words

Amor de Cosmos in Lotusland by Rubaboo

jodymeme — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:10:07 GMT

Amor de Cosmos in Lotusland by Rubaboo released by MungBeat! a 4-song EP in MungBeing 19: Maps http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_19.html?page=38&sub_id=1102#1102 Sunset on the mountain. Orcas in the Strait. Bears under douglas fir trees. Memory is the center of everything. Once again. 1. UFO Over Ross Bay Cemetery 2. Amor de Cosmos 3. Lotusland Suite 4. Everywhere's the Same in the End Rubaboo is an experimental music, sound and visual art collective based in Victoria, British Columbia, consisting of Chelsea, Cousin Nelle, jody franklin and Stefan Kunz. Rubaboo takes its name from the rustic and hearty stew of bear grease and peas made and eaten by voyageurs on their long journeys through the Canadian hinterland. Realistic Barnyard Friends is their debut recording, an intuitive, fully-improvised, one take per track concept album of 15 song sketches and electroacoustic audio experiments recorded in February 2008. The songs expose the "Sinister Conspiracy" of Farmer Joe "Old McDonald" Brown and the revolutionary response to his manipulative machinations by a cabal of communist cocks and hens, and explores the intervention of a helper monkey friend from Africa and his mystical god-pal the Secret Goat. Their follow-up EP Amor de Cosmos in Lotusland is a tribute to the languid culture of the British Columbia coast. http://www.myspace.com/rubaboo

MungBeing 18: Intuition

jodymeme — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:20:05 GMT

The eighteenth issue of MungBeing Magazine... feels right somehow, you know? www.mungbeing.com === Features === * "Innerviews" with regular MungBeing contributors - intuitive artist Kim Richardson and our resident puzzle constructor Jim Bumgardner * Claudio Parentela's eXTra finGer interview with artist Jayson Musson === Visual Art & Comics === * New works from Ian Pyper, Callie Danae Hirsch, Luke Ramsey, Nelly Sanchez, mckenzee, Liz Parkinson, Muayad Muhsin, Matt Bray, Albert Schweitzer and Ashley Reaks * Krzysztof Wlodarski, Elsa Dax, Michael Hafftka, Jacqueline Jones and Jayson Musson all make their MungBeing debuts this issue === Music === * The MungBeat! Podcast expands through a new collaboration with the 001 Collective Family. This issue features 10 songs including tracks from Real Live Tigers, Parade Parade, Secret Owl Society, Tinyfolk, James Eric, Dustin and the Furniture, Existential Hero, A Drum and an Open Window, A Wonderful and Evacuee * PLUS a song from alternative classical pianist Frances Mai-Ling * PLUS two songs from Ashley Reaks' forthcoming CD "Melancholia" === Lit === * essays by Michael Dickinson, Alobar Greywalker and Buzzsaw * prose by Jennifer Chesler, R.S. Deese, and Jenna Humphrey * poetry by SJ Chambers, J. Bradley and Allegra C. Chesnut === Lit Review === * jody franklin on "The Terror Of Loch Ness" by Che Elias with illustrations by Michael Hafftka * SJ Chambers on the "Surreal Adventures Of Edgar Alan Poo" by Dwight L. MacPherson and Thomas Boatwright * Zay Thompson explores neo-tribalism and the philosophies of Daniel Quinn's "My Ishmael" All this plus babies, puzzles, more Barber's Closet recipes and J. Edgar Hoover! MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license to ensure that information and creativity continue to flourish and thrive in our new society. Enjoy! Mark, jody and Starchy Editors www.mungbeing.com

MungBeing 17: Home

jodymeme — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:07:36 GMT

The seventeenth issue of MungBeing Magazine brings home some delightfully creative art and literature for your year-end enjoyment. http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_17.html === Features === * Iraqi artist Muayad Muhsin speaks of home and the inspiration behind his painting "Rachel" * an interview with Athens-based artist and "Third Culture Kid" William Serapa * The second half of Ian Donnell Arbuckle's screenplay "Sometimes When You Fall" * Claudio Parentela interviews artist Josh Taylor === Visual Art & Comics === * New works from Dave Ortega, Callie Danae Hirsch, Michael Dickinson, Songmi Huff, Josh Taylor, Muayad Muhsin, Kim Richardson, jody franklin, Ashley Reaks, William Serapa, Michael O'Briant, Lyosha Kuznetsov, Albert Schweitzer, Nelly Sanchez, Liz Parkinson, Claudio Parentela, M.C. Kinnon, Ira Joel Haber, mckenzee and Mark Givens === Music === * "This Is Home" by David Greenberger and Chandler Travis, recorded by The Chandler Travis Philharmonic * "Shanti" by Heidi Morgan === Lit === * essays by Nicole Caputo, Buzzsaw and Andrew Hessel * poetry by Brianne Fung, Heidi Morgan, Jennifer Chesler, and Frances Mai-Ling * prose by Augustinos Touloupis, Mermaid, David "Starchy" Grant, Jennifer Chesler, Michael Dickinson and jody franklin === Recipes === * "Cornbread of Joy & Sorrow" from mckenzee and "Fig Roll Soup" from Rik Albatros All this plus a new "Things I've Learned About Babies", a new game called MungBitums, new contributions from new contributors, and a bagful of seasonal delights to warm your hearth and home. MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license to ensure that information and creativity continue to flourish and thrive in our new society. Enjoy! Mark, jody and Starchy Editors http://www.mungbeing.com *** Direct Links To My Contributions new work of short fiction "It's A Wonderful Life http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_17.html?page=34#1465 new gallery of sketchbook drawings "In My Neighborhood" http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_17.html?page=23#1454

