"Mighty" Mike McGee's Electronic Place of Himself.
Typings of a well-traveled, talky, funny, hobo-poet.
Is Flickr the best free spot to start posting all of my images?
I have so many photos. I need help with what I should be doing with my images before I upload them all and recommendations on where I should display them on the web.
THE MAN IN SLAM PHOTOGRAPHY
A lot of newbie poets don’t know about David Huang. Along with Vadim Litvak, he was one of the co-founders of the San José Poetry Slam. David was constantly putting his camera in our faces while we were getting our poetry legs. He and Vadim David, with the help of Ekabhumi (poet formerly known as Charles Ellik) put together the first San José Slam Team for National Poetry Slam competition. This is where David really got to get his camera out to shoot poets. Anyone having attended NPS between 1999 and 2005 probably had their image taken by him and posted on his now defunct PoeticDream.com. He must’ve taken 100,000 photos, if not more. I’m sure so many of them never ended up being seen by the poetry community.
David got an image of me the first time I competed in a poetry slam in San José. I cannot find it now, but it shows a larger version of me, with way too much hair from the neck up — a neck you wouldn’t know I had. He took dozens more over the years, then found different interests and continued down non-poetry paths. Then he disappeared. I haven’t seen or heard from David in years. I’ve heard some stories though.
So many poets used his images as avatars, userpics, headshots and whatnot, often without permission. I asked him if he ever charged them for use and he said no, but he wished poets would offer some reimbursement since he had to pay out of pocket to host them online. He said Corbet Dean paid professional prices for use of his images as a thank you for use of them, not realizing he was the only one to pay. I don’t know if anyone else ever offered David some cash, but I would imagine it was never enough and it probably helped in deterring him from future poet photography projects.
MY PHOTOGRAPHY
I love, love, love taking photos with my Nikon. I cannot say it enough. I have probably 10,000 images backed up on two hard drives. I want to put them all online for people to see and use, but I have to admit, the idea of people using them without at least asking or crediting my work. I really have no interest in making money from it as it is just a big hobby, but I suppose eventual reimbursement from those using them to for promotion would make sense.
I need recommendations for how to do all of this online. Is there a way to display the images and charge for larger downloadable versions of them? How might I add a watermark to them? Has anyone made a photo page on WordPress?
Any and all recommendations would be welcome.
———
Word to the nerd.
Bunny up.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on 10 February, 2010 at 4:18 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged image hosting, nikon D80, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, photography, photography projects, poet portraits. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
I wish I could save this for Monday, as I know Friday nights are wack for asking for views on any subject, being that peeps have lives and dig going out and avoiding their journals through the weekend, but hey, what the hell…
I was having a conversation with a young female college student who mentioned that she “writes poetry slam.” I let it pass, but inside I cringed, and regretted not going into it. I will actually see her at my show tonight, so I may bring it back up. Maybe not.
My reason for cringing is that to me the phrase poetry slam is akin to open mic or festival or horse race — it’s an event format and never a style. Granted, there are surely competitors in poetry slams who sound similar to others, say new poets who mimic other new-ish poets, a style of performance that is acquainted with modern spoken word, but not relegated to poetry slams. It’s a style I refer to as universal poet voice. It is used by all ages, ethnicities, genders, and beliefs, and It bothers me so much that it’s probably the one style specifically attributed to poetry slam.
I bring all this up because I am floored by how many people I run into on the road that know what poetry slam even is. I feel like a surprisingly large amount of Americans have heard the phrase poetry slam. Of those that know the phrase poetry slam:
*a quarter of them have no clue what it is (heard it in the media somehow, i.e. The Simpsons, Rolling Stone)
*a quarter of them have an image in their head of what a poetry slam looks like (usually an poetry reading)
*a quarter of them have attended one
*a quarter of them have participated in one (at least as a judge)
I suppose I just want to get a detailed view from people inside and outside of poetry slams.
What is YOUR definition of a poetry slam?
Also, what do you call all the other aspects of spoken word and performance poetry? Like styles, genres, strategies, and anything deserving of a definitive name? This is your chance to say all you’ve wanted to about poetry slam.
I have my thoughts on it, but I want to leave my full description out of this as to not influence the views of others. I think most might agree with my views, but I’ve given enough detail above.
