Hello! If you are reading this, you’re probably interested in my portrait project: Descendants of Indenture. Thank you so much for your interest, it’s so very appreciated. I’m a writer and photographer, and also a descendant of indenture so this project is near and dear to my heart. Here is the basic information about my … Continue reading Portrait Project: Faces of Indenture
Today, the Tour de France begins. Our government is cruel and incompetent and corrupt, and many countries all over the world are currently active combat zones experiencing major humanitarian crises, so right now it’s kind of difficult to focus on anything as frivolous as the Tour de France. But, as we look at the world … Continue reading Watch: ‘Vive le Tour!’ Louis Malle’s Short Documentary of the 1962 Tour de France
In December of 1973, the New York Times film critic Howard Thompson, known for his pithy critiques, reviewed a rather strange-looking French animated film called “Fantastic Planet.” In his review, he says this of Fantastic Planet: “The story itself is a sci-fi honey, with tiny earthlings ‘from a destroyed planet’ dominated as pets or outcasts … Continue reading “Fantastic Planet,” A Strange and Mostly Unknown Film
If you’ve seen the classic and influential Orson Welles film, Touch of Evil, you know it needs no introductions. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve most likely, by one route or another, learned about its famous opening crane shot; probably the most famous and iconic three minutes ever filmed. Ever. It’s been copied and studied and … Continue reading “Touch of Evil” NY Times Movie Review, from 1958
I recently walked past a broken full-length mirror on the sidewalk in my Bushwick neighborhood, but the image it made was so compelling I had to go back and study it. The patterns of the broken glass and the refracted light captivated me so completely that I couldn’t move. There is something about the individual … Continue reading Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian: Infinite Possibility
There are few times in life in which superlatives are ever really fitting. I think we find them acceptable because we like to exaggerate; punctuate our own language with interest; make everyday occurrences seem out of the ordinary and somehow useful to others and special to notice, when in actuality, most occurrences are boring and … Continue reading [UPDATED] Björk Comes to Brooklyn
I’ve missed a few days of my series but I’m convinced I’m going to catch up, or at the very least – this amazingly creative and powerful poet who hails from the country of my father, will hopefully make up for a few missed posts. Dionne Brand is one of the most intense, lyrical poets … Continue reading Female Poet Series: Dionne Brand, ossuary VIII
It’s day three of my 30-day series dedicated to brave and brilliant female poets.Today’s poet is Akiko Yosano, who was born in December 1878 near Osaka, Japan. Yosano was her pen name, and she was born Shō Hō, but changed her name after she had begun to write about more controversial topics, such as pacifism, feminism … Continue reading Akiko Yosano, In Praise of May
It’s day TWO of my Thirty-Day Series of Female Poets! I’m excited to continue with this project and I will devote more time to this as the series goes on and on. Trying to research and write this in a half an hour after a long work day, probably isn’t going to do the series … Continue reading Juana De Ibarbourou, Life-Hook
This is the first installment of my month-long series showcasing a wonderful piece of poetry by a female poet. I hope to do this for thirty straight days. For the first poet, I’ve chosen Sojourner Truth and her incredibly powerful poem, Ain’t I A Woman. I can’t think of a better person more suited to … Continue reading Sojourner Truth, Ain’t I A Woman?
To many people, including myself, Björk is a mystical, cosmic non-human entity from the future who allures us into her realm with colors and sounds and images and warmth and light and darkness that she’s pulled out of her little mystical pocket like a forgotten receipt. “Oh that? I was wondering where that went!” I imagine … Continue reading MoMA’s Most Ambitious Project Yet: Ruin Björk For Everyone
Africa is amazing! And adventurous! And wow! Look at all the animals! I can’t wait to hug Africa, guys! Do you want to hug Africa with me? Let’s go on safari! Well, “stylist and blogger,” Golriz Moeini would like to tell you what she thinks of Africa, but more importantly, why she loves Africa. She’s … Continue reading This is, quite possibly, the dumbest thing you’ll ever read
It was raining and I was wearing heeled ankle boots. For some reason, my umbrella was leaking heavy, nonrhythmic drops on my head every few feet. I couldn’t see where the drops were coming from because it was dark and I was too busy half-running, half-walking down Broadway. Oh well, wet hair be damned. I had to hurry, … Continue reading Chilly Gonzales: Piano Concerto No. 1
There are a lot of benefits to living in New York City, but as all New Yorkers know – there are also tons of drawbacks. Every single morning, I am woken up by the fury of several loud, complaining, shaking delivery trucks driving by my second floor apartment bedroom window. It’s the sound of 10,000 … Continue reading Early Mornings
Eating fruits and vegetables is boring and gross. Who wants to chew all of that pectin and nature? That seems like a lot of work, possibly requiring the help of a knife and fork, with very little payoff. I don’t know about you, but I think a jelly donut and a two-liter Pepsi, followed by … Continue reading How To Trick Your Body Into Thinking You Maybe, Possibly, Kinda Ate Something Healthy In The Last Week
In response to my post “The Art of the American Nickname,” I received so many thoughtful, interesting and supportive comments from all over the world. This topic really struck a chord with a lot of people – how they view themselves, their names and their personal identities. I loved that all of you shared your stories … Continue reading So, This Happened…
Adam Ostrow, Editor in Chief of Mashable.com, is really weird. He gave this presentation at a recent TEDtalk and managed to bum the whole audience out. To him, it would be super cool if – based on previous material posted by you – Facebook, Twitter et al, could continue to post and update your pages … Continue reading Adam, So What You’re Saying Is: Robot Ghosts?
To most people I encounter, I have a wonderfully (or not so wonderfully) difficult name. For those of you who’ve never heard (of) my name and don’t know how to say it, it sounds something like this: Sa ‘roo ja nee. Got it? Maybe? Take your time, practice a little, I’ll wait. My name is … Continue reading The Art of the American Nickname
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