Had an idealogical re-enforcement tonight. - Starting with Slam poetry

[HEyHEY]

So I go to this rock the vote thing with a slam poet, the show was great, really funny. And he was a good poet. So he says to the crowd "Hey after all this we're going to such and such bar if you wanna come."
I figure, "Yeah his show was pretty cool, seems like an interesting enough guy to talk to."

So, I interviewed him after the show and he was saying "Hey come down to the bar" to all sorts of people that were passing by. Never personally invited me. So I figured it was the media thing, many don't like reporters because they're raised to fear them.

I call my buddy and we go down there.

I ended up sitting next to this guy. The whole time he said not one word to me or my buddy. Like he was deliberatley being rude to us.

I know exactly why, we didn't fit in with the poetry crowd, two guys who don't look like Kurt Cobain/Jim morrison/student union wannabees, and actually get paid to write for a living. I in my dress shirt and tie, my friend in a formal sweater. That was his problem, I'm sure of it.

And the irony was, most of his poems were all about not judging people, being open minded, all that shit.

I've often held a belief that people who waltz around preaching such things are usually the biggest hypocrites of all. ANd tonight I was proved right. This guy was one of the biggest assholes I've ever encountered, and I have to look in the mirror everyday.

I felt like saying "Your entire life is one hypocrosy you fucking fraud. You judge me on my clothes after spewing thigns that made sense?"

My friend and I left, and on the way out one of the girls from his crowd was coming in, I stood back to hold the door for her (being polite.)

ANd she looked at me like "Who do you think you are you fucking fascist, sexist mother fucker, I'm a strong woman and can open my own door."

So me and friend went to the car and had a few laughs at their expense.

The thing is I feel cheated, because some of his stuff I really bought, and I'm a HARD sell. In the end he was a fucking fraud.

[MrSlayer]

1. Did you talk to the dude at all? Or did you just interpret his feelings?

Not to pick up for him or anything but did you even try to engage him in conversation?

[HEyHEY]

2. Tried

Numerous times...only one word answers

[MrSlayer]

3. Well then yeah, he's a hypocritical dickhead.

You should have called him out on it. Might have made for an interesting story, particularly if the "strong woman" who hates common courtesy came in to defend him.

[CanuckAmok]

7. Next time... go to the pub with him and his entourage....

...tell him you're with some 'hip' urban magazine, and get him to open up to you.

Then, towards the end of the interview, when you feel you've really gained his trust, say:

"so, you think you're a pretty good poet, huh? Think you could out-rhyme a bullet?"

And while he's saying "Huh?", you pull out a handgun and shoot him in the temple.


Then (and this is the real payback)... turn to his girlfriend and say, "I did that for my wife... do you want to meet her?"

And when she says yes, you pull out your dick and wave it around at everyone, shouting "HERE'S MY WIFE! HERE'S MY WIFE!", until the cops arrive.

[fleabert]

8. you and my husband have the same type of humor...

do you often have people stare at you after you say something, not knowing how to react?

[CanuckAmok]

10. Yes!

Maybe I am your husband. Let's find out!

[fleabert]

31. LOL!

He is much more shy than you are, an introvert at heart...you are certainly NOT an introvert! You are both very funny though...sick, but funny!

[Hatalles]

4. I don't know what to tell ya...

I just performed at an open mic tonight... not slam poetry, but fairly traditional stuff -- even did an English sonnet though the use of that particular form had its own intent.

There is certainly a good chunk of 'literary types' who seem to be more into the 'scene', the 'act' of being a poet/writer and living that 'artsy' lifestyle. Y'know, put on a leather jacket, stick a cigarette between your lips, get yourself a martini glass and voila -- you're an artist. ;)

Maybe I just have a bias against the whole slam scene, I don't know. Whatever it's worth, buddy -- I wore a jacket, collared shirt, and some blue jeans to my reading and though I don't frequent bars, I woulda' hung out with you. :)

[CanuckAmok]

5. How many times do you need to be told?

Poets are to be urinated upon...nothing more.

Don't forget, the most judgemental people in the world are ivory tower elitists who have only just discovered critical thinking processes after having their parents shell out for their MBAs with minors in lit crit or oceanography.

Don't worry, he'll die in a bathtub in Marsailles. Then who'll have the last laugh, huh?

Who will?

You will!

[mark414]

6. hahaha

hilarious

[Zuni]

13. I agree with you 100%

I can't stand the deification of supposedly profound 'poets' and 'artists' that are nothing more than raving drunks and drug addicts spouting off non sensical bullshit to crowds full of brainless counter culture ass kissers.

[HEyHEY]

30. In the company of a long shoreman!

[realisticphish]

9. HEyHEY!

you're a facist! i feel so...betrayed... :cry:

[Zuni]

11. Don't worry about them

sounds like they are a bunch of crotch sniffing pants hounds who wouldn't know the real world if it showered a hot ball full of man spunk onto their ears.

[RetroLounge]

14. "a hot ball full of man spunk onto their ears"

:yourock:

RL

[Zuni]

15. sorry, it had to be said

[yewberry]

12. You're confusing the work with the author.

Yes, he sounds like an utter jerk and a hypocrite...but don't feel cheated because you "bought" his work. His work could be great no matter what an ass he is.

[HEyHEY]

21. great point

[JVS]

16. I told you not to go to the coffee-houses, I told you to avoid poetry...

readings! I told you to stay in the bars!

[HEyHEY]

18. Yes, and I shall never stray again

[JVS]

19. Good

[redqueen]

17. What the heck is 'slam' poetry?

I woulda gone off on both jerks, right then and there.

[HEyHEY]

23. It's like a hip - aggresive kinda poetry

[redqueen]

24. Ah...

I'm so not hip!

:cry:

[Shakespeare]

26. It's not poetry, it's "poetry."

And only by the very loosest definition. God, but I hate that overly effected slam garbage.

[HEyHEY]

28. And that's shakespeare talking

[mark414]

20. what about karma?

[HEyHEY]

22. I'm not an asshole, I'm a nice guy - I may be an asshole to you

Because you called me a racist... because I'm white.... hey, you may really get along with this guy's crowd!

[RagingInMiami]

25. I was invited to a poetry slam the other night in a black area of Miami

I went there to take photos and possibly write a story. I was the only non-black person there.
They welcomed me with open arms and invited me onstage to introduce myself. I'll be going back this Saturday.

[HEyHEY]

27. Good poems?

[RagingInMiami]

29. There was so much talent in that small room

Yes, very good poems. Real poems about real life. Even one anti-Bush poem. A couple about Africa, the motherland. A few others about the streets.
One young guy, with dreadlocks, a raiders shirt and camoflauge pants, took the mike and started ryming about the virtues of black women in a positive sense.

This all took place in Liberty City, referred to many in Miami as "the hood".