• Why is there an office chair on the little island that’s formed beneath the tridge? Does someone work there? I think it’s beautiful, and wouldn’t want anyone to remove it, but I thought that I’d ask. If I weren’t so old and out of shape, I think it would great to either repel down from the tridge, or wade out from the riverbank, and work there. (I wonder if this is where we were making our interim City Manager work, and if maybe that’s why he put in his notice after just a few days on the job.)

• Speaking of working in the park, did I just hear somewhere that Solar Ypsi has been working with Wireless Ypsi to deploy solar-powered internet access nodes throughout the park? If so, that’s incredibly cool. (Maybe we’ll start seeing more office furniture scattered around the park this spring.)

• As Arlo just turned two months old yesterday, I haven’t been getting out much, so I don’t know how long this picnic table (pictured right) has been sitting on the bottom of the river. Assuming it didn’t just go in today, I’m wondering if there have been attempts to get it out. Do we still have city employees to do that kind of thing, or is park maintenance now the domain of the Jaycees? (I can’t remember where we left things.) Anyway, if no one else is going to get it out, should we line up some volunteers to do it, or do folks like having an underwater option when it comes to picnicking in the park?

• And what’s going on in the space that VG Kids used to inhabit on Michigan Avenue (that was later known, for a short while, as the XVG Gallery)? It looks like someone is conducting a talk show in the front window. (Speaking of talk shows, there’s talk of bring Dreamland Tonight back to life in the not too distant future. Stay tuned.)

Now, do you want to hear something weird? I was in the very early stages of starting something that I was referring to as The Great Ypsilanti Retail Challenge when I first heard of this competition in Detroit. It was something that I had been working on with Hasan Mihyar of Woodruff’s. Hasan had been a guest on Dreamland Tonight, and, during his interview, we’d talked a lot about what could be done to jumpstart the entrepreneurial retail community here in Ypsilanti. And, after the show, the conversation continued. What follow are my rough notes, written at the time of those initial conversations.

Problem Statement: We don’t have a critical mass downtown. We’ve got a few good, solid businesses, but we don’t have significant pedestrian traffic. At the same time, we have an excess of retail space, some of which is move-in-ready.

IDEA ONE:
Pop-up for the Holidays: I’m thinking that it might be possible to contact local landlords with quality, move-in-ready space and negotiate 2-month leases (November – December) for their storefronts, with the intention of launching temporary retail locations. (I’m imagining that stores would open after Thanksgiving and close on New Year’s Eve.) I would then go about recruiting people who I feel could run businesses that would be particularly successful at holiday sales. I believe that, if I could get four spaces or more up and running, we could attract an incredible amount of local press, which would translate to some real momentum on Michigan Avenue. Who knows, one of the stores may even decide to stay in business. At the very least, we’d be able to showcase our downtown as viable, and perhaps create some interest in the properties that we’re using. From my perspective, the landlords of these otherwise vacant properties would have little to lose from such an arrangement. All stores would commit to having regular hours and coordinated launch and closing parties. Targeted “Shop Indie in Ypsi” materials would be designed, printed and distributed to create interest in the undertaking.

IDEA TWO:
The Ypsi Retail Challenge: (This is the idea that I developed with Hassan, the co-owner of Woodruff’s in Depot Town.) Essentially it would be a contest to get a new retail business of some kind in Ypsilanti. Again, it would require a partnership of some kind with a downtown landlord. The idea is that we would hold a public competition, urging would-be entrepreneurs to come forward with their retail ideas. We would promote the competition throughout the region, and not just in Ypsilanti. The finalists would have to pitch their ideas before a panel of judges. And, the winner would get both assistance in various forms (marketing, promotions, design, etc), and free rent for between 6 months and a year, depending on what kind of deal could be struck with the building owner. Our hope, of course, would be that the business owner, having gotten a great launch, would be able to stay in business afterward. And, we could document the whole thing, in stories and video, on the web, hopefully drawing attention to the innovative community of Ypsilanti, where such things are possible. As for funding, we were thinking that it could be community based, with perhaps other local businesses pledging 1 or 2% of sales one weekend (which we’d publicize heavily) toward covering the rent and startup costs. We could also seek the contributions of individuals, hold fund-raisers, etc.

