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Author: peculiarjournalblog
January 11, 2020 January 7, 2020 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Kay Zeiss, the poet who graces our pages as peculiar's newest Featured Writer, composes her poetry like an invitation. Each line guiding you around a corner, opening a snapshot, a landscape, a person materializing in the smoke. Zeiss is a queer Seattle-based poet and licensed social worker from Chicagoland. She has been found behind typewriters attempting "name your price poems," curating art walks, and co-facilitating creative writing groups.
When did you start writing?
I started writing on a typewriter in grade school with my dad. He and I used to write eloquent (but probably in actuality, nonsensical) stories in turn, line by line, about anything from earthworms to aliens. Despite an early start, the great majority of my life was spent not writing anything beyond what was required of me throughout my formal education.
I was briefly interested in science writing in undergrad while pursuing a research fellowship as a double major in psychology and biology. However, I did not rediscover creative writing until after I obtained my master's in social work. A few years ago, I had the privilege of co-facilitating a writing group at the VA. This was the rebirth of my passion for writing, and I was reminded of how deeply I value the art of storytelling as a practice.
I have a great passion for language generally, but specifically regarding how language helps us to connect with one another. I believe stories in any form are powerful because they allow us to realize we aren't alone in our experiences. For me, writing has the ability to unlock lexicon gaps and allow for a playground of commonality and interconnection. In searching for the right concentration and combination of words, I hope my writing will convey my unique and simultaneously universal experience.
I find much joy out of creating poetry inspired by random words I learn (petrichor is a recent favorite). Also, a favorite of mine is to take a situation and reason out how to convey the story through nature and metaphor.
Sometimes I'll write as a means to process what I'm going through, to understand better what has brought confusion, or to let go of the pain of suffering.
What poets and authors do you read?
Li-Young Lee is my absolute favorite poet. His poem "furious visions" is wonderful. Time begins to seem less linear, perhaps more cyclical or circular through the lens of Lee's writing. His seemingly tangential stories are grounded by the adept weaving of memories from his childhood, young adulthood, and the present. It's almost as though each moment across a lifespan, across generations, is occurring presently. There is an invitation to detach from our conception of time. As someone who understands intergenerational trauma first hand, I truly value a writer's ability to convey this phenomenon.
I also adore Annie Dillard ("Total Eclipse," my favorite story by her; Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, my favorite book), Emily Dickinson, Oliver Sacks, V.S. Ramachandran, Jeanette Winterson, Maxine Hong Kingston, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mary Oliver, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Adrienne Rich, Clarice Lispector, R.A. Sasaki, Italo Calvino, Saul Bellow, Ted Chiang, Rumi, and Rilke. There are so many more.
What's your writing process?
I treat what I have written in the past few years as an experiment, of sorts. I tend to have a memory, a thought, a feeling, a struggle, or an existential fixation in mind that I want to reason out, toy with, or challenge myself into finding objectivity. Most of the time, I will slip into thought about what sensations or visualizations arise, and try to incorporate that sensory input into my poetry. I spent a great deal of time in the outdoors and commonly will draw on my observations in nature to help my attempts at describing the indescribable.
Sometimes I'll sit in a comfortable place with a cup of tea and pensively stare at my computer or typewriter to reason out the latest curious thought with which I've been grappling. Other times I'll festoon my hammock within sight of a lake. Always within earshot of the chirping birds.
Writing is one of my favorite activities to foster that sense of flow. Everything else fades away as I get hyper focused on the task of writing. Writing becomes about giving creative expression to an experience with intent to find a voice that will invite others to identify, and thusly connect. Sometimes the words just flow out onto the page, other times the piece requires much editing. I don't have a structured approach to writing, though.
People. Spirituality. Mother Earth. The elegant, yet unapologetic nature of my cats (Frenchington and Grandpa). The courage of others. Oppression. Privilege. Lexicon gaps. Silos. Capitalism. The turn of the seasons. An impossibly blue and impossibly still tarn. Sunsets. Tibetan singing bowls. The pain brought by the ending of a relationship. Impermanence. The joy of connecting with others. Channeling and practicing objectivity as inherently biased beings. The question, "how do we find commonality?"
What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
I love writing sultry haikus.. with a typewriter.. on heavy, haphazardly torn strips of paper.. There's something about the intense thumping sound of each key stroke and the commanding urgency and permanence of red ink that is incomparable. It's super fun, ridiculous, and great practice for my writing process.
Last year, during an art walk in Seattle, I wrote poetry on the spot in the form of sultry haikus. This was my favorite:
Her sway, her rhythm;
You catch your breath, arrested.
A levee breaking.
What effect do you hope your writing will have on people?
I have two hopes as a writer. I hope for my words to leave an image with the reader that's reminiscent of what I have experienced, and I hope to convey that we as living beings aren't as different from each other as we may imagine.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Oh, I don't know. I try to live my life a day at a time.
What's it like being queer where you live?
In Seattle, at least when I moved here, it seemed like being queer was more the norm than anything. I remember joking with my friends back home in Chicago that it almost seemed like there was a competition to be "the queerest." There were so many words queer folk were using as self-descriptors that I had never heard of before moving to the Pacific Northwest, despite being "out" for nearly a decade. People who identify as straight even use the word "partner" here. Back in the Midwest, labeling a person as your partner for anyone who wasn't your business associate automatically flagged you as gay. I've felt the safest living here being out, loud and proud in comparison to other cities. The rainbow crosswalks are pretty cool too.
What makes you peculiar?
I dance to the Muzak down grocery store aisles, my favorite movie is The Lion King, and I also like to eat wild city lavender.
Kay Zeiss is a queer Seattle-based poet and licensed social worker from Chicagoland. This is the first time she has been published for her writing endeavors. She is currently pursuing her second master's degree, this one in bioethics. In her free time, if she's not writing, she's finding tiny flowers on big mountains with the naturalist and scrambling groups of the Mountaineers.
December 17, 2019 December 16, 2019 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
by Andy Winder
When Kingdom Hearts III came out earlier this year, I considered buying a PlayStation even though I'm not much of a gamer these days. I guess that's nostalgia for you: things you associate with your first love, especially your first queer love, never lose their power. I decided that paying rent was the bigger priority, but I've caught myself thinking about Natalie when my mind wanders even though we haven't seen each other for years.
Natalie's family had left for Oklahoma and mine moved to Northern Utah the summer after ninth grade–both of us hundreds of miles away from our hometown, St. George. Southern Utah isn't the easiest place to grow up if you're LGBT– even less so if you announce that you're a democrat to your peers, as Natalie had done on her first day in our seventh-grade class.
"A what?" I'd asked when rumors about this new girl circled to me.
I'd heard that word on a radio show my dad listened to every morning while driving my sisters and me to school. But what, I tried to remember, had Glenn Beck said about democrats? Bad things, I recalled. That Glenn Beck did not seem to like democrats at all.
Few students were out as gay or even supportive of LGBT issues at George Washington Academy, the charter school I attended through eighth grade. One of my teachers gave our class an hour-long talk about how, like in Ancient Rome, gays and lesbians would cause the downfall of American society–to which a student raised his hand and asked, "Excuse me, what's a lesbian?"
Declaring yourself a democrat wasn't the best idea on your first day of school. But that made me curious about her. Hadn't I declared myself "emo" a few months ago after watching Phantom of the Opera for the first time? My friend Sariah had declared an intervention after I started wearing all-navy-blue uniform clothes to school and penning self-insert Twilight fan fiction, but I'd felt great at the time. I told people I was sad, but what I meant was that I was twelve and confused liking Fall Out Boy for being sad.
Maybe democrats were misunderstood. And anyway, I'd never find out unless I got to know her.
My English teacher gave me the chance when she placed Natalie in my reading group. Her voice was the first thing that stood out to me. It was clear and melodious, and she focused on how she said things as much as what she said. Everything about her seemed like she paid attention to the details–she parted her black hair neatly, she had perfect posture, and her ironed uniform put my rumpled slacks and baggy polo to shame.
"I'm very into Japanese culture," she said, gesturing to the graphic novel on her desk. "And Star Wars, but more so when I was a kid. Do you like manga?"
I did. My sixth-grade teacher Ms. Kerr had banned manga because she thought too many people were reading them instead of "actual books." This had turned my fascination into a defiance to invest myself in the art form even more. Sometimes, I'd even slip a hardcover book sleeve over manga volumes and sneak them into class (another reason that Sariah told our friend group that she worried about me).
We became fast friends. During lunch and recess, I always wanted to be as close to Natalie as I could. She was the only seventh-grader I knew who followed current affairs and studied for the ACT. Every time I talked to her, I felt like she taught me so much about the world and about myself.
I liked her a lot. I liked all of my friends, but the way I liked her was different. It was more like how I felt about Zac, another classmate who made me blush when he played rock-paper-scissors with me after school while we waited for our rides. And I wanted her to like me, too.
On Friday nights, Natalie would invite me to her home for sleepovers. I liked going to her house–her parents were both lawyers, and her upper-middle-class life fascinated my lower-middle-class upbringing. I found it perplexing how her family had an imported water dispenser in their home and that every kid had their own room. It was here that she introduced me to two things: video games and cosplay.
"My friends and I are doing a Kingdom Hearts cosplay group for the Anime Fannatiku convention in April," she said, "and we need someone to be Demyx. Do you wanna join us?"
For those of you who hung out in less nerdy circles than I did growing up, "cosplay" is when dedicated fans make costumes of their favorite fictional characters and wear them to conventions. It's just as much an art form as it is a hobby and some people (Natalie's group included) made their costumes from scratch and entered them into contests.
