Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
familiar cliff
dangled from in a hundred nightmares
fingernails clawing into stone
holding
holding
desperately grasping
grip slipping
tears stinging
heart racing
throat raw from silent screams
solid ground? anywhere? somewhere?
dear jesus I can't do this much longer
I bounce as a pin ball
(minus bells and hip gyrations
slamming to keep the game in play)
crevice to rock to jagged edge
pieces of flesh gouged as I descend
stretching
reaching for a savior
there he is within view
pleading for him to stop this madness
hold on to me
crevice to rock to jagged edge
I look up; he rises, nonchalantly turning away
(god damn it you're fucking kidding me)
I plunge deeper into darkness
silent screams echoing in tears
crevice to rock to jagged edge
crevice to rock to jagged edge
sharpen my wit, my will, skills, humor, heart
naked
middle class
middle aged
middle of the road
middle of the night
crevice to rock to jagged edge
("There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." - Nietzsche)
dangled from in a hundred nightmares
fingernails clawing into stone
holding
holding
desperately grasping
grip slipping
tears stinging
heart racing
throat raw from silent screams
solid ground? anywhere? somewhere?
dear jesus I can't do this much longer
I bounce as a pin ball
(minus bells and hip gyrations
slamming to keep the game in play)
crevice to rock to jagged edge
pieces of flesh gouged as I descend
stretching
reaching for a savior
there he is within view
pleading for him to stop this madness
hold on to me
crevice to rock to jagged edge
I look up; he rises, nonchalantly turning away
(god damn it you're fucking kidding me)
I plunge deeper into darkness
silent screams echoing in tears
crevice to rock to jagged edge
crevice to rock to jagged edge
sharpen my wit, my will, skills, humor, heart
naked
middle class
middle aged
middle of the road
middle of the night
crevice to rock to jagged edge
("There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." - Nietzsche)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.
I was born April, 28th 1957 in Medina, Ohio.
Eisenhower was president, Nixon vice president.
General Foods Corp. introduces TANG breakfast beverage crystals.
Barry Gordy, Jr. invests $700 to fund 'Motown Records.'
American Bandstand goes national with Dick Clark as the host
Jackie Robinson announced his retirement from baseball
Ed Gein's killing and mutilation spree is over as he is arrested
And we knew Cuba to be nothing more then a vacation spot for the wealthy.
Albeit the American government was watching http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/cable/cable-2-15-57.htm
My father was a brilliant man. A conniving, handsome, brilliant man. The closest thing I had to a loving parent. My mother, was present and accounted for.
My father had built the house we lived in. Both he and my mother were teachers.
Within a year of my birth my mother and father heard of a job opportunity in Cuba. Freeport Nickel operated out of Texas. The company had a large nickel mine in Moa Bay Cuba - Moa Bay Mining. Moa Bay Mining was in need of teachers for the children of their workers. My father became the principal and taught grades 6 - 12. My mother 1st to 5th grade.
For the next 3 years my life consisted of being raised by a nurturing woman named Consuela, playing in our jungle backyard, teasing venus flytraps with sticks, naming iguanas, playing with lizards and avoiding wild boar attacks.
Eisenhower was president, Nixon vice president.
General Foods Corp. introduces TANG breakfast beverage crystals.
Barry Gordy, Jr. invests $700 to fund 'Motown Records.'
American Bandstand goes national with Dick Clark as the host
Jackie Robinson announced his retirement from baseball
Ed Gein's killing and mutilation spree is over as he is arrested
And we knew Cuba to be nothing more then a vacation spot for the wealthy.
Albeit the American government was watching http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/cable/cable-2-15-57.htm
My father was a brilliant man. A conniving, handsome, brilliant man. The closest thing I had to a loving parent. My mother, was present and accounted for.
My father had built the house we lived in. Both he and my mother were teachers.
Within a year of my birth my mother and father heard of a job opportunity in Cuba. Freeport Nickel operated out of Texas. The company had a large nickel mine in Moa Bay Cuba - Moa Bay Mining. Moa Bay Mining was in need of teachers for the children of their workers. My father became the principal and taught grades 6 - 12. My mother 1st to 5th grade.
