Poetry In Plain Sight - Rick Smith

A poet is rarely just a poet. I don't want to affirm the poverty mentality of fiscally challenged poets but it is a tough slog trying to get non-poets to pay attention or come to a poetry reading.

When you do take a chance to attend a reading or performance good things can happen.

Rick Smith is a poet, musician and a bunch of other stuff. In this video Rick tells a tale about how fame can smack up an ego upside the head and reads one of his poems about blues harmonica players.



His new book is Hard Landing. There is an separate audio CD that has extracts from the book.



An unexpected musical pleasure was that Rick gave a little taste of his musical talents. This is a sample of what Rick can do with his harmonica.

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Poetry In Plain Sight - Karineh Mahdessian

It is raining. This means I'm going to be very productive today as I can't go any where. Sorry for the delay of posting poetry videos. I had a wicked cold/flu thing that made anything more than basic functioning impossible.



Ok, on with the goods. This is Karineh Mahdessian reading her poem, Manic Monday. Karineh's poem appears in the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, Summer 2010.

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Los Angeles BWN Business Career Networking Forum

I get the Black Women's Network brochure every year. I usually can't go because it is on a weekday. This year it is on a Saturday. They almost had me until they said the LAX area. Los Angeles airport to the out of towners. Just can't do and make other commitments that day.

This is a bit of the history of the network from the web site:

Black Women's Network (BWN) was formed in March 1979 as the result of the energy of the Black women who attended a regional career conference in Los Angeles, California. Many of these women in attendance realized the potential strength that could be derived from creating a supportive organization that could serve as a vehicle for addressing the specific needs of professional Black women.

There will be a vendor marketplace, speakers and exhibitor booths. If you are in the area and you would like to check it out visit www.blackwomensnetwork.net.

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The Professor, Aluminum and Red Sludge

I have a subscription to the Periodic Tables videos from the University of Nottingham, UK. Professor Martyn Poliakoff, his team and videographer Brady Haran have created 118 videos about each element in the periodic table.

The videos are usually fun, informative or explosive. And I do dig the professor's hair.



They are moving on to minerals. However in this video Professor Poliakoff wanted to explain about how the situation in Hungary got started and where the trouble is going to end up, possible in the Danube.

Many of the broadcast news channels have gotten ride of actual science reporters. Those reporters that remain are either mangling the story or choosing not to report it as it is not American centered.

That is a mistake. I won't hold my breath waiting for corporate to see the light and higher science reporters. The BBC has a good summation of what is in the sludge.

Leonard Lopate has an interview with two scientists and a representative of the World Wildlife Fund in Hungary.

If we do not learn that there are long term penalties for irresponsible waste management, land use and environmental stewardship then we will spiral down the bowl.
The professor might be a little dicey on his geography but not about the effects of what will be dumped into various waterways.

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The Sounds of Blackness on the Finally Friday Freakout

I bought the cassette of the first album of the Sounds of Blackness. Side one was so good it took me two years to remember to flip to side two. I took inspiration anyway I could get it.

I watched Joseph Campbell on TV, even the re-runs of the program with Bill Moyers. The story about the man, the kid and the glass of milk still rattles me.

Les Brown was coming up at that time. Flipped through Science of Mind magazine to check out that action. Taking Yoga classes when I could afford them. Reading new age and thought type magazines.



This is a representational video of side one of that album. Special bonus that Roger Troutman of Zapp in spoofing in some of the video. Sadly, I don't think groups like the Sounds of Blackness could get radio time today.

Really, we do need more fun, danceable and singable tunes. I wouldn't mind a song or two that aimed a little higher than crotch level.

I don't know about you songs like "I got mine and I'll kill you for yours" does not help me move through my day.

Never did.

So a mini love letter to those musicians that want to play a different song. Go for it. We are waiting for you.

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Chocolate Salon at Pasadena Civic Center

A room full of chocolate and a few dames. We're talking the good stuff. Cacao powered chocolate. Chocolate with spices, vodka or a fruit or two. This is a advertisement for the event. It is time once again for the L.A. Chocolate Salon.



I went to the event a few years back. I had never been surrounded by chocoholics before. It was amazing; women were calling their friends giving reports on various confections they just tasked.

I was planning on going but something came up and I yield the floor to a chocophile that can take up the slack.

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Poetry In Plain Sight - Charles Harmon

A person, place or thing can inspire a poem. I have memories of chomping down on Ticonderoga #3. For those of us that have a different take on getting the lead out this poem is for you.



This is Charles Harmon reading his poem, A Day in the Life of A Pencil.

Don Kingfisher Campbell is the publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly. If you want more of Southern California poetry or would like to purchase a chapbook then scoot over to the blog.

Coming up on October 9, 2010 is another poetry reading by some of the areas known poets as well as an open reading. Scheduled to appear are Jon Edward Epstein, Jeffry Jensen, Don Newton plus special guest Rick Smith. As always, folks will gather at Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. between 3 to 5 p.m.

Poetry Off the Shelf

I have been listening to the Poetry Foundation's Poetry Off the Shelf podcast for a couple of weeks now and I think I'm falling in love with it. It is like a poetry espresso shot when I need a hit of poetry.

There have been some excellent episodes like discovering the poems of Eleanor Ross Taylor, the one about Actors vs Poets reading a poem, and a look back at Anne Sexton's work with poet CA Conrad.

Honest, it isn't stuffy unless you hit upon a stuffy poet. I haven't heard a clunker as yet. Give the show a chance.

If you need something to get you through the down times this could inspire something wonderful to spark up in your brain cells.

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