Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Death to Cashiers
There is a short window of time when people are completely productive, pulling in cash. It lasts about 40 years. Let’s say age 25 – 65 (if nothing goes wrong). That’s just 40 years. People live, on average, almost 80 years. So half of each life is spent not working.
And then there is illness that can hit at any time.
Righties want to pretend that none of this math is true. Or at least that the government should not have to collect taxes and distribute payments in order for every person during half of every life to feel some sort of security. Because why?
I do not understand it.
Some people are cashiers at Target—and no matter what, that’s all they will ever be because of their location, their imagination, their intelligence. Whatever. That person can never work enough hours at Target to pay for him-herself for the forty years of work and then the other forty years (assuming the work for the early years is passed onto children). Ever.
Must everyone become industrialists, stock brokers and successful small business owners in order to double up on cash? How would we buy our cheap goods if we did not have someone at the register at Target ringing us up? Do we care about that person? At all?
No. Because Righties still believe in slavery. And they don’t care if the slaves die.
And then there is illness that can hit at any time.
Righties want to pretend that none of this math is true. Or at least that the government should not have to collect taxes and distribute payments in order for every person during half of every life to feel some sort of security. Because why?
I do not understand it.
Some people are cashiers at Target—and no matter what, that’s all they will ever be because of their location, their imagination, their intelligence. Whatever. That person can never work enough hours at Target to pay for him-herself for the forty years of work and then the other forty years (assuming the work for the early years is passed onto children). Ever.
Must everyone become industrialists, stock brokers and successful small business owners in order to double up on cash? How would we buy our cheap goods if we did not have someone at the register at Target ringing us up? Do we care about that person? At all?
No. Because Righties still believe in slavery. And they don’t care if the slaves die.
Monday, July 18, 2011
It Was Good Enough for Anita Bryant
I officially order ONE PIE for MICHELE BACHMANN. Who's going to humiliate her in cream? It brought down Anita hate Bryant. It can bring down Michele hate Bachmann. Make sure you do it live on television. If you have to do from a distance, round up your friends and throw twenty or two hundred.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
GPlus
I love the free market, mostly because it’s pretty creative…even if it is fueled by greed and ego.
But on the receiving end (no jokes here) it really is a messy load to take.
For example, what will happen when we migrate to Google + ? Will some of us go? All of us?
When My Space got funky and abandoned, at least the bands stayed behind. Who will stay behind with Facebook? Chefs? Lepidopterists? Left handed scribers?
Hard to know.
I once kept my hard drive incredibly organized. Oh wait, I still do. However, there is the creeping feeling that so much of what I make is not just living in my box…but is “out there” somewhere. If those “out theres” change a lot, where do I end up? Or, who am I if I am spread out all over the place instead of a in a stack of neat digital files in my computer?
Next---this war-in-my-box between corporations has gotten better, but mostly because we’ve had to come together. Used to be that a hard drive could come to a screeching halt if you had a peripheral plugged in whose software didn’t quite work with your operating system. Or if Microsoft Outlook received an Uuencoded email from an iMac and the next thing you knew, you were looking at a picture that looked like this: 389nej@^^()&*)%*hiij*&(HNOJOU*HIU( etc.
So it was natural that agreed upon coding and protocols would evolve. Because working together works.
It is the greed and ego that create separate languages. And it is necessary. And then it is rearranged or cannibalized or deftly mixed. (The invisible hand and all that…)—and everyone gets a piece (or not) but the essential move is to standardize. This delineate, promote, combine ride is funky. Clearly. But this is how we live.
I like it. Best if the transitions happen quickly, though, so as not to feel so deeply the clunkiness of change. I would love to live 1000 years from now. Why not? Taking super fast rides into more efficient usages? Or will it be more fractured? I think not. I think we will grow very accustomed to the pace---but also understand that the pace is outside of us, so it can accepted as something fascinating and amusing.
Sidebar: Exercise. It’s good for your mood.
But on the receiving end (no jokes here) it really is a messy load to take.
For example, what will happen when we migrate to Google + ? Will some of us go? All of us?
When My Space got funky and abandoned, at least the bands stayed behind. Who will stay behind with Facebook? Chefs? Lepidopterists? Left handed scribers?
Hard to know.
I once kept my hard drive incredibly organized. Oh wait, I still do. However, there is the creeping feeling that so much of what I make is not just living in my box…but is “out there” somewhere. If those “out theres” change a lot, where do I end up? Or, who am I if I am spread out all over the place instead of a in a stack of neat digital files in my computer?
Next---this war-in-my-box between corporations has gotten better, but mostly because we’ve had to come together. Used to be that a hard drive could come to a screeching halt if you had a peripheral plugged in whose software didn’t quite work with your operating system. Or if Microsoft Outlook received an Uuencoded email from an iMac and the next thing you knew, you were looking at a picture that looked like this: 389nej@^^()&*)%*hiij*&(HNOJOU*HIU( etc.
So it was natural that agreed upon coding and protocols would evolve. Because working together works.
It is the greed and ego that create separate languages. And it is necessary. And then it is rearranged or cannibalized or deftly mixed. (The invisible hand and all that…)—and everyone gets a piece (or not) but the essential move is to standardize. This delineate, promote, combine ride is funky. Clearly. But this is how we live.
I like it. Best if the transitions happen quickly, though, so as not to feel so deeply the clunkiness of change. I would love to live 1000 years from now. Why not? Taking super fast rides into more efficient usages? Or will it be more fractured? I think not. I think we will grow very accustomed to the pace---but also understand that the pace is outside of us, so it can accepted as something fascinating and amusing.
Sidebar: Exercise. It’s good for your mood.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Hate to Be All Droughty
A few weeks ago, I went down to Florida to visit my parents. They live on a lake that is part of that great system of canals and lakes of southern Florida.
The water was so low, it looked kind of disgusting.
I had never seen this before and I wondered, “What is this going to do to their property value?”
