This Curtis Q&A with Rolling Stone is pretty much entirely about Jay.
On Jay not shooting the video for “Big Spender” with Freeway:
He has a king complex, he thinks he’s fucking Jesus, you know what I mean? This J-Hova shit.
On Jay responding to Boo Boo’s provocation:
I’d love for him to say something he’s not supposed to say about me. The difference is the last guy he competed with was Nas, and he lost. Nas just didn’t keep his business intact, and later had to submit and sign under him, so we couldn’t acknowledge that he beat him when they had to compete. I think he got a phobia from that. You know what the most vulnerable space for an artist is? Confusion. So if you think you’re the hottest rapper or the hottest artist, whenever you’re losing and everybody knows it, that could be a confusion point for you, right? That’s what he went through at that time. We don’t know what happens in the future, but we know the facts.
So then why not just release a fucking Jay-Z diss then Curtis? Stop beating around the bush. Go make a “Back Down” or something instead of mumbling at the end of a passive aggressive Beanie Sigel song. The old Curtis would’ve had the Hov diss on BISD instead of putting a battery in Beans back. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore Boo Boo.
Physician Rich investigates how powerfully—and frequently—post-traumatic stress disorders influence the lives of young African-American men who’ve survived a violent assault in Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Reviews, Oct. 5).
What was the impetus for the project?
Working at Boston City Hospital, I’d see so many young people in pain, so many young people who were angry, and I realized that our day-to-day hospital discourse didn’t have a place for them—other than as victims of violence. When I’d sit opposite these young people—who, if you saw their lives written up, might seem menacing—they weren’t menacing at all. Their distress was really close to the surface. I began thinking that there’s a disconnect, even in my own mind, in my own deeply held assumptions as an African-American man. I thought it was important to go on a journey of understanding: what’s it like from their perspective? And how might that inform what I might do as a physician?
You write that many of your subjects exhibit the same post-traumatic stress disorders as war veterans and rape victims. What behaviors have you seen specifically?
They face all the stereotypical symptoms: intrusive nightmares and flashbacks. I remember a young man who was in the hospital who got so anxious that it seemed he was having a psychotic break. But when a clinician talked to him, it became apparent that seeing other young men (many of whom dress in similar garb) prompted a flashback, and he was re-enacting what had happened to him. Depression, isolation and avoiding any place that might activate this hypervigilant mode is also very common. But the one symptom that was most striking to me is the loss of the ability to feel that I discuss in David’s case. When David and his cousin were shot, David felt both fear and incredible love for his cousin—and those are the very feelings that have become unavailable to him. To the outside world, he may seem remorseless, but he’s wounded. Lacking real access to health care, these young men might do what’s in their environment: they might smoke a lot of marijuana, which can cut off other opportunities. It becomes a vicious cycle.
You write that the experience transformed you. As a practicing physician, how have you changed?
I’ve come to understand why trauma is such a critical part of what we have to address. Trauma changes the body; it changes behavior and in the social context of poverty and violence, it may be the real thing we have to deal with. If in fact our jails are filled with young people who are deeply traumatized—and I’m not making excuses, merely providing explanation—then our imperative ought to be to make sure that they get the care and treatment they need rather than to strip it away as part of punishment. If we don’t understand trauma as the central problem, then our policies will undermine the ultimate goals we say we want. If I’ve been changed, it’s been to replace the question “What’s wrong with this person?” with “What happened to this person?”
Happy Post Thanksgiving! This week, 100%SSA had the chance to chat with Shawn Gabborin of Angry Gnome Comics!
Shawn give the dirt on writing horror comics and we discuss the annoying trend of bad Hollywood remakes…
I’ve read a ton of your stuff, Shawn, and I have to say… you’re a pretty twisted guy! I have to ask…what scares you?
Spiders and Snow. So living in Pennsylvania, I get plenty of both.
Working in horror comics presents its own sets of challenges, I’m sure. How do you keep suspense moving from panel to panel?
