April 01, 2005
NPM 2005
Inaugurated by the Academy in April 1996, National Poetry Month (NPM) brings together publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.
Start off National Poetry Month by reading a book of poetry. I'll begin the celebrating by reading:
Ceremonies: Prose and Poetry by Essex Hemphill
And a good selection for later this month:
The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde
Of course, we'll conclude like we did last year, with Poem on Your Blog Day, a "riff" on Poem in Your Pocket Day.
Ring of Fire
USA Network and GLAAD invite you and a guest to a special preview screening of
Ring of Fire, The Emile Griffith Story
A film by Dan Klores and Ron Berger
Tuesday April 5th at 8:00 pm
Regal Union Square Stadium 14
850 Broadway, New York, NY
212-253-6266
RSVP to ROF@limeprpromo.com prior to April 3rd
Please join us for a Q&A following the screening
April 05, 2005
BlogFam Get-Together #3
Update: 9AM, Saturday, April 9, 2005
I'll be hanging out most of the day, away from email. If I don't see y'all today, hope to see y'all tomorrow:
c u l t u r e k i t c h e n: Coloring the blogosphere : Join the Brown Bloggers series
Color or Content: Does Race Matter When You Blog?
Nia (Purpose): To gather, to discuss and to have fun
Location:
Lava Gin
116 Avenue C
between 7th and 8th Streets
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2005
Time: 7PM-10PM
The BlogFather is coming to town. So, if you were a part of the BlogFam list, email me about getting together for our third gathering this coming weekend. Details to follow (I hope).
rdtaylor AT gmail DOT com
April 10, 2005
Lava Gina or Bust
I'm coming down with a cold, my head feels like it's splitting, but I'll still see ya'll at :
Lava Gina
116 Avenue "C"
bet. 7th and 8th Avenue
take the "L" to 1st Ave
or the "6" to Astor Pl.
I'll be there a bit early in case I can't stay for the duration. No email, but I'll be carrying my cell phone.
Peace!
April 12, 2005
Brown Bloggers Represent!
George Kelly's Flickr account will have to do for an update on last Sunday's Brown Bloggers get-together. I'm swamped with work and almost feel guilty about posting about the gathering just yet.
While there, check out what has to be the gayest pic ever taken of me. Ugh!
April 13, 2005
Apple to Debut HD Camcorder
According to Apple Insider, Apple will "will co-announce and preview Panasonic's new FireWire-equipped HD camcorder. The new AG-HVX200 camcorder is expected to revolutionize filmmaking by offering independent filmmakers the first and only full-resolution HD camera available for under $10,000." >>>
Of course, there'll be software introductions and updates. And there better be hardware updates, at least. I really don't expect any hardware introductions beyond the HD cam -- let's see if Apple Insider is correct actually.
April 15, 2005
OMG!!
I'm late for work. I'm tired. I have bags under my eyes. But it's all worth it: I don't owe any taxes this year! In fact, I'm getting TINY-ASSED (small) refunds from the Feds and the State. First time since... I can't remember.
That's all.
Haunted
I missed out on the preview a week and a half ago, so it's good to read Bob Herbert's profile of Emile Griffith:
An extraordinary new documentary, "Ring of Fire," by the filmmaker Dan Klores and his co-director Ron Berger, tells the story of Emile Griffith and this fight that has never stopped haunting him. The film makes it clear that you can't explore that tragic fight and its aftermath without talking about Mr. Griffith's feelings about his own sexuality, which is the other torment he's had to haul around all these years.
One of the things I thought after watching the film was how far we haven't come in 43 years.
The fight on March 24, 1962, was the third between Griffith and Paret. They had split the first two bouts. Over that period Paret had repeatedly taunted Griffith, who had been a hat designer in the Manhattan garment district and was known to frequent gay clubs. At weigh-ins Paret would mock Griffith, and he called him a "maricón," a Spanish word guaranteed to infuriate.
It still infuriates. At lunch, Mr. Griffith's smile faded as he recalled the taunts he took from Paret. "I got tired," he said, "of people calling me faggot."
He said again, as he has many times, that he was sorry Paret had died. But he added: "He called me a name. ... So I did what I had to do." >>>
April 21, 2005
Mr. Hot Shot
Donald is one of 10 photographers who have won Jen Bekman Gallery's first Hey, Hot Shot! photo competition.
Congrats Papi!
April 24, 2005
Poem On Your Blog Weekend
To celebrate the end of National Poetry Month post a poem(s) on your blog: Friday, April 29th - Sunday, May 1st.
I'm too busy to make a button, so make your own if you like. Apparently, NYC broke with tradition and had Poem In Your Pocket Day this past Thursday.
April 29, 2005
Poem On Your Blog - Friday
I'm currently serving on a jury, so my big plans for "Poem On Your Blog Weekend" have been scaled back. However, I will post at least one poem per day, Friday through Sunday.
My first poem was chosen because it's timely and personal and because it showcases Donald's all-around talents and commitment to remembering and honoring Black Gay Men (in this case, Rashawn Brazell) and our struggle.
Lip Gloss by Donald Andrew Agarrat
Another day, early morning
freshly scrubbed
put on lips
just a little too thick
I don't give a fuck
The moisture is locked, softening
and beautiful.
Besides, maybe he'll notice me
on the train, on the way to work
at work, across the counter, at lunch
eating
reapplying
He put on lips
Just a little too thick
But of course
It's a picture, honey
and a picture is forever.
Maybe he'll look back
at this yearbook
and see these lips
and remember to call me
on Valentine's Day
Mamma don't need to know yet
until he loves me.
Now it's been three weeks.
No one really knows you
or what you wanted
or what happened
oh, 19
took me 45 minutes to tell her
but how could she not know?
and you never had the chance
all they see is lips
not a face or life.
And all I can see in the faces
on the train, on the street
in Luke & Leroy's, on Adam4Adam
is your murderer.
Someone I wanted
who maybe wanted you
someone who has broken my heart.
April 30, 2005
Poem On Your Blog - Saturday
For me, no mention of poetry for "Poem on Your Blog" weekend would be complete without honoring Audre Lorde. She is the inspiration for my site and a great writer. I've been a fan from the very first moment I saw her -- at a book signing for "A Burst of Light."
Who Said It Was Simple
There are so many roots to the tree of anger
that sometimes the branches shatter
before they bear.
Sitting in Nedicks
the women rally before they march
discussing the problematic girls
they hire to make them free.
An almost white counterman passes
a waiting brother to serve them first
and the ladies neither notice nor reject
the slighter pleasures of their slavery.
But I who am bound by my mirror
as well as my bed
see causes in color
as well as sex
and sit here wondering
which me will survive
all these liberations.
The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde