Poppy Z. Brite's Blog, page 43
May 25, 2012
IT ARE MY BIRTHDAY
If you want to leave me good wishes, that would make me happy!
May 23, 2012
Right Side of History
The mail continues to bring treats, including a signed copy of Caitlín's
The Drowning Girl
. Very much looking forward to reading this one. Thank you,
![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1381011369i/3812020.gif)
greygirlbeast
! In your honor, I shall try to write something resembling a real entry. With, you know, thoughts and stuff. Not just random observations and eBay listings (though I do have some of those).
Life is ... sticky. I guess that's the best way to describe it. Not precisely bad, but difficult. Literally so, because the air conditioning in my house is broken and we're heading into another long, sweaty, tyrannical New Orleans summer. Most luxuries have fallen by the wayside, and necessities are starting to do so. Yet I live in interesting times, both personally, by being in a relationship that brings me joy and creative inspiration, and globally, by feeling -- as I seldom did growing up -- that we are living on the right side of history. The other day I sent Grey a text saying, basically, we may be old by the time it comes, but I think we'll live to see a day when today's last-gasp homophobes look as benighted as the news footage of rabid bigots screaming at black children integrating the public schools. (I didn't want to be a Negative Nancy, so I didn't add that I don't expect to live to see a day when transgender people are anywhere near as accepted.) Meanwhile, there are still "religious" nutjobs who want to put us all behind electric fences and courts that give evil little shitweasels thirty damn days in prison for hounding us to death, but society no longer seems to be in tacit agreement with those people as it did when I was younger.
One more paragraph for Caitlín. Christ, when you get out of the habit of writing, forcing yourself to do it starts to feel like weightlifting. I have little puny stringy 98-pound-weakling writing muscles. If I do any more reps, I'll make them sore. Clang.
So about those eBay auctions ... they are all crafty things, two more blank journals, a copy of Exquisite Corpse with a redesigned cover by me, and a "homoerotic botanic" treasure box. Please check 'em out.
greygirlbeast
! In your honor, I shall try to write something resembling a real entry. With, you know, thoughts and stuff. Not just random observations and eBay listings (though I do have some of those).Life is ... sticky. I guess that's the best way to describe it. Not precisely bad, but difficult. Literally so, because the air conditioning in my house is broken and we're heading into another long, sweaty, tyrannical New Orleans summer. Most luxuries have fallen by the wayside, and necessities are starting to do so. Yet I live in interesting times, both personally, by being in a relationship that brings me joy and creative inspiration, and globally, by feeling -- as I seldom did growing up -- that we are living on the right side of history. The other day I sent Grey a text saying, basically, we may be old by the time it comes, but I think we'll live to see a day when today's last-gasp homophobes look as benighted as the news footage of rabid bigots screaming at black children integrating the public schools. (I didn't want to be a Negative Nancy, so I didn't add that I don't expect to live to see a day when transgender people are anywhere near as accepted.) Meanwhile, there are still "religious" nutjobs who want to put us all behind electric fences and courts that give evil little shitweasels thirty damn days in prison for hounding us to death, but society no longer seems to be in tacit agreement with those people as it did when I was younger.
One more paragraph for Caitlín. Christ, when you get out of the habit of writing, forcing yourself to do it starts to feel like weightlifting. I have little puny stringy 98-pound-weakling writing muscles. If I do any more reps, I'll make them sore. Clang.
So about those eBay auctions ... they are all crafty things, two more blank journals, a copy of Exquisite Corpse with a redesigned cover by me, and a "homoerotic botanic" treasure box. Please check 'em out.
May 18, 2012
This Is A Drag
Can I just say how sick I am of gorgeous actresses "dressing as men" and allegedly passing? Yeah, just put your hair up and wear a tie, and everyone's going to think you're a dude. It's that easy.
May 15, 2012
Forest of Delusion
I've made a bunch of new stuff, but none of it is quite finished yet, so I've listed some regular books on eBay. This isn't just any old PZB auction week, though. No, this is Bidding Starts At $5 Week! The chapbooks Stay Awake and Crown of Thorns, as well as hardcover copies of Plastic Jesus, Wrong Things, Antediluvian Tales, and even the deluxe tenth anniversary edition of Lost Souls, are all available for opening bids of just $5.