I know that either initiative would be significant work, and that it might be particularly difficult to come up with downtown business models for retail that would work, especially in scenario two, which we’re seeing as year-round, but, if we broadcast it widely, throughout the metro-Detroit area, we might find a person or two that has a compelling vision for a business that would serve as a downtown anchor going forward.

So, that’s what I had written when I called Joe, asking whether or not, as someone who had operated retail operations in both Ann Arbor and Detroit, this might be the kind of thing that he’d find of interest. And, that’s when Joe told me that someone had not only already thought of it, but that they were in the process of getting together at $50K prize. So, the project went to the back burner. I still think it has a lot of promise though… And maybe it’s too late for this year, but I really like the idea of downtown full of quirky little pop-up stores for the holidays. I don’t think anyone’s hacked into my brain and ripped that idea yet off yet.

MARK:What’s your name?

HOB:Hob the Troll, beloved entertainer.

MARK: Where do you presently live?

HOB: I own a lot of bridges, but these days, there’s a nice spot in Westland with a pretty nice bridge.

MARK: Is it true that you’re moving to Miami?

HOB: Oh heavens! Actually I’ll be relocating to the St. Petersburgh, Tampa Bay area of Florida.

MARK: Is it true that you’re going there because you have a steady gig? And, by “steady gig,” I’ve heard that you have a paid job that requires your presence one day a year. Is that really worth moving for? Or have I been given bad information?

HOB: Well, I work a lot of gigs all over the country, and I’ll still be coming back to the festival here in Michigan, and I’ll be working while I’m back here, but this will be a more accessible location for me. I’ll be able to work more festivals around the area. Also, no more Michigan winters!

MARK: Can you tell people what it is that you did here in Michigan? And, by “you,” I mean the man behind the troll, Stevo Doccerson.

HOB: Who wants to hear about him? He’s moving down there too, but probably because HE’S the one who needs steady work, and his woman’s going there too. There are more dinner theatres down there (you’ll notice I spelled theatre with an ‘re’ at the end because I’m English, you see).

I think he’s pretty torn up by the disbanding of Manhole, poor fella.

MARK: OK, so here’s what I know, or what I think I know about Stevo. He played in the band Manhole, and he entertains people as a lovable little singing troll character named Hob the Troll. I’ve believe I’ve share video of him on my site before, all made up like the horrible (but lovable) little beast.

HOB: Wait, what?! He’s imitating me?! That shit! Well, he must need cash.

MARK: But, if you don’t mind my asking, what else does he do? And where does he live? Did he live here in Ypsi? For some reason, I had it in my head that he was a librarian down-river somewhere. Someone has told me that’s not the case, though.

HOB: Oh well he does some writing and acting and most of it’s pretty good. He lives in the same area of Westland. He’s spent a lot of time in Ypsi, so I’m told. Mostly hanging around the Pleasure Dome with notorious figures.

MARK: I have some questions about Ypsi, but, first, I’m curious to know a little more about this writing that Stevo does. Can you tell me a bit more about it?

HOB: He’s written a couple scripts for some dinner theatres in the area, he’s written things and performed for vaudeville shows in Detroit and New Orleans.

MARK: What kind of dinner theater? You mean like where people like Florence Henderson and Robert Reed would drive around the country, doing plays at the local Ponderosa steak house? Has anyone notable ever performed one of his plays?

HOB: The Dinner Theatre is in Northville called Genitti’s Hole-In-The-Wall, and it’s local actors/actresses. Noted film actress Jordan Trovillion has appeared in them.

MARK: Does that pay money? And what were the plays like? Were they mysteries? Did people get hit over the heads with candlesticks? Was there graphic sex? Was it the kind of thing where the lights could go out momentarily before the dessert course, and you’d hear a gunshot?

HOB: I thought this was gonna be a fluff piece about me! Of course it pays! Actors need money too!

There will always be a need for that kind of entertainment. What other kind of entertainment are couples in their mid-40’s going to find if they live in Northville?

MARK: Sorry, I’m just fascinated. I never met anyone who wrote for dinner theater.

