IWPS Final Thoughts?

Saturday's IWPS finals was a revealing and stunning event. Before the main event there were a number of opening poems by some local groups. There was also a team piece by a brave group from Boise. They performed a piece called Rape: The Musical that took a funny and bold stance towards poets who use, or make up, their victimization to get high scores in a poetry slam. Yes, this happens, and yes, it is a very divisive piece. I loved it.



The IWPS champion was a young woman from Denver named Amy Everhart. She went on right before me at the Starry Plough, and yes, she earned her victory.



Overall, the Berkeley crew did a great job in presenting and representing slam. Two problems I had were the size of the Long Haul and the sound at finals was rather substandard. A number of mics were cutting out or breaking up during performances which is inexcusable.



The wife and I toured San Francisco before finals on Saturday. It's a beautiful city. The hills though...wow, you have to be fit to live there. And what happens if there's an ice storm? The city must be paralyzed. Driving a standard shift car, out of the question.



We wandered around Fisherman's Wharf and saw the sea lions on the pier.



We got on a cable car at the top of Lombard Street and ended up downtown. Here I got a bit too excited being close to where Dashiell Hammett worked, lived and wrote the Maltese Falcon.



I ended up asking a woman at a coffee shop to google the spot where Brigid O'Shaugnessey shot Floyd Thursby, there's a plaque marking the spot. Unfortunately I got the wrong location, and we were a couple of blocks from it. Next time. We also went past the hotel where Roscoe Arbuckle had that infamous party.

The people in The Berkeley/San Francisco area are extremely friendly and helpful. They seem to love pointing in the right direction. We had a great trip and appreciate all your support. Thank you.



Back in Columbus now and at WB last night. Yes. I have an itch now. Get on a team. Rust Belt. Nats. Also, I have a crown to defend.