The Nymph and The Bee

“A Punishing Resolve”

Pretty Maniac — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:57:52 +0000

"A Punishing Resolve"

3 Plus 3

Pretty Maniac — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:45:50 +0000

“We Fly”

Pretty Maniac — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:46:55 +0000

"We Fly" Dedicated to Carl

Arcades ambo

Pretty Maniac — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:13:37 +0000

The blindfold of the darkened night was lifted,

she could see.

Smokey illuminations of light disappeared,

she felt free.

Harmonies,

playing within the complexities.

The convergence of sound and sight,

expand and collapse.

Synthesizing frenzied trembling

A shivering detonation,

A puzzle strewn across the ground.

8-12-11

Joplin, Missouri EF-5 Tornado Aftermath: My Experience

Pretty Maniac — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:19:47 +0000

This past week I had the pleasure of traveling from New Jersey through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas. For the most part the trip was an excellent experience! The landscapes I saw were a stark contrast to what I normally see in New Jersey, from Mountainous terrain to completely flat plains.

As I was nearing the Arkansas border, I realized that I was passing right by Joplin, Missouri where on May 22, 2011 an epic EF-5 Tornado descended upon the town. I have always had a fascination with extreme weather including Tornadoes. I had always known they were dangerous, but never in my life have I seen such devastation. It was late at night so I decided that I was going to go into Joplin on my return trip to witness just how terrible the damage in Joplin really was. As I made my way off the Joplin exit, I noticed several downed trees and damaged tree limbs.

I travelled deeper into the heart of Joplin, to find things that made my jaw drop wide open as I repeatedly said “Oh my God!” “These poor people” “How could this happen?” I expected the town to be badly damaged, but had no concept of how terrible things really were! I was shaking, my head began to hurt and my heart ached. Even after I left Joplin, for about 2 hours I could not center myself… I felt completely taken over by what I had witnessed.

Houses were completely torn off of their foundations, countless piles of debris covered the sides of the roads, houses missing the roof or one or more sides of the entire house. I saw one house that had a sign on the door saying “We’ll be ok”….and then the tears began to fall. One spot where a house used to be only a foundation and the chimney remained. It was an experience that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

The people of Joplin are resilient and are mending their damaged town, but that is going to take years! It was heartbreaking but also very touching to witness everyone working together for a common good.

I was shocked to see that the bare foundations where houses used to be had absolutely no basements. This, to me is unfathomable. I was told the people of Joplin at least 20 minutes of sirens and warnings that the Tornado was on the way. Sadly in many cases it seems those warnings were not heeded.

So, what can be done to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again? Stronger building materials? Basements in every home? Storm shelters for apartment complexes? Extreme Weather safety rooms inside businesses and restaurants? Earlier warning systems including sirens, TV broadcasts and Radio broadcasts? And most importantly, people need to be aware of these warnings and do what they need to do to be safe, instead of ignoring them. Too many lives were lost, and I wonder how many were lost because they had not listened to the warnings? Perhaps they had thought they were false warnings? How can we get the message across to the people in the path of a tornado just how dangerous they are and that they need to be less complacent?

I am utterly stunned by this experience. My prayers and sympathies to the people of Joplin! Keep being strong and rebuilding! You are all so courageous and brave!

Joplin, Missouri EF-5 Tornado Aftermath (CLICK IMAGE TO SEE FULL RANGE OF IMAGES)

Please leave comments below if you have your own stories that you would like to share about the Joplin Tornado.

Can You Hear The Wind

Pretty Maniac — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:41:24 +0000

"Can You Hear The Wind?"

Don’t make a sound

Just close your eyes.

Listen.

Can you hear the wind,
as it moves around you
calling your name?

Gently touching your skin
as it brushes across your face.
Sending tingles down your spine,
as if to say “you are mine”.

Listen.

Can you here the trees
as the wind blows through.
Playing the leaves,
to a gentle breeze.

Listen.

Can you hear the birds
Singing a morning serenade?
Calling out to the you,
To join them in their flight.

Feel.

The summer sun
as it breaks through the trees,
touching your skin.
Now take a deep breath,
and breathe it in.

Feel.

Open your eyes
to see the beauty,
From where you lie.
The mountains and coyotes,
wild berry and Ivy.

Dream,

Of the beautiful life,
in the woodlands,
that are forgotten by time.

Help me win marriage in NY. Call your legislator here. It’s quick and easy!

Pretty Maniac — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:31:37 +0000

Marriage Equality New York

I believe that marriage is important, and everyone should be able to marry the person they love. But it’s not just about love and commitment – there are legal rights and protections at stake. I’m proud to be helping to make this happen, and grateful to all of you for calling your legislators in support of the cause and to help me reach my goals!

