marjorie-palimpsests

You mad bro?

2012-01-26T14:10:00.002-05:00

Lost, but Found

2012-01-25T19:18:00.003-05:00

It was always something at the Columbia Silver Company.

"Weegee, at an East Side murder, 1943"

Look at the man who is looking over the woman's shoulder in the upper right corner of the Weegee photo. Who does he look like?

Coney Island

2012-01-22T21:42:00.005-05:00

Coming soon!

2012-01-22T18:30:00.007-05:00

Weegee, at an East Side murder, 1943

Weegee: Murder Is My Business

1403 Gough Street, San Francisco

2012-01-21T19:38:00.002-05:00

Is this 1403 Gough Street in San Francisco... where Allen Ginsberg once lived?

Coming soon!

2012-01-10T01:24:00.008-05:00

The Renaissance Portrait, from Danatello to Bellini.

The New American Wing, galleries for paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts.

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute

2012-01-04T20:09:00.013-05:00

Joaquin Sorolla & the Glory of Spanish Dress Exhibit

This spectacular exhibit, cited as “one of the most chic pairing of clothes and paintings,” highlights the history of Spanish traditional clothing styles though the eyes of Valencian painter, Joaquin Sorolla. Conceived by Oscar de la Renta, one of the world’s most famous fashion designers, it features more than 10 paintings and over 30 rare examples of men and women’s clothing styles and accessories from 11 regions of Spain. The exhibit also includes a selection of clothing from designers like Balenciaga, YSL, Christian Lacroix and others.

The Museum at FIT

2012-01-04T13:26:00.008-05:00

Daphne Guinness
Dress by Chanel. From the collection of Daphne Guinness.

Fashion, A-Z: Highlights from the Collection of the Museum at FIT, Part One
Rick Owens, bat wing jacket and skirt, black denim, wool felt, distressed leather, grey silk crepe, fall 2008, France, gift of Rick Owens.

The Museum of the City of New York

2011-12-30T17:47:00.004-05:00

Today, I saw two fascinating exhibits at The Museum of the City of New York:

Police Work: Photographs by Leonard Freed, 1972-1979

"Police Work: Photographs by Leonard Freed, 1972-1979 features a selection of vintage prints by the Brooklyn-born photographer who documented "life on the beat" with NYPD officers during the tumultuous 1970s. During a time when New York City faced near bankruptcy and was internationally notorious for its high crime rates and social disorder, Freed's photographs reveal the complexity, the harshness, and the camaraderie of the city's public safety servants and the people they protected. Highlighting a recent gift to the Museum of the City of New York by his widow Bridgette Freed, the exhibition is a gritty, realistic portrait of ordinary people doing a "sometimes boring, sometimes corrupting, sometimes dangerous and ugly and unhealthy job."" - from The Museum of the City of New York

Police Work: Photographs by Leonard Freed, 1972-1979

Cecil Beaton: The New York Years

"From the 1920s through the ‘60s, Manhattan’s artistic and social circles embraced British-born photographer and designer Cecil Beaton (1904-80). Cecil Beaton: The New York Years brings together extraordinary photographs, drawings, and costumes by Beaton to chronicle his impact on the city’s cultural life. Beaton’s relentless energy and curiosity spurred him to pursue new fields, from fashion and portrait photography to costume and scenic design for Broadway, ballet, and opera, and to put his own aesthetic stamp on each of these endeavors."" - from The Museum of the City of New York

Cecil Beaton: The New York Years

West 153rd Street, NYC

2011-12-25T21:13:00.007-05:00

On Tuesday, Sonny Rollins will receive a Kennedy Center Honor. In today's New York Post, he says: "When I was about 14, I got everything Coleman Hawkins made on record. He was my idol. I went waiting for him one day — at his stoop — with my 8x10 glossy. I’d cased the place and knew he’d be coming home around that time. So he came in and there I was, and I asked him to sign it for me. It was great. I didn’t tell him I played — I was a little too shy.”

This is a photo of West 153rd Street, where Coleman Hawkins lived, as it is today.

Coming soon!

2011-12-25T20:21:00.006-05:00

This is Cabbage Row, a revolutionary war era structure, which housed a tenement in the early 1900s. It was known locally as “Cabbage Row." The building was the setting for the novel, “Porgy,” by DuBose Heyward, and the location was named “Catfish Row” because the story was set on the waterfront.

