get through all of the great work that was in our anniversary issue, because now we have even more outstanding poetry, art, reviews, and short fiction for you in our first issue of 2009.

For those of you in New York we're excited to also tell you about our new reading series in the art gallery space of (le) Poisson Rouge in New York's historic Greenwich Village. On March 4th, InDigest 1207 will take place for the third time (it happens the first Wednesday of every month). The first two were great, and we expect this one to be as well. We will be welcoming the poets Jibade-Khalil Huffman and Paul Dickinson (bios below). And if that's not enough, there will be free absinthe tasting from 6pm-7pm, just to get you in the right mood.

Now, the latest issue!

Narratives:
Mackenzie Epping takes us on disorienting trips through Germany and Nashville in "Auslaender" and "Nashville."

Poetics:
Mandy Herrick's "Bob Dylan's Cell Phone" and "They Say."
mumbling incessantly,
while thrown down the throat of the barrell,
ready for the trigger to lurch and smile
and say, can you hear me?


Gallery:
Kate Casanova's sculptures, inspired by social materials, those that are readily found in everyday life. These manufactured materials blend with natural forms to create otherly worlds, thought objects and new meaning.

Erratica:
Non-fiction is the focus this month as Bedside Stacks looks at the oddities of the English Language and turn of the century sideshows.


Part III of The Ulysses Sage (Tips 'n Tricks) takes the potential reader through the hooks and hang ups of Joyce's madness.


InDigest 1207
03/04/09
Jibade-Khalil Huffman was born in Detroit and raised in Florida. His poetry, fiction and photography have appeared in Boston Review, Court Green, NOON, Aufgabe, and Encyclopedia, among others. Educated at Bard College and Brown University, his awards include the Grolier Poetry Prize and fellowships from the Millay Colony for the Arts and the Ucross Foundation. "19 Names For Our Band" is his first book.

Paul D. Dickinson is a poet based in Minneapolis/ St. Paul. His work has appeared in City Pages, The St. Paul Pioneer Press, Request.com, and Conduit. Dickinson has read on Minnesota Public Radio, 93.7 "The Edge", KFAI, and 89.3 "The Current". He currently hosts the "Riot Act Reading Series" , a cutting edge literary event that features national and international writers. His latest spoken word CD is "Lord Byron Gets Busted" on Speedboat Records . He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UMASS Amherst.


As always, thanks for reading.

David and Dustin,
Editors


InDigest is currently looking for design and editorial interns. If interested, for more information email Dustin at dlukenelson [at] gmail [dot] com and/or David at doody01 [at] gmail [dot] com.

If you'd like to support InDigest, here are a couple ways: forward this email to other people like you (you know, intelligent and good looking) or make a donation, money or office equipment. Email us at indigestmag [at] gmail [dot] com if you are interested.

If you'd like to be removed from this email list, just reply with "Unsubscribe" or something more creative, if you wish ("It's not you, it's me"?) in the subject line. Our apologies for cluttering your inbox.

Lurker

Valentine's Day

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>mymangodfrey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>easyliving>>>>>>>>>>>>>redstripe>>>>crepes>>>>>>>>>>>>>coffee>>>>>>>junotdiaz>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>jeffreyeugenides>>>>>>dylanthomas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gizzlybear>>>>>>>>>>>>>>corona>>>>>>>30rock>>>>>>>>>>>goodtimes

Valentine's Day Movie Feature

Tiny Mix Tapes: Valentine's Day Movie feature. Awesome.>>>>>>>My Man Godfrey>>>>>>Happiness>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Man Who Fell to Earth>>>>>>>>Before Sunset>>>>>In the Mood for Love>>>>>>Triplets of Belleville>>>>>>>Velvet Goldmine>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Oasis>>>>>>>>>>Wild at Heart>>>>>>>>>more>>>>>>>>>>more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>read>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Be My Cheap-o-Valentine>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

More B-Day Surprises

B.day treats for me

part one of new poem

it's newish, but i just cut it in half and might do a few that relate to this, kind of.