This particular contest would involve performing a skit in full costume and competing against other amateur cosplayers in terms of craft, stage presence, and creativity. For me, it would also involve dressing up as a male character.
Most of what I knew about the Kingdom Hearts gaming franchise, I knew because Natalie liked it. I'd saved up my babysitting money for months to buy a handheld console that would let me play the game so we could talk about it–normal platonic friend behavior, right? Demyx was a character who I can only describe as "anime David Bowie:" a villain who wore a stylish leather cloak, wore his hair up in a spiked mullet, and whose weapon of choice was a sitar with magical powers.
"Uhm, I'll have to ask my mom but probably," I said. "I dunno if she'd like me dressing up as a guy."
I don't know why I said this. It's not like I'd worn a men's costume before or that my mom cared about gender norms. She always told me that girls could do anything that boys could do, and I believed that, too. But I had a secret: sometimes, I felt like I should have been born male, not female. I'd never told anyone about this, especially not Natalie, but the gap between how I saw myself and my body kept widening as I started going through puberty. Something about this costume seemed like it would validate these feelings and maybe whatever I felt about Natalie, too. It'd be one thing if it were all a costume, but in some ways, I didn't think it would be.
"You could always go as, like, a female version of him–"
"No, it's probably fine! I'll just… not tell her it's a guy, I guess. I want to compete with you guys."
Our time together revolved around preparation during those months leading up to the anime convention. At school, we'd practice our skit and sketch concept art and notes for our costume designs. Her handwriting was like her voice–clear and controlled but still light. And on the weekends, we'd spend hours cutting and stitching fabric. Her hands would guide mine over the sewing machine, and I used to hope that she wouldn't notice how much mine shook.
"You're the best friend I've ever had," she told me. "I've never felt like someone cared about me the way you do. You're so genuine."
Nobody could make me blush like she could. By now, I'd started to realize that what I felt for Natalie wasn't platonic. I spent months praying every night that God wouldn't send me to
Hell for how I felt about her. Sometimes I'd feel peace, but other times a guilt-ridden pit would settle so deep into my stomach that I couldn't eat or get up from bed for days at a time.
But I kept coming back to Natalie. I couldn't help myself. When I was around her, her light could break through all the darkness for a little while.
On the morning of the convention, we donned sleek, black coats and wigs that we had bought online–though I would soon dare my friends to chop off my hair into a cropped, jagged cut. Something about short hair made me feel more like myself. Throughout the panels, we held each other's hands and I rested my head on her shoulder. And even though I trembled during the costume competition, the brightness in her eyes kept me steady.
Our costumes didn't win any prizes, but we grew even closer. We held hands even more often: gripped at an ice skating rink, linked while trick-or-treating for the last time in ninth grade, clutched as we watched scary movies. She complimented my newly shorn hair, and I told her she was beautiful. Even though shame loomed over my head whenever I went to church on Sundays, I wanted to put a word to the feelings she and I shared–to make it tangible. So on her birthday, I sent her a card and told her that I loved her, and that I knew we couldn't do anything about it, but I loved her anyway.
It took her awhile to acknowledge what I'd written on the card, and she agreed–we were both Mormon. We were both, as far as we knew then, female. There wasn't anything else to say about it. And we never did, though I cried every night for a month afterwards–partially because of her and partly because God had made my body and my feelings all wrong.
But it didn't matter for long, at least when it came to her. By the end of ninth grade, our parents both decided to move away from St. George. She would move to Tulsa, where her family was from, and I would move to my grandparents' home in American Fork. And that was that.
We'd still sleep over at each other's houses during that last summer, but the boxes started stacking up in both of our houses. We tried not to talk about how soon we'd have to say goodbye, but that didn't stop the day from coming. The night before she left for Oklahoma, we slept side-by-side in sleeping bags. The rest of her room was empty. I'd wished I felt empty.
The next morning, we hugged when my mom picked me up and promised we'd write each other. And then I left, just as confused as when I'd met her but with a heaviness because of how much I missed her and how much of myself I knew I'd have to face. My family would soon follow hers by packing all of our things in moving trucks and settling into a city where only our relatives knew our names.
Now that she was gone, I tried to process how I felt about her as well as how I felt when others saw me as a man. Neither were easy things to think about, and they didn't get easier, but things started to get clearer. And things started to get clearer for her, too. We could mark these milestones in our emails to each other.
"I have a girlfriend now," she wrote me during senior year. "She has hair like Ramona Flowers. You know, like from the Scott Pilgrim movie?"
I congratulated her on coming out and, next year, told her something I'd only ever told my parents and my counselor: "I'm transgender. I don't know if I want to start going by Andy or Anthony but when I figure it out, I'll let you know."
Back before I transitioned to male, every time I came out used to make me have a small panic attack. But a few days later, she told me that she admired my bravery and that she'd use whatever name and pronouns made me happy. And even though we weren't thirteen-year-olds figuring out who we were and who we loved anymore, it gave me closure.
After a while, we stopped writing as frequently–every few weeks became every few months and, eventually, once or twice a year. But I still thought about her when I chose a new name, and when I began transitioning, and when I started dating my first partner. I've always had a hard time ending relationships. I've grown shyer the older I get and it takes a long time for me to trust people. But it takes an even longer time for me to let go of them.
That could be why I wanted to play the final Kingdom Hearts game so much. It's not the characters I want to revisit. I want to go back to when I fell in love for the first time–not forever, just for a little while–so I can replace the guilt I felt back then for the gratitude I feel now. I want to thank Natalie for showing me how to love someone so much. And when the game's end credits play, I'd turn off the TV screen and smile.
Andy Winder is a YA writer whose work has appeared in HuffPost Personal, Bustle, The Outline, and Book Riot. He is currently revising his queer romance as a 2019-2020 Pitch Wars mentee.
December 9, 2019 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Here at peculiar, we are so excited by the submissions and support we've seen for the journal, and we are so excited for all the amazing queer writers we have published and will be publishing soon.
Yesterday closed our submission period for issue 9, so as we move into 2020, we'll be taking issues 8 and 9 to print, and we are so excited for you to read them.
Another goal for 2020 is getting more organized on our end of the journal. As a volunteer staff, we all stay very busy with full-time jobs and personal lives, and because of this, we want to take a little down time from editing and producing new issues just to get the business end in tip-top shape. We've wanted to officially become a nonprofit for awhile now, so hopefully we'll have things in order when we open for submissions again!
So for this organization to happen, submissions will be opening back up January 1, 2021. Until then, we'll still be running the journal, updating our blog, and working on peculiar in case you have any questions. Keep creating and get ready to send us all your wonderful work in 2021. Let us know if you have any questions at any time.
Love and support to you all,
peculiar staff
September 25, 2019 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Hey, all,
We thought we'd give you an update on what everyone on staff has been up to and where in the process the next issues of peculiar are. We've been busyyyy.
Jack just recently started a brand-new job teaching in Baltimore! He's loving it, and we are so happy for him!
Best food in the last month: "Homemade Honduran food, specifically baleadas 😋"
Last great book: Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
Bekah is currently livin' in the sun deep in the California desert and running a Kickstarter for the release of her first book, which she co-authored with her dad. You can find all the details for the Kickstarter here and check out her story on her blog!
Best food in the last month: Curing a post-Billie-Eilish-hangover at an Indian buffet in Vegas.
Last great book: Before Us Like a Land of Dreams by Karin Anderson
Emily, our amazing designer, has just started another semester of school in Utah (Computer Engineering, her THIRD degree), and she's studying hard while putting the finishing touches on Issue 7!
Best food in the last month: "I only eat paper scraps from homework lately." She also lists coconut mountain dew.
Last great book: "I'm loving the artist Steven Vigil. Found him at the park city arts festival!"
Spencer has found his way back into the peculiar family, and we are so happy to have him on staff again! He's recently relocated to Portland, a city Aaron approves since they can have weekend adventures.
Best food in the last month: "Recently I put a whole jar of pure blended garlic cloves into my spaghetti because I thought it was just a type of pasta sauce."
Last great book: Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith
Aaron is shuffling around the streets of Seattle, hiding from the last rays of the summer sun, praying for rain, and starting edits and typesetting for Issue 8!
Best food in the last month: A copious number of dumplings from Dough Zone in Seattle.
Last great book: Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau
We're also open for submissions for Issue 9 and our Utah Contest. Check it out, and don't miss the deadline on December 8!
Thank you so much for your continued patience. We love peculiar so much, and we can't wait to keep bringing you more and more queer creators.
March 4, 2019 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Trevor Burt, a young photographer and peculiar's newest Featured Artist, encapsulates a biosphere of pattern and story. Each image reads like a river stopped—you still feel the rumble flowing before and after. The seen and unseen keep us looking back, and for this we have chosen Burt as our featured artist. Burt earned his BFA in photography from Utah Valley University, but hails from the golden hills of Sacramento, California.
When did you start creating art?
I have always been drawn to the arts but had no idea what medium to choose. It wasn't until I had my very first camera (a brand so extinct I can't even remember the name) and went to New York for a middle school graduation—bougie, I know—and started snapping everything I could see. From there I graduated to more and more expert cameras and found my passion.
Why are you an artist/photographer?
Art is my therapy. It has been the most consistent passion, hobby, and coping mechanism in my life. It has never abandoned me, and I will never abandon it. It has done so much for me in how I see myself: someone who is capable and ever changing. We all need to find something that does that for us, and art, mainly photography, has been that for me.
What photographers do you most admire?
There are an incredible number of photographers I'm drawn to, and they often change as I do. Currently I'm obsessed with Ed Weston, Nan Goldin, Platon, and Peter Yang to name a few. Photographers who can create a beautiful portrait or tell an amazing story can have as much of my attention as they want!
"Storm" by Trevor Burt
What's your artistic process?
