The Snap

Before I hit the road tomorrow to Rome I thought I'd share another poem from Sal's earlier days. It's one of my favorites.
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The Snap-

Took a break to snap the fingers a few times.
You see, I've been working up a technique, here.
Never been really good at the snap in general.
Giving more chances than I should seems to be my nature.
In this spirit I gave it a few more tries.
A snap, a quick little kick of a couple appendages.
The middle finger and the thumb.
Though this may be disputed, it's what I've shined to.
I'm sure there's some wildly deep meaning for these two fingers,
But who's the time to get into that debate.
The problem I run into when snapping
Is my fingers haven't grown out of their soft macaroni phase.
This lends to my utter inability to grasp any finger-centric
Operations that cross my path.
Just send the task on down the line.
It's going to be the way of this 'snapping gesture' as well.
Damn lousy fingers...

Bismark, 6/13/1970
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The box keeps giving.

A another lost poem by my good friend, Mr. Song. May he rest in peace.
_________________________________________________________________
Insect Love -

The man jumped in order to punctuate his thought.
He jumped up straight with purpose and fluidity.
The jump was nothing special, though.
To be honest I almost missed the thing.
Tragedy struck on the return landing.
The poor man landed and ended a black ants life.
To be clear I love a good bug squashing.
But I had my eye on that ant.
Had my eye while the man was ranting and sputtering.
It held my gaze as my mind began to wander.
What are you ant? How do you think?
For a moment I was in love.
I contemplated my life with the ant.
A six hour ant foot massage.
I became restless and my eyes watered.

Thud

The ant was a wreck.
It's bunda continued to squirm around.
Trying to separate from the crushed head.
I Held my breath as long as I could.
My ears popped with pressure.
How long is too long?

"Sal!"

I coughed out and inhaled.
Looked up and panted.

"You know you killed an ant?" I asked.

"Hmm?" the man didn't understand.

"That ant there." I came back clearly.

"Lets get some food." he muttered with a shrug.

I ate twice my weight in french fries for my lost companion.
Because what is there to do after realizing your love has no boundary.

New Jersey, 12/20/1985
_____________________________________________________________________

I think I'm in love.

I think I'm in love with with a Bolivian climate negotiator but I just don't know how to tell her. I feel it would be advantageous to take a trip to her country, say hello and just see what happens. Life.

Incredible

A Present Day Family Hux

Last day of classes before the Christmas break. Next Wednesday I will be on my way to Rome til the 28th. I am really excited to spend the holidays Italian style. This will provide many opportunities for me to make an ass of myself, Tony style.

And for your enjoyment here's another poem from the shoebox of the late Sal Song:
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A Present Day Family Hux

Pockets need a datebook like a bomb needs a fuse.
Keeping them dates like it's the mid-eighties and your Claire Huxtable.
Swinging your hips while your way-too-cool-to-look-cool husband rants about jello near the couch.
Disorganization is the cesspool of the gods and playground of the devils.
Please be sure to remember to jot down names AND numbers.
Because who knows what may come up later?

Idaho, 4/17/78
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Debate Class

I took some major time off to contemplate the death of Sal. You see he's been morphing into something really different since he'd past. For a moment there i didn't even think he was truly dead. I stumbled upon a shoe box with some of his poetry inside. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me putting it up on the nets...

_________________________________________________________________________________
Debate Class

Eating an ice cream cone from the bottom up - AKA 'stuffed-crust style' -
is equal to the writing of a word made up of consonants but only using vowels.
Turning pages only because there may be a chance of a paper cut
is equal to rolling on the ground. period. because who rolls on the ground?
Petting animals from ass to head just to give them a different feeling
is equal to making movie posters to books you have never read.
Debating the moral worth of soft drinks in terms of their fattening qualities
is equal to believing in the premise of 'Pay It Forward'.

Ontario 7/19/1980
________________________________________________________________________________

Damn, I really miss that guy.

Picture = Damien Frost "Me and Jill Stowell reflect on our lives while smoking crack in a cheap motel room somewhere in South Western Australia"

It's about damn time

This planet has just waited to damn long for this.

christmas time

Do They Know It's Christmas? from Scott Aukerman on Vimeo.

Motherfucking deer bit me in the neck!

Joe v. the Deer 911 Call sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Butterfly 911 Emergency Call sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Never Gonna Catch Me sound bite 911 Calls sound bites

Twins: the metaphor for how it really is.

