|
|
You are viewing the most recent 25 entries.
23rd May 2009
5:54pm: Upcoming A-Space event I'm really excited about!
The “Trans Altered Books Project,” funded by the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant, offers those who identify as Trans to participate in a nine-week Altered Books Course by Pigeon Arts’ Director, Jesse White.
Do you identify as Trans* and are seeking a creative way to build esteem and strengthen community?  * As in the Leeway Foundation’s definition, “We use the term “trans” in its most inclusive sense, as an umbrella term encompassing: transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, and Two-Spirit people, and more generally, anyone whose gender identity or gender expression is non-conforming and/or different from their birth-assigned gender.”
  
The Purpose of this Project: This project, designed for the Trans community of Greater Philadelphia, will offer participants the opportunity to explore self-identity and combat self-stigmatizing labels. The project includes creative writing exercises, focused on positive self-identifying roles. From what is written, participants will construct their stories through the creation of altered books. Each artist will transform an existing book into a new work of art through multiple techniques: painting, drawing, gluing, cutting, folding, layering, collaging, adorning and more! Having doors and drawers that open, inserting mini-books and pockets, and other techniques will help artists to create incredibly distinctive, functional pieces of art. Healthy and nurturing communities are born from healthy, self-aware and enthusiastic individuals. This project offers trans people the opportunity to safely explore their own self identities and how that relates to the larger communities of trans people, LGBT people and the general community of people living in the Greater Philadelphia area. The goals of this project are to provide a cathartic and healing creative experience that will foster self-esteem, enhance each artist’s creative experience in a positive and lasting way, and to strengthen the group’s sense of community and supports for trans people.
 
About the Project: This project is designed for participants to meet once a week, for two hours, for a total of nine weeks. The last session will provide an exhibition opportunity for those participants who wish to share and celebrate their work with friends and family. Artists must commit to participate in the entire session and will be offered the opportunity at no cost, aside from a small registration fee. The details are listed below: Dates: Saturdays, June 27th - August 29th (No Class on July 4th)
Time: 3:30-5:30pm
Location: The A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Registration Fee: $4.00
Travel: There is a free parking lot next door; also accessible by public transportation via the #34 Trolley
Number of Participants: 12-15
About Jesse White: “I am a member of the LGBT community, and have worked either on a volunteer basis or through employment as an LGBT civil rights activist since 1992. Through my work with Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, I have accompanied trans victims of hate violence to court as a court advocate, have facilitated workshops on anti-trans police misconduct at the 2008 Trans-Health Conference, transgender name changes at Philadelphia FIGHT, LGBT Domestic Violence at Women in Transition, and have designed LGBT anti-violence educational materials (with the help of a student intern) that was distributed to every anti-violence organization in Pennsylvania. Now, as the Director of Pigeon Arts, I work with various communities, including LGBT students, in the instruction of arts techniques and individual creative process. My emphasis in creative instruction is always to 1) create a safe space within which students can take creative risks and 2) to meet each student where they are and help them to achieve personal and creative goals. Many of my LGBT-identified students have expressed the importance of my creative programming to process choices, relationships, and self-care. I am thrilled to be able to facilitate this project and hope that you will consider joining us!”
About the A-Space: The A-Space, located at 47th Street & Baltimore Avenue, is a collectively run anarchist community center and art gallery. Here, amidst a large and vibrant Transgender community that is often underserved, the A-Space provides a safe, nurturing, and celebratory space for all. Established in 1991, The A-Space is operated by an all volunteer anarchist collective who share chores,
rotate responsibilities, and make decisions by consensus. The A-Space is home to Philadelphia groups such as Books Through Bars, the Philadelphia Anti-War Forum, Philadelphia Alliance for Labor (Birth) Support, & Philly Jericho Movement . It is also used for lectures, meetings, performances, art showings, films, benefits, cultural events, educational events, & other events that bring people together. You can learn more about the A-Space by visiting their website at http://www.the-aspace.org
How to Register: Please go to the REGISTER page and complete the form. Then send a money order for $4.00 to: Pigeon Arts
C/o Jesse White
3820 Spring Garden St., 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104 We will contact you to confirm your registration.