I love pre-visualizing an image. I love searching for lines or textures or forms that stand out and then composing that into something complex or simple but interesting nonetheless.
What inspires you to create?
Not to sound hippy dippy, but to sound completely hippy dippy, everything around me. The way rivers collide. Buildings stacked on top of each other. The lines around a smile. The colors in the vegetable aisle at the store. Everything is radiating with energy and something unique that I'm itching to capture. Sometimes I don't know what it is until I'm done editing and sometimes I know right away. But I am *insert clapping hands* obsessed with diversity. It drives me to keep breathing and exploring.
What's your favorite thing you've ever created?
I have a lot of favorite images, but as of now it might be my undergrad BFA show: Seeing Slowly. I was super fortunate to go to Europe to study art history, and I was just enamored with all the sculptures we came across. I wanted to create images of these statues in a way people have never seen before. It felt amazing to accomplish that. I have a few publications with Utah Valley University that I'm proud of as well.
"Textures" by Trevor Burt
What effect do you hope your photography will have on people?
Anything that inspires someone to FEEL something is a success in my book. If it stirs emotion, good or bad, it tells me people are growing when they see my imagery. If my work can inspire or change any part of a person to be something more or help discover a piece of themselves then that's all I could ever ask for.
I hope to be working in a studio or photographing for any of my favorite magazines. There are so many avenues and realms I want to explore with photography, but I hope I'm always doing it with a team or someone.
Currently I live in northern California and I love it, but I used to live in Utah! I'm not an expert on queer communities, but I feel like each state has a queer community with different stories and habits while having similar themes. I love that each queer community isn't identical but can be so much the same.
I love meeting new people. I've always found myself to be a wanderer instead of someone who roots himself in one place or with one group of people. I love listening and exploring. I think everyone has something that no one else has. Meeting people, hearing stories about their lives, or seeing how they choose to live their lives opens my eyes to how big and beautiful the world can be.
Trevor Burt hails from the golden hills of Sacramento, California, but recently finished his BFA in photography at Utah Valley University. He has been featured in various UVU journals such as Touchstones, Essais, Warp + Weave, and recently collaborated on a book of fine art, "Arthur Futurus," with the Art & Design Department at UVU. When he's not behind the lens, he can be spotted at his local Target or Chipotle.
Find more of Trevor's work online at trevorburtphoto.com or follow him on Instagram: @trevorburtphoto.
Q&A with Featured Writer: Mia S. Willis
February 2, 2019 February 1, 2019 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
peculiar's most recent Featured Writer is Mia S. Willis, who drapes you in their poetry; a small thread of it hooks to you, and before you finish, you trail the words behind you—a train of images you can't shake. This poetry you can't untangle yourself from is why we've chosen Willis as our featured writer. Their powerful words have earned them a Pushcart Prize nomination, several poetry slam titles, and a soon-to-be-published debut poetry collection. Willis took the time to answer a few questions about their craft, and we couldn't be more thrilled to share their responses with you.
I wrote my first poem after the sudden death of my oldest sister, Brandi, in 2012. In fact, my early work is comprised mostly of lyrical missives to her à la Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Woman. These pieces stand as a monument to my grief; they were and perhaps still are the most benevolent but necessary exorcism both for Brandi and for me.
I think of my writing as an extension of my Rinzai Zen Buddhist meditation; it allows me to understand the world and to survive it. In a way, I believe I've developed Stockholm Syndrome for life in this queer Black body. Some days it is a cage; others it is an oculus. I am alive on these days whether I want to be or not, and so long as this is true, I will write so that I can continue to, as Dominique Christina once put it, "crawl out of graves".
What poets and writers do you read?
Danez Smith. Maggie Nelson. M. Less. Ariana Brown. Lindsay Young. Thích Nhất Hạnh. Dominique Christina. Rainer Maria Rilke. Justice Ameer. Asia Bryant-Wilkerson.
My process is incredibly emotional; I am usually driven by questions of morality, of gender, of nationality, and of culture. These queries are typically products of happenings in my daily life; for example, the titular poem in my forthcoming chapbook, "monster house.", serves as my exploration of the ways in which physical spaces have the power to exorcise those who inhabit them (either with permission or by force). It was borne out of a negative experience I had with a white cisgender man™ in which he appropriated work written by a feminine poet (who is also my partner) about their experiences in girlhood. The poem "how to exorcise a boy (monster house)." serves as my response to this offense: "this house is a monster ready to make a meal out of any mortal bold enough to desecrate its hallowed ground".
"Everything is everything." – NoName, Room 25 (2018)
I'm currently working on a collection of kwansabas (African American celebration poems) on the subject of my Black queer body. This creative process is allowing me to fall in love with both the words I write and the topic(s) on which I write them.
My favorite review came from a poetry slam attendee who said that my work is reminiscent of a "sadder, gayer Freddie Brooks from A Different World". From this comment, I gleaned that my work gives most folx a joyful Black queer sandwich cookie with a dollop of melancholy in the middle. I'm largely content with that analysis.
Faithful to myself and others. "Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." – Hebrews 11:1, The Bible (4000s BCE-96 AD)
Happy. "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." – Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations (161-180 AD)
In love with myself and others. "Every person is a world to explore." – Thích Nhất Hạnh, How to Love (2014)
I grew up in North Carolina, a place where Black queer folx are hung either on the cross or in their closets. The hardest thing I have ever done is continue to live when I wanted to die. "Remember that none of it killed me; that all of it could have." – Dominique Christina, The Bones, The Breaking, The Balm: A Colored Girl's Hymnal (2014)
Thankfully, because of my father and my queer chosen family, I survived the shame and I am still unlearning it. My queer family is multiracial and multigenerational. Our gender and romantic identities combine in more ways than mismatched socks. We counsel each other through good times and bad. We cook meals for one another. We read each other's poems. We watch ridiculous television shows together. We give one another the space to exist exactly as we are. This is the kind of home I had to run away in order to find.
My undergraduate degrees are in Anthropology and Classical Civilization. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Classical Archaeology and am writing my thesis on the syncretism of Apollo and the Thracian Horseman in Hellenistic Thrace. My education has trained me to be a student of the world in both the past and the present as well as to interrogate the motives of those who claim to be its teachers. My time in academia has demonstrated to me that a) Black is the beginning, b) queer transcends space, time, and language, and c) nothing is nothing, therefore no one is no one.
Mia S. Willis is a 23-year-old African American artist and adventurer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Mia is a recipient of the 2018 Foothill Editors' Prize for their poem "hecatomb," which was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Their work has been showcased by WORDPEACE, Foothill: a Journal of Poetry, Button Poetry and Slamfind. In 2018, Mia ranked fourth out of 96 femme poets at the Women of the World Poetry Slam, placed fifth out of 150 poets at the Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam, and won the Capturing Fire Slam. They were also a member of Tender Bitch, the winning poetry performance team at the 2018 Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam Tournament. Mia's debut poetry collection, "monster house.", was the 2018 winner of the Cave Canem Foundation's Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize and will be published by Jai-Alai Books in April 2019.
Utah Pride Festival Poetry Mad Lib Contest Winner
June 5, 2018 June 5, 2018 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Marketing Director, Spencer Ballard, and Co-Editor, Aaron Gates, at the peculiar booth.
We recently had the honor of tabling at the Utah Pride Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2nd – 3rd. While there, we engaged visitors with a fun poetry prompt dreamed up by poet and Utah Valley University professor, Rob Carney. The prompt begins, "April isn't the cruelest month…" and proceeds like a Mad Lib with fill-in-the-blank suggestions all along the way. Jack, one of our co-editors, did this poetry prompt years ago as a student of Carney's at UVU, and the full prompt was shared online by the Creative Writing Guild. If you enjoy writing at all, you should give it a try!
Booth visitors who participated were entered into a contest, with the winner receiving $25. We are pleased to announce our winner: Anna Slagle! There were so many wonderful entries—mostly silly—but this poem really stood out among the rest for its poignant sense of heartbreak. You can find more of Anna's poetry on Instagram: @poeticinkk
Dear Georgia, the One She Loved So Dearly
by Anna Slagle
April isn't the cruelest month, that would be December,
when I kissed her head
and scratched my skin until I bled.
In April—dreary,
dark, discreet.
Maybe if you'd written a letter to Frida that night
then she could have explained, could have said,
could have told us just how to fix our broken pieces.
No, it's December that's cruel because the snow
falls from the sky as the birds
fall silent and I yearn for her voice
among the roses.
Maybe one day we'll meet again
and you'll smell sweeter than I remember.
Announcement: We Are Expanding!
May 23, 2018 May 23, 2018 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
With our roots in the Mormon stronghold of Provo, Utah, peculiar began as a way to recognize the creative talents of the often-overlooked queer community within Utah's unique culture. The reception we've found for this journal here in Utah has touched our hearts. Over these few years, we've seen how important it is to help queer individuals to feel their voices are heard, to see their talent recognized, and to have a chance to come together with other creative minds in their community. We wouldn't trade any of the long nights or stress it took to publish each issue for anything else. It's all been worth it.
As the journal has grown over the past few years—and our staff has begun setting roots nationwide—we've realized that a lot of what peculiar seeks to embody and shine a light on is found everywhere. So, as we move forward, we've decided to broaden the scope of peculiar to include queer voices from anywhere and everywhere. No matter how far you are or how quietly you whisper, know that we hear you.
But we still don't want to lose our roots in Utah. So going forward, we will also have a Utah-specific contest where the winners will be showcased in the following issue of peculiar. Anyone from Utah is still welcome to submit to each issue of the journal going forward, but the contest is a way for us to guarantee that each issue will still have a number of contributors from within Utah to represent that first spark of peculiarity we love and that made us start this journal.