I was sitting towards the back of the bus this morning. It made a stop at Gustav Fischer Str and two twin boys about 4 years old take the seats on either side of their mother. I spent about five minutes just staring at them while bobbing my head to the music coming in through my headphones. Three minutes in one of the twins is staring back at me imitating my head movement. Our eyes meet. It was strange. I knew he had no idea what he was doing or imitating. Quickly I looked away, as would I have done with a peer after being caught staring. It was then that I realized what these two small kids were, to me anyway.

In my twisted thoughts they started me thinking about some long and linked chain. A chain of people. A chain of organisms. These two small boys linked by their mother to everything and everyone around them. My eyes and thoughts started to wander around the bus mingling with the other passengers. I was recognizing connections all over the place. the mothers body language to the kids and the kids' to the older couple sitting adjacent. There was also this seemingly disgruntled woman of about 27 who looked like she wanted nothing to do with these kids. It could have been their hygiene as I could definitely smell some kid stink being wafted about.

It was at that moment that everyone turned into a tribe of monkeys or apes. all their sideways glances and shifting about to get to the most opportune spot without having to interact or create conflict with the others. It was animal behavior. I was at peace. We are no better and we are no worse than those friends we keep in the wilderness, our bestial counterparts.

I would whistle in octaves

I'm gonna find you, love.

Fugazi - Repeater

This song is too damn good.

Primer

I just finished watching this film. It was made on a 7,000 dollar budget and is just over an hour long. Just long enough to really twist your brain in a knot.

The holloween costume of my dreams

The man's got moves...

Best carved pumpkin yet -

I could only wish to have those skills. It's actually been a long long long time (too long in fact) since my last pumpkin carving adventure. I need to change that.

JEFF the brotherhood

Lovin' it

A failed attempt at a long distance kiss on the cheek.

This is just inspiring, in some circles anyway

Palestinians claiming to have created the worlds largest dress. If I were there I'd take a a load of people, have them hoist the dress up like a flag at the Olympics and run that thing through the streets for years. It's like Cinderella's new glass slipper.

Last Night's Dream

A short picture from my whacked-out dream in Japan last night. I had no idea where I was, why I was there, or how I got there. Probably one of the best dreams of adventure I've ever had.

Even the big faces frown sometimes.

It was really reassuring to read this article by Michael Ian Black. Of course it's the story of how stars of entertainment get down though they are obviously recognizable staples in many peoples' lives. It did, though, touch on some strong universals of (American) human life that I sometimes feel myself dealing with; especially while being semi-estranged from my comfortable country of origin. It was a sort of internet therapy. This one's for you Mr. Black.

Philly

This is just too good. especially after Thursday nights episode of It's Always Sunny.

Phillies Fan Fail
von failblog

First Man in Space

Watch Joe Kittinger in How to Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

... and he still looks like he would do it again.

CSI is the new statue of liberty

My Beacon.



Studying German to keep on top of my "game." Iwould not like to say game so much, being an off-and-on sport hater. OK. 'Studying German to keep on top of my "horse."' Revisiting The Band.

Twin Peaks parody by Saturday Night Live (1990)
by Malmignatte

Me and myself dating in Jena

Went out on a little excursion with myself in Jena. Brought protection to take care of my feminine side.

No problem, I fixed the photo for you guys. You can thank me later.

This is a true-to-life representation of my influence on this band. Almost reminds me of practice.

Ok. Now I'm finished being self-indulgent.

Crazy message, crazy scary message.

Car Font

iQ font - When driving becomes writing / Full making of from wireless on Vimeo.

I thought this idea was amazing. Well, it is a pretty great idea. The second thought I had came about the time I realized that it was carried out thanks to Toyota. I have nothing against Toyota (actually probably some), just wouldn't want their name all over my sweet font.

This one's for the graphic designers in my life.

Great crazy cartoon

BIRDY NAM NAM - THE PARACHUTE ENDING from Steve Scott on Vimeo.

This blew my mind. I have to admit that it was the first thing I saw after I awoke. The first thing after I wake up always seems really super intense.

Everything is so lazy and relaxed nowadays. Might head out to a great new park i found yesterday and hang for a few hours.

So Much

So much has been passing along. I'm really not quite sure what to make of it all. I think what I'm trying to say here is that I'm sorry I haven't been keep this thing regularly updated. Will get right on it.

As for the previously mentioned passing occurrences, I'm sure they're just typical poofs of thought, which I have probably been dwelling on too long as of late. Been feeling super existential recently. Always a good way to be.