MungBeing 16: Design

jodymeme — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:35:03 GMT

This issue of MungBeing Magazine notices how design influences the art we create, how the art is designed, how artists perceive design, and how we perceive other things that are designed well. http://www.mungbeing.com === Features === * An interview with legendary font designer Ray Larabie * Inspirations from an Octahedron by Gwen Fisher * Claudio Parentela interviews Kris Chau * Sometimes When You Fall, a screenplay by Ian Donnell Arbuckle * Sculptural works by James Hill === Visual Art & Comics === * Beautiful works by Michael Uhlenkott, Andrew Taggart, jody franklin & Jane Martin, Albert Schweitzer, Joey Haley, Claudio Parentela, Matt Bray, Bruce New, Songmi Huff, Callie Danae Hirsch * New contributions from Chloe Lewis, Salam Omar, Dave Ortega, Nelly Sanchez and James Hill * Comics by Claudio Parentela, James Jajac, Dave Ortega, mckenzee and Mark Givens === Music === * music from the forthcoming "Barcode Rain-cloud" by SubAtomic - an exclusive premiere in MungBeat! === Lit === * poetry by R.S. Deese, SJ Chambers, Frances Mai-Ling * essays and prose by mckenzee, Buzzsaw, Dave Carpenter, Robert Dayton and Virginia M. Mohlere All this plus quotable quotes, drinkable drinks, commenty comments and designer designs MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license, a shroud of secrecy, and a strict design plan. Mark, jody and Starchy Editors http://www.mungbeing.com

Support Michael Dickinson - Artist May Go To Jail

jodymeme — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:13:19 GMT

Michael Dickinson, a Stuckist artist in Turkey and a frequent contributor to MungBeing, may be jailed for displaying art depicting Turkey's Prime Minister receiving a blue ribbon from George W. Bush in a piece entitled "Best in Show". We at MungBeing throw our support fully behind an artist's right of free expression. The Turkish courts, however, may not agree. Michael's court date is October 8th, 2007. I'm writing to ask if you would be willing to draft a letter of support on behalf of Michael Dickinson, specifically addressing his validity as an artist and the art-worthiness of his work. These letters are intended to be used as part of Mr. Dickinson's defense to demonstrate to the court the value and import we place on artistic inquiry and an artist's right to self expression. There are several informational links at the end of this email including an excellent in-depth interview with Michael Dickinson (featuring the artwork in question, "Best in Show") in issue nine of MungBeing. If you are able to write a letter of support, please email a copy to: michael.dickinson@my.mungbeing.com Please include your name, occupation, and contact information in your correspondence. Here's how Michael describes this unfortunate situation: "[I was] called to court again unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago, when a cop rang my doorbell and handed me a summons to appear in court on 25 April at 11.30 in connection with the collages I made last year depicting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in the role of a dog, controlled and feted by American President George W Bush. I was surprised, thinking all that stuff had finished after my arrest and prolonged detainment in police custody last year. In my defense I said that the collages were not meant as a personal attack on the Prime Minister, but his position, and the fact that President Bush considers him a useful friend and ally. Turkish soil is home to American nuclear bombs at the US airbase at Diyarbakir. I said that I was an artist(?) and did not usually plan my collages, but acted on inspiration at the time of making, often as a reaction to news of what is happening in the world, particularly Iraq. When the judge asked me to describe what I was trying to say in my 2 collage pictures of Erdogan in the role of America's dog, I said that it was up to the viewer to make his own interpretation; a visual artist shouldn't need to explain in words. Pictures are for eyes. Words (spoken) are for ears. I said that over the years I'd made countless collage pictures of President GW Bush and Tony Blair in much more unflattering roles without persecution. In the Western/European world, artists are allowed to express their feelings in their works. The trial has been adjourned until 8th October. During that time the court will seek the opinion of a number of Turkish university professors as to whether my collages are 'art' or crime. In the meantime I'm 'free'." I hope to hear from you soon and thank you for your support, Mark Givens Editor-in-Chief, MungBeing Magazine Informational links: http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson06082006.html June 8, 2006: The Bush's Dog Case Criminal Collage By MICHAEL DICKINSON http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson07262006.html July 26, 2006: "Sorry, We Thought You Were Israeli!" Arrested in Istanbul By MICHAEL DICKINSON http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson05022007.html May 2, 2007: Criminalizing Art Trouble in Turkey By MICHAEL DICKINSON http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article675651.ece June 17, 2006: Satire that could land British artist in a Turkish jail By Dalya Alberge, Arts Correspondent, and Suna Erdem in Istanbul http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_3_info.html?author=Michael%20Dickinson&expand_all=yes MungBeing Magazine Information About Michael Dickinson http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_9.html?articleID=681 August, 2006: Outspoken a conversation with Michael Dickinson by David "Starchy" Grant http://www.stuckism.com/Dickinson/Turkey.html Stuckism coverage and information

Alvin & The Chipmunks In Black Rock City

jodymeme — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:41:06 GMT

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15101 "Brash Entertainment has announced that this December will see the release of a new Alvin and the Chipmunks rhythm/music game, set to be released alongside the forthcoming film, featuring the Chipmunks playing Blink 182 and REM songs at venues from Burning Man to the ultimate 'Rockathonapalooza.' Brash says the game will follow Alvin, Simon, and Theodore as they work their way, Guitar Hero style, from smaller venues like school proms to Burning Man and forest arenas to Rockathonapalooza.The publisher says the rhythm game will feature some 40 cult and chart-topping songs from several decades like Blink 182's All The Small Things, Run DMC's It's Tricky and REM's Shiny Happy People all performed in Chipmunk style." Curiously, this is generating no discussion, no controversy, anywhere. Let's get this straight... Burners are opposed to demonstrations of helpful, innovative "green" technologies on the playa by corporations that are not allowed to do any selling or branding, yet they're tolerant of what would seem to be the crass commercial exploitation of Burning Man for a mass-market product tied to a major Hollywood movie and major-label music releases? Very strange. I guess I'm starting to really get out of touch with the Burning Man community.

