vendredi, décembre 29, 2006

thank you for the tunng (tuung?)

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I am in love with new york and swimming and the music of Robyn Hitchcock and Venus 3!

http://www.tunng.co.uk/

jeudi, décembre 28, 2006

Get on Up!

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

This morning I got up relatively early to go down to the WorkForceOne center on 125th street...at 8:45 people were already lined up outside the Apollo theater...the theater that launched James Brown's career...The were singing "get on up" and dancing trying to stay warm I guess...News vans lined the street...in the orientation for the job center someone said they were still driving the body up from Augusta, GA.

Last night I got a manila envelope from DHCR that I thought might contain the answer to the overcharge question. Before I opened it I thought "oh...god this could be it." This could be my salvation or damnation. If they decide there is an overcharge...I might be getting some money back from the owners if they decide there is not an overcharge or I filed my claim too late then I may be evicted.

It turned out to be a copy of the owner's response and not decision. There was a copy of a lease signed by Chiek Tall and a handwritten statement from (Mr. Nabavi.?) someone...it's hard to read the signature.

It is the last thursday of 2006 and I am back at the library about to use the pay phone to call the unemployment office and see if my claim has been denied or processed yet. If it has that might effect the urgency of my job search.

IF this weather holds up I think I'll go for a bike ride tomorrow.

mercredi, décembre 27, 2006

swimming, laundry, swimming again

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Hi...I'm at the library again...checking the e-mail...on my way to the gym...I wish I had something interesting to write about...I got an e-mail from MoMA about a potential temporary job it is for one month being a sort of usher outside...wearing a red hat...meanwhile this film below will be playing on the windows of MoMA...I would like to do it but it would mean I could not do the "Made in NY" PA training program I applied for yesterday...maybe I will go for the interview and see how that goes.

Still waiting to see what became of the unemployment benefits...Jeanette suggested going down to the office which I did today...they told me to call the hotline...I did find out that they offer all kinds of job services there like resume writing...I think I will try to go to that tomorrow.

sorry about the boring post...oh I did get (finally) a really good (funny) book from serpent's press...its called Incidences by Daniil Kharms...it is very funny if you want to read it after me let me know and I will send it to you.

Doug Aitken: sleepwalkers [30-second trailer]

Artist Doug Aitken transforms midtown Manhattan with seven monumental projections on the exterior facades of The Museum of Modern Art. Actors Donald Sutherland and Tilda Swinton, musicians Seu Jorge and Cat Power, and actor/street drummer Ryan Donowho star in the interlocking vignettes, visible from the street. sleepwalkers leads viewers on a journey through the city fabric, from an abandoned subway tunnel to the neon lights of Times Square. January 16-February 12 Nightly 5-10 p.m. Free

mardi, décembre 26, 2006

I want you to want me

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I am on my way to the gym to swim off some of this hot chocolate...spent some time on craigslist last night looking at job postings and am feeling optimistic. There is a guy next to me here at thelibrary who keeps muttering about people who come to the library to talk...he just told the people next to him to go back to Africa even though they are clearly American...I think he might be homeless...anyway I hope things this side of x-mas are at least as good as they were before.
Even if you can't eat chocolate.

lundi, décembre 25, 2006

Good Tidings of Cheer!

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Hi...Merry Christmas...May this day bring happiness and sun and peace and hot toddies...and music and reindeer and good food...and peace (did I say that already?) and happiness and warm fuzzy kittens (unless you have alergies) and laughter...and new friends and old friends...and love and spice...and chocolate and silly girls...and fortitude and patience and unexpected surprises and your wildest dreams fulfilled beyond your wildest dreams...and prudence and giving and wisdom and soap bubbles...and angel kisses...and warm hearts...and love...and insight into the darkest secrets that you have wondered and wondered about...and wonder.

samedi, décembre 23, 2006

vader vejr weer das wetter le temp

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this


accepted...can it fit in an envelope trantula look for 22 challenge there is a genius living in here we've got to get him out...ranked most appealing since michael more's fast food nation pree engineered dteel building at the right price you r anthem steel representative will work with you stephen colbert presents stephen coleert. such an imposing presence people fall in line sniffing your butt in their wake...geraald ford was basicllyspanked mondale I never thought I would see the map that red again.until then mr reagan still reigns as the stephen colbert alpha dog of the week.
Borat opened inwwwwwwhahey you ohoh oh oh flushed away random grey is the 2566 theaters ten million dollars. then you had second and third kids ar off school and speculation speculation lowerbabel going wide not a good weekend for that picture all high fives around the world bringing in 15 million dollars even the stars are borat I love borat wacky off the edge I think there is room for all kinds of pictures out there...the real mathew broderick it was just a joy every minute of it erroll barnet was there...happy feet ads adslooking at a penguin that is different i did... one penguing looked a little barry white like its good to have that you can't be talking like this...among los hermanos...red carpet in holly wood social relevance ast food eater before all of this I just want to go to the mall what do you think is going to get people going to this one this is not a hollywood movie this is a movie for the people.violent unknown cast...will his picture get a fair hearing?I get the feeling lindon a) likes me b) i being paid tospend time with me c) didn't love the video because he felt left out of the maling of...d) says what he thinks I want to hear e)nough!It is December 23rd and I'm here at Bryant Park watching the skaters and checking my e-mail. Oddly it is not very cold...the library is closed...there is a guy here on my left talking to me...he says we've been lucky...the sun is coming out...now he's singing silver bells...I guess he a comedian...of sorts...there is a guy on my right reading stephen king with a translating dictionary...also a young woman who looks desperately bored...lots of people here out having fun...Earlier I was at the bank...they were raffling off turkeys...from here I might go to moma or PS1...I got an e-mail from the container store wishing me luck with my job hunt...sigh...I guess I should work on my resume...I think I will apply to MoMA and or the library...got a letter from (545 W 146th street Inc.) Looks like they want to got back to court. I also got a letter from DHCR asking if we had proof of payment and if there had been any major repairs in the apartment.

jeudi, décembre 21, 2006


c'est a gouche...continue a droit...c'est tu droit...c'est on bas...pres...pres d'ici...tout pres...pres de la route...c'est tout pres d'ici...c'est loin d'ici
photo taken with my lovely mini dv camera

mercredi, décembre 20, 2006

oh...rally? on wall street?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

It's wednesday and I'm back at the library...there was a class about job searching on the internet. It was less fun and uplifting than the leo class...kind of depressing really...but I did learn some things that I can use if Dell and Dave can help me get this laptop re-connected.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a big day on wall street. Ben, Socorro's friend who helped me with my housing court trial is going down there with hundreds of friends to protest...Police brutality and imperialism...curtailed civil liberties and whatnot.

People on WBAI have been talking about the trouble getting permits and the absurdity of the law that says that any group of people going anywhere together need a permit to walk down the street together. In a wierd way I kind of empathize with the police in that mobs make me nervous too. But my experience with previous anti-war marches here is that even permitted protesters are not treated well by police. An some very illegal things seem to have been done when police arrested protesters and held them in warehouses for days...not to mention the recient case of excessive force. Someone made a good point about police allowing different things in different neighborhoods...protecting some people and some property more than others. Anyway, I hope cops will be respectful of people and vice versa.

I'll be sitting this one out...except maybe as an observor.

I started my period today...Ugh.

mardi, décembre 19, 2006

RE: Re...fer...reference

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Hi...I am back here at the public library using the computer after taking a great class on LEO...the on-line library catalog. The class was good. Now I am very psyched about all the possibilities here at the library and in the city. The person who taught the class is also in charge of the job resource center downstairs.

Last night was the begining of my new self inflicted excercise program at the rec center...I swam for about an hour. At first I thought I could swim for two hours but after five minutes I changed my mind. I plan to go back tonight and swim some more. It felt really good. I don't know why I haven't been doing that all along.

I just bought a new swimsuit from american apparel two days ago and not three hours after I bought it I saw an article called "american apparel exposed" in adbusters

On my way here today I started thinking I would end this blog this year and start a new, improved blog for 2007. One with a daily comic. One that I would write more thoughtfully and carefully...now I'm not sure...maybe I could just add a daily comic and write more carefully here...I guess that is not the premise of this blog though...we'll see. Things are in a state of flux. I feel optimistic yet unsure of things.

more on this later.