ADDITION: Does any of this matter? Why or why not? Does a poetry “slammer” exist off stage?
ALSO: Read Tony Brown’s extensive review/definition of poetry slam here at GotPoetry.com
———
Word to the nerd.
Bunny up.
This entry was written by , posted on 5 February, 2010 at 6:29 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged defining, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, survey. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
I wish I could save this for Monday, as I know Friday nights are wack for asking for views on any subject, being that peeps have lives and dig going out and avoiding their journals through the weekend, but hey, what the hell…
I was having a conversation with a young female college student who mentioned that she “writes poetry slam.” I let it pass, but inside I cringed, and regretted not going into it. I will actually see her at my show tonight, so I may bring it back up. Maybe not.
My reason for cringing is that to me the phrase poetry slam is akin to open mic or festival or horse race — it’s an event format and never a style. Granted, there are surely competitors in poetry slams who sound similar to others, say new poets who mimic other new-ish poets, a style of performance that is acquainted with modern spoken word, but not relegated to poetry slams. It’s a style I refer to as universal poet voice. It is used by all ages, ethnicities, genders, and beliefs, and It bothers me so much that it’s probably the one style specifically attributed to poetry slam.
I bring all this up because I am floored by how many people I run into on the road that know what poetry slam even is. I feel like a surprisingly large amount of Americans have heard the phrase poetry slam. Of those that know the phrase poetry slam:
*a quarter of them have no clue what it is (heard it in the media somehow, i.e. The Simpsons, Rolling Stone)
*a quarter of them have an image in their head of what a poetry slam looks like (usually an poetry reading)
*a quarter of them have attended one
*a quarter of them have participated in one (at least as a judge)
I suppose I just want to get a detailed view from people inside and outside of poetry slams.
What is YOUR definition of a poetry slam?
Also, what do you call all the other aspects of spoken word and performance poetry? Like styles, genres, strategies, and anything deserving of a definitive name? This is your chance to say all you’ve wanted to about poetry slam.
I have my thoughts on it, but I want to leave my full description out of this as to not influence the views of others. I think most might agree with my views, but I’ve given enough detail above.
ADDITION: Does any of this matter? Why or why not? Does a poetry “slammer” exist off stage?
ALSO: Read Tony Brown’s extensive review/definition of poetry slam here at GotPoetry.com
———
Word to the nerd.
Bunny up.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 6:29 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged defining, ideas, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, survey. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Joined Alex Charalambides on his trek to Providence for their WoW slot slam. It’s the coolest competition I’ve seen in a long time. Three competitors! Megan Thoma, Morgan French, and Corrina Bain! Wicked!
My kind of poetry slam. The crux. Or as Bain used earlier, “Croosh” = abbreviation for crucial. LOVE it.
I don’t care who wins. Providence will be well represented.
———
Word to the nerd.
2010: Live Well
This entry was written by , posted on 7 January, 2010 at 10:13 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, providence, wowps qualifier. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
After my UCF gig in Orlando on July 22, I am staying another day to perform at the Orlando Team Fundraiser, “Showdown in O-Town.” I have never been to a Florida poetry slam. It’s about damn time.
This show sounds like a great time! I am excited!
Here are all of the details for the show sent to me by the one and only Mr. J. Bradley:
Thursday, July 23 at The Cameo Theatre (located in the old Cruises Only building – 1013 E. Colonial Drive), Team Orlando 2009 will face off against three other teams packed with amazing poets in a National Poetry Slam style bout where, after four rounds, one team will win the first ever Showdown in O-Town. Our teams are so far:
Team Orlando 2009: Shawn Welcome, Curtis Meyer, Ronin, MyVerse, Alex Ruiz – the most talented team Orlando will ever throw at the National Poetry Slam thus far. This is an amazing mix of accomplished poets and hungry newcomers who will rock your faces off with their poetic might.
Team Slamazon: Kendra Corrie, Dani O., Veronica Smith, Holly Riggs – this team features both winners of the 2009 Fringe Poetry Smackdown (who both won with 30s), a 2009 Smackdown runner up, and a poetic leviathan emerging from the depths. This team is fierce. They will destroy you with their verse, then wear your skin like a pelt.