With Women Fainting in Spain (I)

bald on top, ponytails dreadlocking
into single entities, this guy carries a land-line
telephone receiver on a train platform,
his hand barely emerging from his army
issue jacket, as though his hands were portable
telephones, as though he received a phone call
so saturated he couldn’t let go, as though the recruiter
held him for years, years that submerged from view
like the fish in the Gulf that took my pole,
he’s staring sideways – watching his reflection
in the graying white tiles, with muddy
footprints caked to the walls, days old –
his reflection in that dirt little more than shadowless form –
while he practices startling kung-fu,
phone hands, or
what you imagine kung-fu
to be, if you, like me, aren’t sure what separates
kung-fu
from karate,
from jujitsu,
though I know samurais
and the Tokugawa-era unification of Japan,
I’ve practiced miming Miyamoto Musashi
with less physical clarity, dandruff
showering concrete dust below the dresser,
cat sleeping pressed against the mirror, less impressed
than my mother

I've gone bland

Self-Publishing as the Next Phase?

The New York Times had an interesting article, this past week, on the rise of the self publishing industry. It outlines how this industry has contributed to the boom in the number of books published every year, and how the profits of these companies have shot through the roof.

I, of course, believe that, in a significant way, the future of the literary magazine will be found online, it maybe hasn't reached it's full potential. But, in many ways, where the literary magazine goes, is where a segment of the industry will go. Maybe it's a narrow-minded view, based on me working with InDigest, but I frequently think about the future of publishing in terms of what the internet has to offer literature. I don't often think about self-publishing as a modicum of the future of the industry. Yet, this is certainly something that has gained prominence, and affordability, through the internet. But what does this offer the industry at large? A much larger number of books to compete with? A new avenue for authors to get their work seen? A larger pile of crap for the readers of the world to wade through?

My initial reaction to this article was largely the same as the author of the article. It's interesting that this attracts so many writers and artists, but it doesn't really offer a lot in terms of excitement for it's future as an art form. I would never go to a site that offers self-published books looking for something to read. But maybe I'm missing something here, maybe there is some validity in this development, but I'm still not seeing it.

It's an interesting development and it's worth thinking about.

Deb Olin Unferth

This is pretty great. If you are in NYC she is reading at the InDigest Reading Series in April, you should come. I'm looking forward to it.

Snuggie Addendum

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

"Liberation Square" by Josh Weil

Meakin recommended the author Josh Weil to me recently (whose new novel New Valley is attracting a lot of attention). He has a great story called "Liberation Square" that you should check out. It's a novel excerpt. Weil has a great grasp of dialogue, the story is funny and sad, and quite engaging. I recommend reading this story.

Awesome

Snuggies

Everyone has seen the Snuggie commercials by now. But I was sure, when I started to see these commercials all over around Christmas time, that this was going to be a complete dud. How could this be a success? Look at it:



It reminds me of the 30 Rock episode where Tracy Jordan makes The Tracy Jordan Meat Machine because bread is so hard to use ("Meat is the new bread"). What kind of idiot has difficulty using a blanket?

30 Rock - The Meat Machine | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Well, apparently there are a lot of people who don't think a blanket with sleeves is called a sweatshirt. This article has revealed the genius of the Snuggie to me. They are totally fucking sold out of these abominations. They have already, in three months, sold over four million Snuggies. Who is buying these things? And why the fuck didn't I think of this. Oh, wait, I did.

Honestly, I think I invented the Snuggie years ago, and am seriously considering suing them. There is a photo of me, that my mother took, at about age six, wearing her bath robe backwards. Shazam, that's where good ideas come from right there. Cause let's face it, a wearable blanket is really just a robe on backwards. Look at it. I'm about to be rich, you can touch me now.


AV Club
Vice

Jobhunting is Not for the..erm...Light of Heart

I have a lot of friends that check in here occasionally and are doing some job hunting, and with the Bush legacy continuing to empty your retirement accounts I thought I'd provide a little community service here for friends and strangers alike. 

See, a friend of mine just found his dream job on Craigslist and he's too scared to apply. And, god dammit, in these financial times it's hard to watch a good job like that go unfilled. So, I'm reposting the ad here, so that someone who is prepared for such responsibilities can take a job worthy of their schooling.

Aspiring R&B singer/rapper needs an entourage to help with entrances and 'causing a scene'

- Experience in dance a plus
- Male and female accepted
- Attire will be provided
- Aspiring singers and actors need not apply (not looking for competition)
- Positive outlook a MUST
- Thirst for danger also a major plus
- Must work Nights and Weekends

This is not your normal job! applicants must be SERIOUS about being part of something bigger than themself (my posse)!

The light of heart need not apply!

Please include qualifications and picture imbedded in the e-mail ATTACHMENTS WILL NOT BE OPENED!

Best of luck.

InDigest 1207 Photos - January 7th, 2009

Check out the photo album from the January InDigest 1207 reading with Ada Limon, Sam Osterhout, and Jess Grover.

