2017

Words Of Wisdom

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can write that story by setting goals.


~Melody Beattie

Goals

I set goals every year. I set writing goals as well. I'm thinking them through now. It's important that the goals are realistic. Not going to become famous or make a ton of money, that's for sure. There's no shame in having to revise or change goals. It's best to change something than go one with something that's totally unreachable. What are your writing goals?

Poetry Marathon at St. Mark's Church

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas!

Words Of Wisdom

Orthodoxy is the diehard of the world of thought.
It learns not, neither can it forget.


~Aldous Huxley, Novelist (1894-1963)  

Rewriting Old Stories

     I have looked at a couple of stories I wrote in the past. One of them is several years old. I was considering adding a second chapter to it. I'm looking forward to working on it. The other story I'm changing the gender of the main character.

I'm part of a theater group at my church. We not meeting for a couple of weeks because of the holidays. We were instructed to write some thing about our lives, or poetry or some other piece of writing. This should be fun because I can use much more of my imagination.

There are a couple of poems that I wrote a number of years ago that I need to rewritten. One of them I'm not satisfied that my own voice is speaking. This has been the most challenging poem I've written but I believe that it can be a great poem with the right voice.

Commentary

Today I got up and wrote my morning page. It's s an exercise where I write whatever comes to mind. Punctuation and right spelling aren't important, just write. It's amazing what can pop up.

I am writing about a particular time in my life. I am going to do this more. Performing and writing have opened up areas in my life that never shared. I love writing and sharing with others in hopes to someone's life will be positively affected.

I will explore other avenues that perhaps I never considered. In the end I pray that people will be encouraged and perhaps changed for the better.

Sharing Our Life Story

There are many facets to my life. I could write a book about my experiences because there are so many. The idea of sharing a facet of life on a stage in front of an audience is appealing.

Everybody has a story to tell. As I write down the details of a particular event, long forgotten aspects come flooding back in my mind. My habit is to write what I have in mind then let it set for a day. Maybe it's the reason that editing doesn't bug me out. I want to hear my own voice in the piece I'm writing or reading. In other words, own the piece. It's a lot of work but well worth the effort.

Poetry Slam

Don't forget the Friday Night Poetry Slam at 10pm at this venerable East Village spot.

Nuyorican Poetry Café

236 East 3rd Street    (bet. Ave. B & C)

New York, NY

www.nuyorican.org

Storytelling

I'm working on the next project of storytelling. I have many stories about my life.  I will be writing about my experience before and after a heart attack. THAT was certainly a life changer. 

Words Of Wisdom

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.


~Rumi, Poet (1207-1273)

Next Project

Last Saturday my wife and I read at an open mic. We also perform  in a little play about affordable housing which is a big issue where I live. The theater group will be creating a new performance which will be performed in a school. I would love to do this in front of children and school staff. I will keep you posted on when the performance will happen.

Solo, Spoken Word

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH     3 PM

ARE YOU SERIOUS? -A WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE INQUIRES

This is a solo spoken word piece written and performed by Tulis McCall.

CORNELIA STREET CAFE
29 Cornelia Street
New York, NY

$ 10.00 cover plus $10.00 minimum


www.corneliastreetcafe.com

Double Book Launch

DECEMBER 9TH, 2016   7-9pm 

Word Up Community Bookshop/Libreria Comuniteria
2113 Amsterdam Avenue  
New York, NY 10032

Words Of Wisdom

The poetry of the earth is never dead.


~John Keats, Poet (1795-1821)

Movie

The film "The Wanderers will be be playing at the Film Forum beginning December 4th at 1:15 PM.
There will be additional showings on December 5th and 19th. For addition information go to: 

www.filmforum.org

Performing; Self Discipline

I will be performing at an open mic this Saturday at my church. Will recite a couple of poems. My spouse will also be reciting. There are a lot of really creative people in my neighborhood. I would love to connect with some of them.

