"alone and lonely aren't the same thing"

Today I discovered that, embarrassingly enough, when I collated the latest issue of The Juniper (#13), I had one of the pages backwards. I'm not sure how many of them went out this way, but by my estimation it was a few dozen. Sorry about that. I'm sure that anyone who read it figured it out and if nothing else found it humorous, but it's an embarrassment nonetheless. I usually try very hard to make certain that there are no mistakes. I'm kind of anal-retentive in that way. Oh well, I guess it just proves my human-ness. However, this isn't nearly as embarrassing as when I locked myself out of my apartment wearing nothing but a towel (a story for another time), so at least there's that.

"is this your celebrated summer?"

I hope that your summer is going well. Mine is going okay so far. It has had its ups and downs, but I am generally a positive guy, so despite the unseen forces that insist on being in opposition to my happiness, I don't have any intention of letting them win. I'm scrappy and resilient if nothing else.
Have you been watching the soccer games? Admittedly I have only watched bits and pieces here and there, but I have enjoyed what I have seen. In fact, the excitement of soccer on the world stage spawned a noise track called "Soccer Match" which I have posted on my Hot Virus page. You should check it out if you are the least bit interested. It's replete with vuvuzelas, apparently the bane of World Cup viewers and spectators. I, for whatever reason, have found them to be quite soothing. Either way, stay in touch, becasue if you don't like this track, I will be posting several others in the coming weeks and months that will hopefully be more to your liking. (www.myspace.com/thisvirusishot)
Furthermore, I have about a dozen new Mildews songs written. I just need to find the time and the guts to record them. I would also like to acquire a bass guitar at some point so that I can flesh them out a bit, but whatever.
Happy Summer!
.......
"Do you get tired of the stupid little boys
who do not think for themselves?
'Cause I got tired of the stupid little girls
Who wear their body weight in make up.

Do you get tired of the stupid little boys?
'Cause I was never one of them
I got tired of the stupid little girls
Who spend their whole lives planning their weddings"
-Soltero

"I cannot help but want to solder all the parts..."

The Gulf of Mexico near Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

"...solder back together all the shattered hearts." -Laura Veirs

Last summer I got to visit Florida and swim in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a major highlight of my life. It's a memory that will stick with me forever. The white sand beaches, the clear blue water, and the beautiful blue sky that seemed endless. It was some kind of paradise. I wanted to stay there forever - set up camp and never leave.

Now that the oil from BP's ruptured pipeline has reached the Florida coast, I feel a great sense of loss. The whole thing is an enormous catastrophe, but it's a little more personal now that I feel somewhat connected to the place. It will be decades, perhaps centuries, before things return to normal. Or maybe they never will. It is all so heartbreaking and wrong.

Today I was at a bird sanctuary on the banks of the Mississippi River. It's called the Riverlands Bird Sanctuary, and it's right across the river from Alton, IL. I learned that they were working with Least Teals. Their population along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers is endangered, but Riverlands has been having success lately in getting them to nest and lay eggs on a small, makeshift, floating island. We saw between 20 and 30 of them flying around, and the biologist there said that there were at least 8 nests full of eggs on the island. However, these birds spend part of their life cycle on the gulf coast. Will efforts to improve their population numbers be thwarted by this devastating oil spill? It's quite likely.

The Least Tern is only one of many animal and plant species that will be adversely affected by this catastrophe. Along with that, there are all the negative effects on humans, both economical and cultural. Certainly I don't need to be the one to tell you that this is a devastating situation. I also don't necessarily have any answers, I would just be remiss if I didn't express my remorse.

To learn more about this and other issues, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org or some other reputable site or source. If nothing else, be informed.

"blood thins at this war within"

The Juniper 13
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

Out Now! The Juniper #13! Free in person or stamp by mail! Or trade!

This issue features info on green roofs, storing vegetable seeds, the health benefits of dandelions, as well as a short essay about sharing. Also included are some letters to the editor and food quotes by Michael Pollan. If any of this sounds like your cup of tea, inquire at:

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
juniperjournal@hotmail.com

By the way, have you seen The 11th Hour? Not the TV show, but the documentary about planet earth's environmental crisis. I was hesitant to check it out because it's produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. I've got nothing personal against the guy; I just questioned his credibility and motive. However, most of the dialogue in the film is by environmental experts and frontline activists and the result is a very inspirational, educational, and foward-thinking viewing experience. It's a deep dive into ecology, biology, environmental science, sustainability, psychology, and philosophy as they relate to the impact that humans have had on the planet over the centuries and what the future might look like depending on the choices we make from here on out. I highly recommend it. It's quite dense, so watch it a few times or take it slowly.