HOB: Mostly just puppeteers, eh?

MARK: As for other entertainment options, doesn’t Northville have a swingers’ club, and a dog fighting arena?

HOB: I can only imagine. They once yelled at me for trying to sleep under one of their historical bridges. I was like “Hey, I’m on vacation here, yo!”

MARK: How did Stevo get mixed up with these Pleasure Dome gang? Was it as a result of the shows he started doing at the Dreamland and elsewhere, or is there perhaps a personal connection that I’m not aware of?

HOB: Thug Mayor Thom Elliott and he went to camp together.

MARK: What, like summer camp, as kids? Or, was it some kind of juvenile work camp?

HOB: I’m pretty sure it was really a salt mine.

MARK: So their parents sent them to a camp in a salt mine together when they were children?

HOB: Yes. I was almost certain Thom was an honest to god Ogre when I met him, which was only just recently.

MARK: So, would you say that Stevo is moving primarily because of his girlfriend? And why, if you don’t mind my asking, is she moving? Does she have a job lined up in Florida?

HOB: Her name is April, (A Peach of a girl, does my web stuff) and I hear they’re getting married, and there are better jobs down there where she can work in her area of entertainment management.

MARK: Is she good at entertainment management? Does she have friends here that are good at it? The reason I ask is that we need someone good to help produce Dreamland Tonight, and handle the booking of guests. I know you’re leaving and all, but, if she knows of anyone, have her call me. I think we’ve got something good going with that show. The only problem is that none of us have the time, guts and energy to bring in celebrity guests… Which is a shame, given that the likes of Drew Barrymore and Robert DeNiro were just right outside the door.

HOB: It’s more entertainment law, really, but yeah, I’ll make some calls. I know people.

MARK: So, let’s talk about Ypsi…

HOB: Fine town!

MARK: I’m curious to know your perspective on it, as a relative outsider. What drew you to Ypsi? What did you make of the scene here?

HOB: Well, I think what it really comes down to is the people and residents of Ypsi. I’ve got a lot of friends all over the world, and Ypsilanti folks are always doing something new and interesting that other towns try to copy. Take for example Totally Awesome Fest! I love being a part of that every year. I see great acts, it’s free, fun… and gosh, I think it was last year somebody in Detroit started “Fucking (excuse my language, I have younger fans, you see) Awesome Fest” and I thought to myself how most of the people/performers didn’t even know about TAF and all the fun they could’ve been having for years for free.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like Detroit a lot. I’ve done a lot of shows there, and I’m even trying to get some of the noise musicians I know to this year’s ….world famous, most controversial Halloween party, but who knows if I’ll be able to do that.

But yeah, I think the Dreamland is a very important landmark for all us weirdo performers who are in Michigan right now. It’s legend is growing every year, and when it eventually ends up as a featured article in like, SPIN or CAT FANCY magazine or something, then I’ll be proud to say “Yeah, I played there. I saw MANHOLE give their final show there.”

MARK: So, if not for the economy, you think you’d be staying? In other words, it’s primarily the availability of jobs taking you to Florida?

HOB: Well entertainment jobs, certainly, but the nature of entertainment is to travel all over the world. Most entertainers just move to NY or LA and stay there, but, by moving to Florida, I’ll be able to work in Michigan AND Georgia AND Louisiana and where ever the wind might take me. It’s not like I’m never coming back, Mr. Maynard. Home is where you hang. It’s another adventure! A chance to meet more friends, play more shows, and do what I’ve gotta do.

Plus like I said, Stevo is really upset about the disbanding of MANHOLE, and I think he needs a little time to pick up the pieces. They were going to be my back-up band, did you know that?

MARK: I just saw Hollis (the man most often credited with breaking up Manhole) in Portland. In fact, I’ve got a video interview that I want to share sometime soon, asking him some questions about why he chose to leave. I don’t want to give too much away, but it really seemed to me that, in his case, it had more to do with the weather than anything else. I think he was in part attracted to the idea of a larger town, with more potential fans and venues, but my sense is that he really just wanted to get away from the cold… And, no, I did not know that they were going to be your backup band… And I don’t know if this will make Stevo feel better or worse, but Hollis is looking to recreate the band in Portland, using people who look like the original Ypsi members of Manhole. Somewhere, at this very moment, he’s probably putting up posters with Stevo’s face, saying, “If you look like this man, you might be eligible to perform in an easy listening rock band.”