Team Payback: Tod Caviness, Trevor Fraiser, Tam Tam the Sandwich Man, Alex Vega – all these poets were part of the Broken Speech Post-Season and they seek vengenance on Team Orlando for denying them from representing the City Beautiful.
Team Pandemonium : Chaz Yorick, Lilly, Michael Sloan, Zachary Kluckman – this team is the ultimate wildcard. We can only speculate the mayhem this mysterious group can cause.
Kicking off the night will be Mighty Mike McGee, the only poet to hold the individual National Poetry Slam and World Poetry Slam titles.
These teams will face Team Orlando at the Showdown in O-Town in an epic bout never seen before in the City Beautiful…until now.
Wanna hear the best part? You can see this National Poetry Slam bout for just $5. $5 to see amazing poetry. $5 to get your face rocked so far off, you can put it on a wall as a trophy to tell your grandchildren about that time poetry rocked your face off on this night. For your $5, you not only get to witness awesome poetry but get your name thrown in the hat for a door prize: a $25 gift card to Urban Think, Orlando’s only independent book store. All proceeds go to Team Orlando 2009.
The Showdown in O-Town is proudly sponsored by Stardust Video & Coffee, our home venue, Park Ave CDs, Seven Sisters Coffee, and Urban Think.
This entry was written by , posted on 16 July, 2009 at 10:46 AM, filed under Travel and tagged florida, live performance, orlando, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, poetry, spoken word, summer, sweetness, Team Orlando 2009, university of central florida. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
After my UCF gig in Orlando on July 22, I am staying another day to perform at the Orlando Team Fundraiser, “Showdown in O-Town.” I have never been to a Florida poetry slam. It’s about damn time.
This show sounds like a great time! I am excited!
Here are all of the details for the show sent to me by the one and only Mr. J. Bradley:
Thursday, July 23 at The Cameo Theatre (located in the old Cruises Only building – 1013 E. Colonial Drive), Team Orlando 2009 will face off against three other teams packed with amazing poets in a National Poetry Slam style bout where, after four rounds, one team will win the first ever Showdown in O-Town. Our teams are so far:
Team Orlando 2009: Shawn Welcome, Curtis Meyer, Ronin, MyVerse, Alex Ruiz – the most talented team Orlando will ever throw at the National Poetry Slam thus far. This is an amazing mix of accomplished poets and hungry newcomers who will rock your faces off with their poetic might.
Team Slamazon: Kendra Corrie, Dani O., Veronica Smith, Holly Riggs – this team features both winners of the 2009 Fringe Poetry Smackdown (who both won with 30s), a 2009 Smackdown runner up, and a poetic leviathan emerging from the depths. This team is fierce. They will destroy you with their verse, then wear your skin like a pelt.
Team Payback: Tod Caviness, Trevor Fraiser, Tam Tam the Sandwich Man, Alex Vega – all these poets were part of the Broken Speech Post-Season and they seek vengenance on Team Orlando for denying them from representing the City Beautiful.
Team Pandemonium : Chaz Yorick, Lilly, Michael Sloan, Zachary Kluckman – this team is the ultimate wildcard. We can only speculate the mayhem this mysterious group can cause.
Kicking off the night will be Mighty Mike McGee, the only poet to hold the individual National Poetry Slam and World Poetry Slam titles.
These teams will face Team Orlando at the Showdown in O-Town in an epic bout never seen before in the City Beautiful…until now.
Wanna hear the best part? You can see this National Poetry Slam bout for just $5. $5 to see amazing poetry. $5 to get your face rocked so far off, you can put it on a wall as a trophy to tell your grandchildren about that time poetry rocked your face off on this night. For your $5, you not only get to witness awesome poetry but get your name thrown in the hat for a door prize: a $25 gift card to Urban Think, Orlando’s only independent book store. All proceeds go to Team Orlando 2009.
The Showdown in O-Town is proudly sponsored by Stardust Video & Coffee, our home venue, Park Ave CDs, Seven Sisters Coffee, and Urban Think.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 10:46 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged events, florida, orlando, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, poetry, spoken word, summer, sweetness, Team Orlando 2009, tour/touring, Travel, university of central florida. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
About to pack for my short flight from Los Angeles to San José. I will be in Silicon Valley for a few days, involving two shows.