Of course, nothing is forever and lakes do refill. But it is disarming to see a large lake shrinking into a field of mud tiles.
You start to think about end-of-days scenarios with people roaming the earth with their straws, feverishly sucking up the last bits of silty sludge they can find.
The only thing to do is to curb the birth rate. I do understand alternative fuel. I don’t understand alternative water.
Perhaps with alternative fuel (fusion of seawater?) we may also desalinate sea water for drinking.
What will happen to the oceans then?
Aww hell---we are the future sci-fi characters, flying around space, looking for a new hospitable home.
Maybe.
Thirsty?
The water was so low, it looked kind of disgusting.
I had never seen this before and I wondered, “What is this going to do to their property value?”
Of course, nothing is forever and lakes do refill. But it is disarming to see a large lake shrinking into a field of mud tiles.
You start to think about end-of-days scenarios with people roaming the earth with their straws, feverishly sucking up the last bits of silty sludge they can find.
The only thing to do is to curb the birth rate. I do understand alternative fuel. I don’t understand alternative water.
Perhaps with alternative fuel (fusion of seawater?) we may also desalinate sea water for drinking.
What will happen to the oceans then?
Aww hell---we are the future sci-fi characters, flying around space, looking for a new hospitable home.
Maybe.
Thirsty?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Killing With Cod
I never cook.
But I decided if I want to eat light, good food and lose some tonnage, I’m just going to have to make more of an effort.
So while Adam, my Recognized-by-the-State-of-California-Domestic-Partner and Possible-New-York-Husband, was proofreading a script of mine, I whipped up a tasty treat of crumbled pistachio coated cod finished in a sauce of tomato-artichoke-olive-caper-onion over quinoa with fresh green beans and lentils on the side. Yeah, I did that.
Two hours later he had to go to bed because he felt like he was going to keel.
I tried.
But I decided if I want to eat light, good food and lose some tonnage, I’m just going to have to make more of an effort.
So while Adam, my Recognized-by-the-State-of-California-Domestic-Partner and Possible-New-York-Husband, was proofreading a script of mine, I whipped up a tasty treat of crumbled pistachio coated cod finished in a sauce of tomato-artichoke-olive-caper-onion over quinoa with fresh green beans and lentils on the side. Yeah, I did that.
Two hours later he had to go to bed because he felt like he was going to keel.
I tried.
Incendies
Incendies
You must go see Incendies.
Click the link and check it out. But really, that’s all nothing compared with going to the movie. So go.
I want to tell you all about it, but if I do I will ruin the whole damn thing.
And if I oversell it, you might end up disappointed.
Strangely, the best thing I can do to promote this movie in any way is to say, simply: Go.
It’s a rare find. Got it? Go.
You must go see Incendies.
Click the link and check it out. But really, that’s all nothing compared with going to the movie. So go.
I want to tell you all about it, but if I do I will ruin the whole damn thing.
And if I oversell it, you might end up disappointed.
Strangely, the best thing I can do to promote this movie in any way is to say, simply: Go.
It’s a rare find. Got it? Go.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Summer Sausage
Something about the sour stench of New York Garbage lining the curbs in plastic tubes in July that brings a man's nose to its knees.
It all smells the same. Stinging.
Nothing romantic about it.
Monday, July 04, 2011
The Clever and Industrious Chinese
Closest I’ve ever been to fireworks. In a tower near the Hudson. One of those good large balcony parties in the sky. And though the food and company were all great, let’s face it, the stars were the Chinese.
Such a great job with the gunpowder.
I wonder if it will sound like this the day the Republicans get their way and succeed with defaulting on our loans and they come to here collect?
Just asking.
Such a great job with the gunpowder.
I wonder if it will sound like this the day the Republicans get their way and succeed with defaulting on our loans and they come to here collect?
Just asking.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Words From Our Cautious President
“I think what you’re seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that gays and lesbians and transgender persons are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they’ve got to be treated like every other American and I think that principle will win out…I think we’re moving in a direction of greater equality and — and I think that’s a good thing.”
What a pussy.
Would he have said the following, back in the day?
“I think what you’re seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that black and mulatto and octoroon persons are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they’ve got to be treated like every other American and I think that principle will win out…I think we’re moving in a direction of greater equality and — and I think that’s a good thing.”
What a pussy.
Would he have said the following, back in the day?
“I think what you’re seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that black and mulatto and octoroon persons are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they’ve got to be treated like every other American and I think that principle will win out…I think we’re moving in a direction of greater equality and — and I think that’s a good thing.”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The New Yorker Hotel
At the corner of 34th and Eighth Avenue is the fine Art Deco building, The New Yorker Hotel---once fallen derelict and now in repair, it is the hotel where my grandmother and grandfather (Nanny and Poppa) spent their honeymoon.
I pass by the hotel all the time and it can be seen from many points west, being that it is pretty tall with not much obstructing it. Cool looking thing. I always think of Nanny when I see it. And I had never been in the lobby before.
So tonight, while passing by, I bounced in. It's pretty great looking.
I thought about how my grandparents must have decided upon this hotel because they were from Newark and Penn Station is right across the street. It was 1938. What did they know? It was probably the only hotel they'd ever seen, and very conveniently located. So they chose it.
Funny thing, honeymoons. And Newark. And Penn Station.
Went back out onto Eighth Avenue and I missed my grandmother who died twenty-two years ago, and kind of cried. Okay, I cried hard. Look, men cry over their Nannys. It happens.
I pass by the hotel all the time and it can be seen from many points west, being that it is pretty tall with not much obstructing it. Cool looking thing. I always think of Nanny when I see it. And I had never been in the lobby before.
So tonight, while passing by, I bounced in. It's pretty great looking.
I thought about how my grandparents must have decided upon this hotel because they were from Newark and Penn Station is right across the street. It was 1938. What did they know? It was probably the only hotel they'd ever seen, and very conveniently located. So they chose it.