I was looking over some of my poems that I want to publish. Trying to decide if I will have someone publish them or self publish. I have written a number of outlines for short stories but I need to discipline myself. It's tough but I will do it. 

Words Of Wisdom

More Writing and Reading

I'm writing a poem for the Transgender Day Of Remembrance ceremony on Tuesday afternoon. I have to get back to more writing now because there's so much to write about. With the political climate the way it is currently, could we have more political and social writing?

I have so many books to read. I may read two books at a time. Some people think I'm crazy (readily admit that) but I've done this in the past.

Words Of Wisdom

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.


~William Shakespeare, Dramatist (1564-1616)

VOTED

I VOTED! DID YOU?

VOTE!

Be sure to vote!

Words Of Wisdom

I carry a notebook and pen wherever I go. I hate when I have an idea for a piece of writing and can't it  remember it when I get home.


~Genevieve

Thoughts

I am writing a little sermonette for my speech at church in November. I am working on a novella and some commentaries that will be posted on here and on other sites. I spent some time today writing down my thoughts on a number of different topics, both personal and otherwise.  I'm in a questioning phase about a few things because I see some of my friends who are hurting, afraid, and concerned about the future.

Words Of Wisdom

You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.


~Joyce Meyer

Different Generations Performing Together

I will be performing at least three more times in the coming weeks. Yesterday, I performed with the dance ministry at church. Add dancing to my resume.  I'm truly enjoying all this. I never dreamed that I would be doing all this. What it has done is bring different generations together and this is wonderful.

Words Of Wisdom

Pets leave paw prints on our hearts.


~Author unknown

Poem

Lo, I am with you always,
   you promised that,
and when I realized it was true,
my soul flared up.

Any unhappiness comes from forgetting.
Remember, and be back close
with the friend.


~Rumi

Hisory of Washington Heights

This is my current read. I like reading books about the history of particular neighborhoods. This is about my neighborhood. The author spoke at our church last night. Even got my book autographed.

Today's Word

ARCHIPALEGO, n.

A group of islands.

A sea or stretch of water containing many islands.

Today's Word

LEAGUE, n.

Any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers).

A square league.

Documentaries In November

DOC NYC Festival, the largest documentary festival in the country, will take place  November 10-17 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village, and the SVA Theater and Cinepolis in Chelsea. Tickets are now on sale.

www.ifccenter.com  

More Poems

Last night I wrote a couple of new poems. The subjects of sojourns, reflections, and contentment are the themes. I am writing more prose because my thoughts go way beyond the typical stanza format. I get in those streaks where many thoughts race in my mind and I need to record them in my notebook. If I have the opportunity to go to a particular place I'm writing, all the better.  

I've noted that I'm letting myself be more vulnerable, to let my emotions flow. This is something that I wouldn't have done a few years ago. It's not that I have to feel I've been left behind, it's appreciating the experiences I've had and that others are going through theirs.  

Today's Word

OPTATIVE, adj.

Of, relating to, or constituting a verbal mood that is expressive of wish or desire.

Expressing desire or wish.

Words Of Wisdom

Difficult times disrupt your conventional ways of thinking and push you to forge better habits of thought, performance, and being.


~Robin S. Sharma

Intercultural Poetry

INTERCULTURAL POETRY
WED. OCT. 12TH @  6 PM
Andrey Gritsman, host

Tim Suermondt; Gloria Mindock; Pui Ying Wong


CORNELIA STREET CAFE
29 Cornelia Street  (bet. West 4th and Bleeker)
New York, NY 

$10 cover plus $10 minimum

Today's Word

HALYARD, n.

A rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering something (sails)

Returning To The Scene

I walked through the Port Authority bus terminal this past Saturday. I wasn't meeting anybody or going anywhere, jut hanging out. Like Washington Square Park and the East Village I return to the place though not as often as the previous two.