Coming soon: Porgy and Bess

Thun, Switzerland

2011-12-22T19:13:00.004-05:00

Jack Kerouac's house

2011-12-17T02:56:00.002-05:00

This was the house, in Orlando, where Jack Kerouac lived.

Jazz!

2011-12-12T21:05:00.006-05:00

I went today to see: Paris Blues Revisited: Romare Bearden, Albert Murray and Sam Shaw, at Jazz at Columbus Circle. It was a very interesting exhibit.

James Whitcomb Riley museum home

2011-12-11T21:16:00.007-05:00

This is the James Whitcomb Riley museum home, located at 528 Lockerbie Street in Indianapolis, IN. The area is quite historic, lovely, and picturesque. And here is a link to more historic house museums in Indiana.

"The Dump"

2011-12-11T21:09:00.000-05:00

This is the Margaret Mitchell house, located at 990 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta, GA.

The Rubin Museum of Art

2011-12-11T17:49:00.003-05:00

I went today to the Rubin Museum of Art to see Hero, Villain, Yeti. I enjoyed the exhibit very much!

Going Forward

2011-11-30T11:52:00.002-05:00

This blog is becoming so yesterday! Please go to: marjorie-digest to read excellent interviews, view interesting photos, and to read some bittersweet poetry.

Thank-you.

Coming Soon

2011-11-09T18:37:00.004-05:00

Picturing Marilyn

Coming soon!

2011-11-03T19:10:00.000-04:00

The Mountaintop

And... this was great!

2011-11-03T19:09:00.002-04:00

Relatively Speaking

Dead Sea Scrolls

2011-11-03T18:11:00.003-04:00

Coming soon!

Dead Sea Scrolls

Stieglitz and His Artists: Matisse to O'Keeffe

2011-11-03T18:07:00.002-04:00

Coming soon!

Stieglitz and His Artists: Matisse to O'Keeffe

Gettin' Their Freak On

2011-11-02T13:19:00.008-04:00

I see my friends at BBB have been tawkin' me up in the underground COOP. I am flattered and honored. Let me guess the TOPIC. Could it be my recent tweets to the oh-so-special and shrine-worthy mods?

My chutzpah? Shocking!

It reminds me of these "Mavens!"

The Morgan Library

2011-10-18T18:23:00.010-04:00

Charles Dickens at 200

Alfred Bryan (1852–1899). Caricature of Charles Dickens, [18--].

Gift of Miss Caroline Newton, 1974.1974.7

Photograph by Jeremiah Gurney, 1867

I also saw: David, Delacroix, and Revolutionary France: Drawings from the Louvre

Portrait of Guillaume Guillon Lethiere, (1815)

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780 - 1867)

Portrait of a Boy

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780 - 1867)

de Kooning at MOMA

2011-10-16T18:27:00.006-04:00

de Kooning: A Retrospective

Willem de Kooning. Pink Angels. c. 1945. Oil and charcoal on canvas, 52 x 40" (132.1 x 101.6 cm). Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Los Angeles. © 2011 The Willem de Kooning Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

The International Vintage Poster Fair

2011-10-15T18:31:00.007-04:00

The International Vintage Poster Fair

The International Vintage Poster Fair Exhibitors

What did you do today?

2011-10-12T14:15:00.003-04:00

I went to the National Academy Museum & School. I saw "Will Barnet at 100," and it is a marvelous exhibit.

From their website:
"In the first New York retrospective of the artist’s work, Will Barnet at 100 will explore the dialogue between figuration and abstraction that has defined Barnet’s remarkable 80-year career. A painter, printmaker and teacher who has worked largely outside the various schools of Modernism, Barnet has made significant and unique contributions to American art in the realms of both abstraction and figuration. Will Barnet at 100 will feature approximately 45 works from private and museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The Montclair Art Museum, and the Neuberger Museum of Art."

Where did you go last week?

2011-10-10T23:02:00.003-04:00

2011-10-07T10:55:00.001-04:00

Downtown Photos

2011-09-13T02:48:00.004-04:00

The Freedom Tower, awesome and thrilling

Ellis Island, at sunset

The Statue of Liberty, washed in pink watercolors

Little boats on the Hudson River, at sunset

Coming soon!

2011-09-12T03:27:00.002-04:00

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats

What did you do today?