We hope you can all continue to support this journal we make for you, for the queer community, and for queer creative voices seeking to be heard.
To submit poetry, prose, art, or photography for our next issue, visit: http://www.peculiarjournal.com/submit
Q&A with Featured Artist: Teah Marcotte
July 9, 2017 July 10, 2017 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
peculiar's most recent Featured Artist is photographer Teah Marcotte. Her images don't just capture a moment—they encapsulate a state of being. Her use of striking contrast breathes life into everyday moments, highlighting the beauty found in both joy and sorrow. We fell absolutely in love with her work, so we asked her a few questions to find out more about her photography, and in so doing we learned what makes her happiest and the spiritual faith that keeps her going.
When did you first start creating art?
I was probably around eight or nine when I started figuring out what art was, and realizing that I had an interest. I wasn't sure what kind of art I wanted to create or what kind of art I even liked, but I knew I had a fascination lingering. As I got older, I started drawing and doodling—and became pretty decent—but I eventually lost interest. When I was fifteen, I picked up a camera for the first time and never stopped. Finding my own unique style of photography took years, but I eventually found it.
Why are you an artist?
I'm an artist because of many reasons, one of them because it's a huge escape from life. I love being able to grab my camera, plug in my headphones, and just shoot, blocking everything out, not a worry in the world, just what my next subject is gonna' be. Being an artist, I feel, gives me a purpose in life. I absolutely love being able to provide people and families with long-lasting memories. Seeing their smiles and excitement when showing them preview shots is one of my favorite parts of being a photographer.
What artists do you yourself admire?
One big inspiration of mine is a good friend named Sarah Kappos, who both writes and paints. She's an incredible artist! The way she talks about her art and what inspires her to create art inspires me more and more every time I see her.
"Dreams" by Teah Marcotte
My process is kind of just go with the flow. Whenever I find myself overthinking shoots or ideas that I have, I feel myself psyching out. Like, I either try too hard or I end up hating my end product. I usually get an idea, kind of arrange it, and then let it go until it's time to shoot. Either that or I will just go and see what I end up with.
What inspires you to create art? Do you have a muse?
My nieces and nephews definitely inspire me the most. Their innocence always helps me create new-found projects. Other photographer's work sometimes helps me come up with foreign projects as well.
"Heart of Gold" by Teah Marcotte
My favorite thing I've ever created… I don't think I have a favorite. Or I have a lot of favorites [laughs]. Portraiture in general is my favorite thing to do, so any portraits of my nieces and nephews are my favorites.
I hope that people will see my photos and feel happiness. I want them to, for a slight second, be able to breathe and not stress—to remind themselves that everything is gonna' be okay.
That's kind of a hard question because I see myself in a lot of different places. My biggest dream is to be a photojournalist traveling the world, taking thousands of pictures a day, eating foreign food, meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and just taking in as much of the world as I can. I would, however, also love to find a partner and settle down in a big city, have some kids, and do that sort of thing. For now, I just plan on taking pictures and traveling as much as I can while I'm still young.
"Perspective" by Teah Marcotte
What's it like being queer in Utah?
I lived there for about a year and a half, and it was actually a good thing for me and my whole coming-out process. I come from quite a religious family and my coming out wasn't the smoothest, but living in Utah and being surrounded by such a huge LGBT community was really good for me and really cleansing. I met a lot of amazing humans who really helped me on my journey in different ways. I wasn't ever scared to be publicly open about who I really am, which was foreign for me. It took some time to be comfortable with doing so, but eventually I came to be 100% accepting of who I am. I loved every second of it.
Well, I am double-jointed in six joints, so I guess that could be considered peculiar! On a more serious note though, I would probably say that what makes me peculiar is probably the fact that I still have my faith and belief in God. Like I said previously, my family is quite religious and, with me, coming out was really hard because I wanted to keep that relationship with God, but I was told day in and day out that being gay and believing in God was an oxymoron. It took a lot of years for me to come to where I am now. I no longer go to church, but I do still work on my faith and my spirituality. It's probably been the one thing that has gotten me through all of the heartache and pain while coming out to such a religious family. I'm very thankful for my faith and I'm proud of myself for sticking through to what I believe in my heart.
Teah Marcotte is a twenty-five-year-old photographer from Boise, Idaho. She started taking photos almost eleven years ago, and she has been obsessed with it ever since. Photos feed her soul happiness and blur out the darkness in this world. Capturing beauty, which not a lot of people can see, makes her heart the most content.
"Chemical Emigration" by Greg Bayles
June 25, 2017 June 25, 2017 / peculiarjournalblog	/ Leave a comment
Chemical Emigration
by Greg Bayles
Sacred tablets, broken as host
over sinless tongues. We dissolve like
powder on mucosal membranes, bitterness
washed down with mangoed sweetness.
Take my tithes, alimony for the child
I leave behind in these experiments
in closeness.
Melt into the careless ocean, roll
into methylated gentleness, synthetic
tides of ecstasy washing over you.
Fireplace breathes onto naked
torso, its tempo flickering crimson
and amaranth inside us. Fiery tongues
plunging deep inside us: all else is water
and transience.
Here are children of euphoria, heathen
princes seeking new religion. Here
are perfumed linens and wintered
hilltops, mirrors in our pilgrim eyes.
Here are gods encapsulated.
The feline strobe blinks on, blasé,
only just unbowed like the rest of us
in jocks and harnesses and liquid
atmosphere. Outside the shower
she perches catlike, witnessing the timeless
rites of sugar scrub and tabloid hither-coming;
electric gaze holds scattered pearl drops
and slivered still-frames in the human air.
Here are bolt-grinders and coke
shovellers in a back room, feeding
the inferno lacking leather or
rubber to hide their skin. Sputtering
blood engines pumping virility into ready
chambers, pneumatic, gasping. Quench
the blade with fleck of sweat and
flood of dopamine.
We wake to morning shadow. Surely
I have left the fabled country of my youth
but for a world still rich in fictions.
I have traded all my truths for purer
fantasy. But what of matins
we awoke to, my skin on yours
on his? What of quiet breath and
words of whispered promise?
Was all our love ingested?
Greg Bayles is a project manager at the University of Utah's Therapeutic Games and Apps Lab. He received a BA in English Literature from Brigham Young University and went on to complete a Master's of Entertainment Arts and Engineering at the University of Utah. In his free time, Greg enjoys reading, making video games, cooking, wandering art galleries, and rock climbing.
Read our Q&A with Greg Bayles or order the latest copy of peculiar.


Over the past three decades the number of people with asthma has increased significantly in the United States and diet may be to blame. Studies show a correlation between poor diet and asthma. People are eating more processed, unnatural foods and fewer things that are good for them. People who eat healthy nutritious foods develop asthma less often than people who eat poorly. Although few doctors acknowledge the link between asthma and diet it does exist. Certain foods and nutrients appear to be effective in the prevention and treatment for asthma. There are also asthma guidelines for foods people should avoid.
Diet modifications are a reasonable option for people wondering how to treat asthma naturally. Research shows that people who large amounts of antioxidants and other nutrients including flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and magnesium have lower rates of asthma. Antioxidants are likely a large factor in the reduced asthma rates because they neutralize harmful free radicals and thus protect cells from damage.
Studies show that children and teenagers who eat diets high in fruits and omega-3 fatty acids generally have strong lungs and few asthma-like symptoms. Conversely, people who get low amounts of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E and omega-3s have high rates of poor lung function. The Mediterranean diet shows promise for the prevention and management of asthma. The Mediterranean diet promotes fruits, vegetables and nuts. These foods are high in antioxidants and vitamins.
Diet and asthma may seem like a strange correlation. Asthma has to do with constriction of the bronchial tubes that pass through the lungs, not the digestive system. Inflammation of the airways and mucus production contribute to asthma, which is why anti-inflammatory medications are a large part of conventional asthma treatment. However, foods can decrease inflammation too. Turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties.
Avoiding certain foods also plays a role in the treatment for asthma. Dairy products can increase mucus production. Andrew Weil, PhD recommends that people with asthma eliminate milk products, animal protein and fried foods from their diets. He also says to stay away from polyunsaturated vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated oils.
More asthma guidelines for diet include increasing omega-3 intake, relying on extra-virgin olive oil as a main source of fat and consuming organic fruits and vegetables daily. Apples, carrots, leafy vegetables and tomatoes have all demonstrated beneficial effects for preventing asthma in studies.
Drinking a lot of water to keep respiratory tract secretions more fluid is important too. The Mayo Clinic suggests that women in general have at least 9 cups of water daily and that men drink 13 cups.
Food allergies can contribute to asthma. Discovering food triggers and then avoiding them can therefore help with the management of asthma. Sugar, soy, corn and gluten are common foods that cause allergies. Abstaining from eating these foods for eight weeks to see if symptoms improve can indicate a problem.


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Sect gave Howard a few tips
By Michael Bachelard
January 18, 2008 — 11.00am
CORRESPONDENCE between the Exclusive Brethren and John Howard reveals the religious sect had a warm and familiar relationship with the former prime minister and offered regular political advice.
The Age has obtained four letters in which unidentified sect leaders congratulated Mr Howard on the Iraq war and gave political advice about Medicare. The group also recommended massive water projects funded by the sale of Telstra.
The letters show Mr Howard met two Brethren leaders in his Sydney office on the day New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark referred sect members to police because they hired private detectives to tail her and her husband, and spread rumours that her husband was gay.
After that September 2006 meeting, Mr Howard wrote to the Brethren — whose members do not vote — to say he "enjoyed our recent discussion" and to commiserate with them about the "campaign against you by Senator (Bob) Brown and others".