One good idea the librarian had was looking up birthdays on the NY Times microfisch...let me know if you want me to do this for you. I think it would be fun.

lundi, décembre 18, 2006

via con dias

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

The computers at then Hamilton Branch weren't working and for some reason my laptop is no longer getting a wireless signal...so I am here at the 42nd street branch checking my e-mail...the atmosphere here is really busy...and yet oh so quiet...I love it...the energy is contagous.

So I only have a short time to write...I really don't have much to say...I bought some more of the great fuzzy pink fabric I found last week near mid-town comics...still looking for a job...put in some applications yesterday...today maybe I will work on a resume...the one I have now is hand written.

If you have suggestions or job offers, please drop me an e-mail.

mercredi, décembre 13, 2006

Make Me an Offer

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Ok...so I've made a little resume-esque thingy and I am about to go around littering manhattan with copies of this...work experience: Strand, UHAB, Habitat, Half Price, Drexel...hopefully someone will find me worthy of doing some sort of grunt work for at least eight dollars an hour...36 (did I say thirty-six? I meant thirty-seven...damn...I should be collecting social security soon.) year old college graduate and I have yet to break the 20K mark. I guess because I keep trying to get jobs with perks like free movies, and cheep books. Also, all those years of food service and childcare did not exactly catapult me to the top of any pay scales.

I'm going to try Mid town Comics because Jamal recommended it and the Drama Bookstore because it is close to mid town comics...and it's a bookstore...maybe some theaters or bookstores around Lincoln center...we'll see.

in other news...

Ever since I committed to spending an hour a day to cleaning the apartment it is looking pretty good...Someone still thinks it's ok to leave his dishes and pans in the sink but instead of getting pissed off, I just take them out and put them on the floor...I don't want him to think he can leave them there for me to clean like that.

I have also made a point of talking to the neighbors more. It really helps that Harmony lets me come over and hang out and do laundry and sometimes gives me money for watching Sam and Jake. It help too that we are not paying rent until the court makes a judgement on the overcharge and breach of warranty of hability and needed repairs.

Problems can be solved and we will have a nice place to live in 2007...vamos a ver...(crossing fingers.)

This weekend (I think) there are plans to do a street theater version of the Nutcracker...This should be really fun and hysterical...please e-mail me if you want to do this...bring a tu-tu if you have one.

If you are a prospective employer and you are reading this...Please hire me...I can't spell but I am honest and pretty reliable.

mardi, décembre 12, 2006

ce journal ne peut etre vendu

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I'm at the library using my laptop...it's so nice to have a strong wireless signal instead of the sketchy unreliable frustrating one i get at the apartment. sigh. I am trying out linux for a change and something about it is really turning me on. Not just that it's not microsoft...it's also that it is reminding me of old computers i used in college but faster.

Anyway I am off to talk to Horace at the UAW and maybe to Mid-town comics to apply for a job. I am happy because I think I may get into grad school at CCNY next fall (if not in art then maybe history or urban anthropology, or math.)

Things are a little slower without a phone...I kind of like that. T-mobile still sucks.

lundi, décembre 11, 2006

spiderman vs. dora

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I'm trying a new thing where i actually plan my day...I guess I got some things accomplished as a result. I'm spending and hour or two cleaning in the morning then going to the library to check email then doing laundry, going by CCNY to get a new grad school applicaton...visiting with my neighbor...and hanging out at Harmony's with Sam and Jake. Jake even finished all his homework. Amazing! Now they are sleeping and I am updating this blog. Wow...this is an exceptionally boring post. oh well...at least it is something.

Last night Lindon, Jamal, Dave and I went to see the new Pedro Almadovar film, VOLVER. It was funny and sweet-but-not-too-sweet. It has an almost entirely female cast and they were all great. The choice had been between HISTORY BOYS and VOLVER...I am glad we saw VOLVER. It was the right chioce. Still wouldn't mind seeing HISTORY BOYS though.

samedi, décembre 09, 2006

t-mobile sucks

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Arrgh...the aggrivation continues...t-mobile must die...they disconnected my phone spitefully fast as soon as i told them i had no intention of paying the superhigh bill they charged me with.

Arrrgh...arrgh...arrgh...this on the heals of Strandbooks forcing me to sign their "Agreement and General Release"...basicly signing away my first amendment rights in order to collect unemployment....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr why are businesses so horrible? Are there no good businesses out there that don't try to screw people over?

And that on the heels of two weeks in court with my LL who wants to pretend like he's never heard of rent regulation. or building codes. Arrrgh!

Arrr

sigh...

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I can not believe how angry I was this morning...Now I understand how people can drive planes and trucks into buildings and feel no remorse. I felt so reamed by T-mobile. I feel relieved now to be rid of them. They were not bad for a while but then the abuse started. Now I say, "T-mobile, out of my life!"

Whew! it's a relief really...like ending a relationship gone sour. I have a new lease on life.

This on the heals of Strand and their "Release and General Agreement" in which I am supposed to wave my first amendment rights in exchange for what? A neutral letter and the right to claim unemployment. Arrgh! Thank god for the 12th clause...million dollar clause...the humour clause...the sanity clause. (ha!) ("but i thought there was no sanity clause.")

Anywho...I am home, a little depressed listening to music i borrowed from Jack Young and hoping someone will come over and hang out later thusly giving me a reason to clean the apartment.

Thank you krishna for the great animation link and thank you chris for the empathy and kind words. I love you guys.

samedi, novembre 25, 2006

GA...can't shake dis code

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ok...so...I am congested, bleeding, and unemployed...but when the sun comes in through the window and hits me like it is right now and I realize that if I want to I can get on the bike and ride through central park, stop in at MoMA...go swimming at the rec center or take the train to coney Island. Life is still beautiful. What I will likely do is go to the laundry mat. Clean the kitchen and get some groceries in case Jamal or Juliana, Chiran, Lindon, or any of the usual suspects show up for dinner.

mardi, novembre 21, 2006

Bloomberg for arms? fore arms? forms?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

So...I just left housing court and have some new information. Fran in the pro se attorney's office was very patient and explained some new terms like "making a motion", "amending an original answer" and the difference between "decreased rent for decreased services" and "rent abatement" and "constructive eviction".

The "housing part" was fairly painless except that the attorney for "the petitioner"(545 West 146th Street, Inc.) wanted to negotiate but acted like he knew nothing about the case or the condition of the building. Since I had already sent letters to (545 West 146th Street, Inc.) and to Ron Ransom who says he works at (J. Barrington Jackson?) the attorney for the petitioner's office explaining why we withheld rent. (Arrgh!) the judge said the attorney shouldn't be expected to know the condition of the building...so...let's ask his sluml...ahem...client. Mr. Nababi? Ou est Mr. Nabavi? Mrs. Nabani? Mr. Gonzalez? no...the attorney's client was convienently not there.

I called (454 West 146th Street, Inc.) after the hearing and spoke to Mr. (Nababi?), the guy that comes to the apartment a presents himself as the landlord. I wanted to make sure he was aware of the problems that still exist in the apartment and the building. He yelled a lot but finally let me list many of the problems...he hung up before I finished. Then I called HPD and filed complaint #354 3466.

jeudi, novembre 16, 2006

sad thursday

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Ok...I feel somewhat sad...I had heard that Nancy was back from vacation a few days ago so, I called Horace at the UAW office to find out what he found out.

He said. "Well...these people don't want you back...no way. Even Will."

I asked what the official reason was and he said, "All the write ups that you got."

I said that those aren't cummulative. What was the official reason that they gave.

He said, "Well...You know the signing back in early and the talkin to the manager that way."

He said they offered me one weeks pay and the right to file for unemployment.

I said they had offered two weeks pay before.

He said that they said they would tRY to get two weeks but Nancy said "No Way".

I asked why they suspended me instead of just firing me.

He said, "They suspended you. Then they terminated you."

He said he would talk to (Pablo?) when he came back in and see what they could do.

He said he would call me back.