Have had an amazing few weeks on the road. A lot of it filled with Derrick Brown, Vancouver, B.C. and Honolulu. Not too shabby.
Derrick and I held a bookparty (“book release” sounds lame, like I’m putting my books back out into the wilderness, which, technically, I am–but no) in Honolulu on May 11, and in Long Beach on May 16. They were both jammed in with sweet nugget-y peeps of all sorts and walks. It was good to see Dante, Lindsey and Bobby who came to the show at {open}, a fantastic book shop run by Shea & Sé.
TANGENT: Totally listening to all of the Arcade Fire I have on my Mac.
My buddy Dante, whom I lived with in San José in 2005, whom also supplied the sweet comicbook sketch of Spherical Man and Feedbag in my book, has also written a nice review of “In Search of Midnight” at craveonline.com. Good articles there. Lots to read. His review ismore a general state of what he thinks of me, which is also good. Says a lot for spoken word.
Derrick Downtown Brown and I are embarking on a Euro Tour together (“European, I’m A Peein’ 2009″) in June-July. I have many dates coming up, and no-dates-on-purpose from July 14 through mid-August. Then I’ll close out August with some Chicago time.
Saw Star Trek twice this month. Whoa. Dang. Son-of-a-Yes! The best action-adventure I’ve seen in years. Such quality entertainment. When they make prequels to this one in 20 years, people will complain that they don’t compare to the original 2009 version.
(From Slammaster, Kat Dietrich) Ladies and Gentlemen, the time to crown a new hero is upon us. For months we have watched poets grab awe inspiring victories and ego crushing defeats. Now that the dust has settled, now that the casualties have been cleared, 10 poets remain standing to face off in the ultimate showdown known as the San Jose Grand Slam! That’s right folks, San Jose Poetry Slam finals are here! This TUESDAY, May 19th, our top scoring poets will come together, battling it out not only to crown our Grand Slam Champion, but also to select San Jose ‘s 2009 Slam Team. The team will go on to represent San Jose at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach , Florida . These Poets (selected by you) will go up against teams of poets from 80 other cities across the US and abroad, slugging it out for the title of National Poetry Slam Champions! But that’s not all; the Grand Slam will be hosted by San Jose’s own Mighty Mike McGee!!! Don’t miss out on this blockbuster poetry event! In fact, bring every one you know! As always, we will have poets, poetry, and beer (brought to you by our illustrious sponsor, Faultline Brewery)! We look forward to seeing you again.
~Kat Dietrich & Chris Bundy
San Jose Poetry Slam @ MACLA 510 S. 1st Street San Jose , CA . 7:30 PM Doors Open
8 PM Show Starts (the magic begins!) Tuesday, May 19th $6 at the door
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SENDING THE TEAM TO NATIONALS!
San José Team Finalists: Clay Courchain, Kat Dietrich, Kristina Roberston, Patrick, Danny D., Dave Perez, Chris Bundy, Kevin Sparks, Jen G, Scorpiana X, Wes Moots
Want to buy a book from me in person? I will be performing at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara (5137 Stevens Creek Blvd. at Lawrence Expwy)
Friday, MAY 22. FREE SHOW. 7:30pm. Books are $15.00. Barefoot Coffee is the deliciousest.
Can’t make it to Barefoot? Well, I just noticed this: http://www.amazon.com/Search-Midnight-McGee-Handbook-Awesome/dp/0982148828 Whoa.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 19 May, 2009 at 5:36 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged barefoot coffee roasters, bookparty, derrick brown, macla, mike mcgee, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, San-Jose-California, spoken word, star trek, sweetness, tour, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
About to pack for my short flight from Los Angeles to San José. I will be in Silicon Valley for a few days, involving two shows.
Have had an amazing few weeks on the road. A lot of it filled with Derrick Brown, Vancouver, B.C. and Honolulu. Not too shabby.
