6/27/2007

Reading Yage Letters, a collection of letters and other writings, by William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg.

His favorite book of all time--Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller. It was banned in the United States until 1961 and he had to read it to see why it was so taboo. When he read it he loved it. He admires that Miller, penniless, knowing no one, moved to France to become a writer. He could have starved to death.

A book he was working on in Dallas, where he lived before moving to San Francisco, is composed of interviews of people doing karaoke. Popular songs: for men, The Piano Man (by singer, songwriter, pianist, Jesse Rubenfeld); for women, songs by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts or Janis Joplin.

His experience in San Francisco--bittersweet. Sometimes he's head over heels in love and other times he wants to set it on fire and light a cigarette on its ashes. He dislikes the corporate aspect of the city.

Because of the reading he's done, he arrived here seeing San Francisco from the 1950s and 60s, like an exotic woman from far away. But now that he's kissed her, been with her, she's just a woman.

A year and a half ago he moved here from Dallas and plans to go to Spain sometime next year. His travels will be complied in a book titled The Resident Tourist.

Thanks for your conversation.