summer-2008 « WordPress.com Tag Feed

I walked nearly four blocks through center city Philadelphia, still in search for a garbage can to ditch my gum in.

willingear — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:40:35 +0000

I’d always thought of Philly as a smaller, cleaner version of New York and I didn’t want to litter.

Welcome Charlotte

Christina — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:00:13 +0000

Or as Ella her sister would say “Sharlie”. Charlotte was born August 4th. Same day as Ob

Has Crowfield Hit Bottom?

Stephanie Davis — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:49:18 +0000

Icon by dryicons.com (http://dryicons.com)

Lately the news media has indicated we may be at or near the bottom of the housing market crisis nationally. Since all real estate is local, why don’t we take a look at what’s happening in Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek, SC, as we head into the fall of 2009.

OVERVIEW
Most agree that the height of the market was at the end of 2005 (I bought my first house in December 0f 2005, how’s that for timing?). We saw a leveling off in 2006, and 2007 marked the beginning of what we now know as a spike in inventory and drop off in prices.

THE FACTS
In the summer of 2005 in Crowfield Plantation there were 107 homes sold. The median price of a single family residence was $229,000, and homes were on the market an average of 30 days. Jim Reese, our company manager, says back then if you put a sign in a yard it would sell.

Fast-forward now to our current summer, 2009. Forty homes sold with a median price of $212,900. Homes were on the market an average of 113 days. This represents a 60% decline in volume compared with the summer of 2005 and about a 7% decrease in the median price, with an increase of 83 days on the market. Essentially there are fewer homes selling for less money in more time.

These numbers shouldn’t be any surprise. We already know the market’s been challenging over the past few years. The big question now is are we starting to come out of it?

Let’s take a look at last summer’s numbers to see how this year compares.

In 2008 there were 29 homes sold with a median price of $245,000. Homes were on the market an average of 109 days. Notice that from last year to this year sales were up nearly 140% in volume. Good news, right? Sounds like it, but look at the median sales price. It came down from $245,000 to $212,900, which is a 13% decrease in price. Days on the market have increased slightly; it took four days longer to sell this summer than it did last summer.

THEORY
I believe there are several reasons for Crowfield’s decrease in median sales price and increase in sales volume. Last summer move-up buyers came into the market to take advantage of competitive pricing, large inventory and great rates, while first-time home buyers avoided the market because prices had fallen so quickly in such a short amount of time. This year the $8000 tax incentive lured first-time home buyers into the market. Those buyers became the majority of the market, which reduced the median sales price and increased the number of overall sales.

My theory is supported by the fact that actual pricing hasn’t changed that much in Crowfield Plantation from last year to this year. Last year we were averaging $106/square foot; this year it’s closer to $104/square foot—hardly a 13% decrease in price.

CONCLUSION
So the question remains: are we at the bottom of this? If we simply look at the inventory trend from the last few years, we see that it peaked in November of 2007 with 145 listings, whereas the highest inventory month in 2009 was August, with 125 listings. Obviously we can’t predict the future, but this shows us that inventory has decreased overall, activity has picked up, and as we all learned in grade school, supply and demand drive prices. If the inventory trend continues to go down and sales continue to increase and all else remains the same, prices will stabilize and then start to rise… so it’s looking like the answer is a very quiet yes.

fear vs laziness

4futurereference — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:40:00 +0000

there’s a quote from one of my favorite movies, ‘waking life’ (yes, it’s pretentious, but also beautiful, full of people talking about what they are passionate about, and really good music), in which one of the characters, in talking about human weakness, asks the question, ‘which is stronger in human nature? fear, or laziness?’

which is a good question. but it’s not always an either/or situation.

a few days ago i asked jeremy what he felt his greatest faults were, and as with most questions i ask other people, i had to ask the same thing of myself. and honestly it is probably cowardice and laziness. i have a tremendous lack of willpower, which comes up in my life most often relating to food or other consumables, but also applies to anything that i really want that is not impossible to get, whether or not it hurts anyone else. and unfortunately i tend to be indirect and subversive and secretive about wanting/getting it, in part because i want to put off the resulting drama as much as possible.

this has cropped up more than once in my life unfortunately with some fairly heft consequences. first time was in high school with the circumstances surrounding how i began dating pat – some of which can be explained away by being young and stupid and having bad stuff happen around that time, but not all of it, especially in how (however unintentionally) i hurt a friend that i really did care about. second time there were few to none excuses, excepting perhaps that many of the others involved in the situation did not act particularly well or wisely either.

i know that i do keep harping about what happened last summer. but it did mark a significant point in the view i have of myself, in which my own flaws and weaknesses were most clearly set in front of me. of course the situation in general was not as simple as that – saying that it was all my fault is as self-centered and inaccurate as saying that i was simply a victim of circumstances. but it is one of the best examples of my personal failings, and i should really get back on to being more aware of them and trying to improve myself. something i’ve vowed many times before. maybe this time it will stick longer.

Summer 2009 in Review...

Darren — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:02:53 +0000

So, how was it for you? Long after the movies of summer are gone... I’m pretty sure I’m

List : Top 20 Films of 2008 (Part 1)

jedimoonshyne — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:30:18 +0000

This end-of-year list was initially conceived back in January of 2009 as a rough guide to my favourites from the previous year. It has since been revised to include most of the titles I didn’t manage to get to until later on, so while it seems rather late in coming for those who’ve been following the blog, I assure you it’s worth it! While many opinions on the filmic crop of 2008 have already been divulged on these pages, I still find it rather exciting to lay them all out and come up with some kind of order. Some of you will notice that I won’t yet be mentioning the five (or so) honourable mentions; that info will be saved until the latter part of the list, just so as to keep things interesting. I hope you enjoy reading through it as much as I enjoyed creating it, and be sure to look out not only for the second part of this list but also the 2009 edition which should be posted around January/February of next year.

20. Man on Wire | James Marsh

The first thing we are greeted with when embarking on James Marsh’s Oscar-nominated documentary Man on Wire is the enthusiasm of its subject, French wire-walker Philippe Petit. His broken English, wild hand gestures and frequently-disappearing eyebrows are somewhat infectious, and it is this wonderful personality that raises Man on Wire from a documentary about a single passion to… [MORE]

19. The Chaser | Na Hong-jin

Based on a true story, the recent Korean box office smash Chugyeogja or The Chaser has caused quite a stir since debuting at the Berlin film festival back in February of last year. It took a while but the film finally made its European release in September and has already been picked up by Warner Bros. for a 2010 remake that will involve Leonardo DiCaprio and The Departed writer William Monahan… [MORE]

18. Waltz with Bashir | Ari Folman

As with James Marsh’s Man on Wire, Ari Folman’s Waltz with Bashir is an interesting and unique take on the documentary genre that positively shook critics’ circles upon release, scooping a truckload of awards and an Oscar nomination to boot. Man on Wire plays with the genre to create something that could only be described as a heist-documentary film, whereas Waltz with Bashir refines it through… [MORE]

17. Lake Tahoe | Fernando Eimbcke

A father dies, a mother mourns. A son wanders the streets. This is not Lake Tahoe, but the Yucatán, Mexico – specifically a tranquil little peninsula town defined by its expansive pale blue horizons, crumbling architecture, weed-infested streets and curious, somewhat over-friendly locals. It is an unfortunate telegraph post just outside this small town of Chicxulub that our young protagonist, Juan, the Son… [MORE]