Funny thing, honeymoons. And Newark. And Penn Station.
Went back out onto Eighth Avenue and I missed my grandmother who died twenty-two years ago, and kind of cried. Okay, I cried hard. Look, men cry over their Nannys. It happens.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
I Must Be Getting Old
I have come to discover the only thing to do when things do not go your way is to become exceptionally happy.
It means something so much better is about to happen.
Please, may I have some more?
It means something so much better is about to happen.
Please, may I have some more?
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Film Makers, Come On!
Mischief & Mayhem is a new independent publisher that was recently dubbed "the book industry's new danger brigade" by the New York Observer and covered by The Financial Times, O, the Oprah Magazine, Vanity Fair, The New York Times,The New Yorker, The Believer and others. Mischief & Mayhem's first book trailer, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JENNY X, was nominated for a MOBY award. (See below.) In October 2011, celebrated author Dale Peck publishes his first literary novel in 13 years, the dazzlingly inventive THE GARDEN OF LOST AND FOUND, a hypnotic, fierce work that explores a murderous passion between father and son. Already earning lavish praise from such authors as Joseph O'Neill (Netherland), THE GARDEN OF LOST AND FOUND is the story of a foster child, James Ramsay, who has never met his biological father. He grows to manhood in the shadow of AIDS and comes into a mysterious inheritance: a Manhattan antiques store, haunted by the spirit of his dead mother - and rumoured to contain a hidden treasure. James' odyssey takes him on a fever dream into the underbelly of New York City's AIDS epidemic - and deep into his own origins in a violent encounter with his past.
Dale Peck, novelist, critic, and columnist, is the author of ten works of fiction and nonfiction. His 2009 novel, Sprout, won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult literature, and was a finalist for the Stonewall Book Award in the Children's and Young Adult Literature category. He recently published Shift, a thriller he co-wrote with Tim Kring, the creator of Hereos. Visit www.DalePeck.com for info.
Mischief and Mayhem's first book trailer
Moby Book Trailer Awards:
Here's 2011
And here's 2010
Dale Peck, novelist, critic, and columnist, is the author of ten works of fiction and nonfiction. His 2009 novel, Sprout, won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult literature, and was a finalist for the Stonewall Book Award in the Children's and Young Adult Literature category. He recently published Shift, a thriller he co-wrote with Tim Kring, the creator of Hereos. Visit www.DalePeck.com for info.
Mischief and Mayhem's first book trailer
Moby Book Trailer Awards:
Here's 2011
And here's 2010
Saturday, June 25, 2011
New York, We're in a Lovely State of Mind
Thank you to all human beings who went from beating me up in the Seventies to full acceptance in the Teens. It is completely wild to live through the embryonic stages of full evolution as the Nigger>Colored>Negro>Black>Human>and even possible president of the current era.
And thanks to Barry Manilow: "I made it through the rain." (Even though that song is, well, grotesquely cheese filled.) And all of the other people who were in, out, kicking down doors of closets during my life.
Friends in California, DO YOUR MAGIC in D.C.! Let's help the kids in Alabama, 'cause we sure as hell know the Alabamians aren't going to do it. And THANK YOU Massachusetts. Seven years ago, you really got it moving. We are proud to share a state border with you.
And sincere thanks to you Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa and Washington D.C., all of those great places that have committed to full equality for all people under the law. New Jersey, Maryland and Hawaii, please try harder.
This is a pride filled weekend. We are all insanely happy here in New York. The parade tomorrow is going to be, well, a bit much. As usual. But hell--what's a few bare asses in the face of such great news!
And now I am going to go beat the crap out of my future husband for not ringing out the sponge.
And thanks to Barry Manilow: "I made it through the rain." (Even though that song is, well, grotesquely cheese filled.) And all of the other people who were in, out, kicking down doors of closets during my life.
Friends in California, DO YOUR MAGIC in D.C.! Let's help the kids in Alabama, 'cause we sure as hell know the Alabamians aren't going to do it. And THANK YOU Massachusetts. Seven years ago, you really got it moving. We are proud to share a state border with you.
And sincere thanks to you Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa and Washington D.C., all of those great places that have committed to full equality for all people under the law. New Jersey, Maryland and Hawaii, please try harder.
This is a pride filled weekend. We are all insanely happy here in New York. The parade tomorrow is going to be, well, a bit much. As usual. But hell--what's a few bare asses in the face of such great news!
And now I am going to go beat the crap out of my future husband for not ringing out the sponge.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Jim Crow Those Faggots is the Best They Can't Do
Republicans hate gay marriage. They want their jobs back. They are doing their best to keep it from coming to a vote.
The reason, they claim, is because they fear for the religious groups and quasi religious groups (say, Knights of Columbus) who could be sued if they denied a gay marriage on their premises.
You know, the Jim Crow thing. “Sure, you can eat lunch in this country, but not at every counter.”
Fine, Jim Crow it, losers. But at least let us eat.
The reason, they claim, is because they fear for the religious groups and quasi religious groups (say, Knights of Columbus) who could be sued if they denied a gay marriage on their premises.
You know, the Jim Crow thing. “Sure, you can eat lunch in this country, but not at every counter.”
Fine, Jim Crow it, losers. But at least let us eat.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A New Bottom Line
Though we are all used to the simplistic formula of counting profit when it comes to the bottom line, it is clearly time for a new bottom line.
Profit should make up a large portion, surely, since money is extremely countable and accountable.
But why not add other things into the mix using a scale that is weighted to the market? A number for sustainability, a number for healthfulness, a number for what-have-you…figure it out.
Let’s start THAT shadow economy. I would love a seat on that stock exchange.
The only reason why people act so greedy and moronic is because the agreed upon system is so outdated. People simply follow rules---because life, for most, is too hard to think about.
Elitists of the world---unite, please, and start the new economy. I’ll not print the money---but will happily help with the set up in any way I am capable.