29th December 2008
5:49pm: Death Bi Chocolate at the A-Space
Death Bi Chocolate is right around the corner and we want YOU to be there! Who: BiUnity is a non-profit organization. We are primarily a social group for bisexuals, their friends and families, but we also provide some amount of support and education via discussion groups, appearances at Pride events and panel discussions. This event is all ages. What: Death Bi Chocolate is a delightful fund-raising day filled w/ lots of (very inexpensive) chocolate goodies to eat, fun table-top games to play, and friendly bi folks to chat with. At the end of the day, the remaining baked goods will be auctioned...so you may have some goodies to take home too! When: January 1st, 12:30p to 4:30p Where: The A- Space Anarchist Community Space, at 4722 Baltimore Ave, is right next to a free municipal parking lot. It's on the 34 Trolley line between 47th and 48th Street. Why: Pride, Outfest, Equality Forum...these events all cost money. However, it's important that BiUnity attends, both to represent the bi community and to be a resource. For years, Death Bi Chocolate has helped us to make it to these events. How: There are several ways that YOU could help to make this happen: 1. donate chocolate goodies--cookies, cakes, candy, brownies, etc... 2. attend the event and buy the goodies. 3. volunteer for the set-up and/or the break-down of the event. 4. spread the word by posting the details--both online and in your community. If you plan to donate and/or volunteer, please reply here. skyethebard@ gmail.com
19th November 2008
3:10pm: support anarchist political prisoner Ojore Lutalo
philly abcf/jericho movement presents: What to do in Case of Fire What happens when a group of anarcho-punks reunite after a bomb they planted 15 years prior detonates? A Film Screening to support the release of New Afrikan Political Prisoner Ojore N. Lutalo Friday November 21st A Space 4722 Baltimore 19143 Doors open @ 7:30 Film Starts @ 8pm Free—donations for Ojore appreciated! FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS! FREE POPCORN! Long time New Afrikan Anarchist Political Prisoner, Ojore N. Lutalo is set to max out after 26 years of imprisonment at New Jersey State Prison. While his exact release date is still not finalized, it will most likely be late November or early December. The NJ DOC website has his max out date as December 25th. Ojore, with the help of a lawyer, is in the process of working to get his good time/work credits restored, a result of his victory in the NJ Superior Court in 2007, which overturned a charge the prison convicted him of in 2005. This charge/conviction took away around a year of good time/work credits. This process is still ongoing and we will update people with any changes to his max out date In the meantime, the Anarchist Black Cross Federation (ABCF) is initiating a fundraising drive to support Ojore, once he is released, in order for him to transition back to the streets. Money is needed to help Ojore secure housing, food and clothing. This financial assistance will allow Ojore to make the transition more smoothly, knowing that money and housing isn't an immediate pressing matter, giving him the needed time to readjust to the streets ,that he hasn't seen or experienced since 1982. As many former prisoners and their supporters know, coming back home after a doing a long stretch in prison is difficult and without a support base it will be even more difficult. The ABCF, anarchists and many PP/POW activists who have maintained contact and supported Ojore over the years, have benefited immensely from the example that he's set as what it means to be a revolutionary. His untiring advice/criticism to us has helped many of us and our organizations grow politically and deepen, not only our commitment to the struggle to free political prisoners and prisoners of war, but to that of building a revolutionary movement It's our revolutionary duty ensure Ojore has all the support he needs when hits the streets! We encourage all activists to organize fundraisers or donate whatever they can towards Ojore's release fund. All funds, by check or money order, payable to TIM FASNACHT, can be sent to: Philadelphia ABCF P.O Box 42129 Philadelphia, Pa 19101 Thank you for your support of our comrade Ojore! Solidarity and Struggle! Tim Philly ABCF 717-917-1165 bio of Ojore........ Ojore Lutalo is locked down in Trenton, New Jersey, for actions carried out in the fight for Black Liberation. In Ojore's own words, he is "serving a parole violation sentence (we received 14 to 17 years) stemming from a 1977 conviction for expropriating monies from a capitalist state bank (in order to finance our activities) and engaging the political police in a gun battle in December 1975 in order to effect our departure from the bank, and to ensure success of the military operation..." "After my parole violation term terminated in December 1987, I started serving a forty year sentence with a twenty year parole ineligibility (I was paroled in 1980, and I have been back in captivity since April 20, 1982) that I have received in 1982 for having a gun-fight with a drug dealer. The overall strategy of assaulting a drug dealer is to secure monies to finance one's activities, and to rid the oppressed communities of drug dealers." Ojore was originally arrested with New Afrikan P.O.W. Kojo Bomani Sababu, and was struggling with comrade Andaliwa Clark up until the point that Andaliwa was killed in action within the confines of New Jersey's infamous Trenton State Prison after he shot two prison's security guards in the repressive Management Control Unit (M.C.U.) on January 19th, 1976 when they tried to stop him from escaping from captivity. Ojore was a comrade of the late Kuwasi Balagoon, a New Afrikan anarchist P.O.W. "I've been involved in the struggle, the war against the fascist state since 1970. I've been an anarchist since 1975 without any regrets. Prior to my involvement in the struggle, I was just another apolitical lumpen (bandit) here in Amerika." "I was... influenced and highly motivated by the Black Liberation Army (B.L.A.) here in Amerika. These sisters and brothers were New Afrikans just like me from the streets of the ghettos who took the initiative militarily, to start assassinating members of the state's security forces who were murdering black people in our communities. From the inception of all revolutions, I feel that the people need armed combat units to check state sponsored acts of terrorism by the government's security forces. In addition, I feel that these armed combat units are necessary to show the people that fascist acts of state-sponsored terrorism... will be responded to militarily. In 1975 I became disillusioned with Marxism and became an anarchist (thanks to Kuwasi Balagoon) due to the inactiveness and ineffectiveness of Marxism in our communities along with repressive bureaucracy that comes with Marxism. People aren't going to commit themselves to a life and death struggle just because of grand ideas someone might have floating around in their heads. I feel people will commit themselves to a struggle if they can see progress being made similar to the progress of anarchist collectives in Spain during the era of the fascist Bahamonde..." The A-Space Anarchist Community Space 4722 Baltimore Ave, W. Philly 215-727-0882 leave msg a-space@defenestrator.org www.the-aspace.org plenty of parking for bikes & cars south side of Baltimore ave between 47th & 48th on septa #34 green line surface trolley most events free/we survive on donation donate listserv: a-space-subscribe@lists.riseup.net www.friendster.com/aspace www.myspace.com/aspacecommunitycenter
10th November 2008
12:35pm: Suppor the Release of PP Ojore N. Lutalo
philly abcf/jericho movement presents: What to do in Case of Fire What happens when a group of anarcho-punks reunite after a bomb they planted 15 years prior detonates? A Film Screening to support the release of New Afrikan Political Prisoner Ojore N. Lutalo Friday November 21st A Space 4722 Baltimore 19143 Doors open @ 7:30 Film Starts @ 8pm Free—donations for Ojore appreciated! FREE POLITICAL
17th October 2008
3:54pm: Voices of 3 Political Prisoners
PHILADELPHIA JERICHO PRESENTS: "VOICES OF 3 POLITICAL PRISONERS" VIDEO SHOWING TO BE FOLLOWED BY A REPORT BACK FROM PHILLY JERICHO ABOUT THE 10-10 JERICHO RALLY/MARCH AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN SUPPORT OF AMNESTY FOR U.S POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF WAR FRIDAY OCTOBER 17TH 7:30PM A-SPACE 4722 BALTIMORE AVE. Nuh Washington – Call Me Nuh & Last Statement Albert 'Nuh' Washington passed away April 28, 2000, at the Regional Medical Unit at Coxsackie Correctional Facility. Nuh (the Arabic form of Noah) was a committed member of the Black Panther Party and was arrested on August 28, 1971 in San Francisco. Call Me Nuh is based on an interview done with Nuh Washington in 1988 by Fiona Boneham and Paper Tiger TV and produced and edited by Lisa Rudman and Claude Marks in March, 2000. This was originally shown in Oakland, CA at a tribute to him on March 21, 2000, shortly before his passing. Nuh’s “last statement” was recorded for that same event. Each video runs 10 minutes. Jail Muntaqim – Voice of Liberation This 20-minute documentary was edited & produced in November 2002 by Eve Goldberg and Claude Marks, based on an interview done in August 2000 by John