MungBeing 15: Authenticity

jodymeme — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:28:59 GMT

This issue of MungBeing Magazine finds us gazing deep into the eyes of authenticity to decide whether truthfulness is a necessary quality, goodness a component at all, and how far back one must count to designate that something is 'genuine'. http://www.mungbeing.com === Features === * John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats writes about covering Furniture Huschle songs * Autobiographical comic artist Joe "Peepshow" Matt bares it all to jody franklin * Mark Givens sits down with indie rock sensations The Henry Clay People * Claudio Parentela interviews psychedelic dreamscape painter Maura Holden * Alex Minoff discusses authenticity in African music and rock, specifically with the band Extra Golden === Visual Art & Comics === * Galleries by Matt Bray, Owen Plummer & Andrew Dick, Gus Fink, Rachel Haywire, Bruce New, and Luke Ramsey & Jim Stoten plus new contributors Crystal Bretschger, Skinny Gaviar, Ira Joel Haber, Jessica Hill, Maura Holden, Songmi Huff, and Adonis Massad * Comics by Claudio Parentela, James Jajac, Joel Huschle and Mark Givens === Music === * songs by The Henry Clay People and Furniture Huschle === Lit === * poetry by Frances Mai-Ling, Brad and Rik Albatros * essays and prose by Ian Donnell Arbuckle, David "Starchy" Grant, Buzzsaw, Kevin Ausmus, Amy Frushour Kelly, Zay Thompson, Jennifer Chesler, SJ Chambers, and Tim Miller All this plus a whole swingin' batch of cocktail recipes, some craft ideas, a few authentic bits of ranting, and the usual variety of fun-filled fodder. MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license and it ain't nuthin' but the real thing, baby. Mark, jody and Starchy Editors MungBeing http://www.mungbeing.com

July Fourth Toilet Videos On YouTube

jodymeme — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:22:11 GMT

Finally! You can see me in action on video, on the 'net! We reached back into our July Fourth Toilet archives and pulled out some gems. Here are a few of the best. Cosmic Metharthasis, November 2003 Perhaps our best performance ever, an all-improvised, ritualistic, experimental acid skronk set. Me: Witchy figure with shiny suit, pink sash, blonde wig, goat hoof rattle. http://www.youtube.com/v/jWz7HjHyiHU The Unicorn, April 2000 I'm the Unicorn. http://www.youtube.com/v/heolWmZEVhs Deep Sea Diver, April 2000 You can see my sweaty mug screeching into the mic as part of the chorus. Song "Deep Sea Diver" is from our 2002 album Something For Everyone http://www.youtube.com/v/u-IZq_V2czg More on our YouTube page, including our onstage encounter with the legendary songwriter Paul Williams! http://youtube.com/user/JulyFourthToilet

Corporations At BM: Media Loophole

jodymeme — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:05:28 GMT

http://bm.tribe.net/thread/adb25c14-a828-4a7d-b1cb-534f1c1d5214?newpostingid=37828cbe-890d-49e3-a610-8a99225b9855#37828cbe-890d-49e3-a610-8a99225b9855 The following is my contribution to the discussion about "green corporations" at Burning Man in the Burning Man Tribe. * There is an important aspect of this discussion that, curiously, seems to be entirely absent. What do you think the media coverage of Burning Man will be like when you return home from Black Rock City this year? The Business 2.0 article is only the tip of the iceberg. Consider the fact that the new green technologies demonstration pavilion is tied into the theme, it is being pushed by Larry Harvey and the Org, it represents a new direction for Burning Man and it is generating controversy within the community. The hundreds of journalists who flock to the playa every year are going to be all over this. While there will be no overt branding, sales or marketing allowed on the playa, and corporations will not be allowed to use Burning Man in their advertising after the festival, you can bet some of the more media-savvy corporations are salivating at the chance to openly demonstrate their products at the world's hippest counterculture festival, precisley because they know it will generate the kind of publicity money can't buy. If a journalist with a major metropolitan daily is suitably impressed with a specific technology that is demonstrated, a corporate brand has the potential to be exposed to hundreds of thousands of people in a positive light. Anyone with basic PR skills knows this kind of thing can be far more effective than commercial advertising, as positive coverage by the free press offers legitimacy and credibility in a way that advertising does not. The corporations can include their newspaper clippings in investor packages, while at the same time they are getting their message out strongly to a progressive, caring, young, innovative, tech-savvy demographic. The Org knows this, and I imagine the prospect of media coverage is the key selling point in discussions between the Org and these corporations. Media coverage is a big loophole that allows corporations to use Burning Man and Burners to effectively market their technologies. The Org can deflect criticism more easily because they're sticking to their principles (no overt branding/sales/marketing on or off the playa) and because they can use the excuse that they have no control as to what is printed in the media. I highly doubt there would be much corporate interest in this project if Burning Man was NOT a media phenomenon. Undoubtedly, some of the folks who will be manning the booths on behalf of their corporations will be from their PR departments. That said, I have no doubt that the intentions of the Org are completely sincere, as the ecological track record of Burning Man has continued to improve throughout the years. I have trouble believing there are elements of greed at work here: the LLC members do not stand to gain financially from this. I am not exactly sure how I feel about this situation right now, I think it is a "wait and see how it shakes out" kind of thing. But there is one thing I'm certain of: this move represents a paradigm shift in Burning Man culture that has been building the past few years, and it will create more turnover in the ranks of veterans. We are no longer a small community of communities, we are a mass movement with the international media spotlight shining upon us, and this is altering the character of Burning Man.