Besides blank journals, treasure boxes, and new covers for old books, I've also been making captions. Grey takes a photograph and writes a piece of prose to go with it, and I turn the prose piece into a sort of artwork to accompany the photograph. You can see one of our pieces and read more about the process in his blog entry here.
Besides blank journals, treasure boxes, and new covers for old books, I've also been making captions. Grey takes a photograph and writes a piece of prose to go with it, and I turn the prose piece into a sort of artwork to accompany the photograph. You can see one of our pieces and read more about the process in his blog entry here.
May 14, 2012
Exquisite Corpse Edition of One
Since my was well received, I'm working on a unique hardcover copy of Exquisite Corpse incorporating Grey's photos as well as other patterns and textures. It's bloody and decay-y, but (I think) kind of gorgeous.
No Can Talk
I'm sorry I haven't made a real entry in a while. There are things I want to talk about, but I've been feeling mostly non-verbal. I am making a lot of stuff, though. Images seem to rule my world right now.
When people send me things from my wish list, I like to send them actual, physical thank-you notes. Unfortunately, Amazon no longer includes the gift-giver's mailing address, so I can't do that anymore. Instead, I offer a big public thank-you to Carl Kesner, Lisa Warner, Ed Stites, Jeremy Karass, and Kelly Wright for the lovely birthday gifts. Hope y'all see this. And not to drop hints, but HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE LONGEST I'VE EVER GONE WITHOUT READING A STEPHEN KING BOOK AFTER ITS RELEASE.
eBay auctions ending this evening: two of my handmade blank books and the copy of Drawing Blood for which I made a new cover. Check 'em out!
When people send me things from my wish list, I like to send them actual, physical thank-you notes. Unfortunately, Amazon no longer includes the gift-giver's mailing address, so I can't do that anymore. Instead, I offer a big public thank-you to Carl Kesner, Lisa Warner, Ed Stites, Jeremy Karass, and Kelly Wright for the lovely birthday gifts. Hope y'all see this. And not to drop hints, but HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE LONGEST I'VE EVER GONE WITHOUT READING A STEPHEN KING BOOK AFTER ITS RELEASE.
eBay auctions ending this evening: two of my handmade blank books and the copy of Drawing Blood for which I made a new cover. Check 'em out!
May 8, 2012
More Blank Books
Also: blank book auctions ending this evening (the last two listings in the store).
May 7, 2012
Me & Grey: Blank Book Collaboration!
So back when I was making blank books a couple of years ago, one of my biggest problems was that I wanted to use photographic images in my collages, but didn't want to steal them from their creators or mess with getting dozens of permissions. Clearly the only solution was to start dating a photographer with a vast and gorgeous repository of images, especially if said images are homoerotic and/or set in New Orleans. When we met, I didn't even know Grey Cross was a photographer, let alone that he would inspire me to be creative again after years of lying fallow. But there was an immediate, definite, and loud click when we met, and I'm not surprised that I have found myself moved to collaborate with him.
Here are our collaborations (the three newest listings). I spent most of last week either making them or sleeping, and now they are on eBay. As well as two blank journals/sketchbooks, there's also a hardcover of Drawing Blood for which I have made a new cover out of Grey's work and other materials. I'm excited about these projects and hope you'll check out the pictures even if you can't bid.
Here are our collaborations (the three newest listings). I spent most of last week either making them or sleeping, and now they are on eBay. As well as two blank journals/sketchbooks, there's also a hardcover of Drawing Blood for which I have made a new cover out of Grey's work and other materials. I'm excited about these projects and hope you'll check out the pictures even if you can't bid.
Your Daily Dose of Foetus
I don't like to admit it, but I have sometimes wished for the option of a cheap, occasional pill that would sate hunger and provide all nutrients. In the future, even cannibals will be able to just take a pill. And the future is now.
Though I haven't been writing here, I've been productive, editing manuscripts and making some of my favorite blank books ever. More about those soon. For now, here's me, age 2.