That's all.

"love, love, kiss, kiss ... you're making me sick"

Folks interested in experimental noise music and/or my personal experimental noise project, Hot Virus, may also be interested in my Hot Virus myspace page, now unveiled. Currently there is only one track uploaded, but certainly there will be many more to come as time marches on (and on) indefinitely.

Additionally, I would direct you to an important link which certainly you have been directed to multiple times already, but I would be remiss if I didn't do the same here: From the makers of The Story of Stuff comes the The Story of Bottled Water (Annie Leanord is your hero). Watch it and quit refreshing yourself with plastic water bottles which will inevitably end up in the stomachs and intestines of ocean critters and will likely never disappear from the face of this living planet, etc. Your children's children's lives depend on this.

I will write more later when I am feeling more loquacious; until then, rock 'n roll (and baseball).

"dead folks in the clouds, for crying out loud"

I meant to post something on the first day of spring, but life got away from me. Either way, spring has sprung, and it's time to come out of hibernation. The hellebores, crocus, and narcissus are blooming (the snowdrops bloomed weeks ago). Baseball players are training. And the weather is warming. I hope you are taking full advantage of these sunny days. No regrets.

A couple of things:
Microcosm Publishing is now distributing copies of The Juniper. They are still basically free (one penny), but now you will have the added convenience of getting your copy of The Juniper along with your Microcosm order. Incredible.

Last Monday (3/15) on the David Letterman show, Captain Charles Moore came on to talk about the plastic waste accumulating in the ocean. It's an important topic, and the interview was both informative and entertaining, so you should definitely check it out if you find a moment. Captian Moore founded Algalita Marine Research Foundation, so check that out, too.

And now for some words by the great, punk rock poet, Kepi Ghoulie:

I can't stop thinking about you
I've got to put an end to this madness
There ain't know living without you
I've got to flush away this sadness

I've gotta drain-o my brain-o
'Til no residue remains
I've gotta drain-o my brain-o
I've gotta get rid of this pain

My head is so polluted
In one big giant clot
It's all so convoluted
My cranium's begun to rot

I've gotta drain-o my brain-o
'Til no residue remains
I've gotta drain-o my brain-o
I've gotta get rid of this pain

"these are the nights that make us feel we belong"

I made a noise album. It's something I've been wanting to do since I was a youngster delivering newspapers and day- dreaming of a brighter future. I don't know what took me so long. I guess I figured that I needed lots of fancy, expensive equipment; but no, you can make noise with anything really. This is experimental music that I made with my guitar, amplifiers, distortion pedals, tape recorders, typewriter, mouth and various other things. Some of it has a melodic, song-like quality to it, other parts are just chaotic. I call my noise project Hot Virus, and my first release is called Science, part 1. It's 8 tracks (22.5 minutes) on a mini-disc. You can purchase one if you'd like to (or just send some kind of trade). The cost is $2 or whatever. Send orders/requests to:

Dan Murphy, PO Box 363, Edwardsville IL, 62025, USA

messyelephant@hotmail.com

.......

Also, music by my one-man pop punk band, The Mildews, was recently featured in a short film made by No Fun Films called Bike Tunnels. You should check it out. The film discusses a pretty interesting concept.

.......

Make music and stuff.

"all my blood will spring and spill"

sudden death semantics
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

My friend, Maaike, and I made a zine. We've been talking about it for more than a year now. The delay was my fault. I blame it on a very intensive publishing schedule that I set for myself last year. The important thing is that we got it done, and now it's yours for the taking. It's called Sudden Death Semantics. It's a one-shot zine of random words, collage art, cutting and pasting, and most importantly a short story by Maaike called Seedling, which alone makes this zine worth getting your hands on. We're only asking for a buck or trade or a few stamps. If interested, order directly from me as I have most of the stock and Maaike and I are seperated by about 2,000 miles. But do check out Maaike's blog regardless: www.thesixthminky.blogspot.com

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
USA
messyelephant@hotmail.com

BONUS:
So, the other day I was going through some old stuff and I came across an entry that I wrote in my "Personal Daily Writing" journal for my high school English class. I thought maybe you'd enjoy reading it as much as I did.

