Clint Catalyst's Blog, page 3

It’s National Poetry Month . . . Shake The Dust.

“This is for the hard men

Who want love

But know that it won’t come

For the ones

Who are forgotten

The ones for whom the Amendments do not stand up for

For the ones who are told to speak

Only when you are spoken to

And they’re never spoken to

Speak

Everytime you stand

So you do not forget yourself…”

 

Anis Mojgani

 

Define “Surreal”

I chance upon a Tumblr post re-blogged by the teenage daughter of friends, when I was a teenager. I mention aforementioned post on Twitter; then, the following day . . . I discover news of how I’m able to pick my nose with my tongue has been picked-up and re-posted

by The True Blood Daily. In Australia.   [ CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE ]

[ Tumblr Blog : To Which The AU Paper Linked ]

 

Surreal? And yet not, actually.

 

Love and Super-Powers,

 

Faggot Dinosaur Give-Away!

Though much to my chagrin, no : I don’t have some butt-humping Brontosaurus to send your direct. I do, however, have an invaluable relic uncovered during the most recent excavation of my abode. And like, I’m sharing. I’m sharing, Mary!

So, anyway. Yes, it’s been a minute, but I’ve mentioned Ali Liebegott‘s wicked excellent anthology Faggot Dinosaur in the past — a detail whether or not you recall, all the same : You need this journal in your life.

About the project [ Shoddy scanner notwithstanding ] :

In short, the anthology is “a visual and literary collaboration of dinosaurs knitting, fucking, and listening to Barbara Streisand! Queerness of the Paleolithic Age abounds at Faggot Dinosaur.”

Though to expound upon the extent of how it abounds . . . This gorgeous, full-color, perfect-bound compendium of cool includes contributions from Resa Alboher, Jen Benka & Carol Mirakove, Denise Bilbao, Cooper Bombardier, Lisa Brown, Clint Catalyst, Justin Chin, Lucy Corin, Carmella Fleming, Leora Fridman, Nicole J. Georges, Hilary Goldberg, Nicki Greene, Michael Henry Hayden, Diane Hoffman, Sade Huron, Elyssa Joy Kilman, Andrea Lawlor, jojo Lazar, Janice Lee, Ricky Lee, Cayenne Link, Amy Macabre, Mary Meriam, Na¹amen, Sawako Nakayasu, Kirk Read, Steven Reigns, Joshua Robinson, Tracy Jeanne Rosenthal, Roxanne, Sam Sax, Cedar Sigo, Michelle Tea, Masha Tupitsyn, Vlad Viski, Ed Wolf and Yasmin San Francisco.

[ Illustration : Victor Ray ]

It’s a charming little beast, this book. Indeed, indeed! I mean, as with Liebegott’s other works, you should already own one. Seriously. Regardless, for one lucky reader out there, I have a copy with fifteen contributor signatures to donate. That’s right, kids : the only journal in the world with autographs from Justin Chin, Janice Lee, Michelle Tea, Ricky Lee, Na’amen, Mario Ashkar, Kirk Read, Tracy Jeanne Rosenthal, Jen Benka & Carol Mirakove, Lucy Corin, Hilary Goldberg, Carmella Suzanne Fleming, your host of this humble Dot Com, and of course, The Liebegott herself. So much crazy mad queer ink smeared all up in one place, yet I plan on sending it somewhere, to someone else. What’s the T?

Well. For your chance to receive this collector’s item, all you have to do is leave a comment — email address included; my telepathic skills don’t pay the bills, ifyouknowwhatImean — by 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, the 28th of February, Two Thousand Thirteen.

[ Illustration : Nicole J. Georges ]

As My Extinction Approaches, Still : I Remain

Your Clintasaurus Wrecks

Oh Really. Know What I Have To Say To That?

My Contribution To Paleolithic Swishin’ and Dishin’

Details about the project/anthology in which it appears
And nerdy stuff about the form in which was written “beneath the cut”. . .

« © »

Using the meter of the traditional poetic form — the haiku — as its basis, the “Millennial Haiku” [and as a matter of fact, yes : complete regret on the nomenclature tip, but it's a bit late now, Your Snideness. Unless you have suggestions, that is] expounds upon the basic rhythmic structure of three lines divided into “5-7-5.” In other words, the first line consists of five syllables; the second line consists of seven syllables, and the third/final line consists of five syllables.