MungBeing 14: The Future

jodymeme — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:39:07 GMT

MungBeing Magazine rockets into the future with issue 14. And what a blast! www.mungbeing.com === Features === * Prehistoric Canadian Psychedooolia! - the future primitive - an interview with Nog A Dod's Marc Bell and Owen Plummer, plus artwork by Marc, Owen, Jason McLean, Peter Thompson, SP Ehman, Andrew Dick and Tommy Lacroix * David Greenberger of The Duplex Planet asks elderly citizens "Did the future turn out the way you thought it would?" * Matt Novak on the "Postmodern Paleo-Future" * Claudio Parentela interviews scratchboard artist David Trulli === Visual Art & Comics === * Galleries by Ashley Reaks, Godfrey Blow, Liz Parkinson, Claudio Parentela, Bruce New, Michael Uhlenkott, Andrew Taggart, Muayad Muhsin, Gus Fink, Travis Lawrence, Mark Planisek, Callie Danae Hirsch, Kim Richardson and Michael Dickinson * Comics by RS Deese & Chuck Wadey, Jessica Hobdell, Ben Muggin, mckenzee and James Jajac === Music === * songs by Kathleen Yearwood, The Rudy Schwartz Project and Daniel AIU Higgs === Lit === * poetry by Leonore Wilson, Matt Bray and Michael S. Begnal * essays and prose by Rik Albatros, Ian Donnell Arbuckle, Virginia Mohlere, SJ Chambers, David "Starchy" Grant, Buzzsaw and Andrew Hessel All that and a recipe for Space Food Sticks! MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license and the sinister machinations of a super-race of tin robots from the outer reaches of space. We hope you enjoy this future issue now, Mark, jody and Starchy Editors www.mungbeing.com

MungBeing 13: Ritual and Myth

jodymeme — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:28:48 GMT

MungBeing Magazine explores Ritual and Myth with issue thirteen, available now at http://www.mungbeing.com Featuring: * Interviews with Dr. Riane Eisler (The Chalice and the Blade, Sacred Pleasure) and Robin Hardy (The Wicker Man, Cowboys For Christ) by jody franklin * The music and art of the infamous Ashley Reaks * An interview with Angie Mason - the first in a series of interviews with today's best underground artists conducted by Claudio Parentela * The third and final installment of Ian Donnell Arbuckle's ambitious and satisfying serialized novella "Last Name". Plus: * "Gnostics and Nation Builders: Theosophy and the Rise of the Indian National Congress" by RS Deese * "Speaking Eyes" by Gina Ranalli with drawings by Gus Fink * "The Knight And The Green Man" by Tala Bar * "Hills" by Dave Carpenter and more! And the debuts of Lyla Emery Reno, saffron b, Boyd Nyberg, Mark Planisek, Andrew Taggart and Alan Smart. This issue also marks the two year anniversary of MungBeing. Huzzah, with party hats and streamers and the like! Choc'lit cake for all! MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license and the auspices of the plastic avatar of a fallen ancient god locked up in our desk drawer. Mythically yours, Mark and jody Editors http://www.mungbeing.com

MungBeing #12 - The Collaboration Project

jodymeme — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 23:59:02 GMT

The twelfth issue of MungBeing Magazine is online now. 12 issues on and this train shows no signs of slowing down. http://www.mungbeing.com We are taking a huge leap here into uncharted territory! Normally, the issues of MungBeing are connected thematically. Well, for this issue the theme is collaboration but the SUBJECT MATTER is open for interpretation. So with each contribution there are at least two names attached. They're all collaborative efforts. How cool it that!? The most ambitious project is The Salted Earth Letters, a novella by KD Bryan, Tim Kirk, Ian Donnell Arbuckle and Cavendish. There's also a wonderful interview with Frank Warren, America's Most Trusted Stranger and the founder of PostSecret. And, in addition to the other fine musical projects, we are thrilled to present a CD-length archive of experimental audio works from the 1980s by renowned Dutch musicians Harold Schellinx and Ronald Heiloo. If that ain't enough for ya, check out these fine collaborative partnerships: Robert Dayton and Alexis O'Hara Joel Barber and Natalie Oswald John Zachary, Terry Givens, Genaro Cordova, and Ed Hume jody franklin, David "Starchy" Grant, Rachel Haywire, and r. a. gillespie Mark Givens and Dave Carpenter Liz Clayton and Liz Parkinson Jesse Reno and Ashley Montague Luke Ramsey with Andy Rementer, Sune Ehlers, Owen Plummer, and Joanna Price SJ Chambers and Virginia M. Mohlere Peter Klint and Mark Givens Joel Huschle and Ben Muggin Buzzsaw and Rik Albatros jody franklin and Danielle Hagel James Whitman and Owen Plummer Amy Maloof and Allen Callaci Mark and Trygve Givens Experiment Haywire and Nevyn Nowhere Mancat and Cash Nexus David Greenberger and Matt Love Owen Plummer and Danielle MacDonald That's a whole lotta talent comin' atcha in one issue! So sit back and enjoy the creative energy that spews forth when MungBeing contributors get together. MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license, the cloak of night, and the covers. Thanks for taking MungBeing under your wing, Mark and jody Editors, MungBeing Magazine

3-day Novel Contest - I Was Shortlisted!

