What am I hearing?
When technology goes completely insane
Listen up, Wireless Automatons:
Today my phone started to randomly play snippets of sound into my ears and it was so much like art that I stopped trying to stop it and just waited to see what was going to happen next.
Backstory:
To plan my book launch (it’s coming - give me a minute!) I was following a lead for a cool venue in the East Village and when I mentioned the name of the guy that another guy gave me, the reception/host person abruptly hung up the phone. So abruptly, in fact, that my entire conversation with him went like this: “Hello! I’m looking to reach [name of guy]…”
CLICK.
And then my phone went crazy.
First, it played a speeded up interview with the writers of Frozen (a husband and wife team) and when they got to the part where they were going to play a piece that didn’t make the film, but was about the main characters as babies, the music abruptly switched as though someone were twisting a dial on a radio (remember that sound?) and it was scanning across stations. It stopped on a classical music piece then ran across a bunch more music and landed on a big band sound. Then, I was back to some interview with someone. Then back to music. Then it was garbled for a while, then went silent.
The phone was not connected (I checked) and I closed all the apps that were open in my phone. Nothing was playing. Nothing was active at all, but the sounds were still dancing around happily in my ears and I just sat here laughing out loud and saying “is this a joke? is this real? what is happening here?”
And eventually it stopped.
This is how stories frequently begin…
Writing News:
Not sure why the episode I recorded for Good Moms on Paper hasn’t made it onto their playlist yet. I’ll check in and get back to you (they said it had been scheduled for late April).
Not sure when the cool interview with Vilnius Review will go live.
Not sure where/when my book launch party will be (expect June), but a friend agreed to interview me, and when you find out who this is, you’re going to fall over yourself to be the first one in the door and get a good seat. But you will have to race me because I am probably even more excited than you.
Oh! My author’s copies finally came! If I promised you a paper copy of the book and you haven’t gotten it yet, please drop me an email to remind me you’re waiting. I wrote everyone’s name down on a piece of paper that is now buried under a thousand notes I took about venues in/around NYC.
The only thing I wrote this week was a grant application. It hasn’t been the easiest week.
That said, I did go to a fun illumination festival where five or six contemporary artists created interactive art from recycled materials and lights. Also there was juggling of lit-up clubs. Also there were jellyfish that made strange clicking noises and moved in subtle ways. Which, I believe is how all jellyfish are required to move.
By the way, if you miss seeing me, I’m co-hosting another Pen Parentis Literary Salon this coming Tuesday at 7pm Eastern, online. Admission is free and there will be a playback by the end of the week. Christina Chiu and I are interviewing three writers with amazing careers: Marcy Dermansky, Kevin Chong and David Mura. The conversation should be heady. I can’t wait. RSVP here for your link!
Random final thought:
Speaking of hearing things: I was searching for my own book on Amazon (because people keep asking for the link so I Google it for them) and guess what I found? Someone’s acid jazz album released in 2014 with the title track….you guessed it…A FLASH OF DARKNESS! Bunnies and owls with big spooky eyeballs! Yay! The best part is I am in love with this tune! Fun - sunny/dark - clever. I’m into it and spent a good hour listening to Mark Morriss’ music.
Got a second? Like acid jazz? Have a listen!
(Wide-eyed bunnies and owls to Julie Paddleford and all the other recent graduates in the world this week. Congratulations!)
Right back atcha
thank you!