Discovering the writings of Corwainer Smith in the early 1970's was a life-changing revelation. At that time, neither his one novel, Norstrilia, nor any comprehensive compilation of his incredible short stories were in print. For years, I would scour used bookstores in search of his stories, finding one of his stories in this or that compilation, in print, not in print, whatever. Needless to say, his writing had a profound effect on me and I have striven to create worlds, in music and art and words, as strange, as haunting, and, I hope, as full of love as his works, amidst the weirdness. Not that I come close in that regard: but one must aim high. Smith's stories do not grow old. Interestingly, although he was almost unknown 25 years ago, he is regularly deemed the most influential science fiction writer of all time now. I recommend his books, Norstrilia and The Rediscovery of Man without hesitation.

Illustration: The Bulbous Worlds from my novel Flapping. 

by James B. Jordan Copyright © 1991 Originally published in Contra Mundum No. 2 Winter 1992
Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
Paul Linebarger was born in 1913, the grandson of a clergyman. His father, an eccentric man, had served as a Federal District Judge in the Philippines, but had left this post to work full time for the cause of the Chinese republican reformer Sun Yat Sen, who became Paul's godfather. Paul Linebarger grew up in the retinue of Sun Yat Sen, for his father stayed with Sen during his exile in Japan and throughout his career in China. 

David Bowie sings Simon and Garfunkel's "America." "Changes" at rehearsal in 1976.

I forget how I found photographer Jordan Matter's site, "Uncovered: Busting Out in the Big Apple," but who cares, now that I think about it!? We just like pictures of naked girls ... uh ... I mean ... women.

One finds, much to one's delight, all shapes, sizes, and ages of women cavorting topless in various locales around the city.

"I had a meeting with a casting director from LA. Without a glance at my headshot or resume, and not even a decent introduction, this stranger looks at me, all 5 feet and two inches, 125 pounds ofme and says,'You need to lose twenty or gain thirty because where you are right now, I can't do a thing with you.' A bit thrown, but not wanting to be rude, I asked,'Can you elaborate on that?' To which she replied,'Your face says ingenue, but it wouldn't quite work, and I can't put you as fat best friend because you are not exactly fat.'" --Katy, On Broadway

Jordan Matter on his work: "This is a collection of photographs featuring bare-breasted women in public around New York City, often presented with interviews exploring the issues of body image and sexuality in America today. The informal and humorous nature of these images celebrates women without sexualizing or objectifying them, while creating the illusion of a tolerant world in which shirtless women go casually about their lives."

"The magazine racks are filled withwomen basically naked. When I get dressed to go out, I wear things that are basically showing my boobs anyway. It's not trashy. Everybody does it." -Julia, on the subway.

 
time to sing...

Thank you girls! 

This poor girl is in for a big surprise ... or, looking at her body language, maybe she got the surprise last night.

Many years ago, I was the member of a club that met on Tuesday evenings. Mutual friends introduced me to an attractive, tall blonde woman, whom I shall call T. I was immediately smitten.

It turned out that T was the coffee and snack person for the weekly gathering, but didn't have a car. Naturally, I offered to pick her up and drive her and the goodies to and from the meeting.

Over the next few weeks, we got better acquainted and my hopes for a more intimate relationship were bouyed by our conversations about music, the seventies, her claims that she was a total pervert ... you know, the usual.