So I am sitting here feeling really sad. I need to get up and clean the apartment.

mardi, novembre 14, 2006

Seran Wrap?


wow...there are so many congress people...they sure don't look corrupt...I wonder if we will get some nationalized health care soon.
phote not taken with my lovely mini dv camera

Estoy aqui en apartmento 47

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Miro television y escribo con el ordinador. Tita duerme?(dorme?). I'm watching telemundo and now It's much later and I'm eating vanilla cremes and feeling kind of sad. I just locked my self out of the apartment when I went to take out the trash...Bernardo was kind enough to open the door for me. Two very neatly dressed people just came by to see the apartment but I could not let them in because I had locked my self out. One was an actress the other a stock broker. Not excatly what I expected. How fateful that we were locked out since the apartment is not exacly presentable today.

lundi, novembre 13, 2006

Is an apartment not a home?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Ok so the eleven eleven party was both stimulating and a little overwhelming...the puppet theater that followed was GREAT fun...Today I need to go to Housing court and file a response to the petition for non-payment. I need to file one for my neighbor Harmony too...then I guess I must buy a new firewire cable and go to photoshop class...it is already after 1:00Pm I better go, go, go!

samedi, novembre 11, 2006

within the boundries of your organism

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I can't find my firewire cable...this is very distressing:(

The sun is out and I'm on my way to the garden to play.
Michelle said we recieved 800 bulbs from somewhere.
Daffodils, I think.

Vamos a ver!

vendredi, novembre 10, 2006

reaching across the aisle


sitting at Harmony's house...watching sponge bob square pants...Jake and Samantha helped me color this picture in photoshop while I wait for my laundry to dry.

mercredi, novembre 08, 2006

bitter end, toast w/beans, housing court


Is this really happening??? Talk about a velvet revolution...non?

Today feels like the dawn of something...or the fall of something.
Last night Krishna, Lindon and I went to see some live music at
the Bitter End...I was a little bittermyself having a headcold and
sour about the two drink minimum...what is up with that?
Krishna made toast with (pink?)beans for breakfast and then
It was off to center street to see if the [545 W 146 ST (Inc?)Corp]
had filed non-payment papers yet. It was very rainy and I hung
out and read the paper a while before coming home. It looks
like something happened to the bathroom light while I was away.

mardi, novembre 07, 2006

26 miles

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Hey. so it's mid-term election eve and to be honest I really haven't done my homework. My days of voting a straight democratic ticket are over. I am so disappointed with millionaires for Kerry...I just can't vote Democrat in good conscience. I doesn't feel right. Luckily It doesn't really make a difference in this neighborhood. The Dems seem to have a lock on things here. So I can vote for the greenest, most socalistic outsiders without worrying that I might be wasting a vote.

But who are the canidates? Clinton? Rangle? I'm embarrassed to say I don't really know my green party comrades here. ok google.

http://www.gp.org/

http://www.spnyc.org/main/

nyc ballots

lundi, novembre 06, 2006

re-new, re-use, recycle

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Monday. Last night I drempt (dreamed?) that Jamal, Dave, and I wrote, directed and starred in a short film about writing, directing and starring in a film. Ha! C'est l'ile des reves!

In other news:

Three weeks later, I am still suspended from my job at Strand books. I guess I will call Horace today and ask him if there is a known or a stated reason for this yet.

Saturday I hosted another dinner party here at 545 W 146 st.

Did I mention that Cat Scientist was here in NYC on Halloween and they were awesome?

Adil, the new french roomate moved to a place up around 171 St.

I was looking at Sculpture magazine this morning...one that Dave left here...Thinking about materials and art making processes reminded me to look into recycling in the city. Columbus had a really great Re-use center called Re: Art. Often Habitat for Humanity has Re-use/Restore/ Recycling centers too. I want to find out what there is in the NYC area to facilitate recycling and re-using materials.

I want to build some stuff but would like to re: use something rather than go to Home Despot and buy wood.

http://www.solcomhouse.com/recycling.html

jeudi, novembre 02, 2006

borrowed time, over time, lost time


"uPon intEnt on not occuR at all 'new technology' technological motiFs ' prOblem gRowth requires the Musicis endeAvors to for all ' eNterprises are subjeCt to limitations ' tEchnology we are heading for cottage"--JC
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

Plus mieux, au mieux...say, "Mew?"

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

So...Tuesday I did go to the UAW offices. I collected my thoughts and the papers from Strand, various warnings and suspension papers. Horace and I talked and eventually Nancy and Fred and someone who I guess was a lawyer showed up. Nancy and Fred looked happy and clean. I thought we might all sit down and have a few laughs...a drink, maybe toast to future happiness. Horace went to greet the party. Then Bob O. showed up. I was really glad to see him.

Bob and I sat and talked to Horace for a bit. Nancy and Fred went into another room with the lawyer. As Horace and Bob talked, I realized that Bob was there apparently because he also had a grievence with Strandbooks. I remembered his suspension a few months back. Horace left and Bob and I talked for a bit. We waited for Monique form the third floor. Monique came in and told us about how Nancy had gotten angry with her because she had been slow in getting Nancy's lunch one day so she had asked Nancy to not use her that way. Apparently, Nancy asked her the very next day to go get her lunch and she refused. She had higher priority work to do. I guess Nancy disagreed.

Bob and Monique were called in to meet with the Basses. I waited expecting to be called in. Oddly I was not nervous. I felt like I had good points to argue against being harrassed and fired. One of the UAW workers showed me a book and asked if I had read it. It was a story about a man that had twice died and lived to tell about it.

I looked at the book. I listened to him describe the amazing tale. Then he asked if I had heard of Si Babba (sp?). This was one a really wonderful thing he had asked. He reminded me so much of John Piper, my neighbor at Milo. John was always finding me when I was down and lifting my spirits by talking about hopeful things. He also talked about Si Babba (sp? Sigh Babba?).

After that I was in sort of a happy day dream thinking about how great John Piper was and how much this person reminded me of John (Jack) Piper. Then Pablo called me into his office. He sighed and ruffled some papers and said they wanted to fire me. My little bubble of bliss burst.

I guess I had convinced my self that the Basses were just having some fun at my expense and would call me in to say, "Just kidding." We think you are GREAT, Jennifer "Candide" Johnson. Thanks for being a good sport. How 'bout a raise?" Then we would lift our glasses and toast to a happy and prosperous future for all.

Instead, Pablo and Horace broke the news that the Basses would like me out of their lives and were prepared to offer me the right to file for Unemployment. Wow!

I flipped. How could they "offer me the right to file for unemployment"?

Was that their right to offer or withhold such a thing?

Pablo said yes.

He said he was legally bound to inform me that I could accept this offer (I hadn't let him finish) of unemployment and two weeks pay...or I could ask for (arbitration?) which could take a long time. It was up to me.

I asked how long I had to decide. Horace said he would try one more time to talk to them and would call me Thursday--oh shit! I'm late!

I have to get dressed and run to the garden!

to be continued!

mardi, octobre 31, 2006

The Armless Swimmer

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Dance lot Talk a lot Dance a lot Talk a lot there is good news!
There is a band that sounds an aweful lotlike the Horsies:

Cat Science!

and they are playing TONIGHT!! Halloween night!
And I wanted to dress up like a cat anyway!!!!!

and they will be at the Trash Bar in Brooklyn.

What a perfect way to celebrate my un-suspension
from the bookstore. Today at one I am meeting with Horace
and someone ( a lawyer?) from Strandbooks at the UAW office.

I'm not sure what will happen there but I will be happy either way
if I can dress up and go dancing afterwards!!

Thanks, Steve...and Happy 29th!

lundi, octobre 30, 2006

Blame society productions

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Ha ha...krishna just showed me this funny video.

I'm off to photoshop class. Happy halloween!

vendredi, octobre 27, 2006

Ancestors, Water People, and Heroes

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Feeling very sleepy and lazy. Yesterday I took a long walk from 146st down to west 4th st..making several stops on the way. Jackie Robinson Park, LESPFCU, the UU church on 79th st., MNN, MOMA, Coliseum Books...I met Kathy Gaskins and Ryan M. at the Waverly Diner. We may go out again tonight, but I think I will take the train this time.

mercredi, octobre 25, 2006

appeal for redress


L. H. O. O. Q.
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

Start the war on villification and obsfucation!!
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

another another green world?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

The march twards cleaning the apartment continues. This morning I changed a lightbulb. While I have the ladder (la escalera de tijera?) I'm going to try to install this bike hook I got from the container store. It sounds easy no?

I also downloaded a thirty day trial version of photoshop. This way I can practice during the week what I learn in the monday night photoshop class. It's all very exciting.

So far I have a small stack of books to give away...now to attack the clothes!

mardi, octobre 24, 2006


cold feet tuesday radio verified
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

write, right, you are bloody well

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ok...so I'm home today with the intention to clean and organize this space to make it a bit more habitable. That has led me to going through all these books to see if I can give some away. It is a slow process because I occasionally feel I should read or do reasearch on the book to see if I can part with if. After all I must have brought it home for a reason, non?