O'Reilly and Nina Dibner. Jalil Abdul Muntaqim (formerly Anthony Bottom) was 19 years old when he was arrested at the same time as Nuh Washington. He is a former member of the Black Panther Party and is one of the longest held political prisoners in the world. This documentary is a unique opportunity to visit and hear Jalil's story. David Gilbert – A Lifetime of Struggle This 30-minute video was edited in March 2002 by Claude Marks and Lisa Rudman, and is based on an interview done in July of 1998 at Great Meadows Prison, Comstock, New York by Sam Green and Bill Siegel. This is a rare opportunity to go behind prison walls for a discussion with David Gilbert, a lifelong anti-imperialist activist and former member of the Weather Underground Organization. David is now serving a life sentence in prison for activities in support of the Black Liberation Movement. He explains why he joined the movement, what led him to go underground, and frankly discusses the strengths and errors of the movement and the WUO. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: PHILLYJERICHO@RISEUP.NET
16th October 2008
12:48pm: IVAW Members arrested & injured at debate
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2008 CONTACT: Jason Lemieux, jasonlemieux@ivaw.org, 760-409-9403 or Kristofer Goldsmith, kgoldy1985@gmail.com, 516-457-1260 Iraq War Veterans Arrested While Attempting to Deliver Questions to Obama and McCain HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. One hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign, fourteen members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) marched in formation to Hofstra University to present questions to the candidates. IVAW had requested permission from debate moderator Bob Schieffer to ask their questions during the debate, but received no response. The contingent of veterans in dress and combat uniforms attempted to enter the building where the debate was to be held in order to ask questions about poor veterans' healthcare and supporting war resisters of the candidates, but were turned back by police. IVAW members at the front of the formation were immediately arrested, and others were pushed back into the crowd by police on horseback. Several members were injured, including former Army Sergeant Nick Morgan who suffered a broken cheekbone when he was trampled by police horses before being arrested. "Neither of the candidates has shown real support for service members and veterans. We came here to try and have serious questions answered, questions that we as veterans of the Iraq war have a right to ask, but instead we were arrested. We will continue to ask these questions no matter who is elected. We believe that the time has come to end this war and bring our troops home, and we will be pushing for that no matter what happens in this election." said Jason Lemieux, a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps who served three tours in Iraq, and member of IVAW. A total of ten veterans were arrested during the action, including Matthis Chiroux (Army Sergeant), Kristofer Goldsmith (Army Sergeant), Adam Kokesh (Marine Sergeant), Mike Spinato, Geoff Millard (Army Sergeant), Marlisa Grogan (Marine Captain), Nathan Peld (Navy, 1998-2004), Nick Morgan (Army Sergeant), James Gilligan (Marine Corps, 6 years) and Jose Vasquez (Army & Army Reserves, 1992-2007). ### Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) was founded in July of 2004 to allow servicemen and women from all branches of the military a chance to come together and speak out against an illegal, unjust and unwinnable occupation. IVAW currently has over 1,300 members in 49 states, Canada and on military bases in the United States and overseas. To learn more about IVAW you can visit our website at www.ivaw.org.
29th June 2007
12:10am: Support political prisoner Fred Burton of the Philly 5
The time and date have been set for oral arguments in the Fred Muhammad Burton case. Fred, like Maroon Shoatz, is part of the Philly 5. There are a couple of cool events in Philly this weekend for folks who want to learn more about the case Oral Arguments for Fred Muhammad Burton Tuesday, July 10th at 9am at the Superior Court 530 Walnut St 17th floor. All Out to Support Political Prisoner Fred Muhammad Burton of the Philadelphia 5 Friday, June 29 7:30pm A-Space Poems Not Prisons Open Mic featuring P.R.O.F.I.T. benefit for Fred Muhammad Burton Oral Arguments for Fred Muhammad Burton Tuesday, July 10th at 9am at the Superior Court 530 Walnut St 17th floor. All Out to Support Political Prisoner Fred Muhammad Burton of the Philadelphia 5 special guest Khalid Abur'rasheed from the New Afrikan Liberation Front speaks on the Fred Muhammad Burton