Personally, silent panels work great. If a panel doesn’t have any words (or just a few quick ones) you’re more likely to take a better look at the art, which slows you down. Couple that with some strong facial expressions or creepy scenery, and that slows your flow down even more. So I can try my best to write for suspense, but a lot of it comes down to the artists translating it to the page… which Steph has done an amazing job of with Victor Season and Palm Reader!
Cover art for Palm Reader 1-4 by Stepanie Gabborin
You and your wife (Stephanie) make a pretty great creative team. Do you guys ever argue over the comic work like, well, a married couple?
Can I plead the fifth on this one? Actually, only when I see an error AFTER she’s finished a page. And as a good husband, I take full responsibility for all errors.
Cover Art for Short Stack #1 by Wynn Ryder
Horror is such a vast genre. Is there any subject matter that you’re itching to sink your teeth into? Why?
Nicely phrased, because I’m actually working on a real nasty vampire story. I’ve always loved vampires, but they’ve gotten so over-sexualized and spoofed lately that there is really nothing scary left to them. So I want to do a story that takes them back to what they are supposed to be: brutal, violent, bloodthirsty creatures of the night… that don’t sparkle. Ever.
It seems that the new flavor in Hollywood is to remake classic horror films. Is there any particular film that you’d like to see remade?
Cover Art for Short Stack #2 by Dave Dwonch
I’m kind of a purist when it comes to my horror flicks. Not to say I haven’t enjoyed some of the recent remakes, I just think it’s lazy. But I could see a remake of “Basket Case” working. I love the movie, but I think it suffered from the poor acting and poor effects, so I could get behind remaking it. I think it’d have potential to be a really creepy flick, if done right.
Any stinkers that you wish hadn’t been made?
The new Prom Night was just bad. I think the main thing that I don’t like is when they take what made the movies memorable, and pitch it. Texas Chainsaw? Let’s forget the creepy man-child cross dressing Leatherface, let’s make him fast and angry! Friday the 13th? Forget slow and methodical… let’s make him fast and angry too! Halloween? Forget the boogieman who starts killing for no apparent reason, let’s make him a troubled youth from a screwed up home… who’s fast and angry! There’s nothing unique to any of them. I don’t think Hollywood has faith in the attention span of newer generations, so we lose the creepy atmospheric horror in exchange for repetitive jump scares. I could go on for hours on this topic, so it’d probably be best to just move on…
Geek out time. Favorite Slasher?
Freddy Krueger all the way. For most slashers, dead teens = a good day. But Freddy likes to play with you first. That’s a whole different level of creepy. Gotta respect someone who takes joy in their work… regardless of what their work is.
Shawn redefines the slasher with Victor Season, an urban legend that is horrifyingly real.
Favorite Movie Monster?
I’d have to go with the Gremlins. They have these silly rules (don’t get them wet, don’t feed after midnight, etc.) that you have to follow. And if you don’t… well those green gremlins are some nasty little critters. I could have some fun writing a Gremlins comic…
Short Stack #3 cover art by Andy Jewett
Stephen King or Clive Barker? Stephen King.
My mom was a huge Stephen King fan, so I was basically raised on King stories.
All right, let’s get back to comics. I know you’ve been working steadily on your “2 Page Gory Story” anthology series, Short Stack with a ton of creative artists. Not to alienate anyone, but do you have a favorite in the group? Okay, pick three!
That’s a tough question. In the five issues that are out, I’ve worked with 52 different artists on 65 stories… so choosing three is tough. All the artists I’ve worked with have been amazing. Viewing it as which worked the best (story, art and how well the two came together), let’s say Daniel Logan with “InsurOnce Upon A Time”, Dave Acosta with “The Duel”, Mario Cau with “Home Late” and Kathryn Layno with “Atonement”. Yeah… that’s four, I know. But this is just too tough! I mean, all four of those artists exceeded what I set out for with those stories, so I need to give them their dues. That was stressful… I need to go lay down.
I know we had a hell of a time at the last Super Show, but what are you looking forward to the most at CGSSS 2010?
Definitely getting to see everyone again. I’ve seen scattered people here and there through the past year, but it’s great to see everyone at once. The vibe is just so great.