16. Snow Angels | David Gordon Green

David Gordon Green’s overlooked and under-celebrated fourth full-length feature Snow Angels is a film about adults lost – lost in love upon a landscape buried under never-ceasing snowfall. It is a tale as bleak as this pure white landscape; purity that violently contradicts the lives of our two central characters Annie and Glenn. Divorcees with a child in tow, their relationship has run aground upon rocky… [MORE]

15. My Winnipeg | Guy Maddin

“Winnipeg. Winnipeg, Winnipeg. Snowy, sleepwalking Winnipeg…” So begins Guy Maddin’s ninth feature film and quaint tribute to his home town of Winnipeg, Manitoba. My Winnipeg is by far the most personal of Maddin’s work to date, lacking the abstract blurriness of Brand Upon the Brain but excelling thanks to a certain breed of self-analysis that the director has long-since perfected. Indeed if… [MORE]

14. In Bruges | Martin McDonagh

It is a rare occurrence when a modern playwright turns his hand to film directing, and rarer still when said candidate has not yet escaped his thirties. British-born Martin McDonagh is rather an emphatic exception to this notion it would seem. After scripting numerous acclaimed theatrical and radio plays (and being nominated for a Tony Award on four separate occasions), the playwright shifted his gaze to film… [MORE]

13. The Fall | Tarsem Singh

Tarsem Singh’s The Fall is one of those filmic curiosities that come along every so often and at the same time not often enough. An elaborate project that has been years in the making, it has struggled to find investment and, subsequently, an audience to which it could be marketed to, before becoming stuck in a seemingly never-ending run of festival screenings. Since its conception almost half a… [MORE]

12. WALL·E | Andrew Stanton

In this day and age where theatrical releases are commonly referred to as ‘international events’, it baffles me that the staggered release is still so widely implemented. Pixar, just like their parent company Disney have always made their money in the hot summer months. A time when kids are experiencing a waning need to be entertained, and their parents are looking for the perfect way to fulfil… [MORE]

11. Let the Right One In | Tomas Alfredson

It’s a shame that the expression ‘knocked for six’ is largely unknown outside England and Australia, for it describes rather well the feet-swept feeling one may experience with a well-made thriller every so often. “Stunned, shocked, astounded or overwhelmed” are some of the synonyms offered for this cricket-oriented idiom, which is exactly how I felt after sitting through the Swedish vampire flick… [MORE]

The second part of this list can be found here >>>

TEN DAYS OF SUMMER 4

varduhi7 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:20:38 +0000

………… The drivers I managed to meet throughout all these days had sth in common. It was their extra speechless nature! If you needed to talk to them, you would have to look straight into the eyes, and speak distinctly and loudly, never forgetting about the eye contact and the checking questions to make sure that he was listening. Then he might possibly answer. This man was very good as a driver, but not an exclusion. After several desperate tries we managed to make him understand that we need to stop, and wouldn’t mind if he could tell us where and when it would be more convenient to stop for toilet and all.

Water , toilet, air. – so little is needed for absolute happiness…

Back to the bus……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………4 hours…………… though half an hour might not be counted, as we were laughing hysterically – the five of us infecting the others….

– u’re the psychologist, tell us why are we laughing??

- well..(in a serious air). It’s bustrip-wartraumatic-disorder… In fact The situation is getting out of control , we’re losing ourselves. Sometimes this ends up in simple mental disorders , the next hour we might be throwing things out of windows and at people in the bus. It’s all because of tiredness. But it ends the fallowing day. It’s not very dangerous, but the people in the bus should be informed in order not to get worried.

Fresh emotions in the bus and expressions on everyone’s faces: horror, hidden shock, one smile, three gazes of disgust. The only face unchanged was that of the driver’s. I wanted to poke him.

…………………………….———————–00000000000000……………terrible way , not like the one we came along…………. Riders on the storm……………..

How many roads must a man walk down before he gets home ???

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind……………………………

The Border

After Midnight

Some ten minutes’ walk . it’s freezing . we get out of the bus , say good bye and thank you to the goergian driver. Deadly tired.

A huge queue of cars waiting for their pass, we’re making our way through them . They’re moving slowly, we’re not worried about the possibility of an accident though we have seen two already on the way here.

Passports get the seals and all. Armenia Finally. No difference though.

- Hello , there are people waiting for you. ( a boy in the uniform)

- No , no one’s waiting for us.

- How r you going to get anywhere then?

- We??

- Hello ladies and gentlemen, we’re the rescuers from Giurmy (Giumry has this very funny accent that I like)

- rescuers? (really it sounded strange)

- OH Rescue us!!!!!!! Please.. )

- Yes , we will take you to the station.

If you have any problems with anything, baggage and all, just tell

- thanks

- u may get on the bus.

We ‘re on that bus now. The drivers here are different , accompanied by someone usually, someone like a showman it seams. The latter is making jokes all the way.

The woman in front who was with us in the previous bus and didn’t really enjoy our sympathies says:

- Well, it was nice of them, to come here and all

So we may say that our government really cares about us. Hmmm …

(dangerous topic for a conversation,,.. please shut up) – yeah if the other buses take us to Giumry safely and then to Yerevan, then I’ll really become sure that our Serj the president is fine man.

( be quiet, don’t speak , …. This was my only thought now. hate political debates in a bus when I’m not in mood and don’t have a camera , . And my friend and probably many others are Opposition. So…. ) I notice the nervous expression on a guy’s face but it vanishes soon…with words. - I won the bet An))!!

- What bet?

- Me and Ann bet on whether that lady’ll keep silent for over 4 minutes or not .

Some station.

Freezing weather. Tense nerves, the 5 of us have managed to avoid any serious arguments and conflict among us and I wonder if peace will go on till we get home.

Serj “turned out” to be not so good after all, even a bastard, coz the talkative lady and others soon found out that the rest of the way was much harder and not organized at all. We had to wait long outside till some bus came, and the “rescuer’s” humour was acting on nerves already. For a while we didn’t know where exactly we were going. Then it turned out, to Giumry station.

At the station there were two guys in uniforms , who had been informed about our arrival an hour before. How should we get to Yerevan, was the issue under discussion.

One of us had some backache and was complaining about our country and government and all , and this was acting upon some nerves, even of those who were ‘opposition’.

There were some taxis there, who offered to take us home by high prices. Most of the people didn’t take any taxi , they were waiting for buses that the government was supposed to send. My attempts to find out if there was anyone who knew anything about those buses ended in despair,. Then all of a sudden one of our girls had this as she called it ”hippie idea” to stay in the station for 4 hours and then take the tram to Yerevan. Well the seats at the station were comfortable I agree but 4 hours of “hippie ” life would be too much for me at 3 am among friends some of whose nerves where out of order. My logical explanations of the illogical nature of her idea were in vain. She suggested that we go and she stay. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa , I wanted to shout at her, but unfortunately I liked her too much.

We take the taxi. All the five of us. The two guys who left in another bus are already home.

I had managed to buy some gifts for family members the previous midnight. All the six of them are up at 5 am, when I get home. I haven’t missed them, but I pretend I have. I like them very much.

I hate war.

I love the sea

I think I could live that lazy village life for a year

with those 6 people

I know I think that way now, in fact a month later I would go crazy with them ) and without Yerevan .

Summer’s almost gone…….