Though I haven't been writing here, I've been productive, editing manuscripts and making some of my favorite blank books ever. More about those soon. For now, here's me, age 2.
May 2, 2012
Dinner at Antoine's
My dear friend Dale from Galveston made a surprise trip to New Orleans today and treated me to dinner at Antoine's, where a kind waiter helped us find this on the wall:
Antoine's can seem difficult, but it is still possible to have a very nice meal there, especially if you follow Dr. Lutz's instructions:
As with great-grandmothers, age and change aren’t always kind. Devotees return and return, usually for special occasions choreographed by a veteran and trusted waiter. But novices need not fear, the staff ... will take you by the hand and keep you on course with a few pointers; I’ll let you in on to get you started. First of all, show up looking like the locals – that means a coat and tie for gentlemen. Secondly, don’t try to fool the wait staff into thinking you’re actually a local. You can’t. A good way to break the ice is to ask if it’s possible to get a Sazerac with a few slivers of ice and not on the rocks. Thirdly, ask the waiter for his or her suggestions. At Antoine’s specify: “and not the frozen TV dinner,” waiter’s speak for their once-infamous Pompano en Papillote, a fish concoction cooked in parchment that thankfully isn’t even on the menu anymore ... And lastly, when you leave, be gracious with the gratuity and inquire: “Are you working tomorrow? I want to come back.” Then return and ask for the same waiter. You will instantly have your own waiter. The change in the food suggestions and service on your second day will blow off your socks. Sorry you have to go through all this, but that’s the way it is.
Brobson Lutz himself is rather a New Orleans grande dame, and his whole tour of the Quarter is well worth reading; he also has very kind words for the Green Goddess! It's a small town, New Orleans. But almost everyone has been here.
(I can't go back tomorrow, but I recommend our waiter, Chuck Wonycott. [Warning: link leads to post-K-related article from 2006.] I had souffle potatoes, shrimp remoulade, softshell crabs amandine, and the "Walgreen's Special" -- a kind of meringue sundae, very retro -- all excellent. And walking back up Bourbon Street in my seersucker coat and pink tie à la Dr. Lutz, I got handed a free pass to a strip club, which I guess is a good sign.)
Antoine's can seem difficult, but it is still possible to have a very nice meal there, especially if you follow Dr. Lutz's instructions:
As with great-grandmothers, age and change aren’t always kind. Devotees return and return, usually for special occasions choreographed by a veteran and trusted waiter. But novices need not fear, the staff ... will take you by the hand and keep you on course with a few pointers; I’ll let you in on to get you started. First of all, show up looking like the locals – that means a coat and tie for gentlemen. Secondly, don’t try to fool the wait staff into thinking you’re actually a local. You can’t. A good way to break the ice is to ask if it’s possible to get a Sazerac with a few slivers of ice and not on the rocks. Thirdly, ask the waiter for his or her suggestions. At Antoine’s specify: “and not the frozen TV dinner,” waiter’s speak for their once-infamous Pompano en Papillote, a fish concoction cooked in parchment that thankfully isn’t even on the menu anymore ... And lastly, when you leave, be gracious with the gratuity and inquire: “Are you working tomorrow? I want to come back.” Then return and ask for the same waiter. You will instantly have your own waiter. The change in the food suggestions and service on your second day will blow off your socks. Sorry you have to go through all this, but that’s the way it is.
Brobson Lutz himself is rather a New Orleans grande dame, and his whole tour of the Quarter is well worth reading; he also has very kind words for the Green Goddess! It's a small town, New Orleans. But almost everyone has been here.
(I can't go back tomorrow, but I recommend our waiter, Chuck Wonycott. [Warning: link leads to post-K-related article from 2006.] I had souffle potatoes, shrimp remoulade, softshell crabs amandine, and the "Walgreen's Special" -- a kind of meringue sundae, very retro -- all excellent. And walking back up Bourbon Street in my seersucker coat and pink tie à la Dr. Lutz, I got handed a free pass to a strip club, which I guess is a good sign.)
