Anything but the Mets

Anthony Bourdain's death was a blow on the bruise of Scott Hutchinson's. Both less than a month apart. Both had the signs, but many (myself included) thought they had gotten through the really bad stuff. I keep forgetting that depression does not just go away. It does not go away like putting Visine on red eyes. It can return at any time, they way a powerful wave at the beach can knock you into the undertow. The way you can be doing well one minute but a thought, a couple of bad thoughts can enter your head and flood it to the point where the body is incapacitated. It all sucks, so much, and plodding on while all this nonsense is happening around us becomes increasingly difficult.

Had two beers with friends last night and woke up feeling absolutely lousy today. Been trying to cut back on the alcohol because it's really not helping me tolerate the daily chaos the administration creates every day. Still paralyzed by all the grief though. Unable to focus on reading, what gets written down is garbage and confidence remains low.

A couple of weeks ago we said the heck with it and put my son in underwear. If he pees or shits in it we'd deal. So far he has not had one accident. His underwear has been dry. Been peeing in the toilet this whole time. He will with more frequency go into the bathroom unprompted. As for the poop though, it's a mystery sometimes. There have been instances he has used his hands to put the poop in the toilet. Sometimes he does not use this extra step, sometimes he does. It is a profound improvement.

Ohio Does the Madison

Today, at the Ohio Statehouse - thousands, if not more, will protest the anti-union, anti-public employee senate bill five. Hard working Americans in public service are being made scapegoats for the current economic problems this country is experiencing. It's a disgrace that millionaires and the wealthy who get tax breaks are ridiculing those who make between $20-30,000 a year for making too much money. While I believe there is a problem with today's union culture, and certain concessions should be made through negotiation, the elimination of collective bargaining is not an article that should be considered.

If you're going, be safe. Be effective.

My friend Tyrone has been in New Zealand for the past several months. He's been all over the country and was in Christchurch as recently as last week. So I was a bit concerned when reading about yesterday's earthquake. He's safe in Wellington, on the other island and did not feel it. Good luck to everyone down there. Another friend of mine does have family in Christchurch she has not heard from yet.

EDIT: Tyrone is safe in Wellington.

The kid is fine. He took a poop yesterday equivalent to his birth weight and clogged the toilet.

Somewhere to the North and East

My Scottish Wife asked me about a place we went to, long ago. "You know, the place with the tap handles that were all high. I had a veggie reuben."

Well, no. I did not remember. Until just after I woke up this morning. Wracked my brain for nothing most of yesterday afternoon.

The boy was on the toilet last night. We're all waiting for poop. He's sitting, reading 'Go Dog Go!' My Scottish Wife is reading it to him. He's letting her, which is rare. I go up to sit with him and he's making his stim noises and other sounds. I join him with some weird shrieking of my own. He looks right at me and says, "You're silly!"



Needless to say, he did not poop, in the toilet that is.

While goofing off on Youtube last night I discovered a series of George Harrison demos I've never heard before. Really cool tapes of him on an acoustic in 1970, playing for Phil Spector. George has a bit of a cold but they're sweet performances. Here's my favorite song of his.



From a bootleg I do not have called Beware of ABKCO. There is so much undiscovered material out there.

The Day is Watching

Still in the long process of toilet training my son. He’s been using the toilet at school. They have him on a schedule. When he comes home, it’s social hour. Last night however, he finally pooped in there for me. He’s done it a couple times for my Scottish Wife, but not for me. So yay!

At the public library I keep noticing a new person working there and she looks so familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen her. This happens to me a lot. My brain is a mess and it’s difficult for me to recognize people out of context. Finally made the connection after checking my books out, she used to work the circulation desk where I work now. Three years later, a trade is made.

Was informed yesterday that I will be auditioning for a spot at the Columbus Arts Festival, it’s an honor. Will be reading for them next month. I have second place to defend.

Tonight it’s another slam qualifier for Nats, been readying myself for this one. Not sure what I’ll be going with but there are a number of ways to go with my work. As long as I do not over think strategy it’s going to be ok. Expect a scorching night of poetry no matter what. People are hungry.