HOB: Well they’d better start eating if they wanna look like him!!

MARK: I looked up Jordan Trovillion. Here she is showing off her arm pits. I’m just wondering what a troll such as yourself makes of that.

HOB: Yep, that’s her. She’s good people.

MARK: So, any other thoughts on Ypsi? Did you see that someone set Jambo Man on fire? Clearly there is a rift in the creative scene, wouldn’t you say?

HOB: Yeah, Jambo man had it coming. He created a lot of enemies with the nonexistent drama he was trying to push on people, and really, who cares. Most of that “rift” was that people didn’t like him.

MARK: What would you like to see happen in Ypsi over the course of the next five years?

HOB: I’d like to see TAF get the credit it deserves. One of my favorite thing about Ypsi is that it’s not Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor pisses me the hell off. It’s mostly pretentious jerks who think they’re better than everybody because their parents pay for them to live in a college town way after they should have graduated. Ypsilanti is affordable and the people there are genuine. ALSO it’s easeir to navigate Ypsi than Ann Arbor. There are no one way streets going the opposite way you need to go, there aren’t as many drunken rich girls in the middle of the streets telling cabs to just wait there while they screech like harpies to their friends.

I would like Ypsi to stay as amazing as it’s always been. A fun place for weirdos to work and play.

Those wishing to see Hob in action should click here.

So, I’ve been poking around on the internet for the past few minutes, looking for information about Miley and her other tattoos, to see if maybe she’s covered in mathematical symbols and equations, which I think would be pretty cool. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the case… She does, however, have a dreamcatcher in her right armpit… And, for what it’s worth, I learned that she isn’t actually in the movie that’s filming in town this week. She’s just here visiting her boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth, whom I’ve never heard of. (He is in the movie.)

As for Miley, I wasn’t going to make the offer, but, if she’s still in town, I’d be happy to have her as a guest on Dreamland Tonight. And I promise not to ask her about her mistreatment at the hands of Annie Leibovitzs or her pole dancing. We’ll just share Liquid Swords stories and talk about our mutual love of the gay… And I won’t even mention that I think she looks like a young Delta Burke.

This is my depiction of Jason Segel putting on a t-shirt after doing thespian sex on the counter of the Jefferson Market.

This is Segel’s second appearance in the Pencil Paparazzi file. His first appearance, which was captured at the Old Town a few weeks ago, can be found here.

If you should happen to see Segel around town, please tell him that my puppet would like to interview him for Dreamland Tonight… As he admits to having “a fetish for puppets,” it might not be that far out of the realm of possibility.

As Michigan’s extremely generous film incentives are being scaled back considerably under our new Governor, this might be your last chance to see someone more famous than the members of Animal Magic in our city, so sharpen up those pencils and get ready to get out there on Washington Street with your sketch pads on Tuesday…. And, if that’s not motivation enough, the best pencil paparazzi sighting will win free tickets to the next episode of the hit local talk show Dreamland Tonight!

Speaking of Dreamland Tonight, since we film on the block where they’ll be shooting, I wonder if there’s a chance that we might be able to lure someone from the cast or crew over for an interview. It doesn’t leave us a lot of time to get ready, but I bet, if we tried, we could get a new episode written and ready to go by June 3.

Mark: So, you have a book now?

Steve: Tomorrow is my “tentative delivery date.” Then I’ll have a book.

Mark: So, what is it? It is a Stupor compilation, or is it something altogether different?

Steve: It contains Stupors from 2007 to present. 14 issues, each designed by a different artist. 1/2 the book is color, the other 1/2 is in B/W.

Mark: Did you self-publish, using money from that big grant that you just won, or did you find a publisher willing to invest in it?