You may wonder why the fascination with a bus terminal. Well, for one I have traveled by bus many times from here. For another I wrote a poem about the place. I sat in a restaurant to observe the people walking through. When I was young I watched a tv program called The Naked City. At the end of the show the narrator commented 'There are eight million stories in the Naked City'. I believe there are more stories to tell from the people who either work here or travel through. I am presently working on another poem with Port Authority as the backdrop.

    I return to familiar places that were formative in my youth and young adult years. I don't believe that there aren't any more stories that can be derived from here. It's like the ghosts of the past telling me that there's much more. I can sit in a place for hours and just observe and take notes. I may leave there with an outline, poem, or story. Places one visits are different each time they come back. The bus terminal certainly is no different.

Today's Word

PALATABLE, adj.

Having a pleasant or agreeable taste.

Pleasant or acceptable to someone.

Words Of Wisdom

Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.


~William Wordsworth, Poet (1770-1850)

Today's Word

TATTERDEMALION, n.

A person dressed in ragged clothing; ragamuffin

Newfest

Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming Newfest  Film Festival.

Using Prompts To Formulate A Poem

A group of us are working on a piece which will be performed later this month. We used prompts to  come up with a poem. It's amazing what a group of people can come up with. Here's an example:

elections
voting whose best for the country
fascism
people feel isolated and afraid

I'm sure some of you can come up with a poem or piece with these prompts.

Today's Word

PALANQUIN, n.

A conveyance formerly used especially in Asia usually for one person that consists of an enclosed litter borne on the shoulders of men by means of long poles.

Words Of Wisdom

When it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry. The poet, too, is not nearly so concerned with describing facts as with creating images.

~Niels Bohr, Physicist (1885-1962)

Today's Word

VECTOR, n.

The course or direction of an airplane

New Stuff

I will be performing in a play some time in October and an open mic in November. I am needing to write some new poems. 

Queer Space

Last night I shared my life story in a queer space. It is called the Moon Show , a monthly venue of poets, musicians, performers, storytellers and poets. I was invited by a friend back in April and have attended everyone. Last night I brought my spouse for the first time. 

Many of the performers are much younger than I and I enjoy being around them. I love watching others perform. In these spaces queer and gender non conforming people can feel safe and comfortable.

Poem

                                                          AUTUMN 

The days are getting shorter, 
And the nights are longer
The beaches are closed 
No more sprinklers open on those hot, hot days
The children are in school
It's also football season!

The November winds chill my bones
Slumber comes to the bear and the groundhog
The landscape transforms from lush green
To an orange, red, and yellow collage
Squirrels scurry about gathering acorns
For the long winter ahead.

I look up and see geese flying south to warmer climes
I give thanks for the bountiful harvest
As the quiet settles in, I listen to the leafless trees
Whisper in the wind, 'Take your rest!'

Today's Word

QUERULOUS, adj.

Complaining in an annoying way

Habitually complaining

Autumn

My favorite season!

Words Of Wisdom

Just because you don't believe something cannot happen does not mean that it can't.

Words Of Wisdom

With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.


~Edgar Allan Poe, Poet (1809-1849)

Today's Word

PUSILLAMINOUS, adj.

Showing a lack of courage or determination. 

Timid, weak and afraid of danger

Performance

In The Lounge
EXPERIMENTS & DISORDERS
curated by Tom Cole & Christen Clifford
Tuesday   September 20th @ 7:30 PM

DIXON PLACE
161A  Chrystie Street
New York, NY
(212) 219 0736
www.dixonplace.org   website 

Romeo And Juliet

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet will be shown at the Film Forum on Sunday, September 18th, at 11AM. It is the film version directed by Franco Zeffirelli. It was filmed in 2968 using unknown actors. I saw the film and enjoyed it.

FILM FORUM
209 West Houston Street (off 6th Avenue)
(212) 727-8110

Today's Word

COADJUTOR, n.

A bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop, and often designated as his successor.

Words Of Wisdom

In a meadow full of flowers, you cannot walk through and breathe those smells and see all those colors and remain angry. We have to support the beauty, the poetry, of life.

