This entry is for poetry slam geeks only.
This whole 5×3 idea that Taylor came up with for the National Poetry Slam – 5 teams, 3 POEMS per bout as opposed to 3×4, or the more recent 4×4 – isn’t necessarily the death of Nationals as some have lamented. It is, however, a flawed band-aid that emphasizes the competition in a way that has the potential to divide local scenes more than the usual inanity inherent to the format. It is also indicative of PSI’s failure to coalesce as a legitimate organization.
One of the bigger problems with this system is the fact that it was insitituted THIS year, completely untested beyond a last-second dry run between meetings a couple of weeks ago. Add to that the fact that now up to 80 teams can compete but it’s still first-come, first-serve registration with minimal requirements* for certification. Instead of making room for new slam scenes for previously unrepresented areas, I bet many of those additional 16 slots will go to larger areas’ B and C teams. Teams started by or made up of veteran carpetbagging poets that bounce around a particular region attempting to qualify for as many teams as possible.
As for the 3 POEMS distinction, it wouldn’t be an issue if that translated to 3 POETS per team. Unfortunately, in their wishy-washy, John Kerry-like manner, they voted to amend Taylor’s proposal to allow slammasters to decide locally whether to send 3, 4 or 5 poets. And there’s nothing mandated that this be determined at the beginning of the season. In other words, if popular Joe Veteran comes in 4th or 5th place, that slam will likely send a 4- or 5-poet team. If unpopular Eddie Newbie takes that 4th or 5th spot, though, that slam has the option to claim broke and choose to send a minimal 3-poet team instead. Given PSI’s spineless penchant for staying out of local issues, this is a senseless can of worms to have opened.
I love The Onion. After watching Bush's speech tonight, it's clear what his re-election gameplan is: you like him or you don't. Plain and simple. He's going to let Kerry do the dancing for the swing vote and cross his fingers hoping JFK hangs himself with a misstep or two. Much as I hate the guy and everything he stands for, I can't say I'm willing to bet against him at this point. Kerry better come up with a mind-blowing, paradigm-shifting choice for VP. :-( PS: Apologies to the Acentos crew for not making it out tonight. The weather, my…
Pumpkin Seeds: 4/13/2004
1. There's something about the concept of The Swan that really turns my stomach. 2. If George Huff isn't in the top three of American Idol, America deserves a daily primetime version of The Swan. 3. Despite his accent, which is getting inexplicably stronger each week, I'm rooting for Boston Rob on Survivor: All Stars. 4. Anyone blaming Russell Simmons for "lowering the bar" in the slam scene via Def Poetry needs to do some soul-searching and question whether or not there's a little latent racism to come to terms with. 5. Bad poetry sucks, regardless of its subject matter,…
A long and tiring, but ultimately fun weekend got off to a shaky start as I blew off the American Candidate deadline after busting my ass (and Ed's, and Salomé's) putting the audition tape together on Tuesday night. The day off Thursday threw my schedule out of whack and Friday at work was too hectic to get the application completed. If only they'd extend the deadline... :-( Saturday was such a beautiful day that it's almost a shame we ended up spending most of it in the mall. Of course, this picture was the primary reason so it's all good.…
It takes a lot to knock me off-center. Wednesday night did exactly that and I needed to lay low yesterday, relax and get my head back together. Where 2002 was a rough year on the personal side of things, the past 12 months have been a serious roller coaster ride on the...hobby/passion (?) side. An extended spring cleaning in a lot of ways, sorting through six years of accumulated relationships and figuring out which were the real thing, which to save and which to throw away. At times, it was like looking under the bed and finding an army of…
There's one thing I value above most others: loyalty. Not blind loyalty; not stroke my ego and never say anything bad loyalty; not pretend I'm always right and never question me loyalty. Very simply, you know that when I'm in your corner, I'm IN your corner, so don't blindside me with some random bullshit and act like I haven't had your back from day one. When she decided to go the weak, emotional route when called out on her shit, I understand you taking her side. I can even forgive the impulsive protective response that led you to push me.…