Thanks Shawn!
Shawn's workspace... where terror is born!
For more information on all of Shawn’s work, visit http://www.angrygnomecomics.com/ and come back soon for more interviews, including talks with Kevin Freeman, Zack Kruse, and Jamie Fickes!
This was from 3 weeks ago. Originally I didn’t want to translate it, but it does offer a lot of information other interviews did not touch on. I thought I needed to protect your guys, but it doesn’t look like you need my protection. As always, the things he already said in other interviews were neglected.
The serious and composed Kim Bum doesn’t seem to like girls his own age. Kim Bum confirmed this right away, saying, “I like older girls. If I have to pick another ideal type, then I like petite girls, not tall girls. It would be great if we can talk about the same things [personalities are similar]. The celebrities I admired when I was little were also very interesting.” Kim Bum expressed that the celebrity he admired the most in his childhood was Kang Su Ji, who was a 90’s pop star.
“I am not attracted to girls around my age, but I like girls who have already started their careers. When I was little I was Kang Su Ji noona’s fan.”
Even though Kim Bum is a workaholic who hasn’t gotten much rest due to his busy schedule, there are people who give him the energy and help he needs. The people who have given him the most strength are his family. He is very proud of his 18 year old sister, complimenting that she is very pretty. A while ago he gave his parents a TV and a refrigerator, and a cell phone and electronic dictionary for his sister.
“The people who always worry about me are my parents, and therefore they give me a lot of strength. My younger sister doesn’t think of me as a celebrity but a regular person, so she never brings anyone home [to see the celebrity] (laughs).”
Kim Bum talked about the management’s representative Lee Jin Seong, who supported him along with Yoo Ho Jeong and Kim Hyun Joong. “Because the representative hyung thinks a lot like me, when he picks new projects for me to do, the projects really reflect what I wanted to do as well. It’s a blessing to work with someone like him. Thanks to him I was able to meet Choi Ji Woo, Shin Ae Ra, and Lee Jae Lyong. The F4 members get together a lot. He asks for the F4’s schedules for me. I know almost all of them. A lot of good people always work together for me so I was able to get a lot of strength to withstand anything.”
(Via SportsSeoul)
Kang Su Ji:
Looks familiar doesn’t she?
The serious and composed Kim Bum doesn’t seem to like girls his own age. Kim Bum confirmed this right away, saying, “I like older girls. If I have to pick another ideal type, then I like petite girls, not tall girls. It would be great if we can talk about the same things [personalities are similar]. The celebrities I admired when I was little were also very interesting.” Kim Bum expressed that the celebrity he admired the most in his childhood was Kang Su Ji, who was a 90’s pop star.
“I am not attracted to girls around my age, but I like girls who have already started their careers. When I was little I was Kang Su Ji noona’s fan.”
Even though Kim Bum is a workaholic who hasn’t gotten much rest due to his busy schedule, there are people who give him the energy and help he needs. The people who have given him the most strength are his family. He is very proud of his 18 year old sister, complimenting that she is very pretty. A while ago he gave his parents a TV and a refrigerator, and a cell phone and electronic dictionary for his sister.
“The people who always worry about me are my parents, and therefore they give me a lot of strength. My younger sister doesn’t think of me as a celebrity but a regular person, so she never brings anyone home [to see the celebrity] (laughs).”
Kim Bum talked about the management’s representative Lee Jin Seong, who supported him along with Yoo Ho Jeong and Kim Hyun Joong. “Because the representative hyung thinks a lot like me, when he picks new projects for me to do, the projects really reflect what I wanted to do as well. It’s a blessing to work with someone like him. Thanks to him I was able to meet Choi Ji Woo, Shin Ae Ra, and Lee Jae Lyong. The F4 members get together a lot. He asks for the F4’s schedules for me. I know almost all of them. A lot of good people always work together for me so I was able to get a lot of strength to withstand anything.”