Steve: The money for the book came from a grant from Kresge. That’s on top of the fellowship. I did have to spend about 2 grand of my own, buying bar codes, ISBN #s, paying for shit I didn’t think I was going to have to pay for like taxes, oops! Fucking sales taxes on it are almost $1,000. Hell. Last time I printed a Stupor in mass quantity I spent $900 for 1000 copies. In the end, this is better and I’m getting 2000 copies. And yes, it’s still self-published, so that’s good too, only I had to do a ton of work to make it happen, and I didn’t know shit about publishing a book, especially regarding all the layout work you have to do. It’s not like doing a cut-and-paste zine where you just slap them on the copy machine and go. So I got frustrated and then I got lucky. I have some friends with design experience. They helped a ton and saved my ass. I still don’t know how to use those fancy book programs. Here’s the other thing — the book is getting delivered tomorrow, to my house. I don’t know how many boxes that is, but our place is already sort of cluttered. So I think we’re going to try and make a fort with them or maybe try and assemble some new sort of furniture.

Mark: My friend Jeff Kay, who published a zine entitled The West Virginia Surf Report, also has a book coming out this week. I feel totally lame… So, how much are you selling them for, and where can people pick up copies? Are you selling them at City Bird, Book Beat, Atomic Books, Reading Frenzy? How about on Amazon?

Steve: The West Virginia Surf Report is great. Hilarious. I love your friend Jeff Kay. I’m sorry we’re both making you feel lame. Maybe it’s time to get off your fat ass and stop feeling lame. Or think of it like this: My book is Your book. Just tell everyone it’s yours. Maybe then you can help me sell them. They’re going for $15 bucks a pop. It’s the same price as if you were buying all 14 issues separately — one’s a double issue. But the book is better and bulkier and all the color art is in color, where, if I was running them on my shit ass copy machine, it would all be in black and white and cruddy. Also, I’m having it printed on 70 pound paper, so it’s a nicer heavier stock than the stuff I normally use, and also, and probably the best thing about collecting all these issues together, is that the stories sort of build on one another to create this better cooler document with more meat. Bigger, Bouncier, and Meatier. Like the stories when you read them all together add up to something. So, I’m selling the book at Leopold’s in Detroit, Book Beat in Southfield, Printed Matter in NYC, and yeah, Amazon, why not. I bought a bar code after all. Quimby’s, sure, and the rest of them. Microcosm will probably do distro for me again too. And who knows, maybe even the store at MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit) will carry them. They used to sell them years back, but declared them un-family friendly and pulled them when they had kids in and then just quit putting them back out. I was there in 2009 for some holiday event and they gave me all of them back and said, thanks but no thanks. So we’ll see about those guys. They’re a pretty sensitive bunch when it comes to reading material. Of course you might go in and see a photo of somebody doing crack, or cutting apart a chicken, or a movie with dicks flopping about, but books, now that’s different.

Mark: Could I convince you to come out to Ypsi for a reading? Maybe you could be a guest on Dreamland Tonight or something… So, for folks who haven’t had the pleasure of reading Stupor, what’s it all about?

Steve: Sure, I’d like to come out to Ypsi and read. I love Ypsi. Next to Hamtramck it’s one of my favorite cities… There’s lots of good stories festering in Ypsi… So, what is Stupor? For the past 16 years, I’ve been listening to people I meet in bars, diners, hardware stores and job sites talk about their lives. I write and then publish the stories they inspire — of infidelity, drunkenness, disappointment, and, sometimes, dumb luck — in my zine Stupor… That’s it in a nut shell.

Mark: And the folks at the Kresge Foundation enjoyed the pant-shitting, drug-addled stories of infidelity and debauchery so much that they gave you a wheelbarrow full of cash?