Wholesale change is what I’m talking about. Like a revolution. Smart people can do it. We just have to do some fear mongering…about all the sick children with diabetes and the 1 out of every 166 babies born with autism and all that asthma.
A bottom line for life. Something like that.
Profit should make up a large portion, surely, since money is extremely countable and accountable.
But why not add other things into the mix using a scale that is weighted to the market? A number for sustainability, a number for healthfulness, a number for what-have-you…figure it out.
Let’s start THAT shadow economy. I would love a seat on that stock exchange.
The only reason why people act so greedy and moronic is because the agreed upon system is so outdated. People simply follow rules---because life, for most, is too hard to think about.
Elitists of the world---unite, please, and start the new economy. I’ll not print the money---but will happily help with the set up in any way I am capable.
Wholesale change is what I’m talking about. Like a revolution. Smart people can do it. We just have to do some fear mongering…about all the sick children with diabetes and the 1 out of every 166 babies born with autism and all that asthma.
A bottom line for life. Something like that.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Gay Marriage Mood from Florida
Furious as an ossified alligator! Set me free from decades of rock hard reptilian fury! Oh Albany Repubs, you know it's time. I'm swishing my scaly tail in your direction. Don't make me come up there...I'll eat your babies.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Window Washing
I washed my windows today. I know this is not news worth typing---but in a way it is.
I spend so much time writing scripts, shorts, you name it…and so I am always walking around in my slippers with all these problem solving story thoughts going on. It’s sort of exhausting. It looks like an easy life but it kind of saps ya.
Then, you get to do something physical! The change, it’s like a vacation.
And you end up with clean windows.
Look, we live in a world of specialization. It would be pretty great to be a generalist like people were in olden times. You might then have the chance to be balanced, not overusing or under using any skill.
But alas, we do not. The presumption that people are happiest doing the same type of thing every day according to their talents is sort of odd. I do not believe that variety is the spice of life. I believe variety is life.
But since I did not make the rules of society, I guess I’ll have to settle for just spice right now. And today’s spice was window washing.
I spend so much time writing scripts, shorts, you name it…and so I am always walking around in my slippers with all these problem solving story thoughts going on. It’s sort of exhausting. It looks like an easy life but it kind of saps ya.
Then, you get to do something physical! The change, it’s like a vacation.
And you end up with clean windows.
Look, we live in a world of specialization. It would be pretty great to be a generalist like people were in olden times. You might then have the chance to be balanced, not overusing or under using any skill.
But alas, we do not. The presumption that people are happiest doing the same type of thing every day according to their talents is sort of odd. I do not believe that variety is the spice of life. I believe variety is life.
But since I did not make the rules of society, I guess I’ll have to settle for just spice right now. And today’s spice was window washing.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Gay Marriage in The Empire State
Come on guys---One Vote Away means it is here.
Just do it.
And fuck that fucking Bible.
Just do it.
And fuck that fucking Bible.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Two Very Important Things
Please watch both of these videos. The first is the intro and roadside belief system for us all.
The second is a call out to my friend, Mink, who needs your support for her cool music.
Come on! It’s the new world, the one where we all believe in ourselves and help others to make it all come true.
The second is a call out to my friend, Mink, who needs your support for her cool music.
Come on! It’s the new world, the one where we all believe in ourselves and help others to make it all come true.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Gays of New York Unite
Today is my parents’ fifty-third wedding anniversary. Even though my father is Irish and my mother is Italian, they were allowed to marry back in 1958.
And now for something completely less mixed: Boys with boys and girls with girls. Even in Yonkers!
Look, Cuomo wants it, the populace wants it, hell, even a load of Republican Reps want it. Chances are good this will happen just before they get the hell out of dodge for the summer.
Exciting? Yes. But my life has been full of so many gay disappointments, I must not count my pink triangled chickens before they hatch.
But math almost has it. Down to a couple of senators. Their constituents seem to be saying, “Aw hell, let the homos have it. And maybe they can do something pretty with this Erie Canal.”
If I ever marry my Recognized-by-the-state-of-California-Domestic-Partner Adam here in this city of rampant business and ugly sounding voices, my man will then be referred to as my Recognized-by-the-state-of-New-York-Husband. Simpler sounding, though the former sounds so awkward, it begs for a Federal repeal of the Defense of Marriage Schmact.
Come on Albany! Send some good news down the Hudson.
And now for something completely less mixed: Boys with boys and girls with girls. Even in Yonkers!
Look, Cuomo wants it, the populace wants it, hell, even a load of Republican Reps want it. Chances are good this will happen just before they get the hell out of dodge for the summer.
Exciting? Yes. But my life has been full of so many gay disappointments, I must not count my pink triangled chickens before they hatch.
But math almost has it. Down to a couple of senators. Their constituents seem to be saying, “Aw hell, let the homos have it. And maybe they can do something pretty with this Erie Canal.”
If I ever marry my Recognized-by-the-state-of-California-Domestic-Partner Adam here in this city of rampant business and ugly sounding voices, my man will then be referred to as my Recognized-by-the-state-of-New-York-Husband. Simpler sounding, though the former sounds so awkward, it begs for a Federal repeal of the Defense of Marriage Schmact.
Come on Albany! Send some good news down the Hudson.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Spend Now So You Don't Have to Later
Stop buying those awful strawberries with the white centers that were made in a lab FOR THE PURPOSE of TRANSPORT, but not for taste and nutrition.
Buy organic. I don’t care how expensive it is. If you buy organic, you are voting with your wallet, diminishing funding for chemical filled empty food and setting up a better future for your health, the health of your children and the earth. Plus, it tastes so much better.
Over time, the cost of organic food will decrease because we are all funding this growth business. Do it at your local supermarket. The more you buy it there, the more the local supermarkets will order it, the cheaper it will become.
You deserve delicious food. Start with fruits and vegetables. Just commit to it. Come on. You can do it.
