Like the 1973 musical version of Lost Horizon, some projects either work and resonate with us and some don’t.
Knowing the difference is essential.
I’ve been unhappy with Substack for a while, after being ecstatic that I had found an internet version of Shangri-La. This Rutles tune says more than I can ever relate via this posting.
I certainly haven’t achieved my hopes, or dreams, or even modest goals for this blog.
A few things are driving my decision to take a break from (maybe delete) this substack.
The AAPA - my limited energies are going to be needed to promote and hopefully grow the American Amateur Press Association. I expect to start an AAPA Substack on behalf of the organization very soon.
My tech savvy is less than stellar - once I log out of this account I am unlikely to remember my password, etc.
I’ve tried to take a creative approach blending Imaginary Stations and radio info with poetry, zine reviews, archived shows, and musings. I don’t think that mix has been very fruitful.
I don’t reach out to people easily socially or online. I’ve only made one connection via Substack that is of substance. I am grateful for that one connection.
I have several serious health issues to deal with - including cataracts and failing vision - which I neglect, so its time to focus on overcoming my fears otherwise I will literally go blind. That’s the reality.
Reality - or nothing.
Here’s a final Zines & Radios recommendation: Watch Karaoke and Cold Lazarus by Dennis Potter. It must be online somewhere. It is an eight episode mini-series and a work of art - prophetically envisioning the metaphor for where we are in today’s digital world which has transitioned from us being the audience singing other people’s songs to being the content & product of our own media delusions. The black mirror of narcissism has not served us well, and is antithetical to exploring the deeper nature of our souls.
I receive mail at 40 Church Street Groveton NH 03582 (postal) and imaginarystations@gmail.com (electronic mail).
Did you ever get the feeling
That the truth is less revealing
Than a downright lie?
And did you think your head was hip
To certain things it’s not equipped
To qualify?
All day long the sky is blue
And everyone says “How’dya do?”
In Shangri-la
Everyday’s a perfect day
And you can go your own sweet way in
Shangri-la
In Shangri-la, in Shangri-la
You can be whoever you are
In Shangri-la
Investment with a good return
Provides the means through which we earn
Our daily bread
Insisting on an equal cut
Some people even bust a gut
To stay ahead
All day long the sky is blue
And no one has a lot to do
In Shangri-la
In Shangri-la (in Shangri-la!)
In Shangri-la (in Shangri-la!)
You can be whoever you are
In Shangri-la
It’s a strange world we live in
But surely we’re forgiven
If we don’t know where to turn
With paradise for hire
On the back streets of desire
We all live and learn
All day long the sky is blue
And everyone’s in love with you
In Shangri-la
Lovers dance and children sing
And everybody does their thing in
Shangri-la
Sorry to see you go from here Fred, but I totally understand for all your reasons. And I'd never hate you for your hiatus!
For any of you who wish to log off now and avoid the rush hour of later, Fred is the kind of friend you want to have. He has been making zines and creating radio, including shortwave radio for decades. This is what the future underground looks like: a time and radio frequency, and a mail box in a town with a street name and an address.
I have some reservations about this platform as well. I never was on facespook or instagram. The last social media platform I was on was friendster, before I decided that was a bad idea. I've hung out on forums and listservs and in the comments on blogs, so hanging out on Notes, has been interesting. I still think listservs and forums are my sweet spot, but they have their issues too.
I like connecting with people over shared interests, but what I dislike is the same dopamine depletion I get from other corners of the internet, the addiction I feel to check Notes, and wow, it has changed a lot even in the year or so I've been here.
I'm glad we still get to collaborate over email, mail and radio.
& in the meantime I wish you all the best in your health & healing.
Peace to you Fred. I was always happy to see your projects here.