I have set my goal to try and get at least 50 of my friends to pledge to make this urgent call (I think I can exceed that number, and with your help I will!)! Send a message to your legislature, don’t allow your voice to go unheard! You can sign the pledge to call every day until June 20th! Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who’s called or WILL CALL!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE TO CALL

Non-Mechanical Parts and Kimchi

Pretty Maniac — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 04:18:05 +0000

I seemed to have escaped the darkness that had surrounded me, for a short and blissful intermission. Like a prisoner on Alcatraz I swam at my peril through shark infested waters. I washed ashore half-drowned, broken and bloodied. With high hopes and my slate washed clean I walked and walked until the dawn.

Daylight exposes truth through a veil of silence. The atrophy and decay of the bitter heart and soul, can be mended; I prayed.
I found myself somewhere I’d never been, a scary place, a beautiful place…and you were there.

The city never seemed so magical. The scent of the train cars and hot air rushing past our faces as we stood silently, waiting. The pounding in my chest resonating like musical cords, I’d never learned how to play. Affections I’d never felt before came rushing though me more quickly than the express trains capacity.

As broken as I was, I could not stop the rush of air from coming. You started to blow me away, as soon as you kissed me that first time. Were I a train I would have tried to keep on my route. Lacking mechanical parts, and possessing too many non-mechanical parts, I got in the way. My derailment smashed me to bits.

Sleep taunts the tortured. Allowing dreaming to plague the mind. A disease that builds and stalks you deep inside of your consciousness, following you into a reality that is not so clutter-free.

Always a step behind, a subway train ahead.

Somewhere, he eats Kimchi without me.

A New Documentary: Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride

Pretty Maniac — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:47:38 +0000

This past evening, I sat down to watch a new documentary the Showtime network that opened my eyes to many things I hadn’t yet learned.

“Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride” by Ken Coolen

Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride

History has proven that people fight hard for basic civil liberties, and we still do and must continue this battle.

On Saturday, June 28 1969, members of the LGBT community resisted arrest at the Stonewall Inn.This unassuming gay bar in the West Village of Manhattan became the centerpiece for the The Stonewall Riots, and are considered to be the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a charming man by the name of Doric Wilson who was at The Stonewall Riots. He was an amazing man who had some fascinating yet harrowing stories to tell. Sadly, Mr. Wilson passed away this year. His stories touched me deeply and he will be very greatly missed. Rest in peace Doric.

Stonewall Riot

I learned the history behind the LGBT Rainbow Pride Flag. Before the flag, LGBT members had to wear Pink Triangles on their chests in the Nazi Concentration Camps. By the end of the 1970′s the Pink Triangle was used by gay rights protesters. Gilbert Baker, a friend of the late Harvey Milk, designed the first Rainbow Flag in 1978 (the year I was born), which flew at the San Francisco Day Parade on June 25, 1978. It has been said that Baker was inspired by Judy Garlands singing “Over the Rainbow”. The flag consisted of eight stripes.

The original flag had eight stripes from top to bottom: pink (sexuality), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic), indigo/blue (serenity), and violet (spirit). Within a year, the flag had lost two stripes—pink and violet. According to Gilbert, they “ran out of pink dye.” The violet stripe was later taken out to create an even number of stripes on the flag.

“Beyond Gay” explored the worlds Pride Parades and in many cases lack thereof.

Lesbian and Gay Rights in the World

Many countries have made progress in the advancement for basic civil rights to be given back to those who have been held hostage by religious fanatics or people who can’t understand those who are different from them.

However, there are many other Countries who still criminalize homosexuality. The quest for equal rights is a long and arduous journey. In order to progress as a society we need to keep our minds and hearts open, and GET INVOLVED!

So, please watch this film that Ken Coolen bravely and valiantly made for the world. It is a gift, and I would like to share it with you.

Thank you Ken!

“The Real Housewives Of New York” Screening Benefiting Marriage Equality New York

Pretty Maniac — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:01:38 +0000

Last year I attended the 7th annual MENY (Marriage Equality New York) march across the Brooklyn Bridge, with some very dear friends. It was a wonderful sunny day, that produced a few raindrops and afterwards a rainbow!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a screening of “The Real Housewives of New York” at Therapy Bar in NYC. The Housewives also walked in the MENY March that day. Alex McCord and Simon came dressed to impress for the March. Simon was wearing a fabulous sequined rainbow overcoat and Alex wore a sleek and sexy wedding gown. Last night they wore matching tee-shirts, one in black and the other in white. They were adorable and are always very friendly and outgoing people.

There were several other wonderful people who came out to support Marriage Equality: Robert Verdi, Robert Di Mauro, Loris Diran, Robert Pendleton, Mike Ruiz of the A-List New York, Claire Buffie: Miss New York, and of course Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen of The Real Housewives of New York.

It was a fabulous night with amazing people who all want the same thing….EQUALITY for ALL!

"The Real Housewives Of New York" Screening Benefiting Marriage Equality New York

Complete Coverage Click Here!