I remember Salinger and the guy in the “ catcher in the rye” who says sth like “ Don’t write about people and places you’ve known. if u do, u start missing them later. “

(for the beginning see the previous posts)

………… The Georgian drivers I managed to meet throughout all these days had sth in common. It was their extra speechless nature! If you needed to talk to them, you would have to look straight into the eyes, and speak distinctly and loudly, never forgetting about the eye contact and the checking questions to make sure that he was listening. Then he might possibly answer. This man was very good as a driver, but not an exclusion. After several desperate tries we managed to make him understand that we need to stop, and wouldn’t mind if he could tell us where and when it would be more convenient to stop for toilet and all.

Water , toilet, air. – so little is needed for absolute happiness…

Back to the bus……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………4 hours…………… though half an hour might not be counted, as we were laughing hysterically – the five of us infecting the others….

– u’re the psychologist, tell us why are we laughing??

- well..(in a serious air). It’s bustrip-wartraumatic-disorder… In fact The situation is getting out of control , we’re losing ourselves. Sometimes this ends up in simple mental disorders , the next hour we might be throwing things out of windows and at people in the bus. It’s all because of tiredness. But it ends the fallowing day. It’s not very dangerous, but the people in the bus should be informed in order not to get worried.

Fresh emotions in the bus and expressions on everyone’s faces: horror, hidden shock, one smile, three gazes of disgust. The only face unchanged was that of the driver’s. I wanted to poke him.

…………………………….———————–00000000000000……………terrible way , not like the one we came along…………. Riders on the storm……………..

How many roads must a man walk down before he gets home ???

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind……………………………

THE BORDER

After Midnight

Some ten minutes’ walk . it’s freezing . we get out of the bus , say good bye and thank you to the goergian driver. Deadly tired.

Passports get the seals and all. Armenia Finally. No difference though.

- Hello , there are people waiting for you. ( a boy in the uniform)

- No , no one’s waiting for us.

- How r you going to get anywhere then?

- We??

- Hello ladies and gentlemen, we’re the rescuers from Giurmy (Giumry has this very funny accent that I like)

- rescuers? (really it sounded strange)

- OH Rescue us!!!!!!! Please.. )

- Yes , we will take you to the station.

If you have any problems with anything, baggage and all, just tell

- thanks

- u may get on the bus.

We ‘re on that bus now. The drivers here are different , accompanied by someone usually, someone like a showman it seams. The latter is making jokes all the way.

The woman in front who was with us in the previous bus and didn’t really enjoy our sympathies says:

- Well, it was nice of them, to come here and all

So we may say that our government really cares about us. Hmmm …

- What bet?

- Me and Ann bet on whether that lady’ll keep silent for over 4 minutes or not.

SOME STATION

Freezing weather. Tense nerves, the 5 of us have managed to avoid any serious arguments and conflict among us and I wonder if peace will go on till we get home.

At the station there were two guys in uniforms , who had been informed about our arrival an hour before. How should we get to Yerevan, was the issue under discussion.

One of us had some backache and was complaining about our country and government and all , and this was acting upon some nerves, even of those who were ‘opposition’.

There were some taxis there, who offered to take us home by high prices. Most of the people didn’t take any taxi , they were waiting for buses that the government was supposed to send. My attempts to find out if there was anyone who knew anything about those buses ended in despair,. Then all of a sudden one of our girls had this as she called it ”hippie idea” to stay in the station for 4 hours and then take the tram to Yerevan. Well the seats at the station were comfortable I agree but 4 hours of “hippie ” life would be too much for me at 3 am among friends some of whose nerves where out of order. My logical explanations of the illogical nature of her idea were in vain. She suggested that we go and she stay. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa , I wanted to shout at her, but unfortunately I liked her too much.

We take the taxi. All the five of us. The two guys who left in another bus are already home.

I had managed to buy some gifts for family members the previous midnight. All the six of them are up at 5 am, when I get home. I haven’t missed them, but I pretend I have. I like them very much.

I hate war.

I love the sea

I think I could live that lazy village life for a year

with those 6 people

I know I think that way now, in fact a month later I would go crazy with them ) and without Yerevan .

Summer’s almost gone…….

I remember Salinger and the guy in the “ catcher in the rye” who says sth like “ Don’t write about people and places you’ve known. if u do, u start missing them later.”

TEN DAYS OF SUMMER 3

varduhi7 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:55:35 +0000

The last Day

Station, 9 am

Lots of Armenians; a bus ; some taxies

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….??????????????????????????????????????????

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

who are we supposed to turn to. ? which bus? There’s only a big one. everyone’s talking.

- it’s 40 bucks

- 40 bucks , are they crazy?

- What ? where should I get registered?

- EVERYBODY Who hasn’t got registered COME HERE!

- What? Where shall I sign?

- Guys , are we registered?

- Registered for what?

- Yes we are. I registered your names yesterday

- Registered for what ?

- I don’t know

- What’s 40 bucks?

- The bus from here

- Till Yerevan?

- I Don’t know

- What about these taxies?

- They go to the border for 350 dollars.

- Isn’t evacuation sth for free?

- I guess it normally is.

- Armenian government , ah damn u armenian government

- These Georgians ! they like to make money on everything, don’t miss the moment to grab some money, bastards

- Don’t curse, damn you Jivan!

- Woman, don’t tell me what to do!

- This lady seems to be organizing things

- Excuse me madam, is it for free?

- What? No of course,

- And what exactly is not free???? Which bus goes, ? and to where if u please?

- I don’t know, I don’t know. I was told only yesterday, that I must be here to register you. You must go till the border, after that it’s easy and safe, then you’ll take some transport to Yerevan or wherever you go.

- How can we get there

- There are 40 buses expected.

- When?

- Today

- We don’t have food and juice, I’ll go to the market

- Don’t be late

- Armenians. They’re always like this, nothing is ever properly organized

- Evacuation, this is no evacuation, this is a robbery!.it should have been proper and free

- And this big bus?

- Also today

- I mean where is it going to?

- Let’s ask its driver

- Excuse me , are there spear seats there?

- This is a tour agency bus. But yes there are three seats available. It is 12000 drams till the border

- Come on . guys let’s make it this way, there are too many of us, three of us must go now, the others will come by another bus.

- What ? No

- Yes dear! The three of you go! We’ll come later…

- Why me?, I don’t wanna go, (me) If I were to choose I would stay here for another weak.!!! I’m not going!!!!!

And the three of us get into the bus . It’s a very good one , This makes me cheer up. Then it turns out there are two more seats so the girls also join us. I worry about the two guys who stay at the station

Looooong way

We’re already tired. Then sth terrible and inevitable happens. The music.: It is rabiz again , duduk can be a torture if in bad music. It was a slow horrible song. Very sad and mournful, could be played at the funerals of a very tasteless person. This was too much . A long way to get to the driver from the back seat, but I am not lazy.

- Sorry. I am very sorry, Could you please turn off the music, coz I think we’re all very tired , or at least make it lower

- Ah.. sure sweetheart. I had turned it on to make you all cheer up.

- Oh thank you. Don’t worry about our moods , we’ll ask u to make it better a bit later. Thanks

And I return back to my seat accompanied by a few glances sayin’ ‘she’s nervous, can’t enjoy music’ but also many thankful glances saying “You are our saver, Thank you. We’ll never forget the heroic dead of yours” And I was a hero.

