149 masks *

* (Halloween countdown post #5)



 

 

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p.s. Hey. ** Milk, Hi, Milk. I know, right? Thanks. Excellent day to you. ** David Ehrenstein, Hi, Mr. E. It really does seem impossible at this point to guess when the virus will be dead and the consequent life-smashing over. Even when there’s a vaccine, it’ll be a long time before that makes a big difference if it does. ** Damien Ark, Hi, Damien. I think 3 books at a time is the most I can handle. So lucky you in that sense. I hear you thoroughly about losing a loved one. The grief does recede, basically once you either exhaust it or accept its uselessness, but its a eternal lingerer in the brain’s ether or whatever. I love the new Sparks. Ah, that’s great about the interview. That’s a great thing for all kinds of reasons, for us readers obviously but also for helping you journey you back into the world where your life is but an ingredient. Oh, wait, the interview is out! I misunderstood. Cool, I’ll read it today! Everyone, maestro Damien Ark whose first novel ‘Fucked Up’ is imminent from Expat Press, has just been interviewed about it and no doubt about many other things, and you can read it here, and I highly recommend you do. Generally I would say having a financial situation where one can quit one’s job is a very good thing, but generalisations are lies, so … Go to NYC to promote the book, yes, if you need any encouragement. I’m big on the West Coast, as you know. Don’t forget that I’m heavily game to do a ‘welcome …’ post for your book if you want to when the time comes and if you can send me the materials. Hang in there, try to enjoy the almost birth of your book — huge thing, one’s first novel, you know — and take care, pal. ** Brian O’Connell, Hi, Brian. I personally think she’s an even better writer than visual artist, but I’m writer, so … I would assume, or maybe hope, that the reasons people want to put themselves through McKamey Manor or other extreme haunts are variable, from tough guy/macho drives to complicated psychological needs to, yeah, who knows. Not unrelated to the unknowable drives of the guys I gather for the slave posts. But I have this ‘confusion is the truth’ belief system. I agree with what you say about Fassbinder. To the extent that ‘In a Year of 13 Moons’ is also my favorite of his as well as a top ten all time film for me too. His work is a truly great resource, very giving. Yeah, you enjoy your day maximally as well. ** Sypha, Hi, James. She’s a goody. Did you enjoy ‘The Tenant’? ** _Black_Acrylic, I like her stories, but I think the novel is even better. Great, your part of the site/show is up! I’ll get all over that. Everyone, Here’s Mr. _Acrylic with a high value tip: ‘The website launch for the collective disabled artists manifesto Not Going Back to Normal took place this evening, with readings and speeches all calling for a radically accessible arts world. My own short text Best Degree Show Ever is part of that project and can be found here.’ ** Jesse Bransford, Jesse, old pal! A super pleasure and honor to have you here. Thank you, I will check those out, and share thusly … Everyone, The superb visual artist Jesse Bransford has shared Carrington-related tips. Jesse: ‘Check out my dear friend and scholar Susan Aberth’s work: ‘Leonora Carrington: Surrealism and Alchemy’. Also coming soon, a text about and deck of Carrington’s version of the Tarot: fulgur.co.’ Man, I really want to come up and see your octagonal house — not to mention you — one of these days. I daydream regularly about that. Love, me. ** Bill, ‘Batty’ is a perfect descriptor. I think ‘Stag’ might get my vote too. Thanks for the Grimmfest news/option. I didn’t know that at all. And I did not know that about the BFI’s credit card requirement, and, well, that fucks that, I guess. They don’t even take Paypal? Weird. Yes, we’re all hoping as hard as possible that the virus gets quashed without another big lockdown. It’s a pretty scary possibility right now. And I guess re: you guys too. Internationally fucked. ** Steve Erickson, As I guess I always say, I am so grateful not to be in the USA these days. It’s weird enough here with just the virus and a few other things to contend with. Thanks about ‘White Riot’. I figured it would be worth seeing for the archival footage at the very least. I’ll see if it’s on Paris’s horizon. ** Right. Another Halloween post for which any form of introduction would be surely superfluous. See you tomorrow.