Let's start with Wanda Coleman-A War of the Eyes and Other Stories. I guess I was attracted to the Black Sparrow Press label and encouraged by the $1.00 price tag. I haven't opened it yet. I think it's a keeper since I promised myself to try to read more women authors.

What about Operating Grants for Nonprofit Orginizations? I paid good money for this back in 2001. Has the freshness dating expired? Maybe so, but it seems like a good reference book if I can find some people who want to start an arts non-profit organization. Or if we need $$$ for serenity gardens. I guess that's a keeper too.


Women and the Making of the Modern House

Vocal Improvisation in the Be-Bop Idiom vol 1: A Rhythmic Approach

George Grosz Ecce Homo

This could take a while.

dimanche, octobre 22, 2006

No Booths Pizza

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Check out his u tube video discussion. There are over seven hundred comments! I haven't read them all but I'm finding them interesting. There are some good points being made regarding racial prejudice and cultural difference. There are questions about the viability of film photography in a digital world and

Some comments are so horrible/rude, I am sure the poster is being incendiary(sp?)...trying to get people riled up. Or maybe sarcastic. At least I hope so.

Anyway...Friday I went to see Horace at the UAW local 2179 office about my free 14day trial period-I mean my indefinate suspension pending investigation. He said that they want to fire me.

I am not sure exactly who "they" are. Nancy Bass? Richard Devereaux(sp?)? Brian, Bibbi, and Taylor? My co-union members?

I could only ask, "Why?"

Why do They want to fire me? Because I wrote on the break timesheet "4:52" when it was actually 4:47?

Because I said "Please don't be a prick." to Taylor?

These seem like minor offenses to me.

Horace and I discussed the matter with Pablo Valcarcel (car sell?) the local president.

I told Horace and Pablo that I guess I didn't want to be there if I was not wanted. But I would like to know why "they" want to fire me.

Anyway, Horace and Pablo seemed to agree that these may not be firing (firable?)offences. Horace wondered what was being investigated. In a week, what has been discovered? What will be discovered in following weeks. I wondered that too. Horace said he would go back and talk to the lawyer(s?) and call me later.

I mentioned that I had previously requested vacation time for this upcoming week. I wasn't sure if I should stick around or go away on vacation as planned. Pablo said that if I had vacation scheduled, they would have to give it to me.

I don't feel like a can afford to travel now. Things seem far too un-settled here to go anywhere. I guess I will spend this week cleaning the apartment and looking for a roomate.

Last night I went to a performance at the Brecht Forum with Dave, Jamal, Lindon, Mitch, and Alex. Afterwards we sat in Pizza Booth and joked about making a film titled BOOTH, about a pizza parlor with no public restrooms and oddly, no booths.

vendredi, octobre 20, 2006

coffee bean in the head

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSo...I had trouble sleeping because of the 1/2 liter of coffee i drank last night when I went down to 54st to meet Roussina nad Mitch. We didn't get into see the Colbert Report but instead walked around to Columbus Circle and through the Time-Warner (Lincoln Center?) building and into Borders Books...where we looked at calanders, and magazines and listened to music.

This morning in my caffinated non-sleep I was thinking about NYC. Doing a little reckoning. Trying to justify my existance here. I have long maintained that this is a sort of bizzaro world where my previous expectations of cause and effect don't really apply.

It makes for difficult storytelling when the listener is expecting things to make sense because what I come up with is a string of events with no causal relationship. (cause unknown) All I can do is wonder what bizzare thing will happen next. Or make wild long winded speculations. Sometimes I try to test things to see if I can cause something. Like trying to organize a tenants association. Or help a homeless person.

The tenant organizing here at 545 was akin to bouncing a flat basketball. When I was organizing with UHAB it was like either like bouncing a flat basketball or a superball. Eventually I gave up. or lost the ball. It seems now that tenant and community organizing are best done in slow motion. My few experiences "helping" homeless people might be compared to taking acid then hittingoneself with a bat...a live bat-not a baseball bat.

Lately I've been trying to play the constant. Doing things as regularly and predictably as I can and looking around a bit to see if I can see causes and effects happening. Sometimes I think I see a cause or an effect out of the corner of my eye, like a fishing line on a star fighter or a mouse at Strandbooks but its only there for and instant. Maybe I need to be stiller...I mean: more still.

I talked to Horace from UAW local 2179 yesterday. He said he went to the store to talk to Fred, Fred said he didn't know anything about it, so they called in Bibbi. Bibbi said it was all Nancy's doing. He talked to Nancy. She said he would have to talk to the lawyer. He talked to the lawyer.

Now I am supposed be at the UAW office at noon to meet with Horace and the lawyer. I don't know if it is Nancy's lawyer or the UAW lawyer. I guess I will find out.

mercredi, octobre 18, 2006

le mort joyeux

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

This is day five of my third suspension from Strandbooks...sigh...It's good that I had the time off since it gave me time to write a letter to 545 W 146 INC. ...ugh...I guess I have to go to housing court soon. This is all very draining...this...uh...defending one's self. I can see why people hire lawyers to do this type of thing.

I feel myself coming down with something...depression or the flu or something.

Yesterday, I had a beer with Kumal who was very psyched about his new job. Then I made Krishna and Lindon miss the free screening of running with scissors.

It was a dark and stormy night. We went to the dumpling resturaunt across the street from home depot. They have amazing hot chocolate dumplings there. Krishna, Lindon, Nick, and I started a band. again.

sigh...sigh...heavy sigh...I wonder if Horace or Rebecca or Will will call and let me know the results of THE INVESTIGATION into my conduct. On the totally plus side I had time to go to a photoshop class on Monday. The class was way better than I expected. AND it was in the UNITEHERE building across from FIT. I've wanted to go into that building. I also got to see inside the lithographers union building. Events like this remind me that New York City is still amazing and there is much left to see and learn here.

dimanche, octobre 15, 2006

what does "spic" mean?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

so I'm sitting here crossed legged on the futon...half watching T.V....half trying to figure out my situation. My claims on my job and my home. My alternatives. There is a good show on IFC called Girls Town.

Saturday I was suspended from work "pending investigation". I'm not sure what this means other than I had time to go to Jackson heights with Krishna yesterday and hang out with Lindon B., sleep in the sun with Tita, and hang out with my neighbor, Harmony today. Harmony is practicing to be an EMT. Shetook my blood pressure (115/70?).

My electricity and internet are working. We have warmish running water. I haven't paid rent since July when Bernardo, Eric, Z and I decided to stop paying since the conditions were so bad here and [545 W 146 ST INC.] was not responding to our calls. Now the hole in the bathroom ceiling is fixed but Bernardo and I can not seem to have conversation without yelling accusations and insults at each other so we are stuck in a stalemate regarding the rent, bills, and empty room. As we wait...the overdue rent accumulates. I am afraid I or we may end up in court with each other and the landlord.

Now there is a short Rosie Perez doc about Puerto Rico on IFC. I'm really interested. I never thought much about Puerto Rico until I moved here. As I am listening to this I am realizing something about music and language and the mechinism of the pun...puns and the cousin of the pun...I'm not sure what it is called when something can be said in a way that it has two or more meanings that cross languages and change depending on the phyche of the listener...i don't think it is quite the same thing as a pun...maybe a super pun or pun to the second power.

I am waiting to hear another example of it on tv...still waiting...ok...I'll get back to you on this.

Tomorrow I am going to the UAW office again with Rebecca to find out what to do. I am glad Bob O. was around to advise me. Otherwise I would be extreamly clueless.

Vamos a ver.

vendredi, octobre 13, 2006

bro, Bro, brug, die Brucke

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Last night Krishna and I went to a celebration of the 20th anniversary of F.A.I.R.
Tom Tomorrow of This Modern World; Amy Goodman of Democracy Now; Barbara Ehrenreich author of Nickel and Dimed; and other reporters from both the left and the liberal left (ha!)spoke and joked about challenging factual inaccuracy, documenting, and exploring dissenting opinions.

I was more impressed with Barbara Eherinreich than I thought I would be. She was funny and to the point when she said she acknowleged biological differences between men and women...by some (biological?) cause which we have yet to understand...men are ten times more likely than women to become NY Times reporters.

jeudi, octobre 05, 2006

skatalogical broken glass dinner for eight

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

I feel sad and a little afraid about my roomate situation. Bernardo and Eric have decided to not cooperate with me. I think it is Bernardo who leaves his dirty dishes in the sink and Eric who leaves horrible smelling things in garbage bags in the middle of the kitchen floor and pees in places other than the toilet, but I really don't know why.