Almost 2 hours’ ride till we’re stopped by a handsome Georgian policeman. Our driver gets out. They start arguing in Georgian. Our driver starts shouting, but no use: the policeman makes us turn back. The bus was too big! Can be harmed by the enemy. It is dangerous, they let only minibuses and cars. Don’t know, it might have been taken for a weapon transport or sth by Russians they say and so it was dangerous.

The driver suggests that we go through turkey, some money for the visa seal and some minutes. And that’s it/.

- Yes., let’s go through turkey!!

- What ?? You’re crazy!! No , we’re going back!! The armenian buses will take us to the borders

- Hey, people, let’s decide now, shout in a lower voice please, There’s no problem. It’s even safer by Turkey

After a WHILE of arguing and discussing whether it is a good idea to go by turkey or not the passengers end up with a brilliant question raised by some girl:

- hey there, !!!! I don’t like the driver. He may start a fightwhenever it occurs to him, with police and all…. , that’s not safe, but that’s not the thing: R U sure there is a way through Turkey AT ALL??? Or he’s a pilot or sth?? not a driver perhaps/)).

- ah ..wait a minute!!.. , she’s right, is there really a way, an open border? My daughter used to go to turkey through Georgia all the time

Some more ideas about what to do, and we persuade the driver to take us back and return our money which he does with pain and panic.

Back home!! To Copulate)

The other two of us have already taken the minibus.

Station again. I’m a bit nervous, Too bad for my stomach, coz I start to eat hot bread and cheese , and choc and smoke.

We make up our minds to take one of the two minibuses there and not wait for those 40 promised. The consul himself helps us make this decision assuring that there’s no difference.

We talk to the consul, trying to understand if Armenian government is responsible for those two buses or only for the 40 buses that haven’t arrived yet. Just at that moment Lily calls from Yerevan:

- So guys, now listen to me. I was talking to the consul a minute ago , – she shouts from Yerevan on the phone, with a firm self assured tone expressing her hope that we’ll be back some day, – It’s all right …take those buses!!…

- The consul is next to us, calm down)

)))))))) we burst out laughing. She had arranged all our trip to Ureki and now back in Yerevan she’s trying to arrange our way back.

Strange but there were still empty seats on the minibus, I guess the people at the station didn’t like the idea of two minibuses if there were 40 to arrive.

We move . praying that we won’t come back this time.

A mini shock!!. Nino Simon. That’s the music in the bus . Then sth classical . This is a good sign!!

………………………………………..——————————————0000000000000000000000000000000000000//////////////////////////……………………..

3 hours

The last Day

Station, 9 am

Lots of Armenians; a bus ; some taxies

(Allegro-Andante Mix)

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

who are we supposed to turn to. ? which bus? There’s only a big one. everyone’s talking.

- it’s 40 bucks

- 40 bucks , are they crazy?

- What ? where should I get registered?

- EVERYBODY Who hasn’t got registered COME HERE!

- What? Where shall I sign?

- Guys , are we registered?

- Registered for what?

- Yes we are. I registered your names yesterday

- Registered for what ?

- I don’t know

- What’s 40 bucks?

- The bus from here

- Till Yerevan?

- I Don’t know

- What about these taxies?

- They go to the border for 350 dollars.

- Isn’t evacuation sth for free?

- I guess it normally is.

- Armenian government , ah damn u armenian government!!

- These Georgians ! they manage to make money on everything, don’t miss the moment to grab some money, bastards

- Don’t curse, damn you Jivan!

- Woman, don’t tell me what to do!

- This lady seems to be organizing things

- Excuse me madam, is it for free?

- What? No of course,

- And what exactly is not free???? Which bus goes, ? and to where if u please?

- How can we get there

- There are 40 buses expected.

- When?

- Today

- We don’t have food and juice, I’ll go to the market

- Don’t be late

- Armenians. They’re always like this, nothing is ever properly organized

- Evacuation, this is no evacuation, this is a robbery!.it should have been proper and free

- And this big bus?

- Also today

- I mean where is it going to?

- Let’s ask its driver

- Excuse me , are there spear seats there?

- This is a tour agency bus. But yes there are three seats available. It is 12000 drams till the border

- Come on . guys let’s make it this way, there are too many of us, three of us must go now, the others will come by another bus.

- What ? No

- Yes dear! The three of you go! We’ll come later…

- Why me?, I don’t wanna go, (me) If I were to choose I would stay here for another weak.!!! I’m not going!!!!!

Looooong way

- Sorry. I am very sorry, Could you please turn off the music, coz I think we’re all very tired , or at least make it lower

- Ah.. sure sweetheart. I had turned it on to make you all cheer up.

- Oh thank you. Don’t worry about our moods , we’ll ask u to make it better a bit later. Thanks

Almost 2 hours’ ride till we’re stopped by a handsome Georgian policeman. Our driver gets out. They start arguing in Georgian. Our driver starts shouting, but no use: the policeman makes us turn back. The bus was too big! It is dangerous, they let only minibuses and cars. Don’t know,they say it might have been taken for a weapon transport or sth by Russians and so it was dangerous.

The driver suggests that we go through turkey, some money for the visa seal and some minutes. And that’s it/.

- Yes., let’s go through turkey!!

- What ?? You’re crazy!! No , we’re going back!! The armenian buses will take us to the borders

- Hey, people, let’s decide now, shout in a lower voice please, There’s no problem. It’s even safer by Turkey

After a WHILE of arguing and discussing whether it is a good idea to go throug turkey or not the passengers end up with a brilliant question raised by some girl:

- ah ..wait a minute!!.. , she’s right, is there really a way, an open border? My daughter used to go to turkey through Georgia all the time

Some more ideas about what to do, and we persuade the driver to take us back and return our money which he does with pain and panic.

Back home!! To Copulate)

The other two of us have already taken the minibus.

Station again. I’m a bit nervous, Too bad for my stomach, coz I start to eat hot bread and cheese , and choc and smoke.

We make up our minds to take one of the two minibuses there and not wait for those 40 promised. The consul himself helps us make this decision assuring that there’s no difference.

We talk to the consul, trying to understand if Armenian government is responsible for those two buses or only for the 40 buses that haven’t arrived yet. Just at that moment Lily calls from Yerevan:

- The consul is next to us, calm down

)))))))) we burst out laughing. She had arranged all our trip to Ureki and now back in Yerevan she’s trying to arrange our way back.

Strange but there were still empty seats on the minibus, I guess the people at the station didn’t like the idea of two minibuses if there were 40 to arrive.

We move . praying that we won’t come back this time.

A mini shock!!. Nino Simon. That’s the music in the bus . Then sth classical . This is a good sign!!

………………………………………..——————————————0000000000000000000000000000000000000//////////////////////////……………………..

3 hours

TEN DAYS OF SUMMER 2

varduhi7 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:57:00 +0000

We were in the balcony at night… some in their rooms , some in bathrooms.

If I was a poet I’d describe the horror of the fussy appearance of Stella coming out of the bathroom with toilet paper in one hand and the toothbrush in the other and the horror in both eyes. “WHAT was that?”

- nothing! Just noise

- I think bombs…

- …

- Where?

- I guess they threw bombs on Poti which’s not far from Ureki. Don’t worry.

Day 8

Back home from internet club

FUSS , mess, communication breakdown!!!!

Some of us are extra worried , the others ( me among them) are calm. This is something dangerous for our relationship!! Those extra worried are nervous and mad about us not being actively worried about the situation. The not worried team are angry with the fuss the worried ones are making .

(tense allegro )

-we should be leaving right away. It’s war don’t u see!!??