InDigest 1207 Reading Series - January 7th, 2009

Nice Things About InDigest @ MnArtists

David Doody was asked to contribute some of his thoughts on the year in art to MNartists, and some nice things were said about Chris Koza, Geoff Herbach, and InDigest. Always nice to get a nod in MNartists (which is a great resource you should check out, if you live in MN).

Dave Schwartz's Superpowers is an amazing novel by a local author in 2008 that is all the more so because, in less careful hands, the book could have been awful. His handling of the events of 9/11 is heartbreaking and understated and beautiful. Also released last year was Geoff Herbach's The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg (read a great review from Ashleigh Lambert at InDigest here), an unapologetically uplifting book and, as always with Herbach, hilarious. And, lastly, my shameless plug for InDigest Magazine. Although we technically launched in 2007, InDigest came into its own in 2008. From the beginning we've offered a unique home for Minnesota writers and artists to be showcased on a national and international stage, and in our anniversary issue we published many of our favorite Minnesota writers and artists again.

Heavy Metal Flow Chart

Chris Koza Tonight!!

One of InDigest's founding editors, Chris Koza, is playing a show tonight in New York. So, all of our NYC friends should come out and have a drink with us. This will be the first time he is bringing his entire band out to New York. (He's played here many times, even lived here, but never with his full band, and it's going to be great.) He's playing in the Lower East Side at Piano's, and should be taking the stage around 8pm tonight. If you're looking for something to do early in the evening this is going to be the spot tonight.

If you haven't heard his newest disc The Dark Delirious Morning, you should go to his MySpace page and take a listen. And then you will want to come out, hear him, and have a drink with me and David (and many other wonderful people). See you there.

Fake Press

I'm thinking about starting a line of fake businesses for people to invest in. I'm not going to lie about it at all. But people will respect this as an "art" project, or just get a good old man chuckle out of my brashness.

The first handful of companies I'm thinking of starting this week are The Fake Film Society, Fake Press (a publishing house), Fake Pants (I know this has been done before, but the emperor is dead), and Fake Fake Records.

If you are interested in donating to any of these startups please leave your checks with the comments department and we will respond as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to the huge interest in financial backing with these projects we cannot, at this time, respond to everyone as quickly as we would wish. Rest assured, however, that we will get to your message, and we will get around to cashing your checks. I'd leave an address here for you to mail checks directly but at the moment our Fake P.O. Box is full and the Fake Interns do not seem to remember where the Fake Key is to open the Fake P.O. Box.

Thanks for tuning in and donating. Stand by for more messages soon from Fake Industries LLC.

An Early Draft of 100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration Record

I have a new article up at Guernica. It's An Early Draft of 100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration Record. Here's a little piece of it:

PROVIDED UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

- There are many veterans who received medical attention. Ask one.
- No, not that one. How about the guy next to him.
- No?
- Raise your hand if you are a veteran and are satisfied with your medical coverage.
- You’re going to have to just trust us on this one.

I also have a couple of new reviews up. There is a review of Carlos Reygada's brilliant film Silent Light over at Tiny Mix Tapes, and a review of El Guincho's new disc Alegranza! over at F10. Thanks for reading them, if you do.

Blackwater

So, I was doing a little research for an article today and I came upon this clip. You've probably seen it before, but I hadn't. This is the President responding to questions about what laws do apply to Blackwater USA while they operate in Iraq.

Pinpointing the Problem:

Clearly putting a "Mission Accomplished" on a aircraft carrier was a mistake. It sent the wrong message. We were trying to say something differently, but, nevertheless, it conveyed a different message. Obviously, some of my rhetoric has been a mistake. I've thought long and hard about Katrina. You know, could I have done something differently. Like, land Air Force One in either New Orleans or Baton Rouge. The problem with that and, uh, is that...umm...law enforcement would have been pulled away from the mission. And then your questions, I suspect, would have been, "How could you possibly have flown Air Force One into Baton Rouge and police officers that were needed, uh, to expedite traffic out of New Orleans were taken off the task to look after you?"

- President George W. Bush

I just thought it would be of benefit for people to see this portion of his valedictory press conference transcribed. It resonates slightly different would you look at the rhetoric and structure of the statement. This all despite the fact that President revealed during this press conference that there is "no such thing as short term history."

100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration Record

This list has been all over the hard news sources this last week (Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, The Daily Show) but I finally just made my way over to the White House website to read this... ... illuminating ... list.

