Only Human

Echoes of Nostalgia

2011-12-30T12:28:00.003-05:00

Former professor of mine, Mickey Hess, has a new book out - Nostalgia Echo. AVAILABLE NOW! For only $15!

Joe Meno says "The Nostalgia Echo is the best book you will read this year, or any year: the exact antidote to all those tired, humorless, beige-colored novels of recent memory, the writing here pops with both a dazzling intelligence and a devastating depth of character. Mr. Hess carries on in the great tradition of Vonnegut, D. Barthelme, and every other genius literary madman."

Personally, I cannot wait to get my hands on this. For those of you unfamiliar with Mickey's writing, it is intelligent, humorous, and has the ability to lift you from whatever mental state you're set in. That book you've been looking for - the one you've emptied bargain bins for - the one you've been waiting for since you fell in love with reading - that is Nostalgia Echo.

See Mickey's playlist while writing: here at LargeHeartedBoy.

Energy and Revelation.

2011-12-19T21:52:00.007-05:00

I've been on an Operation Ivy kick lately. I haven't listened to Energy in years and today, after listening to the album straight through, I got mad at myself for letting it sit this long. Dusty and sad.

I've also been playing Assassin's Creed: Revelations. Time consumer, time consuming, consume me.

On top of all of that, I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, so I've also been reading non-stop. I already have 15 free ebooks, most of which are considered "the classics." Currently, though, I'm reading Milo's novel for NANOWRIMO in which Glen Danzig (no relation to Danzig of the underworld) aspires to become a spy.

Awesome.

Okay, now that I have some time off from graduate school, I can get back into my writing, my fiction, and that little box in my head where anything can happen.

Time Warp

2011-12-10T14:29:00.002-05:00

The semester is almost over. Things are winding down. I finally have time to read fiction.

Life is awesome and so are you.

Open Submissions 50-to-1

2011-11-20T13:01:00.003-05:00

Hello all! My blog presence has been slim to none. I hope you're okay with that, I truly do. You know how life can be sometimes.

Anywho, I promised my good pal, Paul Mullin, that I'd spread the word:

50 to 1 is still alive and thriving thanks to Mr. Mullin. As the former editor in chief, I told him I would spread word of his call for submissions. So, kind folk, take this as your sign. When's the last time you wrote something you felt rocked? Flash fiction takes only a few moments and it is incredible to see how much can be said in so few words (fifty to be exact). At 50 to 1, everything rocks if you put some heart into it. You'll never know what you might find you're capable of.

Thank you in advance. And keep on spreadin' the word that 50 words is down for 1 line and then some. (See what I did there?) Open to new and established writers, very few guidelines, lots of love.

Untitled Flash Fiction Written In My Hotel Room In Ohio 2011

2011-10-21T16:15:00.003-04:00

There is a viral revolution in my blood. The white blood cells (WBC) are protesting some political movement my brain is trying to push - something about muscle evaluation between self-assessment and budget spending data. I don't know where my stance lies. I mean this is a democracy and the WBC have every right to voice their opinion, but there has to be some sort of traditional loyalty behind the leader of my humanistic machine. I guess what I'm saying is, I'll see where the primaries go and make a decision then. Ask me later.

Inky Squib issue 3

2011-10-02T11:15:00.002-04:00

Hello all!

I'm making time to give you the link to the new issue of Inky Squib.

This up-and-coming magazine will not disappoint you, with literature, art, photography, even some short film... you'll keep coming back.

AND... I know they are always looking for new submissions (hint hint, nudge nudge).

Issue 3 can be found here, along with all the others.

Boiling Hippos

2011-09-06T22:38:00.003-04:00

Awwww yeahhhh!

Some Lit-Bit News

2011-07-31T11:57:00.003-04:00

Hello friends, long time no talk.

I have some good literary news for y'all.

Inky Squib just dropped issue number 2! This magazine is gearing up for some big moves in the near future, submit your work now! Seriously!

eFiction is about to explode with the August 2011 Issue any day now.

Last, but not least, Lo-Fidelity is COMING BACK! The Return... submit your work now! we're looking for literary goodness.

mmm, that's some tasty news. NOMNOM!

---

Currently listening to: Sublime

Song: Right Back

Album: Sublime

Finally Forward

2011-07-25T22:19:00.002-04:00

Nerves rattling my insides like a bird cage full of surround sound, my instincts tell me to stand up and move forward. I am everything that I have ever been. I am all that I was and will be. But more than anything, I want this notch on the timeline to be a turning point. From this day forward, I will arise. Manhood will have a definition compatible to me - existing from this moment on. I will have bones like will, unbreakable by human curse.

I will be alive.

Tomorrow, I will be alive.

July eFiction!

2011-07-10T16:53:00.002-04:00

Below is a link to July's issue of eFiction Magazine. Another doosie!

Doug Lance is an amazing editor. Each issue is better than the last - he's been putting a LOT into this magazine and I think it is safe to say that its definitely going places. BIG places.

Available as a PDF, an EPUB, and on the KINDLE - this issue will blow you away.

---

Currently listening to: The Dirty Heads

Song: Stand Tall

Album: Any Port in a Storm

New Books!

2011-07-02T16:30:00.006-04:00

Here are the books I've just recently purchased. I'm pumped to read them.

Rafe Esquith - Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire

Al Burian - Burn Collector (1-9)

John Dewey - Art as Experience

Blake Butler - Scorch Atlas

THAT NEW NEW

2011-06-03T19:38:00.003-04:00

I have some new things in some new magazines. That new new.

The JUNE BOOM issue of eFiction Magazine is a glittery explosion. Episode 2 ("Discovering") of Timeline is in there, along with other amazing work by amazing authors with amazing talent. Amazing. FUNFACT: they gave away a KINDLE this month!
Inky Squib dropped its first issue this week! Thanks to Matt Di Costa for all the hard work - it looks all purdy like.

And that's all for now. Check out these amazing magazines. They're about to explode. BOOM.

---

Currently listening to: mewithoutYou
Song: January 1979
Album: Catch For Us The Foxes

No Time

2011-05-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

Lately, time has been a reoccurring theme in my life. Whether its the lack there of, or the inconsistency/inability to create it. Its been in my head for a while now. And I'm not sure how that makes sense because time itself doesn't actually exist outside of our heads. BLAH!

new job + back in school = little time to write = me sadface magoo :(

Anyway, I hope you haven't forgotten about me. I'm still here, still trying to write and make things. I still read all of your work (yes you, you, and you.)

I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere. And my words will keep brewing.

In the mean time, check out the new 50 to 1. The new editor Paul is AMAZING and made the magazine fifty times better than I ever could of. (see what I did there??)

---

Currently listening to: Mat Weddle
Song: Hey Ya (acoustic)
Album: Single

NEW SERIES

2011-04-17T18:47:00.002-04:00

My new series TIMELINE is fresh off the e-printer over at eFiction Magazine. I posted a trailer in the previous post.

I'm excited about the project. Its been dubbed Sci-Fi though I'm not sure I enjoy the label. I'm trying to make the concept of time travel more realistic and believable. I dunno - see for yourself.

There is also a ton of great work in there. AND the magazine is available on the Kindle, as a PDF, and iPad/iPhone/etc. Support eFiction. Love eFiction. Live eFiction.

---

Currently listening to: The Maytals
Song: Monkey Man
Album: Tighten Up

Timeline Trailer

2011-04-04T09:54:00.006-04:00

I'm writing a new series for eFiction Magazine called Timeline. My good friend Mike Capuano and I made a trailer for it. Here it is. Spread the word.

eNJoy:

GIVEAWAY CONTEST (WINNER ANNOUNCED)

2011-03-22T10:07:00.005-04:00

Look what I just found!

Avalanche Tinder Issue 1 - The Broad Set, September 2009.

I've decided to give it away in my first ever super awesome giveaway contest right here on this human blog.

Here's all you have to do to get this sexy piece of lit:

1. Comment on this post (Your name and your favorite number).
2. Wait a week until I pick a winner from a hat.

Entries must be posted by March 29th, 2011 at 8pm (EST). I will be picking the winner randomly from a hat (old school style - papers with names on them).

Be sure to check back, as I will be posting the lucky winner here.

Ready? Go!

UPDATE:

And the winner is...

Brittany Wallace! Brittany, I need you to email me (my address is under my bio) with your address so I can send you Avalanche Tinder 1.

New 50 to 1 Editor Announced

2011-03-09T11:14:00.006-05:00

I knew this day would come.

50 to 1 has been like a little literary child to me. I remember the day when Sam and I came up with the idea. We were in our apartment - I was eating a bowl of cereal, he was playing LittleBigPlanet. This was 2008.

