Thanks Brian. You're very kind to say so and I can't tell you how happy it makes me that my writing has an effect on someone. I think of myself as a sellout, since I abandoned academia and started to make my living writing computer manuals. But, hey, I'm a single mom with two kids to support....one in college.
The way I keep my sanity is through dance: belly dance, jazz, and tango. I'm also a film nut...or movie nut...whichever you like.
I haven't listened to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young for a long time. When I was younger, I liked them a lot. I liked the ever-popular "Hey people what's that sound...everybody look what's coming round..." and also another song, "Four and twenty years ago I came into this life. The son of a man and a woman who lived in strife. He was tired of being poor ...and he wasn't into selling door to door..." the rest escapes me, but it was a haunting song. Here I am reciting it thirty years later.
Best,
Joanna
Brian McKenna wrote:
Joanna,
you had mentioned the great writer's advice to leftists (and all sorts really). . .go to the arts for sustenance. . .music, dance, theater and so on. . .in my 40 plus years (25 as a marxist) I've turned to a tapestry of tonics to retain my mental health. . .but lately few seem to work better than listening to Crosby, Stills Nash and Young. . .pushing 60 and still gret medicine men. . .
I just love "Looking Forward" CD (David Crosby' Dream for Him) and Crosby's Nighttime for the Generals. . .Neil is a god in everything he does, of course. . .lately he's doing theater on stage. . .and Graham's Songs for Survivers is outstanding. . .
bless em all. . .
Lessing was on Moyers a few months back and sounded very pessimistic about social transcendence. . .one has to listen to all that insight. . .
but hey, I'm still convinced it's either socialismor barbarism. . .and doing my bit to agitate/educate. . .uncovering the truth, then spreading it far and wide. . .admiring those like you, Mr. Perlman and Doug Henwood who do it so well. . .
Brian McKenna