If you have ever seen Bush speak over the past eight years I think there is little chance that you "May Not Know" any most of these. In fact, if you don't know some of these it would be a good reintroduction to the world now that you have woken up from your coma. The number one thing you may not know is that he "KEPT AMERICA SAFE." The bullet point under this ... illuminating ... fact is: "For more than seven years after September 11, 2001, prevented another attack on our homeland."

Really? I did not know that. If you are just waking from your coma and think that's a pretty great record, I'd like to direct your attention to the two words "seven years." In America, our presidents serve terms of four years, unless reelected they serve for eight years. He served for eight years. ...

Point two: "Waged the Global War on Terror." How do they suspect that anyone in America might not know that we are currently neck deep in two wars? The first bullet point under this header is: "Removed threatening regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, which freed 50 million people." I'm curious what happened to those "50 million people" who were "freed," where are they now? In the most dangerous regions in the world? Well, freedom does have it's price.

"Created Institutions to Propel the Spread of Democracy Worldwide, Helped Oppressed People Secure their Freedom, and Strengthened Support for Dissidents and Democracy Activists" How about the RNC protesters, or other "dissidents" in America and abroad that have had their phones tapped without warrants, or the "dissidents" who can't get a trail in Guantanamo?

I don't really want to go through this point by point and berate the president, but there were a couple that I thought were quite funny. This gem: "Confronted Climate Change through Innovation and without Harming our Economy." There really isn't any way to properly start in on this. Clever language, it doesn't outright say he made an impact, or took on "Global Warming." "Without Harming our Economy?" Well, I guess the lack of policy on global warming in general couldn't be said to harm our economy through it's non-existence. But this implies that the economy is fine, if it isn't it's not the Bush Administration's fault, and they really care about the environment. Wow. Again. What can I say? That is something that I did not know about the Bush administration.

Severance

I was just rereading Robert Olen Butler's Severance, and I had forgotten how good it is. Butler is a god damn master of fiction. His structures are so intricate, yet so by-the-book, so unexpected. Nothing else.

REviEw

Videos, again. Cause I have nothing interesting to say this evening.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis by Between Two Ferns

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis by Between Two Ferns

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis by Between Two Ferns

Sometimes I can't get over how freaking weird the world is...

The Waste Land pt. I: The Burial of the Dead

The Waste Land pt. I: The Burial of the Dead from Dustin Luke Nelson on Vimeo.

This is a new, rough version, of the first part of The Waste Land series that was last installed in The Shoebox Gallery in Minneapolis. It was shown there as a silent film, with the text scrolling. This new version features a soundtrack by Chris Thompson.

Goodbye, for now, Norm Coleman

As of noon today Coleman is officially out of the Senate. He might be back, but it seems unlikely that either he or Franken will be provisionally seated in congress as neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have a filibuster proof majority. So, unless he takes the lead back from Franken (which we may not know for months), the senate is down another member, and Minnesota is a slightly better state.

Loaded Sentences

After reading Joe Finck's essay on Jim Thompson I decided I had to read After Dark, My Sweet. And I did. And it was great.

It reminded me several times how hard it is to pivot between sections or scenes with a good loaded-sentence, you know, one that sounds well constructed, it's short, precise, and loaded with information. It can be tough to create one that doesn't feel tacked on, like a cliffhanger in a serial TV show, or a children's book chapter ending. There are two sentences in particular that were so well crafted I can't stop thinking about them, it kind of makes my feet fall asleep.

The final sentence in the book, "I just kind of stopped all over," and a sentence in one of the final chapters that resides on it's own, "Rushing towards the end." Both of those sentences are so great. Very precise, retaining the odd voice of the narrator, who is unreliable and unstable. So, good. Nothing more right now, just a short bit of nonsense about what I am thinking about.

Maybe it's just that I'm sitting on my feet. That could be why they are sleeping. Ok. That's it now. Shut it down.

Wait, anything else? Yes. Read "Weegee Stories" by Robert Olen Butler. It's pretty awesome, the kind of shit that might shatter a puffin's cute little porcelain face. He does flash better than just about anyone.

New Year

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice."

TS Eliot

kind of funny

The Final Year End List

Hey all. I have one last word on the end-of-the-year-listing-hysteria. I just put up a list (which now has a bunch of MP3's as well) of the 25 Overlooked Albums of 2008. It's ok. You should maybe read it and then tell me how I got it wrong. You can see it here. That's all.
Out.