Sock the Monkey

Volume One

Angela Hiss, Frey Lemonholm, Luke

McGowan-Arnold, Ethan Patterson, Jake
Rotta, and Tyler Szatek

I want you to want me

--Rockford, Illinois

Contents
Poetry & Prose

Rockfordia

Smoke Signals 6

Silience Slams 18

Ghosts 6

The Norwegian 30

Unearthing Derelicts 10

Bon Appetit

Wouldn't it Be Nice 12

Forest City Foraging: Edible Nettles

Charles Street 16

DIY Vegan Acorn Pasta w/ Nettle Pesto

Visual Art
Makenzi Conklin 8
Jake Rotta 4
Interviews
Angela Hiss 13
Pardon My Subconsciousness 24

We Could Make This City Great If Only People Would Try

--Jake Rotta, 17

The Rabbit Hole

--Jake Rotta, 17

Smoke Signals
She smoked her cigarettes differently when she was sad
Thats how you could always tell
She wouldnt puff the smoke out with one deep breath
She would merely open her mouth halfway
And sigh slowly allowing the smoke to trickle from her lips
It would crash into her eyes and make them water
Creating a transparent curtain before her face
That shielded her from the world
That was often too much for her to bare
--Madi Guzman, 18

Ghosts
She could narrowly remember a time she hated herself so much, but then, then
she could blame it on the demons in her head that caused her to do such awful
things. The vile smell of vomit and the shakiness of her entire body had a reason,
a valid reason. When you are being eaten alive by your own mind and desires it
is hardly your fault, or so everyone had told her.

They all said that she wasnt to blame for the things she fell victim to for so many
years. That it was not her fault at all, no, she was just a victim of the society that
has trained us all to hate the way that we look and to force us to adapt to these
ideal images even though it is never feasible. She was told time and time again
that it wasnt her. But her memory flashed back to all the times that she had
done damage to herself and she knew the truth, though she never spoke it; it was
her fault.

This time, this round of disgust, there were no excuses to be made for her, she
was entirely to blame. She made the decision to become a different person to be
a person that no one would recognize.

While she never told nor showed anybody, she still had the old her tucked into
the back of her closet. She lived in the shirts, sweaters and dresses she just didnt
have the heart to get rid of. She didnt mind living with a ghost much anyway.
--Madi Guzman, 18

@ Nicholas Conservatory
--Makenzi Conklin

@ Nicholas Conservatory
--Makenzi Conklin

Unearthing Derelicts
Derelicts is Emily Sipiora's first
novel. Sipiora is an Auburn High
School graduate and a freshman
at the University of Illinois at
Chicago. She completed the
composition during the foremost
portion of her senior year. As
Sipiora related in a previous
interview, she intended to
document the final chapter of her
youth and all the complexities
that come from hovering on the
brink of adulthood. Copies of
Derelicts can be bought at
Culture Shock. In the following
review, Luke Seamus McGowanArnold studies the themes
reoccurring throughout the book.

The author with a copy of her book

writing and themes of the text

reflect this. The prose constantly
chages perspectives and tylistic
elements to show new opinions
about Audrey. However, several
times in the book, she experiences
an epiphany about her. The prose in

Derelicts by Emily Sipiora is a

novel at odds at with itself. The

these sections can be vastly different

stylistically than the other portions

to emphasize the epiphany. The first

section of the book presents an epiphany

current waitress. The waitress is

about self criticism. Self hatred or

impatient and is being rude to the

excessive self hatred causes self harm.

customers, this could be because

she is frustrated and tired but

Audrey has the first epiphany after

Audrey makes the observation that

going out with friends. She and her

she is naturally rude, likening her

friends go to a restaurant where Audrey

to how Audrey views her own

takes drugs. The drugs are a literary tool

behavior. The waitress is used as a

to develop opinions Audrey has about

foil for the behavior of Audrey.

herself during that moment. Drugs are

Audrey unconsciously makes the

something which alter brain chemistry

observation that her own self

which happens to the thoughts of

destructive behavior is caused by

Audrey at the moment. She thinks very

the self hatred. Evidence for this is

introspectively in this section. After

found directly in the lines where

insulting one of her friends, Cara, she

she makes reference to her own

makes an observation that she can make

insecurities and then proceeds to

people feel bad about insecurities

insult and hurt others. The text

because she feels bad about her

draws an indirect but apparent

insecurities. After she makes a mean

correlation between the two

quip about one of her friends, she makes

actions. Audrey realizes it but she

an observation about herself and the

cannot fully make the connection.