- oh man! I’m sick of this . I’m going to the beach to get suntanned

- right ! Fine , Just fine!!

- I’m getting dressed, give me my jeans Gar! I’m going to Capulet

- Why?

- What Why? Why!! We have to do something!! I’ll go there , see what’s going on at the Armenian embassy., or council, or whatever

- Damn it. Isn’t there a way to make use of the phone. ?

- wait , I’m callin’, my sister found the consul’s number. (her sister’s in Yerevan)

- come on pple. Calm down. Relax. Everything’s gonna be fine

- Hello, is that the Armenian embassy??……….

…Home? Home number 74………. I see I am sorry……….. They announced it on Armenian TV that this is the embassy telephone number. …..Ah u know that. ………..U know their phone number.?? Hey…. give me the cigarette pack. And that pencil, hurry, … yes dictate please. Yeah… Aha. Thanks. Thank u very much. Sorry to disturb u. ……….I see …….I’m not the first one o_O…. and obviously not the last? Yeah… I guess u’re right…. What? Thanks again

Armenian National TV. They don’t lack humor!!! This woman seems to have accepted her mission with pleasure.

- Does she have anything to do with the embassy?

- No, but she’s found out some numbers. She gave me these . Lets see……

Aha….. hello. Sorry who am I talking to? The Consul of Armenia. Oh !… nice to meet u Hakob. I am Luiza. I was just wondering… it was announced on National TV that the Armenian government is organizing an evacuation of Armenians from Georgia. How can we find out if that’s true or no? …..True…. I see …. Mhm….. no , we’re in Ureki. Mini buses,… that’s good…

And when do they arrive?? U don’t know??? … U don’t know I see…. When ?. ok I’ll call u back then.

They don’t know when the buses are arriving, but he said soon,.

- we’re gonna stay here all our lives oh my god , My children , my wives!! (My friend Vahan making fun of the worried girls)

- You go to the beach and have a swim, while we’re arranging things here.

- Cool down, hon, don’t worry too much.

- There are enough of us who’re Not worrying,! No one knows here what’s going on. No access to any type of information, People in Yerevan do know what’s goin’ on and they tell us we should be leaving at once.

- …………..Great!! We can’t leave!!!!!. Turns out they don’t let anyone through Tbilisi and Poti as it’s dangerous, . do you know any other possible rout??

- I guess there is one through Akhalkalak.

- I told u , we should have left yesterday. At least we should have arranged sth yesterday.

-We all need a good swim , and a nice view of the sunset. I would even suggest some vodka but I don’t wanna be too impudent)

3hours……………………..;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;0000000000000000000000,,,,,,,,,,,……………..

——————————-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;000000000000000))))))))))))):;;;;;;;;;;;;;…………

………………………………

- liz, how’s the consul))? Anything new?

- No, hasn’t called me today)),

- Ah, what a shame ! well don’t be too proud, call him yourself.

- Ok ),,,………can’t reach. It’s the hundredth time I’m calling , no answer. The line is bad . I can’t reach Yerevan either.

We’re tired!

3 hours ———————————————………………………………00000000000000)))))))))

(((((((((((((((“>>>>>>>>>>>>>>……………………………………………

- yehea (jumping on the bed) we’re going home

- what ? when?

- Tomorrow morning, from Capulet square. Consul said there are over 40 buses to take us home

- Let’s go get some shopping!

- Lets go get some taxi to take us to Kobulet.

- Let’s pack

- Let’s have a last view of the sea

-Let’s drink wine

- to peace

-to peace

(for the beginning see the previous post)

We were in the balcony at night… some in their rooms , some in bathrooms.

If I was a poet I’d describe the horror of the fussy appearance of my friend coming out of the bathroom with toilet paper in one hand and the toothbrush in the other and the horror in both eyes. “WHAT was that?????”

- nothing! Just noise

- I … think bombs…

- …

- Where?

- I guess they threw bombs on Poti which’s not far from Ureki. Don’t worry.

DAY 8

Back home from internet club

FUSS , mess, communication breakdown!!!!

Some of us are extra worried , the others ( me among them) are calm. This is something dangerous for our relationship!! Those extra worried are nervous and mad about us not being actively worried about the situation. The not worried team are angry with the fuss the worried ones are making .

(tense allegro )

-we should be leaving right away. It’s war don’t u see!!??

- oh man! I’m sick of this . I’m going to the beach to get suntanned

- right ! Fine , Just fine!!

- I’m getting dressed, give me my jeans Gar! I’m going to Capulet

- Why?

- What Why? Why!! We have to do something!! I’ll go there , see what’s going on at the Armenian embassy., or council, or whatever

- Damn it. Isn’t there a way to make use of the phone. ?

- wait , I’m callin’. My sister found the consul’s number. (her sister’s in Yerevan)

- come on pple. Calm down. Relax. Everything’s gonna be fine

- Hello, is that the Armenian embassy??……….

Armenian National TV. They don’t lack humor!!! This woman seems to have accepted her mission with pleasure.

- Does she have anything to do with the embassy?

- No, but she’s found out some numbers. She gave me these . Let’s see……

Aha….. hello. Sorry who am I talking to? The Consul of Armenia. Oh !… nice to meet u Hakob. I am Luiza. I was just wondering… it was announced on National TV that the Armenian government is organizing an evacuation of Armenians from Georgia. How can we find out if that’s true or no? …..True…. I see …. Mhm….. no , we’re in Ureki. Mini buses,… that’s good…

And when do they arrive?? U don’t know??? … U don’t know I see…. When ?. ok I’ll call u back then.

They don’t know when the buses are arriving, but he said soon,.

- we’re gonna stay here all our lives oh my god , My children , my wives!! (My friend Vahan making fun of the worried girls)

- You go to the beach and have a swim, while we’re arranging things here.

- Cool down, hon, don’t worry too much.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

- …………..Great!! We can’t leave!!!!!. Turns out they don’t let anyone through Tbilisi and Poti as it’s dangerous, . do you know any other possible rout??

- I guess there is one through Akhalkalak.

- I told u , we should have left yesterday. At least we should have arranged sth yesterday.

-We all need a good swim , and a nice view of the sunset. I would even suggest some vodka but I don’t wanna be too impudent)

3hours……………………..;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;0000000000000000000000,,,,,,,,,,,……………..

——————————-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;000000000000000))))))))))))):;;;;;;;;;;;;;…………

………………………………

- Luiz, how’s the consul;)? Anything new?

- No, hasn’t called me today:),

- Ah, what a shame ! well don’t be too proud, call him yourself.

- Ok ),,,………can’t reach. It’s the hundredth time I’m calling , no answer. The line is bad . I can’t reach Yerevan either.

We’re tired!

3 hours ———————————————………………………………00000000000000)))))))))

(((((((((((((((“>>>>>>>>>>>>>>………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

- yehea (jumping on the bed) we’re going home!!!!

- what ? when?

- Tomorrow morning, from Capulet square. Consul said there are over 40 buses to take us home

- Let’s go get some shopping!

- Lets go get some taxi to take us to Kobulet.

- Let’s pack

- Let’s have a last view of the sea

-Let’s drink wine

- to peace

-to peace

(to be continued…)

Leipzig. Summer '08.

lavezzaro — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:21:47 +0000

Album updated! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32967&id=1193282109

(I'm pretty sure everyone can check it, even without having a facebook account).

