*
p.s. Hey. ** Ferdinand, Hey. Well, it’s a laborious process to get to the point of actually shooting the film. In the case of our new film, we set out to do it in a way that wound up being much more difficult than it needs to be because we funded it through donations which meant a huge amount of work and time approaching individuals to give us money. With our previous film, it was funded via a grant, so that was much easier. I like collaborating and working with other people, so the seeking out the crew and cast was a lot of work, but that wasn’t a problem. And working with a crew and performers on set, relying on them and so on, was a pleasure. Plus there was a production manager to organise everything. Ultimately, yeah, the drive to make the film carries you through, and, personally, after the solitude of writing novels, working in a kind of community that has the same goal and various skills that Zac and I didn’t have but that were needed to realise the film was exciting. So, I guess you have to enjoy that part. Even after the relative hell we went through to make ‘Room Temperature’, Zac and I are still very excited to make more films. Does that answer the question? ** scunnard, Hey, Jared, thanks, and good to see you. ** Charalampos, Congrats, buddy! And I think it went really well. That card is mysterious to me. Best day to you and your wonderful book too. ** Dominik, Hi!!! Sure would be nice, yes. Okay, I’ll try ‘The Bastards’ and then bail on them. Back in the punk days, I cut my own hair, but punk hair was pretty basic, and the fact that it looked like shit was cool. As long as love spares me the liver pâté toothpaste, I’m okay with that. What a curious wish. Love turned every building in Vienna into a mountain, G. ** Zak Ferguson, Thank you, sir! ** Tosh Berman, Hi, Tosh. Thanks about my leg. Yeah, me too. Grr. ** _Black_Acrylic, Hey, Ben. ** seb 🦠, Hi, greenie. I hope TMS makes the reshuffling worth it. What did you see in said theater? If you dig back in to Butthole Surfers, start with ‘Locust Abortion Technician’. speed du dieu! ** Misanthrope, Ouch, check it. Says the guy not checking my own problem. I’m gradually resigning myself to a chiropractor visit. Gradually, mind you. The editor we’re working with has a chiropractor boyfriend, so maybe that’s a sign. We’re supposed to warm up here, Very slightly. To above 0 degrees. Barely. ** Uday, Hi. Well, what do I know, but I think Gary Indiana is a better discovery than Mr. White, frankly. New book … maybe a collection of short fiction, but I’m not yet certain that it will come together. Otherwise, just the film. Oh, and an ‘audio novel’, if that counts. A novel to listen to only and not read. It’s written, and it just has to be recorded and then find a publisher wild enough to put it out. There’d be, like, a book-like object with a sound file or download code in the book but no printed text. Hard to explain, I guess. But it’s quite good, I think. That makes sense: the universal sexiness of books as opposed to us humans. You’re making me want to dust off my bookshelves. They need it. It’s almost the weekend. You have extra special plans? ** Steve Erickson, My radio show was three times a week, three hours per show. I had no problem filling it, but I played old stuff too. And it was in the waning days of 18 minute prog/ experimental tracks being common, and that helped. I’m resigned to that tagging of my stuff even if I’m so bored and disappointed by its commonality. Our film isn’t transgressive and probably barely queer. My hope is that now that Zac and I have made three films, the film work will start to be assessed on its own, and that Zac’s equal part in it will start to be much more attended to. ** Darby🍱🥡, Yum, delicious. I had Chinese food for lunch yesterday, but it was fucking awful. I didn’t realise you can make bad Chinese food. Okay, now that linked-to bear is angry. I can tell that even sans sufficient coffee. Oops, I’m treading lightly. No problem about the email. I’m easy. You’d be a superb scholar or curator, that I already know. Hm, I’ll see if there’s enough ‘books bound in human skin’ material for a post. The name Claribel Alegria is familiar, but I don’t think I’ve read her. Now on my radar, thank you. Good luck with the burrito place gig. I swear if you ate cold sesame noodle you would change your mind. Maybe. So not ‘swear’ but ‘guess’. ** Okay. Please spend today seeing what your eyes tell you whence scrolling through the cave mouths. See you tomorrow.
Now available in North America 
*
I have always loved caves. The secretiveness of it all, the wraiths that personify its interiors.
The aura, the drip, drip, dripping. The mystery and sense of history soaking into our pores and clothes.
I went down into the local caves of East Sussex and it was the place, if better lit that I’d most love to write in. I also couldn’t help but perform my Gollum impression to freak out the young ladies that were down there with our troupe.
Hi!!
We should bring that back – considering shit hair cool. I wanted to say it might still be true in certain circles, but… no. I don’t know. Maybe not.
Yeah, I don’t know where that liver pâté thing came from. I certainly wouldn’t like to brush my teeth with it.