Another example of this is where

Audrey thinks mean things about her

herself at that moment and helps her

friend Jo. She defines Jo as ...a liar; an

realize she is at odds with herself. He

awful person in disguise. This draws

makes the statement You have so much

direct similarities between what Audrey

love to give because you can't love

thinks of herself and Jo. She thinks

yourself. This is important for several

about herself in this way as well, she

reasons. First of all, it draws parallels

projects her own self critical views of

with the previous style of the text, which

herself on others. She damages

was primarily Audrey thinking about

relationships with others because of her

herself. The argument here is that the

critical view of self.

love cannot be shared until she has

some for herself. There is a new distinct

The first section of the book ends with

opinion about Audrey. Jack forms this

someone telling Audrey something

opinion. Even though the text shows

about herself that she lacks the ability to

how Audrey hurts herself due to her self

make clear to herself on her own.

hatred, she is not completely aware of

Different from the first section analyzed,

it. Jack serves the role of the informer.

the epiphany is put forth in the text after

The use of the perspective of Jack is to

another character makes the clear

develop more thoroughly the argument

statement. Audrey is angry and confused

about Audrey. Jack feels responsible in

about why she made everyone upset. She

a way for Audrey, he protects her from

makes the statement about all the love

herself. In chapter XVIII, the text says

she has to give. Jack tells Audrey about

Jack took the responsibility of

herself.... This makes it clear that

Audrey is hurting herself through

Wouldn't It Be Nice

various means whether it is the

I love inhaling your mustard fog

destruction of relationships or

as around the dawn arises,

skipping of school, which is

and twirling your spaghetti curls

highlighted later. Once again, it is very

as our porous dew comprises.

important that Audrey does not make

--Tyler Earls, 22

this observation. This is an important

form choice. The character of Audrey
cannot make the observation about
self hatred leading to harm. However,
the text conveys this theme very
obviously.

Audrey is a protagonist who fights

against herself. She cannot make
conscious observations about her
behavior causing her to have the need
to be informed that self hatred causes
self harm.
--Luke Seamus McGowan Arnold, 17

On the Rockford Poetry Scene:

An Interview with Angela Hiss
Angela Hiss is a poet and the host of
the Rockford Certified Slam, the only

"Poetry can often feel like it

takes place in some
imaginary realm far away,
but when you start a piece by
saying 'This happened to me
at Phoenix Traders', people
can picture it."

Poetry, Inc. approved function in

masculinity, with 92% of software

Rockford. It occurs on once a month

engineers being men. How has this

in the Nordlof Center at six pm.

influenced your sense of

womanhood?

Sock the Monkey: You studied

AH: It really hasn't been as big a

Computer Science at Notre Dame.

deal as I expected. I get along fine

Had you discovered your love for

with men. My parents have always

poetry prior to college?

supported my career, and I would

Angela Hiss: Yes, I've written poetry

say the vast majority of men in

since I was a kid. I loved Shel

office settings treat women as

Silverstein, so a lot of my early poems

equals. Womanhood is what you

imitated his style. Conversely, I didn't

make

discover programming until high

of it.

school.
STM: I understand that you are
employed as a software engineer. This
field is historically dominated by

STM: What led you to Rockford?

AH: I grew up in the northwest

suburbs of Chicago, a couple hours
east of here. After college I took a job
in Fort Wayne, Indiana with a military
defense contractor called Raytheon,
but when the war started winding

Poetry can often feel like it takes

place in some imaginary realm far
away, but when you start a piece by
saying "This happened to me at
Phoenix Traders", people can
picture it.

down in 2012, I was one of many

workers laid off. I searched Monster
for a job that would take me back to
my home state, and a tiny company in
Rockford that made software for
community centers was what came up.
Rockford has really made me feel
welcome in the past three years.

STM: You are extremely involved in

the Rockford poetry scene and even
run the Rockford Certified Slam at
the Nordlof Center. How does your
involvement impact your own
work?
AH: I took over running the slam
less than two months ago, so it still

STM: You mention places specific to

Rockford several times in your
writing, such as Phoenix Traders and
Culture Shock.
AH: Yes, it's a good way to personalize
a piece.

feels weird hosting rather than

competing, but I've found several
open mics to fill the void. The scene
has been growing at a tremendous
rate lately, and it's been lovely to
watch so many new, talented poets

get together and find their voices. I've

been inspired to write a lot of new
pieces because of Conveyor's new
workshop series. I'm actually supposed
to write a poem for tomorrow about
clowns.

STM: Poetry is a very selective process.