and the Philadelphia 5 more info: http://www.the-aspace.org/poemsnotprisonsdownload flyer at http://www.the-aspace.org/pnp_june07.pdfSaturday, June 30 6pm JOIN PHILADELPHIA JERICHO FOR A SCREENING OF THE VIDEO: THE LEGACY OF TORTURE: THE WAR AGAINST THE BLACK LIBERATION MOVEMENT In 2005 several former members of the Black Panther were held in contempt and jailed for refusing to testify before a San Francisco Grand Jury investigating a police shooting that took place in 1971. The government alleged that Black radical groups were involved in the 34-year old case in which two men armed with shotguns attacked the Ingleside Police Station resulting in the death of a police sergeant and the injuring of a civilian clerk. In 1973, thirteen alleged "Black militants" were arrested in New Orleans, purportedly in connection with the San Francisco events. Some of them were tortured for several days by law enforcement authorities, in striking similarity to the horrors visited upon detainees in Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib. In 1975, a Federal Court in San Francisco threw out all of the evidence obtained in New Orleans. The two lead San Francisco Police Department investigators from over 30 years ago, along with FBI agents, have re-opened the case. Rather than submit to proceedings they felt were abusive of the law and the Constitution, five men chose to stand in contempt of court and were sent to jail. They were released when the Grand Jury term expired, but have been told by prosecutors that "it isn't over yet." SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER ETHEL BURTON, WIFE OF WEST PHILLY 5 POLITICAL PRISONER , FRED MUHAMMAD BURTON. ETHEL WILL ALSO SCREEN A SHORT 15 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY THAT SHE PRODUCED ON WOMEN IN THE PHILADELPHIA BLACK PANTHER PARTY SATURDAY JUNE 30TH 6PM THE A-SPACE 4722 BALTIMORE AVENUE WEST PHILLY SPONOSRED BY PHILADELPHIA JERICHO FOR MORE INFO CONTACT RONALD @ 215-386-6598 EMAIL: PHILLYJERICHO@RISEUP.NET Oral Arguments for Fred Muhammad Burton Tuesday, July 10th at 9am at the Superior Court 530 Walnut St 17th floor. All Out to Support Political Prisoner Fred Muhammad Burton of the Philadelphia 5
10th May 2007
4:03pm: Event i'm really excited about-- Mirror in the Killing Fields
Mirror in the Killing Fields, a Piece on Fragmentation Photography by Patrick Dunn Friday, May 11 7pm A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave, W. Philly Free- donations appreciated Show opens Friday night! Meet the photographer. Free refreshments. If you can’t make it tomorrow, you can see the show during the A-Space open house on Saturday, May 19 from 3-6. Or check out our calendar at www.the-aspace.org/calendar and see the show while attending one of our events. Or email us a-space@defenestrator.org to set up a viewing. Artist’s Statement This work was inspired by my continued exploration of how genocide changes the physical, social and spiritual spaces in our world. These photographs were taken on a trip I took to Cambodia and Vietnam in the summer of 2004. My goal is for the viewer to understand that genocide impacts all in ways that are not understood until it has happened. I believe that many already know that genocide does not happen in a bubble and that the "justification" to systematically murder people is often related to social, economic, political pressures and ambition. Historically, we see that genocide is often arranged, enforced and managed by academically trained professionals. What is often not acknowledged is the relationship between the victim and the victimizer, how each becomes the historian and the survivor. This work is about the transition from human to killer, victim and survivor. It is also a warning of what is to come in other campaigns of global conflict around the world. Once can already see how the groundwork is being laid out in Iraq for the next genocide. It is like making gasoline, all is needed is the spark. It is my dream that others will work to end all current genocides (in the Americas and beyond) and work to prevent future ones. Genocide is a disease of choice and it is preventable.
Current Mood:  crazy
13th April 2007
2:37am: at least i didn't have to make small talk..
read an account of an A-Space adventure
Current Mood:  contemplative
2:20am: Statement from political prisoner Russell Maroon Shoatz
Subject: Statement from Russell Maroon Shoatz regarding medical situation I have been in prison for over 35 years and for over 5 years I have been held in various control units. during those years, I have suffered from high blood pressure, that has been aggravated by the stress brought on by the harsh conditions of 23 hour daily lockdown.
