Bloggers Block (Miscallany)

Not, strictly speaking, the inability to write, but more the fact that nothing out there seems worthy of a full-blown post; that's what's holding me back. So ... a few fragments, just to keep the operation moving:

• On my nightstand: Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch by Henry Miller. Reflections on the artist and the notion of an 'art colony' from a writer at the height of his power and maturity. During college I read all of the usual Miller, but he's much more than the Tropics.
• Listening: Dan Deacon's Spiderman of the Rings. The kids (in Baltimore, anyway) are alright. Bona fide inventive music is still being made by artists aligned with the grand traditions of fluxus and surrealism! Hurrah. It's not for everybody, probably - but tracks like the anthemic 'Wham City', his tribute to the (speaking of colonies) art collective from whence he sprang - seem to suggestively hint at Mr. Deacon's untapped capacity to alter conventional ideas of modern music. Here's hoping.
• Er ... on the political side, the run-up to the election is dull as toast right now, save for the Romney-McCain sparring.
• On the legislative side - zowie, did everybody misjudge the public on immigration, or what? The difference between the D.C. elites and the general public on this issue is amazing.

That's about it. Last but not least - check out some of the pictures and posts, of late, on my sister's blog from Haiti, Inside the Frame.