One must consciously determine which
details to include and which to leave
out. What advice do you have for
writers struggling with this?
AH: I think it's important to add a few
concrete, "oddly specific" details to
your poem. Mentioning something like
a yellow smiley-face backpack, or the
2:20 train to Dubuque, can help your
listeners feel closer to the poetry.

Hiss performs a piece of her own poetry

Charles Street
In this town we have roads that run parallel and straight
Like Perryville and State
And we appreciate them
But there's one that's one of a kind, I find
One extremely rare thoroughfare that just blows my mind
From the Heartland Church to the Mobil station
You wiggle and waggle with no explanation
Charles Street!
You make me lose my way
Teleport through Newburg and come out near the highway
Charles Street,
With your whorls and your gnarls
I would say more about you if more rhymed with Charles
You've got a Family Video and a huge Shnucks
You keep changing names and you give zero fucks
From old Center Terrace to Jefferson street
The place where Kegel's and Culture Shock meet
When I first moved to this city one fall
I had to return a rented U-Haul
But I couldn't find the place -- it just wasn't fair -Because it was hiding. Three guesses where ...
I thought, "What sort have place have I moved to today?
And who is this Charles guy anyway?
Are they trying to use up a surplus of signs?
Do they just have a thing for diagonal lines?"
But I came to accept this city's fun quirks
Its roadblocks and stoplights, good drivers and jerks
So, boulevard of madness, this is thy ode.
Forget the destination. It's all about the road.
--Angela Hiss, 26

Silience Slams @ Emerson Haus

Shows are scheduled for the last weekend
of each month and feature a plethora of
local talent. The doors open at six pm and
open mic begins at seven. There is no
entrance fee, but donations are
encouraged. Photographs of the slams are
credited to Frey Lemonholm.

Dennis Littlejohn and Star Lasha, along with the

rest of the audience
"Wu Tang would hang out here"
--Ronnie Thompson, in regards to
Silience
surroundings are indicative of classical
Rockford architecture while introducing an
atmosphere often lacking in mainstream
Rockford events. The gathering space
immediately envelopes its visitors, thanks to

Jess Mubirigi reflects before a show

Jess's thoughtful touches like Christmas

This past May, a collection of Rockford

lights and a small wool rug. Tea lights adorn

locals gathered together for an open mic

each table along with a sprig of dried

session, organized by Auburn student Jess

botanicals, and locally-made art covers the

Mubirigi. From its roots, Silience is

walls.

uncannily organic. Set in the historic

Emerson funeral home within the

Emerson House, which lies within the

Mendelssohn Center, the physical

premises of the Mendalssen Center, was

benevolently offered to Jess due to her

involvement in the Rockford Art Scene.
Jess related that one night she experienced
an epiphany perpetuating her to pursue
Silience's establishment. Since then, she
has devoted herself to the development of
Silience as a community.

Silience shows routinely feature physical

Luke McGowan-Arnold and Jess Mubirigi perform

Hit the Road, Jack with Joel Cordonnier

copies of locally made artwork, books, and

Silience evokes an atmosphere singular to its

mixtapes. In August, Jess hosted a Silience

premises. The general vibes emitted are

Flea Market which sold donated "90's

relaxed and inviting. Silience is perhaps the

fashion, cultural clothing, designer brands,

most diverse array of performers of any

and hip furniture." The October show will

venue in the Rockford area. Artists are

be "dedicated to Rockford's HipHop

representative of all stages of life as well as a

culture & family" with a rap battle hosted

broad reach of social and economic class.

by Silience's MC, Luke McGowan-Arnold.

The degree of experience and dominance in

There will also be a costume contest with

the art scene is essentially irrelevant to the

prizes for best solo costume, best

Silience audience. This overarching attitude

duo/group costume, and most creative

allows performers to deliver to truly raw and

costume. In addition, Silience will debut

uncensored work.

their T-shirt, featuring the iconic Silience

milk bottle designed by Cynthia Ho.

Jay Wannevag

Nick Sharpe

Catherine Grace

Skye Garcia

Emily Sipiora

Matt Gorski

Pardon My Subconscious

Guitarist Tyler Szatek

Growing up in the Midwest urbania, it's every teenager's dream to form a band.
Pardon My Subconsciousness is the newest addition to the mix. Instead of
following the well trodden emo-punk mold, Pardon My Subconsciousness takes
an astonishingly innovative route. Their sound is pixelated and
unprecedented--almost cute, like something out of a Steven Universe episode.