jodymeme — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 23:49:22 GMT

http://www.3daynovel.com Remember the 3-Day Novel Contest I participated in over the Labour Day weekend while so many of you were at Burning Man? I managed to churn out a slim, 100-page volume I titled I Was A Teenage Communist. Argh. Didn't win. But... I did get short-listed, and I will receive a prize package. And in a separate letter, one of the judges/editors wrote and said, "Congratulations on making the shortlist! The judges really liked 'Communist' ... it was a real contender. Hope you keep working on it. It was original, well written and a fun read--I'm sure you'll find a home for it." A little bummed, but I guess it does feel good that my book was considered over 370-some odd other completed entries. I'm determined to have it published this year, so I'm going to have to start working on the second draft right away, and make some decisions as to exactly what I'm going to do with it. It deserves to be out there in the world. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: info@3daynovel.com <info@3daynovel.com> Date: Jan 14, 2007 9:21 AM Subject: Announcing the 3-Day Winners To: info@3daynovel.com Announcing the Winners of the 29th Annual International 3-Day Novel Contest First Prize (publication, summer 2007) Brendan McLeod of Vancouver BC, for The Convictions of Leonard McKinley By the age of thirteen, Leonard McKinley's failure to follow his own moral compass has caused his father's heart attack and triggered an epileptic fit in his dog. Leonard must learn to suppress his subversive thoughts and to balance virtue with fitting in, scoring at the school dance, avoiding his brothers' drop-kick attacks and overcoming all the other pressures of growing up in a small prairie town. In his effort to make sense of God, his boisterous family and his own mind, Leonard propels himself through a series of increasingly complex ethical trials. In turns poignant and hilarious, The Convictions of Leonard McKinley is a story about muscles, martyrdom and facing your darkest capabilities. The Convictions of Leonard McKinley will be released by 3-Day Books this summer. About the Author Brendan McLeod is a writer, musician and spoken word artist. He has participated in more than 250 poetry readings and festivals, and he is a former Canadian SLAM poetry champion. He has written two feature length screenplays, and his script for a short film was shortlisted for a KickStart grant. Brendan currently tours with The Fugitives, a spoken word and music collective which has been featured on CBC Radio and recently received a Canada Council grant to develop a live storytelling performance. He was raised in Saskatchewan and Alberta, earned his MA in Philosophy at the University of Waterloo and now lives in Vancouver, BC. Second Prize ($500 cash award) Terry Dove of Vancouver, BC for Rocketdial Third Prize (a library of 3-Day Novels) Carolyn Magner Mason of Tuscaloosa, AL for Hopeless Causes Shortlisted Entrants (who will each receive a packet of fun literary prizes) Tom Alexander, London, UK Timothy Anderson, Edmonton, AB Emily Anderson and Marit Peterson, Chicago, IL Rae Calvary, Milwaukie, OR Patricia Chao, New York, NY Trisha Cull, Victoria, BC Jody Franklin, Victoria, BC Joe Goodwill, Vancouver, BC B. Gordon, Victoria, BC Thomas Gray, Olympia, WA Cammy Lee, Toronto, ON Colleen Marlin, Toronto, ON Kari McKay, Vancouver, BC Walt Morton, Venice, CA Richard Schwindt, Kingston, ON Andrea Wijayakoon Phillpotts, Richmond, BC Ron Yamauchi, Vancouver, BC We at the contest are pleased to have the top honour come home to Vancouver for the first time this century. Congratulations to Brendan, Terry (a seven-year veteran of the contest), Carolyn, our other 17 champions and to everyone who stepped up to this notorious literary marathon. The 29th Annual 3-Day Novel Contest saw 535 writers register for the challenge, out of which 389 managed to complete and submit a novel. Whether or not you sent in your final effort, feel free to check in at our Abebooks chatroom, linked off www.3daynovel.com, and debrief the whole experience with your fellow entrants.

Robert Anton Wilson has passed on

jodymeme — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:29:13 GMT

Robert Anton Wilson passed away this morning. Although I saw it coming, it is still a shock. If I'm truly honest with myself about this, and this might be the hardest thing to be honest about because my ego gets in the way, he was probably the biggest influence on both my writing and my philosophical outlook. I'm honored to have had the opportunity to interview him, and to engage him in correspondence. Despite his handicaps, he was always glad to indulge my requests. If there is a place in the heavens for him I imagine it is on the planet Eris. It is a timely synchronicity that She returned in time to greet his death.

long-lost July Fourth Toilet 7" released online!

jodymeme — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:49:16 GMT

Childhood Will End by July Fourth Toilet A four-song EP recorded in 1996 for consideration of Stomach Ache Records, Childhood Will End is now available for download in MungBeing #11, ten years later! With original (stained) cover art by Robert Dayton salvaged from our archives, and liner notes by Robert and jody franklin. Full lyric sheets included, too! http://www.mungbeing.com/issue_11.html?page=50&sub_id=626#626

MungBeing 11: Urban Landscapes and Environmental Psychology

jodymeme — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:47:46 GMT

The eleventh issue of MungBeing Magazine is online now, pending the outcome of expected court challenges. http://www.mungbeing.com This bi-month we are looking out across our Urban Landscapes and pondering Environmental Psychology. And, as ever, our contributors have a lot to say! Around the holidays, it's important to be aware of where you are and how your environment affects you. We hope your surroundings add to your seasonal experience and do not overwhelm you. Along those lines, we hope you enjoy these thoughtful offerings: * Sprawlopolis by R.S. Deese * spring_alpha project by Simon Yuill * Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. by David Greenberger * The Baseball Experience, A Guy Named Dick, and Rainbow Man by Kevin Ausmus * excerpts from "Time & the River" by Tim Miller * Virtual Landscapes: New Urbanism in the New Web by Cash Nexus * J. Ambulance Sandpaper by Food Fortunata Joining our legendary worldwide cast of incredibly talented visually artists is Tiki Expert and Graphic Artist Michael Uhlenkott. We are looking forward to his further contributions, that's for sure! This issue we are also pleased to be able to present the long awaited debut of the MungBeing Podcast! Radio Onslaught and MungBeing Magazine are happy to have joined together to give you the wonderful "Sean's First Apartment" by James Rhodes. Please enjoy this delightfully thematic offering, the first of many. We also have new music from rock acts Star Alpha Five (without The Math Equations this time around), Food Fortunata, and bibble. And we are very proud to present a long lost seven inch (in its entirety!) from July Fourth Toilet. Collectors, take note. MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license, and released into the wild by sheer force of will. Thanks for allowing MungBeing into your holiday season, Mark and jody Editors, MungBeing Magazine