The Millennial Haiku differs in that: unlike the Japanese form, by which these 17 syllable statements of three unrhymed lines are unnamed; the Millennial Haiku is not only titled, but is also named with a distinct regard to the number of syllables present in its title. Specifically, the title contains seven syllables.

For example, the title of the first poem I constructed within the aforementioned form is “Millennial Love Story.” [ Mil-len-ni-al Love Sto-ry ]

Furthermore, the Millennial Haiku is considerably lengthier than the classical haiku. It is formatted with a seven syllable title, followed by seven stanzas — each composed of five lines.

The meter of these stanzas follows a pattern of:

5-7-5-7-5 (first stanza)

7-5-7-5-7 (second stanza)

5-7-5-7-5 (third stanza)

7-5-7-5-7 (fourth stanza)

5-7-5-7-5 (fifth stanza)

7-5-7-5-7 (sixth stanza)

5-7-5-7-5 (seventh stanza)

Also, whereas the classical haiku must state or imply either a season or a New Year’s Month and restrict itself to natural imagery, the intent of the Millennial Haiku is contrariwise. While the assemblage of this 21st century form is rigid in its parameters, poets are encouraged to explore subject matter that might be described as “unnatural” — if not supernatural, even.

Ultimately, the creation of this new artistic form came about from an attempt to make sense of contemporary life, in which — quite frankly — the general consensus seems to find little to none. The Millennial Haiku is an instrument of expression by which poets are provided the structure of formal verse, with my personal hope being that there be no individual statement made within this neo-classical boundary that is ever deemed too informal.

Just as there was a time in which free verse was considered radical, I aspire to imbue the same iconoclastic energy by way of this extension of haiku.

 

Hilary Goldberg’s recLAmation: Watch It; Win One of Three Signed DVDs

So, let’s talk about Hilary Goldberg‘s recLAmation, a feature-length genre-hopping experimental documentary-slash-fictive narrative shot on Super 8, in which capitalism in contemporary Los Angeles is overthrown, and queer superheroes — one of which there’s a more-than-decent chance inhabit via Gaylord Wilshire, spandex tights and flame-retardant cape notwithstanding — navigate a possible future.

Yes. Yes, let’s talk about it. I spoke of its unique tripartite structure in a previous post, though in brief : In the first two sections, Consumption and Colonization, personal narratives interact with moving images of contemporary Los Angeles, stop motion animation, and sound design. Writer/director Goldberg’s memoir unfolds, offering reflections on time spent with her mother’s violent fiancé and in a mental hospital.

The filmmaker’s recollection of forced institutionalization is as poetic as it is poignant.

[ An excerpt ] :

“There were no ‘Please Do Not Disturb’ signs on the doorknobs because it was too late. Ghosts haunted the halls, moaning and groaning with each unbearable second. People cried and screamed and urinated on the floor. A man continuously kicked himself in the head with his bare foot. Others paced quietly, then dropped to the ground in fits of madness with intervals like a John Cage composition.”


As with the stark black and white film stock utilized in Goldberg’s neo-noir project In The Spotlight, the employment of Super 8 — an anamorphic film format known for producing a unique dream-like quality, as if everything is coated in an amniotic haze; it’s also believed to invoke feelings of nostalgia for the viewer, mimicking a sense of connection to the material presented — renders these passages particularly powerful.

Then? Then comes the third section : a fictional narrative envisions a dream of Los Angeles after it has been liberated from capitalism.

At any rate, after a successful international tour and critically-acclaimed jaunt around the festival circuit, it’s available to view via streaming, here and now. . .

The film stars , Clint Catalyst, Irina Contreras, , Jessica Gudiel, Jessica Hoffmann — with narration by Goldberg.

Preview, film stills, and contest info “beneath the cut” . . .

Official Trailer

via Hilary Go, on YouTube

[ With Irina Contreras ] : Queer superheroes, charging our “special powers”

Revved and ready to go!

Daytime Realness : Glitter Encrusted Masks and Furtive Glances : Total 21st Century Queer Superhero Working Dystopian Terrain. . . . it’s a Look, grrl ; don’t be a pain. Willing Suspension of Disbelief is not some jimmy-rigged carnival jive at Burning Man : ain’t the least bit sad to school ya, that’s the case.

