It's raining cats and dogs... Watch out for the Shitzu!

Since I've had a few days to mull about my thoughts regarding last Sunday's Coach House Fall Launch at The Green Room, I figure now is a good time to write about my reaction to the evening.

I went with my friend Eva and when we got there the place was pretty empty but soon the whole venue was packed with literary enthusiasts thirsty for blood. I mean words. Not blood.

By the front door there was a stand with books for sale, Scrabble pins, and mini-CD's which apparently consist of Sherwin Tjia's friends masturbating. I knew right then that we were in store for an eclectic evening.

There were eight readers: four Coach House writers, four local poets, and the event was hosted by the always funny Jon Paul Fiorentino (who I happened to spot a few days earlier at the premiere of Shopgirl). The action happened on a stage by the front window so while the readings took place I was able to spot a good number of curious onlookers passing by, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand what was going on inside.

I won't go over everyone's reading but I'll go over some of the more enjoyable moments:

Brian Joseph Davis read from his hilarious book of poems, Portable Altamont albeit in a highly unconventional manner. He let the audience know he was a little shy about reading in public so he brought out a video camera and a TV to help him out. We were pretty sure he was going to start filming the crowd but he ended up zooming in on the book and getting everyone to read from the TV screen out loud in what was a bizarre yet entertaining group experience. I think he'll actually have that video posted on his website pretty soon so keep an eye open for that.

I was also impressed by the up-and-coming local poets who are doing some really exciting things like Larissa Andrusyshyn, Anastasia Jones, and Ian Goodman. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

Sherwin Tija was the last to read and I enjoyed his poetry so much I ended up buying a copy of his book (someone has got to stop me! This bibliomania is getting out of control...) of pseudohaikus - The World is a Heartbreaker - which has recently been shortlisted for the Quebec Writer's Federation A.M. Klein Poetry Award. It also turns out that I bought the "G" Scrabble pin I wear on my jacket lapel from Sherwin himself a few weeks ago at an Indy Arts Fair.

It truly is a small world after all.