March 16, 1995
"Create a Magical Scene in your head. Create a fantasy world where all dreams come true and whatever you want you can have. Then change it. Change it to a crappy world where everything is dirty, old, run down. You don't get what you want. Die."

I guess that's how I viewed life back then. It's funny because my view really hasn't changed much in 15 years. I've just grown to accept it.

"goodnight cruel world, my indifferent friend"

Certainly you are aware of the passing away of one of literature’s greats, J.D. Salinger. A recluse for most of his adult life, he finally gave up the ghost at the age of 91. Watch for the floodgates to open as piles of notebooks full of his writing are certain to surface now that he’s not around to keep them under lock and key. Perhaps we should respect his wishes for complete, albeit extreme, privacy, but alas capitalism and curiosity will combine forces, and nothing will remain sacred.

However, I can’t say that I blame the nosey. When I find something that moves me, I want to know all there is to know. And Salinger’s words move me.

I’ll be honest. I’ve only read “The Catcher in the Rye,” but Holden’s story left a profound impression on me, and to this day I consider the weekend in which I read those 277 pages for the first time to be a pivotal moment in my life. If you want to know more, I can tell you all about it sometime. In person.

I realize I’m not alone in my fascination and appreciation of Salinger’s work. Millions have read his words and were transformed. Millions more will read his words and will likewise be transformed. I wonder what has triggered this transformation for others, and what will trigger it for those in the future. Undoubtedly it’s a bit ironical (as Holden would say) that one of the things that draws us to the work of Salinger is our feeling of being out of place, like we just weren’t meant for these times or this world, that we are perpetually surrounded by phonies, and we just want to be left alone for once. Yet, how can thousands or millions of people be feeling this same way at the same time. Shouldn’t we be able to recognize this in each other and then stop and do something to remedy this sentiment?

Do you want to know something else ironical or coincidental or whatever you want to call it? I finished reading “The Catcher in the Rye” for the third time on the same day that Salinger died. Maybe even the same moment. I’m not saying there is any supernatural connection there or anything, I’m just stating the facts. The third time’s the charm, right? Perhaps there’s some truth to that statement.

Here’s the thing though, while I could still relate to Holden and all his hang-ups this time through, I found his cynicism to be a bit of a turn off. I still understood why he had such a bad attitude, and I continue to applaud his balls, his boldness, and his rebellious heart, but I can now see why letting go of some of that bitterness could be good for one’s mental health, and I appreciated his acquiescence in the penultimate chapter when to appease his younger sister he decided not to run away from his family. In my mind, Holden was growing up, just like me. The difference is, it took me reading the book three times over the course of a decade to smarten up. It took Holden a weekend.

I wonder if J.D. Salinger never learned that lesson. I wonder if maybe that’s why he remained in hiding for so long. I wonder if he was happy at all. Did cynicism finally kill him? Or was he above it all? Was he really in this world but not of it, or is that just some lousy cop out? I guess that’s not for me to decide. Either way, his spirit will live on in his published works, and like it or not, more of his spirit will surely trickle out as moneyed interests and curious hearts and minds demand it. I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind browsing through his notebooks, with all due respect.

J.D. Salinger, may you rest in peace.

“So, goodnight cruel world
I will see you tomorrow
I will follow my heart
You will cause me no sorrow.”
-Kepi Ghoulie

"list the endless reasons why it's good to be alive..."

"...and then just smile for a while about them." -Paul Baribeau

It's a new year and a new decade, so I guess I better say something about it. 2009 was a totally awesome year for a lot of reasons, and I can only hope that 2010 is either equally as awesome or even more so. I doubt that I could give you a thorough enough recap of last year that would justify me claiming it as the best year ever, but one thing that I can say is that in 2009, I conquered my demons. There's really no need to elaborate on that, all I can say is that really is the number one reason why last year was so great. I'm sure that you'll understand what I mean when you are older and have demons of your own conquer.

Anyway, I guess I better make a list for the new year, so here is some cheesy advice that will hopefully make 2010 a stellar and spectacular year for you:

1. Laugh out loud every day (preferably multiple times a day).
2. Find time each week to do something creative.
3. Sing out loud once in a while (even if you don't have a good singing voice and regardless if anyone is listening or not).
4. Dance like a maniac every now and then.
5. Go places that you've never been before.
6. Play/recreate as much as possible.
7. Learn lots of new things on a regular basis.

Now, to borrow from the movie Nacho Libre: You are the gatekeeper of your own destiny and you will have your glory day in the hot sun.

