I'm moving!

Okay...I'm not sure how many people read these boring and drab posts and updates, but just in case anyone does and would like to know: I'm moving to Moscow, Idaho next week. I'll be attending the University of Idaho this fall. I am in Moscow now for the first time ever and it's awesome. It's a beautiful, tiny city nestled in the mountains of Northern Idaho (the panhandle). There are lots of trees (evergreens)....and lots of farmland, too. What more can I ask for? I'll give you a more thorough update later along with my new address....but for now you should just know that if you're planning on writing me or sending me something, don't write to my Boise PO Box anymore. Just wait a couple of days and I'll let you know what my new Moscow PO Box will be.

By The Way...

Last Friday we had a tiny zine workshop for the Mountain Home Public Library in Mountain Home, ID. My mom organized it (because that's her job) and I was the presenter. It was fun, even though only a handful of people showed up. I talked about the basics of zining, demonstrated a few different ways of putting a zine together and then we watched parts of the $100 and A T-Shirt DVD (Microcosm Publishing). Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
We plan on having another one next year and having it be more hands on. Plus by then the library will be newly remodeled with its very own zine section. Thanks mom, the zine community appreciates you ... and needs more people like you.
Link: Mountain Home Public Library

Unbirthday

It was my birthday a couple of days ago....
Since then I've had this song stuck in my head:

"Everybody knows it sucks to grow up......
The years go on and we're still fighting it."
-ben folds

I'm the man with the kid heart and the daydreamy eyes.
I don't wanna grow up......and yet I'm well on my way to 30.
Here's to staying young at heart....forever.

CM Boise is Dead

Okay...so maybe it was never really alive, but after Friday's poor excuse for a ride turnout Jackson and I decided to call it quits, which means that Boise no longer has a Critical Mass Bike Ride. But wait! It's not as sad as it might sound, because one of the main reasons we decided to go defunct (besides the fact that nobody was coming out and the few people that were were all becoming disillusioned) is because there is another downtown Boise bike ride that is actually having success and is actually shutting down some car traffic, which is awesome! It's called the Downtown Bike Shutdown and it takes place every third Saturday at 9:30 pm. Yeah, it's late, but that's the point: to become The Cruise - even if it means getting punched in the face by a meathead on a crotch rocket. Apparently bicyclists have been showing up in droves for this ride (anywhere from 75 to over a hundred) and it has only been going on for about 2-3 months. So yeah, if you want to join a group ride that's actually happening, get your bike in gear and head over to the Capitol Building on Saturday, June 18 at 9:30pm. Hopefully I'll see you there. Also, check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/downtownbikeshutdown

The Geek Is Back

Can you believe it? I'm putting out another issue of The Family Geek. I thought that zine was dead for good....but no, it's been revived somehow. Even though I changed the name of my publishing company from The Family Geek Press to Juniperbug Productions, I still found some reason to keep The Family Geek zine going. It's hard to let a good zine die. So, issue #3 is really simple (just like the last two). It includes zine updates, a couple of CD reviews and some interesting random stuff that you might like to know about, but maybe not. As usual, it will only set you back a stamp (well actually two, because you'll have to use a stamp to send me a stamp, but either way...). Order a copy today... it should be done within a week now that school's out.
Dan Murphy
PO Box 6352
Boise ID 83707

messyelephant@hotmail.com

GREEN ZAP

There is an alternative to Paypal starting up this summer. It's called Green Zap, and you don't need a credit card or a bank account to join. Anybody can join and easily transfer funds with other members. It sounds awesome. But even more awesome is that if you sign up now you will receive $25 to spend anywhere you want this summer as soon as Green Zap is up and running. It only takes a minute to register, but you can only pre-register if you are referred. So here, use my referral link: http://www.greenzap.com/messyelephant
As soon as you're signed up, you can start referring other people. You will then receive 5 more dollars for each person that registers using your referral. So check it out!!

Local Exposure for Zines!

