Things I Learned This Week

Andrew Porter, Russian Artists, Cameron Winter and MJ Lenderman

Sorry, I was MIA on the weekly post, but finals and life have swallowed me alive. Losing stuff sucks. People. Places. Animals. Whatever. It’s when life reminds you that it’s short and tragic and should be appreciated and celebrated at all costs because it’s always a moment away from going away.

That said, I just walked out of my last class/final. I am a week and a day and two papers from graduating college. It only took me 30 years, but I made it. Shout out to my honors English teacher from high school (Mr. McCracken), who begged me to return to college instead of moving to New York in 1992. Then, I didn’t know how to navigate my way out of a lack of finances and packed my bags for the big city because it seemed like the most viable option. A part of me wishes I had heeded his advice, but there is a bigger part who wouldn’t trade of minute of the path I’ve taken. Soooo, here’s some stuff I want to tell you about.

I am a creative writing minor, but because I took the long road to graduation and took all the most fun stuff years ago, I haven’t had a creative writing class in a while. But our fiction professor, Andrew Porter, has a new book out called The Imagined Life. I’m only a few chapters in, so I can’t give you the 411 except that Andrew is an incredible writer. A broken family. The search for a missing father. All the makings of an American drama story. But don’t trust my opinion, listen to the NY Times or The New Yorker. The book’s been getting some great kudos. (Plus my mentee and insanely talented friend Sarah Cooper took his author photo.) Read up friends! :)

Because I have not been consuming much and instead working on papers, so slim pickin’s this week. (OK. So I just wrote those words, and as you do when you grow up in the Deep South, you must constantly question your euphemisms. Might be questionable. Will probably skip it next time.) So moving on… shoutout to Russia (of all places). This 1920s propaganda poster by Alexander Rodchenko—constructionist artist and photographer. Wow. The poster, commissioned by the State Publishing House in Leningrad, aimed to promote education and literacy. The image features a woman (Lilya Brik) shouting "Books (Please)! In All Branches of Knowledge" in Russian. I didn’t dig too deep into the politics here. Was Rodchenko himself problematic? Who knows. I’m just into the work. I’ve got too much to do to dive deep. That’s on you. Wiki is a good place to start if you want to learn more.

Speaking of Russian artists with mad design skills, let’s veer from my white dude theme for a minute and shine a light on the other half of this power couple, the equally talented Varvara Stepanova, Alexander’s wife. She did all kinds of art, but what caught my eye was her fabric and clothing design. The queen of the Russian avant-garde, in true Soviet form, her designs were meant to accent function over form, and were intended to be free-flowing and easy to move around in, depending on your occupation. Plus, they were just awesome. Bold colors and geometric designs on loose clothing that fits. Her work was never mass-produced, but I think some of it would fly today. Check out her textile designs. They’ve aged way better than shit in a can.

My son continues to inspire me musically, most recently with his Cameron Winter and MJ Lenderman recs. Last night was his final college radio (WECX 99.9 St. Pete, Florida) show of the semester. (The set list for the last two years of shows can be listened to here.) These young humans do so much, including producing dozens of weekly shows, performances, and events throughout the year; plus an all-day music festival (Wecxapaloosa) with 10+ bands. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s taking over as one of the station managers next year; being passed the baton by his buddy Jordan, who is a badass. I’m so glad Eckerd College has given him such awesome mentors and friends and that he’s finding his way. Check out the Lenderman he played during the set last night (She’s Leaving You), and my fave Winter song (Love Takes Miles). We’re seeing Lenderman in the UK next month, so here’s to summer!

Wish I had more to say. But that’s about it. I still have two papers to write!

Quote of the week?

“What is the meaning of life? That was all—a simple question; one that tended to close in on one with years, the great revelation had never come. The great revelation, perhaps, never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark; here was one.” ― Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

‘Til Tuesday kids.

Burgin

(I’m finishing college at 50+, follow along and read my story here.)