Weak attempts at witticisms accompanied the following stills, though were axed in a What-Was-I-Thinking? read-through. Pretty sure you’ll survive; so let’s just make do.

A balancing act : On the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, also known as the ‘Suicide Bridge‘

And yep, as a matter of fact : sure did . . .

Now. As for you? Interested in a signed DVD? Leave a comment between now and September 9 — as in : 9 – 9 – 2012 — and consider yourself “in the running.”

Oh, and thanks for stopping by . . . as always : much appreciated!

In The Spotlight : Give-Aways, “Streaming,” Check It!

Yes, it’s been a while . . .

but some of you might recall my repeated mentions of Hilary Goldberg‘s short film “In The Spotlight,” starring the wicked way Richter literary genius Michelle Tea, screen-writer/producer/actress extraordinaire and me, in the role of a creepy literary charlatan known as Bell Wartock. [ The smarmy, nefarious style fiend — due in no small part to the brilliance and boundless abilities of costume designer Adele Mildred — may very well have inspired a tribute and a smidgen of merch in the nascent days of his creation. I mean : Bell Wartock is, after all, "the voice of a new generation." ]

Director Hilary Goldberg between takes, with Michelle Tea [ as Olive Clutch ] and Clint Catalyst

Well, after great critical acclaim and a tour of film festivals around the world — including Inside Out Toronto, Frameline, Outfest, Vancouver Queer Film Festival, Fresno Reel Pride, Women Make Waves Taiwan, Seattle Queer, American Cinematheque Third Annual Focus on Female Directors, Reel Women International, Frederick Film Festival, Reel Pride Michigan, and The Dark Arts Festival in Salt Lake City — this meta-fictive neo-noir is finally available to watch in the comfort of your own home…for a scant 99 cents.

Still on the proverbial fence? I know; I know — it’s almost an entire dollar, maing! As you mull the idea over, feel free to peek “beneath the cut” and view the film’s official trailer, stills, and…oh yeah! Details about that freebie I mentioned!

Please Note: Photosculpture, film stills and author portraits are all the work of David Meanix.

The site freebie, however, is an autographed 8 x 10 from a promo shoot lensed by the almighty Dirk Mai. Yes, that means gorgeous Miss Guinevere will be donating inkage for the cause; yes, the inscription will be made out to whatever name you choose — and yes, I’ll toss some Meanixed postcards into the package [ along with who-knows-what else ...I'm a capricious Aries eager to exit HTML hell at the moment, alright? ]

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment between now and August 24. Hooray for numerology [ 8-24-2012 ] ; massive cheers for independent film ; hallelujah for the ice cream cone I’m heading out to get. As in : like, immediately.

Thanks!

Addams Family Anaglyphs

These. Make me very happy . . .  

[ Corners edited : Stereoscopic / Anaglyph 3D creations by rrrrob66 : View with 3D glasses ]

" Artists are always ready to sacrifice for art . . . if the price is right " — Gomez Addams

 

My Return To Facebook, And A General Dislike Of “Liking”

Yep, chances are I received your

Chipping away at these whenever possible, but I’ve yet to get the digits beneath that damn 99+ mark . . .

And — of course — no shortage of

Is your step-sister a dental hygienist in Helsinki who’s decided to pursue her dreams as a model for Wikipedia creative commons imagery? Well, by all means — start zapping those “invites to ‘like’” [ which in and of itself it just so. . . umm, yeah ]. Even better if she’s pushy and spams my page with messages about “how much she’d appreciate my feedback” [ in layman's terms, this act is often referred to as "fishing for compliments" ]

Which, in my current state of communication vexation

This thumb? Right up the bum! [ I mean, you know, like : "Generally speaking . . . " ]

Was the impetus for a little ratio spot-and-check

Hrmm, Let’s see. Out of the 4,676 Very Close Friends I’ve accumulated on the cesspool of the internet — I wonder how many have exerted the effort to . . .

Oh. Really? 279. Well, I realize I haven’t exactly inundated folks with “Invitations to ‘Like’,” but

Ah, but hold up a second! With over a thousand people/bands/films in the social mumbo-gumbo that comprises my own likes, the support might be . . .

285? 285. Bullshit. Make no mistake : baby, I get the game ; I’m fully cognizant of the

No color hues here — this shit is black and white.

nonchalant game I’m expected to play . . . but here’s the thing :

Seriously, darling. This is not a topic worth the energy exerted by “bluffing.”