Now its 2011. A lot has changed - we're out of college, we have jobs. We're busy. We're sad.

I realized I wasn't going to have the time to dedicate myself to 50 to 1. It needed a new editor. Someone able to give it the attention it deserves. And that's where Dr. Mull comes in. (The first doctor to gain his doctorate without doing anything doctor-related.)

Paul Mullin is the man that will bring 50 to 1 back from the dead. He will feed it, shelter it, teach it and watch it grow to something bigger than its ever been. He's the right man for the job. Don't believe me? Check out his site, his work - it'll convince you, too.

Take this as my announcement, I'm handing the baton to Mull. Take good care of her man. She'll bring you places you never knew existed.

---

Currently listening to: Suicide Machines
Song: No Face
Album: Destruction by Definition

Thursdays are for Quotes

2011-02-24T11:30:00.002-05:00

"Frustration is the compost from which the mushrooms of creativity grow" -Tumerica

I don't know who Tumerica is but that's a pretty inspiring tidbit.

---

Currently listening to: Streetlight Manifesto
Song: Point/Counterpoint
Album: Everything Went Numb

Books and Sound

2011-02-22T11:11:00.002-05:00

There used to be a stack of books that could calm me no matter how stressed I was. Anywhere I went, I could come home, sit down, and relax knowing I had something to read - something to lose my mind in. But that was long ago. I've aged since then, and now the only thing I can concentrate on is the sounds and visuals in the blur that is reality. A blur of nonfiction in a soul that wants to sleep on clouds and ride dinosaurs to work. One day, we'll find a way. But until then, the stack is neat and organized.

Things That Should Be Made Out of Wafflecone So I Can Eat Them

2011-02-03T17:47:00.002-05:00

(a List)

Chairs
Button-down collar shirts
Windows (both the software AND viewing holes)
Shopping Carts
Elmo
Hats - mostly baseball ones
Remote controls
Bubbles
The word 'tart'
Puppies
Rick Ross
Coffee mugs (I bet it'd taste good after being soaked in coffee)
Trees
Conan O'Brien's beard
Lava

---

Currently listening to: Green Day
Song: Welcome to Paradise
Album: Dookie

Vonnegut is the man!

2011-02-01T11:48:00.004-05:00

Found this via @bookbench - hosted at Flavorwire.

I love Kurt Vonnegut. He's the effin' man.

Slacking

2011-01-25T11:27:00.002-05:00

I've known a slacker.
Who goes by daylight
And drops what he's doing the second the sun hits the ground.

He is someone
Who should be doing something.
But has no motivation to pummel his to-do list.

I want to help him.
Someone help him.

---

Currently listening to: Nine Inch Nails
Song: The Hand That Feeds
Album: With Teeth

Lights

2011-01-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

When I had lights on my sneakers the only thing that mattered was how cool I looked running.

What happened to that?

Suggestions welcome

2011-01-19T11:12:00.004-05:00

There are several hundred things I need to do. Here are some.

I need to update 50 to 1. I'm probably in contender for 'worse editor ever' award. Or something. Gah.

I need to find a home for a novella I wrote. Does anyone know of any small press looking for some new material? Or how about just a small press that accepts unsolicited manuscripts?

I need to finish this last MFA application. 7 down, 1 to go.

I need to finish this month's story for eFiction Magazine. I've started something new. Hope you like it.

I need to find another job. This one sucks hard.

I need to burn this mix tape for my girlfriend. I make the best mixtapes. Period.

I need buy Bouncing Souls tickets for their Home for the Holidays make up show. The original ones got canceled because of the blizzard.

There's more things needed but I'll stop for your sake. If you have any suggestions, they are more than welcome. Especially with the small presses. Thanks bros and broettes!

---

Currently listening to: MGMT
Song: Time To Pretend
Album: Oracular Spectacular

Sharp Syntax and Your Ability to Own Me

2011-01-16T12:49:00.001-05:00

Sharp Syntax and Your Ability to Own Me

There is a lie you continuously tell me that crushes my soul every single time the words leak from between your lips. It strangles me and does things to my body that I didn’t know where possible. The whites of my eyes rupture under the pressure, every time. I feel them drip out my sockets and down my cheeks but by the time I find a tissue my vision is gone. Blinded by words. My senses fade to black and I am left with an ashy storm cloud fogging my thoughts. It is too dense and heavy to dance under and it stings the surface of my flesh. Each and every fucking time. I want to dip my fingers in the dirty snow and write your words on my bedroom wall like charcoal. I want to stain my sanctuary with them so that I will never forget what you’re saying. I’ll stare at them every minute of every day until I memorize every piece of syntax you spew. Until they are embedded so deeply in my mind that I can literally feel them printed on the inside of my skull like brail; seared into the backside of my eyelids so I can read them in my sleep. They will be the first thing I see when I wake up and my last thought I have before I fall asleep. That way I can repeat them over and over and over and finish your sentence before the saliva has a change to wet your lips. And I’ll tear out my eyes and wrap them in the shreds of my soul that you’ve torn out. Then you can devour those, too. You can digest them and keep them forever and control more of me than you thought you ever could, sharing laughs with your sister at my expense. Eventually, I’ll weaken. I’ll fall to my metaphorical knees and my symbolic guts will spew up and out my esophagus, covering my world in an acidic, soulless liquid; like a zit popped on a mirror. Or like eyes leaking from their sockets. Or words, watery and wet, piercing the wax of ears eager to believe.

---

Currently listening to: Spose
Song: God Damn
Album: Preposterously Dank

Sign of the Apocalypse

2011-01-11T08:59:00.005-05:00

So I was reading the newspaper the other day and I came across this article. The headline reads, "Photog sez Kanye snapped."

Since when has the general public become illiterate? Okay, Photog - that's probably some photography/paparazzi company, more or less than a typo. But 'sez'???

To quote the Monday Night Countdown team... C'mon, man!

Sez. Hell, it even comes up in my web browser as an incorrect spelling with the squiggly red line beneath it. Sez. Sez. Sez. Was it really that hard to type out 'says' and strike one extra key on your keyboard?!

I mean, I know the newspaper is written down to a grade-school level so your everyday Joe can read it, but really? Using text/facebook/internet language in a piece of publication that is widely read is just... wrong. Not to mention - I don't care Kanye did. Though I will give you credit for the play on words there. Photo and snapped. Next time I'll respect you if you use the English language as its meant to be.

This is why I get papers from students with 'lol' or 'u' instead of 'you' in them.

Good job, America. You're continuing to show the world how intelligent you are.

---

Currently listening to: Interpol
Song: Obstacle 1
Album: Turn On The Bright Lights

2 + 0 = 1 + 1

2011-01-05T09:56:00.002-05:00

I stole this from the doctor's office. It's a pamphlet about abortion. I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me for feeling this way. But I'm just not ready. I'm not ready for the new year. I'm not ready to grow another year older. My mind is still stuck in 1996 - with the first blizzard. I'm still nine and building forts out of the snow piles in my front yard. I still have yet to learn about insomnia and depression. My eyes opened eagerly each morning - not hesitant. There were reasons to wake up and love life. Pizza for breakfast, field trips to the Liberty Bell, ice hockey games at 6am. Little slices of life that electrocuted the right side of my brain. But it doesn't work like that anymore. Now I'm reading pamphlets on abortion and STDs. I have dentist appointments on my days off from work at the liquor store. I make eight dollars an hour and can't afford my college bills. My degree in education is worthless in a shitty economy that I still don't understand. When I take you out for dinner at Lubrano's, I'm out of spending-cash for the next two weeks. So please excuse me for thinking this is a bad idea. We can't go through with this. I can't even support myself. I'm sorry. Please. Please do me a favor and read this. Maybe you'll change your mind, though I do not expect you to. 2011 is going to be a rough year, no matter what you decide.

---

Currently listening to: mewithoutYou
Song: January 1979
Album: Catch Us For The Foxes

powpow?

2010-12-26T23:39:00.003-05:00

Here are some cellphone pics of the NJ snowfall (around 25 inches worth!)...

Get Fighted

2010-12-19T11:56:00.004-05:00

On Friday I ventured to Middlebrook Clearview Cinema to see The Fighter with some friends.

Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo - such a great team of actors. The casting was stunning. Not one point in the film did I notice they were acting. (Their Boston accents were nearly spot-on, too.) The cinematography was also beautiful. Bravo, David O. Russell.

I think everyone walked out of that theater boxing the air and showcasing moves they didn't have.

The conclusion of this shotty review: worth your $$$.

