Musings

Was thinking through these stories or novels or whatever and realizing that there are (for the most part?) interludes as far as the chapter breaks are concerned.

Last 4th of July will have more story-driven pieces because of the nature of Barry's livelihood: Mrs. O'Leary's Cow, interference at Fantasy Forest and even the dream sequence at the beginning of the story overall.

Not too sure about Homelands yet, though I like the scope of the book being slightly more self-contained, at least within the confines of the immediate area.

Metro is another of those Ogethan-centric tales and I think it'll be more solidified with song, especially the Superman bits.

To be honest, the mechanics of the book will come along when they need to.  Maybe I'm thinking too broadly?  Maybe I'm letting things get in the way?

Just as the thoughts come naturally, organically, maybe that's how these interlude-y things should.  A story might get some place that a song or a quote might not be able to reach, let alone mesh within the fabric of the story.  It's going to need to flow to have the reader's experience it, live it as best as possible.

Chinese New Year

This year marks the fifth anniversary of The Echo & Sway.  Formerly known as The Jared Anthony Show, it is comprised of myself and my buddy Anthony. We aptly named it after my first and middle names in case the two of us should ever split, I could still have a band.  Sometimes it really is all about me.

Anyhow, the new name came about when we needed something a little more professional maybe, and the addition of a bass guitar into the mix, who never ended up coming around anyhow.  The name comes from an Elvis Costello song "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes" which we cover.  We've got a folksy rock appeal with some punk leanings.  There's also some spoken word thrown into the mix just for kicks and giggles.  You can get a taste of what we're like HERE.

So yah, five years.  We're talking about pulling some of our lesser-known covers and originals out of storage and airing off the mothball smell of your grandmother's attic.  This was sort of a "moving on" song I wrote, sandwiched by a spoken word bun.  I passed it onto Anthony who originally hated it, then loved it whereas I hated it.  we'll look into it for the anniversary show and see how it sounds.

Coincidentally, all things being cyclical, the actual event of Chinese New Year becomes a nice focal point of Traveling Tales' Metro.  More on that in a month or so when it actually happens.  Here's the poem:


Chinese New Year

Got a fortune cookie
just the other day
and I don't listen 
to a thing they say
So I ate the first half
that's how I do it
never looking back
there's nothing to it.
It said:

What are you waiting for?
Start moving now.
Get your feet up off the floor.
Don't worry how

Lots of people out there searching
at the bottom of the well
but what they find there in the darkness
I don't want to be the one to tell.
Stare at the abyss too long
you'll find it staring back
with hairy eyeballs and crazy teeth
ready to join in the attack.
And it said:

What are you waiting for?
Start moving now.
Get your feet out on the floor.
Don't worry how.

It's already too late
when you turn to run
looks like you've sealed your fate
my, but wasn't it fun?
You could be late for supper
you could be late for class
long as your not late to your own funeral
if you are get off your ass.
And say:

What are you waiting for?
Start moving now.
Get your feet out on the floor.
Don't worry how.

So I ate the other half
to make it all come true
then I took you by the hand
to show it's all brand new.
Just listen to the words I say
don't worry 'bout the end
this is only my translation
we'll start a whole new trend
and we'll say:

What are you waiting for?
Start moving now.
Get your feet out on the floor.
Don't worry how.
What are you waiting for?
Start moving now.
Get your feet out on the floor.
Don't worry how.
Don't worry how.
Don't worry how.