SkooLaLa

jodymeme — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:15:21 GMT

MungBeing 10: Obscurity

jodymeme — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 10:53:18 GMT

The tenth issue of MungBeing Magazine has been plucked from the ether and made manifest in a feat of literary and artistic alchemy. http://www.mungbeing.com This bi-month we cast light upon shadows and overturn rocks in our hunt to root out the Obscure. Enigmatic musician Gary Wilson waxes about his musical childhood and meeting John Cage. Christopher P. Reilly and Darron Laessig bring us a "Xenofolie A Deux" in comic form. Geneticist Andrew Hessel discusses life engineering and hacking the genome. And we are happy to introduce two new ongoing items; a serialized novella, Ian Donnell Arbuckle's "Last Name", and a column called "Revolting Literature", the first of which critiques the recent writings of Kristopher Young and Gina Ranalli. Both are welcome additions to our diverse and eclectic blend of diversions and eclections. Other writings unearthed include * "A brief reflection over the Outsider as an archetypical artist and humanitarian hero" by SJ Chambers * "Chocolate Starfish Oracle" by Heidi Morgan * "Musing Upon The Food For Thought" by Milos Vujasinovic * "Death of an Engineer" by John Helmer Anomalous audio oddities emanate forth from Dave Carpenter, bibble (with Spacemummy), and Erin Emerson. There's a classic track from the legendary Sockeye in there to boot. Our hauntingly beautiful cover graphic was created by Erin Emerson. She joins raw artist Jesse Reno, James Whitman and Iraqi surrealist Muayad Muhsin as our newest visual artists. Jim Bumgardner delivers THREE pages of puzzles, including the new "Jiguko" variety. And, as a special thank you to readers of MungBeing, we are including a FREE GIFT with every issue. Plus all the comics, witticisms, and insights that you've come to expect from the internet's most intriguing bimonthly magazine. All this and Rachel Haywire, too! MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license, and we dig the whole theory behind that, man. Thanks for catching a glimpse of MungBeing and reading it, Mark, jody and Starchy Editors, MungBeing Magazine http://www.mungbeing.com

Contribute to Two Moms

jodymeme — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:58:28 GMT

If you can, please help out my friends. They are lovely people who are having a hard time trying to adopt a child, and I can think of few people in this world who'd make better parents. You can make a contribution to their fund on their website. - jody http://www.twomoms.ca/ ***Contribute to Two Moms*** ...and help prevent what happened to Frances and Gaynor from happening to someone else Frances & Gaynor Two Moms was set up by friends of Gaynor McCaslin and Frances MacKinnon in their home town of Vancouver, B.C. and throughout the Lower Mainland, to raise money to help recover the costs they incurred as a result of being defrauded while attempting to adopt a child. Please take just a few moments to read their story... Gaynor and Frances have been trying to become parents for a long time. When both were unable to become pregnant, they decided to try to adopt. Since they began the process in March 2005, they’ve faced many obstacles. First, as a same sex couple, they faced restrictions on international adoption. Canada and the United States are the only countries that allow same sex couples to adopt. When Frances and Gaynor signed up with an agency in Vancouver, they were told their chances of adopting a local child were slim. Few babies are adopted locally and the agency had never before placed a child with a lesbian couple. When they decided to try to adopt from the United States, they met their second obstacle. Many agencies and lawyers do not work with Canadian same sex couples because it can be hard to find a woman who will choose to place her baby with them. Finally, though, they found a Los Angeles lawyer who had had success placing babies with same sex couples and began to work with him. The Journey So Far Frances and Gaynor spend a day at the beach with their adopted son, Ezra, whose mom defrauded Frances and Gaynor by lying about the birth father’s consent. The father is now arranging to take custody of little Ezra. After several months, the L.A. lawyer matched Frances and Gaynor with a birth mother from the Eastern U.S. They met with her in July 2005 and she told them that she wanted them to be the parents of her baby. Unlike Canada, in the U.S. adoptive parents pay the birth mother's living expenses for a few months before the baby is born. Gaynor and Frances gladly did this. Tragically, this woman lied to Frances and Gaynor. She lied to four other couples as well, telling them all she would place her child with them, and accepting money to cover living expenses all the while. (She has since been convicted of fraud.) As you can imagine, Frances and Gaynor were devastated. So were their families and many friends, all of whom had been ecstatic to hear that they had found a child to adopt. A year of healing It took over a year for Frances and Gaynor to rebuild their trust and confidence in the system. It also took that long for another suitable birth mother to contact their lawyer... On August 8, 2006, Frances and Gaynor traveled to Los Angeles to meet the mother of a five-week old baby boy. After trying for over a month, the mother realized she could not parent her son and decided to place him for adoption. Gaynor and Frances spent two days with the birth mother and son, getting to know her and her story. On August 11, the woman decided she wanted Frances and Gaynor to parent the baby. The birth mother signed the consent forms and Gaynor and Frances became the baby’s legal guardians. They returned to Vancouver -- exhausted and joyful. Their long journey was over. They were moms! But in a cruel twist of fate, their precious joy was short lived. It lasted less than two days. Just as they were settling into their new roles as parents, their lawyer phoned to tell them that the birth mother had lied about the birth father’s consent to the adoption. They had been defrauded a second time. The birth father has since filed for sole custody of the baby and the process has begun to have him returned. While the red tape is untangled, Frances and Gaynor have been caring for the baby, and needless to say, have bonded with him. Their hearts are breaking at the prospect of losing him. The emotional distress has taken a severe toll. Frances and Gaynor are exhausted, heartbroken, and wondering if they can even try again, for fear of more heartbreak and financial loss. How you can help Adopting a child is an expensive undertaking even under the best circumstances. For most couples, the end result of a child to love and nurture makes the cost worth it. For Frances and Gaynor, however, they have had to pay the cost for two full adoptions, despite the fact that they have been the victims of fraud both times and will soon lose the child they have cherished these past weeks. Tens of thousands of dollars have been lost because of lies. On behalf of Frances and Gaynor, we ask for your support. These are two wonderful women who are trying to do the right thing even as the costs and stress increase. We, their friends and families, had been feeling frustrated by their situation and were not sure how to help. We do, however, feel that one way is to offset their increasing costs, if only to help alleviate some of their stress. There are two ways you can make a financial gift to Frances and Gaynor. We have a Paypal account set up for this purpose, or you can donate to them directly. If you would like to send a cheque by mail please email address@twomoms.ca to get their mailing address, and make your cheque out to either Frances MacKinnon or Gaynor McCaslin. Of course, there is no expectation of a large financial contribution. Even $20 would be a great help. Frances and Gaynor have given permission to have this website passed on to those who do not know them. If you like, please pass it on to those you know who may want to support Frances and Gaynor. In fact, even if all you do is pass this story on, you may help to prevent this type of madness from happening to someone else. Sincerely, Friends of the “Two Moms” P.S. Frances is a teacher for deaf and hard of hearing students and Gaynor works at a daycare. As it would be for most of us, tens of thousands of dollars is a great deal of money. Their finances have sustained a real blow. If you can, please help them recoup some of their loses with a financial gift today. Thank you! http://www.twomoms.ca/

