Season Two, readings from the book Travel, Memory
The Bangui Magnetic Anomaly refers to a variation in the earth's magnetic field centered at Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
I wrote a story with the same name in response to a friend's question—what is a day like in the life of an aid worker in Central Africa?
The article was written, beer-soaked and sunburnt on a back porch, under the cumulative effects of constant low-grade warfare. Magnetism refers to the desire to understand humanity. The anomaly was that it entailed conflict. In Bangui in 2014.
I tucked into the correct latitudes, paid for experience with sanity, managed to hold out, albeit only for a year, and bore witness to the world. But the world was gazing back. And it knew what it saw.
Intro music by Warhammer 48K, episode music by Franco, Black Moods from the album Invitation to Love, Outro music by the South Hill Experiment, Baird, Goldwash, "Chameleons"
In this episode, we go on a vertiginous tour through the Western World, guided by one-night stands, aging parents, and a lone suicide bomber. From Cape Town, Sydney, Istanbul, Athens, Sevilla, Madrid, Paris, Mexico City, to Havana we look for love in all the wrong places, we search for grit in city centers a century too late, and like a debt collector we survey what the present owes the past.
Intro by South Hill Experiment, Baird, Goldwash, "Chameleons". Talk to Me by Black Moods. Taxista, Rosa d’Abril, Kithou, Mare Bufona by Paul Riba. Cheetah by the Homosexuals. All the Years of Trying by Patrik Fitzgerald. High-Pressure Days by the Units
In this episode, we rehabilitate a house in France, we get married (almost), and travel to Germany to bug my father-in-law's house. This begins the narrative of battling a golddigger, a younger woman, who tried to extort money out of my girlfriend's father. So if you’re interested in German inheritance law, dementia, and relationships under duress, this episode’s for you.
This story is chapter 4 in the book Travel, Memory, meaning it makes more sense if you listen to the previous episode or episodes of season 2, if not it’s no problem, especially if you enjoy depressing love stories.
This is a confession to a breaking and entering in Germany
This is not an alibi but rather a justification for why I did it.
This is a love story and a story of a gold digger. So come travel to France and Germany in an attempt to prove probate fraud.
All music by Christopher Mathis from the album Woodlandsgaze. Outro by the South Hill Experiment, Baird, and Goldwash, entitled Chameleons.
I was going to start this episode with something personal to introduce myself, but perhaps it’s not an opportune time to introduce myself when the following story is about scoring hookers in Paris. I will say, if this subject offends you, I recommend you stop listening now.
This episode is dedicated to the late, great, Henry Miller, who is no doubt now turning in his grave, this episode is dedicated to the early works of Joan Didion, and last but not least, to Ferdinand Bardamu, wherever you may be.
Intro music by Warhammer 48k, episode music by Breaking, Babyteeth OST
Islands in the Stream
Imagine that you’re a psychologist, a therapist. Outside the window of your office is the Mediterranean landscape of Southern Turkey—hills with small trees. There are Roman ruins and mosques on the horizon. The year is 2017 and the war in Syria, 20 miles south, is at its height.
I am your patient. I lay on your couch telling you a story in free association. What at first seems to be another narrative of beer, war, pussy becomes, at closer listening, a confession of addiction, curiosity, and solitude.
Just an old-fashioned love song, really.
Music by Oceanside, album Among the Trees