1. Writing really needs to be the main focus of these next few weeks. Class will begin at the end of the month and I have to get some short stories in the works. I haven’t been in a fiction workshop since fall 2006, so it has definitely been awhile. I am really excited for it, and there will be some converted poems into short stories. I’m very eager to try that.

2. If you are looking to get a book review published then take a look at Octopus Magazine. For their next issue, they will be selecting essays on books that are 20 years old and out of print. So, if you have a book that you love that no one really knows about, or is getting old enough to collect some serious dust, then Octopus Magazine is for you. Deadline is Aug. 31st, so get to it!

3. David Bazan may be one of the most talented singer/songwriters of our generation. Most haven’t heard of him although he has fronted popular bands such as Pedro the Lion, and his solo project Headphones. He’s a busy musician constantly moving back and forth with the new sounds. His last release was an EP in 2006, Fewer Moving Parts. His newest release is which will be out September 1st, is Curse Your Braches and will be his first solo full length just as David Bazan.

Bazan is famous for his powerful lyrics questioning every aspect of life and religion. He is noted as a Christian, but when listening to his lyrics, you’ll find his worrisome voice, that is confused on how to speak about religion. I know some people who think he only sings about God, and all of his lyrics praise Christianity. I say you have to look deeper. The lyrics can be haunting and although his new album Curse Your Branches sounds very upbeat compared to his other work. I believe it was Rolling Stone who listed him in the top 50 living songwriters. He plans to make a tour with a full band, which he hasn’t done since his Pedro the Lion days. I know one of the members of Aqueduct will be helping him out with his tour. Oh, to be a musician from Seattle.

David Bazan
Curse Your Branches
2009
Tracks:
Hard To Be
Bless This Mess
Please, Baby, Please
Curse Your Branches
Harmless Sparks
When We Fell
Lost My Shape
Bearing Witness
Heavy Breath
In Stitches

I just got back home from a nice trip to Ohio. It was tough going home and only staying for barely 5 days. I got to see a lot of close family in new houses, which is always strange to see people move on from houses you're so comfortable with.

I've had a lot of time to think with the 5 hour drive back to Chicago. I've got to get myself ready for Fiction I in the Fall. It will be the first time I've worked on fiction in a long time and I haven't been in a fiction workshop since Fall 2006. Whoever joins me in this class, get yourself ready for plenty of grammatical mishaps. It should be fun.

Quick list of updates.

1. Listen to the band 65DaysofStatic. The album One Time for All Time has got to be one of the best I've heard in a while.

2. Ohio has a lot more hills in the south than you would ever guess.

3. The Megabus is far beyond better than the Greyhound. Can you say double decker with wi-fi?

4. The Cincinnati Red's just ran into a wall a full speed. Their number one pitcher for this year (16 game winner from last year) just received Tommy John Surgery after missing nearly 2-3 months of baseball already. He won't likely pitch 12 months from now...and that's pushing it. This is the biggest blow to the Reds nation I've ever encountered. We've lost 9 of the last 10, and it doesn't stop there. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in my life with a sports team.