For the next 3 years my life consisted of being raised by a nurturing woman named Consuela, playing in our jungle backyard, teasing venus flytraps with sticks, naming iguanas, playing with lizards and avoiding wild boar attacks.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Reveals Cuban Children Start Army Training at 7
Reveals Cuban Children Start Army Training at 7
By Lee Berton
(Picture: Just Back from a first – hand look at the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba area Mr. and Mrs. John Fenwick and their daughter Beth)
A 10 year old girl turned in her parents to the Cuban Government.
Seven and 8 year olds parade with machetes two hours every day.
The new song of Cuban youth: “Uno, dos, tres, quadro. Fidel Castro”
“One, Two, Three, Four, Fidel Castro”
These incidents were reported by former Akronite John R. Fenwick, who with his wife Alice and 3 year old daughter Beth was in Cuba from September 4, 1958 until April 7. (1960).
Fenwick, who has a master’s degree in education from University of Akron, was employed by the Moa Bay Mining Division of Freeport Nickel Co. as superintendent of its schools. Moa Bay is in Oriente Province, 750 miles east of Havana.
Freeport Nickel suspended its $75,000,000 a year business in Cuba because of a 35 percent tax on gross profits by the Cuban Government.
“Cuba” commented Fenwick, “is destroying its youth. There is no juvenile delinquency. They’re all in the Army.
The Fenwicks are now staying with Mrs. Fenwicks parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Becker, 974 Inman St. They left $10,000 in possessions in Cuba and do not know if they will ever recover it.
The Fenwicks traveled extensively in Havana, Santiago, Holquin, Barracoa, Guantanamo and Cayo Guan. They reported these incidents to illustrate what is now happening in Cuba:
CUBAN laborers demanded Fenwick fly the American flag at half staff over his school with the Cuban flag above it. “I will fly my flag under no other, “ Fenwick said. He took both flags down.
A 63 year old former Cuban senator (a friend of the Fenwicks) owned apartments, houses, and auto agency and other holdings worth more than $8,000,000. Everything, including his personal car and furniture was taken away. He was given a bicycle.
Americans who do not turn over United States currency for pesos will be thrown into jail if caught. But Cuban airlines will only accept American dollars.
All foreign nationals are searched and their baggage is ripped apart by Cuban officials on any airplane trip in an attempt to prevent counterrevolutionaries from taking over planes.
Anyone who wears a beard other than a revolutionary is thrown into jail.
Youths are organized by military officers from the age of 7 until they leave college. Even maids must drill on their days off.
In the past two months, every radio and TV program begins with “Buenos dias, los companeros” (Good day, comrades), reflecting Cuba’s warm feelings towards Russia and Red China.
Agrarian reform is getting fouled up. The INRA (Agrarian Reform Army) gave potato seeds to farmers in Oriente Province during the winter. The farmers ate the seeds completely ignorant that they should be planted. There is no potato crop in Oriente Province.
There are no electrical appliances to be bought in Cuba. American canned goods are selling for double and triple the original price.
When the Fenwicks came to Moa Bar, there was no board of education, no curriculum, no text books, just buildings. They set up education fro 120 children.
No roads lead to Moa Bay. It is on the fringe of the jungle.
The road home for the Fenwicks was a quiet one. They left with 67 other Freeport Nickel employees on the pretense of returning home on vacation.
“I can say to Cubans,” Fenwick said, “what they said to me. “I love your country and your people but I don’t like your government”
By Lee Berton
(Picture: Just Back from a first – hand look at the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba area Mr. and Mrs. John Fenwick and their daughter Beth)
A 10 year old girl turned in her parents to the Cuban Government.
Seven and 8 year olds parade with machetes two hours every day.
The new song of Cuban youth: “Uno, dos, tres, quadro. Fidel Castro”
“One, Two, Three, Four, Fidel Castro”
These incidents were reported by former Akronite John R. Fenwick, who with his wife Alice and 3 year old daughter Beth was in Cuba from September 4, 1958 until April 7. (1960).
Fenwick, who has a master’s degree in education from University of Akron, was employed by the Moa Bay Mining Division of Freeport Nickel Co. as superintendent of its schools. Moa Bay is in Oriente Province, 750 miles east of Havana.
Freeport Nickel suspended its $75,000,000 a year business in Cuba because of a 35 percent tax on gross profits by the Cuban Government.
