The Same Tapes

        WORDS FROM OUR CITY'S ARTISTIC AND SPIRITUAL LEADER RALPH HAWK

    It's unfortunate that the literary community continues its rejection of "The Same Tapes."  Yet, no doubt my opinion of it is biased as it's the first real form of art produced by those of us who now live along the north shore of our city's river.  

    But, as Orlon Braem said, "It's probably either the best or worst book I've ever read, and I can't decide which.  Still, what troubles me the most about 'The Same Tapes' is that it may be both of those simultaneously."

    Thus, at this time, "The Same Tapes" remains a copyrighted but not formally published work.  And, Joseph Same's tapes, transposed to prose as they were by Jane Doer, continue to be unobtainable by the masses, though I've heard that bits and fragments of them may have circulated through so-called "underground circles."

    And while the constraints of civility, and the laws of copyright restrain me from saying much about those tapes, suffice it to say, that in my opinion they not only document various "developments" which impacted both Joseph Same and our city, but also enunciate and explain the "conditions" and "situations" existent in our city, which allowed, and probably also encouraged their occurrence. 




                                                        WORDS FROM F. JOHN SURELLS

    I've always felt that "The Same Tapes" is a very significant book.  And though you may not believe this, the fact that it was "produced" by one of our own here - that is, those of us who now live near this city's river - is not my motivating or truthful reason for that opinion.  

    I simply find it to be a source of solace.  But oh, don't take that incorrectly!  Certainly it's no Bible, or great guide book which advocates for adherents of other relevant spiritual religions.  

    It's simply, I believe, a substantial statement of facts - and let me repeat that - it's a statement of facts, not a statement of fact!  And personally, I always find its forty-fourth chapter to be its most compelling.  And yes, when I realize that chapter was apparently recorded by Same while intoxicated, that acknowledgement does force me to contend with a number of questions. 

    And the most troubling of those in my opinion, is that while intoxication did no doubt produce the inherent confusion and chaos of contained within that chapter, did it also facilitate the "insights" found within it?  Hopefully one doesn't need to be intoxicated to voice one's concerns about those who refuse to admit the changes wrought by time, those who's greatest goals in life are the "installment" of conformity upon society, the "reinterpretation" of history, and the preaching of potentially dangerous beliefs distilled from various writings and verbalizations which themselves may be only partially true in their assertions concerning life upon planet earth as it is now, has been, and perhaps may be in years to come.  

    Yet, the really "free" men and women are those who see life as it really is, not as they imagine it could or should be.  And when we say "could or should be,"  let's remember, those terms aren't always postulated from a joyful or even righteous outlook on life.  Often they concern pessimistic and nihilistic viewpoints held by certain mortals who have apparently either non-intentionally, or purposely misinterpreted most of all they've heard, seen, and read.  

    But, as human beings we should have freedom of choice in regard to all aspects of our lives.  We know that God doesn't restrict our choices.  We're allowed to commit sinful acts if we choose. 

    Yet, governments sometimes constrain us.  And it's my hope that all the various governmental entities of this nation will not attempt to censure "The Same Tapes."  Oh yes, those recordings are that controversial!  And, I'm praying that instead of rejection or censure, they'll see "the light of day" someday just as they were spoken and written.   




                                                        WORDS FROM RASHON FYLE

    F. John Surells and myself have nearly completed a book to be entitled "The Students Of The Highway."  Most of it was written by us, but there are contributions from others; and the book includes four poems.  As far as I know, this will be the second book "penned" by members of what we refer to as our "artistic enclave."  And while I'm certain this book is a good literary effort, it's obviously not a "The Same Tapes," which is, in my opinion, a landmark effort.

    The term "students of the highway" of course refers to one of the four genres of mankind.  It's the appelation used to designate those mortals who, at whatever point they may find themselves in their earthly lives, still have not decided which "path" or genre of life they should follow during those lives.  And of course, some of those mortals will constantly remain unsure of what they really wish to accomplish during their sojourns on earth; therefore they'll continue as students of the highway for some while longer, or perhaps even for their entire mortal existences. 

    But our specific book deals with the events which occurred in our city during the span of time in which the loves of my and John's lives had left for Paris.  It also relates what befell John and I as we attempted to bring them home from there.  Thus, it's another example, as was "The Same Tapes," of the so-called "move-novel," or written piece which actually discloses a number of smaller, and one larger plot within the same grouping of words or - book.  




                                                                    WORDS FROM CORZER

    What Rashon failed to say in his posting, was that I was dispatched to Paris to aid John and him in their efforts to locate Amber and Renni.  What befell me there, plus some other events, are now being formulated into a book by Ralph .  I'll be doing most of the writing for this book.  Ralph has told me its tentative title is "Canoeing."