Sweden’s #1 rockstars SONIC SYNDICATE played an exclusive acoustic version of their new hit “Burn this City“ live on press2play online TV. See the whole song and an exclusive interview with the new singer Nathan below:
http://www.press2play.tv/musik/25/sonic-syndicate-%E2%80%9Dburn-this-city%E2%80%9D-live (“Burn This City“ Live)
TOURDATES SONIC SYNDICATE:
01.12. UK Bristol – O2 Academy 2
02.12. UK Oxford – O2 Academy 2
03.12. UK Nottingham – RC Basement (with The Defiled)
04.12. UK Brighton – Engine Room (with The Defiled)
05.12. UK London – Islington Academy (With The Defiled)
06.12. UK Manchester – The Roadhouse (With The Defiled)
07.12. UK Birmingham – O2 Academy 3
The next installment in the series of interviews with writers about giving up their day jobs features Nik Perring. Nik is the author of I Met a Roman Last Night, What Did You Do? which can be bought from all good book shops as well as from Nik’s website . Incidentally, Nik says if any of my readers contact him via his website, quoting my blog, he’ll send them a signed copy of his book for £4.50 (UK only). He also writes short stories, many of which can be found on his own blog.
MT: Hi Nik. What day jobs have you done?
NP: I delivered the Manchester Evening News and two huge and very heavy bags of Sunday papers when I was at school.
I’ve worked at a couple of places as a waiter.
I helped out at a solicitor’s office.
And the last proper job I had was working for a VW franchise as an Account Manager (I sold cars.)
MT: Anything in those day jobs that has inspired your writing?
NP: I suppose it must have, but not in any way I’ve chosen. I think my stories come about as a result of me taking fragments of what I’ve experienced and making something new and hopefully interesting with them, rather than going over actual experiences and seeing if there’s anything there I can use. I think it’s more fun to make things up.
That said, people inspire me, and I’ve been lucky enough to have pretty much always worked with the public so I’m sure I’ll have taken plenty from those experiences. But if I have it’s been a subtle thing because I’ve never done it intentionally.
MT: When (at what stage in your career) did you make the break to full-time writing?
NP: When I was twenty-two (I think) the VW dealership I’d worked at since I’d been sixteen was sold and as a result I was made redundant. I’d always fancied writing so instead of looking for another job immediately I decided to see if I could learn how to write and if I could be any good at it.
(Actually I blogged about this a couple of months ago. You can read what I wrote here)
MT: Any drawbacks?
NP: Yes. I think every job has its drawbacks and writing’s no different. It’s a lonely job. There’s next to no human contact. It doesn’t pay particularly well. It can be murder for your eyes and fingers and back (and bottom) and can take up that much of your brain that you don’t notice what’s going on outside of your story. And that’s without mentioning that most of your time, while writing, is spent waiting for decisions, which can take months to get, if you’re lucky to get one at all.
MT: What else, if anything, do you do to support the writing? any writing-related jobs?
NP: I run writing workshops, mostly in primary schools, which I really enjoy doing. Way back in 2006 I was asked to start a writing group at a local library which has been running, weekly, ever since. And, very occasionally, I offer personal tuition.
MT: Is life as a full-time writer more or less stressful than before?
NP: I’m more stressed than I was before! Aside from all the drawbacks I mentioned above, there’s an awful lot of pressure that comes with what is essentially running your own business.
I must say that I think this is the part most people outside of writing don’t see, or imagine. It’s a wonderful thing, and a privilege, to be able to spend my days writing (or, more accurately, doing writing related work) but it IS work, and it IS a job.
That’s not to say it’s not fun or rewarding or exactly what I want to do, mind…
MT: Any other comments?
NP: Thanks, Michelle, for your interesting questions. and for inviting me here, it’s been a pleasure.
And I hope I’ve not come across as being too negative or put anyone off. Despite of all I’ve moaned about I very much love what I do.
Physician Rich investigates how powerfully—and frequently—post-traumatic stress disorders influence the lives of young African-American men who’ve survived a violent assault in Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Reviews, Oct. 5).
Happy Post Thanksgiving! This week, 100%SSA had the chance to chat with Shawn Gabborin of Angry Gnome Comics! 
Short Stack #3 cover art by Andy Jewett