Derrick and I held a bookparty (”book release” sounds lame, like I’m putting my books back out into the wilderness, which, technically, I am–but no) in Honolulu on May 11, and in Long Beach on May 16. They were both jammed in with sweet nugget-y peeps of all sorts and walks. It was good to see Dante, Lindsey and Bobby who came to the show at {open}, a fantastic book shop run by Shea & Sé.
TANGENT: Totally listening to all of the Arcade Fire I have on my Mac.
My buddy Dante, whom I lived with in San José in 2005, whom also supplied the sweet comicbook sketch of Spherical Man and Feedbag in my book, has also written a nice review of “In Search of Midnight” at craveonline.com. Good articles there. Lots to read. His review ismore a general state of what he thinks of me, which is also good. Says a lot for spoken word.
Derrick Downtown Brown and I are embarking on a Euro Tour together (”European, I’m A Peein’ 2009″) in June-July. I have many dates coming up, and no-dates-on-purpose from July 14 through mid-August. Then I’ll close out August with some Chicago time.
Saw Star Trek twice this month. Whoa. Dang. Son-of-a-Yes! The best action-adventure I’ve seen in years. Such quality entertainment. When they make prequels to this one in 20 years, people will complain that they don’t compare to the original 2009 version.
(From Slammaster, Kat Dietrich) Ladies and Gentlemen, the time to crown a new hero is upon us. For months we have watched poets grab awe inspiring victories and ego crushing defeats. Now that the dust has settled, now that the casualties have been cleared, 10 poets remain standing to face off in the ultimate showdown known as the San Jose Grand Slam! That’s right folks, San Jose Poetry Slam finals are here! This TUESDAY, May 19th, our top scoring poets will come together, battling it out not only to crown our Grand Slam Champion, but also to select San Jose ’s 2009 Slam Team. The team will go on to represent San Jose at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach , Florida . These Poets (selected by you) will go up against teams of poets from 80 other cities across the US and abroad, slugging it out for the title of National Poetry Slam Champions! But that’s not all; the Grand Slam will be hosted by San Jose’s own Mighty Mike McGee!!! Don’t miss out on this blockbuster poetry event! In fact, bring every one you know! As always, we will have poets, poetry, and beer (brought to you by our illustrious sponsor, Faultline Brewery)! We look forward to seeing you again.
~Kat Dietrich & Chris Bundy
San Jose Poetry Slam @ MACLA 510 S. 1st Street San Jose , CA . 7:30 PM Doors Open
8 PM Show Starts (the magic begins!) Tuesday, May 19th $6 at the door
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SENDING THE TEAM TO NATIONALS!
San José Team Finalists: Clay Courchain, Kat Dietrich, Kristina Roberston, Patrick, Danny D., Dave Perez, Chris Bundy, Kevin Sparks, Jen G, Scorpiana X, Wes Moots
Want to buy a book from me in person? I will be performing at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara (5137 Stevens Creek Blvd. at Lawrence Expwy)
Friday, MAY 22. FREE SHOW. 7:30pm. Books are $15.00. Barefoot Coffee is the deliciousest.
Can’t make it to Barefoot? Well, I just noticed this: http://www.amazon.com/Search-Midnight-McGee-Handbook-Awesome/dp/0982148828 Whoa.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 5:36 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged bookparty, derrick brown, events, macla, mike mcgee, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, personal updates, San-Jose-California, spoken word, star trek, sweetness, tour, tour/touring, Vancouver, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Due to unforseen circumstances, the San José Poetry Slam needs volunteers tonight. More specifically, Slammaster Chris Bundy has broken bones and cannot lift anything or get too active. He needs extra people to be his body. If you can make it down to help, you’ll get in free and will probably have a fantastic time.
San José Poetry Slam
MACLA’s Theater
510 S. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Between William and Reed. Free street parking after 6pm.
If you are able to help out, drop Kat Dietrich a message: kat0ninetales{at}aol{dotcom}
This would make you special and rad. Sprad.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
Balls to the wall in 2009!
This entry was written by , posted on 9 February, 2009 at 11:14 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, San-Jose-California, volunteer. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
I am in Chico, California for tonight’s poetry slam! 526 Broadway Street. 7:00pm/$5.00. With David Perez too! Come make hang with us!
This entry was written by , posted on 18 December, 2008 at 4:11 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged broadway street, chico, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.