“Cuba” commented Fenwick, “is destroying its youth. There is no juvenile delinquency. They’re all in the Army.
The Fenwicks are now staying with Mrs. Fenwicks parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Becker, 974 Inman St. They left $10,000 in possessions in Cuba and do not know if they will ever recover it.
The Fenwicks traveled extensively in Havana, Santiago, Holquin, Barracoa, Guantanamo and Cayo Guan. They reported these incidents to illustrate what is now happening in Cuba:
CUBAN laborers demanded Fenwick fly the American flag at half staff over his school with the Cuban flag above it. “I will fly my flag under no other, “ Fenwick said. He took both flags down.
A 63 year old former Cuban senator (a friend of the Fenwicks) owned apartments, houses, and auto agency and other holdings worth more than $8,000,000. Everything, including his personal car and furniture was taken away. He was given a bicycle.
Americans who do not turn over United States currency for pesos will be thrown into jail if caught. But Cuban airlines will only accept American dollars.
All foreign nationals are searched and their baggage is ripped apart by Cuban officials on any airplane trip in an attempt to prevent counterrevolutionaries from taking over planes.
Anyone who wears a beard other than a revolutionary is thrown into jail.
Youths are organized by military officers from the age of 7 until they leave college. Even maids must drill on their days off.
In the past two months, every radio and TV program begins with “Buenos dias, los companeros” (Good day, comrades), reflecting Cuba’s warm feelings towards Russia and Red China.
Agrarian reform is getting fouled up. The INRA (Agrarian Reform Army) gave potato seeds to farmers in Oriente Province during the winter. The farmers ate the seeds completely ignorant that they should be planted. There is no potato crop in Oriente Province.
There are no electrical appliances to be bought in Cuba. American canned goods are selling for double and triple the original price.
When the Fenwicks came to Moa Bar, there was no board of education, no curriculum, no text books, just buildings. They set up education fro 120 children.
No roads lead to Moa Bay. It is on the fringe of the jungle.
The road home for the Fenwicks was a quiet one. They left with 67 other Freeport Nickel employees on the pretense of returning home on vacation.
“I can say to Cubans,” Fenwick said, “what they said to me. “I love your country and your people but I don’t like your government”
Friday, August 6, 2010
Run Away, Run Away (Intuition)
Intuition.
Receiving input and ideas without knowing exactly how and where you got them from. You simply know it is not from yourself.
My mother once shared with me, what she felt were, cute stories about my childhood.
Story #1.
I was 3 years old. My parents were checking into the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Havana Cuba. Her recollection: “We turned around and you were gone. Neither your father nor I noticed you had taken off. He said to me, “Alice weren’t you watching her?” and I explained no I was looking at the lovely wall tiles the hotel had. It really had some amazing tile work. Well, don’t you know.. as we were questioning each other where you could have run off to, the desk clerk gets a call and asks everyone in the lobby, “Has anyone lost a child, a little girl?” We explained you were missing and he informed us you had followed Ava Gardner and her puppies up on the elevator and Miss Gardner was entertaining you with cookies and milk, as you were playing with her dogs. Your father and I went up to get you and you had a fit. Didn’t want to leave and started crying. Miss Gardner said she would be happy to watch you again, but we never took her up on her offer”
Story # 2
Again, in Cuba, 3 years old. We lived in Moa Bay. Red clay dirt, jungles, iguanas.. -no stores. Once a month my nanny’s husband would take us into Santiago for grocery shopping. Take us on his motor boat. (row boat with motor.. meaning:small)
“Well we were on our way to Santiago and your father started pointing out things to you; he always was explaing things and talking to you as if you were an adult, he was so funny that way. He says to you, “Cuba is an island. Florida is over that way, not very far from here. You could probably swim there” The next thing we know you had jumped over board trying to swim! You didn’t know how to swim I don’t know what you were thinking! Your father had to jump in and get you. ”
Story # 3
For a while I thought maybe it was just Cuba. Possibly the red clay dirt makes people (including a 3 year old child) want to escape- swim to Florida.