---

Currently listening to: Kanye West
Song: Can't Tell Me Nothing
Album: Graduation

Things That Rhyme with Orange

2010-12-16T10:05:00.002-05:00

Music is shaping the shapes in my brain. First it was Streetlight creating skank-pits out of midnight. Now it's Death From Above pulling a synth on a red Flyer wagon. But ultimately, when the sound stops, and the noise evaporates, I'll find myself in the same shape I started as. A cube of organs and fluids sitting at an uncomfortable desk in a room that smells like unemployment and depression. Desperate. Alive. Intelligent. Unsure of where to go, what to do, how to get there. All-time low. I am gone.

Radical Rex!

2010-12-14T11:35:00.004-05:00

I want to play this:

RIGHT NOW.

Oh, hey. Also here is the December issue of 50 to 1. I dubbed it 'FROZEN FRIGID.'

I hope you eNJoy it. Meanwhile, Imma start narrowing down my focus on which of my projects I work on. Big news, I know.

---

Currently listening to: NOFX
Song: Linoleum
Album: Punk in Drublic

Flash me!

2010-12-09T11:57:00.005-05:00

Good news everyone!

Want an excerpt from my forthcoming Only Human? Here's one about Kanye West over at The Northville Review.

I've also got a new flash piece up in today's One Forty Fiction. It's called 'Taking My Right To Live' and its part of their 'Human Rights' theme this week.

It was inspired by Brett East Ellis's American Psycho. Here is the trailer for the movie:

Hope you enjoy.

Big news a-coming for da glenjamin. Suspense-high-five!

---

Currently listening to: AFI
Song: Days of the Phoenix
Album: The Art of Drowning

Look what I got

2010-12-07T11:35:00.001-05:00

I got knifed.

2010-12-01T11:07:00.004-05:00

Oh snap!

Trick With A Knife had a contest earlier this week. They were giving away a copy of xTx's latest chapbook He Is Talking To The Fat Lady. You were supposed to email Nate, over at TWAK, and tell him why you deserved it. He would then forward the email to the ever-so-sexy, ever-so-anonymous, xTx and she would choose who she thought was worthy. So I shot an email and figured what the hell. Then...

boom.

I won.

I never win anything. So this makes me smile.

Huzzah!

Now go over the TWAK and say hello.

---

Currently listening to: Modest Mouse
Song: 3rd Planet
Album: The Moon and Antarctica

Writer's block. I have it.

2010-11-30T11:53:00.005-05:00

H'ok, so, here's zee Earth. Damn, that is one sweet Earth.

Right now, this very second, I'm procrastinating. With every key I strike on this tiny, netbook keyboard, I am wasted milliseconds of time I could be working on something. (Do work, SON!) I could be working on Only Human, my novel, or Jersey Surf. Or maybe the screenplay. Or the new zine I'm putting out. Or the press I'm trying to put together. Or the MFA applications. Anything. Everything. ("The Lil' Wayne of literature.")

But I can't.

I have writer's block and its murdering me. Its stabbing me in the chest. I don't like it. How can I fix it? Any suggestions? Do I have too many projects on my plate?

Balls.

---

Currently listening to: Slapshot
Song: Wasted Time
Album: Digital Warefare

Forget Me Tomorrow (a picture prompt)

2010-11-22T10:30:00.008-05:00

I hang beneath the wooded planks of a cold, November pier. Below me the sunset tickles the crashing shoreline. The radiation and vitamin D glitters the weave of each nook in my web. Tonight, this will be home. Tomorrow, it will be my hunting ground. Next week it will have forgotten I ever existed here.

[photo by Todd Binger]

---

Currently listening to: Pepper
Song: Stormtrooper
Album: Kona Town

Busy Binger

2010-11-18T15:51:00.002-05:00

Welp,

Looks like I'm going to have to put the zine on hold for a while. Too many projects piling up.

I'm applying for MFA programs circa Fall 2011. Still working on ONLY HUMAN. Still working on my novel. Still working on the screenplay. And still writing monthly installments of Jersey Surf.

That Binger - he sure is a busy dude.

Back to work.

---

Currently listening to: New Found Glory
Song: Oxygen
Album: Catalyst

New Project?

2010-11-11T20:47:00.004-05:00

Good news, everyone!

I'm making a new zine. I think I'm going to call it "[R]evolution" - what do you think? Its a working title.

Just one more project to pile onto the... pile of projects I'm working on.

Gah.

Busy busy.

---

Currently listening to: Lil' Wayne
Song: I am not a human being
Album: I am not a human being

One shawty, one lengthy

2010-11-04T13:27:00.002-04:00

Guess what?

New issues of:

50 to 1

and

eFiction Magazine

for your reading pleasure. Keep up the good work, bros. By the way, this song rocks!

---

Currently listening to: Crime in Stereo
Song: Type One
Album: I Was Trying to Describe You To Someone

Crowtastic - new story published!

2010-10-28T11:17:00.002-04:00

Hello friends!

Full of Crow's October issue is loose and feasting on readers' eyes (see what I did there?!). It is one of my favorite lit mags around - read through some of the archive. AND I have a story in it!! "Solace in Colors" which hails from my forthcoming collection, Only Human: Stories of Weakness. I am alongside of some great writers: Ben Tanzer, Adam Moorad, Paul Beckman, Aimee De Long, and MORE.

"Solace in Colors" is about Stephen Colbert and his unique ability to turn anything and everything into some sort of ego-booster. He's a funny man, indeed (although I do like The Daily Show better). The story, however, digs into his soul as a normal human being - not in front of the camera - trying to find comfort in the color purple.

Because everyone has those weak moments.

---

Currently listening to: Death From Above 1979
Song: Going Steady
Album: You're a Woman, I'm a Machine

Free books! Check it.

2010-10-26T09:16:00.002-04:00

Everyone loves free books!

Litdrift does a free-book-Friday every week and guess what. This week they are giving away a copy of the Broad Set Quarterly. All you have to do is sign up for their mailing list. Pretty cool deal, if I don't say so myself. Spread the word - contest ends this Friday.

I just wanted to say Thanks to Litdrift! You guys are awesome!

---

Currently listening to: Young Money
Song: Every Girl In The World
Album: We Are Young Money

Blackout [Prose]

2010-10-21T11:28:00.003-04:00

Blackout Prose with the employee manual.

---

Currently listening to: Sum 41
Song: In Too Deep
Album: All Killer No Filler

2 poems

2010-10-17T11:06:00.004-04:00

HUZZAH!

Two of my prose poems have appeared at The Camel Saloon.

1. 'Tough Situations'
2. 'It's okay I'm not really okay'

I love indie lit, its a fact. The Camel Saloon is about as indie as it gets and I have yet to read something that I have not enjoyed over there.

Suggestion: Read some. Then submit. Boom.

---

Currently listening to: Murder By Death
Song: Killbot 2000
Album: Who Will Survive and What Will Become of Them

Pancakes for dinner

2010-10-16T16:56:00.002-04:00

We are drones told what to wear, what to eat, what to think. But sometimes, when our minds break the trance, we are free to do whatever the hell we want.

And I want pancakes for dinner.

---

Currently listening to: The Dirty Heads
Song: Lay Me Down
Album: Any Port in a Storm

The Links... I must click them

2010-10-14T13:54:00.002-04:00

Here are some things that have been happening, of which, you might be interested:

New for October spotlight at The Broad Set featuring editor Doug Lance, editor of eFiction Magazine.
Paul Mullin has a new poem up, too, at The Broad Set.
50 to 1 has a new issue out - called 'In and Out' - check it.
Mel Bosworth's GREASE STAINS is reborn.
Roxane Gay wants to do things better.
Great review of Ethel Rohan's Cut Through the Bone.
The Camel Saloon published one of my two poems forthcoming.
Pete Richter has been at work on Atlantic Refreshment.

That's enough for now, I suppose. Click some links. eNJoy yourself.

---

Currently listening to: New Found Glory
Song: Hit or Miss
Album: New Found Glory

Free books!

2010-10-05T10:39:00.004-04:00

Had to show you this, because it is pretty cool.

Keyhole Magazine is giving out free PDF's of their books if you tweet about it.

I just downloaded Matt Bell's How They Were Found.

Holla!