I've been trying to have dinner parties on saturday nights. Last saturday I rushed home from work to do last minute cleaning and make dinner and found the power was still out from the night before when Bernardo got mad because we disagreed about who owed who money and decided to call me a bitch and remove the fuses. I went into my dark bedroom to look for a match to light a candle and tripped over a pile of dirty dishes...Bernardo's dirty dishes.

I was pretty pissed that someone had let themselves into my room and done this and went to knock on Bernardo's door. No answer. Arrgh...Quickly, still thinking about the people who were supposed to arrive any minute, started cleaning the pile of stuff off the carpet. I heard Bernardo come home and went to yell about how mad I was. I think I was yelling, "Stay out of my room!" or something like that. Bernardo responded not with..."I didn't go into your room." but rather, "You're crazy, you sstupid bitch. Don't move Tita's litterbox! You should be in a hospital!"
Or something to that effect. I couldn't really hear because I was yelling "Stay out of my room!"
Then, for effect and to drive home the point...I threw one of the already broken dirty dishes that had been placed on my floor, past Bernardo and at the metal front door to the apartment.

Bernardo went into his room and shut the door but continued to yell about how stupid and crazy I am. I yelled back about I would like for him to stay out of my room, then went back to cleaning in the dark. There was more yelling and dish throwing, including Bernardo yelling "I'm going to call the cops." and me yelling "Call the cops." as I looked for my keys so I could go to the store to get some candles.

Suprisingly, this ended with a rather nice candle lit dinner. After the police came and the reports were made, Lindon, Adi, Jamie, Jamal, and I sat in what Bernardo has dubbed "Tita's room"aka the dinning room and drank some red wine and ate brie and salad.

Now in the after math I contemplate planning another dinner for Saturday...hmmmm...What's that smell? Oh I guess somehow the fridge lost power and everything in it is rotten. I'm thinking about becoming vegan. Can I divorce my roomate? sigh...I'm supposed to go to the UAW office with Rebecca today to talk to them about electing shop stewards and getting copies of the last two contracts and finding out if we can take a field trip to a printing press...I guess I'll clean the fridge...and bike downtown, maybe stop at MOMA it's a beautiful day.

jeudi, septembre 14, 2006

in the shadow of the shadow of the shh

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this


Lately I've been hanging out after work at Barnes and Noble. Tuesday There was a photographer talking about his really large book of photographs taken in the year following 9/!!/2001 at the WTC site. Last night Art Spiegelman was there with his collaborator Francoise Mouly. They were talking alternately about 9/!!/2001, the New Yorker, and their book, In the Shadow of No Towers.

I was/am interested in hearing eyewitness stories about 9/!!/2001, events leading up to as well as events following. But what made Speigelman Ultra fascinating was learning that he made the stickers for Wacky Pacs, the chewing-gum/comic sticker thing that my brother and I collected adamantly in the early seventies.

I have to admit that I also was intrigued to meet the art editor of the New Yorker. Nita showed up and entertained me while we stood in line to get books signed. I just realized that I forgot to pay for this book. Ooops.

Afterwards, Krishna, Lyndon, and Krishna's friend Alex and I hung out, ate, looked at the NYU library and talked about Corporate Finance and other matters.

dimanche, septembre 10, 2006

alt alt alto

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

so...I left the bookstore early and raced home to see the season premier of the Simpsons. I know that is so true it is sad. Especially when I got home at 1o after 8 and couldn't figure out that the tv wasn't working because it was on channel 2 instead of 3 and sort of freaked out unplugging and re-plugging things. Finally, I went into Z's room and watched the last ten minutes in there.
(it was good. sopranosesque with cooking jokes which I appreciated greatly.)

I feel like life is wobblin along like some bizarre contraption with less wheels and more gizmos than one might expect or need. I don't know what that means.

vendredi, septembre 08, 2006

sept sept september

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

so I not really feeling like i want to write but I am just because it's something I thing is good for me like vitamins or excercize or following through with a commitmitment that doesn't sound as fun at the appointed time as it did when the appointment was made...speaking of appointments, I should try to see a dentist soon...sigh.

It is a truely beautiful day. Last night I met a really good old friend on 14th st who helped me feel slightly less bizarre and gave me music. Next to me is a donut of cat. My internet connection is working and Bernardo hasn't turned off the electricity.

Soon I'll go hang out in the garden and maybe read a book. then I will hang out and drink wine and meet people who are coming to look at the room we have for rent.

lundi, septembre 04, 2006

la la la labor unions

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

So labor day has some extra-special signifigance for me now that i belong to a labor union that belongs to coalitions of labor unions.

Especially this year since I reciently turned to the UAW for help when I felt I was being harrassed by management at the bookstore with some very curious suprise "vacations".

The people at our local office were helpful and supportive. I can't say that they were not. These suspensions and the written criticisms that came with them were so absurd and defaming I couldn't really not not-dispute them. I still feel like they were some kind of prod designed to force me to run to the union for help.

So Horace from the local office came to talk to managers involved...managers who I thought of as friends but on paper looked like they didn't know me from the dead baby rat found head-smashed on the sidewalk outside my building this morning. I was accused of clocking in late, taking too long of a lunch break, having to be told to get back to work, and staring off into space.

The wierdest part is that supposedly Nancy, the corperation president told Bibbi that she had personally asked me to "get back to work" on a day that she never spoke to me. As she handed me the suspension form, Bibbi said she saw me shelving and had no idea what Nancy was talking about.

Horace talked with Will, the shop steward for the main floor and Bibi, the manager I most adore.

He talked with me and suggested that I make sure I let a manager know when I am going to lunch and look like I am working when Nancy the corperation president is around. The general concensus between Will, Horace and Bibi seems to be that Nancy is crazy, therefore absurdity reigns.

So...we shrugged, we shook hands, we made a friendly-but-not to-friendly half embrace and I went back to shelving cookbooks.

samedi, août 26, 2006

der Wetter, ps1, loom of language

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

so...today I took my meloncholy self to ps1, figuring I should make some use of this unexpected free time. They had up a great looking canopy in the courtyard...i guess there is a dance thing there on saturdays...inside I was mezmerized by a film by stan brakage...a loop of a birth that looked oh so painful and made me think of kimmie.

everything after that was strange especially the rest of the first floor which seemed to have a body fluids/oriface(sp?) theme...upstairs there were some prettier things...videos of surfing and neon chinese words for north south east and west. I tried copying thouse down since it goes along with what I've been reading in the Loom of Language.

LOL is a really amazing book that i highly recommend to anyone interested in languages or lingustics.

Tomorrow I go back to work at the bookstore...Hopefully without incident.

Our ceiling got fixed this week. It is so nice to go in there and not have debris falling from a gaping rat infested hole. Sigh.

vendredi, août 25, 2006

je suis ici aujourd hui

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

J'ai dix (vingt?)(minutes?)
je peut ecrir (avant?)(hasta?) (d'abord?) le Colbert Report/Daily Show
(que je L'aime)
despues...yo me voy...ir...ir...ir...aller
a el jardin...de communidad...il pleut audourdhui
je suis un peut triste...un petit triste est un peut triste
le travalille...est quoi?

disheartening?

I've been thinking about telepathy and am almost 100%
sure that my thoughts are being read...how crazy does this sound?
Can I read otherpeople's thoughts?
Maybe...I go back and forth trying to figure out
how much of this experience is technology (EL&M)
and how much is human nature.

nine minutes till Daily Show.

what else can I say...monday I started smoking again.
Tuesday I was given three day "bonus vacation"
I used these three days to do nothing but not smoke.

that amounted to sleeping, watching tv, eating and going to
coney island to lay on the beach and eat corn on the cob.
Mark that as a perfect
moment, Spaulding.

five minutes (justa?) le show quotidian.

What more can I say.
I still think about my X-boyfriend Tom as if
he would swoop down out of the sky one day
and go to coney island to eat coc w/ me.

But I know that is unlikely since he doesn't
even return my calls.

C'est deux!

jeudi, août 17, 2006

exhaust exhaust exaustion

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ugh...I feel very stressed out by current events, the bed bugs, the roomate drama, the collapsing bathroom ceiling, lack of proceedure at work, a general sense of confusion, lonelyness, and turning 37...37...37. I'm going to try to see a doctor about dealing with all this stress.

samedi, août 12, 2006

Sabado en el parque

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

So yesterday I rode my bike down to the bookstore and got copies of the four written repremands I have recieved since the day after Christmas day 2005 and deliver them to Horace at the UAW office. Horace was helpful and supportive. He recommended I file a grievence and ask to be compensated for lost pay. He gave me copies for myself and for Will. That reminds me I should call Will and see if he got those.

