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I think I'm going to give this 400 words thing a shot. There are so many layers to my life. Where do I begin?
400 WORDS NEWS Update.....
12.2.04
I can't believe it's already December! The last day to submit pieces to the Autobiography Project will be New Years' Day, 2005. That gives you a month—get started!
Also, a note about style. Now that we've been at this for a while, we're developing some preferences. First: we're getting a lot of submissions from artists & writers. That's good. But, given the goal of variety, we are not so interested in pieces about your relationship to your own creative process. Nuff said.
Second, our very favorite pieces seem to have some traits in common. We're liking plain speech, simplicity, directness. We like pieces that are quick to read. We prefer grand narratives hastily sketched to mere anecdotes painstakingly embroidered.
There is nothing wrong with starting at the beginning, and ending at the end. We just want the facts. Nice and easy now.
Last night Evan downloaded some music for me.
* Jay-z vs. Linkin Park (It rocks -n- raps!)
* Keane (Evan and I have tix to see them in Feb)
* Eminem/ Encore
* Elliot Smith/ XO
This morning first thing, my friend Nicole let her surgeon download her breast cancer. He skillfully cut it out of her and she is on the mend. I went to visit her this afternoon and thankfully the percocet let her rest comfortably.
Finally I have submitted my interview with Philly skater girl and artist, Lauren Callahan to Bitch magazine for there Masculinity (spring 2005) issue. In the interview Lauren and I discuss the pressures of being a female in a male dominated sport and how she makes the sport her own while inspiring younger skater girls to participate.
Download complete
I read other blogs and some people constantly seem depressed, almost suicidal. It's tempting to think that I have the answers for them. I know I don't. I just know what works for me.
What works for me is being of service. There are all kinds of ways to give service. Giving someone a ride to a place they need to be is service. Showing up and just being present at a get together is service. As I stop and think about it, I'm amazed at all the places I've been and the lovely people I have met. I believe it's because I start most days out in a spirit of giving. I know I make it sound easy. Once you get into this frame of mind and you begin to witness the miracles, it is easy. It's a cliche, but when I give I get so much more in return.
I have been watching that great movie Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett. I also watched Hamlet with Mel Gibson. I love both of these and I was thinking today about modern Shakespearean dramas. Oh yes, Shakespearean drama is all around us minus the where for art thouts and mil lady mil lord lingo. I’m thinking in particular of the case against Michael Jackson. A modern day drama that plays out with all the dubiousness and treachery of any drama.
The “King” who loved and adored in his youth, carry’s on a strangely unique relationship with his mother and sister. The court accepts this for a while, but in time the King feels the pressure to take a Queen and produce an heir. He shuts himself away, but the gossip does not cease. Finally he takes a beautiful Princess called Lisa Marie, everyone rejoices initially but soon word carries that the King doesn’t visit her bed chamber. Time marches on and the young Queen becomes repelled with the King and refuses to produce an heir. He is humiliated and sends her to the gillatin. The people of Never Land still have no heir to the throne and the King is constantly seen in the company of young beautiful boys. More gossip the King must abate. He turns to a neighboring country who is weak and willing to unite there Queen with the King solely for protection against being attacked. The King is in agreement but demands only one thing, she must produce an heir for his throne. The Queen has a lover and arrives in Never land impregnated. This betrayal angers the king but his mother suggests he use her indiscretion to his advantage. Eagerly the King presents the following bargain. In order to preserve her life and the life of her unborn child, the Queen must agree to surrender the baby to him and agree to return to her country never to be seen again. Desperate to reunite with her lover the Queen agrees and surrenders the male “Prince.” The King is in his glory with his new heir, but his court is unrelenting in doubting the paternity of the young Prince. The King, over the next few years produces two more heirs; each heir is missing a mother. The King continues holding court with young boys and scandal looms over his empire.
Watching Court TV and watching Shakespeare on DVD hold me captive.
Tonight we went to see Alexander, Colin Farrell, Jared Leto need I say more? During the previews it occurred to me that Evan looks like Ethan Hawke. The boyish good looks plus first-rate bone structure and nice physique. I know, I know how unfortunate for Evan and yet somehow he finds the strength to go on. *sigh*
I rest my case
Today, I give thanks for the chance to give thanks.