Looking Back

kimbotz — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:20:52 +0000

So I have been itching to travel again. Perhaps it was because I have been watching Departures on OLN a lot or maybe it is because I feel like I am stuck in a rut. Where do I want to go after I graduate? There are so many places. I am hoping that Mel (one of my best friends) pulls through and we actually travel together next summer. We are thinking Australia and New Zealand. I’m also trying to convince her that we should hit up some countries in SE Asia before we head out to Oz because traveling in Asia is dirt cheap and we’ll be in that area anyways. I definitely want to go back to the Philippines (I lived there for two years) and look into the fashion, marketing and communication job markets and see if maybe I should reside there for a while after I grad.

HELP ME! What places do you suggest I travel to and what specific spots do you suggest? I would love some off the path suggestions rather than tourist hot spots!

Now let us reminisce on what I did last summer when I spent a month and a half in New York and Jersey ALONE. I would go back to New York in a heartbeat to be surrounded by all the unique fashion senses and culture. Check out the pics to get a taste of the east coast last year !

Takashi Murakami Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum
Wearing: Married to the MOB Fafi Tee, American Eagle shorts, holding a J.Crew tote and bag from the Murakami gift shop where I bought his art book and you can’t see the shoes but they were the Jordan 1 Grapes.

NikeID Studio where I bought my personalized Nike Dunk Highs:

These are the Dunk Highs that I designed. You can’t see it here but the stitching is actually purple and on the inside tongues it says “Kimbot NYC”

View from the fire escape of the apartment I stayed in on West 110th Ave. There was a special walk going on and I HAD to climb onto the fire escape to take pictures!

Pictures from inside MoMA (“Take Your Time”):
Wearing: Luxirie track jacket, True Religion Billy jean (Kids), Nike Dunk Lo sneakers, Tory Burch clutch

Museum of Natural History (um of course I would take a picture next to a dino!):
Wearing: Stussy x Futura t-shirt, True Religion Billy jean (kids), J.Crew tote

Kimbotz / Co-Founder

July 2008

goocher — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:09:45 +0000

This Prayer Shawl, Princess, was 'born' in July 2008, 32 long X 60 wide

Digital Buzz: Dark Knight

marielizabeth — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:42:24 +0000

A post by Aden Hepburn.

check it out here: http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/the-dark-knight-viral-why-so-serious-case-study/

Joker Campaign

30/05/2008

pmngo — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:32:11 +0000

Bạn Lolita online trong vô thức, để xì-ta-tút trong vô thức, được hỏi và chat trong vô thức.

razvt92 : đang ở đâu áh mày
nlp_milky : ở giữa
razvt92 : =.=’
razvt92 : ở giữa là chỗ lào
nlp_milky : là tao ko biết
razvt92 : =.=’
razvt92 : nói chung mày đang trên xe về VT hay sao
razvt92 :
razvt92 : nói tao chả hiểu j` cả
razvt92 :
nlp_milky : uh
nlp_milky : tao đang ở tphcm
razvt92 : =.=’
razvt92 : hè rồi
razvt92 : sao ko về vt đi
razvt92 : ở trên tp làm j`
razvt92 :
nlp_milky : học

Ai kêu mày bay vô trong lúc tao đang vô thức.
Thằng thứ hai.

Hai Dang: ê mài đang ở đâu vậy
nlp_milky: theo mày thì ở đâu
Hai Dang: VT
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: ở giữa

Tình hình hiện giờ, khi bạn Lolita đã thoát khỏi vô thức :

razvt92 :
razvt92 : mầy làm rì tau trên đó
razvt92 :
nlp_milky : tao ko bêu xấu mày như nó
nlp_milky :
nlp_milky : yên tâm
razvt92 : mày có bao h` làm đc. j` mà ko xấu đâu
[tao ghi nhớ câu này á]
razvt92 :

razvt92: chài ai
razvt92: cái đoạn mess lúc sáng
razvt92:
nlp_milky: là sao
nlp_milky: mày xem đi
nlp_milky: thằng Đăng mới là nói xấu
nlp_milky: tao yêu mày mà
nlp_milky: đâu dám nói xấu mày
razvt92: =.=’
nlp_milky: mày cứ chat với tao dài dài
nlp_milky: thế nào
nlp_milky: cũng dc như thằng Đăng
nlp_milky:
razvt92: amen
razvt92: =.=’
razvt92:
razvt92: đầu hàng éo điều kiện
nlp_milky: câu này hay
nlp_milky: có cái làm entry mới rồi
nlp_milky:
razvt92: ẹc
razvt92: >”<
razvt92: con rảnh
razvt92: >”<
razvt92: piggy >”<
razvt92: đồ con nhợn >”<
razvt92: ứ
razvt92: >”<
razvt92: xoá xoá
razvt92: xoá ngay
razvt92: >”<

Hai Dang: từ nay
nlp_milky: mày chửi dm tiếp đi
Hai Dang: tao ko chửi nữa
[tao ghi nhận cái này luôn]
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: sao ko
nlp_milky:
Hai Dang: lịch sự lại đi
Hai Dang: lớn rồi
Hai Dang: [-)
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: thế thì tao ko viết blog về mày dc nữaa
nlp_milky:
Hai Dang:
Hai Dang: ko dc chỉ viết xấu về tao thế
[có trò này hả trời]
nlp_milky: thế tao nên viết gì về mày
nlp_milky:
Hai Dang: có gì tốt thì cứ viết
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: mày có gì tốt
nlp_milky: kể tao nghe
Hai Dang: tuỳ nhận xét mỗi người thôi
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: tao muốn nghe mày nx mày
Hai Dang: nx là sao
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: nhận xét
Hai Dang: thôi
Hai Dang: mắc công mày đi bêu xấu tao trên blog nữa
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: ko
nlp_milky: tao mới bôi xấu mày có 3 lần à
nlp_milky: thề, ko bôi nữa
Hai Dang:
nlp_milky: đi mà
nlp_milky: nói tao nghe
nlp_milky:
Hai Dang: ko
nlp_milky: ko nói, tao nói á
Hai Dang: nói chuyện với mày giờ phải giữ miệng

nlp_milky: mày ơi
Hai Dang: ?
nlp_milky: cho tao viết về mày
nlp_milky: lần cuối
Hai Dang: ko
nlp_milky: nhá
nlp_milky:
Hai Dang: tao sợ mài rùi
Hai Dang:

nlp_milky: Đăng ơi
nlp_milky: tao chán quá
Hai Dang: =.=
nlp_milky: muốn viết blog quá
nlp_milky: tao mượn mày
nlp_milky: làm đề tài
Hai Dang: đừng
Hai Dang:

Entry này viết trong vô thức.
Dành tặng 2 tình yêu của tớ.

29/05/2008

pmngo — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:27:40 +0000

1.
National Spelling.
Thích em Nate Gartke.
Thích em Evan O’Dorney.
Các em vừa giỏi vừa xinh giai.
Tự hào đúng được duy nhất chữ oberek.
Thôi, mình là người Việt Nam.