Earlier that year, Senator Brown, leader of the Greens, had tried to launch a Senate inquiry into the sect's involvement in the 2004 federal election and the Tasmanian state election.
The Age obtained the letters after a 14-month-long freedom-of-information bid during which Mr Howard's office stalled at each step.
The sect's letters offer "continual" prayers for Mr Howard, his wife and his family.
In the first letter, sent in April 2003, sect leaders congratulated Mr Howard for being invited to George Bush's Texas ranch in the same week the US President declared "mission accomplished" in Iraq.
"God has clearly supported and vindicated the initiative taken (in Iraq), and we are assured He will continue to do so as there is dependence on Him for guidance," they wrote.
In September that year, Brethren leaders wrote complaining of the "tens of millions of dollars" the Medicare levy had cost the Brethren but cautioned Mr Howard about a Medicare overhaul package proposed by then health minister Kay Patterson.
"We strongly believe that if you change Medicare in any shape or form before the next election, you will lose it. If you consider it necessary to change Medicare we suggest you leave it till after the next election."
Two weeks later, Senator Patterson was sacked and Tony Abbott installed as health minister to radically boost the package.
In May 2004, the Brethren wrote that they were "deeply concerned" about the media's "campaign to destabilise your government".
"The attention of the public needs to be diverted from matters such as the Iraq war, the supposed ill-treatment of Iraq prisoners and other contentious issues," they wrote.
They also suggested a massive project to transport water via aqueducts using funding from the sale of Telstra and the issue of bonds.
The Brethren runs a lucrative network of pump supply companies but spokesman Tony McCorkell said yesterday this was irrelevant to the water proposal. Brethren members were "concerned about good environmental policy", he said.
Federal police are investigating $370,000 of Brethren money spent, with minimal disclosure, on pro-Howard advertising in 2004.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
BestCatch
Tech Products,Science & Technology
Where Do We Come From?
Posted by mrbhuiyan May 26, 2020 in Life Science
The easiest way to ensure that an entire community is not wiped out by the same genetic disease is to keep marriage not confined to the same community. The more variety there is in the DNA sequence, the healthier the community will be. Today we know that genetic diseases can come through both men and women. We even have the information that if there is a pattern in the DNA that increases the chances of a disease (the data is mostly correlation data, that is, if there is such a disease, such and such DNA has been seen but only that DNA format may not be the cause of the disease). However, researchers advise that it is better to show once and for all whether there is a DNA format related to certain diseases. Then there will be some convenience in making decisions like choosing a spouse or having children.
According to popular belief, Indians are divided into two groups. A group of Dravidians, they are the original inhabitants of the subcontinent. Another group of Aryans, they came from Europe.
Is that true? How do I know it's true?
DNA remembers everything
Inside each of our cells is a slender, long ribbon-like DNA box that holds our biological information in a box. Although not completely, it controls some of the characteristics we have, physical, mental or character, that we inherited from our parents, that they inherited from their parents, and so on and so forth.
If the captive information in the DNA could be read, much would be known about our past.
With this information within reach, I want a few cells empty. A few drops of blood, a little bit of banana or tissue, a few hairs, teeth – each of these has enough cells, from which it is possible to get enough DNA. Many questions about the past can be answered by looking at the information in that DNA.
A reading of the DNA sequence of a large population reveals that much of it is the same (or the same in many people). In that order, there are differences in a few places. That is why all human beings have the same limbs. Everyone has eyes, mouths and noses, but they have to look different from each other.
Examination reveals the same pattern or pattern in the sequence of DNA from one generation to the next. That is why in the same family, all the characteristics of grandparents, such as the structure of the nose, remain the same.
The exact role of 99.8 percent of DNA, or what part of DNA is responsible for a trait, is still unknown. Yet the information underlying this sequence is useful to researchers. Researchers from the lab of Dr. Kumaraswamy Thangaraj of the CSIR-Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) are among such curious researchers. They look for similarities in the DNA of different populations around the world. From this they try to find a relationship between one community and another. What they found by researching in this way is quite unexpected. Quite different from what I knew about the past of the Indian people.
India has 4635 ethnic divisions out of its huge population. Their language can be divided into four categories: Dravidian, Indo-European, Austro-Asian and Tibetan-Burmese.
Let's see what their DNA says. Does their DNA sequence shed light on any relationship between them? Or are they the descendants of the two ancient groups – Aryans and Dravidians?
The beginning of the Indian people
Image credit:Google
Researchers at CCMB found that the Indian population is rooted in two distinct groups – the Primitive South Indians or Ancestral South Indians (ASI) and the Primitive North Indians (ANI). The journey of these two communities started from the continent of Africa, but their journey was different.
On the first voyage, people arrived in India from Africa along the coast. Some of them settled permanently in South India and started the primitive South Indian population. Some went to the Andaman Islands (they still exist there). And a part went further towards Australia, where they introduced the primitive people or nation of Australia.
On the second voyage the people set out from Africa to the north. One group went to Europe, another group came to India across the Middle East and created the primitive North Indian population.
He was talking about 65,000 years ago when a group of people along the coast created a South Indian species from Africa to India.
Exactly how many years after the second voyage, it is still a matter of research.
Until 4,000 years ago, these two species gave birth to separate species. They still did not mix with each other.
This was followed by a mix of primitive South Indian and North Indian populations over the last 2000-4000 years. This is the creation of today's population.
Needless to say, the story we are hearing about the origins of the Indians needs a little reversal.
It is not that one of the first generations of mankind started in India. Two branches of the same population came to India from the same continent in two completely different ways and spaced across two separate places. We all come from those two groups (primitive North Indians and primitive South Indians). Then of course more new groups came to India, but their contribution to the DNA of the inhabitants of India is limited.
This is not the end
The study also found that in the last 2000 years, most groups have restricted marriage and procreation to themselves. Which is why there are so many similarities in the DNA of these groups.
With the exception of germ cells, all other body cells make two copies of DNA, and these two copies are not exactly the same – each copy is obtained from the same birth parents. Often one DNA increases the risk of disease but another copy of DNA can protect against the same disease. We call those who have such a disease a carrier. This means that they will not suffer from the disease themselves but can pass the disease on to the next generation.
In the case of a child born from two carriers, there is always a risk. Their two copies of DNA may be the ones that predict or confirm the disease. Even if it is not, at least they are likely to be carriers of the disease. This has led to the emergence of a number of recessive diseases, a disease that can be passed from one generation to the next. For example, alkaptonuria or sickle cell anemia. Or group-specific diseases such as Handigaru disease in Karnataka.
Not Only Bone Marrow , A Section Of Blood Vessels Can Also Be Created In The Lungs| Recent Startling Research.
About the Author: mrbhuiyan
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Have you ever been mistreated? you know just what I'm talking about.
I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve to put me out.
I got a job in a steel mill, shucking steel like a slave.
Five long years, every friday I come straight back home with all my pay.
I finally learned my lesson, should a long time ago.
The next woman that I marry, she gonna work and bring me the dough.
She had the nerve to put me out.
Влиятельный американский джазовый контрабасист, композитор и правозащитник.


The Call To Investigate The Obama Administration Has Begun!
BREAKING: Trump's Tweet Just Went Platinum Viral!
A Jihadist Woman In The U.K. Is Set To Get Paid... By The Government!
JUST IN: Speaker Pelosi Hits Back!
Trump Says He Doesn't Regret It!
Trump finally agrees with Cher!


WebmasterWorld Admin, trillianjedi, posted a thread in the supporters forum (paid subscription required) named Referrer based delivery for contextual advertising. That is right, he has a theory that Yahoo! searchers are more likely to click on a contextual ad that says "Ads by Yahoo!" as compared to clicking on an ad that says "Ads by Goooooogle." Same applies to a Google searcher, where a Google searcher may be more likely to click on an ad that says "Ads by Goooooogle" as compared to clicking on an ad that says "Ads by Yahoo!"
That being said, and if this theory is right, would you cloak the ads based on referrer? You currently have to deploy some sort of cloaking for ads when on the Yahoo! Publisher Network. Specifically, blocking international users from viewing YPN ads, so you won't get your site banned for quality reasons.
I suspect the results of the theory may be posted in the WebmasterWorld Supporters forum at a later date.


The president used his more than an hour long speech to extend an olive branch to his critics and signal a willingness to make bipartisan deals on second-year-agenda priorities like immigration and infrastructure.
The president described his recent offer for an immigration deal as a "fair compromise" for both sides. The White House is pushing a plan to broaden eligibility for the DACA program – which gives a reprieve to illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, and which Trump is planning to end absent a legislative solution – in exchange for border wall funding and other big changes.
The president also warned that North Korea's "reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles" could "very soon" threaten the United States.
The White House has invited several guests to attend President Trump's first State of the Union address. Here's a look at some of the attendees.
John Roberts previews the talking points from the White House.
The president called for bipartisan cooperation on infrastructure, saying "together, we can reclaim our great building heritage."
Earlier Tuesday, during a pre-speech lunch with television anchors, Trump -- who does not shy away from conflict with his detractors -- said "unity is really what I'm striving for, to bring the country together."
The address comes after a year of partisan clashes in Washington over health care, the 'travel ban,' regulations and more.
During the speech, some caucus members declined to stand even to honor a 12-year-old guest of the first family who was recognized for gathering flags for veterans' graves.
Massachusetts senator Joseph Kennedy III will deliver the Democrats' response to President Trump's State of the Union address. Who is Sen. Kennedy?
"Preston's reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the pledge of allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the national anthem," he said.
Trump's comments were aimed at the NFL football players who have been kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against police shootings of African-Americans.
