Chapter Fifty-five “Please don’t let me lose this baby.” I cried to an empty room. The pains became more and more intense. I couldn’t get up or reach the phone. I tried calling out, but couldn’t catch my breath to yell. I noticed the dark outline of the phone cord dangling in front of the …
We now join our program, already in progress… —don’t know how it happened, but I was listening to Something Considered on NPR [audience hoots and hollers]—I know, I know—wait, wait, don’t interrupt me now. Hear me out. There was this mayor, the mayor of Saint Louis was on the radio, and he was talking about …
Chapter Fifty-Four Keith looked panicked. “What’s wrong?” “Your daughter just kicked me, that’s what! I think she bruised a rib!” “I’m sorry she’s so hard on you, luv.” I gave Keith a knowing smile. “You said she. I heard you.” He gave me a sheepish look. “Only because you’ve conditioned me.” I laughed. “Well, you …
The New York Times has posted a review of The Journals of Spalding Gray by Nell Casey. The review, written by Ron Rosenbaum, aptly analyzes Casey’s book and tenderly delivers Rosenbaum’s own thumbnail rendering of Gray’s life and work as a monologuist/actor. Some quotes are below, the full review is here: “And then he [Gray] …
U2 has posted three clips of “From the Sky Down,” a documentary chronicling the recording of “Achtung Baby,” the band’s pivotal seventh studio album which was released in 1991. This film will be included in the Uber and Super Deluxe 20th Anniversary Editions of Achtung Baby, available November 1. Clips are below with a trailer …
Chapter Fifty-Three “Really?” Keith turned on the lamp, looking like a kid with a new toy. “Let me feel.” He put his hands on my stomach. “I don’t feel anything.” “Maybe it was nothing. I’m going back to sleep.” The next few days I felt those flutters again and my doctor confirmed I was feeling …
Chapter Fifty-Two The last week of August arrived and we were again crammed in that wretched van headed for Brighton. We arrived at the hotel to find it swarming with kids in punk attire. The band was immediately bombarded for autographs. Keith and I barely escaped into the lift. “We have two hours before we …
Chapter Fifty-Five “Well, dear, you’re not only pregnant, but about two months along,” the nurse said. I sat in shock. “Pregnant? I can’t be. We’ve taken precautions.” I tried remembering back two months and remembered that first night after learning of the untimely demise of my father. “But the only time we didn’t use protection …
Chapter Fifty I ran and ran before collapsing against a boulder. The waves crashing to the shore only reminded me of the angry words I last spoke to my father. My whole body shook and I cried my eyes out. I wanted to reverse time to change my last visit. I was so angry with …
Occupy Wall Street might express a general angst — in regards to disparity in wealth or TARP, but where are the details and specifics on the actual manipulations, lies and cheating on Wall Street? Here is a video Jim Cramer made with Thestreet.com way back that he’d never make for CNBC on the manipulations he …
Chapter Forty-Nine “It’s your father,” she sobbed. “He died in his sleep some time last night.” “What are you saying?” “I wish it was all some horrible mistake . . .” All I could do at this point was scream, “No, you’re wrong. He’s only 48. You don’t die in your sleep at 48!” “The …
The first one was actually taken on my bus ride down to Minneapolis. The guy on the photos and his friends were going to a zombie party/ parade type thing in St. Paul that night. Some of the zombie group ended up at the protest later. The photo isn’t really connected to the protest per …
These photos were taken by Bill Tong, who describes them this way, “Occupy Chicago protestors in front of the Federal Reserve Bank on LaSalle Street and Jackson Street in downtown Chicago. I snapped these photos on different days while on my way to and from work.”
Chapter Forty-Eight The guitar’s neck was broken clean off. “What have those incompetent arseholes done?” Keith screamed. “Fuckin’ aye!” Ryan echoed. “Why now?” “I need to be on stage at one of the biggest festivals in the world and these imbeciles destroy my guitar!” I noticed the others inspecting their instruments, which thankfully were unscathed. …
Chapter Forty-Seven “It would look bad if I turned them down.” “Your willingness to give up our time to go off and jam with people makes me realize I’m not as important as your music.” “Come on, luv, be fair. Other musicians are noticing us. It’s an honor to be asked to jam with them. …
You know, remembering back to anti-war and civil rights marches back in the day, I thought I was fairly good at estimating crowd sizes, but I was off by half. Thinking there were 1500 people at the rally, I texted that number to a friend in California. Later that evening, the local NPR station said …
Chapter forty-Six “A ghost?” I questioned. “It was fucking spooky. A bird about fifteen or so in old-fashioned clothes,” a bloke from School Lunch said. A club employee spoke up. “Yeah, there’s the ghost of a young girl here. I’ve never seen her, but others have.” “I knew there was something creepy about this place,” …
Chapter Forty-Five The backstage door opened and a disheveled man as tall as he was wide, stepped out. He sported a scraggly beard and his hair looked like he never combed or trimmed it. “Oi, who goes there, friend or foe?” he quipped. Ryan was already at the back of the van opening the doors. …
Chapter Forty-Four I took the cash box to Ryan. “I made nearly five hundred quid for you blokes tonight, not that you appreciate it.” “Oh, great. Can you bring back the other boxes?” I glared at him. “You’re more than twice my size. You do it!” I went across the room and flopped onto a …
Chapter Forty-Three “I don’t fucking care so piss off!” Keith yelled back. “You better fucking care! This could be our break. You’re spoiling everything.” “Go on,” I said. “I won’t go until you promise you’ll be here when I get back.” I sat up and pushed the hair from my eyes. “I can’t go anywhere …
I picked up the small cello bag, not sure I really saw the small white pills showing through what was obviously marijuana. My heart sank to my feet. Darkness enveloped me. I lost all interest in finding the club and felt like catching the next train back to London. How could Keith be using drugs …
Chapter Forty-One I slept in installments all night, finally getting up around eight. As expected, Keith was still passed out. After taking advantage of the free breakfast, there were two hours before we were leaving. There was time to paint one picture. I wandered a bit before happening upon an art gallery. I seized the …
Chapter Forty I realized it was the Piss Ants’ van as it screeched to a stop inches from the throngs. Ryan rolled down the window. “Get in, quick!” We didn’t argue as Jimmy opened the back door and we dashed in at lightning speed. Ryan hit the horn, stomped on the gas, making the tires …
http://youtu.be/TanlK2J4eoA
Chapter Thirty-Nine I woke a sleepy eye and and saw the clock. “La vache! It’s past eleven!” “Blimey,” Keith groaned. “We forgot to set the alarm.” Within seconds, Ryan banged on the door. “You need to turn in your key now or pay another night’s lodging!” “We’re coming!” Keith shouted back. “Don’t get your bollocks …
Chapter Thirty-Eight I was awakened the next morning by Keith’s kisses. “What time is it?” I moaned. “It’s ten,” Keith replied, still kissing me I sat up suddenly. “La vache! They stop serving free breakfast at eleven.” “I’ll buy us breakfast after I find a bank,” Keith said, adding caresses to his kisses. “We can’t …