Mark Morford on the national mood: "Why are you so terribly disappointing?"

On ranting, rudeness, and the (perceived) national mood, continued.

A column by Mark Morford, called "Why are you so terribly disappointing?," floated onto my facebook page, via writer Katherine Lanpher (author of the memoir Leap Days, and co-host of the The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio in 2004 and 2005).

Morford is a writer and opinion columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate; he also teaches Vinyasa yoga in San Francisco. Here are just the second and third paragraphs of the full essay:

What happened to my bonus? What happened to my job? What happened to my country? Why can't it all go the way it's supposed to go? You mean having a kid won't solve my marriage problems? Why don't these drugs make me feel better? Where's that goddamn waiter with my salad? Have you seen the stupid weather today? Is this really all there is?

These are, from what I can glean, the most important questions of the day, of the month, of modern life itself. Hell, what with the economy and job situation, the housing market and the overall feel and texture of the nation right now, it's no wonder Americans are, by and large, a goddamn miserable bunch. We don't like anything right now. No politician, no decision, no situation, no inhale, no exhale. We are sick to death of all of it, including ourselves.

Morford references Joel Achenbach's "The audacity of nope," from the January 27th issue of the Washington Post in that "We don't like anything" observation. It's a column on a distressing subject, but he nails it, and it's funny, and it makes you think. There's a book of more Morford coming soon:

..The Daring Spectacle, a mega-compendium of my finest and most incendiary Chronicle columns and assorted hate mail, banned pieces and related journalistic sacrilege.

 I can't wait. In the meantime, he has a terrific website, complete with a yoga section offering Bliss pictures. (It doesn't disappoint.)

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And now, a wonderful postscript, on the same topic, found over at Daughter Number Three – comedian Louis CK, in an appearance on Conan O'Brien's show:

John Berryman Poetry Celebration

I just became a fan of John Berryman on facebook, and am so glad to see that he has hundreds of other fans (a modest 462 at this count). Andreas and I have been combing the web for his works, and so many have fallen into obscurity, just when we need Berryman the most. I believe there will be a Berryman revival.

So imagine my delight when I found the John Berryman Poetry Celebration on facebook, via actor Ben Kreilkamp. Ben has a letter in the on-line New York Times today, about the situation in Gaza. He recently played Herod (and a bison) in Natividad at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, during the Christmas season.

The party is coming right up, on January 9th, and I won't (alas) be able to attend. But I think we should all dedicate more time to having parties for departed poets. This one sounds amazing. One confirmed guest is Katherine Lanpher, author of Leap Days: Chronicles of a Midlife Move. Katherine used to be co-host of "The Al Franken Show" – I'm hoping the Berryman Party will help take her mind off the nerve-wracking Senate race crawling along in Minnesota.

Here are the details about that party, given by Twin Cities photographer Sean Smuda (that's his photo with the flowers). Facebook calls it a global event.

My Friends,

Please stop by Friday January 9th at 10:30 pm for a celebration of poet John Berryman's life and work. Poets Paul Dickinson, Dessa, Dobby Gibson, actress Sally Wingert (of the Guthrie) Steve Marsh, myself, Johnny Swardson, Ehsan Alam, Juan Antonio del Rosario,Geoff Herbach and Jen March of Electric Arc Radio and others will work their way through his 77 Dream Songs. Carol Johnson's 1974 half hour Berryman documentary, "I Don't Think I Will Sing Anymore Just Now" will also be screened. This all takes place following Dobby Gibson's book release party for Skirmish, his latest collection of poems at the Loft (at 7pm).

Cheers, Sean Smuda

2948 Chicago Av S Buzzer #08
street parking or in the MN Jobs lot across Lake St
Beverages will be available for donation

Here is a video of Berryman reading in Dublin.