On The Media Coverage Of The Montreal Tragedy

jodymeme — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 23:48:46 GMT

Let us for a moment strip away the "dark, troubled" facade of Montreal shooter Kimveer Gill: imagine him without a Mohawk, a black trenchcoat or a blog on VampireFreaks.com. The sensationalistic media always needs a cultural scapegoat, they always need to pad their articles with uninformed, speculative pop sociology to explain terrible acts of violence. In the process, they end up damning and damaging people who have nothing whatsoever to do with the act of violence in question. In the absence of a goth subculture to blame, the media would've had to hang it all on the fact that Gill is Indo-Canadian. The reporters would snoop around the Montreal South Asian community and perhaps try to blame this on a conservative religious upbringing or some other nonsense. I believe there are undoubtedly complex cultural factors that influence how tragedies like this play out. After all, none of us live in a vacuum, we are all shaped by everything around us. Gill was part of the goth subculture. The Columbine killers went bowling before they shot up their school. Karla Homolka came from a perfect white middle class background. I can drag up the names of dozens of well-known murderers and append simplistic sociological summaries to their personal profiles. Two years ago a friend of mine was viciously assaulted in a mugging at Burning Man. In the criminal's weak defense, he cried out "the booze made me do it!," and alibis were trotted out condemning the "chaotic atmosphere" of Black Rock City. As if this explains it away. Out of 30,000+ participants, many of whom spent considerable amounts of time intoxicated, only a handful perpetrated violent acts. There are certain persons in society, regardless of background or subculture, who are more prone to episodes of violence than others. When we were children we saw these same few folks day after day beating others on the playground, torturing cats and setting fires. In adulthood, they get drunk and beat their spouses and get into barfights, time and time again. These people are a societal aberration. We all think of committing acts of violence in our lives, but most of us are not psychologically predisposed to act upon it except in cases of extreme duress (immediate, automatic self-defense in the face of violence; war or revolution; or dire poverty. But even under these horrid conditions there are people who do not resort to violent means.) The violent fantasy worlds conjured up by television, motion pictures, novels and video games are enjoyed by the masses, by millions of people around the world who never lift a hand to strike another. These fantasy worlds may act as safe surrogates for real violence by releasing the tension of violent thought, channeling it through relatively harmless forms of entertainment. Psychopathy is a condition that often develops in young childhood, before one is able to truly choose subcultural affiliations. There is considerable evidence pointing to genetic factors that play a role in the develoment of a psychopath. The psychopath may slip into any cultural milieu at any given time. And when his/her act of violence inevitably spills out, its expression is often draped in the cloak of the particular subculture. Goth. Indo-Canadian. Punk. Raver. Hippy. Headbanger. Black. Hip-hop. Redneck. Yuppie. Gamer. Christian. So ultimately cultural influences do not play a significant role, as the psychopath will simply use the most convenient tools available to exploit and destroy people around him. Certain aspects of the ideologies or lifestyles of specific subcultures are used by the psychopath to justify or carry out his act of violence, but it is hardly the subculture itself that is to blame. Kimveer Gill does not represent goth culture, nor does he represent Indo-Canadians, youth with Mohawks, visitors to VampireFreaks.com, manufacturers of black trenchcoats or Montrealers. Any scientist will tell you that correlation does not equal causality. The only person to blame for this tragedy is Gill.

I Will Not Be At Burning Man This Year

jodymeme — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:16:18 GMT

Just in case you missed hearing the news. No dough this year, so I'm skipping it. So don't look for me at Media Mecca, I won't be there. The worst thing about it, of course, is not being able to see all of my friends from all over the continent. *sigh* And I'll miss that big ol' desert. Have fun, and think of me while you're Burning. love, jody Burning since 99

MungBeing #9: The Mind (featuring interview with, art by Alex Grey)

jodymeme — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:28:21 GMT

The ninth issue of MungBeing Magazine has been released into the synaptic pathways of the Neu[t]ral InterNetwork! http://www.mungbeing.com Damn near a HUNDRED pages of words, artworks, audio compositions, puzzles, and thought-provoking work. This bi-month, MungBeing is looking into the second part of the Mind/Body dichotomy with our issue about the Mind (The Body was discussed in issue six). We are especially proud to feature an exclusive interview with visionary artist Alex Grey, whose work also graces the cover of this issue. Alex sat down with MungBeing newcomer Catling for a heart-to-heart and the results are a joy to read. We also have an interview with Michael Dickinson, who is experiencing a spot of bother in Turkey, and an interview with Christopher P. Reilly, whose book with Gus Fink "The Trouble With Igor" has just been released. From brilliant minds, brilliant thoughts®. Other tales of a mindful nature include these wonderful titles: * Ghosts, Lies, The Devil's Drink, & A Shining, Stately Moon by Jeb Ebben * On Diane Ackerman's "An Alchemy Of Mind" by Virginia M. Mohlere * A Short Course in Egyptian Futurist Mnemonics by Spacemummy * The Mind, a short tale by Leslie Powell (with illustrations by Michael Furious) Albert Schweitzer, Callie Danae Hirsch, Luke Ramsey, and Owen Plummer all join our ever-growing list of world renowned contributing artists. The winning entries are in for Don Swartzentruber's Totem Triptych project. What an exciting project that was, and what wonderful results. Thanks to everyone who contributed. A few audio selections from Meatyard, Mickel Mass (featuring Alan Davidson of The Kitchen Cynics), and Josh Stevenson supply a healthy dose of aural delight. McKenzie Ditter, Eric Willey, and Miss Elucid make their first literary contributions to MungBeing as well. And there's even a surprise visit from DailyKos' SusanG in there. All of that and some comics, some puzzles, some poetry, new and exciting opportunities to participate, and a recipe for Rik's Bread "Rolls". MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license, complete with a tagline and half a mind to use it®. Thanks for finding MungBeing and reading it, Mark, jody and Starchy Editors, MungBeing Magazine www.mungbeing.com