For a year I have also suffered from irregular heartbeats, that since March 2007 has degenerated into a heart flutter, shoulder and chest pains and lightheadedness, all of which indicates serious underlying heart problems, that could lead to stroke or heart attack. Yet, despite my complaints, I have only been given support stockings to wear, occasional electrocardiogram (ECG) reviews, and been prescribed aspirin. None of which is capable of detecting the underlying problem. I need your help in order to get the prison to allow me to see a heart specialist and be given a stress test and be fitted with a holter monitor in order to pinpoint the problem, before being prescribed proper treatment. Please call or write your concerns about the above situation to: Secretary Jeffrey Beard, PhD
Pa Department of Corrections
2520 Lisburn Rd.
P.O Box 598
Superintendent Louis Folino
SCI-Greene
169 Progress Dr.
Waynesburg, Pa 15370
724-852-2902
Dr Jin
SCI-Greeene
169 Progress Dr.
Waynesburg, Pa 15370
724-852-2902 please send a copy of all letters to:
P.O Box 9476
Philadelphia, Pa 19139
fcu@riseup.net
27th February 2007
10:12pm: Iraq Invasion Anniverary Planning Mtg
I can hardly believe that it has been almost four years since this round of US Iraq invasions. And i can't believe that Philly Anti-War Forum has together for more than five years. But both those things are, in fact, true. This Sunday PAWF is hosting an open planning meeting for folks in Philly who want to do a little somethin' somethin' to commemorate the four long years of butchery.
Current Mood:  distressed
9:52pm: i read my poem!
Friday night at Poems Not Prisons, the A-Space monthly open mic, i read a poem that i've been working on for a very long time (called The Traffic on My Street). It was the first time that i read the entire thing in public. It was scary but exhilerating. I start the new job on Friday, so i guess it is a time for new things. Now, if i can get my packet out and the March A-Space calendar done, i'll be feelng well organized.
26th February 2007
5:10pm: PAWF Anti-War Update on Afrka
I am feeling re-energized about Philadelphia Anti-War Forum. We've had a bunch of good events happening over the past couple of months. i was excited to moderate last week's talk by Bassam Haddad. He showed a segment of his film Arabs & Terrorism. It will soon be available on Netflix-- folks who can should check it out. It's deep. In March we are doing our first (long overdue) forum on Afrika. I'm particulary excited because we doing it at the A-Space, and it is always nice to bring good events into that space.
Current Mood:  excited
21st February 2007
3:00pm: my first work meeting tonight!
I'm taking the train to Media (just like in the Chomsky video) and getting a ride to Springfield (maybe Homer will be at the meeting-- would that be a good thing, though? i bet he's hard to facilitate!) for my first work meeting tonight. I'll be going out to Springfield twice a month on fourth Wednsdays for the general membership meetings, and on 2nd Mondays for the coordinating committee meetings.
I prepared a set of notes with suggestions for outreach and better communication with the membership, and i'm bringing some examples of graphic design stuff to give examples. I feel oddly professional about the whole deal. I'm finally cleaning up the drama from my last job as well, so it reall is a whole new semester.
Busy week-- i showed The Ground Truth on Monday, did laundry yesterday, the meeting tonight, am facilitating Professor Bassam Haddad's talk tomorrow, and maybe reading at Poems Not Prisons on Friday. In between i'm reading a book of poetry called Fast Talking Women that is chants and incantations, given to me by my friend DuiJi, critical race theory, and slave narratives.
I re-designed the philly antiwar forum brochure this week and created a new logo, thanks to my housemates spiffy art program that i recently installed on my computer. I want to start a anti-war speakers bureau-- i've been talking about it with PAWF for years, but now seems like the time. I'm thinking maybe PAWF and Wage Peace & Justice could do it together.
I need to finish pulling my packet together. For it, i also read my friend Wayne's thesis on racism and the drug war (which i'm encouraging him to self-publish as a chapbook) and several chapters of the novel my friend Ebie is writing. Her writing is flawless but i can sometimes help her as a typo spotter.
It's a beautiful day here today. I think i'm going to hang out at redding terminal, buy pine nuts and do some people watching before i get on the suburban train tonight. I'll be glad when this first meeting is over!
Current Mood: nervous
17th February 2007
2:50pm: I have a job!
For anyone who has been following my ridiculous saga-- i didn't get a job last summer, so returned from my residency in September, paid all my bills and realized i had no money. i sent out a crazy email saying "i'm a student with lots of skills and a charming personality (yes, i know it was a lie) and your not-for-profit should hire me because i'm cheap".
It worked and i got a job in just days. unfortunately, it was an insane job. I returned from this residency to find i had lost that insane job-- sort of. I was fired by proxy (for the 2nd time-- the first one didn't really stick).
