Essays, Interviews, Observations, Pop Culture, Stories, and other Dodginess

Reclusive Author Clive Javanski

Posted on February 15, 2012

The last time I saw Chicago reclusive author Clive Javanski was at the Bucktown Arts Fest in August. Shufflin’ around, looking at artwork,  he had a journal in one hand, and after he sat down with me, a beer in the other. Some folk band was playing a song about a girl, a farm and the smell of earth after rain. Or something like that.

Bucktown Arts Fest

I first met Clive at Mickey’s, the saloon down the street from my apartment (mentioned in an earlier post). He lives and writes above an area bar (not Mickey’s). He doesn’t drive and rarely goes out, and when he does, it’s usually within a several block radius of his home – which includes Holstein Park, home of the fest.

Clive has written several books under pseudonyms. Some you may have read or heard about, some you haven’t. He’s penned some essays that few have scene, including one of my favorites, Slacks in the Barn.

Clive  used to live in Belgium, was a merchant marine (I’ve seen the photos) and always wears these pastoral retro mod brown brogue boots.

When I saw him at the fest he was wearing some vintage gabardine shirt from the 1940s owned by the late husband of his widow neighbor.

“I’m wearing a dead man’s shirt,” he said. “I’m wearing  a dead man’s shirt.”

I think I know of this lady neighbor. Once, when I delivered a six-pack and a pack of pencils to his apartment, she opened her door and gave me a message for him. “Tell him to stop by when you’re done. I’ve got a rope trick to show him.”

So I recall my summer visit with Clive because in about a week I’m supposed to drive him to a Chicago-area college where he will speak in front of a writing class. He says he’ll read from his newest work, tentatively titled The Bandage Twins.

Ask Liffey

Posted on February 14, 2012

Ask Liffey, part 1.

What kind of beer do you like?

First, let me say I’m not a beer expert and despise beer snobbery. I drink what I’m in the mood for. Sometimes it’s a can of  MGD at a summer barbecue. Sometimes I like Harp. I had one recently at a fake Irish bar in the area and rather enjoyed it.

The most recent six-pack I purchased was Robert The Bruce by Three Floyds in Munster. Sometimes I like dark beer, sometimes I like light. If it’s a party I’ll pretty much drink anything offered except maybe for Meister Brau. And even then you never know.

What kind of gal do you fancy?

I’m partial to brunettes but it’s like my beer – whatever I’m in the mood for. Even at a party – whatever is offered to me, unless she’s drinking Meister Brau. But even then you never know. One of the things on my bucket list is to frolic with a Singapore flight attendant.

Speaking of gals, where will one find the most attractive and interesting ones?

If it’s NWI, I’d have to say Crown Point and Valparaiso. In Chicago, no doubt it’s Bucktown. Lots of cute hippie princesses.

What’s a new song that has your interest?

“Bad Girls” by M.I.A.

Your favorite James Bond?

Timothy Dalton

What’s a little-known movie you’ve recently enjoyed?

Last Night with Keira Knightley

What’s your favorite movie-watching experience?

Seeing Dazed and Confused at the Brew and View in Chicago.

What’s a random observation of yours at the moment?

Why is it, in cinema and TV, every time a character is vomiting in a toilet they’re grasping the bowl like it’s the Holy Grail? Meh…that’s gross.

If you can have a pint with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, what’s one question you’d ask of him?

I’d ask him what’s one thing about his wife he’ll always find adorable.

Strangest rumour you’ve heard?

That there was supposed to be a TV series based on Schindler’s List starring John Ritter as Oskar Schindler.

Bad Chicago Radio

Posted on February 12, 2012

I was flipping through Chicago radio stations the other day and twice came upon Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” in the period of 30 minutes. That’s just ridiculous. Surprisingly, one of the accused wasn’t WXRT, which I rail on quite often because supposedly they’re cool and eclectic but really aren’t. Sure, they have a fine alternative HD feed but unless you own one of those radios or aren’t too far from the source you ain’t hearing that music. Point is, that should be their No. 1 music feed and what they currently provide on 93.1 should be the “No. 2” station. But HD radio is for another discussion.

Bad, Chicago radio, bad.

Sometimes I even think the small, NWI station Z107.1 is more eclectic. ‘Xrt, for example, thinks Adele’s only song is “Rolling in the Deep.” The Hoosier station has been spinning (what I think is more superior) the Brit’s “Set Fire to the Rain.”

As I write this I’m listening online to Radio Free Santa Fe. I’m hearing Rebelution’s “Sky is the Limit.” One of the many tunes you won’t find on Chicago radio. I discovered the station while driving through New Mexico on the way to Vegas.

So lately I’ve been listening to those guys and Erin’s Chill from bigrradio.com.

Here’s a few songs recently played from the two stations that I find becoming and want to re-visit.

Here’s a sample:

Olive – Indulge Me
Sufjan Stevens – I Walked
BT – Satellite
Sarah Blasko – Cinders
Trespassers William  – Vapour Trail
The Waifs –  London Still
Oh Land –  Wolf and I
Dan Black –  Let Go
Flunk –  Personal Stereo
Chairlift –  Amanamnesia
Leonard Cohen – Everybody Knows
B-52s – Funplex

Chairlift’s “Amanamnesia”