hallawayjoe

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hallawayjoe
Andyland

2002-05-04 3:34 PM
The Amazing Pizza Extravaganza

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Mood:
acetaminophen-like

So, I have been trying to normalize my sleep habits, but I guess I am too anxious about the future. I also am second guessing things I say, So I worry about my impulsive email habits, and if I occasionally hurt someone's feelings. Kind of neurotic, huh? Well, I am just moseying along. Trying to get back into the mindless state so I can revise my thesis, and grade papers. Then it will be a summer dedicated to rehearsing my slam repertoire and practicing with the team. There are photos of us on www.flagstaffpoetry.com if you want to put a face to names. I also have to clean up my apartment again. Should be a blast. I was reading the intro to Def Poetry Jam and the sentiment revealed there was that slam cheapens poetry. Similar to Harold Bloom calling slam the "death of art" Well... A rhetoric professor at NAU and my poetry professor disagree. They still want poetry to look good on page. to read well, silently as well as aloud, but only bad poetry cheapens poetry... or bad poetry that is sold. Cinema was looked down upon, rock and roll was disdained, the Beats, Rap Music, everything new has its detractors. Imposition of values. Eventually a new revolution will come along and upset slam poets when slam becomes the "establishment" The cycle continues. The competition is serious yet mock at the same time. I placed behind 2 undergraduates, and I am a graduate. So What, marc smith would say. I also placed ahead of one of last years team members. so what! The reality is is that slam propels us to write better, write more, and the competition and random judges gives us a measuring stick. It also emphasizes that art is not just for artists, but for non artists as well. You don't have to read Shakespeare to enjoy a slam, although it is highly recommended that you read or watch Shakespeare for its own sake. Also, a lot of us are self indulgent, but if we can't connect to the audience, then we will get our comeuppance with low scores(much of the time). Again, Slam has no class status. It requires only a few bucks and some original poems. There are many different styles within it, and age groups, ethnic backgrounds, etc... Well, anyways,
I dig it.

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