Guy stuff.

Pumpkin Seeds: End of the World Edition

1. What the hell is going on? Multiple hurricanes and random tornadoes, an earthquake in California and now the threat of Mt. St. Helens erupting again? Plus, there's the whole mega-tidal wave in the works, just waiting for another volcano to go off in Africa! If I were a Republican, the obvious explanation would be that God doesn't want John Kerry to be President. 2. To be honest, I think it would be kind of cool to see this election overshadowed by massive global disasters. The God of the Bible certainly has that kind of sense of humor. 3. I'm…

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Using the Internet as a Media-Distribution Channel

Me, on a panel, talking about blogs and other stuff Sure, why not! Digital Dissemination Using the internet as a media-distribution channel Moderator: Troy Johnson, AALBC.com Can you make an impact in the arts or on the political landscape while skirting the traditional avenues of physical print publications? Many are doing just that with websites that complement physical print products; blogs; e-newsletters; and online radio and video. The panel discussion will encompass the challenges faced with digital publishing and web design: computer hardware cost, revenue streams, marketing, artistic freedom and limitations, distribution, and editorial and blog content will be explored.…

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Friend Test

It makes sense that, unless you really know me, you'd assume I was born in the Bronx. It was one of many trick questions on my Friendtest and the one most people missed. The correct answers were: 1. What borough was I born in? Manhattan (10 points) In fact, I was born in Manhattan, at the now defunct Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital, a couple of blocks away from Mount Sinai. Supposedly, I was born in the hallway at around 5am, which possibly explains a lot of things. 2. Which High School did I graduate from? Lakeland HS (10 points) I…

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Adios, Nueva York

CITY LIMITS' September/October 2004 issue has a timely article, Adios, Nueva York, about the Puerto Rican exodus from New York City during the last decade. According to the 2000 census, NYC lost 10% of its Puerto Rican population between 1990-2000! While many left for the island, a significant number have headed to surprising destinations like Lawrence, MA and Reading and Allentown, PA, doubling the overall Latino population in each city -- 60%, 37% and 24% respectively. The article itself focuses on Allentown - the metropolitan neighbor of my theoretical oasis, Bethlehem - and the troubles migrating Nuyoricans, primarily from the…

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The Mid-Range Gets the Short End of the Stick

"San Antonio makes sense for us, and has given us much that I'm grateful for ... but Austin still feels like home." Phil pretty much nails my feelings about life these days with that statement, and I don't particularly like it. The feeling, I mean. For me, where we are in the Bronx right now "makes sense for us." Financially, at least. In a really skewed sorta way. On a genetic level, being born and raised in NY spoils you for anywhere else. Makes you predisposed to accepting the ridiculously high cost-of-living; the hyper-competitive job market; the ever-increasing gap between…

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Life is cyclical

Life is cyclical, a simple if debatable truism. Live long enough, you will begin to see the patterns. Stand still long enough and you might get trampled by your past. I have no idea why but I felt the need to put that into words. In other news, since I have nothing particularly interesting to offer, let's take a walk through blogland... 1) Bassey, Miss you much. I feel like I owe you an email about something but can't remember what. Let me know. Also, please set up an RSS feed so I can keep up with your journal via…

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Pumpkin Seeds: Random as Ever Edition

1. An innocent compliment gone awry, or people with too much time on their hands? Depends, I guess. Poyer was simply my shorthand for poet-lawyer, aka the multi-talented hyphenate Nina Parrilla. It was spurred partly by her recent post on realizing how much her lawyer-side "has become a huge part of [her] identity." I appreciate poets (or any creative types) that acknowledge being multi-dimensional, particularly those like Nina who pursue their other facets with equal vigor and success. 2. There's a ton of "poets" out there, including some of my favorites, who have no other significant identity to claim. If…

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