5, Granada Hills, California. “One night I was washing your hair in the bathtub and you hit your head on the faucet. You inisisted I had done it intentionaly. After you dried off you said you were leaving, that you didn’t like me and wanted to go! Grabbed your little suitcase and started putting things in it. I asked if you wanted me to help you pack. Thinking that would make you stop. To my surprise you said yes. I started putting toys in your suitcase you pulled them out saying clothes I don’t need toys. You were so funny that way. Your dad was in the living room and said, “Alice you aren’t going to let her leave are you?” I think he was concerned because it was dark out. I explained to him you were just putting on an act and I had to call your bluff, that you wouldn’t really leave. You went out the door into the night and I shut the door. I knew I would open up the door and you would be sitting on the steps. I gave you about 5, or 20 minutes, opened the door and you were gone! Your father was upset with me. We asked the neighbor if he would help us look for you. Nice man he was a director and his wife was an actress. It took us a while but we found you a few blocks away. You were sleeping in someones MG. You know your dad had a little MG at one time”
From 6 until age 14 I distracted my running away thoughts with painting, drawing and day dreaming. I suppose that was how I ran away in my mind. "You have such an overactive imagination Beth" At 14 my thoughts changed and I ran again..
Receiving input and ideas without knowing exactly how and where you got them from. You simply know it is not from yourself.
My mother once shared with me, what she felt were, cute stories about my childhood.
Story #1.
I was 3 years old. My parents were checking into the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Havana Cuba. Her recollection: “We turned around and you were gone. Neither your father nor I noticed you had taken off. He said to me, “Alice weren’t you watching her?” and I explained no I was looking at the lovely wall tiles the hotel had. It really had some amazing tile work. Well, don’t you know.. as we were questioning each other where you could have run off to, the desk clerk gets a call and asks everyone in the lobby, “Has anyone lost a child, a little girl?” We explained you were missing and he informed us you had followed Ava Gardner and her puppies up on the elevator and Miss Gardner was entertaining you with cookies and milk, as you were playing with her dogs. Your father and I went up to get you and you had a fit. Didn’t want to leave and started crying. Miss Gardner said she would be happy to watch you again, but we never took her up on her offer”
Story # 2
Again, in Cuba, 3 years old. We lived in Moa Bay. Red clay dirt, jungles, iguanas.. -no stores. Once a month my nanny’s husband would take us into Santiago for grocery shopping. Take us on his motor boat. (row boat with motor.. meaning:small)
“Well we were on our way to Santiago and your father started pointing out things to you; he always was explaing things and talking to you as if you were an adult, he was so funny that way. He says to you, “Cuba is an island. Florida is over that way, not very far from here. You could probably swim there” The next thing we know you had jumped over board trying to swim! You didn’t know how to swim I don’t know what you were thinking! Your father had to jump in and get you. ”
Story # 3
For a while I thought maybe it was just Cuba. Possibly the red clay dirt makes people (including a 3 year old child) want to escape- swim to Florida.
5, Granada Hills, California. “One night I was washing your hair in the bathtub and you hit your head on the faucet. You inisisted I had done it intentionaly. After you dried off you said you were leaving, that you didn’t like me and wanted to go! Grabbed your little suitcase and started putting things in it. I asked if you wanted me to help you pack. Thinking that would make you stop. To my surprise you said yes. I started putting toys in your suitcase you pulled them out saying clothes I don’t need toys. You were so funny that way. Your dad was in the living room and said, “Alice you aren’t going to let her leave are you?” I think he was concerned because it was dark out. I explained to him you were just putting on an act and I had to call your bluff, that you wouldn’t really leave. You went out the door into the night and I shut the door. I knew I would open up the door and you would be sitting on the steps. I gave you about 5, or 20 minutes, opened the door and you were gone! Your father was upset with me. We asked the neighbor if he would help us look for you. Nice man he was a director and his wife was an actress. It took us a while but we found you a few blocks away. You were sleeping in someones MG. You know your dad had a little MG at one time”
From 6 until age 14 I distracted my running away thoughts with painting, drawing and day dreaming. I suppose that was how I ran away in my mind. "You have such an overactive imagination Beth" At 14 my thoughts changed and I ran again..
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Where have all the hookers gone? (ppm's lesser known song)
Art Fair at Grace Park slated
The University Park Art Fair at Grace Park is slated for Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Over 100 artisans will be there exhibiting art in a variety of media, including: ceramics, fiber, jewelry, metal, oil/acrylics, photography, watercolor, wearable art, collage, drawing and pastel, glass, leather, mixed media, prints/graphics, sculpture and wood. In addition to exhibiting artists, demonstrations and a hands-on community art project are planned. Entertainment and food will also be available.