Happy New Year.

And as a bonus, here are more Paul Baribeau lyrics:

"think of all the things that are wrong with your life and then fix them
think of all the things that you love about your life, be thankful you are blessed with them
think of all the things that hold you back and realize that you don't need them
think of all the mistakes you have made in your life, make sure that you never repeat them

"because right now all you have is time time time
yeah but someday that time will run out
that's the only thing you can be absolutely certain about."

"if you plant a little fir tree on the roof..."

em bimonthlies
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

"...then we'll all be gifts beneath it." -- Half-Handed Cloud

The year is coming to a close. Are you looking back or looking forward? I suppose I'm doing a little of both. This year was awesome. Next year's going to be awesomer. But how about we save that for another post. Right now I just want to tell you about the collection of Elephant Mess bimonthlies that I have put into this fancy little pocket. Six issues of Elephant Mess produced every other month in 2009 starting in January and ending in November spanning issue numbers 21 through 26. If you haven't heard, this may be it for Elephant Mess, so this is your big chance to see how it ended (maybe). The complete collection with pocket will set you back $3. If you are missing an issue here and/or there or if you just want the pocket to keep your archive safe and fashionably stored, that can be arranged as well for stamps or a buck or some kind of trade or something. I'm very accommodating. (And no, we are not dating.)

Inquire here:
Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
USA
messyelephant@hotmail.com

Happy Holidays, folks.

"you thought that you could outrun sorrow"

em 26
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

If all good things must come to an end, then all bad things must come to an end too, right? Otherwise there wouldn't be balance in the universe. I'm not saying that the bimonthly-for-a-year series of Elephant Mess was good or bad - you'll have to conclude that for yourself - but I am saying that it's ending. Issue 26 is the last of 6, and it may even be the last of 26. Twelve years is probably enough. It may even be twelve years too many. Who knows? I can't really say for sure at this point. Either way, the 26th issue is now complete and ready for dissemination. In this issue, I filled a bunch of pages with lots of sentences and paragraphs and I used words like metamorphosis, unruly, sultry, and maudlin. I also referenced slag heaps and Canada (but not slag heaps in Canada). Lyrics of songs were basically used as filler. Oh, and I included the centerfold artwork of an inmate. Is that good enough for you? If so, send a dollar or stamps or a trade or cualquiera to:

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
USA

Don't be sad. There are better days ahead.

"eating pizza is really great..."

"...so is destroying everything you hate." -Be Your Own Pet

It's official, I am now writing reviews for the Syndicated Zine Reviews website. If you haven't had a chance to check out the site, do it. Not because I'm writing reviews, but because it's a great site.

Also, have you seen the documentary Food, Inc., yet? If not, you should definitely check it out. It just came out on DVD last week. It's all about how messed up our food system is these days. It's pretty disturbing at times, but it ends on a hopeful note, and it's important to know where your food comes from as well as being aware of all the absurdity and corruption that abounds in the industry. Here's a quote from the movie. It comes from one of the more positive scenes featuring food hero, Joel Salatin, of Polyface Farms.

"It is in that honoring and respecting the pigness of the pig and its distinctiveness that creates the philosophical building block for honoring and respecting your gifts and talents or even another culture's gifts and talents. [A] culture that just views a pig as a pile of protoplasmic, inanimate structure to be manipulated by whatever creative design the human can foist on that critter will probably view individuals within its community and other cultures in the community of nations with the same type of disdain and disrespect and controlling type mentality."

Bonus quote from Joel from an episode of Nightline:
"In our culture today - our western, reductionist, Greco-Roman, linear, fragmented, disconnected, systematized, all-parts oriented culture - we don't ask how to make a pig happy, we ask how do we grow them faster, fatter, bigger, cheaper, and that's not a noble goal."

"i might wear black for a year straight"

The dreaded Yankees won their 27th World Series (in their 40th World Series appearance) last night. The 2009 Major League Baseball season has come to a close. It's a sad day indeed. Mostly what's sad is watching the same few teams win over and over again. I've always been one to root for the underdog. Maybe that's why I usually end up being disappointed. But I don't care; It's all in good fun. Either way, just once I'd like to see the tables turn. So, I'm offering to you my vision of the teams that I'd like to see in next year's MLB playoffs (even though I'm well aware of the unlikelihood of this happening). I picked these teams, not because they are all underdogs, but because they are teams that I like. Certainly there are other teams that have worse histories than some of these teams (like the Chicago Cubs for example).