Upton Sinclair
The Jungle
NYSE
politics

vendredi, août 11, 2006

I just can't believe it

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this


Suspension of...quoi? Dis-belief...THis belief...BE BE Bee leaf...Listening to Democracy Now on the day before my bonus day off. (Thank you Nancy for the petit vacance.) ooh...hot water boiling...I really am thankful if a bit confused. Z moved out and Bernardo and Eric and I are coping with this crumbling bathroom ceiling the hole has gotten much much bigger it's now half th bathroom cieling that is missing. We sent a letter to the {545 w 146 st Corp} letting them know we are not paying rent because of the absence of maintence which in this case is desperately needed.

jeudi, août 03, 2006

Chaud Caliente et Caldo

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

GOD MORGEN< IT"S HOt!
SO VERY HOT I'm dripping
in sweat...sweat is dripping down
me, rather...it is really so very hot
that I can't think of much else to
say other than, Jeseus! It's HOT!

jeudi, juillet 13, 2006

the island

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

You may remember Aldous Huxley from such public school assignments as Brave New World and SOMA.

I've been thinking about the state-raised-baby aspect of BNW, so when I saw The Island on the $ .48 cart I was curious enough to start reading it.

I had some respect for Huxley on the basis of his non-fiction Doors of Perception, about LSD experiments...I remember thinking as a teenager that BNW had some frightening predictions about THE FUTURE. I guess reciently I started realzing that (to quote Joe Neff's Drexel Grandview sci-fi marathon t-shirt) THE FUTURE really IS history.

The Island has some interesting arguments about the nature of god and humans...I've been reading it on the subway on the way to work. It's a bit confusing with not much action and lots and lots of what is the word...dogma? pedantry? preaching? I don't know what I'm saying here.

It's a bit preachy, i guess...well informed but preachy...not unsual for utopian literature i suppose. I was wondering aloud to Krishna the other day about what impact Huxley's books have had in the US. I suspected that public acceptance of his ideas has increased greatly in the last 50 years. Krishna thought not.

samedi, juillet 08, 2006


WANTED: RESPONSIBLE LANDLORD
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

vendredi, juillet 07, 2006

bedbugs, adverts, and laws

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what ihttp://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/bedbugs.html#intros this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is thishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising

sigh...heavy sigh...arrgh...sigh...arrgh.

Sekjgjknfjknfgkjnfdkjnkfjjnm,cvnw
noeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
so the e key seeeeems to beeee sticking.teee
apparently this is not covered by my extended warranty.

community garden day is here again.
I will go stare at some plants...sniff some mint
and maybe read this book about Rajasthan.

jeudi, juillet 06, 2006

Bon Anniversaire(sp?), Amie rica

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

2030 years after some big event I sat with some STRAND friends at East River Bar in Williamsberg, Brooklyn, NYC, NY, USA basking in the glow of fireworks and BBQ waiting to view strictly Platonic and Angry Lemon (not necessairly in that order.).

Soooooooooooooooooo

A.L. was Grrrreat...He started off with a HOWL to wake the dead...by the time strictly Platonic got going it was way past my bedtime and I had to split. I have tried to see three S.P. shows now and this is as close as I've come. I did get to take some pictures of the band though with my real old 120 camera just before the sun set over the Williamsberg Bridge. I hope they turn out.

My plan is to put them in a zinie-zine-zine called PROJECT with artwork and interviews. So far I have pictures (fingers crossed...chickens not yet hatched) of Mitch Cohen graphic comix teacher extraordinaire...Tom S. of Bikini-Blood-Bath fiction-caja fame...Jon Plant of the music, (PRAT?)(PRATT?) NJ, Kids Book illustration world, and now (finger still crossed) Strictly Platonic...today I'll see if I can talk Z into letting me shoot her posse.

vendredi, juin 23, 2006

m levine on sprawl

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Last night I went to Times-up space to see about fixing the breaks on the Murry and got sucked into the film they were showing about New Jersey farm land. Instead of fixing the Murry I traded it in for a Huffy. It was a trafficky ride home up first ave until I got to 60TH then it was smooth sailing so to speak.

Today is Community Garden Day for me. I talked to my roomate, Z about ten ant associations and trying to get problems with our building resolved.

I may walk down to 133st to see if I can find the housing office Michelle told me about. Then at 3:00 I'll go hang out in Serenity Garden...followed by some time at the laundry garden and the 99cent garden.

jeudi, juin 22, 2006

the day after wordplay

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

je suis un peu fatigue.
Il fait chaud, mais pas trop chaud.
Tita is licking herself then is startled
momentarily (sp.?)
hay uno ruido piqueno
someone outside yells, "Guard!"

I'm guard too.)

Tita settles down...her furry little head
between her paws,

comme un chien.

Thank you.

oui.

My carpenter pants are on the floor along with
ropas sucias de mi semana en la libreria.

I've decided not to go back.
The voices outside my window don't want me to go
back and re-write what I have written.
or retyp-o
what I have written
oops...Lo hago un otro vez
una otra vez?

nous elle adore.

"exctament." el dire.

sigh...je pence comment dit on, "sigh"
en francais.

Yo me voy a la cocina.

samedi, juin 17, 2006

Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

12 things i love about my father:

1) He knows the names of all the rocks.

2) He laughs at my jokes.

3) He has cool toys: like recorders, microscopes, and tools.

4) He knows about weather patterns.

5) He likes to go hiking and camping and biking and rafting
and skiing, and horsebackriding and he takes people like me
along and usually pays for everything.

6) He is a good conversationalist.

7) He is thoughtful, handsome, poetic, patient and kind.

8) He's not a raging capitalist who puts money ahead of everything.

9) He's responsible and consciencious.

10) He's concerned about environmental and social justice issues.

11) He is generous and open minded.

12) He's mine.

jeudi, juin 15, 2006

je je je jeune

qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est qui qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi qui est quoi

Al "the best Al I know" gave me Angrylemonhead tune called Carn^ivor to listen to so that we might make a video of it. I am listening to this as I practice typing.

Yesterday was my "Friday" of sorts and I had a small conflict with Joyce that made me angryand made the day go by quickly. Mostly I like Joyce and feel like we are on the same side of most issues despite the labor/management difference. I feel like when she gets snippy it is because she is in some sort of pain or under some sort of pressure herself. Joyce, if you are reading this consider yourself forgiven.

Had lunch with Jon Plant at PIE, the gourmet (not NY style) pizza place around the block from strand. I have grown to love that place A) for it proximity B) for is crack-like addictiveness and C) for the music they play which is not john denver or cindy lauper or anything I associate with suspicious mind controlling orginizations.

We talked about computers and art and computer art.

I have listened to this Angry Lemon song three times now and still only remember the (very danceable) driving rhythm (sp?) and the last line which is something about wiping a mouth on a sleave after kissing...goodbye.

samedi, juin 03, 2006

win tauterfalls, ur468, und bellyjeans

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

"Perfect!" she cheered.

"You're perfect." one added.

"Exactly." another praised. "Where's your..?"

"Period?" I questioned.

Why would someone be running an air conditioner on such a cool night?

"Huh?" came another voice from outside the window.

"She got that one right." another another added added.

"Use a good word." said a voice much like my mother's.

"How bout log?" said a man.

"...word" replied Mom.

I had a wierd dream involving Tom Moore, pant cuffs, and Winn (when?) or Read.
Susan read...something off a condiment bottle or something.

The cat climed out the window.

I continued to practice typing.

I heard a car drive down a wet street between our buildings.

Buildings here remind me of ships.

mercredi, mai 31, 2006

la sagrada famillia, suspicions, and doubt

what is this what is this what is this what is
this what is this what is this what is this
what is this que es eso que es eso que es
eso que es eso que es eso que es eso que
es eso eso, si, que es?

pica pica pica!! Hay mucho calor aqui!!!

Arrrgh...por que OEDipus no tiene ojos
may el son prodologico ya tiene ojos?