Buy organic. I don’t care how expensive it is. If you buy organic, you are voting with your wallet, diminishing funding for chemical filled empty food and setting up a better future for your health, the health of your children and the earth. Plus, it tastes so much better.
Over time, the cost of organic food will decrease because we are all funding this growth business. Do it at your local supermarket. The more you buy it there, the more the local supermarkets will order it, the cheaper it will become.
You deserve delicious food. Start with fruits and vegetables. Just commit to it. Come on. You can do it.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Different Dreads
People run around like lunatics. “It’s just crazy. I’m so busy.” This may stave off the anxiety of not-having-enough.
Or not.
Something bigger may cause this out of control train behavior.
I think of the Europeans I know, some Asians, stressed too, but not as crazy upset, overall, as we tend to be. Additionally, they are more morbid, or honest, about the truth of their demise---as a person, a species. They’ve been through a lot. Now, it’s just all about living well enough to feel life and to know that death is imminent.
In some ways---Americans seem to have it harder. Are more ramped up. Eat shittier. Work longer hours. Have less deep but more relationships. Is this frenzy, which looks difficult at the surface, easier to maintain than a calm acknowledgement of exisitence-death?
Seems to me.
We are so immature. But damn creative.
Calm us, Jesus.
Or not.
Something bigger may cause this out of control train behavior.
I think of the Europeans I know, some Asians, stressed too, but not as crazy upset, overall, as we tend to be. Additionally, they are more morbid, or honest, about the truth of their demise---as a person, a species. They’ve been through a lot. Now, it’s just all about living well enough to feel life and to know that death is imminent.
In some ways---Americans seem to have it harder. Are more ramped up. Eat shittier. Work longer hours. Have less deep but more relationships. Is this frenzy, which looks difficult at the surface, easier to maintain than a calm acknowledgement of exisitence-death?
Seems to me.
We are so immature. But damn creative.
Calm us, Jesus.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
The Normal Heart
Saw it. Liked it. Loved Ellen Barkin, Patrick Breen and Jim Parsons.
Big angry play…and rightfully so.
I saw AS IS years ago and I was confused and thought I had seen THE NORMAL HEART already. Awful, right? Like someone confusing Judy Collins for Joni Mitchell…
My very good friend, DY, started this whole thing in Los Angeles as a reading to raise money. Now look at it.
Big angry play…and rightfully so.
I saw AS IS years ago and I was confused and thought I had seen THE NORMAL HEART already. Awful, right? Like someone confusing Judy Collins for Joni Mitchell…
My very good friend, DY, started this whole thing in Los Angeles as a reading to raise money. Now look at it.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Check in with Yourself
Have you changed?
It’s always good to take the Myers Briggs Test again! Summer’s here. You might want to take a course. You’re thinking of a career change. You want that new horse but are wondering if it really is something you should be doing…you hate yourself and you want to figure out why. You name it.
I’m an ENFP. No matter how many times I take the test it never changes.
So go ahead and check in with yourself. It’s the ultimate Cosmo quiz. And hell---self knowledge at any time is good for you. Accept your inner animal. It’s what all the jazzy kids are doing.
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test.
It’s always good to take the Myers Briggs Test again! Summer’s here. You might want to take a course. You’re thinking of a career change. You want that new horse but are wondering if it really is something you should be doing…you hate yourself and you want to figure out why. You name it.
I’m an ENFP. No matter how many times I take the test it never changes.
So go ahead and check in with yourself. It’s the ultimate Cosmo quiz. And hell---self knowledge at any time is good for you. Accept your inner animal. It’s what all the jazzy kids are doing.
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Le Mofo Mit le Chapeau
You know, I was not interested in seeing this play, The Motherf**ker with the Hat.
Someone said something about, “All that screaming and the cursing. Who wants to hear all that cursing?”
Well, it turns out, I DO!
The play was fantastic. Simple story of betrayal between friends with their girlfriends. But that was not really the important part of it. The important part was the language. The rapid fire, I’m going at you, full tilt, some sort of 1975 thing, but more self aware, raw, low class, sweaty, “When you gonna get me that two family house in Yonkers?” kind of smart train wreck.
It was tight.
It is worth seeing.
It made clear that recovery is anything but, that life is harsh.
The cast is brilliant. Booby Cannevale is full-on. Chris Rock plays a great smoothie. And then there’s Yul Vazquez, the weird cousin. More please. Elizabeth Rodriguez screams herself horse but rides like a young colt. Annabella Sciorra, well, guess she needed a gig. But she was good. Fine.
I didn’t get for a minute that anyone really loved anyone. The anger and disappointment stuff were the primary notes. Whole tones here. Again, didn’t matter---because the writing was so good and the acting was, if not nuanced, damn focused.
Stephen Adly Guirgis has a great name and a great talent. Anna D. Shapiro directed it tight and ballsy.
Glad they did this thing. It was one of the most vital things I’ve seen in a long time.
Not too much changed. Everyone learned a little bit, practiced being a person another bit of time. Poetic. Gray and dirty. See it. And see it with this cast.
Someone said something about, “All that screaming and the cursing. Who wants to hear all that cursing?”
Well, it turns out, I DO!
The play was fantastic. Simple story of betrayal between friends with their girlfriends. But that was not really the important part of it. The important part was the language. The rapid fire, I’m going at you, full tilt, some sort of 1975 thing, but more self aware, raw, low class, sweaty, “When you gonna get me that two family house in Yonkers?” kind of smart train wreck.
It was tight.
It is worth seeing.
It made clear that recovery is anything but, that life is harsh.
The cast is brilliant. Booby Cannevale is full-on. Chris Rock plays a great smoothie. And then there’s Yul Vazquez, the weird cousin. More please. Elizabeth Rodriguez screams herself horse but rides like a young colt. Annabella Sciorra, well, guess she needed a gig. But she was good. Fine.