Steve: You’re right about the drugs and the pant-shitting infidelity. Actually, I don’t have a “pant-shitting infidelity” story. I’ve got a bed-shitting story that involves watching the fabulous poop-smear of a movie, Dances with Wolves. But that’s different. Maybe one of your readers has one — a story for me. I’m working on a Stupor website right now where readers can submit their own whack stories. I was hoping to have it up and running by the weekend. Probably it’ll take longer. So try this, see if it gets you anywhere: stuporzine.com. If it doesn’t now, it will soon enough… And yes, God bless the Kresge Foundation for loving Stupor enough to give me a bunch of money. Although… Truth is, I’m not sure if the good people at the Kresge Foundation ever read a single story from Stupor. Maybe, maybe not. That’s okay, either way. They’re the folks with the cash and a enormous need to spend it. They’ve got this idea that if they inject cash into the arts community that it’ll somehow save Detroit. Maybe they will. No doubt that money came at a good time for me. I was broke. So, yes, they gave me a decent lift, and helped me pay off some troubling bills, etc. But, the guys at the Foundation, they’re not the guys making the call about who should get the dough. There’s a separate panel for that and they are all like from English departments and places like that, and how they decided to give me money? I sure as hell can’t say, but I’m not sorry they did, and I wouldn’t complain if they gave me more.

Mark: So, some of the money went to the book, and some went to the website…. any other creative endeavors get funded? Like, are you working on a musical version of Stupor. My friend Jeff Kelly did a zine called Temp Slave that got turned into a musical a few years back…

Steve: Not exactly. All the money they gave me for the book, I spent on the book, plus some of my own money. They didn’t fund anything else, but they are providing a keg of beer for my reading this Saturday the 9th at Leopold’s Books in Detroit. I’m reading at 8pm from the book. It’s right near the DIA. You should come… Your friend Jeff Kelly is a genius. Maybe he’ll step up and turn Stupor into something bigger and better, something with a busted electric guitar. I’m not much of a singer, but I know you are. Just the other day I was listening to you rip your throat apart doing “I’m a spy!” with Prehensile Monkey-Tailed Skink. Best song on my ipod. Best song ever.

Mark: I don’t think Jeff had anything to do with the Temp Slave musical. I think one of his readers just got motivated and did it. I guess you and I need a better class of reader… As for my music, yeah, it is kind of hard to imagine that we didn’t get more famous… So, back to the book, your reading at Leopold’s is part of a Kresge sponsored weekend of events, right?

Steve: Yeah, it’s called Art X. I’m going to drink beer and encourage everyone else to do the same, and I’m going to read something from my book and then drink beer, and then read some more, and drink more beer. Should be a good time. Just got to remember, it’s a bookstore. We can’t trash the bookstore.

Mark: So, what’ll you be reading? Have you decided? And will you have copies of the book on hand to sign and sell? And, most importantly, is the beer free?

Steve: I’m going to read one story from each issue of the 14 issues in the book. I need to time it first. I don’t want to go for too long, like that should probably take me about 45 minutes, I think. That’s maybe too long, 40 minutes is perfect. And yeah, I’ll have the book. It’ll be for sale and sure I’ll sign them and I’ll do my best not spill beer on them… And, yes, the beer is free! Free Beer is proof that Kresge Loves us and wants us to be happy.

Mark: Will there be other Art X stuff going on there, at the book store, on Friday night?

Steve: Right before I read, my good friend Lynn Crawford will read from her new book, Simply Separate People, Two. She starts at 7pm. I’ll be there early to see her.

Mark: Oh, and I didn’t ask about the dimensions of the book. Is it the size of a toilet tank lid, the same way the zine has always been?

Steve: Yes, the book is the same weird size as the zine. It’ll fit great on your toilet tank.

Mark: Not that I’m trying to blackmail you or anything, but what happens if the people at the Kresge Foundation figure out that you make a lot of the shit in Stupor up? Will they demand their money back?

Steve: I’ve got a good claim and a disclaimer at the beginning of the book. It explains what I’m doing. I’ve also got one at the beginning of each issue where I explain that the stories come to me in a skeletal form, then I put skin them. Still, and always, I feel like there’s truth in my telling of it, and that’s a big part of it. If I can take something that’s told one way, and then retell it another way but somehow make it seem even more true, then maybe I’ve achieved something. Maybe I’ve dug up a truth that was there before, but unrealized, or maybe I’m just practicing lying, and getting better and better at it. Anyhow, that’s how I roll. Kresge doesn’t care. They just want us to be happy. That’s why they’re buying us beer.

Mark: One last thing… I’m curious to know if you looked for a publisher before deciding to do it on your own. Even with the downturn in the publishing industry, it seems like you might have found someone out there willing to take a chance on a brilliantly written book full of wild fucking and drunken bed-shitting.