Quite literally a garage band, drummer Ethan Patterson, guitarist Tyler Szatek,
and trumpet player Joe Barren established Pardon over the course of the
summer. Their first gig was at the "legendary" Jive Yer Ear fest in Davis Park on
that blisteringly hot Friday in August. They will also be playing at the debut of
the Temple on October 23rd.

I met with Patterson at Kate's Pie Shop, where he is employed. He's dimpled and

sandy haired, his personality perfectly encompassed by Pardon's sound. Tyler

cordially contributed his insight, but Joe Barren was unavailable.

Sock the Monkey: How does your work in a record store shape you as a
musician? How might a typical day on the job unfold for you?
Ethan Patterson: Usually when I'm at work, I'm the DJ and I pick out what
everyone in the shop listens to. I pick a lot of music from different genres and
styles, because I think that a broad perspective and wide variety of music can
influence any musician. Also, working at a record store has really made me want
to pursue music more seriously because of our clientle. I get a lot of inspiration
from people I work with and regular customers in the shop.

STM: You recently returned from a trip to Ecuador. Did that have any impact on
you as an artist?
EP: Yeah, I went to Ecuador this summer. It was a really unique
experience for me and I think it influenced my world view and perception on life.
I don't know if it's really had any influence on me musically, yet, but it's
something that definitely affected me as a whole.

STM: Local businesses like Kate's are at the heart of the Rockford. How have
indie music venues like Kates Pie Shop and Record Store influenced the

Rockford community?
EP: I really feel like local venues offer a lot of opportunities to many musicians
just like myself. I remember a few years ago when I first going to shows in town
at places like RAD and ELB and idolizing the local acts on stage. I really looked
up to bands like DeadRon and Roanoke when first considering making my own
music. It's kinda weird to think that maybe my group's performance may have
that same effect on kids younger than us.
Tyler Szatek: They bring about insane music. They also help bring variety in the
Rockford music scene. Personally I would have never been a part of [Pardon] if
it wasn't for some of Rockford's local venues.

STM: How did the group name come about?

EP: Actually our group name has changed too many times to count. I got Cold
Shoulders from a friend of mine from work who said we could use it when I was
desperately thinking of a solid name. I can't take any credit for it.
TS: Interestingly enough or group name is sort of in the air as of now, but for the
show on October 23 at the temple, we are called Pardon My Subconscious.

STM: How and why did you start playing your chosen instrument?
EP: It sounds cheesy, but I come from a family of drummers. My dad and uncle
both play, and I've been playing since I was a little kid. I've only started taking it

seriously in the past few years though.

TS: I started playing guitar when I was really young because my father was
always playing. Growing up I didn't really take it seriously until recently when I
started to jam with Ethan and Joseph.

STM: The debate between playing solo or with a group persists. How did you
end up forming Pardon as opposed to performing solo?
EP: I've been good friends with both Joe and Tyler for a good period of time and
we all have passion for music so it just made sense for us to jam. After that, we
decided we clicked really well. And we've been playing together ever since. I'm
probably the least talented in the group so I don't really think I could
play solo anyway.
TS: Joe, Ethan and I were all a part of our high school's jazz band. I began to go
to shows with Ethan and soon we decide to bring Joe too. Anyways, in jazz band
we would always have 15-20 minute jam sessions after class. We sort of knew we
could all make music together, and that we were generally on the same page
musically. So, eventually after a long time of putting it off we began practicing
outside of school.

STM: One cant help but notice that, unlike the standard alternative band,
Pardon lacks vocals. Was this a stroke of chance, or did you set out intending to

form an instrumental group?

EP: We've written some lyrics to a few songs of ours and we know how we would
like it to sound but all of us are actually terrible and singing and couldn't pull it
off so we've given up on it for now. Maybe in the future.
TS: None of us can sing and to us it is way more fun to portray emotion through
instruments rather than vocals. Joe says he can sing but he has never done it.

STM: Pardon My Subconsciousness is excessively refreshing in terms of all

realms of DIY music. If asked to confine Pardon to a genre, where would it
stand?
EP: Well. This is tough. I guess we can call it indie rock with strong vibes of jazz
fusion, punk, and math rock. It's a mish mash of a lot of things but we always
make it work.
TS: I have absolutely no clue! Our music genres as a whole change from song to
song almost. It's difficult to confine it, but if I had to I would say the genre would
be called "slushie math progressive core."

STM: What advice do you have for mutual Rockford area rookie bands?
EP: Put yourself out there and make yourself available. Be confident with what
you can do and make friends in the scene who can help you out and book shows.
TS: Practice makes perfect. Make music that makes you happy.