~Jonas Mekas 

Another Chapter?

Today I was at the Port Authority bus terminal. I was just walking around surveying the scene. It was unusually crowded but then I realized that it was rush hour. Ironically this is one of my favorite spots to hang out. Weird, but true.

I have written a poem and a short story about the place. Today I had another idea for a story. My tendency to go to my old haunts and take in the acoustics, to get a feel of the place at that particular moment. I'm sure many writers have done this. I just feel a sense of peace and contentment here. The travelers remind me of a time I was seeking and searching. I'm still a seeker.

I pay particular attention to folks who are from out of town. Some have that faraway look in their eyes. I wonder if they are seeking and searching for something. Are they seeking new pastures? Are they trying to reclaim something from their youth? All sorts of ideas fill my head. The terminal has changed over the years but the spirit of travel and adventure hasn't. Maybe my journey has another chapter.

Today's Word

DUBIETY, n.

A usually hesitant uncertainty or doubt that tends to cause vacillation.

A matter of doubt

Words Of Wisdom

If you cannot become a poet, be the poem.


~David Carradine

Today's Word

RECONDITE, adj.

Not understood or known by many people; difficult to penetrate

Incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge.

Dixon Place

This past Thursday, I attended a story reading event in which my friend, Bambi, read. It was at Dixon Place, a theater arts establishment on the Lower East Side. I had heard of the place from friends who went there. It was my first time going. Dixon Place features all kinds of arts; from literature and story telling to music and dance to burlesque. Maybe in the future I could share a story there. 

Read at Open Mic

I participated in an open mic today along with my wife. She read one poem while I read two short ones. People of all ages read. Some read for the very first time. I was pleased that many young people read. Poems ranged from romantic, political, discovery and longing to experienced shared.

AllStars Project was the venue where we read. A couple of people I know have taking classes here in the past. One can do performance, improv, storytelling, and other acts. The program reaches out to inner city youth but is open to all at no cost.  

Words Of Wisdom

The true genius shudders at incompleteness-and usually prefers silence to saying something which is not everything it should be.


~Edgar Allan Poe, Poet (1809-1849)

Reading And Writing.

Right now I'm reading Herman Melville's Billy Budd and Other Tales. I just finished reading Billy Budd and found the story somewhat cumbersome. I did understand the story though. One of the challenges of being a good writer is tackling those books that may be quite challenging. 

I remember when I first read Romeo & Juliet I was busy trying to negotiate the way Shakespeare wrote and spoke at that time. A glossary and asides helped tremendously. I have read thirteen of William Shakespeare's plays, with Hamlet being my favorite.   

Reading and writing go hand in hand. In order to be a better writer, one has to read much. One common trait with all the authors I've read is that they were voracious readers. With it each writer will have found their own style. Someone suggested that I reread F, Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. I hated the book when I was in high school but that was half century ago. Maybe I will take up her advice. Maybe it will help me become a better writer.  

Today's Word

URSINE, adj.

Of, relating to, or resembling bears.

Words of Wisdom

Poetry consists in a rhyming dictionary and things seen.


~Gertrude Stein, Author (1874-1946)

Shakespeare In The Parking Lot

There is still time to catch a Shakespeare venue at The Clemente through August 14th.

THE CLEMENTE

107 Suffolk Street

New York, NY  10002  (bet. Rivington & Delaney)

Wrote A Poem When Asked

The other night a writing student from CUNY asked me to write a poem for an upcoming performance. Within five minutes I had written a poem. I never did this before. Could it be that maybe I'm a poet at heart? 

Words Of Wisdom

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.



~Carl Sandburg

Billy Budd

This is by current read by one of my favorite authors. It's not a fast read by any stretch. I will need to have a dictionary to look what some words mean. There's lot of them too. 

Laboring In Oscurity

You had your famous writers such as Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, Emily Dickinson and Edna St Vincent Millay. Then there are some fine writers no one has heard of. Fran Ross, Henry Dumas, and Marguerite Young come to mind. I am currently working on doing a series on authors who were great but not famous for different reasons.