For the National League:
-West division: Arizona Diamondbacks
-Central division: Pittsburgh Pirates
-East division: Washington Nationals
-Wild Card: Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, or Cincinnati Reds

For the American League:
-West division: Seattle Mariners
-Central division: Detroit Tigers
-East division: Toronto Blue Jays
-Wild Card: Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, or Oakland Athletics

Ideally, the World Series would feature the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals because they are two of the three teams that have never even played in a World Series (the third team being the Texas Rangers). Ultimately I'd want the winner to be the Mariners of course, but seeing either team in the Series would be a very pivotal moment for me and certainly for anyone else who roots for and believes in the underdogs.

"i did a fast downhill on my skateboard..."

The Juniper 12
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

"...but it never blew away the pain." -Mint

Hello folks. The Juniper # 12 is done, and it's everything you hoped it would be and more...except less. I wrote about microbes, bike riding, water wasting, transporting yourself post peak oil, emergency preparedness and being happy. I've also included some quotes about local eating and local purchasing, plus a recipe of course. It's all yours for a stamp. Or a trade. Or anything really. Just let me know that you want one by contacting me here:

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025

juniperjournal@hotmail.com

"you ain't even go to class, bueller"

Saving the planet doesn't have to be boring. It's possible to have fun and make a positive impact at the same time. Here are two examples:

A dance club in Rotterdam, Netherlands called Watt has a special dance floor requiring dancers to keep moving if they want the lights to stay on. The more people dance, the more electricity is generated which is just one of the many sustainable features of "the very first Sustainable Dance Club in the world" with a "focus on sustainability in a creative and attractive way." Of course, you'll have to know Dutch if you want to read about it on their website, but you could also read about it here. Either way, it's a dance party 1998.

An organization called PlayPumps International has been installing water pumps in Africa for villages that otherwise have little or no access to fresh, clean water. The great thing about these pumps is that they double as a playground for kids. As the kids spin around a merry-go-round, water gets pumped from deep in the ground into a storage tank. The water can then be accessed from a nearby tap. Easy access to fresh water means that less people die of horrible, water-borne diseases and the women who usually spend their time fetching water from miles away can instead spend their time in school or participating in other worthwhile activites. Also, the kids get a safe and attractive place to play, which is in itself a major benefit.

Surely there are many other ways to enact positve change and have fun while you're at it. These are just a couple examples. Let me know if you can think of others.

"To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing."
-Raymond Williams

"and all this self awareness, the blind led by the blind"

elephant mess 25: patience, prudence
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

The September 2009 issue of Elephant Mess is out, which means that there is only one issue left in the bimonthly series. Also this month marks the 12th year of Elephant Mess, so there's that.
Anyway, this issue is once again ultra personal and pretty pathetic in that awkward way that only Elephant Mess can be, so if you're in the mood to throw up in your mouth or feel all icky inside than send a stamp or trade or love note to the address below. I'll be sure to get a copy sent in your general direction post-haste, criminals.

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
USA
messyelephant@hotmail.com

"drown the pain of this one to the sound of my guitar"

The Mildews - Misadventures
Originally uploaded by juniperbug

It has taken me a while to tell you about this, but last month I finally finished recording my first album. I'm a one man pop punk band called The Mildews, and my album is called Misadventures. It's 8 tracks of the poppiest punk your grandma has ever heard. No drums though, because I don't have a drummer, yet. That will hopefully be remedied someday. Either way, if you want a copy, send a couple of bucks and a nice note my way. Also, you should check out my myspace page: www.myspace.com/themildews

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL 62025
USA

"the town's so small..."

"...how could anybody not look you in the eyes or wave as you drive by? The world is such a wonderful place." -Band of Horses

In the past 2 and a half weeks I have driven through all of these states:
-Idaho
-Utah
-Wyoming
-Nebraska
-Iowa
-Missouri
-Illinois
-Arkansas
-Tennessee
-Mississippi
-Alabama
-Florida
-Louisiana

I'm done travelling now. And I don't want to see the inside of a car for at least a couple months or more.

"let me be fictional once in a while"

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that I have moved to Illinois. I'll be starting graduate school this month at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. My research will be in green roof technology.
All snail mail correspondence should now be sent to this address:

Dan Murphy
PO Box 363
Edwardsville IL
62025

I'll have more updates soon. Meanwhile, please send housewarming letters and stuff.