2011-09-02T17:59:00.010-04:00

I "sighted" Kim Kardashian having lunch with Jonathan Cheban at Cafeteria.

And I visited the architecturally glorious Jefferson Market Library.

Hark!

2011-09-01T15:44:00.006-04:00

The mods at TelevisionWithoutPity really seemed to have backed off. I read the boards and see all sorts of spelling and grammar errors that a few years ago would have rendered the member immediately ban worthy. And there are so many posts in the wrong TOPIC. And there are so many "board on board" posts I was bored.

It does appear that TWoP has jumped the shark. It is so yesterday. It always was a snoozefest... but, I sort of enjoyed how those mods found me and tried to insult, chagrin, and find my Achillie's heel. They should sit shiva for the most power they will ever have. It was as good as it will ever get for them. I am so glad I was like a red flag waving in front of their transparent nonsense. Fun much?

Bayliss who?

The Sidewalk In Front of 80 St. Marks Place

2011-08-21T20:12:00.011-04:00

Group 1 includes:

Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Gloria Swanson, and Lillian Roth

Group 2 includes:

Joan Crawford, Dom DeLuise, Hildegarde, and Myrna Loy

Group 3 includes:

Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones

Dark Shadows Festival

2011-08-20T20:15:00.012-04:00

It was today, in Brooklyn, at the Marriott Hotel.

Kathryn Leigh Scott

Marie Wallace

Jerry Lacy

David Selby

The Hilltop Summer Theater

2011-08-20T19:13:00.010-04:00

Here is a wonderful update on memories from a summer in 1961, at The School of Creative Arts on Martha's Vineyard.

The backstory is here:

a phone call from a fan

a fan letter

Today... Edward Seamon ("Stanley," from that 1961 production of "A Streetcar Named Desire") and I spoke on the telephone and it was a remarkable conversation that was filled with memories and nostalgia and I was filled with great joy.

"WALK IF YOU DARE"

2011-08-17T13:20:00.002-04:00

A Magical Moment!

2011-08-17T02:36:00.002-04:00

My Hoboken

2011-07-12T22:34:00.014-04:00

Hoboken Historical Museum

2011-07-09T18:02:00.006-04:00

Today, I went to the Hoboken Historical Museum. It is in a lovely area of Hoboken and I very much enjoyed the day.

The Society of Illustrators

2011-06-28T19:10:00.001-04:00

Today, I went to see: Pulp Art, The Robert Lesser Collection

Trigger Man From Texas

What did you do today?

2011-06-07T18:15:00.009-04:00

I went to the Agora Gallery to see "The Prodigy of Color," the paintings of Aelita Andre.

In some obtuse way... I am reminded of "My Kid Could Paint That." Google it.

War Horse

2011-06-03T02:46:00.002-04:00

I saw War Horse tonight at Lincoln Center and it was so exciting and it was almost majestic.

War Horse

Old Astoria Village

2011-05-26T22:41:00.000-04:00

coming soon!

Another one

2011-05-26T22:38:00.005-04:00

Staff has ‘no confidence’ in ‘harassing’ Brooklyn principal

And more:

Manhattan principal under investigation for smearing chapter leader

Students, staff united in support for Independence HS chapter leader

a show at The Art Students League®

2011-05-17T21:25:00.018-04:00

Tonight, I attended a show at The Arts Students League® of New York.

Jerry Torre was displaying two of his amazing sculptures: TECHMUSH LIMESTONE and RUINS DORATA.

TECHMUSH LIMESTONE

RUINS DORATA

Jerry, Edie Beale's "Marble Faun," and me:

Where did you go today?

2011-05-16T18:24:00.005-04:00

The NYPL: Celebrating 100 Years

"This major exhibition of more than 250 thought-provoking items from NYPL’s vast collections celebrates how the Library has encouraged millions of individuals to gain access to a universe of information during the past 100 years. The first Gutenberg Bible acquired in the Americas is included, as are dance cards, dime novels, and John Coltrane’s handwritten score of Lover Man. Organized into four thematic sections—Observation, Contemplation, Society, and Creativity—the exhibition highlights the collections’ scope and their value as symbols of our collective memory."

NYPL Press release

NY Post Picks

Where did you go yesterday?