my Tribe communities new and old

jodymeme — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:27:38 GMT

Three new communities I've created: Experimental Cinema http://tribes.tribe.net/avantgardefilm Community on experimental and avant-garde film a la Stan Brakhage, Maya Deren, Jean Cocteau, Jonas Mekas, etc. Microcinema http://tribes.tribe.net/microcinema Community on contemporary no-budget, non-traditional experimental film and video. Remodernism http://tribes.tribe.net/remodernism Community on the remodernist/Stuckist art movement. Some old ones: Outsider Art http://outsiderart.tribe.net Outsider art, art brut, raw vision. Outsider Music http://outsidermusic.tribe.net Audio anomalies. Found http://foundart.tribe.net Found art, found objects, art made from found objects. I spend little time on Tribe, I rarely write in my own communities, they're hardly moderated... but they're there. Squatted. Memetically seeded. Join if they interest you. Master list of communities I've created in various spots on the web (not yet complete): http://www.eschatonmedia.com/jody/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=32&Itemid=59

MungBeing 8: Freedom

jodymeme — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:40:55 GMT

The eighth issue of MungBeing Magazine has been set free to roam the Web! http://www.mungbeing.com Hide your children, lock your doors! Seventy-some-odd pages of writing, sound, art, puzzles, and other thought-provoking work. This bi-month, MungBeing addresses the issue of freedom in all its varied and sordid glory. Tales of freedom and daring-do include these wonderful titles: * We Are Freedom by Rachel Haywire * Skynet by Lyle Neff * Peacekeeper Missiles by Virginia M. Mohlere * Unbound Unlit by Cavendish David Greenberger and Birdsongs of the Mesozoic join us to explain through music "how records are made." Remodernist extraordinaire Matt Bray graces our cover, Simon Redekop (from Humanfive), Milos Vujasinovic, and Bruce New all join our ever-growing list of world renowned contributing artists. Surrealist painter Don Swartzentruber exhibits four totemic paintings and invites writers to submit interpretations. Misfit Library Founder Sarah Lynch-Walker, Virginia M. Mohlere, and award-winning Canadian writer Lyle Neff also make their debuts this issue. A few audio selections from Freedom's Child, Heidi Morgan and Mystified supply a healthy dose of aural delight. All of that and a new quiz, some comics, some puzzles, some poems about birds, some great collaborative projects, new and exciting opportunities to participate, and a recipe for Freedom Fries. MungBeing is an online bimonthly magazine published under a Creative Commons license in the heat of summer amongst the cactus and the frogs. Thanks for reading! For free! Mark, jody, and Starchy Editors, MungBeing Magazine www.mungbeing.com

wow plus wow: avant-garde pop culture redux

jodymeme — Mon, 29 May 2006 17:53:50 GMT

Whenever a depressive episode lifts, I start racing around like a mad man. I'm pissed off that I lost so much time, so I overcompensate by filling up my schedule with work and social plans. I guess in the wee hours of the morning I was still awake and wired, but too physically exhausted to do any more domestic stuff, my brain too fried to write. So I tuned into YouTube. I doubt I'll ever need to order cable TV again. I found one of my all-time favorite films, Robert Frank's beat masterpiece Pull My Daisy. Highly recommended for Jack Kerouac fans and students of experimental cinema. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtmpcP65SFo My favorite singer! My favorite song! Scott Walker singing Jacques Brel's "Jackie." !!! Note the hand movement when he hits the line "authentic queers." And they say Bowie copped his vocal style. This video tells me Bowie copped a lot more than that, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dfqtyL_9-4 Tim Buckley's beautiful performance of "Song of the Siren" on the last episode of The Monkees. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txOg29c-as4 I've been addicted to cracked outsider lounge singer Gary Wilson's "Gary's In The Park" video. I watch it a few times a day, at least. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsrOs7OTbHQ Plus I collected in the My Favorites section: a drunken Tom Waits on a talk show, a full George Kuchar classic, Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell doing a duet (!), July Fourth Toilet mentor Neil Hamburger on Jimmy Kimmel (surprised he's even allowed on TV!), Super 8 footage of Jonathan Richman c. 1981, the full Ciao! Manhattan, an excerpt of Candy Darling in Paul Morrissey's Women in Revolt, Caveh Zahedi on mushrooms, Maya Deren's classic experimental films, Stan brakhage (!), Yoko Ono's Fluxus films, Love, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Brian Wilson, Phil Ochs, Bonzo Dog Band, Michael Nesmith, Gary Wilson, Sun City Girls, Daniel Johnston, Velvet Underground, Iggy & the Stooges, Sonic Youth, Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Lee & Nancy, Lydia Lunch; the infamous appearances on Letterman by Crispin Glover, Harvey Pekar, Hunter S. Thompson and Harmony Korine; more... http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=jodymeme Folks, this is a revolution in entertainment for a guy like me. I ain't never been this impressed since I encountered AudioGalaxy back in 2000. I'm sure I'll find a lot more treasures in the near future. Going to search for more as I wait for my daily stimulants to kick in.