2.
I do believe in fate cause that’s how we met
It was raining and we were soaking wet
You took the last of cabs on an empty street
Then you smiled at me and said ‘take a seat…’
And Mrs.Straw said ‘take a shit…’

I said do you believe in love at first sight?
You said if you give me a reason I might
Ok, well your hair is wet and your clothes are a mess
And your makeup is all over your face…
And still you’re so…

3.
Dạo này toàn bị đạo blog.
Thật là… xxx.
Én nhá, coi chừng nhá.

4.
Tớ thích bạn Đăng rồi.
Chú thích về bạn Đăng: vui lòng xem entry trước trước trước gì gì đó.
Không phải kiểu như bạn Linh đâu nhá.
Tớ x bạn Đăng kiểu ấy thì, tởm lắm.
Chỉ là hôm qua, bạn ấy bắt đầu cuộc đối thoại với tớ:

Hai Dang (5/28/2008 9:43:17 PM): dm

5.
To Đăng: Tao đã bôi (mặt) xấu (của) mày (đi) như lời hứa đấy nhé.
Cảm ơn tao đi nào.

6.
Bắt đầu nghĩ đến chuyện bán vé số sau khi rớt đại học.

28/05/2008

pmngo — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:24:05 +0000

28/5

Đọc cái Entry for May 28, 2008 mới care đã qua 28/5.
Tự nhiên nhớ đến 28/12.
Phản xạ có điều kiện. Mở ngoặc đơn, hình như vậy.
Có thể nhìn xa 7 tháng, là 1 hạnh phúc.

Cỡ 6 tiếng nữa là các anh chị 12 (bao gồm anh Quần Hông Xê-Hắt của em Rận) sẽ thi tốt nghiệp. Theo định nghĩa về tốt nghiệp được hình thành qua 2 lần tốt nghiệp thì chả thấy gì đặc biệt. Thây kệ, người ta cho là quan trọng thì cứ để người ta nghĩ thế… một mình.
Có thể ngủ trong lúc người ta đang cắn bút, là 1 hạnh phúc.

Và như em Rận nói, từ cái tuần ôn thi HK II, là Tao đang nghĩ đến kỳ thi đại học.
Và như blast cái thằng bên Xê-Tê, là Hết 11.
Và như cái đống lớp mình, là Sắp 11.
Và như mình, là Chuẩn bị hoại tử.
Có thể như chính mình, là 1 đại-hạnh-phúc.

Và đề nghị, dịch “đại hạnh phúc” là hạnh phúc bự. Not to, not lớn, but bự.

Thằng Đăng đã nhấn mạnh cho mình, là dm ko chỉ là địt mẹ mà còn là đủ má.
Mở ngoặc, bạn Đăng trong câu trên là bạn Đăng Phổ thông Năng khiếu.
Mở ngoặc lần 2, Phổ thông Năng khiếu là cái trường mà khi bạn Tuấn Minh đem khoe thầy Nicholas thì nhận được cái response “I dont care”.
Mở ngoặc lần 3, cái khổ dm này được type đơn giản vì cái kẻ-đang-cần-xả-này muốn được xả theo cái nghĩa không cần vào nhà xí.

1.
Dạo này không dám đọc blog con Thy. Nói vậy chứ vẫn vô đó ỉa đều đều.
Nhưng mà con này kinh khủng quá. Tên mình cứ phất phới một cách periodically.
Đọc mà cứ phấp phỏng, lo lo. Ghê ơi là ghê.
Từ những trích đoạn trong Luật yêu đến Luật sống của mình, nó cứ bay bay như quần xỳ bông trước gió.
Thật là… xxx [một-tính-từ-đầy-biểu-cảm].

2.
Down lên down xuống cái iTunes 7 lần.
Cài đến cả 4 lần.
Đã (tạm) tin tưởng trao (thân) 1,5GB cho thằng (chó) Minh.
Nó mà đối xử với mình như mấy con virus đối xử với cái máy tính của mình thì…

3.
Thật là bực bội.
Đứa nào cũng hành động cứ như mình là một con mất dạy vậy.
Ừ, cứ như tôi là một đứa quên bạn quên bè ấy.
Ừ, thì từ lúc tôi lên SG tôi thế đấy.

4.
Chó đẻ.
Vẫy cờ

5.
Khi mất thứ gì.
Người ta mới nhận ra.
Người ta đã từng có.
Nó.

6.
Kỷ niệm.
Rồi.
Sẽ.
Trôi xa.

7.
Vũng Tàu – Hồ Chí Minh.
120 km – dm.

Issue 28

thedrouth — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:30:36 +0000

The Drouth issue 28: Establishment

Summer 2008

Guest Editor: Molly Maguire

Guest Artist: Stuart Murray

Suns of Scotland: Tom Nairn- Mitchell Miller, Johnny Rodger and Owen Dudley Edwards

Epithets o the Byre- Molly Maguire

Would You Tax Credit It?- Mags MacInnes

Ant- Johnny Rodger

Blawing Off the Mullygrumbs- John Goodridge

The Death of the Auteur- Robert Duffin

Get on Your Bike- Or Better Still, Cycling and Cinema- Lars Kristensen

How the Movie Brats Took Over Edinburgh- Matthew Lloyd

Local TV- Dave Rushton

Track Marks- Gareth Vile

Burnsian Constructs- Johnny Rodger

Robert Burns and the Englightenment- Ralph Richard McLean

I Once Was a Maid- Thomas Keith

Pride and Prejudice? Dublin Pride 2009!!

Laura Finlay — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:08:05 +0000

Pride & Prejudice? Logo

Gay Christmas is approaching rapidly, so I felt it prudent to do a post on Pride, and recent gay activism in Ireland.

It has been 40 years since the Stonewall riots that sparked off the worldwide Gay Rights Movement, and 26 years since the first Dublin Pride march.It’s incredible to think that Dublin Pride has been around for 26 years, when you think that homosexuality was only decriminalized in 1993! I think there were 19 or so people at that first march, and now thousands of LGBTQ people meet at the Garden of Remembrance to proudly march through the streets of Dublin to the Civic Office gardens where we gather as a community for one afternoon.

The theme of this year’s march is “Pride and Prejudice”, and both MarriagEquality and LGBT NOISE are joining forces and asking people to wear half of a wedding outfit, eg a veil and normal clothes, or the top or bottom half of a tux. This is to highlight the half rights that Civil Partnership offers Irish LGBTQ couples.

I still remember my first Pride. It was in 2007, and I had just been out a year. Until that point, I had no idea what people meant when they referred to the “Gay Community”, cos all I saw of the gay community was just the Scene, the dancing, random scoring, etc. But while I was sitting in the Civic Office Gardens that day with all my friends; in the blazing sun, surrounded by LGBTQ people of all ages, all shapes and sizes, all creeds and colours, and I saw gay parents with their kids running around, I truly understood what it meant to be a part of the Gay Community. I saw so clearly right than that it was in fact a community.

Pride last year was even better though, despite the shitty weather conditions. I was just so much more comfortable with myself then, and didn’t hide from the cameras like the previous year. I marched with pride, holding the banner high for angrypotato.net, my Internet home As it was the 25th Anniversary of Dublin Pride, the celebrations were bigger and better than they had before, and the after party in Tivoli was AMAZING. Some pictures of the march:

The angryPotato gets his pride on!

Me carrying the Spud banner

Spuds marching...

There's quite the purpose to my stride here...

Random Dyke on a Bike

Giant Pride Flag

GIANT rainbow flag

Tonie Walsh, Pride Grand Marshall 2008

This year, more than any other year, numbers need to turn out for Pride. LGBTQ people of all ages from all over the country need to turn out. We need to show the force of our numbers, show the strength of our community, and use the parade as a massive protest march for civil marriage. The fight for gay marriage has come on in leaps and bounds this year, and people are beginning to sit up and take notice. The protest that I previously blogged about had a huge turn out(the highest turnout for a single issue gay protest in Irish history!!), and it got a load of press coverage. So the time is now to keep the fight going.

