Blog Five: Artist in Residence [sort of] in Colorado

 

I did my first serious open mic session here in Trinidad Colorado yesterday when it comes to reading excerpts from my finished novel, Zelda Rising.  Though I was feeling rather fragmented and distracted throughout the whole day and night, I pushed through and gave a reasonable performance.  I wasn't too clear about what they expected when it came to how long I had to speak, so I switched from a reading of a description of the bookstore to the very short opening chapter, where a despicable  character discovers the dead body of the owner of Zelda Rising Books.  A lively and eclectic crowd: Trinidad was hopping last night for their Art Walk that takes place first Friday of the month.  I read yesterday at my favorite haunt here, Mutiny Trinidad: I was fortunate to be able to read at the last open mic they are having until August, which is kind of disappointing.  The space is excellent, inspiring even.  I had hoped to leave some books there for sale, but could not hook up with the manager last night.

I intend to do another reading at an open mic here next Saturday for a Trinidad arts project; I will be experimenting with a new way of reading, that is,  for the rest of the spring and summer, going to open mics and reading the novel straight through.  For example, if they say I have 10 minutes, I will set my iPhone clock alarm to buzz me when the reading should be over and, if the host and audience want me to continue for another length of time, I will go for it.  And I'll do that for each open mic, until I eventually finish reading the entire book.  Kind of: Zelda Rising, out of context.

But there may come a time when I'll just do an entire performance, reading the whole book.  The audience last night particularly liked my voice of the "Chicago guy" and it is fun to hear someone talking about Da Bears and Da Cubs then Immanuel Kant and Carl Jung.  An audiobook is also possible. 

When it comes to music, I am strictly digital here in Trinidad.  An iPhone/laptop system with a small amplifier and high-end Etymotic in-ear phones or Sennheisers over the ear and Wireless phones for walking trips.  Listening to Confessions of a Knife by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, in honor of my newfound Wax Trax connections in Chicago.  On the Corner by Miles Davis is also a favorite.  Checked out a new vinyl store here, but the owner has massively overpriced his used vinyl.  Like, 50 bucks for Neil Young's Harvest?  75 bucks for Rolling Stones 12x5?  But don't think I'm not tempted.  I did buy a couple fifty cent records, a Quad version of Switched On Bach, but they are in ratty condition, at best.

You know, I watch very little sports when I'm in Colorado, though the Denver Nuggets are, of course, the exception, not to mention the minor league Trinidad Triggers baseball season starting in late May.  A break from baseball bum mode.  But I keep tabs on the Cubs, who have bullpen problems just when they are facing the rival Brewers for the lead in the Central Division and are missing key players.  The Sox are wonderfully bad.