This project plays in my sensibilities that not all great writers were famous. In the coming days I will post a bio of one writer and the book(s) that they are mostly known for. Obscurity can be a good thing because there are few distractions.It can also be a curse if someone seeks fame but doesn't get it. I'm looking forward to doing this project.

Today's Word

GAUCHE, adj.

Lacking ease or grace

Unsophisticated and socially awkward

Book Review

Title: Women Of The Beat Generation

Author: Brenda Knight

Publisher: Conari Press   Berkeley, CA  copyright, 1996

Rating: 8

This book was a pure joy to read. I read about the men of the Beat Generation: Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, William Burroughs among others. The women are just as interesting as the men. Like their male counterparts, they tired of expectations, conformity, and the conservative society of the 1950s for freedom to be what they wanted to be. They could party, drink, love, and write.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Eileen Kaufman, Bob Kaufman's wife. Edie Parker Kerouac and Joan Haverty Kerouac, Jack ex-wives, were no slouches. They held their own in a man's world. They were tough, persistent and contributed much to the beats. Jan Kerouac's, Jack's only child, was interesting. There were some casualties. Elise Cowen, a poet who briefly dated Allen Ginsberg, ended her life at twenty- eight by jumping out of her parent's sixth floor window. It happened in 1962, not too far from where I currently reside.

I like any thing associated with the beats. Women Of The Beat Generation didn't disappoint.  Reading about some women I never read or heard about was a special treat. I borrowed this book out the library but will purchase a copy for my personal library.

Book Discussion.

This evening the trans literature book club discussed the above book. I and others read it a few years back while few just read it. I'm not what you call a big novel reader (non-fiction is my specialty) but liked this book a lot. If you haven't read it, I recommend it.

A Challenge To Read

War and Peace is a book I've known about since high school. I sometimes get it confused with Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment which I did read.  War and Peace is a book I will need to read in the coming months. I believe this book since around 700 pages. The last book I read a book that long was John Milton's Paradise Lost. Then again I love challenges.

Words Of Wisdom

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that with the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.


~Henri Nouwen, Cleryman (1932-1996)

Open Mic and Storytelling.

Have an open mic coming up on August 20th. Another one is scheduled for late September. I'm back to doing them. I am writing some new poetry along with some new stories. One of my future projects is to read more of the classics. I'm not really married to any one style. I try and get something from all styles.  

I love telling stories of my life experiences. Someone told me that I was a great storyteller. I may incorporate that into my open mic routine.

Indian Point

This important documentary is playing currently at the Howard Gilman Center at Lincoln Center.

Info: www.filmlinc.com

Words Of Wisdom

Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private.


~Allen Ginsberg, Poet (1926-1997)

Today's Word

HAGIOGRAPHY, n.

A book about someone's life that makes it seem better than it really is or was.

A biography that praises someone too much.

Words Of Wisdom

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

~Jonathon Swift (1667-1745)

Milestone

1700 posts!

Women Beats

I've read the work of the male beats (Kerouac in particular) but now I'm focusing on the women who were part of this literary movement.

Words Of Wisdom

It is Impossible to talk or to write without apparently throwing oneself helplessly open.



~Herman Melville

Nevada

This is the book I'm presently reading. Could be a possible review in my book group in the future.

4th Of July

Fourth Of July Authors

Here is a partial list of authors who were born on July 4th.

1. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

2. Christina Garcia

3. Neil Simon

4. Ted Joans (1928-2003)

Open Mic

I will be doing an open mic on July 9th at my church.. I'll be doing some more open mic. I have something I want to do in September so I will write some new stuff. Looks like I'll be performing again.

A number of queer spaces have opened up and I'm particularly interested in them. Poetry is my main genre but I would love to do some storytelling. That is my niche. A few years I never considered doing any performing. Now I love it!     