ANDANDAND

For $1 [or $FREE] you can read El Cumpleanos de Paco by Mickey Hess

---

Currently listening to: New Found Glory
Song: Hit or Miss
Album: New Found Glory

Universe B

2010-10-04T10:46:00.003-04:00

There is a thin line between living and existing. But maybe, in another universe, they are one in the same. I can't wait to visit there. I shall call it Universe B and we are Universe A. And, maybe, in B we live and exist and love and die all in one idea. It isn't separated by careers, schools, or money. Everything is equal to everything and nothing matters more than the molecule next to it. And maybe, there, everyone is happy. Depression is a foreign word. Because everyone only knows love. Love, love, love. The word love can cause sadness, but it quickly disappears into the atmosphere and oozes into space - to be discovered by Universe A-ians. And we take that sadness and call it religion. And believe in it. Even the agnostics. At least, until they reach a point in their lives where they question belief and faith. Thus, pushing them to search for something else; like an alternate universe.

I want to visit B. I hear it's nice this time of year.

---

Currently listening to: OAR
Song: Crazy Game of Poker
Album: 34th and 8th

New 50 to 1!

2010-10-01T13:19:00.002-04:00

BOOM!

New issue of 50to1 is out! eatured authors include: Anthony Arnott, Anastasia Knasiak, John Brooke, C.T. Thomas, Michelle King, Spencer Gordon, and Christina Rodriguez. It is called "Pronto Please." Spread the motha-effin word, bros!

---

Currently listening to: Lil' Wayne
Song: Drop The World
Album: Rebirth

Making Believe

2010-09-30T10:20:00.003-04:00

Finally got my copy of:

Ana C. 's Make-Believe Love-Making.

Great timing, Binger. Just as soon as she releases her second book, This Is Controversial.

I suggest checking out her work. Here is a review of the collection. Here is another. And another. And a drunk one. Its different and its very good. And she is one of the nicest people I've ever met via interwubs. (She also listens to some very good music.)

Thanks Ana!

---

Currently listening to: Phoenix
Song: 1901
Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Reviewing Precipitaion

2010-09-27T10:10:00.002-04:00

Looking for something new to read?

Good news, everyone! I've reviewed Eric Beeny's latest chapbook, Snowing Fireflies, over at The Broad Set.

Its good. Real good. Not the review, the book. Buy it. Consume it. Smell it. Yummy.

---

Currently listening to: Slightly Stoopid
Song: 2am
Album: Chronchitis

Projects I'm Working On

2010-09-23T20:56:00.005-04:00

Okay here are some things I'm working on, for those of you who do actually care.

But first, here is the roundup over at PANK. (They do it so well). Support them. Fo' sho.

Trying to find a home for my 20,000 word novella, The Definition of Me.
Finishing up the manuscript of Only Human: Stories of Weakness.
Spilling my thoughts and calling it a novel.
Co-writing a screen play with this guy.

There's more but those are the major ones. Busy, busy, bro.

If you have any suggestions/help, feel free to comment. Especially with placing the novella and story collection. I feel so lost when it comes to publishing the longer work.

Thanks bros and broettes.

---

Currently listening to: Vampire Weekend
Song: White Sky
Album: Contra

Oh, shoot. Grease Stains.

2010-09-19T13:12:00.005-04:00

BOOM! This came in the mail yesterday:

Grease Stains, Kismet, and Maternal Wisdom by Mel "I'm-from-Massachusetts" Bosworth. Now I can finally shave my beard. But I kinda don't want to. (I told Mel I wouldn't shave until I got it.)

I'm super stoked to read this and get my stain on.

Holla.

Also, I just got back from the Belmar Pro, today. Got a ton of free swag. More on that in the next update [when I have the time].

BOOM!

---

Currently listening to: I Set My Friends On Fire
Song: WTFWJD
Album: You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter

It's going to snow fireflies

2010-09-17T10:16:00.005-04:00

Look at what I got in the mail today:

Eric Beeny's Snowing Fireflies from Folded Word Press. Huzzah! I'm reviewing the book over at The Broad Set as soon as I finish it. And I'm very excited to read this sucka. I've heard only good things.

He also sent me this:

Which, I'm assuming is just as awesome. Also look what I found earlier this week:

... a $2 bill. Hmmm.

This has been an informative post brought to you by Billabong. And my beard. You're welcome. I apologize for the shirtlessness. I'm still in a summer mood.

---

Currently listening to: Sublime
Song: Doin' Time
Album: Sublime

Review of The American

2010-09-13T10:08:00.002-04:00

Over at The Broad Set:

I reviewed the recent George Clooney film, The American. I'm no film critic so don't judge me too much haha.

I'm a nerdburger. Deal with it.

---

Currently listening to: Deadmau5
Song: 1981
Album: At Play

Opening Night

2010-09-09T16:04:00.002-04:00

Football starts tonight. Huzzah!

But better news is the new issue of 50 to 1 - Opening Night. Featuring work by: Nicole Monaghan, Mitchell Macdonald, Liz Haigh, Brenda Blakey, Sander Blome, Nathan Patton, and Garrett Ashley. Check 'em out!

---

Currently listening to: Spose
Song: God Damn
Album: Preposterously Dank

Make Me A Sandwich... Please?

2010-09-08T15:38:00.003-04:00

Some new indie lit for your eyes:

This week's issue of Vis A Tergo has been released, featuring a piece about lunch by yours truly. The magazine is straight-up, top notch and run by superbro, Jeff Chon. Definitely shoot him some bro-love.

Once you're done doing that you can resume normal day-to-day activity.

Smile.

---

Currently listening to: Slightly Stoopid
Song: Killing Me Deep Inside
Album: Everything You Need

Eat You

2010-09-07T10:52:00.001-04:00

Eat You

I want to eat you. I want to swallow your soul and devour everything that makes you who you are. From the tips of your long dirty-blonde hair all the way down to the stubby big toe on your right foot. I want to eat the way you need six sports bras in order to exercise. I want to consume the way you turn your back when you’re changing but then look at me looking at you from the corner of your eye. And don’t forget the words you always seem to mush together so perfectly when we argue. I want to eat the way you can spread apart all of your toes and pick up just about anything with them. Even with the stubby one, my favorite. I want to eat all the spontaneous ideas for Halloween costumes you come up with all year long; they never disappoint. I want to eat the way you put your hair up before we have sex. I want to consume every pair of flip flops you own and digest you wearing them in the middle of a snowed-in winter. The musical part of you will taste amazing, I imagine. I even want the sand in between your bedsheets to grind between my teeth like diamonds. The summer skin and the tanlines, too; all of you that is our favorite season. I want to eat your gluteus maximus and how it looks when you lay on your stomach. I want to eat every article of clothing and fashion accessory you own; the headbands, the heels I won’t let you wear because they make you taller than me, the t-shirts declaring your level of awesomeness, the tanktops that show cleavage. No, scratch that, especially those tank tops. Your sunglasses worn at night. I want to eat your night moves. Everything. I even want to eat every piece of sea glass you’ve ever collected. I just want our souls to exist together for an eternity plus some. Deep down inside they will live together, powering us like batteries. These little balls of purple and blue light, twisting and hugging and touching. They will oxidize us and sync our heartbeats. Because the universe is massive and daunting but when our souls are together it all makes sense and we serve a purpose. So don’t ask why. Don’t ask when. Don’t ask anything. Just enjoy the ride down the back of my esophagus.

Some New Lit

2010-09-02T13:01:00.003-04:00

Hokay.

Two new pieces by me. Not to sound egocentric. But you know. Check them out if you'd like, it'd make my day! Feedback is always welcome (by email of course).

An excerpt from my forthcoming Only Human was posted over at The Broad Set called "A Manual to the Many Moods of Keanu Reeves." Its an abridged version and it was inspired by a story by Ben Greenman in his book, A Circle is a Balloon and Compass Both.
The new September issue of eFiction Magazine was released. In it you will find the latest episode of my series, Jersey Surf, "The List." In the issue there is also amazing work by Tonya Moore, Christina Hoag, Harris Tobias, B. Kari Moore, and Aaron Wilson. You can either download it as a PDF or read a flash version. Either way check it out and holla at Doug Lance - the editor.

That is all for now. Hope I didn't sound too self-centered. haha. eNJoy the work and be sure to submit to eFiction. I know Doug is always looking for great work from talented authors.

Thanks for reading, bros and broettes!!!

---

Currently listening to: Five Iron Frenzy
Song: Canada
Album: The End Is Near

Monkeys and Literature

2010-08-29T19:01:00.005-04:00

Super excited about the September issue of eFiction Magazine.

Spent a massive amount of time on the latest issue of Jersey Surf. Hope you like it. The issue should be out in the next week or so. Get pumped. I know I am. There is a TON of great writing in it.

HUZZAH!

---

Currently listening to: Glassjaw
Song: Ape Dos Mil
Album: Worship and Tribute

Subliminal Messages

2010-08-25T11:38:00.001-04:00

Hard work good and hard work fine, but first take care of head.

