It's Been a Week

It's been six days since last Tuesday, which must mean it's Monday.

I have been meaning to rave for a week about the experience I had last week. On Tuesday I was at the Plasticine Poetry Series. Yes, there were good performances by Kate Marshall Flaherty, Phlip Arima and Myna Wallin. However, one performance stood out above all....my open-mic performance...was not it. It was the performance of Lara Bozabalian. She's a Toronto-area high school teacher. I've heard her read at various open mics and poetry slams. Now, I always thought her work was good, but could never say, until last Tuesday, I was blown away by her work. I was especially blown away by a piece called Eraser Marks, which deals with adults putting pressure on children, at least that's my interpretation. I've never been a fan of reviewing poetry in depth as there can be many interpretations and it's almost unfair to even attempt to deconstruct one's work when you're not even sure if you're going about it the right way. Sure, we can comment on the use of imagery, overall message, if there is a very clear one, and use of language, but to go in depth and discuss whether or not someone is "hitting the point" needs ability to read the mind of the poet. I know of one poet here in Toronto who is a professional tarot card reader, so that may count for something (Clara Blackwood. Go to her book launch for Subway Medusa next Wednesday at Bar Italia. Buy me a drink while you're at it as I'll be there. Kick some ass Clara.)

Let me get back to Lara. As I told her, she's no longer just pretty good, she's pretty great. Her reading style at first may lead you to believe she's either incredibly nervous or broken-hearted. I can't comment if either is true. All I know is it's her style, unique and she need not change it.

So I was in Peterborough this weekend visiting friends and family. On Saturday night I discover a couple of guys who occasionally busk outside the liquor store around the corner (a stone's throw away if you have a quarterback's arm) were actually from Peterborough and I walked into their gig at The Pig's Ear Tavern. They're a bluegrass band called The County Boys. They're quite good. Afterward at the Spill some garage rock band were playing who were quite good. I have no idea who they were and likely never will.

On Sunday I sat down with my father watching the Grey Cup. My father's drunken commentary as if he was an expert on the CFL was more entertaining than the game, and that wasn't saying much, though the game did pick up the pace toward the end. At one point I joked my dad should go apply for a coaching job in the CFL or to be a commentator. But afterward we watched the end of the Sunday night NFL game, which was much more exciting, to be honest.