p.s. Hey. The photo evidence of the NY Userlands events is filing in, so I should be able to give you a good look at what happened on Monday. That's the plan anyway. Thanks one more time to everyone who read, hosted, and attended. The future is yours, etc. ** Link RayGun, Thanks for your patience. Yes, there've been many, many times that people who have been molested or who suffered a lot of emotional, physical, or psychological abuse when they were young have either written to me or talked to me about my work and said they felt connected to what I've written in relationship to those kinds of experiences. Honestly, those have been the most important and meaningful responses I've ever gotten to my writing both because I feel like those people have a deep understanding of what my work is trying to do, and because, especially at a certain point years ago when I was constantly being accused of glamourizing and romanticizing that kind of violence for shock value, their seeming understanding and appreciation of what I'm trying to do really helped me believe and stay on course, by which I mean continuing to write about those kinds of acts with what I hope is their full intensity and complexity, attraction and horror and damage intact. Of course there have been people with similiar experiences who've hated my work for whatever reason -- writing about those things at all, not going out of my way to have an attacking, mortalistic viewpoint on them. It's hard to say whether there've been more supporters or haters in that regard. But yes. Obviously, having gone through what you have and saying you like my work means a whole lot, and I'm really moved to hear that. I'd like to hear more about your film projects, if you don't mind, both about what your plans are for them artistically and about your thinking re. how to represent those experiences. And, yeah, just thanks a lot for now. Feel free to ask me anything you want at anytime always. Oh, and I think your new picture is really cool. ** Joseph, That Nepal story and image are really disturbing and fascinating of course. I'm glad Roussel interested you. Lautreamont actually took the words out of my mouth in recommending the Oulipo writers. They might be very up your alley. In fact, your question made me decide to a Day here about the incredible Oulipo associated writer Georges Perec, so, if nothing else, I'll post that probably next week, and you can see what you think of him and his stuff. So you seem like a very interesting guy. What do you do? Dumb question, but I mean are you a writer or ... what? Thanks. ** Lautreamont, Thanks for the Oulipo suggestion. Like I said, I'm gonna try a Perec Day, and probably a Harry Matthews Day a bit later on. So, a question. Since you're in Egypt, what do you know about contemporary Egyptian literature? I know next to nothing since so little is translated into English, and I'm very curious. ** SCHIZZ, Your input on Roussel was totally fantastic, and much, much appreciated. You know, I don't speak French, which is kind of insane since I both live in Paris and am the world's biggest Francophile, so your question about what Roussel's work becomes or doesn't in translation is a question I ask too. Of course the French people I know frequently tell me it's ridiculous that Roussel was translated at all, and say that non-French speakers can't have an accurate clue about his work, although I kind of like to think about the puzzle that translation places upon the pure puzzle of Roussel's work, not that we non-French speakers have any choice. Anyway, great thoughts on Roussel, one of the most sublimely great writers ever. Thank you so much for adding them. Brisset is writer I've longed to read forever, but I think I've only seen tiny samples of his work in translation. I know only cursory info about him, his life. Someone ... maybe Edmund White? ... once talked to me for a long time about him, but my memories didn't keep the stories. You read French to some degree, obviously. What is your take on his work? It's true about Roussel's grave, but it's such a beautiful loneliness, and the grave itself is quite weighty and memorable. ** T.pkendall, So what did you do on your big day, eh? ** Bernard Welt, Unless I'm spacing out like I did briefly on whether a Derek Jarman Day had already occurred, I don't think there's been a proper Harry Matthews Day, and I'm on it, right after Perec. 'Nest of Ninnies.' sigh, so wonderful, as, on a different note, is Schuyler's wonderful novel 'What's for Dinner?' You agree? ** David Ehrenstein, I did get your email, and that was really nice to read. I mean let's see what their regrets really mean. I can't count the magazines and places that have said that to me or my agent or someone, and then ... poof. But it's nice to read. And it's really, really nice of you to pursue that. ** Atheist, Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like there's tons of stuff out there on male prostitution: books, online stuff, fiction, memoirs ... I feel like you'll find a wealth of material after a while. ** Dooflow, Yeah, definitely, please send me anything for the Delaney Day. I'd be hugely grateful, and that would spur it on to happening.. We can co-curate the Day, if you like. You want to? With someone as great and rangy as Delaney, two heads and two sources of input might really help. Just a thought. ** David C., Depends on what you mean by difficult. His writing itself isn't hard to read, but his work, as you could see yesterday, needs a different approach, and its forward momentum isn't propulsive in the way most fiction is. But he's so great and so important, I think, that I'd at least recommend giving something by him a try. It might not end up being something you love, but he's a writer you won't regret having tried to read. That I can guarantee. ** Chris Stamm, Taking a break from your daily routine is an excellent excuse, actually. Awesome about your band's progress. Get that European tour lined up asap. Fall Out Boy, hm. I don't know. You might be right about the meds effect. Unless I'm missing something. And I often do, need I say? Grad schools don't know shit, but I'm sorry if it hurts or fucks your plans. But, really, there are a ton more amazing writers who've been rejected by grad schools than there are great bands that have never won a Grammy. ** Antonio, First, here's your Yury translation of that Russian sentence: 'Have you tried to take sleeping pills in