Jumbo Barking

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Anna in the Hot Seat, WSDP in Plymouth

Sent from my iPhone

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Supercool DJ Nan

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After the Show

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Radio Gift

Anna and I are doing a two-hour radio show this weekend. It's been about 20 years since we've  been in a studio together. Way back in the 80s when I was a student at U. of M. we did a public affairs show and a four-hour freeform music show at WCBN and before that we were at CJAM in Windsor. It was fun, flawed and a good creative outlet, and I'm looking forward to doing it again for a short stint. Her coworker got her this timeshot as a Christmas gift.

Above San Francisco with a GoPro (and a wheel...) from Nigel Ellis on Vimeo.

I Met Laurie Anderson!

I shook her hand after the reading and told her that I've been a fan for twenty years. Then I asked her to sign an autograph with a "miniture golf pencil," which was all that I had. Being a woman of imagery, I think she appreciated that. Anyway, I was nervous and excited. During the "show," we were about ten feet from the stage! Did I mention that this was a totally free (outdoor) event? I love this city!

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The Autograph

Normally I don't ask for autographs. But in this case, it seemed like the thing to do. I'm not sure what the "3" is all about, and/or why she wrote my name more prominently than hers. I think she was doing "a miniature golf score card thing" because I gave her a "miniature golf pencil" to use. The "XX" followed by the scribble is actually her signature.

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I Asked Her a Question.

We went to the Hau to hear Laurie Anderson again, not really knowing what to expect. I thought she would be with a panel of other poets. Turns out, it was an interview with her. Just her. And it lasted an hour. Once again, I was about ten feet from the stage, so I feel like I finally have a good sense of "the woman behind the performance." It was fascinating to listen to her. She talked about:

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"Let X=X" Lyrics

"I met this guy. And he looked like he might have been a hat check clerk at an ice rink. Which, in fact, he turned out to be. And I said: Oh boy. Right again. Let X=X." -- from Big ScienceIn case you haven't noticed: it's Laurie Anderson week here at Jumbo Barking.

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Was showing Lora these old blog posts about when I met Laurie Anderson in Berlin, so I thought I would post them again.

Laurie Anderson

The Laurie Anderson show at The Power Center in Ann Arbor last night was good. I forgot what a great story teller she is. I mean, yes, she's a performance artist, but first and foremost, she's a writer. She has an amazing (trademark) ability to combine imagery, dry humor and creepiness in a very appealing way. I can't imagine making a living the way she does, but I say more power to her. She's in her sixties and still packing venues with people of all ages. I can't say it was a cheerful show, but I did laugh about seven times. Her mother recently died, so there were bits about that, not that I can't relate. I just prefer large doses of levity these days as opposed to hard core existential truths.

Temple Grandin

I have some friends
who have been chewed up
by life.
Spit out,
they scramble around
and pretend they're not really bleeding.

Jack Kevorkian Siting

So, yeah. We saw Dr. Jack Kevorkian at a store/gallery in Royal Oak the other day. It was weird because the gallery was selling a framed photo of him with a quote about the 9th amendment. I was near the front counter staring at it and when I looked up, there he was. I poked Lora and said: "That's Dr. Kevorkian" in a loud whisper. Then the owner said: "Would you like to meet Dr. Kevorkian?" The strange thing is that Dr. Kevorkian didn't even look up, so either he's rude, shy or just too old to care. Lora wanted to take a picture, but I didn't think it was a good idea. He didn't seem like he would've wanted that. In retrospect though, that would have been one great pic.

Ladytron - This is Our Sound

The Sea, Green and Red Food, and Wine

Hello fine friends. In case you haven't noticed. Lora is very good at looking presidential. And I'm making scallops tonight because I love scallops. The sea is a beautiful thing. I only have one thing in my Bucket List and that is that I would one day like to scuba dive so that I can experience the marvels of the ocean. Anyway, the other day I had seaweed salad at a Japanese restaurant. It was then that I realized that I like most green things. Green and red. I like red wine. I think most women in their late forties go through a stage of drinking a lot of red wine or let me put it this way: they drink red wine regularly. Why? Because it's magical. Am I drunk right now? No, it's 11:20 in the morning for God's sake.

The Suburbs

mp3:  Arcade Fire – Rococo

No Added Sugar

My mom is diabetic and she's an ice cream fanatic, prone to consuming entire half gallons in one sitting if she's bored enough. That said, I'm psyched that I found this Breyer's No Sugar Added stuff. It's really good. You can't taste the Splenda at all.

The Blob