First lady Melania Trump and all of the president's children – with the exception of 11-year-old Barron Trump – attended the primetime speech at the Capitol.


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UCB East Is Raising Funds For Comic Liza Dye, Who Was Struck By a Train
February 15, 2014 By Daniel Maurer
The woman who was struck by a train at the Broadway-Lafayette station Thursday morning has been ID'd as Liza Dye, a Bed-Stuy comedian who was a regular at UCB East. The Beast is holding a benefit for her tomorrow and fellow comics have started a fundraising campaign that aims to raise $50,000 for her medical expenses.
Here's the deal, via HelpLiza.com.
On February 13, Liza Dye, a comedian in New York City, was struck by a train after she fainted and fell onto the tracks.
Fortunately, she survived. She's in good spirits, but her left leg is in pretty bad shape and doctors expect an extended hospital stay.
Liza's in need of donations to cover her medical expenses. She has no health insurance and costs are very high.
Your donations will go directly to her paypal account.
The UCB will host a benefit on Sunday 2/15.
The Stand will host a fundraiser for her in March.
If anyone is friends with Oprah, Beyonce, and/or Kanye, please let them know that Liza needs their help, too. – See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-liza-dye/139438#sthash.TI1vYkUY.dpuf
Dye sometimes jokes on Facebook that the likes of Oprah and Kanye are coming to her shows at alt venues like Cake Shop and Over the Eight, where she DJs and performs at the weekly Free Cable comedy night. Here's her True Life parody, "I'm a Kanye West Fan."
Dye is friendly with at least one famous person: Saturday Night Live's newest cast member, Sasheer Zamata. Here's Dye getting introduced by her at UCB, and going on about her in the voice of Michelle Obama:
Dye has, herself, been mentioned as an SNL hopeful. Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) urged the show's producers to check her out, Key and Peele gave her a shoutout on NPR, Autostraddle seconded that in an interview with her, and Bullett said "get this girl on SNL already" when they linked to her bit about the Crack House USA documentary:
In its "30 Under 30" package, The L Magazine praised the 25-year-old's Twitter and Vine feeds, where she's been posting her hospital bed. Her last tweet, yesterday, was a pair of hands in prayer.
Tags: Arts + Culture, Crime + Community, East Village, Liza Dye
« Watch The Beets Frontman Juan Wauters Play a New Track in a Van Under the BQE » Ben Shaoul Sued By Parents; East Village May Lose Another Record Store


Great Packaging Of This Double LP. It Comes With A Color Cover And The Center Hole Label Is Silver With A "Reaction" Logo And Album Title On It. The Songs Are Listed On The Label As Well. Also Comes With A One-Sided Paper Insert With The Album Title On It With An Explanation Of The Origin Of The Songs Contained On The LP And Is Signed "Silas Stingy, M.B.E." This Could Really Pass For A "Legit" Release, That's How Good The Packaging Is. The Back Cover Has The Famed WHO Logo In Color With The "Target" Motif" And States; "None Of The 33 Tracks Contained Herein Have Been Previously Presented In An American Album. They Are All Studio Recordings."


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Tag Archives: Berry Kroeger
Gun Crazy (Jan. 20, 1950)
Posted on September 9, 2014 by Adam Lounsbery
Gun Crazy (1950)
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis
King Brothers Productions / United Artists
Before there was Bonnie and Clyde there was Gun Crazy.
Not literally, of course, since Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow robbed banks during the Great Depression. I'm speaking of Arthur Penn's 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde, which is widely regarded as a watershed moment in the depiction of violence in American films. The bloody gunfight that ends Bonnie and Clyde presaged the brutal excesses of Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch (1969), ushered in a new era in onscreen bloodshed, and helped lead to the ratings system we all know and love today.
None of the shootings in Gun Crazy involve fake blood, but it's still a significant film in the history of onscreen violence. For one thing, Gun Crazy is not shy about linking sex and violence. Its two protagonists are social misfits who only really come alive when they're handling firearms or shooting at something.
Barton Tare (John Dall) is obsessed with firearms from a young age, but even though he's a crack shot, he can't bring himself to kill anything. He's in trouble with the law from an early age after smashing a store window to steal a revolver, and is looking at a lifetime of one dead-end job after another until he goes to the circus with his friends and meets British trick-shot artist Annie Laurie Starr (Peggy Cummins). He does what no other rube has ever done — out-shoots her in a trick-shot contest — and they fall in love. Their love quickly turns into a trigger-happy folie à deux, and they tear across the country robbing banks.
Gun Crazy was based on a story by MacKinlay Kantor that originally appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1940. Even though the movie takes place in the post-war era when it was filmed, it has a distinctly Depression-era flavor. It presents a world in which Americans can choose between a life of crime, easy money, and an early death, or they can choose to be honest citizens and slave away in drudgery for chump change.
Gun Crazy was filmed in the spring of 1949 and originally released in theaters early in 1950 under the title Deadly Is the Female. Presumably the producers felt that "Gun Crazy" sounded too trashy and tawdry, and wanted a classier sounding title. After the film underperformed at the box office, they re-released it with its original title, Gun Crazy, in August 1950, but distributors rarely jump at the chance of putting out a film that already flopped under one title, and the late-summer release of Gun Crazy went nowhere.
It wasn't until the 1970s, when French critics were rediscovering and recontextualizing Hollywood "film noir," that Gun Crazy started to earn the reputation it enjoys today as one of the all-time great noirs.
Director Joseph H. Lewis was never a household name, but I've always been impressed by his ability to inject style into pedestrian material. His last movie, The Undercover Man (1949), was a great example of this.
Gun Crazy isn't a perfect film, but it's an endlessly fascinating film to watch. Like most of Lewis's movies, the pacing is quick, but the reason I keep coming back to it is the weird mix of slightly unreal soundstage sets with hyper-real location shooting.
One of the most talked-about sequences in the film is the robbery in which the camera never leaves the backseat of Bart and Annie's car.
Originally, the bank robbery was an elaborate sequence, but Lewis wanted to do something simpler and save time and money, so he shot a test in 16mm, then worked with his crew on the details. They removed the backseat from a stretch Cadillac to accommodate a camera that could move forward and back, and pan to the right when Cummins leaves the car to talk to the police officer. All of the dialogue between Dall and Cummins in the car was improvised. The only scripted dialogue is when Cummins gets out of the car to distract the cop.
I find it an incredibly effective scene, but it's the kind of filmmaking that still divides audiences. For instance, in Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive (2011), the camera never leaves the getaway car during a pawnshop robbery sequence, which some people found tense and realistic. Others, who wanted more "Fast and the Furious" type of action, felt differently.
If you have any affinity for crime stories or film noirs, you owe it to yourself to see Gun Crazy. Also, for further reading, please check out this great piece on Gun Crazy by Karen at Shadows and Satin: Famous Couples of Noir: Annie and Bart in Gun Crazy (1950).
Posted in 1950, January 1950 and tagged Berry Kroeger, Bonnie and Clyde, Dalton Trumbo, Film Noir, John Dall, Joseph H. Lewis, King Brothers Productions, MacKinlay Kantor, Peggy Cummins, United Artists. Bookmark the permalink.
Act of Violence (Dec. 21, 1948)
Posted on October 2, 2013 by Adam Lounsbery
Act of Violence (1948)
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Fred Zinnemann's Act of Violence opens with a shot of New York City at night. The Chrysler Building is silhouetted against a dark gray sky. Bronislau Kaper's musical score is ominous and intense. Robert Ryan crosses the street toward the camera. He's wearing a hat and a trench coat, and his stride is determined despite his limp.
The sound of his limping walk is distinctive. Step, drag, step, drag, step, drag, step, drag. It's a sound that will haunt the film.
He walks upstairs to a shabby rented room and pulls a semiautomatic pistol from a dresser drawer. He slaps a magazine into the pistol, checks the barrel and the ejection port, and then the title of the film appears onscreen in block letters.
Now that's the way to start a movie. Zinnemann, his cinematographer Robert Surtees, and his editor Conrad A. Nervig build more suspense and engagement in the first minute of Act of Violence than most movies are able to muster in their entire first reel.
It helps that the film drops us right into the action. Most movies in the 1940s began with screen after screen of opening credits; a time-honored cinematic tradition. Act of Violence and Nicholas Ray's They Live by Night are the only films from 1948 I've seen that eschewed that hoary convention, and both films immediately arrest the viewer.
After the opening, Ryan's ominous character Joe Parkson takes a Greyhound bus to California, where the viewer meets the other star of the film; Van Heflin. Heflin plays Frank Enley, a World War II veteran, housing contractor, and family man with a beautiful young wife named Edith (Janet Leigh) and an adorable baby boy. (Janet Leigh was just 21 when this film was made. Heflin and Ryan were both in their late 30s.)
We know right from the beginning that Joe Parkson wants to kill Frank Enley, but we don't know why. For awhile, all we know is that Enley was Parkson's CO in the war, and that Parkson has a vendetta against him.
M-G-M didn't produce very many noirs, but when they did, they were glossy affairs with high productions values and great actors, like The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), Undercurrent (1946), Lady in the Lake (1947), and High Wall (1947).
Act of Violence is a stylish thriller that looks and feels ahead of its time. The cinematography is meticulously constructed and dripping with noir atmosphere, but it never feels studio-bound and uses real-world locations beautifully. The sound effects in the film sometimes do a better job of creating suspense than any musical score could.
All the actors in Act of Violence are really good. Van Heflin was a sad-eyed Everyman, and Robert Ryan had a physically intimidating presence, but enough charisma to make even his most villainous characters magnetic. Apparently Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart were originally slated to star in Act of Violence, but I can't picture anyone but Heflin and Ryan as these characters.