So Badass

Daryl Hannah, scientist arrested at W.Va. protest

Mulder

nice card mulder.

This one's for you.

Culture is el número uno

For Real.

Y'all be missed

Man I miss you all.

TLUG

Dearest TLUG,

It took so long for me to find you today, TLUG! I just wanted to ask the experts you hold within some questions. You seemed to keep running away. Göschwitzer Strasse 41 please be kind. I don't bite, I promise. You have all the knowledge and I just wanted a taste. Maybe next time you won't run so fast.

Your friend,
Sal

See I, with a few other students, have to prepare for a presentation over environmental protection measures here in Germany. One assignment is to seek out and converse with an expert in the field. Its just so damn hard to get a hold of one. And then there's the whole building running away thing too.

St. Michael's Church

Friday I went out for a little stroll around town. You know, what else was there to do than get out into the open air. I was letting my whims take me wherever they would lead. Every now and then this giant church caught my eye. It makes me think about all it has gone through and what it still holds inside. I have visited it before but only spent a minimal amount of time there. See, I was trying to dadge the uncomfortable 'I-don't-want-to-have-to-make-a-donation-to-your-church' feeling. But Friday was different, in that I kinda of did want to make a donation to that church and check out what it had to really offer. I wanted to get my full 2 euros worth.

The large dark entrance doors were very open, as they always are for some reason. I thought, "Why not?" So I go in with the intent to snoop around the catacombs a little more than I had last time I was there. There I discovered a semi-hidden room i was too frightened to look into. And when I entered it this time was a little more stunned at the contents. Three large sarcophagi and a small baby-sized one. All were adorned with old baroque-style, over-the-top elegance.

After my trip under the church, there was a woman who allowed me to go up to the top of the locked bell tower. That was a total surprise to me. She pretty much walked up to me with an odd glimmer in her eye and stuffed me up the tower for 1.50 euro. Whatevs. So i go up the endless stair and pause at all the landings to investigate. If i were to work at this church it would take me a hell of a long time to feel comfortable with all the kooky creepiness they have stowed away there. For god's sake man. But finally at the top it was all worth it. To be able to look over the city center from the bell tower that I see looming over it from the street everyday was pretty great.

Thanks unknown church lady for letting me check out the churchy things you have there. Thank you St. Micheal's church for being crazy old and making me feel overly adventurous.

This one's for you, bros.

Berlin the second

This was a really great time. Most of the weekend was spent riding some form of public transit, as you can plainly see. Thanks Kate for the great weekend. Thanks Jon for the great weekend. Thanks Berlin for opening yourself up to me once again. Keep on and stuff.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks has been seriously media savvy as of late. I laughed my ass off while he was playing a hysterical version of himself on SNL's Celebrity Jeopardy.

This one's for you, bro.

MIND

The map of coming characters. A flowchart of sorts.

Got it worked out now.

I have been silently brainstorming some ideas for a zine I want to put out. Well not really a zine but a rather a random pamphlet of thoughts and creations of mine. The collective art thing kinda has been put on hold for a while. That was a great idea as well and I will be definitely going back to that in the future.

This thing, though, is going to be a view of Sal Song, the person of many lives. A sketch. You'll be seeing him in many different rolls through very very short conversations with random people. There will be conversations with you fans of the Sal Song who has toured for decades. Convos with the Sal Song who disposes of dead gangsters. Talks with the Sal Song who dies on his death bed. its endless right? Right.

desert

On the boarder between Saudi Arabia and Oman. From Google Earth.

Home

Blows your mind a bit. I was researching renewable energies in Europe for a class presentation and ran across this little gem.

John Berkey

John Berkey.

Berlin and Her Wonderful People

Thanks for the good times my dear friends.

Nightsky

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party from William Castleman on Vimeo.

Lights

The soccer stadium has a pretty epic lighting system. Straight outta the GDR.

Surprises

This morning I was pouring out a bowl of cereal when a LIGHTSABER WHISTLE fell into the bowl. Eat it Dave. I'll let you play with it when I get back. Trust me its worth the wait.


I have started to attempt to learn Japanese. This is only one of the three alphabets that one needs to learn. Hopefully by the time I'm 55 I will be able to speak it. The actually alphabet table in the photo was made and given to me by a Japanese woman who I am helping learn English.