My day will began at breakfast with Mother. Afterwards I headed into Chester and did food prep work at the City Team Rescue Mission. What a wonderful group of people at that place! Everyone jumped in and put together a beautiful meal in a truly lovely setting. People brought there children to help out and even some high school kids came in a giving spirit. As I left the mission I saw a needy family coming in. They had a precious little girl and I felt so good knowing that she was going to have a special holiday dinner prepared with love.
Around twelve noon I joined some friends for fellowship and fun. We wrote and shared gratitude lists. The lists always amaze me because my comrades find the simplest things to be grateful for. They are thankful for nature and there homes, they are so genuine. They live by basic principles and I want that for myself.
Finally, I wrapped my day up with dinner and tickling. Evan's daughter is so sweet. What a great team they make. She has an amazing dad and as young as she is, she knows it already. Before dinner, Evan presented me with tickets to see Keane in February.
What a fantastic day and I remain grateful.
A cutie pie and her turkey
The mission located in Chester PA.
Father and daughter
(edit as required)
Dear _____
Thank you very much for my Birthday card and present. I did enjoy the witty remark you wrote saying (21 AGAIN! /breast wishes on your birthday/ I put a 50 in this card – if it’s not there the mailman has it).
Your gift of a _______ is very much appreciated and I am sure will bring me many hours of (fun/frustration/diarrhoea). It will be taking pride of place on my (mantelpiece/in the trash/in my big box of porn).
I will be (spending the day at home with the family/drawing up lists of people I intend to kill/trying to get a two-for–one Birthday deal with some 5 dollar ho’s) if you wish to celebrate with me, be assured I would love to share (a birthday drink/a crack pipe/herpes) in honour of the day!
With thanks form your (sponger relative/tolerated friend/barley acknowledged work college you wish to impress with your generosity)
Tony
Yes – this is my birthday weekend, along with my brother and my nephew coincidentally as we all have birthdays on or near the 20th. You are all invited to VIP area at IKON/DIVA tonight for the party (my nephew runs the joint bless him!)
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Today, I was going to meet a friend and a cop caught me hanging a U-turn. He pulled me over and acted really pissed. He was ready to slam me with a moving violation and that would have been three points on my license. The trouble with that is I'm going for my CDL and that would rule me out entirely! I broke down and cried on Philly's finest. No shit, I really did. I cried and told him my whole sad story. He was stunned and told me to calm down. Punching my digits into a laptop he said,
"Relax, I'm going to let you go because I see you have a clean record."
I reached into his car window, shook his hand and thanked him. Believe me the tears that came next were tears of joy.
11/16/04 Update:
I found out today that I would not lose my license immediately. I would first have to report the violation to my boss and they determine whether or not to keep me on. I do believe the officer was being truthful with what limited info he may have about a commercial drivers license (CDL).
Daniel showed me this tee shirt and I think he should get it for me! Check it out right here.
My fashion stylist is a Jedi Master
Evan planned tonight's outing. The nice thing about having friends with impeccable taste is when they organize an evening; you are in for a guaranteed great time. Dinner was South American cuisine at Azafran. The tuna and calamari were delicious followed by a shared dive into a fantastic triple chocolate dessert and coffee. After dinner, we headed over to a small theatre. I have no idea how Evan happened upon this play, but it was Flashpoint Theatre Companies premier production. The Credeax Canvas was a provocative story about twenty something’s struggling in the art world of NYC. Evan and I really enjoyed in particular, the performance of a local actor named Keith Conallen.
My evening was fun, stimulating, and easy. I am reflective on the subject of what generates real friendships. Last night I got news that a friend of mine has breast cancer. This morning another friend tells me cancer has crashed into his family. Needless to say, I can’t lighten the load for my friends but I can be there for them. As I enjoy socializing with my comrade Evan, I consider the investment we all make in one another through good times and bad. I am profoundly aware that while I’m experiencing lightness other people, that I care about bear a heavy heart.
By:Tony
Excuse me while I vent.
We have decorators in one room of the house (I have to get rid of those ‘Vote Kerry/Edwards on Tuesday’ posters I superglued to the walls) and suddenly every other room in the place is filled with junk from the room being worked on.