My mom works at the city library in Mountain Home, ID. She was recently asked to write an article about zines for an Idaho state library newsletter. Here's the link: http://www.lili.org/scoop/aprl1505.htm#4#4 - just click on or scroll down to YOUNG ADULT CORNER: "ZINES?" BY ROBIN MURPHY. It's great. I found it amusing that the editor assumed I was her "teenage son." That's okay though - I'm a teenager at heart. GO ZINES! and go local, too!

new zine library at Boise State University

The BSU Publication Club is starting a zine library here on campus. Our goal is to accumulate a collection of zines that can be shown here on campus and elsewhere to help get more people exposed to the idea of zines and also help zine writers to get their stuff out to more people. We also hope to begin distributing zines to interested students and community members. If you are interested, please send copies of your zine for our collection and for possible distro consideration.
If you have any comments or questions, write to Dave and Dan at: publicationclub@hotmail.com

Send your zines to this address:
Boise State Student Activities
c/o PUBLICATION CLUB
1910 University Drive
Boise ID 83725-1335

FAREWELL HEARTATTACK

My little brother's band came and played a show here in Boise this past weekend. It was the first time I had seen them since they changed their name and went through some lineup changes. I thought they were good before, but they are even better now. I was amazed. Their sound has matured and their music is catchy and cathartic. They really rocked out. They are definitely one of the best local bands I have seen in a long time, and I'm not just saying that because my brother is the frontman. They're awesome and they have the potential to become even more amazing.
They have a 5-song CD-r out and a spot on myspace so check them out: http://www.myspace.com/farewellheartattack

"...i felt safe in the silence
but you broke it anyway..."
-farewell heartattack

THE FOURTEENTH ELEPHANT MESS

Elephant Mess #14 is out now....featuring the careful writings of a dissenchanted romantic and the musings, ramblings and inner thoughts of an aging zinester: steeped in mystery and clouded by disillusionment.
Order yours today:
$1, stamps or trade.
orders receive a free button.
paypal payments accepted.
Dan Murphy, PO Box 6352, Boise ID 83707

Fork 'n Spoon Zine Shop

This is a link to Stephanie's new site for her zine and craft distro dealing with all things food related, mostly having to do with the vegetarian/vegan and diy lifestyle. She also does several zines, one of which is called "The Cheap Vegan" - for veggies on a budget. Order some food zines and cook your own food -- It's punk rock!!

It's a war on war

Check out this fake news article found in this weeks online edition of The Onion:

Bush Announces Iraq Exit Strategy: 'We'll Go Through Iran'
WASHINGTON, DC—Almost a year after the cessation of major combat and a month after the nation's first free democratic elections, President Bush unveiled the coalition forces' strategy for exiting Iraq.

read the whole article http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4110

Announcement

I guess it's time that I officially announce the name change of my publishing company. About a year ago I chose the name Family Geek Press which was also in replacement of an older name, but this time I believe I have chosen a name that's finally going to stick. Everything that I publish from here on out will be put out under the name, Juniperbug Productions.
I have big plans for my production company, some of which are: a zine/book distro, short films, publishing other people's stuff and putting out music. These are all still in the planning process though, so don't expect anything major to happen anytime soon. Just know that The Family Geek Press is dead; Juniperbug Productions is alive. New issues of Elephant Mess and The Juniper are in the works and back issues are still available. I'll keep you posted.

Genetically Krafted

If you're not down with genetically modified food or if you're at all skeptical or curious, you should check out this link: http://www.krafty.org/flash/
It's an entertaining little cartoon about Kraft Foods' decision to test the effects of genetically modified food on its customers, namely, You & I. It's risky I tell you, and it just ain't right...but don't take my word for it - form your own opinion.
oh yeah and...GO ORGANIC!

Live Journaling Sellout

I went ahead and followed the crowd and got a livejournal account. Not that anyone will want to or will ever read it...but crap man, I just feel like I'm slipping into non-existence here losing connection with everyone, and if I don't do something quick I'm just going to disappear completely - fall right off the face of the earth.
Come to think of it, maybe I should be working on tangible relationships with people who I can actually see and talk to face to face rather than penpals and online friends, but you know me, ever the social outcast (mostly on purpose).
So, if you'd like to check out my livejournal site (which will be much like this one) go to: http://www.livejournal.com/users/juniperbug
And if I never get around to adding any indymedia news to this blog then just go check it out for yourself at: www.indymedia.org

Regarding my zines, and yes I do real zines, you can order them through paypal (www.paypal.com) if you'd like. Just put a dollar or two into my paypal account and I'll send you a stack of zines - email = messyelephant@hotmail.com I am currently working on Elephant Mess #14 which should be out in about a month. Personal is pathetic. Thanks for staring at a computer screen.

Hill's Farmers Market

I told you I was going to post the address to this awesome farmers market in the Boise area, so here it is:
4380 East Fairview just past the Cloverdale intersection as your leaving Boise and entering Meridian. Seriously if you live in the area or if you're passing through you should stop by and check it out. I'm sure Doug and Co. would be happy to show you around.