Steve: I got the go-ahead on the grant at the end of January. I had to get everything to the printer by Feb 28, and I did, but even that was pushing it. There was no time to horse around with a publisher, so I figured I’d do it on my own and then look for help afterward. One little step: I just set up that website so I could sell the book over the interweb. What I know for sure is that tomorrow I’ll have 78 heavy boxes in my garage. I’ve got to get them out of there as soon as possible. Here’s the good thing about self publishing: I’ll make 13 dollars on every book I sell for 15. That puts food on the table. A publisher would never give me a deal like that.

Mark: Is there anything else that you’d like to say?

Steve: There is something else. I owe a big special thanks to you and Linette for the small kicks in the pants you all gave me by continuing to involve me in stuff even when I had quit writing. There was like almost a 5 year slump I hit right after the millennium. That first Shadow Fair, was it 2006?, marked a real return for me, a reinvention of Stupor too, and there was like suddenly new good air around me again. I’m grateful to you both for suggesting that I do that, and for Linette for getting me out to read at EMU and all that that meant. Thank you. You all are both good friends.

Mark: When I said, “Is there anything else that you’d like to say,” I really wasn’t fishing for a compliment, but that’s nice of you to say, Steve. Linette and I have been big fans of your writing forever, and it makes us happy to see that all the hard work is finally paying off. Speaking of this brilliant writing of yours, is there perhaps a short paragraph or two that you could share, that you think kind of conveys what Stupor is all about?

Steve: Sure. This is from the issue titled A Hole for Brains and Candy, 2010. There’s a lot of stories in this one involving kids. This one is told from the perspective of a neighborhood boy. The title, Male, Hamtramck, tells you the sex of the teller and the city tells you where the story takes place. The stories are anonymous but I realized a while back that these two bits of information can totally change how you read the story.

Male, Hamtramck:

Yesterday, me and my brother and Dvante were over at the garage behind the house where nobody lives, and there was this cat in there and it had something wrong with its eye. It was busted and squeezed shut with white stuff coming out of it. And it seemed to want something from us because it didn’t run away. It wanted help or maybe it just wanted a scratch under its chin, but Dvante picked it up and bent it in half. He twisted it around at the neck until it cracked and then he threw it on the ground and stomped on its head. I yelled at him, and my brother screamed. Dvante looked down at the cat and the blood that had squished out of it. And then he looked at me and said, “You better not tell no one.” Me and my brother went running out of there. We ran all the way home. We were both crying because the cat was dead. I told my dad. I blurted it out, and so did my brother. Dvante jumped on it! He killed it! I said. And Dad told me that Dvante is messed up bad. “What a piece,” he said, “what a piece.” He said, “Stay away from him. He is disturbed. He is crazy. He is just plain bad.” Then Dad told us to get our PJs on and watch TV. We got to see some “World Heavy Weight Wrestling,” and it was sweet. I kept thinking about how if I had to fight Dvante, that I could beat him good. He knows how to kill little cats, but he doesn’t know how to fight people his own size, and then that night I dreamed about it. I dreamed that me and Dvante were in the wrestling ring, and I was wearing a red mask and I had yellow and blue ribbons shooting from my arms and boots that laced up to my knees. I got on the ropes and leapt so high I could feel the air hiss past, and I came down on him with my elbow right on his dumb, blank, mad face. I hit him so he was bleeding, and that blood was running out between his nose and mouth, and then I did a flip and landed my knee right on his chest. He was so mad that his eyes were bulged out, and he wanted to kill me, but I’m no cat. I was here to help the cats. I just wanted to make things better.

And, yeah, I probably wouldn’t take young kids to the reading on Saturday night, what with all the blood, shit, drugs and semen.

A floor plan of the new space can be found here.

Those interested in knowing more about SPUR might want to check out my interview with James Marks on the SPUR concept, which can be found here. For those of you not afraid to venture into Ypsi, James will also be among our guests on Saturday night, at the taping of Dreamland Tonight, which is going to be, for the most part, about local entrepreneurs.