Esta fin del semana pasada...requerdo.

como dans la Sampsons:

It was the best of times.
It was the blurst of times.
of times.

fue mujeras y insectos
beaucoup de perrritos
oriels, cameras, wiffelball

parques y trailers
agua muy fria
soooooooooocorro

aye aye aye

chicas!

holy grease batman!

what safe cats are we?

pas vraiment.

just kidding.

aiaiaiaiaiaiiii
just juanna sais

you do not have
to go



si vous plait,


esta libre

jeudi, mai 18, 2006

What's the difference?

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ok...my math skills (both of them) have officially deteriorated.

The other day I read an article in the am news that said that subway ridership was UP UP UP.

All the way up to 4.9 million (7 million including busses) riders in March. I thought that number was Low Low Low. but tried to work out how many riders a day that would be. Whipping out the old long division...I came up with 163, 333. I approximated the number of express stops at 50, trying to under estimate rather than over estimate. 163, 333 divided by 50? about 3, 266 per express stop divided by 10 busy hours would be 326 per hour. If the train at MY stop on 145 and St. Nick comes every 15 minutes and 50 people get on I guess 4.9 million a month COULD be right...far as I know.

Then someone showed me a book that had listed the annual ridership at 1.4 billion. Okay...Okay..this sounded closer to reality. what is the difference between 4.9 million a month and 1.4 billion annually? I had to get a pencil out. 1.4 billion divided by 12...I came up with 116 million...plus or minus 666,666.

I seriously didn't know which number was accurate. The one I had read in the paper or the one in the book. As far as I knew it could be either one. 4.9 million or 116 million. It's a huge difference but I could believe either one.


Who cares? I don't know? 4.9 million per day in March adds up to about 147 million riders in the month of March. A really far cry from 4.9 million riders in the Month of March. Since riders equal dollars I guess I am very interested in that 142 million dollars in the month of March difference. Especially when MTA can't seem to keep its workers happy and is talking about fair hikes for 2007. Then again, I nudge the subway rider next to me, "what is 142 million dollars between friends? Eh?"

Now I googled the article and I see that MTA reported that ridership is up to 4.9 million riders per day in March. The original article I read was simply poorly worded...oops.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/418088p-353156c.html

samedi, mai 13, 2006

I think I thought I saw you

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Part of the fun of living in NY and working at a certain used bookstore is seeing famous people. I however miss out since I hardly ever recognize anyone unless I have slept with them or they have given birth to me. (I actually almost didn't recognize my mother when she came in last summer. Her hair was lighter. She looked smaller and out of context.) Also I am usually half engrossed in some sort of alphabetizing or literary daydream, so sometimes people take me off guard. Here is a list of the people, famous or otherwise that I may or may not have seen in or around Strand Books. (Some of you may remember the Steve Winnwood/Whataburger incident of 1987...so...you know...grain of salt and all that.)

Alice Cooper/Iggy Pop--some famous people have that look about them that je ne sais quoi expression that says "yes...it's really me." I think I saw a person that could have fit the description of either Alice Cooper (sans makeup) or Iggy Pop hanging out inthe history section scoping FDR...or some such subject. I tried to play it cool..."Hey." secretly wanting to lick him. Whoever it was he was very sexy...in a morbid sort of way.

Luke Wilson--unmistakable...and oh so adorable. I forget what he bought but he was very silly about it.

My mom's (pregnant?) cousin--this could easily have been a hallucination. Although she looked an awful lot like my mom's cousin and was staring right at me I went on with my business since I wasn't sure and after so many times of approaching someone who I think might be someone and having the embarrassment of that someone saying "No. Sorry...get away from me." I have decided that unless I really know this person (i.e. I have slept with this person or they have given birth to me.)I decided not to chance it.

Russell Crowe--unmistakable...startled me by the waterfountain in fiction early on in my Strand career. I freaked...not used to seeing his face less than four feet in diameter.

Milan Kundera--really freaked me out because I LOVE his writing but I didn't know what he looked like until he asked for his own book and then showed me is picture on the cover. The weird thing was...I think he was wearing the same shirt. Again I became extremely embarrassed and ran away.

Don De Lillo--Caught me staring at him and asked me where the "Music Specials" table had been moved to...very serious-like...again, I freaked...he might as well have been speaking Russian. Music what? Still kicking myself a year later. You idiot~say something witty or charming or droll...sigh.

Christopher Hitchens--such a common sight around the dollar books carts that I feel we are old friends. I have only just begun his book on kissinger though and feel I can't say much until I have completed at least one of his books...so mostly I just ignore him.

Gretchen Phillips--just the other day I saw THE Gretchin Phillips of two nice girls and SO wanted to ask her if she had ever had favors performed in peace park or If she would say hi to Andy Loomis for me, but alas I chickened out mostly because I couldn't remember her name. (sometimes I think I have alzheimers). The last time I saw her was at a film screening at SXSW 2001 when I remember thinking, "Damn, she's so well groomed."

There are so very many people that look like people I know or knew but who I know are not. And an amazing number of people who come up and talk to me in a way that I think they know me but I have no idea who they are. There are just so many people period(an actual period at this point may be redundant but what the hell).

vendredi, mai 12, 2006


hi mom...here I am thinking of you and what a great mom you are.
phote taken with my lovely mini dv camera

mardi, mai 09, 2006

worker owned and operated

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

The new Blue Pages is here and I've been thinking about better business.

I like businesses that don't give money to either party. I feel like every PERSON's vote should count in our political process. When businesses get involved don't regular people lose their voice?


I LOVE businesses that operate conscienciously by not polluting, paying living wages and offering stock options, matching retirement funds (and PPO's in the absence of nationalized health care.)

I like businesses doing socially beneviolent things, but this is hard to gage and usually amount to free advertising. (Target?)(Dupont?)(ADM?)(EXXON?)

What I really really LOVE and don't see too much of are worker owned and operated businesses...so I am starting a list of bussiness that claim this. American Appareal is not on the list (although I think they are good about paying living wages compared to other apparel makers and their all cotton shirts are Oh, so soft)...neither, I believe, is Strand Books although the owner does actual physical work there (I AM impressed if not enriched by that.)...it may suprise you to know that list of businesses that are not worker owned and operated is very very long...and so far my list of worker owned and operated businesses is pretty short...so far I've found eight:



Boing Boing IS Worker Owned and Operated

telekommunisten is controlled by it's workers and committed to staying that way, we believe we can serve our customers best and at the lowest cost by remaining focused on meeting the needs of our employees and customers, not on profits for outside shareholders. Being worker-owned means that all the money you spend on our products goes directly to the maintenance and improvement of the service you receive.

Citybikes is worker owned and operated

http://www.citybikes.coop/

Equal Exchange is worker owned and operated

http://www.equalexchange.com/worker-owned

Inkworks Press yada yada yada
http://www.inkworkspress.org/article.php?id=64

Mariposa Food Co-op
http://mariposa.coop/links.html

Umoja Music Co-op
http://www.mncooperate.org/06-27-04.pdf#search='www.worker.co%20op'

la siembra
http://www.lasiembra.com/coop.htm

canadians seem to love co-ops:
http://www.organicplanet.coop/home.htm

http://www.sweatshopwatch.org/index.php?s=61
http://www.mncooperate.org/unionFAQ.html
http://www.ncba.coop/abcoop_work.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worker_cooperative
http://www.catalystcollective.org/co-opforum/
http://www.geo.coop/cline1.htm

dimanche, mai 07, 2006

siete de mayo

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

listening to BBC/RFI all night to drown out the very repititious bass of the conjunto music coming from downstairs gave me strange dreams. Last night I met Socorro and Dave at the Brooklyn Museum of art for first saturday and saw the most inspiring work of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson who is from good old Columbus, OH. I am so inspired by her work. I really want to stay home and make things all day.

I have been getting more books to review: Framed by Tonino Benacquista and Bodies of Work by Kathy Acker. Instead of reading these I have been reading Don De lillo's Cosmopolis and an old book by Bernard Shaw. OH! and a really great book of short stories by Max Apple.

I think I have perfected this quiche recipe. maybe life is not as boring as it feels.

lundi, mai 01, 2006

ow...ow...ow...ow...o...ow...ow

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

It's Bike month!!

I am kicking it off by staying in bed recovering from a spill I took yesterday when a nice lady opened her taxi door in front of me. (Taxi riders, PLEASE look before you leap.)

Today is also the day many people are staying home to protest thier second class citizen status. It seems to me that if laws aren't going to be enforced they should not exist. I hate the way laws get selectively enforced.