The park is located on Prospect between Perkins and E. Market Streets. On-street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods and lots are open for use at nearby businesses. The event is free and open to the public
This means little to most. Another clean and shinny urban renewal project. Bring in those crafty artisians to sell their goods,- A happy happy w.a.s.p family function. (I admit attending many)
To me: Growing up in Akron, Grace Park, translated to Gay's Park, and a better more fitting moniker during the free love 70's : Queer's Park. Exception being.. There was nothing involving free love in Queers Park. A gay hooker haven. Where boys were either being picked up, or beaten, by closeted homophobes. (How Ironic, politicians worked so diligently to clean this area up, yet continued to frequent the hookers)
A few blocks to the west The Chat Noir. Not only no Chat.. but most "Noirs" worked outside the bar. Worn and weathered women in hot pants and vinyl thigh high boots (I always wanted those boots but the best I could manage- socially acceptable white faux leather Go-Go boots, purchased from Woolworth's none the less)
During the late 70's early 80's Hooker Central was slowly herded out of Queers Park and its surrounding areas. Unfortunately, for those doing the herding, the ladies, boys, and a few he/she's headed towards Valley St and Market - West Market. Much too close to the palatial houses on Merriman.
"Keep Moving, Folks; Nothing To See Here"
And with that, they disappeared ...
Queers Park. - I understand the need for shiney and pretty. But I miss the local hookers. It gave the city "character(s)"
* During the time period of: The Great Akron Hooker Herding, I worked at the akron police department. What does one do when an undercover cop asks to borrow your car for a hooker bust?
... You lend him your car.
What does one do when, the following night, as you stop at a light and a local hooker starts kicking and hitting your car ?
I don't know what anyone else would do..
I felt it appropriate to yell out "I'm sorry" and run the light.
The University Park Art Fair at Grace Park is slated for Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Over 100 artisans will be there exhibiting art in a variety of media, including: ceramics, fiber, jewelry, metal, oil/acrylics, photography, watercolor, wearable art, collage, drawing and pastel, glass, leather, mixed media, prints/graphics, sculpture and wood. In addition to exhibiting artists, demonstrations and a hands-on community art project are planned. Entertainment and food will also be available.
The park is located on Prospect between Perkins and E. Market Streets. On-street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods and lots are open for use at nearby businesses. The event is free and open to the public
This means little to most. Another clean and shinny urban renewal project. Bring in those crafty artisians to sell their goods,- A happy happy w.a.s.p family function. (I admit attending many)
To me: Growing up in Akron, Grace Park, translated to Gay's Park, and a better more fitting moniker during the free love 70's : Queer's Park. Exception being.. There was nothing involving free love in Queers Park. A gay hooker haven. Where boys were either being picked up, or beaten, by closeted homophobes. (How Ironic, politicians worked so diligently to clean this area up, yet continued to frequent the hookers)
A few blocks to the west The Chat Noir. Not only no Chat.. but most "Noirs" worked outside the bar. Worn and weathered women in hot pants and vinyl thigh high boots (I always wanted those boots but the best I could manage- socially acceptable white faux leather Go-Go boots, purchased from Woolworth's none the less)
During the late 70's early 80's Hooker Central was slowly herded out of Queers Park and its surrounding areas. Unfortunately, for those doing the herding, the ladies, boys, and a few he/she's headed towards Valley St and Market - West Market. Much too close to the palatial houses on Merriman.
"Keep Moving, Folks; Nothing To See Here"
And with that, they disappeared ...
Queers Park. - I understand the need for shiney and pretty. But I miss the local hookers. It gave the city "character(s)"
* During the time period of: The Great Akron Hooker Herding, I worked at the akron police department. What does one do when an undercover cop asks to borrow your car for a hooker bust?
... You lend him your car.
What does one do when, the following night, as you stop at a light and a local hooker starts kicking and hitting your car ?
I don't know what anyone else would do..
I felt it appropriate to yell out "I'm sorry" and run the light.
Monday, August 2, 2010
A Dream Within A Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
~E. A. Poe
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
~E. A. Poe
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