Janet Leigh has a pretty thankless role, but she has enough star power to make it interesting. Phyllis Thaxter doesn't have much to do as Joe's girl Ann, but she's fine. Mary Astor is wonderful in an unglamorous role as a barfly obsessed with "kicks" who Frank meets on a business trip to Los Angeles, and the always-creepy Berry Kroeger is great in a small part.
I thought Zinnemann's previous film, The Search (1948) was a minor masterpiece, and I feel the same way about Act of Violence. Zinnemann's best work may have been ahead of him, but Act of Violence is an exceedingly well-made, visually inventive thriller with enough moral ambiguity to keep it interesting. I think our cultural views have evolved since World War II in ways that make the central conceit of the film even more ambiguous than it probably seemed when the film was first released.
I don't want to go into more detail for fear of spoilers, but for me there's a great deal of meaning packed into Enley's statement to his wife, "A lot of things happened in the war that you wouldn't understand. Why should you? I don't understand them myself."
Posted in 1948, December 1948 and tagged Berry Kroeger, Bronislau Kaper, Conrad A. Nervig, Film Noir, Fred Zinnemann, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Ryan, Robert Surtees, Van Heflin. Bookmark the permalink.
The Iron Curtain (May 12, 1948)
The Iron Curtain (1948)
Directed by William A. Wellman
William A. Wellman's The Iron Curtain was the first appearance of Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney together in a film since Otto Preminger's Laura (1944). This really has no bearing on The Iron Curtain, but I love the movie Laura and Andrews and Tierney are one of my favorite screen couples, so it was fun to see them play completely different roles.
The Iron Curtain is the fictionalized tale of Igor Gouzenko, a Soviet code clerk who was stationed at the U.S.S.R. Embassy in Ottawa and discovered that American military secrets and other products of Soviet espionage were being transmitted through his office.
There is the obligatory text preceding the film that tells the viewer that all the documents presented appear exactly as they did in actual court records, as authenticated by the R.C.M.P.
This is a standard opening for a docudrama, which in the late '40s was sort of a subgenre of film noir, with dramatic lighting, expressionistic camera angles, and subjective storytelling applied to true stories of espionage or miscarried justice, like The House on 92nd Street (1945), 13 Rue Madeleine (1947), Boomerang (1947), and Call Northside 777 (1948). These films used actual locations, documents, and occasionally even the actual participants in historical events to add sizzle to their "ripped from the headlines" plots.
When Gouzenko first arrives in Canada he's the perfect apparatchik, devoted to Marxism and to the Communist Party. When one of his fellow Soviet embassy workers, Nina Karanova (June Havoc), shows him her spacious, well-decorated apartment, he berates her for her laxity and for being seduced by the trappings of Western decadence. But a chain of events conspires to force Gouzenko to experience some character development. His wife, Anna Gouzenko (Gene Tierney), joins him in Ottawa, and together they experience the friendliness and good hearts of their North American neighbors, and realize that they might have more in common with their "enemies" than they thought. At work, Gouzenko is haunted by the drunken recollections of Maj. Semyon Kulin (Eduard Franz), who murdered some of his own men to force others to "volunteer" for a mission during the war.
When Gouzenko discovers that he is passing classified information from the embassy back to Moscow — American nuclear secrets, the details of a supposedly secret meeting in Canada between FDR and Churchill, details of sleeper agents — he experiences a crisis of conscience, and has to decide if he should turn documents over to the Canadian Minister of Justice and put his life and the lives of his wife and child in danger.
The Iron Curtain is a slick, well-made thriller that doesn't generate suspense through over-the-top elements like chases or shootouts, but rather through grounded, real-life elements like the threat of the NKVD, the Soviet Secret Police.
When the story of Igor Gouzenko was originally covered by the media in February 1946, it was the beginning of public awareness of the Cold War. The revelation that our former allies were running a spy ring in North America had a profound impact that would last for decades. The Iron Curtain is the earliest film I've seen to tackle the looming Soviet menace, and it's more tasteful and factually accurate than some of the outré Red Scare flicks the '50s would give us.
Posted in 1948, May 1948 and tagged 20th Century-Fox, Berry Kroeger, Communism, Dana Andrews, Darryl F. Zanuck, Docudramas, Espionage Thrillers, Gene Tierney, June Havoc, William A. Wellman. Bookmark the permalink.


All Baker homes currently listed for sale in Denver as of 04/23/2019 are shown below. You can change the search criteria at any time by pressing the 'Change Search' button below.
"Beautiful Rare NEW Build in Baker! This one-of-a-kind NEW custom home will not last. Luxury finishes, gorgeous hickory wood floors on main level. Breathtaking kitchen with GE Monogram Cafe appliances, custom cabinets, pantry space, epic island with bar seating and natural light unlike any other. Amazing master bedroom and bath. Gorgeous custom private bathrooms for each bedroom. Multiple private outdoor spaces for indoor outdoor living. Three beautiful stacked stone gas fireplaces. Incredible d"
"Opportunity to own a fully remodeled quad-plex in Baker! All units are currently occupied, however, well under market rent due to construction next door. Brand new building next door will be complete in Spring, providing an excellent opportunity to raise rents. Please see supplements for rent-o-meter report on average 2 bedroom rents in Baker. Easy-to-manage low maintenance building. Investor opportunity to rent all 4 long-term OR Airbnb. Live in one unit, rent the other 3. No HOA. Property can "
"This is an up/down duplex and has been renovated to really shine. Located in the Baker District you can live in 1 unit and rent the other (on airbnb or annually). Rent both units for a monthly income, or rent for significantly more on Airbnb. The home has 2 amazing open floor plans with original hard wood floors and all kinds of cool character tastefully mixed with modern touches. It also has an awesome backyard to enjoy those warm summer nights and a garage to cover the car in the cold. Air"
"Don't miss this amazing opportunity to own a 2 bedroom PLUS study/den w/ terrace in the premier Watermark!! A true Gourmet's kitchen with high end stainless steel appliances, slab granite and more is perfect for entertaining! Western mountain/treetop views from terrace off Living Room and Master Bedroom. $6,000 closet systems installed. Designed by renowned architect Curtis Fintress, the Watermark boasts possibly the greatest roof top deck in the city with an infinity pool that looks out to th"
"Best value in the building! Amazing 2 Bedroom+Study/3 Bath in the Watermark Luxury Residences w/ breathtaking mountain views! Beautiful gourmet's kitchen w/ large island and spacious eating area perfect for entertaining. Take in the unobstructed mountain views from the large deck off the living room and master! Resort-like living which includes 24 hour security, concierge, rooftop infinity pool, gym & so much more! Residents can both enjoy the neighborhood feel of Historic Baker, yet close prox"
"Ready to go at the end of April. These are not slot homes. Baker West features six remarkably designed townhouses, carefully constructed in a fantastic location - walking distance from both the Santa Fe Arts District and the shops and restaurants on South Broadway. The finishes far exceed anything else you'll see in this price range. Birch floors run throughout the open main level, which has a lots of glass at the entry, a great room, powder bath and a bonus office/den with a skylight. The kitch"
"Bright, open, corner townhome in remarkable Baker West. Restaurants, gyms, breweries, distilleries and the Santa Fe Arts District are all within an easy walk. Main floor has high ceilings and birch floors through the living/dining space and the kitchen, with stainless Jenn-Air appliances (french door fridge and gas range) and beautiful finishes. The master suite upstairs has a balcony and mountain views, along with a walk-in closet and a huge tiled shower. The second bedroom is also en suite and"
"Welcome to Baker Vista! New construction featuring 14 unique residences with several different floor plans and price points ranging from low $400's to mid $500's. Eleven of fourteen units still available as of March 9th. All residences feature site finished hardwood flooring, Porcelanosa tile, Krion countertops, inspiring mountain & city views, custom kitchens, etc. Excellent location in center of Baker with easy access to all the amenities and activities Broadway and Santa Fe corridors offer. A"
"Bright, open corner townhome at Baker West. The great room has high ceilings (as does everywhere else) and birch floors. Clean, modern kitchen includes Jenn-Air french door fridge and a gas range. 2nd bedroom on the main floor is an actual, real, adult-sized bedroom. Large master suite upstairs has a walk-in closet. Lots of LED cans throughout. The downtown skyline and mountain views from the rooftop deck are amazing. The corner deck is also secluded; no bordering neighbors on any side. Attached"
"Looking for an updated Victorian in Baker with a 2 car garage?? Come see this home in the heart of Baker! This home has new interior and exterior paint, beautiful hardwood floors throughout the entire home, an oversized 2-car garage, 2 patios - one covered and one open - ideal for enjoying the Colorado summer evenings, furnace and central A/C were replaced in 2009. The kitchen offers a large pantry, marble tile countertops, gas range, refrigerator, microwave oven, and dishwsher. There is a Ju"
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"Awesome DOUBLE LOT investment opportunity for anyone looking to scrape and build new in the highly sought after Baker neighborhood. Rare U-RH-2.5 zoning allows for flexibility in future development, many examples being built all throughout the neighborhood. Current home on lot is livable, could serve as a rental while plans/permits are finalized. A short walk from all of the shopping, restaurants and bars that Broadway has to offer. This is a very rare opportunity in an amazing area, don t mis"
"Come see this updated large 2 bedroom 1 bath Duplex on a corner lot! Located in between the Baker neighborhood and the Santa Fe Art District and all First Fridays have to offer. It is a bright and open floor plan with room in the basement for a 3rd bedroom (currently non conforming) and plenty of storage. The front/side yard and new fence provide outdoor space to relax and enjoy the mountain views. NO HOA!!! Great access to the Mountains and is walking distance to Coffee Shops, Breweries"
"This PENTHOUSE move in ready LIVE/WORK SPACE has everything you want in an urban home! You will love the open, loft style concept- The main floor features a beautiful modern kitchen with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances. The open kitchen flows into the great room that is flooded with light from huge west and south facing windows. The kitchen also opens to the huge deck that is scheduled to be replaced shortly. Terrific, high end loft style finishes are complemented by 18'-20' ceil"
Listing #3574552 RE/MAX 100 INC.