The March takes place on the 27th June. Everyone meeting at the Garden of Rememberance at 1pm, and the parade should be moving off at 2pm. Remember, the bigger the crowd, the stronger our message!!

Of course, if activism isn’t where your interest lies, its also an amazing day of fun and frolics…It’s Gay Christmas people!!

For further information, check out:

http://www.dublinpride.ie/festival/

http://www.marriagequality.ie/

http://lgbtnoise.ie/index.html

All the Latest

agallix — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:48:25 +0000

The summer issue of Garageland — which includes a piece I wrote about Parisian phantom band L.U.V. — is launched today at Transition Gallery in London. The general theme is Nostalgia, the cover is by Alex Michon (who famously designed many of The Clash’s outfits) and you can buy a copy here.

Summer 2008: A Primer

jbloodwell — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:18:04 +0000

No, “2008″ is not a mistake. I have been thinking about the state that I am in, as most unemployed people surely do. And it occurs to me that the reason I am so relatively carefree, to the point of being almost flippant about now being jobless, is that I never felt as if I’d “landed.”

The job I had until a week and a half ago was a “career”-type job, but I never lost sight of the fact that while everyone around me had insurance benefits, vacation days, and the reasonable assurance of keeping their jobs, I was a temp. They treated me well there, but I certainly never forgot that I wasn’t on an equal footing with everyone else. Prior to that, I was a temp somewhere else. And before that—this was May of 2008, now—I spent a month going from cocksure about finding a lucrative and decent job at any minute, to panicking over my bank statement and signing up with every temp agency that would have me. Just prior to that, I’d graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Master’s degree; I’d spent three years hiding behind those ivy-covered walls.

In a nutshell, I’m still in the mode of waiting for a decent job to turn up, now one year later. So as I’ve thought about it, it’s become sort of convenient, conceptually, to see this current phase of my life and career as still being the Summer of 2008. The difference, besides part of the “Summer” featuring heavy snowfall, is that I’ve lost a number of illusions about a job magically “turning up.” Part of why unemployment is downright appealing to me is that it’s become more important to me to reduce spending, and get by on less money, and have the opportunity to do less work and do more of the things I want to do, as well as to have a chance at making money through my writing. In that sense—i.e., not having illusions about a job rescuing me—maybe the summer is over, after all.

Anyway, thinking about the summer of 2008 got me thinking of a few songs that helped me through it. I really did not enjoy the temp assignment I had then: I took a bus at 7 a.m. every morning to get to work downtown by 8. It was a data entry job: actually, my job was to check the keying-in of a whole other team of data entry people. The people were nice enough, but I had little to say to them (other than a spirited Steelers-Philadelphia Eagles verbal sparring match). Basically it was one of the dullest jobs I’ve ever had. I’m eternally grateful to my parents for sending me an iPod. (I know how I probably sound now, but I do not care.) Anyway, I thought I’d post two songs that I often listened to on my way into work at about 7:54 a.m.

One is Islands’ “Where There’s a Will There’s a Whalebone”:

And the other is the Pogues’ “A Pair of Brown Eyes”:

Enjoy!

Awakening

lot318 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:03:14 +0000

Our eyes are continuously being opened to the work God is doing around us. Honestly, I am seeing people and my community in a completely different light since working on Cypress St. I have to share with you my most awakening moment thus far. This summer, we had a huge 4th of July slip n’ slide block party. The kids were having sooooooo much fun running and sliding through the soapy/grassy/dirty water on the slide. After about an hour of the shenanigans, I noticed Eddy ( a majorly cute sixth grader) standing against the wall, watching everyone play. Now a little background. Eddy was born with one leg. He has a prosthetic that he can take on and off. I was unaware of this at the time, because he always wears long pants. I asked him what he was doing standing against the wall instead of participating in the fun. He told me he really wanted to play but was too embarrassed. I was like, “What? Why would you be embarrassed? We love you! This is your family! No shame here my friend!” He still hesitated but then disappeared into the apt. complex. About 45 minutes later, here comes Eddy in his swim trunks hopping down the grass and flopping onto the slide! He got the courage to remove his prosthetic and come play. This was a beautiful sight. I could not believe the courage this youngster mustered up to be a participant in the fun. I had to sneak away and show Letty what was happening. We both stood there teary and in awe of the power of the Lord in the most simple pleasures. I was awakened that day to the beauty of the people and the absolute power of God in my life and the lives of others. I will never forget the courage I witnessed that day. This is why we do what we do.

Love God. Love Others. Summer Edition.

lot318 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:20:57 +0000

LOVE. The greatest commandment. Our calling. If we can sum up our summer into one word, Love is what it would be. We love the community we get to work in. We love the people we work with. Above it all, Christ loves us so we can love others. We love God, we love others. It is truly that simple.

The summer started with a multitude of movie nights. We set up couches in the middle of the street and projected a kid-friendly movie onto the side of one of the apartment complexes. We made popcorn, snow cones, had barbecues. The evenings were perfectly simple and filled with fellowship and fun. These movie nights continued on through the summer, every other weekend. Our first major event took place on the fourth of July. We took advantage of the scorching heat and made a massive slip n’ slide. We put together gigantic water balloon launchers and had water balloon fights from one side of the street to the other. The men in the community came out and barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers. Then in the evening, we packed the beautiful people into our trusty church shuttle and took off to watch fireworks in the park. This was a chaotic, crazy, amazing experience. There were at least 2500 people at the park, so navigating 40 kids through the masses was a little scary, but worked out wonderfully. The kids put on their best behavior and stood in awe of the show put before them. Most of them had never seen fireworks before, let alone 2500 people all in one place. The looks on their faces were absolutely priceless. The day was filled with new experiences and great awakenings. What a good day that was. Shortly after the fourth, Letty left for Cuba and left me alone to run things! Aah! I was honestly freaked out, Letty may be small but she has got huge shoes to fill! The movie nights continued as well as a few beach days with the older students. Things ran without a hitch. God was showing a lot of mercy on me .

Letty and I recently made a new contact which is now supporting Hill of Hope in major ways. Richfield Community Church has jumped on board with our vision for Cypress Street, and has been a huge support to the cause. They raised over 8000 bucks in two weekends for Cypress St.! In addition, they “adopted” elementary and junior high students to take back-to-school shopping. One adult got one kid and took them to Wal Mart for a shopping spree. What a great experience! The kids were so grateful for not only the clothing, but the time spent. Isn’t it an amazing feeling, knowing someone loves you and wants to just spend time with you? These new volunteers have really made the kids feel special. After the shopping spree, Amigos Church (the Spanish church from Yorba Linda Friends Church) donated backpacks and school supplies to the same kids. We had an end of summer BBQ/talent show in which we distributed the backpacks. All the parents came out and took pride in their children who are truly learning the value of education. One thing that Letty and I are passionate about, is showing these kids that they are worth a good education. These backpacks really made them feel special and gave them a head start on a good school year. This was a jam-packed summer, full of new opportunities for growth and friendship. I truly learned the value of people and how spending simple quality time can make such a difference in a persons life. This community is so beautiful. The people are even more beautiful. It is such a blessing to be in the midst of the great handiwork of the Lord. The thing is, it really is simple. Love God. Love Others. Ama Dios. Ama Otros.