I didn’t get for a minute that anyone really loved anyone. The anger and disappointment stuff were the primary notes. Whole tones here. Again, didn’t matter---because the writing was so good and the acting was, if not nuanced, damn focused.
Stephen Adly Guirgis has a great name and a great talent. Anna D. Shapiro directed it tight and ballsy.
Glad they did this thing. It was one of the most vital things I’ve seen in a long time.
Not too much changed. Everyone learned a little bit, practiced being a person another bit of time. Poetic. Gray and dirty. See it. And see it with this cast.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Swiss Pics Instant Coco
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Is it Possible to Complain? (Help us Al Gore...)
Switzerland was beautiful, clean, on time, loaded with trains, cog trains, high wire acts, tunnels, and my favorite middle Europa thing: ham, cheese and good bread six meals a day.
Plus, the people are easy going. At least, all the people I met.
The trip ended with us flying right into the unstable air of Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The plane plummeted many times---you know that feeling. And everyone sort of screams a little. (Then, I just continue to moan…) Something funny was happening as we were crossing the Atlantic. The sky just got full of weather so we went up to 40,000 feet. This usually means that coming back down is going to be nasty. And it was.
All I could think of was, “This air is so unstable and it’s because we have heated up the earth too much with all of our equipment. And here I am in an aluminum hell tube and I am only making matters worse. How many dead dinosaurs did we burn getting here today? And isn’t this very thing I am doing, riding jets, making the world worse so that riding jets ends up being so incredibly uncomfortable?”
I am no fan of flying. I am especially no fan of flying around during toradoes-in-June-in-New-England. Nasty.
The following video sums up the trip. It was spectacular, until the very end. My audible reaction at the end of this seven second clip was caused by the realization I had pushed some button on my smartypants phone by mistake. Or something. There is an honesty to the groan.
Look---there is just so much we can control.
Plus, the people are easy going. At least, all the people I met.
The trip ended with us flying right into the unstable air of Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The plane plummeted many times---you know that feeling. And everyone sort of screams a little. (Then, I just continue to moan…) Something funny was happening as we were crossing the Atlantic. The sky just got full of weather so we went up to 40,000 feet. This usually means that coming back down is going to be nasty. And it was.
All I could think of was, “This air is so unstable and it’s because we have heated up the earth too much with all of our equipment. And here I am in an aluminum hell tube and I am only making matters worse. How many dead dinosaurs did we burn getting here today? And isn’t this very thing I am doing, riding jets, making the world worse so that riding jets ends up being so incredibly uncomfortable?”
I am no fan of flying. I am especially no fan of flying around during toradoes-in-June-in-New-England. Nasty.
The following video sums up the trip. It was spectacular, until the very end. My audible reaction at the end of this seven second clip was caused by the realization I had pushed some button on my smartypants phone by mistake. Or something. There is an honesty to the groan.
Look---there is just so much we can control.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I Have Some Questions
Why do so many people loathe the idea of a strong benevolent Socialist government but gladly work for feudal modeled corporations that enslave them?
Why do people in the Midwest continue to deny climate change while their cities and lives are being flattened?
Why is everything loaded with garlic?
Why is it totally cool to have millions of dollars and then want millions more while others cheer you on to obtain it?
Why can’t I take a high speed train all across the continental United States in fifteen hours?
Why do people continue to buy horrible cheap shit that makes them fat and sick?
Why do people think they should have something for nothing?
Why are so many people flaming out publicly?
Why do we get old, the whole time pretending we are young?
Why don’t I own a Havanese?
Why do I continue to run the air conditioner when I know this is slowly eating up all the mountain tops in West Virginia?
Why do men from New Jersey wear clunky pinky rings?
Why is competition absolutely everything?
Why is it that even though I would like an economy based on compassion, I somehow understand that this is impossible? Is it because I have been brainwashed?
Why did I always try to impress people when, really, everyone was already so upset about themselves that all great deeds just made them feel even worse?
Why is there MRSA at all?
Why is the sun still here?
Why are we all alive right now and not at the point of true extinction?
Why are people having all these late life babies that might have had better brains if they had had them twenty years ago?
Why is rice pudding so tasty and empty?
Why do we look better when we are thin?
Why do I own such horrible headphones, taken from the back pouch of an American Airlines seat?
Why are clams so tasty in the same way in absolute value uniqueness that cashews are?
Why do things change so quickly and then we are so quick to make fun of how things just were? Is this part of the fear of time-death thing?
Why do I care?
Why do people in the Midwest continue to deny climate change while their cities and lives are being flattened?
Why is everything loaded with garlic?
Why is it totally cool to have millions of dollars and then want millions more while others cheer you on to obtain it?
Why can’t I take a high speed train all across the continental United States in fifteen hours?
Why do people continue to buy horrible cheap shit that makes them fat and sick?
Why do people think they should have something for nothing?
Why are so many people flaming out publicly?
Why do we get old, the whole time pretending we are young?
Why don’t I own a Havanese?
Why do I continue to run the air conditioner when I know this is slowly eating up all the mountain tops in West Virginia?
Why do men from New Jersey wear clunky pinky rings?
Why is competition absolutely everything?
Why is it that even though I would like an economy based on compassion, I somehow understand that this is impossible? Is it because I have been brainwashed?
Why did I always try to impress people when, really, everyone was already so upset about themselves that all great deeds just made them feel even worse?
Why is there MRSA at all?
Why is the sun still here?
Why are we all alive right now and not at the point of true extinction?
Why are people having all these late life babies that might have had better brains if they had had them twenty years ago?
Why is rice pudding so tasty and empty?
Why do we look better when we are thin?
Why do I own such horrible headphones, taken from the back pouch of an American Airlines seat?
Why are clams so tasty in the same way in absolute value uniqueness that cashews are?
Why do things change so quickly and then we are so quick to make fun of how things just were? Is this part of the fear of time-death thing?