The Norwegian

Hurd has devotedly set out to

renovate the building at 1402 North
Main Street into a restaurant and
music venue. Her aim is to pair her
musical aptitude with her passion for
cooking. The venue will continue to be
referred to by its previous name, the
Norwegian. As described by The
Rockford Register Star, the

Hurd brandishes a promotional pin

If you have resided in Rockford for a

while, there is little doubt that you are
familiar with the wholesome twang of
singer-songwriter Emily Hurd. A
country-soul artist with thirteen
albums, Hurd's musical work has been
featured on the television programs
NCIS, 90210, and The Good Wife. Her

Norwegian is a "hometown breakfast

pub that opens occasionally in the
evening for dinner and live music."

When Hurd purchased the building,

asbestos burdened the second floor,
making it impractical for commercial
use. Hurd turned tofund raising
website Kickstarter to bring her
project to life.

latest endeavor, however, will satiate

the stomach in addition to the ear.

$101,065 was foraged due to the

overwhelming generosity of 887 of

Hurd's fans. Renovations include
removing the asbestos, upgrading the
flooring, installing air conditioning, and
leasing office space on the second floor.
The Norwegian recieves
upgrades

In addition to utilizing Kickstarter,

Hurd advertised via local businesses
and media outlets. She ran a Brake for

citrus filling, topped with white

chocolate and toasted organic
coconut."

Cake campaign during which she served

samples of her pending delicacies at
various establishments in exchange for
a promotion. For example, Emily and
husband Mark Christian constructed
three wooden Viking ships to be
displayed for advertising purposes at
the North End City Market. She allowed
sponsors and fans to keep tabs on the
campaign via her blog, posting
photographs of her concoctions such as
"carrot cake moon pies with vanilla

When one follower good-naturedly

commented, "I will post a flyer or
sign on my front door for some of
those tasty treats," Hurd replied "If
you message me with your address,
I'll leave you a short stack of fliers
and two of these beauties!" Needless
to say, the Norwegian would not
have been feasible without the
steadfast enthusiasm expressed by
Hurd's fanbase.

DIY Vegan Acorn Pasta w/ Nettle Pesto

A woodsy yet elegant meal fit for an autumnal night. This is good excuse to obtain
nettle, however you choose to go about it.
Nettle Pesto
two to three cups fresh nettles
3 medium-sized garlic cloves
quarter cup pine nuts
quarter cup olive oil
lemon wedge
agave
salt & pepper
Boil fresh nettles in salt water, stirring intervally.
After about one to two minutes, extract the
cooked nettles from the boiling water and place

Take great care when

handling nettles

immediately into ice water. When the nettles are cooled off, strain the water from
them. Bundle the nettles into a tea towel and wring it get rid of as much moisture
as possible.
Finely chop the nettles and add them to your blender or food processes along
with the garlic and nuts. While pulsing, progressively add the olive oil, one
tablespoon at a time. Once the consistency is fine, add salt, ground pepper, a
dash of lemon juice, and agave. Then blend one more time to incorporate the
flavorings.

Acorn Pasta
eight ounces all purpose flour
four ounces semolina flour
four ounces acorn flour
seven ounces vegan egg substitute
one and a half teaspoons olive oil
a shake of salt
Mix both of the flours and the salt. Transfer the mixture onto a flat, sanitary
surface such a counter top and form a deep well within it. In a fresh bowl, beat
the egg substitute and olive oil then pour the mixture into the well in the center
of the dry ingredients. Mix the eggs into the flour until a dough is formed. Once
all of the flour is incorporated into the dough, knead the dough for approximately
five minutes. If the mixture is too wet, progressively add teaspoons of flour. Put
the finished dough up in plastic wrap, allowing it to chill for a minimum of an
hour.
Forming the dough into noodles with a pasta roller is convenient. However,
noodles can be made by hand as well. If you happen to have a pasta roller,
shape the chilled dough down to one mm and cut the noodles as you like. If you
dont have a pasta roller, orecchiette is extremely easy to shape. Pinch a piece
of dough onto your thumb and press it down between your pointer and middle
fingers, forming a dome-like shape.
Boil the pasta for two to three minutes in salted water.

Sock the Monkey is a Rockford, Illinois based publication. It places emphasis on,
but is not limited to, artists from Rockford and the surrounding area. The goal of
this project is to elevate Rockfords outlook regarding self and to bring light to
the accomplishments obtained by its citizens. All works are compiled and edited
by Esther Veitch. Cover art is accredited to Makenzi Conklin. October 2015.