Kim gave me a CD today - "Kerouac - kicks joy darkness" a compilation from 1997 I never knew existed. I haven't listened to it yet, but it looks like Kerouac's words performed by the likes of Warren Zevon, Lydia Lunch, Michael Stipe, Hunter S. Thompson, Joe Strummer, Allen Ginsberg, Steven Tyler, Johnny Depp, patti Smith, Jeff Buckley, Eddie Vedder, Juliana Hatfield and John Cale, and more. Yumpin' Yiminy! What a collection of people. Lots of points for Kim!

We were at the Merchant Ale House to meet Pascal just before the Grey Borders Poetry night (and $5 dinner). Kim left to pick up a daughter, and Pascal left to go see "Sicko" - very worthy endeavors, of course. However, I got to see Max Middle perform some soundscape poetry. They're a trio from Ottawa that compose poetry both as individuals as well as for group performance. The three read some works simultaneously. I hadn't seen anything like it until now. And I am also proud to say I have seen my first performance of 3:44 - they did it right there beside the beer vats. My John Cage cherry is busted. I'd go see Max Middle again. I'll look for them in Ottawa when I get there in 2 weeks.

I've just realized that I can listen to my new CD while I type.

The insert contains a pile of Kerouac's actual texts, as well as a few images. The 1st track is a tribute to Jack Kerouac, by a band called Morphine. There's unpublished stuff here too by J. K.

The kids in my class at Rodman Hall today were working hardest and happiest with the goose quill pens I made for them. I am so happy about that, I'll be making pens like that every year.