Why do I care?
Monday, May 23, 2011
Test
Begonia test
We are going to Switzerland in a few days. Took a test to see if I could blog a picture right from my phone--Sure can.
Alps, cows, cheese. All of it.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Gmail Labs
Advice to friends with GMAIL.
Go to your Settings (the little gear to the upper right) and choose LABS and pick some things. They add functionality.
I am all for the UNDO feature and the CALENDAR.
The UNDO feature gives you about six seconds to UNDO the FLAMER email you just sent.
The CALENDAR puts your gmail calendar in mini form in your left column. In the calendar, be sure to check options and have it show the monthly calendar in addition to the agenda.
Or do nothing at all.
But, you know, it is always good to be reminded in this world of endless options that some things are actually worth choosing.
Go to your Settings (the little gear to the upper right) and choose LABS and pick some things. They add functionality.
I am all for the UNDO feature and the CALENDAR.
The UNDO feature gives you about six seconds to UNDO the FLAMER email you just sent.
The CALENDAR puts your gmail calendar in mini form in your left column. In the calendar, be sure to check options and have it show the monthly calendar in addition to the agenda.
Or do nothing at all.
But, you know, it is always good to be reminded in this world of endless options that some things are actually worth choosing.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Staten Island Tonight @ 7PM right off the Boat
Yep. I'm serious.
Here it is again:
Friends!
The Rapture will not happen if more than five of my friends come to this reading on Friday night--
These writers are great. It’s always funny and touching. The spirit is right. Worth the free boat trip and free admission!
The reading is right near the terminal. There is always a ton of food and drink around. And art to buy. And people to talk to.
I will be reading from my blog-book, Open Trench. Have you heard of it?
This time it’s all about lockers, locker rooms and maybe a guest appearance by my dead grandmother.
7PM
120 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
View Larger Map
Here it is again:
Friends!
The Rapture will not happen if more than five of my friends come to this reading on Friday night--
These writers are great. It’s always funny and touching. The spirit is right. Worth the free boat trip and free admission!
The reading is right near the terminal. There is always a ton of food and drink around. And art to buy. And people to talk to.
I will be reading from my blog-book, Open Trench. Have you heard of it?
This time it’s all about lockers, locker rooms and maybe a guest appearance by my dead grandmother.
7PM
120 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
View Larger Map
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Art By the Ferry Friday Night at 7
Friends!
The Rapture will not happen if more than five of my friends come to this reading on Friday night--
These writers are great. It’s always funny and touching. The spirit is right. Worth the free boat trip and free admission!
The reading is right near the terminal. There is always a ton of food and drink around. And art to buy. And people to talk to.
I will be reading from my blog-book, Open Trench. Have you heard of it?
This time it’s all about lockers, locker rooms and maybe a guest appearance by my dead grandmother.
7PM
120 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
View Larger Map
The Rapture will not happen if more than five of my friends come to this reading on Friday night--
These writers are great. It’s always funny and touching. The spirit is right. Worth the free boat trip and free admission!
The reading is right near the terminal. There is always a ton of food and drink around. And art to buy. And people to talk to.
I will be reading from my blog-book, Open Trench. Have you heard of it?
This time it’s all about lockers, locker rooms and maybe a guest appearance by my dead grandmother.
7PM
120 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
View Larger Map
And Now, A Word About Trump
A few weeks ago, someone seriously asked me, “And what do you think about a businessman running our country? What do you think about Trump?”
I finally got it. People dream of themselves in the role of big tycoon. This is their financial porn. And they want to see it manifested so they can keep jerking off to it.
Do they not understand that a nation is not solely a business? That much of what a nation does has absolutely nothing to do with profit?
Trump did it for the same reason I blog: for posterity, it seems?
Trump, of whom I am slightly freaked to share a first name with, is no different than those nasty-ugly kings and courtesans you see in paintings at Versailles. No peruque on earth can save their weak chins, their odd noses, their pasty eyes or their height. (I know, I’ve tried it.)
So why did he do it at all? Was it just fun for him to parade around pretending to be the leader of the free world? Like acting? Like trying on a suit? If so, well, who am I to judge? We all do that kind of thing. He just happened to have the cash to go for a big costume party.
I have compassion for the weirdo. He is completely repellant yet imagines he is wanted.
(As opposed to the rest of us who are completely wanted yet imagine ourselves repellant…a slightly less offensive tragedy.)
Goodbye Trump. Continue your trippy ego trip. Your daddy taught it to you. You taught it to your kids. It will be interesting to see them when they are older. They may end up just like you or they may take a divergent path, get a reasonable haircut and think about someone other than the bloated self loving hog in the mirror.
Full disclosure: I once worked for one of The Donald’s companies. I never met him. It was lowest common denominator garbage. But I guess it turned a buck.
I finally got it. People dream of themselves in the role of big tycoon. This is their financial porn. And they want to see it manifested so they can keep jerking off to it.
Do they not understand that a nation is not solely a business? That much of what a nation does has absolutely nothing to do with profit?
Trump did it for the same reason I blog: for posterity, it seems?
Trump, of whom I am slightly freaked to share a first name with, is no different than those nasty-ugly kings and courtesans you see in paintings at Versailles. No peruque on earth can save their weak chins, their odd noses, their pasty eyes or their height. (I know, I’ve tried it.)
So why did he do it at all? Was it just fun for him to parade around pretending to be the leader of the free world? Like acting? Like trying on a suit? If so, well, who am I to judge? We all do that kind of thing. He just happened to have the cash to go for a big costume party.
I have compassion for the weirdo. He is completely repellant yet imagines he is wanted.
(As opposed to the rest of us who are completely wanted yet imagine ourselves repellant…a slightly less offensive tragedy.)
Goodbye Trump. Continue your trippy ego trip. Your daddy taught it to you. You taught it to your kids. It will be interesting to see them when they are older. They may end up just like you or they may take a divergent path, get a reasonable haircut and think about someone other than the bloated self loving hog in the mirror.