"This is a very unique urban home located in the Landmark and Historical Baker District nieghborhood. It's a very open floor plan which was remodeled in 2008! It has vaulted ceilings, a performance bar style kitchen, a large bedroom and master bathroom with claw foot tub, a 1.5 car garage, front porch, a fenced back yard. Immediate access to ALL of Denver. Minutes to downtown, 6th ave, I-25, I-70 to the montains, Broncos and Rocky Stadium. You will love having your summer BBQ's in the back y"
"Welcome to Baker Vista! New construction featuring 14 unique residences with several different floor plans and price points ranging from low $400's to mid $500's. Eleven of fourteen units still available as of March 21st. All residences feature site finished hardwood flooring, Porcelanosa tile, Krion countertops, inspiring mountain & city views, custom kitchens, etc. Excellent location in center of Baker with easy access to all the amenities and activities Broadway and Santa Fe corridors offer. "
"Old world charm with modern renovations. Fabulous Baker District, a block to restaurants & shops. Exposed brick and hardwood floors. Open layout, modern kitchen features, stainless steel appliances, gas stove and a pantry. Washer & Dryer included. Updated full bathroom with subway tile. Community back yard picnic area. Storage closet in boiler room. HOA includes heat."
"PARKING SPACE #47 This is for a parking space only buyer must be owner of condo or retail space Listed tax amount and HOA is an estimate and should be TBD Total SF is an estimate and should be verified by buyer NO CONDO FOR SALE"


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The End of the Affair By Graham Greene
Very GoodGood
Maurice Bendrix's love affair with his friend's wife, Sarah, had begun in London during the Blitz. One day, inexplicably and without warning, Sarah had broken off the relationship. Two years later, driven by obsessive jealousy and grief, Bendrix sends Parkis, a private detective, to follow Sarah.
The End of the Affair Summary
The End of the Affair Reviews
'One of the most true and moving novels of my time, in anybody's language' William Faulkner
About Graham Greene
Graham Greene was born in Hertfordshire in 1904. While at Balliol College, Oxford he published his first book of verse. He continued to write throughout his lifetime, and served with the Secret Intelligence Service during the Second World War. He was a member of the Order of Merit and a Companion of Honour. Among the many people who paid tribute to him on his death was Kingsley Amis: 'He will be missed all over the world. Until today, he was our greatest living novelist.' He died in 1991.
Customer Reviews - The End of the Affair


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You are at:Home»Film Reviews»Hugo, Golden Globe Awards' Winner
Hugo, Golden Globe Awards' Winner
By Robin Menken on	 01/17/2012 Film Reviews
For me, an imperfect film by Scorsese often tops a near perfect film by most other directors. Based on Brian Selznick's illustrated novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", Scorsese has directed one of three magnificent 3-d movies. "Avatar", "Coraline" and "Hugo" are films that MUST BE seen in 3D. Each weaves the dimensionality into the emotional thrust of the film, the story arc, instead of treating the technique as a special effect.
A simple thing like a walk in the snow is a marvel in Scorsese's hand. His views of Paris from the rooftop are unforgettable and the chase through the impossible tower of clockworks and warrens of apartments hidden inside the Train Station walls is wonderful fun.
In one scene Hugo and Isabelle sneak into a cinema and watch Harold Lloyd cling to a skyscraper clock in "Safety Last!" and later Hugo does the same stunt to elude the rabid Station Inspector played by the consummate Sacha Baron Cohen. Perhaps having Baron Cohen and Kingsley in the same film only points up Kingsley's failure of imagination. Baron Cohen is nothing if not inventive. As the resentful former orphan with a mechanical prosthetic leg and vast insecurities, he milks every physical and emotional nuance. His voice is a solo instrument wheedling a variety of tones for a character who's spent his life controlling his emotions until he blows his stack.
Cons. I have enjoyed Ben Kingsley in roles like "Sexy Beast" where he plays a variety of Brit he may know from life; in the thinly written role of George Méliès he's coasting. He attacks the young Méliès, during the heyday of his fantastic career, with gusto, but fails to add the inventive character quirks that would have made the older Méliès more than a figurehead OR cipher. Because he's curiously flat in the role, the sentimental triumph of the end of the film swirls around him and left me unsatisfied.
Scorsese, fueled by a ferocious intelligence and ambitious film craft creates detailed, layered films of classical splendor, but even he has blind spots. Scorsese makes some strange casting choices in his smaller roles. (In 'The Aviator", I couldn't believe that the same man who cast the brilliant Kate Blanchett as Kate Hepburn would cast the buffed, wiry Kate Beckinsale as the plush screen goddess Ava Gardner, or the brittle Gwen Stefani as the effervescent Jean Harlow. If the roles were throwaway, why not cast unknowns with body types that evoked the iconic old school glamour girls. Ouch!)
I like the idea of the background romance between the dog-loving spinster Madame Emilie (Frances de la Tour) and her would be suitor Monsieur Frick. But diffident Richard Griffiths seems lost in the role, a poor mans S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall with none of the ebullience the role needs to be memorable.
Expressive young actors Asa Butterfield ("The Boy in the Striped Pajamas") as the orphaned Train Station stowaway Hugo Cabret and Chloë Grace Moretz ("(500) Days of Summer ") as bibliophile Isabelle are sheer delight, with their clipped speech and Euro manners. (She's a Southern girl and must have worked with a coach, he's a young British actor.)
Ray Winstone is sufficiently evil as Hugo's drunkard Uncle Claude. Jude Law charms as Hugo's idealistic clock making Father, Christopher Lee gives an inflected performance as the kindly, restrained bookseller Monsieur Labisse
Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" franchise) is affecting as Mama Jeanne (Méliès' muse wife) and beguiling in the flashbacks. Michael Stuhlbarg relishes his role as Méliès' greatest fan and collector ReneTabard.
If Scorsese's recreation of a shooting day at Méliès' famed all glass movie studio were all, the movie would be a must see, but his adaptation of Selznick's book is a joy.
Robin Menken
Robin Menken Robin Menken lives in Los Angeles. She was the Artistic Director of the Second City Workshops, taught at UC Berkeley, USC, Barcelona\'s Ateneu and the Esalin Institute. She was Roberto Rossellini\'s assistant, and worked with Yevgeny Vevteshenku, Glauber Rocha and Eugene Ionesco. She sold numerous screenplays and wrote the OBIE winning The FTA SHow (touring with Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and Ben Vereen.) She was a programming consultant and Special Events co-ordinator for numerous film festivals, including the SF, Rio, Havana and N.Y Film Festivals. Her first news outlet was the historic East Village Other.
What happened to you Nadine Labaki? A tasteful Caramel served on MUBI
Sly, a political comedy from Iranian cinema


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Phase one of new Hawk Activity Center begins
Hailey Dirks, Managing Editor|August 27, 2019
photo by Yasmin Haq
A construction worker drills holes in cement to lay a metal foundation on August 8th. Construction began at the end of the last school year.
Pogue Construction Company began work at the school to implement projects from LISD's 2017 bond package plan at the beginning of summer.
The first step was the demolition on the old practice field. When students returned back to school they were met with limited parking, construction workers, and piles of dirt all over the school campus on August 13.
Despite knowledge of the Hawk Activity Center being in the 2017 Bond Package that LISD residents voted for, senior Merideth Carroll said she was surprised to find out the construction would impact parking.
"I was upset when I found out that there was no reserved and painted parking for this year," senior Merideth Carroll said. "I've been looking forward to having a painted spot for a long time, so that was a big disappointment."
Principal Amy Boughton said she expected the emotional reactions from students and parents toward the lack of parking.
"Becoming a senior and getting the seniority to have a reserved spot or have a painted spot is important," Boughton said. "That was important to me when I was a senior. I hate that we just don't have the ability to ensure that you'd have a spot all year, but it was more my priority to communicate with everyone and get the information out so people could start processing it."
Right now, they are in phase one of construction. Hebron is having 12 new tennis courts and two new practice fields built. In phase two of the construction, the old tennis courts will go under demolition and then they will start construction of the new Hawk Activity Center. Included in the Hawk Activity Center there will be a new arena, a new indoor practice facility, a weight room, and locker rooms.
"There's going to be a lot of pride in that facility," Boughton said. "I'm excited for our student body – we're going to be able to get more kids into the pep rallies. From looking at the plans, the space in front is going to be beautiful. It's going to be a real community-centered place."
All construction is set to be finished December 2020, if the weather cooperates.
"The payoff will be outstanding," Boughton said. "It's going to be the best activity center in the district."
hebron high school
Hailey Dirks, Managing Editor
Senior Hailey Dirks is the Managing Editor and this is her second year on staff. In her free time, she loves reading, listening to music, painting and...
Band prepares for Tournament of Roses Parade
Water polo to host free clinic Dec. 20
Two orchestra members named All-State performers
Orchestra to hold winter concert Thursday
Stepping up to the stage
Hebron Theatre Improv to perform "Funny Side Up" Dec. 1
Silver Wings to host annual Gift Galleria Dec. 4
Administration implements measures to decrease fights
Band places first in Bands of America Super Regional and UIL State Marching Contest
LISD Adopt an Angel accepting donations until Dec. 9
All The Hawk Eye Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest


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