Made for a real world...
I know many of you reading this are already perfectly aware of BowieNetter Floidoip (aka Jim Hyde) via his contributions to the BowieNet MBs and Galleries over the years. And indeed, many of you have already pre-ordered Jim's book of poetry, Up The Hill Backwards, which is due shortly.
Here's a few words from a review by Josh Aterovis, Reviewer and Author of the Killian Kendall Mystery Series.
"Powerful and personal, Jim Hyde's poetry is made even more meaningful because every poem is autobiographical -- his joy, his pain, his life is laid bare through his words. You will be changed."
Last month Jim gave an in-depth interview to Josh Aterovis. It's a moving and poignant piece that certainly puts things into perspective for those of us floating blissfully along, untouched by any of life's real problems. Here's an excerpt:
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Q: You mentioned your upcoming book, Up the Hill Backwards. When and why did you start writing poetry?
I began writing poetry about five years ago as a way to vent, a way to describe, and a way to release all of the things I had inside of me that became too much to carry. As I continued to write, I discovered the beauty in words resulting in a turn in my style.
I now write of the dark and the light, which is evident in Up The Hill Backwards. Life is far from all bad and I wanted to reflect that.
Q: What made you decide to publish your poems in book form?
I believe my book carries some very potent messages as it came from my gut, from my experiences, which I believe to be extraordinary. There are few who have lived as long as I have with this illness and this has given a certain power to my day to day life. The book is not all about AIDS, but AIDS colors all that I do. I would like for people to be able to see from that perspective. I hope to open eyes and, to the best of my writing ability, bring my experience in a way that is heartfelt.
Q: What would you say is your philosophy of life?
Live now. Stop and see what is around you. Serve others and stay open to the many rewards that return to you.
Q: What is your current outlook on life?
I am preparing to die, again. I have not been this sick, in pain and weak, in many years. I am as ready as one can be. That being said, I am going to live fully in the now and get in all of the experiences that I can. Example: I have been skydiving for the first time, twice this month. The sky is the limit!
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I can't really think of anything to say that doesn't seem pathetically inadequate after that. So I'll leave you with more from Jim's interview on the subject of how he first got involved with BowieNet, and a couple of lovely anecdotes that illustrate just how warm BowieNetters and DB can truly be.
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Q: How did you become involved with David Bowie and what has that meant to you?
Ha Ha! David Bowie. I am glad you asked.
I was always the odd man out growing up. I remember vividly sitting in Windy's Hot Dog Stand in Margate, NJ, now long gone, and hearing something so different I'd never heard anything close to it before. It was an automatic fit, Space Oddity, as I was to find out when I ran to the jukebox to see who made this new sound, this music. Someone who was androgynous at the time as I was. I wasn't alone! Amazing! Ha Ha Ha! I felt... well, like a kid, but a kid who was not alone. I was young, but certainly not a kid anymore ;)
I have followed his music for 34 years now, going to each concert with the release of every new album. I came to find that Bowie is an extraordinary composer, singer and performer -- much more than a pretty face and a wild costume. It was a huge relief to know I wasn't alone in being able to be who I am. Not everyone has that freedom. Bowie has always been at the forefront, if not ahead, of what is happening in the world.
Of this was born B-Net, a wonderful fan site brimming over with talented members, many of whom have become good friends in real life. I often visit the Gallery section of B-Net, which is full of art, poetry, photography, and music -- all by members. I had journaled a bit previous to B-Net, but here I became inspired and began writing poetry. There are also message boards that I have been on every day for years now. I've always felt a freedom to write anything that was going on in my life, all of its ups and downs.
Bowie (Sailor is his nick on B-Net) frequented the boards, sometimes writing his own messages, sometimes replying to others. I, not being shy, e-mailed him a few times, once about using the title of one of his songs ?Up The Hill Backwards? for the title of my poetry book. I of course kept the reply in which he said, "I am honored that you would ask. Please go ahead. I know it will be a marvelous work. You have my respect." My heart nearly flew out of my mouth, ha ha! It has been five years since then, and the book is finally complete, needing only to be printed. This will be done in the next month or two. My illness has put the completion of Up The Hill Backwards on the back burner several times.
Now, the icing on the cake: I had been e-mailing him for years, saying how perfect Atlantic City would be for a concert, even sending demographics of stadiums. I'm certain I had nothing to do with it, but David Bowie came to Atlantic City on Memorial Day Weekend last year. I had just had a naval hernia operation four days prior to the first night, for which I had a ticket. I had posted on the boards that I wasn't allowed out of bed and could not believe that Bowie would be playing just blocks away, yet I would not be able to see him.
My phone rang off the hook from friends and B-netters who promised that they would take care of me and that I had to go. Who am I to argue? I took a cab, met some friends and we joined a group from davidbowie.com as we always have a get together for his shows. Everyone was wonderful, making sure they were very careful with me. I met a woman from B-Net who knew of my operation and gave me her seat at the Gypsy Bar where we gathered. She (Kat_Eyes) asked if I would like to sit with her in the third row. I couldn't believe my ears and quickly jumped on this opportunity! Time came for the show.
An usher took us to our seats, except he passed right by the third row and seated us right in the front! A night of miracles, I thought. David Bowie was singing his heart out perhaps fifteen feet away. I was in disbelief. How exciting to be so close to the man whose art you have admired for three decades. I must add the band was spectacular to be able to put out music so complicated, seemingly with ease, and with such emotion. I hoped for a wink or a wave, but after the song "Pablo Picasso," I will never forget, David Bowie said, ?This one's for Jim!" I immediately became a young schoolgirl and began crying. The audience left me the only one standing aside from Kat_Eyes, who pretty much held me up as he sang "Heathen (The Rays)."
This was easily the most powerful and poignant moment in my life. I believe Bowie knew me well enough through my writing on davidbowie.com to select this particular song for me. It was a tailored fit.
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You can read the interview in full by clicking on the rather handsome shot of Jim above, and you can pre-order Up The Hill Backwards by clicking on the book cover above. All pre-ordered books will be signed by Jim, and the more pre-orders the book receives before it's actually printed, the better. So go get it now.
