attack of literacy

this is the jersey i wore in the previous world book night post. i'm posting it for you because it's awesome.

laugh ouch loud

last night, i became abundantly aware that, perhaps, i shouldn't watch the daily show or the colbert report while nursing busted ribs. laughter hurts and at the moment is certainly not the best medicine.

scratches

world book night

after work tonight i came home, changed my clothes (sported my "attack of literacy" jersey) and went down the street with a box of free books under tow. roughly thirty paperbacks of two titles. i gave a few copies away to the people who would look eye with me as we passed or eyed the open box under my arm. i made my way down the street and setup in front of a small grocery. as people came out i offered anyone who would listen "free fiction," and immediately i realised what i thought was going to be a ten minute process (because who turns down a free book, right?) was going to take much longer. at first most people wanted nothing to do with me, some actively avoid me; i imagine they thought i was pushing god. one woman stopped. "wait, you're giving away free books?" slowly people gathered. some people wanted a full summary of each title before making a selection. some were simply gracious to be randomly gifted a free novel. some had read one title. one had read both. but many stayed around and spoke to each other about the books; didn't hurt that i was giving out zeitoun in new orleans. for a few moments, and almost immediately, a small community gathered under the art of literature and the joy of reading. it was amasing and i was pleased to be a part of it.
this experience was brought to me by world book night.
ps. i have a photo for this post but new blogger won't let me upload it. the more things change... (posted)

fff #40

bare, beer, bier, bear

he never thought a beer at a familiar bar and a drive through a familiar neighbourhood would lead him to his bier. he left the bar that night arm-in-arm with best intentions and his beautiful, cherry blossom scented date. he closed the passenger door gently behind her as she tucked her dress between her thigh and the seat of his new avalon, smiling sweet at him for showing such gentlemanly character. nina simone's i can't see nobody leaked out the cracked windows, dancing with the warm late summer breeze as they drove toward mid-city. a left on canal and a right on bank street found them in front of her camelback home. sweet olive trees filled the air with their wonderful aroma as he walked her to the front door, stopping a step below her terrace so their lips could meet briefly without her straining her neck. a bear hug around his waist and a soft smile followed before he watched her disappear behind heavy oak and listened carefully to the satisfaction of safety behind lock+chain.

his heart still flooded with the warmth of her lips he began plotting their next moment together before he had returned behind the wheel. he drove off, stopping at the corner of north galvez+bank to stare in his rear view fondly at her porch light. suddenly her light disappeared behind an ominous shadow. the shadow split in two and each quickly filled each side view mirror. he hit the gas and sped through the intersection before he heard the first shot; gun fire from the two shadows. a second shot shattered a car window, but he never heard a third. his avalon veered off the road, through a banana tree and into the front room of a newly renovated shotgun home.

by the time the ambulance arrived he was gone.

now, the bullet still lodged in his brain, he lay stripped bare on cold metal. his sharpest grey suit hangs near anxiously awaiting their infinite rest together. his bier will be surrounded by flowers and loved ones. just a closer walk with thee will lead the procession to grave. he'll be buried holding a bible, and covered in cherry blossoms and the tears of one heart-broken woman.

the black keys

on last day of march and the first perfectly hot day of the year i stood in woldenburg park, new orleans, louisana, usa with tens of thousands of other people all there for the same purpose: the black keys' music. i've been a little obsessed with the black keys for a good while now and would easily consider pay serious $ to experience them live. amazingly enough, on this day we were all getting drunk+lifted in their presence for free... all thanks to the ncaa final four basketball tournament being in town (thanks college basketball!).

their often percussion heavy blues rock live was incredible and the best energy i've felt all year. i left high off the vibes and felt great all day (residuals resonate even now). this radio1 show is nearly the same set list as i heard, though i must say that the outdoor venue was much higher energy+volume than in the lounge. the lounge show is still awesome. enjoy.