now winter had it coming: the interview

fuck!

hahahahah

here's the dirt...

It’s Spring Break here in Minot. It also snowed yesterday. Whatever. I’ve wanted to do what I’d call a “meta-blog” for awhile. A blog about blogging. The “why’s” and what-not. So, instead of doing this in any sort of laborious manner: racking my brain, twisting my arm, thinking too hard – I just asked for some help. Anthony and John, John and Anthony. Good guys. And they both have their own blogs…

Exhibit A: John, http://www.j5mc.org/

Exhibit B: Anthony, http://janthonyjastrzembski.blogspot.com/

I had them interview me. Pretty smart, huh?

So, without more shitty banter. The kind that would have me saying I’m drinking too much for free at Eb’s while I write…here’s the interview…

We start with Anthony’s questions (he’s as verbose as I am!)The questions are him, and the answers are me. You figure it out:

1. Many bloggers write really intimate and sometimes embarrassing
things for the world to see. Do you do this? Do you also keep in mind who is going to read it, in regards to some details you may or may not leave out (I know I do, I have family members, a teacher, and my boss on my list. Having said that, I don’t edit myself much).

I’m pretty new to this whole thing. I’ve been doing it about a month. Embarrassing things don’t even happen to me, anyway – so – no, not really. Intimacy is also pretty infrequent in my world, as I’m sure you’ll agree don juan de-strzembski. I’m just fuckin’ with ya. Don’t worry – I kid! I guess, embarrassing: only my writing. I do from time to time worry about being misconstrued – but no one really reads this damn thing anyway, so I’m not too worried. That might change in the future (I’m planning to use this site as a hub for some distro-work I’ll begin soon…)

2. What approach do you take to blogging? Do you write a mishmash of
thoughts that just strike you, pictures, etc? Do you write planned out
essays, almost as if you were writing a book of essays? Do you talk about politics, or things of that sort?

My approach is pretty chaotic. That latest post “punk rock confidential” would be the first time I’ve publicly spoke about anything worth a damn almost ever. I mean, outside of song lyrics. I generally act more dignified, but it’s a digital world, and I’m sick of self-imposed silence. So – I guess from time to time I’ll talk about my world in a more critical way than I would have before…publicly, that is.

3. Why do you blog. Is it to keep in touch with people you can’t see
all the time? Is it sort of a masturbatory thing where you want your
friends to know how great you are? Are you trying to be an Internet
celebrity? Creative outlet?

I don’t really know. I guess I just saw the shit around. The “Blogger” insignia on shit. You and MC started one. I had to keep up with your Jonesy asses. Ultimately, however – I just wanted to post my zine, from the first zinefest here in Minot, online. I did that and decided I’d try this out. It’s been cathartic and from time to time people have even read what I’m puttin’ down. That’s a new and neat feeling. I’m writing, revising, editing, and – of course – posting, more than ever before. It’s nice to write. You know?

4. How much time to you spend on the average entry.

Maybe an hour on longer ones, usually only 15 minutes or so. I’ve been trying to do it once a day. At night, calm me down. Reflect. I try to do things that I would like to read in the future. I don’t journal as much as I should. This is a good substitute.

5. Are you afraid of silly stuff like someone who would not like what
you write is reading it (e.g. boss, police, family)?

Yeah. A little. Well, once I guess. I put up posts sometimes about not liking my bookstore job too much. This wouldn’t be a big deal, she’s not subscribed to my blog or anything, but I made fliers promoting my blog (I’m such a dork.) And I don’t want her to get the flier, load the page, and read that. You know? I mean, what a lame way to be fired. I doubt it will happen – and Val, if you’re reading this: it’s only because I feel lost all the damn time, due to lack of hours, and an inability to keep up with shelving-changes. That’s it. I think you’re a great lady.

6. Do you give a frame of reference, for instance, elaborate on a
person or place that all readers might not be familiar with?

I guess right now I’m hoping the people reading it already know me. I clarify some things, like if I mention Jim – I say, “Jim Cherry, Severed Head Records.” That types of shit. Mostly I don’t elaborate. Should I?

7. What prompted your start into blogging?

I think I answered that already. No other outlet like it? I wish there were better zines around here. Maybe they’ll start happening and I’ll head back to the print/photocopy medium. I dunno though – the internet is powerful.

8. Do you think it has an effect on your networking?

Maybe. It’s too soon to say.

9. Do you think it is another fucking waste of time?

Dear Sisyphus,

Yes.

10. Does writing your own blog make you want to read the blogs your
friends, or people you don’t even know, more?

Actually, yeah. I have more of an understanding than before and now I’m wishing I would’ve kept up with Jake’s more often. This is a neat thing and I missed the bus. I’m trying to make up for lost time right now…

11. Why are you such a raging douchebag? (kidding)
I’ll answer this after you do.

peas,
Anthony

peas? seriously, answer number 11.

Now, we’ll answer the questions of none other than rocket scientist McClure. Damn he’s smart. And so – tall! So…dreamy…


Thank you, Mr. Luetzen, for agreeing to this interview. I know your time is limited. First off, I should ask, what has inspired you to write "ennui go" ?

-- Hoping to add another, hopefully, unique voice to the choir of internet angels.

Where do you see yourself going with this blog?

-- Wherever wireless will take me – ha! Seriously? I’m just taking as it goes – a new hobby – I’m full of new hobbies, all the damn time. Like how you’ve got plans for a full light-rail system dedicated to hauling us to and from Bismarck. Damn, I love you.

Has it been a challenge to develop material? Where do you draw it from?

-- I’ve just been posting shit I like and talking about my days really. I lead a pretty interesting life, actually. Nothing too boring around here. Punk is exciting and I’ll proudly claim it – on my tax returns? I wish. I’ve been thinking more about saying things that matter, and starting to post funny shit I’ve created (I’m getting a camera! Thanks, Chris Brown.) I get inspired by everything, including John’s and Anthony’s.

Thank you, Mr. Luetzen. One more thing I might ask -- Do you see yourself as a cultural representative of a particular place, or more of a particular viewpoint?

-- That’s an amazingly deep question. Wow. Okay, well – I’m not 110% sure that they’re not entwined. For a long time, I’ve wondered if what I do is place-specific. I’ve never been sure. Could I recreate things I’ve done here, say, in the Central Valley of California? I don’t know. I’d try though. Wherever I am, I’d try. That’s just how I work. So, in that respect – I’m an ambassador of a particular viewpoint. The do-it-yourselves ethic. Yeah, do it together. But outside of bureaucratic bullshit-lines. Start something – ANYTHING – make it right when you see it wrong. Dig?

Like how Dr. Samuel Beckett (Quantum Leap, people!) finds himself trapped in the futures and pasts of different fucked up people in fucked up situations – and, once – as a chimp! And he’s supposed to “put right what once went wrong.”

So, there’s that. But I don’t think I would try as hard, have as much hope, or believe in potentials as much as I do if I didn’t grow up in the hard winters we got here. If you know what I mean? Well, shit of course you do.

So, there you have it! I can’t thank these two gents enough…I don’t wanna fellate them all night long, however, so I’ll just say, “You’re good people. And I know good people. I’m proud to know you. I’m also drinking Black Velvet and Coke. Spring break! Spring BREEEEAAAAAAK! Oh yeah! Holy Shit!”