Yes, I'm seeing Sublime with Rome tonight at The Stone Pony. Excited is an understatement. So pumped.

---

Currently listening to: Sublime
Song: THE ENTIRE
Album: DISCOGRAPHY

New Fiddy To One

2010-08-24T12:56:00.004-04:00

Hello wanderer.

There is a new issue of 50 to 1 up! It's called 'Fact or Fiction' and it smells like words. Yummy.

***

I feel as if I've been slacking in my craft. I've had to work on stories at work or on my cell phone. I haven't had time to sit down and put time into writing - as much as I wish I could. I've been barely making the deadlines over at eFiction Magazine. And I feel terrible about it. I hope Doug, the editor in chief, understands. Sorry man!

I can't help but think: Is this what life is going to be like? Am I going to have to push aside yet another thing I truly love doing, creating, making, absorbing just because I have to make a living and provide for others? Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Maybe I'm supposed to major in something with numbers and business. Something where money comes as easily as water from upstream.

Then the other side kicks in, telling me that it's better to be happy and poor than rich and miserable. Like every cliche ever.

But...

I'm poor and only half-happy right now. That doesn't make sense. What am I doing wrong? Why can't I get a job - why won't anyone hire me? Why am I ranting. You don't care. You just wanted the link to 50 to 1. Blah. Sorry bros and broettes. I'll keep the complaining to a mute.

---

Currently listening to: John Mayer
Song: Waiting on the World to Change
Album: Continuum

Clouds

2010-08-19T10:04:00.003-04:00

Look what I got in the mail...

Jason Jordan's Cloud and Other Stories.

Can't wait to read it.

---

Currently listening to: Cake
Song: Sheep Go To Heaven, Goats Go To Hell
Album: Prolonging the Magic

Boycott Surf Taco

2010-08-08T15:22:00.004-04:00

Boycott Surf Taco. It sucks.

Here is why:

The food sucks. Two places with similar menu items (bigger size, same price): Fins and Bubbakoos. Both of which are host a local-esque kinda feel. And if you don't care you can even go chain with Chipotle.
People who work at Surf Taco think they are better than everyone else because they work at Surf Taco. No, sorry. Once you're outta high school, you'll find out that the place you work doesn't make you cool. Only miserable.
The service is terrible. The first time I went to Surf Taco (the one in Squan) it took less than 5 minutes to get my food. I was happy. I was also young and naive. Just the other day I went in and ordered two sunset classics. It's like a chicken/fish burrito thing. Look it up. ANYWAY... At my last visit to the one in Belmar, it took them 20 minutes to bring my food out. And when it came out, they only brought me one. So I politely mention that I was supposed to have two, whatever no big deal. So 40 minutes later I get my 2nd burrito. As she is packing it into a to-go bag, (because at this point I want to get the hell outta there) and I ask for a cup. The high school girl who thinks shes awesome (see #2) has the nerve to charge me two dollars for the cup after making me wait for nearly an hour for some awful food. Yeah, great. And that's the last time I eat there.
The owner is a tool, at least, from what I hear. One of my good friends used to work at one back when there were only 3 restaurants, instead of the 6, 7, or 8 there are today. She used to tell me about how douchey the guy was.
No. You don't have good people. Or good vibes. Or good food. Get over yourself.
I had more reasons but I don't feel like Surf Taco deserves any.

---

Currently listening to: The Arcade Fire
Song: Wake Up
Album: Funeral

I DID GOOD

2010-08-05T12:25:00.002-04:00

Don't you mean well? Yes. Yes I do.

I finally released the new issue of 50 to 1!

HUZZAH!

Here it is: 'Sorry I'm Late' - Contributors include: Jen Schneider, Simon Kewin, Ethan Swage, Cody Troyan, Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé, Leslie Coleman, and Jim Harrington. It's a great issue. And sorry it took me so long. Busy busy busy. Busy.

---

Currently listening to: Young Money
Song: Steady Mobbin'
Album: We Are Young Money

My Life Is Bro

2010-07-28T19:59:00.003-04:00

Dear friends,

I love you and I'm sorry I'm as busy as a fat kid in a cupcake shop. Though I'm not eating that much, I promise. And there isn't purple icing coated over my eyebrows.

I've been working (both in the economical sense and the writing sense) on lots of things and I have little time to I.S.U. (Internet Shit Up). I dislike being basically poor. Here is a website I recently discovered. It's probably the best website ever. MLIB.

Yours truly,

glenjamin

---

Currently listening to: Lil' Wayne
Song: Got Money (Ft. T-Pain)
Album: Tha Carter 3

Knee vs. Knee

2010-07-22T12:05:00.003-04:00

So I just found this on my harddrive and figured, why not? Wrote it about 3 or 4 years ago. It's nonfiction. For once. eNJoy!

Knee vs. Knee

The puck slid across the ice behind their net into the corner and I went after it like any other normal offensive zone fore-check, unaware that those next few moments could potentially be the last time I ever stepped foot onto the ice in my entire high school hockey career. It was my senior year at Wall High School and we weren’t even at midseason yet; I was simply excited to be playing Toms River that night. They were one of the better teams in our league at the time and didn’t exactly have much defensive organization. Being an offense team, I couldn’t wait to play them; we were literally going to skate circles around them.

“I got it, I got it,” I yelled, skating to the corner. “Kyle stay up high.”

He shook his head and took place in front of the net. I got the puck, skated back around behind their net and looked up for Kyle’s eager open stance. However, there was a blue Toms River jersey trucking right at me. Okay, I thought, I’ll just dangle around him and pass to Kyle for the goal, no big deal. Wrong.

As I tried to skate to the left around him I banked the puck off the boards on the right. The Toms River kid was coming at me full speed, trying to mutilate my body whether or not I had the puck on my stick. But because he was taller and slower than me, I faked him out. By the time he had realized that I had just dangled and beaten him by bouncing the puck off the boards it was near impossible for him to put a full body check on me. Therefore, the only other option he had was to stick his knee out and try to put some interference between me and the puck, which is a blatant penalty in any hockey league.

I was about halfway around him when his right knee directly collided with mine, immediately forcing the ACL tendon to stretch the wrong way and tear as wet paper would. We both fell to the ice but I was the only one with any sort of injury.

“You asshole,” I indirectly screamed at the kid as I rolled over onto my back.

He got up, grabbed the puck and skated away as if it was nothing. Meanwhile, I laid there like a fourth grader having a seizure, ripping off my helmet and gloves trying to keep my right leg as still as possible in the process. The whistle soon blew and my coach hustled over to help me.

One of the refs skated up, “Is everything alright?”

“Are you kidding,” I got louder, “the kid kneed me!”

I was on my back trying to bite my tongue to take my mind off the pain so I wouldn’t spew curse words coated in saliva and spit.

“Nah, it was a clean hit.”

“Are you serious,” my voice grew vile as I rolled back and forth in the bloodless stabbing that was my knee. “The dirty mother fu--”

“Glen! Can you move your toes,” my coach quickly cut in.

“Yeah, I don’t think anything’s broken I just think something’s torn.”

He shook his head and lowered it almost as if he knew I was going to be out the rest of the season. “Yeah.”

I knew it, too.

Kyle skated over, picked me up and threw my arm around his shoulder. He skated me off the ice, making sure I didn’t put any pressure on the knee. I hobbled to the locker room and slowly removed the top half of gear off my sweaty, miserable body. I sat there aimlessly staring at the floor. My senior year season was done. Just like that. In maybe a five minute span I went from being captain, one of the leading scorers on the team, to the guy on crutches who has to stand with the coaches behind the bench. I was empty. I felt the pain and stiffness and fire filter through my knee. I felt hatred and depression devour my life as an athlete. But the absolute worst of it all: I felt my future in ice hockey melt in less than nothing but a few flattened desolate minutes.

Adam Coates Guest BlogPost

2010-07-15T16:45:00.001-04:00

dear you,

within five minutes i found a compelling reason to write and reason not to write
lately my skin has been itchy

i have stopped doing things in the way i did things
somehow the nature of the experiences i have is changed

sometimes i suddenly noticed the detail of whatever is in front of me
i lost my camera and then found it again

i ran four miles and my legs will hurt tomorrow
i miss eating food that i have cooked

i tried alcohol but it didn’t make anything better
now i am trying other things

it is certainly time for the world to change

things that have meant something to me lately:

on modern servitude
Pirahã tribe of Brazil
Medicine for Melancholy
Collateral Murder

Jónsi

in a little while i will start loving again
just need more time

and there will be a new unlit, unheated sometime soon
i guess you could contribute if you would like
i will let you know somehow

thanks for your time
adam

Suggestions Welcome

2010-07-14T14:20:00.004-04:00

I dunno.