I mean its bad – where did all this stuff come from? boxes and bags all over the place object d’art piled up and looking like a fire bombed yard sale…
Two days and I’m living like a Frenchman! All I need is half pack of Gauloises and a pig in the parlor and I’m Jack Chirac…
Nobody suffers like I do……
"I've been the girl- middle finger in the air
Unaffected by rumors, the truth: I don't care
So open your mouth and stick out your tongue
You might as well let go, you can't take back what you've done" ~Pink
I was really quiet today, sad, grieving, pissed off and disappointed. Most friends emailed or IM'd to offer condolences. Yes, it feels like a death. Four more years of the same and yes that bothers me, but what bothers me more is the people who didn't bother to educate themselves before voting, that’s just disturbing. Some fellow bloggers call for reorganizing but I can't think about that today. I'm pissed and my first thought is good they get what they deserve. It's not my loved ones dying in the sand. My heart breaks for GLBT Americans, more rejection for them. Another reminder of how their "lifestyle" goes against American "values." Pro-lifers feeling one step closer to their self-righteous goals. So be it, at least I know myself, my family and 50% of America, have the courage of our convictions and we are willing to stand up and say so.
My Mom at the polls this morning, Dad was there as well.
I submitted my voting picture to Robin's blog. She is collecting pictures of people voting this year. Bloggers agree, it is a very cool idea.
Myself at the polls 7:15Am
The masquerade is over; it's time to ... use the dreaded 'L' word, to say the policies of our opposition ... are liberal, liberal, liberal.
Ronald Reagan, 1988
I really worked hard this past year protesting the war and this administration.
It's been painful to watch this country go down hill during the past four years. Greed and lies have led the way right into an occupation. We as Americans are misunderstood and despised the world over thanks to the Bush administration. Most Americans are hard working, family oriented peace loving people. The only thing the people in the World Trade Center were guilty of is going to work that fateful morning. When the end became inevitable, it was there families they phoned with there dying breath.
The one good thing I can say about the past four years is that the atrocities did push people into the streets in droves. Finally, it came to light that the brightest most patriotic people will and do question the governments actions. Protesters marched; signs held high and brought to light this oil hungry administrations real motive for invading Iraq. People researched information beyond what mainstream media was trying to spoon feed them as the facts.
My personal growth happened in this past year when I was able to embrace my working class back ground and actually be grateful for the fact that I was raised to question the “boss.” I was taught the value of earning my money and doing a days work for a days pay. As a working woman, I learned there is strength in numbers and unity. I wasn’t taught to buy friends and influence people’s feelings with money. In my family, we were taught generosity has nothing to do with what your stock portfolio is worth.
I will vote for John Kerry tomorrow morning, bright and early. What ever happens with the election (Let me say that I do believe Kerry will win) my lessons won’t be lost. If W. isn’t a one term president like his father was, then I know where my support system lies. My activist nature was instilled in me before this president came to term and it will be there long after he is gone.
By:Tony
I have not spoke of the election. It is not my direct business. But things I have read do worry me.
527 groups – groups named after the section of the tax code that gives tax relief from donations that permit unaccountable groups to slur the other side whilst allowing total deniability by the ‘official’ party and all under the guise of encouraging people to vote – simply morally wrong.
Subduing the black vote – because of their demographic the black vote will naturally go one way rather than the other. So radio ads are run to slur the natural candidate. The other side do not get the vote and the voter will not vote for the enemy so will not vote at all – denying the vote for the other side. (if they can’t have it make sure nobody can!)
Neo-Conservatisms who, working from the ideas of Leo Strauss, invent a common enemy to unite the country but go on to believe their own lie (The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!..no…no…now Al Qaeda runs the world! We must export democracy!)
And that’s my worry. Both sides seek to export ‘democracy’ across the world (I will gloss over the patronising aspects) yet seem unable to grasp democracy has its heart in morality and cannot be justified without it.
Sorry. I do not mean to act the saint. All systems have problems but few are directly hypocritical as the current US model has been made. It started so well too! How soon it is great ideas are corrupted when politicians believe themselves above them.
I blame us– If we did not have a mad German absolutist on the throne back in 1776 none of this would have happened. You would have waited until the Civil war to seize your independence and the Lincoln memorial would be the home of a big ass statue of General Lee