Full disclosure: I once worked for one of The Donald’s companies. I never met him. It was lowest common denominator garbage. But I guess it turned a buck.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Words to a Beech Tree
How can you not like misty rain?
Walking through Central Park today, it was misting like the lettuce area in the produce department and everything was at its peak of green. It was frigging Ireland out there.
Near the corner of Columbus Circle, that whack shopping mall, in the park, is a huge beech tree, high enough to scratch the moon. I stood there grinning from ear to ear.
Trees are very destructive to my nose when they are fucking. This year, they went on for three weeks. (Please stop the global warming, or climate change, or whatever you want to call it---it is turning the trees into nympho-monsters.)
But when the sex is all over, and it seems to be now, it is the full leafing that follows. (Don’t want those pesky leaves to get in the way of the girly parts. Ah, evolution…brings us tulips and little piggies in April.) Strange, my spell check loathes piggies.
That beech tree. I wish I were as large and in charge. Then again, it’s fine with me that things are the way they are.
Walking through Central Park today, it was misting like the lettuce area in the produce department and everything was at its peak of green. It was frigging Ireland out there.
Near the corner of Columbus Circle, that whack shopping mall, in the park, is a huge beech tree, high enough to scratch the moon. I stood there grinning from ear to ear.
Trees are very destructive to my nose when they are fucking. This year, they went on for three weeks. (Please stop the global warming, or climate change, or whatever you want to call it---it is turning the trees into nympho-monsters.)
But when the sex is all over, and it seems to be now, it is the full leafing that follows. (Don’t want those pesky leaves to get in the way of the girly parts. Ah, evolution…brings us tulips and little piggies in April.) Strange, my spell check loathes piggies.
That beech tree. I wish I were as large and in charge. Then again, it’s fine with me that things are the way they are.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
XX XY Trouble
When unconscious men write television shows and movies and include women in the cast, often these women are objects. Tits with legs, serving their masters.
When unconscious women write television shows and movies and include men in the cast, often these men are unreasonably sensitive or unreasonably aggressive. Testosterone experiments ready to be dominated or to be feared.
These unconscious people who create these things are not so much wrong as they are selfish and lazy. Selfish, because they are sucking on the wishes of their own fantasies. Lazy, because if you really look around, most people are nothing like this.
If we actually accepted moderation, would we then have no watchable stories? I do not believe so.
When one depicts the opposite sex in one color, I do think it is politically bizarre and understand the backlash, but worse, I believe it is unappealing. Ignore it. Have your children ignore it and it will go away.
When unconscious women write television shows and movies and include men in the cast, often these men are unreasonably sensitive or unreasonably aggressive. Testosterone experiments ready to be dominated or to be feared.
These unconscious people who create these things are not so much wrong as they are selfish and lazy. Selfish, because they are sucking on the wishes of their own fantasies. Lazy, because if you really look around, most people are nothing like this.
If we actually accepted moderation, would we then have no watchable stories? I do not believe so.
When one depicts the opposite sex in one color, I do think it is politically bizarre and understand the backlash, but worse, I believe it is unappealing. Ignore it. Have your children ignore it and it will go away.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Root of Humor
If anger is at the root of humor and you get over your anger, then will it follow that you will also lose your humor? Or even worse, retain some sort of toothless humor?
Fuck.
Did dogs really help us to evolve?
Schrodinger’s Cat. Twenty words or less.
Beech trees. Apparently, they are everywhere…I never know which one it is.
Do successful fat actors hold onto their tonnage for fear of losing future paychecks?
Birds. I am not a bird watcher. I prefer mammals.
I play Facebook Scrabble. I do not play Angry Birds.
I wish for variety. I am happiest with the known. Mix it up.
Percentage-wise, less people die in war today than ever before.
I do not like being out in the sun but I do like it to be sunny.
Is Newt Gingrich serious?
MRSA, do you have the symptoms? Or do you just need a nap?
I still can’t get over how good Clare Danes was in that Temple Grandin HBO movie.
I do not understand stories about identity.
Brains plaque up in everyone. Exercise. Get off your ass.
If you had the moral dilemma that went like this: Your neighbor, whom you like, will die, unless you take on a nasty cold for the rest of your life. What would you do?
Boats—really? Not interested.
Pot holders are getting extremely fancy.
The original PC’s that came out in the 80’s really did not seem futuristic to me, then.
Broadway Show Idea: Sea World, the musical. Takes care of everyone.
I want a dog. That’s what this is all about. A dog.
Fuck.
Did dogs really help us to evolve?
Schrodinger’s Cat. Twenty words or less.
Beech trees. Apparently, they are everywhere…I never know which one it is.
Do successful fat actors hold onto their tonnage for fear of losing future paychecks?
Birds. I am not a bird watcher. I prefer mammals.
I play Facebook Scrabble. I do not play Angry Birds.
I wish for variety. I am happiest with the known. Mix it up.
Percentage-wise, less people die in war today than ever before.
I do not like being out in the sun but I do like it to be sunny.
Is Newt Gingrich serious?
MRSA, do you have the symptoms? Or do you just need a nap?
I still can’t get over how good Clare Danes was in that Temple Grandin HBO movie.
I do not understand stories about identity.
Brains plaque up in everyone. Exercise. Get off your ass.
If you had the moral dilemma that went like this: Your neighbor, whom you like, will die, unless you take on a nasty cold for the rest of your life. What would you do?
Boats—really? Not interested.
Pot holders are getting extremely fancy.
The original PC’s that came out in the 80’s really did not seem futuristic to me, then.
Broadway Show Idea: Sea World, the musical. Takes care of everyone.
I want a dog. That’s what this is all about. A dog.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Washington Square
Perfect Night. Sixty-Two Degrees. No Pollen. Insanely mild and pleasant. More please.
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