I don't really like the title Jersey Surf for my series over at eFiction Mag. Does anyone have any ideas what to change it to? Do you even care? haha

Like serious ones. Not fake ones like [INSERT BAD JOKE HERE].

---

Currently listening to: David Rush
Song: Shooting Star (Party Rock Mix)
Album: Single

This is the Recap Roundup

2010-07-12T17:24:00.004-04:00

Here are some things to read... but first:

The reading went terrific. It was great to finally meet Molly Gaudry. She is super nice and reads exactly the way her words are written. SO awesome. I'm very glad I was able to share the stage with her. I even got her to sign my copy of We Take Me Apart :) Thanks for coming Molly! Everyone who read also did a great job! Stories and poems by authors: Peter Richter, Kiley Rummler, Anthony Kirchner, Andrew Kaspereen, Chris Hubbard, and yours truly. (I read this if you were wondering). And, of course, we went to Tattooed Moms to wrap up the night.

Okay. A few shameless self plugs.

xTx has been running Zombie Summer through the month of July. Here is my contriBROtion "My Friends Aren't Dead" for your viewing pleasure.
Doug Lance released the July issue of eFiction Magazine. Episode 4, "Don't Forget A Raincoat," of my series Jersey Surf is in there; along with some other great fiction - check it out! (free PDF)
"Untitled 2" was released (back in June) on unFold Mag's Twitter-Fiction series.

And I think that is all I wanted to promote. I might have missed one, if you find it and let me know I'll give you a prize. A funsupercool prize.

---

Currently listening to: 311
Song: I'll Be Here A While
Album: From Chaos

The Broad Set READING July 9th (promo post)

2010-06-30T20:08:00.004-04:00

This tea is so random. Yet deliciously dazzling.

The Broad Set Writing Collective is reading at The Random Tea Room.

Event Details:

Random Tea Room
714 North 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Friday, July 9th, 2010 6pm - 10pm

Featured writers include: Molly Gaudry, author of We Take Me Apart, and Mickey Hess, author of Big Wheel At The Cracker Factory.

Broad Set readers include (but are not limited to): Pete Richter, Sam Cicero, Andrew Kaspereen, Paul Mullin, Robin Barletta, Kiley Rummler, Glen Binger, and more!

Other things:
- Current issue of The Broad Set Quarterly [formerly Avalanche Tinder]
- the world famous grab bag!
- SMORES!!!!
- free magazines (prior and current issues!)
- Andrew Kaspereen will, again, be signing body parts
- Maybe you should become a fan on Facebook
- Or follow on Twitter
- drinks afterwords with the crew
- Facebook event page is here, join it!

BLAH BLAH BUSY BLOG POST BLAH

2010-06-24T10:02:00.003-04:00

The past week or so, I've been busy with work and exercise. No time to bro out.

Haven't had time to contribute to the realm of literature like I normally do. I've been writing the next episode of "Jersey Surf" for eFiction Magazine at work. Literally. I hate it. I need time to sit down at my desk and work. But I just don't have that time. Bills need to get paid and things need to get done.

I apologize. I'm still here behind the scenes working on stuff.

BY THE WAY - Zombie Summer is due out in July. Prepare the quarantine. (Link is story by Ben Brooks).

Okay time for work. Slaterrrrr

---

Currently listening to: Lil' Wyte
Song: Oxy Cotton
Album: The Best of Lil' Wyte

FLASH

2010-06-16T11:11:00.002-04:00

In my flash fiction chronicles, I got another shorty posted. HUZZAH!

Over at the newly released Trapeze Magazine. The twitter-zine is brandy new, so I suggest you go over there and submit some of your words.

I was lucky enough to be the first flash selected for publication. Thank you Jessica!

Here is the link to my 'Untitled 3'

---

Currently listening to: Notorious BIG/Miley Cyrus
Song: Party and Bullshit
Album: Mash-Up Single

Mini Update BOOM

2010-06-14T11:24:00.002-04:00

Just a few tidbits:

June PANK is broriffic. --> work by xTx, Ani Smith, and James Todd Adcox, among other greats.
Issue 7 [Flannery O'Connor] of Kill Author is brofessional --> work by Amber Sparks, James Todd Adcox, Roxane Gay, N. God Savage and Matt Bell, among other greats.
Paul Mullin's The Germ of the Idea posted a few pieces. Great short reads.
Andrew Kaspereen's The Sloth of Righteousness posted two new pieces. Also great reads.
Mel Bosworth has a brotastic pottery-piece in the new issue of The Northville Review.
The US tied England in the World Cup opener game this past Saturday. BOOM!

That's all for now. HIGHFIVE for you!

---

Currently listening to: Bad Religion
Song: Tiny Voices
Album: Stranger Than Fiction

Bro: The Definition

2010-06-10T10:17:00.003-04:00

BROSEF

I wrote a 1300 word essay on the word 'bro' and Other Mag allowed me to publish it. Thank you, Socrates!

To be honest, while I was writing it, I planned on just posting it on my blog here. But after some thought, I decided to make it my first contribution to Other.

Anyway, it's a quick read so check it out and let me know what you think! I appreciate it!

Much love!

---

Currently listening to: Thrice
Song: Come All You Weary
Album: Alchemy Index Vol. 3 and 4 Air and Earth

Up and Down

2010-06-09T22:13:00.002-04:00

BOOM!

Here is the new issue of 50 to 1 - 'Up and Down' - Featuring work by: Paul Mullin, Russell Streur, Joanne Sheppard, Jonathan Howell, Ethan Swage, Amanda Tanay, and Jason Lea.

You'll feel up and then down. Or down and then up. In any case, read some great flash (non)fiction!

---

Currently listening to: NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Song: GAME 6
Album: BLACKHAWKS v. FLYERS 2010

New Readings Afoot

2010-06-04T10:31:00.003-04:00

Oh, hello.

I haven't posted in a while. This one doesn't count because...

I'm just telling you to check out my upcoming readings with The Broad Set crew. Lookie here.

[Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more up-to-date info]

Thanks bros!

---

Currently listening to: Kings of Leon
Song: Closer
Album: Only By The Night

Got Some Stuff Published

2010-06-01T08:55:00.004-04:00

Hey lookie hurr

I got two poems published in The Camel Saloon. Here is one and here is the other.

AND

Have you been curious about my project-in-progress known as Only Human?

Well, here is your lucky day. I also got something published in The 2nd Hand which just so happens to be an excerpt from Only Human: Stories of Weakness. Here is the direct link. It's about Seth Rogen.

Excited, I am.

---

Currently listening to: Gorillaz
Song: Superfast Jellyfish
Album: Plastic Beach

Books are awesome

2010-05-26T15:26:00.003-04:00

Look what came in the mail for me today:

BROFIVE for Light Boxes. Just in time, too. Not five minute ago I came back from the beach after finishing The Dharma Bums.

Huzzah!

---

Currently listening to: Against Me!
Song: Stop
Album: New Wave

Overrated Athletes (Active)

2010-05-20T10:52:00.004-04:00

The following is a [somewhat short] list of contemporary active professional athletes who are entirely overrated. They are in no particular order. If you disagree, feel free to comment. But please keep it professional and clean. Prove me wrong. Also, can you add to the list?

1. Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies - MLB)
2. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins - NHL)
3. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys - NFL)
4. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts - NFL)
5. Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees - MLB)
6. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers - NBA)
7. Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints - NFL)
8. Danica Patrick (Indy Car/Nascar)
9. David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox - MLB)
10. Danny Briere (Philadelphia Flyers - NHL)
11. Brett Farve (Minnesota Vikings [?] - NFL)
12. Shawn White (Burton Snowboarding)
13. Sean Avery (New York Rangers - NHL)
14. Scott Gomez (Montreal Candiens - NHL)
15. Nate Robinson (New York Knicks - NBA)

If more come to mind, I'll add to the list.

---

Currently listening to: Gorillaz
Song: Some Kind of Nature (ft. Lou Reed)
Album: Plastic Beach

Where have I been?

2010-05-17T08:34:00.002-04:00

Busy with the next episode for this.

Sorry! Gah! [submit to 50 to 1]

---

Currently listening to: Slightly Stoopid
Song: Hold On To The One
Album: Chronichitis

Literary Update

2010-05-11T09:28:00.003-04:00

Please allow me to take a quick break from the Only Human stories (and by that I mean procrastinate from it) to update you on some recent literary goodness. [PANK does it better.]