Lazy Sunday

Went to the river to read a bit. While I was there I met a moth whose wings had seen a bit too much action. It just fluttered on up and landed on my book. A few minutes later it decided to fly away. I read it a few sentence. Then there was a rustling in the woods to my left. I looked over and saw a dog flying into the river. The owner had run up to the bank while holding the small dog and chucked the thing right in and ran off. Im going to try that when i get back.

Spacetime means funtime

Source

The Space shuttle and its docking with the Hubble space telescope.

Wow. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000th's of a second.

Options

I bought these chicken flavored instant noodles at the small asian goods store in the mall. When I payed for them I thought they were going to just be the noodles and the flavor packet. You know, just your typical Ramen. But nay. This pack came fully loaded. Bells and whistles. You got your noodles. Check. You got your flavor pack. Check. Whoa, whats that? Yep. That's the red chili pouch for when you want things to get a little interesting.

So I sat there and looked at all the options I had just uncovered. Well not too many actually, but more than I was used to when it comes to Ramen noodles. I then start to crush the pack of noodles. I don't really care for the long noodles dangling from my fork. Crushing them is the best solution. I make my way to the kitchen and pour them out into the bowl. Suprise.... Flavored oil (unfortunately not pictured). That's right! One final option pops out of the bag. These YumYum noodles are the Thai equivalent of Cracker jacks. And after finishing the meal I have to say they were the best instant noodles I have tasted.

A+

PARTY time

pizza pizza pizza. man I miss pizza. I could totally go for a thick supreme right now.

fireworks

Bread

So I have been eating so much bread over the course of my satay here. It has become my staple food. Not a bad thing by any means. I just find it interesting to eat so much bread. Thought I'd be eating more pasta. Nope, more bread. Little baguette thingies. Pastries in the morning. Cheap wheat loaf bread. Pigeon food. The list goes on...

Ive also begun scouring the city for the cities best bread in various categories keep tallied in my head. The categories range from the best damn tasting bread to the cheapest. I'm hoping to find a happy medium be tween the two in order to declare my bread of choice. Winner will be posted later.

some new vids from GER.

living on the trail

footballers showing off at the mall

I guess it was early in the morning but... no wait it was practically noon and the mall seemed a bit busy. I was there for the supermarket. I had to pick up some sour cream (for the baked potatoes i have yet to actually make), a tomato and some cheese. These soccer players were all over the place. I wonder if they actually mean anything to anybody. I suppose they do... there is a fellow American in a few of my language classes who has taken to wearing the Jena soccer club jersey every game day. Probably just has to support his team. I can't blame him though. I myself have a German soccer jersey back in America waiting til the 2010 world cup. Its probably going to stay there until then.

Rainy day doodle

Grails & Silver Apples | NYC @ Knitting Factory | Nov 22 2008 | Silk Road from UN:ART:IG on Vimeo.

Effing amazing guitar wolf video

Goodbye forever super lady

I always knew you were cool.

Martin's Geburtstag!

Some more thinks i thought of

Take it apart dot net

http://www.takeitapart.net/

All your how to video needs in regards to taking electronics apart.

ALSO: http://www.toddholoubek.com/

This guy was on Mtv's The State. and is now a sweet NYC art teacher. has some crazy ideas. iDig.

Some vids

Some birds I witnessed while I was out and about today on a walk.



Cars followed strictly by people followed strictly by cars. Strange.

oH hELL nO

So I thought i was over being all anxious about the place I am living. I mean last night I gave it up and drank beer and played poker with my roommates (though only till midnight, as it seems poker and gambling isn't our strong suit). I know know better sign of becoming accustomed to the place you are than gambling. I mean it. Luckily I won the game.

But today I awake with the feeling that, damn... all is lost. but i also have the unbelievably powerful optimism that comes with being me. So I say to my early morning pessimism, "Nay! Awkward beast, go back to your cave and hide." See- the thing is i had hopes of taking these amazing classes while I was here. I had hoped to take a class on the United Nations, and the government of Germany. But as it turns out taking a university-level course in politics is no easy task to begin with. Then I have to add the fact that it is in a different language compounded by the reality that the professors giving these lectures don't really care how much you understand. They merely want to stand and talk (extremely fast) for an hour and forty-five minutes. So I'm going to have to put those classes on hold till next semester.

This semester I am going to spend becoming extremely good at speaking German, in the hopes that someday next fall i can actually take a class taught primarily for native Germans.

And by the way...

fucking owns



I'll be baking banana bread later.

SEAZ TURTZ