This "guest worker" bill is stupid. It keeps working people down and allows the overpriveleged to continue to become increasingly over priveleged(sp?).

lundi, avril 24, 2006

Lorca, what are you doing down by the melons???

Howl for Carl Solomon: Fifteen Years Later And Then Some.

So back in university, back in the day, one of the books assigned by my american history professor was HOWL and other poems by Allen Ginsberg...I've been seeing somePocket Poets editions of this floating around der bookstore and decided to take another look at it. (like most reading assignments in college, I think I only read part of it, so this seemed like a good idea, you know... After 15 years of thinking I had gotten the gist of something with a cursury(sp?) glance...going back and taking a second look and finding I was of course mistaken or at least not full appreciating said thing.)

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,

Origionally I thought Ginsberg was exaggerating a bit here. I guess I was thinking that back in the fifties he and his hippy-poet friends were running around dropping acid and bieng stoned and drunk like so many frat brothers spending their parent's money and (hating?) (loving?)the privlege that came with being white american males.

Since I've been shelving lit-crit I've noticed that Ginsberg is listed in books as and african american author(???)...written by an african american I guess this line has a slightly different cast. Also I realise now that what I considered frat boy behavior in 1991 was probably influenced greatly by this miniscule book of poems. And that Ginsberg was probably very involved in politics...maybe even a humble sort of leader. I still don't know that much about him.
He was born in NJ and was a small person according to the forward by William Carlos Williams.

I didn't remember that this was a poem in three parts and that the first part is one very, very long sentence. I have new found respect for Howl simply on the basis of it bieng an remarkable grammatical feat.

And then there is the part about Rockland Rockland Rockland which I just read this morning. I cherish this now in a way that I couldn't have before. Now that I know that the rockland being refered to is a mental hospital and now that I know what those are about...I read each line of this section with much more empathy than I had 15 years ago.

I have to wrap this up and get dressed for work...but I want to publicly declair that this tiny book is not the hersheys kiss of literature...to use such a comercial reference would debase it. It seems to be some kind of dense gem though...and I still haven't read the whole thing.

I didn't go to the SDS gathering in Providence, but I did eaves drop on Will B and his friend talking about Universal Health Care reform while I shelved oversized S. American history and Chinese history books.

http://www.rooknet.com/beatpage/writers/ginsberg.html
http://www.idiom.com/~wcs/howl.html
http://www.howlfestival.com/
http://members.tripod.com/~Sprayberry/poems/howl.txt

vendredi, avril 21, 2006

nepalese students for a democratic society revival

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

A good friend and UHAB/Americorps comrade wrote to say he couldn't come to my spring fete because it is summer in nepal. Je ne comprend pas.

I am thinking about asking for sunday off to go to this meeting but I don't know how I would get there.

All people interested in finding out about or becoming involved in the new SDS are invited to attend the regional conference to be held on Sunday April 23, 2006 from 11:00AM–6:00PM in Salomon Hall at Brown University in Providence Rhode Island. Attendance is free.

http://info.interactivist.net/article.pl?sid=06/04/14/1554218

jeudi, avril 20, 2006

bleeding, headache, bedbugs, and dirty dishes

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ugh...I don't feel so great. I give this feeling a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being i want to die. 10 being i never believed life could get this good.

the big question is will i A) tell my self that it is better to just do nothing on a day like this but relax and do only fun things like reading and sleeping and eating quiche and drinking hot chocolate or will I B) try to improve conditions by cleaning and doing laundry and removing my roomates dishes from the sink and taking out the garbage and cleaning the litter box.

it's 2pm and so far option A is winning.

vendredi, avril 14, 2006

laundry, quiche, coal and taxes

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

ugh...NY State and NYC are asking for $1,200 of my $18,ooo. combined with my federal taxes it looks like I'll be paying $2,300 add that to a $6,000 rent bill and that should leave me $9,700 for metrocards and food and what not...I guess that's not too bad...where did it all go? Not into the 401k plan my employer doesn't offer. I guess I ate it. no wonder I feel nausia coming on...heavy sigh.

No hot water today, but on the upside I fixed the brakes on my bike with some help from Austin at Times Up AND the elevator seems to be working...Oh wow!

There is a huge parade of people dressed like romans carrying crosses and singing outside.

I guess it is a good friday!!

Also at the Times Up space last night the was a screening of two films about coal mines and coal miners...the first one was a horrifying account of the leveling of west virginia's mountains and the amazing amount of water pollution caused by removing the entire top of a mountain...the second was a 1987 John Sayles film Called Matewan about a small coal mining town and their struggle to form a union.

jeudi, avril 13, 2006

hand people

what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

Ok...so I reciently heard from an old friend who sent some beautiful pictures of Tehran. I guess I never realized what a beautiful city it is. She sent several pleas for people to do what could be done to prevent harmful US military action in Iran.

I was already against the expansion of US military action outside the US. but after seeing these pictures of Tehran looking more like Aspen than...what? Whell...more like Aspen than Aspen.

Seeing images of women ice racers not looking so oppressed...makes it much more difficult to imagine any justification for a need for military intervention other than the US is just a bit jealous and maybe afraid of being shown up. (er...blown up?)

I am currently reading a Kurt Vonnegut book...Here's a little quote that seems to apply:



"This piece of groping wisdom impresses me still. A sensible prayer people could offer up from time to time, it seems to me, might go something like this:


"Dear Lord-never put me in the charge of a frightened human being."

Walter F.Starbuck in Kurt Vonnegut's 1979 novel JAILBIRD.

In unrelated news:

I saw two cool websights last night:

http://www.lotharandthehandpeople.com/Default.htm

http://facstaff.gallaudet.edu/harry.markowicz/asl/myth2.html

now I'm off to How-ston street to see if I can fix this bike.

jeudi, mars 23, 2006

Concrete in the Pacific, telepathic news brief

What is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this what is this

It has been a long time since I actually had anything interesting to write in this box. I've simply been going through the motions of writing for months now until, finally, I awoke this morning with something to say. Call it an epiphany or the weight of several years of accumulated information breaching my levy of denial, I have two huge revelations to report.**

As my friend, Steve Knoll might say:

"A number one":

Humans have the power of mental telepathy. *

Telepathy is a possibility I have been seriously pondering for several months now, but fear of being swept away into a metaphysical corner next to Carlos Casteneda and the actor who played the mother of Carrie Fisher in Postcards from the Edge has kept the subject out of my daily conversation. You know the old joke, "What did the one telepathic say to the other?"

(silent pause)









(ha ha ha)


The only reason I dare to mention telepathy now is that I was informed telepathically of my second revelation:

"B number two":

Concrete is being pumped into the Pacific. *

I now realize that while all the world's concerned citizens and cameras have been pointed at the huge fiasco in Iraq, less concerned citizens have been doing clandestine things (most likely involving concrete) in the Pacific Ocean.*

Consider this...the oceans are vast vast vast...the last great frontier...un-policed (for the moment)...environmentally un-protected (for the moment)...if Jane Q. Citizen zooms in from google earth on the pacific, she might see a car in front of a building in Honolulu but she sure won't see any huge aircraft carriers or dereks or cement mixers...unless she happens to own her own satellite and even then, there may be ways to disguise such an operation from space cameras. (correction: I just tried looking at honolulu and a girl can see battleships in pearl harbour...I guess what I meant was that one can not see them out in the ocean...you know it gets blurry and unfocused out there.)

Besides being a revenue generator, a war is a great distraction from any huge engineering project at the bottom of the sea. Also for those of us less-gifted students, we get to become aware of where Iraq is.


A while back I went to a little talk about turbines in the Hudson. That's when it dawned on me that...for all I know, there could already be turbines in the Hudson...I once saw some people excavating a shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico where they had managed to suck all the water out of a huge cylinder creating a hole in the gulf...It was so wierd...one could just boat up and climb down and walk around on the gulf floor.


So okay most educated people may already be aware of this stuff...but I really don't get a sense of it from my two major news sources...The Daily Show with Jon Stewart or Le Show with Harry Shearer. I watched the evening news once. That seemed even less enlightening. I guess I could try reading the NY Times once in a while but I feel like I have to wade through so much bullshit and read between so many lines that I'm wanting to go back to school and study something that will give me some sort of security clearance, just so I can get a clue and participate in this grand global "democracy". Where all men are created equal but some are slightly more equal than others....Sigh.









*Having already been involuntarily committed three times, I can write these things without fear of losing credibility.

**This is where those years of typing practice would've come in handy