Santogold - "L.E.S. artistes"
august 14
The night life in a beach town isn't any less ugly or smelly than the city. I walked through the alley at 3 am to take out the trash and could hear someone vomit by the 7/11. It's called the night shift folks, at Tio Albertos (8pm-3am). Everyone gets out of the clubs or the bars, soused, smashed, slurred speech, smelly, stumbling through the doorway, hungry for a pre-hangover snack. A middle age hispanic man wouldn't stop trying to kiss my hands, stained yellow teeth reeking of beer. I cringed when he smiled at me. I rarely thinks drunks are funny. They tip good though.
But night shifts aren't the worst. From 12 to 1, I read an old issue of Re:Up cover to cover, tabbing pages of artists I needed to google in the morning, like Chromeo (I already own half of their remixes and I never even knew it), Zeb, Budos Band, rediscovering my love for Santogold and hip hop instrumentals, twinged with jazz and cool guitars, daydreaming beats in my head.
Mia and I bought canvas flats from the drugstore and customized them with paint pens and highlighters, and the right one turned out so sick (impressed myself), but I got impatient and the left turned out like crap. It happens. I still don't know how I'm going to fix it.
I came home from work just before 4am, with Mia watching old dvds of that 70s show on the couch, seasons Eddie bought me for christmas the year we were still friends. A lot has changed in my life, in the people I care about. A lot is still the same though. And for someone who has spent the majority of her life enamored with the idea of constant progression, I wouldn't mind a couple of things staying just how they are/were.
4 comments:
Trina -
It's been too long since I read your stuff. You have a gift. I enjoy your edgy style. Who wrote that "secrets" poem?
Mary Bishop
Mary, I don't know!
I read it last summer, it was a selected winner in the SLO New Times, for some writing contest called the fiction 55, a contest which was a tribute to the death of Kurt Vonnegut. I loved it so much I memorized it, everything but the author. So sorry.
I have an edgy style, huh? I've actually, in all honesty, had a very challenging and stressful summer. I don't think I am always like this. And after re-reading, feel as if the cynicism might have translated on paper (or....computer). This I am not proud of. But I am glad you enjoyed it. I guess. :)
I thought maybe you wrote that poem! It is memorable - really like the unexpectedness of it. I may have to memorize it too!
By edgy, I didn't mean sharp or cynical so much, but maybe that is what's coming through. Your writing always seems so honest and unassuming. Like I said - I like your style! Even when you're cynical!
I wish I had written it. It is unexpected and also minimalist, which is always something I lacked. I remember when I took your class, you always complained I was too wordy. :)
I always loved how much we shared what we wrote in your class. Some old classmates and I, the other day, talked about how much we remember of each others' pieces of writing. I think we all developed our own voice from this class.
I actually was very surprised and happy, the good reception and support I received from the blog I wrote while I was in Cambodia.
Thanks for the kind words, and dropping by.
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