combination with laxatives?' I hope you weren't hoping for something more esoteric. The writer Brian Pera once set up a collaborative writing piece where he, Kevin Killian, Stephen Beachy, Dodie Bellamy, and others including me wrote a long fiction thing that he was going to turn into a comic, though I don't think he ever did, but the point is that for whatever bizarre reason Haley Joel Osmond ended up being a major character in the piece, and, of course, in my part he got raped and a bunch of other awful stuff by ... robots, giants rabbits, something? Weird project that's probably going to bite all of us in the asses someday. Jessica Stockholder is an artist of total suckage, and when she got the job running the Yale program, many tears were wept. I'm on the Richard D. James album is his best thus far band wagon. ** Imnotstopping, I bet you know/knew Trevor Winkfield a little, right? I knew him a little through Elmslie and Ashbery and Brainard. Lovely guy, and, yes, and wonderful painter. ** Katsim, Of course I think your work is gallery worthy. The question is are the galleries are worthy, or, rather, are they smart enough to act worthy. Or something like that. Anyway, I totally meant that about recommendations and letters and all that. When you feel the time is right, just say the word. For now I say make some paintings because dealers like to see a bunch to help them decide. ** Tony oneill, Thanks, Tony, for everything, hosting, pictures in the mail, your kindliness and brilliance. ** Antler, No worries about the photo. It's lodged in obscurity. I don't know why, but I'm glad to hear Antony is still a bulky boy. I'm curious about what he did on the new Bjork album. Marina Abramovic: I used to know her an itty bitty bit. Her work was in a show I curated at Pat Hearn Gallery. She used to live in Amsterdam, but I don't know if she still does, and she had the most incredible big loft on one of the canals. French ass worshipping isn't just an affliction of the French. Which is a roundabout way of saying I like French asses too, and if my work is full of asses, and it is, the French deserve the blame/credit, and one of the working titles my novel-in-progress that will probably never see the light of day is 'French Hole.' ** 5stringsA, I wrote a poem for the Lady Bugs actor when he died. It made me sad. I saw him at Virgin Records once. He was very cute and looked very morose. ** Imri, Me too, about KTL coming to Berlin. I'll finally get there and for a real reason. Amanda Lear is on primetime French TV all the time talking about this and that as one of the regular guests on the endless array of French TV shows where people 'of note' talk endlessly about this and that. She looks good. ** Chris, No, I haven't read the Benabou book. I should, huh? Okay. I'm envious about the 'Secret Public' show. I read about it, and it sounds really enticing. Is there a catalog? A big Samuel Beckett show just opened here at Pompidou, and I really want to see that. I hear it's sharp. ** Paul Curran, Thanks, Paul. Is everybody in your house feeling better, I hope? ** Vomitingghosts, I second you on the McSweeneys Oulipo thing, and they made it look really swell. ** Killer luka, Oh shit, you posted on my mistake post, and I deleted the post with your poor comment attached? I have to look before I leap next time. Horror Hospital: It's a story and a graphic novel by me starring a fictitious punk band called Horror Hospital who were based on a real LA punk band from the late 70s called Horror Hospital who must have gotten the name from the film. I do want to hear much more about the dolls whenever you feel like it, and hopefully I won't kill your words next time. ** Math t., Howdy, pal. Tote that bale. ** Doug Wasted, Yeah, I'm gonna set up a permanent link to the HH film this weekend. How were Arcade Fire? ** Mark, Cool. I'm biting my fingernails awaiting Nick's photo-, etc.- filled email(s). A little bird told me a possible collab between you and Nick and Mr. Pajot? True? Sounds tasty. ** Jeff, I do very much like Harry Matthews, yes, and a Day in the not too distant future will hopefully cement that. Among the other Oulipo writers, Queneau and Roubaud are really great and must reads, I think. There are other excellent ones in there too. I'd pick up that Atlas book of selected writings by the Oulipo writers (Oulipo Compedium) to see what you think of them and who strikes your fancy. The Matthew Stokoe book was published by LHotB before I took over the imprint, so it technically isn't my series, as you can probably tell by its pretty bad cover. But thanks for digging in. Your future thoughts and opinions would be most welcome. ** Adjoun, Sadly, I'm not as up on the names of the doggyboys as I should be. I'm more like, oh, I like that blonde one or whatever. Arunas is pretty charming. Willy's a little masculine looking for me maybe, but I haven't seen that clip. The only doggyboys stuff I know are the pix and clips I can find for free, and most of them feature their more vintage models. Hm. Why are they such favorites with you? I don't know if that's an answerable question, but ... ** Michael_karo, Got your email. Your timing is perfect. I'm doing one of those things you wondered about next week, and your bud will be part of it, so thanks mucho and nice psychic detective work. ** William, Hey. Thanks a lot. And, obviously, it's cool to see you, and don't be stranger unless being a stranger suits your purposes. Take care. ** Winter rates, I sure did listen your show in archive, and that was a wild one in the best possible way. From that Who bunch then going on a real rollercoaster of tone staying totally a surprise to the very end. Some of the songs for which I was especially grateful and/or pleasingly startled : Hot Tuna (whoa) and that whole section with Gene Vincent and everyone (whoa!) , 'Safe as Milk,' the Van Morrison, Wire, of course 'Awful Bliss,' etc. Nice, nice, nice. ** JW Veldhoen, In your dad's pick-up! In his rig! I'm liking that. It's tough. ** Rigby101, I'm gonna do a Rimming Day. I'm not sure who I should ask to write the official instructions section unless it's .... you! Or did you ask because you want instruction? No, I bet you're second only to me in the ... "Hey, man, you want your ass to feel like a genius?' ... stakes. Okay, more soon. ** I'm so late again. I'm falling into bad habits. But at least you have the weekend to look this post over. Uh, have good ones. Monday it is.