If you don't know already (and this is in no particular order):

48hr Magazine recently finished their debut issue. Should be on shelves soon, expect greatness.
The May issue of Decomp Magazine released a few days ago. As usual, it is full of awesome.
Mel Bosworth has posted a video to promote his forthcoming book, Grease Stains, Kismet and Maternal Wisdom. He also got interviewed... by himself over at Metazen.
Other finally poked its beautiful face out of the literary bushes.
eFiction Magazine is about to burst and release its 2nd issue.
Writers' Bloc dropped a new issue. Work by Jason Jordan, Shannon Peil, Gay Degani, and more.
New elimae. Need I say more?
May issue of Negative Suck punches face. Featuring work by Jordan Castro and David Erlewine and more.
Orange Alert podcast featuring Jason Jordan
Fresh New Wave Vomit content.
50 to 1 (shameless self plug!) released the new issue - 'Contagious Little Things'
The Broad Set Writing Collective (more shamelessness) released BSQ issue 1. They also finally created a page for members.

For more May content, see PANK. Again, they do it better.

Huzzah!

---

Currently listening to: Arctic Monkeys
Song: Florescent Adolescent
Album: Favourite Worst Nightmare

New Issue of Broad Set Quarterly!

2010-05-07T11:34:00.005-04:00

In case you missed the reading,

The Broad Set Writing Collective released the latest issue (4) of The Broad Set Quarterly. Formerly known as Avalanche Tinder.

It is free - all you have to do is email Pete at broadsetwritingcollective[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

Here is a picture of the May 2010 Wooden Shoe Edition:

I apologize for the awful quality of the photo. (I took it with my cell phone) I will fix that soon.

Feature authors include: MOLLY GAUDRY and ERIC NELSON.
Broad Set authors include: Chris Hubbard, Peter Richter, Andrew Kaspereen, Paul Mullin, Brian Long, Sam Cicero, and Glen Binger.

What are you waiting for? The safe word?

HOVERTRAIN!

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Currently listening to: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Song: Say Hey (I Love You)
Album: Single

May Spotlight

2010-05-05T11:02:00.003-04:00

Nine windows into xTx:

Peter Richter and I asked some questions to a bro-tastic broette over at The Broad Set.

Our spotlight this month (May Spotlight) features an interview with the great xTx, author of Nobody Trusts A Black Magician. Check it out here.

She is extraordinarily awesome and her answers are great! A broette indeed.

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Currently listening to: Dr. Dre
Song: Keep Their Heads Ringin'
Album: The NWA Legacy, Volume 1: 1988-1998

Death to February

2010-05-03T12:06:00.003-04:00

February is a bitch.

Remember that book, Light Boxes, that made a huge impact on contemporary literature a few months back? Yeah, well it's about to do that again.

On May 25, 2010, Shane Jones' novel, Light Boxes, will be released on Penguin Books.

This is big.

The first edition of the novel was released from Publishing Genius Press in 2009 and only ran 500 copies. A year later, not only is it being reissued by Penguin, but film rights were purchased by Spike Jonze (Where The Wild Things Are) and it is going to be translated into six different languages. Not to mention how difficult it is to find an original edition.

In support of the release, Shane organized a reading tour. You should go. I, myself, am going to try to make it out to the one in New York. He also made stickers. There is a book trailer loose, made by Ellen Frances on vimeo.

See more of what Shane Jones, himself, has to say in his interview with me over at The Broad Set Writing Collective.

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Currently listening to: Kid Cudi
Song: Up, Up and Away
Album: Man on the Moon

Re-re-RECAP (briefly)

2010-05-02T19:56:00.004-04:00

Bros. And Broettes.

The reading on Saturday, May 1st was a load of fun. I had a blast and I hope all who came did, too.

Among finally meeting DJ BERNDT in person and seeing ERIC NELSON read some of his amazing nonfiction prose, I had the chance to meet MIKE LALA. He was a friend of Nelsons (and also a part of the Numu Arts Collective of Brooklyn) who read some stunning poetry. The crowd was more than just friends, too. People came in off the street to listen and there were people there who saw the listing on the internet (or in the newspaper). It was awesome! This is why I love organizing these readings and events. Meeting new people/writers/artists/bros/broettes makes life worth living!

Afterwords some of the Broad Set gang went to Tattooed Moms (also on South Street) but I unfortunately had to get back home earlier than expected. SAD FACE :(

Anyway, I have some big posts* for the blog later this week. Get excited.

Oh! Also, Noah Cicero blogged about me after making a comment about tacos on one of his posts. I feel honored. Even though he spelled my name wrong. Its okay, Noah. I still like you.

* posts actually worth reading! Yay!

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Currently listening to: Long Beach Dub Allstars
Song: Rolled Up
Album: Wonders of the World

Reading in Philly

2010-05-01T11:47:00.005-04:00

I read therefore I am.

I'm reading tonight in Philly at Wooden Shoe Books with THE BROAD SET WRITING COLLECTIVE featuring ERIC NELSON and DJ BERNDT. 7pm. Come say hello.

Details are hurr. I will be reading from my [unpublished *wink wink*] novella The Definition of Me.

New 50 to 1 is fresh off the grill as well - Galactic Superheroes. Check that out.

Huzzah!

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Currently listening to: HORSE the Band
Song: Birdo
Album: The Mechanical Hand

Galactic Superheroes. With an E.

2010-04-29T12:23:00.003-04:00

I spelled superheroes wrong in the label of the new issue of 50 to 1.

Bonus points to whoever finds it first!

Here is the new issue so fresh and so clean, clean. "Galactic Superheroes" will fill your boots with lightning. Read it and comment and then submit. Too many "ands."

Okay, so I have an idea for an actual post. If I don't forget it, I'll make it tomorrow. Right now, I have to work on Only Human.

Read my [bad] story about Futurama here.

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Currently listening to: Lil' Wayne
Song: Lollipop
Album: Tha Carter 3

Futurama

2010-04-28T12:41:00.002-04:00

Futurama
(written for Titular but got rejected because it isn't very good haha)

While God continues to prove to me that he does not exist, you, in fact, frequently show me that happiness can exist without him. Every single time I look into your eye, I am reminded how to smile. After I fell into the cryogenics freezer one thousand years ago, everyone I knew and loved died long before I was thawed. Even my dog. It is soul crushing. But you, you show me that I still have a reason to exist years after I was intended to.

The flat, violet strands of hair cover your eye in a way that reminds me clouds over the moon at night. Back before there were two of them. It complements the curves of your perfect, mutated body.

I want you to see me in the light of which I see you. Hear me out, for once using my words instead of actions. So I can smile.

No, I may not be as intelligent as you might like, but the size of my heart makes up for that. Maybe you can beat me in anything physical, but I can cleanse you with an emotion unlike any you’ve ever experienced.

This is not an act of desperation. This is intimacy in its primitive state.

We can steal the Planet Express ship for a night. I won’t tell the professor. We’ll cruise across Mars, maybe even swing by Persei 8 for some space cream cones. I’ll play a song I wrote for you on an instrument from my era. It’s called a guitar and its sound is created using vibrations. Sounds sexy, doesn’t it?

I would like to take you out to that fancy restaurant in Earth’s orbit. You know the one… Elzar’s. But I can’t afford it. So let me cook you something, instead. I’ll make something the ancient Italians called “Lasagna.” It tastes like heaven (no not the theme park, the religious one from ancient Christianity) and you don’t need to add water to it!

Please, girl, let me show you how to shine brighter than the sun in Solar System 42A in the mist of summer. Just look at me. I want to smile.

Sometimes I can feel your pulse when you pass out on the couch with me watching COPS: Illegal Aliens. It becomes a melody I can’t stop humming. Those dreams you have about holding hands with an unnamed, unfaced man; it’s me. I’m holding your hand after you fall asleep in my lap. I can see the corners of your lips curving up every time.

I can read your mind, or so I’d like to believe. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at me. I see you blinking at me in the locker room, pretending to glance elsewhere when I catch you. It’s the reason why I try to stay in shape. It’s the reason why I take concern in my dental hygiene.

Listen to my words here, let’s give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

And if you so choose to decline my very informally written proposal, can you promise to just look at me with that beautiful eye every now and then? It’s just enough for me to believe my existence here is significant. Everyone deserves to smile, at the very least.

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Currently listening to: Gorillaz
Song: Stylo (ft. Mos Def and Bobby Womack)
Album: Plastic Beach

The Broad Set READING May 1st (promo post)

2010-04-27T11:21:00.005-04:00

Shoes made out of wood are probably hard to walk in.