So, that makes me live on a mountain (maybe in a cave!), but the view from my place must also be amazing. I’m in. For a little while. Love going through today’s post and remembering a very young guy who once told him having anal for the first time felt like this: https://tenor.com/view/tight-fit-train-not-fit-gif-12692141, Od.
Cave mouths are alluring things alright, mmmm. There’s a good Murikami short story called the Wind Cave that I remember discussing in our writing class. The 1st one of those for the new season was last night and it’s good to get back on board with it again.
I watched Bertolucci’s the Dreamers this morning and turns out I enjoyed it a lot. Never caught this in 2003 so it was good to find out what I missed out on. Was scouting for the great man’s Partner film from 1968 starring your boy Pierre Clemente, but alas it remains completely unavailable to stream anywhere, at least in the so-called UK. Bah!
Here’s my interview with Vietnamese director Pham Thien An for the Film Stage: https://thefilmstage.com/inside-the-yellow-cocoon-shell-director-pham-thien-an-on-stillness-long-takes-and-vietnamese-history/
A friend who lives in Europe is visiting New York this weekend. Since I haven’t seen him since 2019, I’m really looking forward to our lunch tomorrow.
Would you return to the French arts grant system for your next film? It seems so much easier than the tormented production of ROOM TEMPERATURE.
One of the many things that I love about your blog is that you touch on things that make me feel vertigo or anxiety, and caves and their entrances fit in that category for me. I always wonder why the things that make me unwill are loved by others? Fear is a subjective position to be in. And caves are a mystery to me, which is probably the appeal to many people. Or fear in some. I asked my good friend ChatGpt what is a cave and its entrance, and this is their answer:
“Caves are formed through various geological processes, and the opening of caves, known as the cave entrance or mouth, can be shaped by different factors. Here are some common mechanisms of cave formation and information about cave entrances:
Solutional Caves (Karst Caves):
Formation: Many caves are formed in soluble rock, such as limestone or gypsum, through a process called dissolution. Rainwater, which is naturally slightly acidic, seeps into the ground and reacts with the soluble rock, dissolving it over time.
Entrance: The entrance of solutional caves can vary. It may be a sinkhole, a natural depression in the landscape, or a vertical shaft formed by the dissolution of the rock.
Lava Tube Caves:
Formation: In volcanic areas, lava tubes can form when molten lava flows and solidifies on the surface. As the lava continues to flow, it can create tunnels through which it moves.
Entrance: Lava tube cave entrances are typically openings in the ground where the roof of the tube has collapsed or where the lava tube has cooled and solidified.
Sea Caves:
Formation: Waves and tidal action can erode coastal cliffs, creating sea caves. The constant battering of waves wears away the rock, forming openings in the cliffs.
Entrance: Sea cave entrances are often found at the water’s edge and can be affected by tidal fluctuations.
Talus Caves:
Formation: Talus caves are formed by the accumulation of rocks and debris at the base of cliffs or steep slopes.
Entrance: The entrance of a talus cave is usually a gap or opening between the fallen rocks and debris.
Glacial Caves:
Formation: Glacial caves are carved out by the movement of glaciers. As a glacier flows, it can erode and shape the underlying rock.
Entrance: The entrance of a glacial cave may be a crevasse or opening in the ice where the glacier has melted or shifted.
Cave entrances can vary widely depending on the geological processes involved in their formation. They may be small openings, large arches, or even vertical shafts. Additionally, the entrance may change over time due to natural forces like erosion, weathering, or collapse.”
Holy merde, we got accepted into the Paris Ass book fair! Looks like we’ll be in Paris in May. https://parisassbookfair.fr/en/ We are waiting to see if our friend Konstantinos from Athens also got in. So excited!
Thanks Dennis it does. ⭐🌟✨
I vaguely recall seeing a novel of yours mentioned in a Gary Indiana book too, come to think of it. Was it in Rent Boy? I like both, but prefer White the essayist to White the novelist by far. I’m excited for the possible book! I kinda understand what you’re getting at? We had this one textbook like that in grade school. My weekend is looking quite boring, which I’ve come to appreciate somewhat. My life until somewhat recently resembled something you’d find in one of your books (although perhaps not as extreme) so it’s nice to get a break from all that. Cave mouths always entice me. I remember that as a kid we’d see a bunch when we’d drive in the hills and my parents would never let me go except this one time my father relented and it was like 20 feet deep. Very disappointing. Have you read Baradla Cave by Eva Svankmajerova? It’s pretty cool. I think you did a day dedicated to her husband (Jan Svankmajer) a while back and he’s very well known (for good reason) but hardly anybody ever talks about her.
My family took me down a dis-used iron ore mine when i was eleven. probably too mediated by tour guides to be scary. the league of gentlemen sketch about similar sub-par tourist attractions always recalled the happy day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1SHi8ZvzmM&ab_channel=hawkboy451
is paris affected by the climacteric polar vortex? london is cold as old shit. i was delighted to see the new editions of ‘closer’ in a book shop.