I'm thinking of posting some news from indymedia.org on here to keep y'all informed. I seem to be turning into a news junkie these days....though I guess we'll see how long it lasts. If any of you have any objections to this, let me know. Also, anyone who actually reads this thing please post a comment or something and let me know. I highly doubt I have many (if any) readers. Of course, I didn't start this thing so that I could be on here every day rambling on for the world to read. It's more of a sporadic thing mostly to help get the word out about my print zines. E-zines and weblogs suck...so order some paper zines, man. If you don't want to send for mine, at least send for some one else's. Support the underground press. Speaking of which, I'm planning on starting a zine distro. My main focus will be zines about gardening, biking, cooking, doing-it-yourself and living sustainably so if you do a zine like that or if you're interested in helping out OR if you just want to tell me to not even bother and just go on with my dull and mundane existence like nothing happened then get in touch with me. My email address and po box are posted elsewhere on this blog, so what are you waiting for? Get involved!

Sorry for apologizing

I'm sorry about that last posting. I know that nobody wants to hear me ramble on - complaining about the depressing mess that my life is. I should consider my audience a little more before I go and bravely click on that bright orange 'Publish Post' button at the bottom of the page. But does this weblog even have an audience really? I didn't think so.
The new issue of Zine World (#22) showed up in my mail box today. Included inside was a review of my zine Elephant Mess #11 which I had sent them almost a year ago. Here's a sampling of the review: "Dan must be one of the most depressed people in the universe...While sometimes visually striking, overall this was really too much of a downer to be enjoyable."
Now I know for sure that people don't want to read 'depressing junk'.

I wish I had an odometer on my bike. Today I rode out to Hill's Farmer's Market on Fairview Ave. in Meridian. It didn't seem to take me that long to get there (even after making a couple of stops) but then as I turned around to head back I realized that I had been kindly helped out by a mild westbound(?) wind and now on my return trip I would have to fight against it. Needless to say, it took me a bit longer to make it back home (especially now that my backpack was full of great Farmer's Market finds). Now my leg muscles are hating me, and I still have to make it through a long nights work washing dishes. Oh well...the ride is always worth it, and if you live in the area, or if you're ever passing through, you should definitely stop by Hill's Farmer's Market (I'll post the address soon). It's worth it just for the friendly service and old country feel (it's housed in an old, renovated barn and a lot of the shelves and baskets are antique and old-fashioned).

Don't mind me...my mind just slipped.

Cheating Is The New Faithful

There is nothing much to say except that I am tired. Tired of working all the time just to barely scrape by. Tired of school even though I'm only in my first year. Tired of not being able to spend my time doing all the things that I really want to be doing. Tired of having a head full of ideas but not knowing where to begin or how to start. Tired of not having the time to figure everything out. Tired of being tired and worn out. Tired of having no one to talk to - to unload all of my thoughts on. Tired of feeling empty - like there's nothing that's tangible in my life, nothing real (everything is fake). Tired of not being able to see all of my dreams realized immediately - or even see a logical or obvious path leading to their eventual realization. Tired of mundane life rituals and mere nuanced days (as in, every day is the same regardless). Mostly, I'm just tired of being alone.
Write to me please.
Order my zine...you won't regret it - and if you do regret it, at least it won't be comparable to your other regrets cuz heaven knows that we're all drowning in a pool of them.

Do you ever feel like you're on the verge of a nervous breakdown or that you could pass out completely at any given moment and it wouldn't even matter?
until next time... ... Happy Fat Tuesday!

The Juniper #3

The third issue of The Juniper is out now. The Juniper is my meek attempt at a gardening and sustainable living magazine. This issue includes stuff about past gardening, manipulating science for love of money, the importance of soil in agriculture, debunking monoculture, raising chickens, getting your garden started in 2005, a few recipes and some reading recommendations. All that stuff for just one 37 cent stamp. It's a steal.

Send that stamp to:
Dan Murphy
PO BOX 6352
Boise ID 83707

or contact me here:
messyelephant@hotmail.com

The New Year

"It doesn't matter how gentle you are, after fifty years, you always end up wearing away the stuff you love, rubbing it out with your fingertips, cracking the foundation every time you tap your foot. The humidity in your breath brings down paint and plaster. The weight of you, after a while, makes the planet sag." -from Dream Whip #11

It's a new year, so everything's older. If you care at all, you'll take care of yrselves - and your friends & family, too. You'll even take care of strangers.

We're getting older and we might not be able to keep from looking it, but hopefully we can keep from feeling it. So take a deep breath, savor the quiet of a calm thought and don't get too caught up in all those heavy breezes. Most of all, just enjoy being a whole year older - that'll make it easier.

Happy New Year.