I mean, it’s not a difficult formula, kids.

Oh. You aren’t the least bit fond of me or “What I Do“? Well, I didn’t twist any titties for my friends list, tiger. If your motivation’s skeezy, high time you slather some boody-smooch gloss on those lips!

Go to one of the public pages listed above. Click “like”; leave a generic comment.

I mean : if you’re “put out” by showing support on a stupid social media page? Doesn’t sound like much of the Call-Me-Anytime / I’m-Here-For-You type. Ah, and another thing? I bet you’re a total yawn in bed. As if anyone who settles for that “68-and-Owe-One” routine you’d ever respect, anyway . . .

Can’t be bothered, honey? I’ll try and survive. As for the “Fan Page” you zap an invitation within seconds of a friend approval, or that idiotic “You can RT and share!” repeated as if a Special Ed mantra [ NoWay. Really? You'd bestow me with such an honor? ]. Exponentially more so : as for the 27 reminders that you still need to raise $10K for your Kickstarter [ when bitch, I don't even know your real name ; what makes you think I owe your pipe dream anything? ]

Ain’t Nancin’ around ; just sayin’ : I’m Just Sayin’

And if the notion’s too challenging for you to comprehend? Friggin’ Life Alert. So sorry I’m not sorry for your loss . . .

Otherwise, re: the two hundred something-or-other folks to whom this note does not apply? I looked through the entire list, and rather than weepy-time over Hollywood Hos whose absence came as no surprise : what gave mad smileage — and I’m talkin’ the kind where I feel like a goon, ’cause I feel my face go all Gomer Pyle about it — are those of you whom I didn’t expect.

You know who you are . . . though the extent of my appreciation? More than you realize, quite “likely.” ♥

 

San Francisco Performances : June 2012

Monday, June 18  2012

Porch Light Storytelling Series

“For the past decade, Porchlight has been San Francisco’s  premier storytelling series. Each month, co-founders Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte invite six people from different backgrounds to tell ten-minute true stories without using notes or memorization. Past storytellers include some of the area’s most entertaining school bus drivers, mushroom hunters, politicians, socialites, sex workers, musicians, authors, systems analysts, and social workers.”

Monday, June 18

I Do: The Wedding Show

A special day to be remembered forever. What could possibly go wrong?

Featuring

writer/performer Eugene Ashton-Gonzalez

poetry reviewer Barbara Berman

writer/stylist Clint Catalyst

crossing guard/lawyer Denise Hoffner

music writer Paul Myers

pastry chef Aimee Page

Verdi Club

2424 Mariposa St., San Francisco CA

Show at 8:00pm/doors at 7:00pm

$15 general

$7.50 Friends of Library members

http://www.facebook.com/porchlightsf

http://www.facebook.com/events/414839951890151

 

☆ ★ ☆ — also — ☆ ★ ☆

Wednesday, June 20  2012

Faggot Dinosaur Anthology Reading/Release Party

 

“Please join Writers Among Artists founder and editor Ali Liebegott in this visual and literary collaboration of dinosaurs knitting, fucking, and listening to Barbara Streisand! Queerness of the Paleolithic Age abounds at Faggot Dinosaur — a reading, and journal release celebration. With Artists: Resa Alboher, Jen Benka & Carol Mirakove, Denise Bilbao, Cooper Bombardier, Lisa Brown, Clint Catalyst, Justin Chin, Lucy Corin, Carmella Fleming, Leora Fridman, Nicole J. Georges, Hilary Goldberg, Nicki Greene, Michael Henry Hayden, Diane Hoffman, Sade Huron, Elyssa Joy Kilman, Andrea Lawlor, jojo Lazar, Janice Lee, Ricky Lee, Cayenne Link, Amy Macabre, Mary Meriam, Na¹amen, Sawako Nakayasu, Kirk Read, Steven Reigns, Joshua Robinson, Tracy Jeanne Rosenthal, Roxanne, Sam Sax, Cedar Sigo, Michelle Tea, Masha Tupitsyn, Vlad Viski, Ed Wolf and Yasmin San Francisco!”

Wednesday, June 20 2012

Alley Cat Books

3036 24th St, San Francisco, CA

7 p.m.

$5

http://www.facebook.com/events/181551501972861/

Brown Paper Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/246336