Words Of Wisdom

The arts, quite simply, nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like the exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom.  


~Gordon Gee 

I'm Behind

I am behind in my writing and reading. Family issues came up. I've been out quite a bit enjoying life. I probably needed a break. June is traditionally an active month for me. I recently did a couple of performances at church. I have ideas for a couple of stories and a play. I'm interested in doing a one person performance. 

The ideas still keep coming. Going to many different events has exposed me to different genres of the arts. I've met some really talented people. I have a a few places to go lined up for July and August. 
.

Words Of Wisdom

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.


~Rumi

Reading

Jun 14 2016

24th Annual Poets House Poetry Publication Showcase Opening Reception & Readings

Readings open the 2016 Poets House Showcase, our free exhibit featuring all of the new poetry books and poetry-related texts published in the United States in a single year from over 650 commercial, university, and independent presses.

Preceded by the Showcase Opening Reception. Exhibition on view through August 20.

This event is free and open to the public.

Contact: joe@poetshouse.org

7:00pm

Poets House

10 River Terrace at Murray Street

10282 New York, New York

Other Cities

I have read about many authors who write using the places they've been or lived in as a backdrop. I suppose all writers do this. I recently returned to the bus terminal here in New York City. I have written one short story using it as a backdrop. I feel another story is in the offing.

Some day I would love to visit a few cities and spent time there. New Orleans and San Francisco are two cities that fascinate me. There's enough here in the Big Apple that'll keep the ideas coming.

Current Read

I am currently reading this book.

Words Of Wisdom

Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you're positive, good things happen.

~Deep Roy

Performance And Art

I think art is a total thing. A total person giving a contribution. It is an essence, a soul. In my inner soul art and life are inseparable.

Eva Hesse

A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook and I concur with the quote. I have been doing performance and storytelling over the past few months.  I find the more I do it the more I share about my inner soul. This hasn't always been easy for me but lately I see the importance of being vulnerable. When caution was thrown to the wind the best came out of me.

Now I'm wanting to do more performing. It's not the need to be seen but to share something with the public. I've done open mic and public speaking in the past and I guess this was a natural transition to the next level. Where it will lead next I don't know. I'm really loving performing and want to do more. Doing other forms of art are appealing to me. 

POETRY AND OPEN MIC

WOMEN'S/TRANS POETRY JAM AND OPEN MIC

Tuesday  May 31st @ 7  PM to 9 PM


BLUESTOCKINGS BOOKSTORE
172 ALLEN STREET 
NEW YORK, NY

June

June has been a busy month for me for several years. A lot of places to go. Things to do. People to see. Not in that order, of course. I will post a few venues each day to give a heads-up if you are interested.  

Words Of Wisdom

Live out your imagination, not your history.


~Steven Covey

Evolving

I have looked over stories I wrote years earlier. I'm always seeking ways to improve my writing skills. I take into account how much I've changed since those stories were written. I have mentioned in the past that I love unusual and eccentric people. I'm also find beauty in mundane places. A deserted bus terminal. An empty church. A riverside pier. A quiet subway station. The last one I wrote a short short love story. 

While I am evolving as a writer, I'm changing as a person. I'm not sure if it's age or that there's much more inside of me than possibly I ever thought. What helps is that I'm open to new experiences. Then there's the other side; taking the chance on them. I don't know if in my older years I'm getting bolder or maybe these experiences will help me to become the person I seek to be. One reason I enjoyed reading Jack Kerouac's novels is that he experienced life.

I wonder what changes will happen both writing wise and personally. I'm curious and anticipating this. Life can be stranger than fiction.

Mother's Day

Second Book

On occasion I will read two books in the same month, The above title is the second book I'm reading. I go to a book club every month where a particular book is discussed. 

Quad Cinema Still Closed

I walked by the Quad Cinema today. The inside is nothing but bare walls. I still haven't heard anything as to whether the cinema will open or not open. I hope that it doesn't go by the wayside. If I hear anything I'll let you know.