But i had applied for a job with Delaware County Wage Peace & Justice just before i left town.
I got an interview, which i missed due to a cut finger and late taxi. thought it was hopeless, got another shot at an interview, and was interviewed by 5 folks on their co-ordinating committee (which works by consensus). Thursday i got a call from the chairperson offering me the position for one year, with a 90 day probationary period for all of us to see if it is working for us. i get to work from home and am very pysched about that.
i attribute some of my being chosen to three things from the random world of radicalism
1. my boss had actually reccommended me before she fired me
2. i got so excited talking about strategy and process that i name-dropped Daniel Hunter (from training for change) Though they didn't ask for references, they called him based on the name drop. He said nice things and totally hooked me up.
3. they said of all the canidates i had the most experience in lefty "movement" (i know many debate there is one-- that was there word). i think what may have helped the most was the interview. it was me and five folks sitting around a big table with me answering questions they asked in turn. It was a bit nervewracking, to be sure. I can't imagine how the other candidates felt though. For me, it was so much like the house interviews we did during the long years that i lived in communal housing that i felt moderately relaxed and extremely prepared. hell, i have asked some of those same questions more than once
so i work from home, just 40 or so hours a month-- perfect for my school schedule. i'll probably look for temp jobs too, but it will be nice to have something consistant. the pay is my rent plus 100$ per month so i know the rent is paid. i cleaned my desk and bought a wireless mouse and keyboard to get ready to be organized!
Current Mood: ecstatic
7th February 2007
1:25pm: An A-Space Art Opening
Art Opening Phoebe Muer: A View of the World
7:30pm Friday February 9th Free! Refreshments Chat with the artist
The A-Space Anarchist Community Space
4722 Baltimore Ave, W. Philly
215-727-0882 leave msg plenty of parking for bikes & cars
south side of Baltimore ave between 47th & 48th
on septa #34 green line surface trolley
most events free/we survive on donation (yeah, i'm organizing art shows now... i know it's wierd...)
Current Mood:  busy
2nd February 2007
9:43am: study plan approved!
Almost done here at the Goddard College . I just had the official "approving of the study plan" ceremony. I should be thinking a lot about what that means academically, but instead was thinking what everyone else murmmered or shouted-- MONEY! Can't get the refund check unless the study plan is approved.
It was a good residency, and i think it will be a good semester. I'm bleary eyed and ready for coffee, having stayed up too late last night. I am almost all packed and ready to go. i have closing circle in a minute and then ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=88.8) deep_shag is picking me up at noon. i'll spend a night or two in vermont, then it's back to philly. i hope i can get a phone card and call ebie to see how her move went.
30th January 2007
6:51pm: reading my poetry is not actually fatal...
amazingly enough, i lived through the poetry reading. i read around four sections of my poem "The Traffic On My Street". My reading wasn't perfect, and i was surprisingly relaxed about that. For the past couple of days since then (the reading was Saturday night) i've been getting a lot of positive feedback about the poem and the performance. i have gotten compliments on the content, the writing, and way i read. it has been a big deal for me.
i have Karen Campbell for an advisor. She's amazing. We get to bring discussion topics to our advising group, and i brought "cultural appropriation". It was an interesting way to begin the week. Later, the topic came up again in a faciliatation workshop. The facilitator mentioned it, but folks kept talking about another topic.
I asked that we not loose it as a topic, and other folks did too. When we went back to it the next day the facilitator was like "so we should define what we mean by cultural appropriation. perhaps clarissa should do that". Way to be on the spot! i stumbled through, but it was a bit frusterating. luckily, it was a sharp group and we formed a decent communal definition.
I've been working on organizing the community meeting we have tomorrow. lots of drama. i've had two arguments about it already. but students are excited about the meeting and tons of folks are helping me, so i'm cool with my role as the grouchy arguing person. in fact, as troy mcclure might say "it was the role i was born to play"
i can't do justice to it here, writing quickly, but i saw a super intense and amazing peice of a one woman show performed by a new advisor here. hot!
i have permission to skip the advising field trip tomorrow, so i will take some quiet time to focus hard on work. I am looking forward to tomorrow afternoon when Cindy Milstien will be here with the Black Sheep book table.
Current Mood:  groggy
Powered by LiveJournal.com
|
|
energetic
discontent
creative