In any case, The Broad Set Writing Collective is going to read at their store!

Event Details:

Wooden Shoe Books
704 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

May 1, 2010 from 7pm - 10pm.

Featured writers include: Eric Nelson, author of The Silk City Series, and DJ Berndt, editor of Pangur Ban Party.

Broad Set readers include (but are not limited to): Pete Richter, Sam Cicero, Andrew Kaspereen, Paul Mullin, Robin Barletta, Kiley Rummler, Glen Binger, and more!

Other things:
- A new issue of The Broad Set Quarterly [formerly Avalanche Tinder]
- the world famous grab bag!
- free magazines (prior and current issues!)
- Andrew Kaspereen will, again, be signing body parts
- Join the Facebook open event page
- then become a fan on Facebook
- PW events page!!!
- drinks afterwords at whatever bar is close!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CONTEST GOING ON IN SUPPORT OF THIS READING!

Spread the word! Free high fives!

Leave No Trace

2010-04-26T11:21:00.002-04:00

Camping last weekend at High Point, NJ.

It was fun even though it rained. Although the neighboring campsites left more trash floating around than possible for me and my friends to clean up. It's kind of depressing to know that there are people like that out there... and they are allowed to reproduce.

In literary news: The Broad Set is finalizing the latest magazine due out this Saturday for the reading at Wooden Shoe. Here is the facebook event for more info. I'll make a promo post tomorrow.

We also have an interview with the snazzy, spear-fishing xTx coming. Get pumped.

That is all for now. HIGH FIVE AWESOME!

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Currently listening to: 3oh!3
Song: House Party
Album: Streets of Gold

Ignorance is not bliss

2010-04-22T14:27:00.003-04:00

The NJ school budget failed.

Chris Christie is ruining New Jersey's education system. Most importantly, the youth. The kids.

Just so you know, ignorant voters, the by voting down the budget you did nothing but help ruin the education system in NJ. Five years from you will have no one to blame except for yourselves; even though, you know, it's always the teacher's fault. I'm sure you'll find a way to blame it on us anyway.

The budget has nothing to do with getting rid of "overpaid teachers" and their "cadillac health care plans." It has to do with extra curricular activities and school programs. And you just voted to remove them.

Oh, by the way, school systems need more than one principal. The vice principals play an important role in your kids' lives. But that's okay, your growing children don't need to talk to a guidance counselor or vice principal during the most confusing period of their lives. Let me put this in simple terms for you to understand. The vice principal deals with the teachers and students and the principal deals with the superintendents. They play important roles in every school's system.

You essentially took away school programs that benefit children and develop them into intelligent, well-educated adults.

Your own children.

Let alone, making the whole situation difficult for the teachers. That's the least of my concerns.

Your kids are the ones who will suffer from this. I just can't fathom what is going through your brain.

Just once, try to look at this from a teacher's perspective. It has nothing to do with money, taxes, benefits, tenure... whatever. The fucking kids are the ones suffering because you're too caught up on what Christie is telling you.

He's a politician. He lies. That's what they do. They're not honest. They lie. Stop listening to him and research the facts yourself.

You just fucked yourself, New Jersey.

And a couple of years down the road, I'll be here to say I told you so. Along with every other NJ teacher.

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Currently listening to: The Allman Brothers
Song: Ramblin' Man
Album: Gold (Disc2)

I Want To Go To This

2010-04-20T11:33:00.004-04:00

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Currently listening to: Kid Cudi
Song: The Pursuit of Happiness (ft. MGMT and Ratatat)
Album: The Man On The Moon

Get Ready. Get Set. Go.

2010-04-14T10:08:00.004-04:00

Oh, hello. Didn't see you come in.

There is a new 50 to 1 lurking - 'Change the World' - check it out and then SUBMIT.

and

I also have a fresh piece up at New Wave Vomit called 'Death Makes Me Puke.' Can you hear me now?

Ana C. runs New Wave Vomit. It is a new venue. I suggest submitting something. A very fun little zine. Yay good job awesome high five!

The Broad Set has a Facebook page. Become a fan!

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Currently listening to: Spose
Song: Fuck It
Album: Preposterously Dank

For the Moment: Happy

2010-04-11T13:17:00.005-04:00

Acceptances into:

Rejection Digest - 'Spreading Cancer'

and

Amphibi.us - 'Riding My Bike Home From Work'

Thank you Crispin and Shannon. You made my weekend worthwhile! More news to come, once I have some time to sit down and sort through the mush pile. Maybe even a new 50 to 1!

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Currently listening to: Against Me!
Song: You Look Like I Need A Drink
Album: As The Eternal Cowboy

Burning Through Your Eyes

2010-04-07T17:44:00.004-04:00

This is what I did today:

Rode my bike from the beach to Allaire State Park and back (15 +/- miles).

This is what my best friend did today:

Snowboarded in Nevada at Lake Tahoe.

The rock and hard place: I don't want to grow up, but to be able to afford a trip such as going out to Lake Tahoe, I have to.

That makes me a sad panda. Damn you, Mark!

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Currently listening to: New Found Glory
Song: All Downhill From Here
Album: Catalyst

In The Mood To Live

2010-04-05T08:55:00.003-04:00

Great job, Yankees.

You are the 2009 World Champions, but you can't even win the season opener against your rivals. I am not expecting much this season. Prove me wrong.

Speaking of baseball, there is a pretty awesome contest going on this week over at Largehearted Boy. Look at the theme... SURPRISE!

The first issue of eFiction Magazine was released Saturday! eFiction has a new take on the literary magazine and its actually pretty cool. Read about it over at their site. Basically, they release a monthly issue via downloadable PDF. No online issues. No print issues. Pretty cool. PLUS, its free! In order to receive the issue each month, you must subscribe at the link above. I think its also available at the website. I believe it is going to be a successful new magazine, so be on the lookout. It's got some great content [andddd I've got a story in there, too]. If you are having trouble subscribing for some strange reason, email me and I will be happy to forward you the issue. Check it out! Download the issue here.

And, of course, if you haven't already - read the new issue of 50 to 1, 'Savor the Flavor,' I think you'll eNJoy it.

Thanks!

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Currently listening to: The Beatles
Song: Strawberry Fields Forever
Album: Magical Mystery Tour

Delicious Treats

2010-04-02T10:36:00.003-04:00

Savor the Flavor

is the new issue of 50 to 1! Check out the flash fiction awesomeness and then submit your own! We're calling for submissions.

Currently, it is too nice outside for me to create a dedicated blog post. I'm going to the beach. Sorry! [join me?]

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Currently listening to: John Mayer
Song: Slow Dancing In A Burning Room
Album: Continuum

How to be a bro

2010-03-30T10:20:00.004-04:00

Quick [fun] announcement:

I've started a daily series of advice on my Twitter called 'Bro Tips.'

At least one per day. Follow me to get in on the bromance. Hilarity ensues.

Spread the word.

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Currently listening to: Three 6 Mafia
Song: Shake My
Album: Single

Tidbits of Golden Butter

2010-03-28T13:29:00.003-04:00

The reading on Friday went really well.

It was a small crowd, but all cool people. I read a story about Stephen Colbert and heard stories/poems about New Orleans, Citi Bank, cats, etc. Afterwords, we picked up some delicious beverages and went to Milo Stevens' apartment for some fun with chatroulette and synthesizers. Good times. In upcoming events, I hope you can join us.

As promised, here are some tidbits of literary news (in no particular order):

A piece of mine was posted in Sleep. Snort. Fuck. A short little diddy dubbed 'Alone.'
The new issue of American Short Fiction is available - Volume 13, Issue 47
Debut issue of Corium Magazine dropped this month
New issue of Foundling Review
The Broad Set is hosting a contest - deadline is April 30th
IsReads #6 is ready for you
PANK asks Daniel Gutstein some questions
if you haven't read the March issue of decomP yet - get on it!

More to come!

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Currently listening to: The Golden Butter Band
Song: Woodstove
Album: Single

The Inkwell, Longbranch, NJ

2010-03-26T11:51:00.002-04:00

The Broad Set Writing Collective is reading tonight at The Inkwell in Longbranch, NJ. 7-9pm.

Get your details fresh off the grill right HERE.

I'm reading a story about Stephen Colbert. It should be pretty interesting.

I think you should come because I like you.

I was planning on doing an entire literary wide post with all the great new releases and goodies, but there are so many. That sounds mean, but honestly... there is just too much this month. I'll post some randoms (in no particular order) in my next post. Promise!

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Currently listening to: The Kooks
Song: Naive
Album: Inside In/Inside Out