2011-05-13T15:11:00.000-04:00

Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore

In "Vogue"

In the NY Times

203 East 29th Street

2011-05-09T15:47:00.001-04:00

A House That's Shy About Revealing Its Age

An Early Memory

2011-05-07T20:58:00.014-04:00

Once upon a time, it was from one of these houses that we left to go to a party in the Clara Barton School. It is indeed strange how some memories stick with me... and how I can still see the inside of that room filled with colorful balloons, hear the laughter, smell the sweet candy and cake, and so vividly remember the happy celebration inside that school on a day so long long ago.

The Tribeca Film Festival

2011-04-25T22:03:00.011-04:00

Today, I saw "Love Always, Carolyn."

The WG film link is here.

Here is the trailer.

I loved it!

Zissen Pesach

2011-04-18T20:28:00.005-04:00

Chag Sameach!

Where did you go last night?

2011-04-15T20:25:00.004-04:00

I saw this last night and it is one of the best shows I have ever seen: terrific!

Contest Entry

2011-04-15T18:36:00.005-04:00

Write a story using 100 words or fewer. Include these words in the story:

junk
dignity
gunbelt
hungover
punch

Bonus points if you use ONE hyphen to connect any two of the five words!

When the cop set his gunbelt on the chair, I knew he was going to work me over for the hell of it. I didn't give a shit; I was bone weary and hungover and felt nothing. The first punch came fast and I passed out.

I woke up in a pool of dank sweat and I swore off junk, again. I was gasping for air in the dark dusty iron barred cage as if every breath was my last and I swallowed my own bloody spit like it was water. I cried because even old whores crave some dignity.

Happy Birthday!

2011-04-12T21:29:00.010-04:00

Roses are red and violets are blue

I am sending baskets filled with joy,

And all sorts of wonderful things for you!

Happy Birthday, Misty!

SlushPile Hell: The Latest

2011-04-11T22:14:00.006-04:00

Query sent to the agent known as "SlushPile Hell":
"How do you think it would be to live without emotions?"

SlushPile Hell's "witty" reply:
"You do know I’m a literary agent, right?"

Wow! I am impressed by that reply! You did a double duke! You are saying we should all know that literary agents have no emotions and you seem proud of it! You owned having no emotions and at the same time assigned that characteristic to all literary agents!

Oh, my! You empowered yourself! Most people would feel embarrassed to say they have no emotions, but you apparently are proud of it! You think you are so great you put yourself on some dopey pedestal. But, guess what? You're a horse's ass.

SPH jerk... your comebacks impress less than Charlie Sheen's show at Radio City Music Hall. You couldn't do 30 seconds at an open mic night and your whole shtik jumped the shark. Give it up already. Go throw out the roach motels.

on a Sunday afternoon

2011-04-11T14:11:00.004-04:00

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see what was the last day of the exhibit: Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand

Edward Steichen, The Flatiron, 1904

Alfred Stieglitz, The Terminal, 1892

at a club in 1976

2011-04-09T16:24:00.001-04:00

Two Groups

2011-04-07T23:52:00.002-04:00

One group sits and talks about the lives of others because they are boring people themselves with low self esteem.
The other group is the object of the haters' talk. They are kooky and interesting and wacky and incite much discussion.

Which group are you in?

"Baby, It's You"

2011-04-05T23:29:00.002-04:00

Tonight I saw "Baby, It's You." It is TERRIFIC!

Cinema Treasures

2011-03-29T13:09:00.005-04:00

Cinema Treasures

Miss Rheingold

2011-03-29T02:38:00.007-04:00

I remember going to the deli on Dutch Broadway and stuffing that box with ballots for my favorite. There was also a great commercial showing the contestants jumping off a merry-go-round. It was on every night at 7 PM on channel 5.

Lustre-Creme Shampoo

2011-03-29T02:32:00.004-04:00

I can still smell the delicious fresh fragrance.

Where did you go today?

2011-03-27T18:48:00.005-04:00

Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)

Maira Kalman Gallery

Who Do You Think You Are?

2011-03-27T13:13:00.008-04:00

Ruby Lazarus, waiting to testify during the Grand Jury gambling investigation.

Photo by Frank Scherschel, Time Life Pictures: Getty Images

I always knew that Ruby Lazarus was my father's first cousin. My grandmother was the sister of Ruby's father.

Ruby Lazarus

more about Ruby Lazarus

The Educational Twilight Zone

2011-03-26T17:59:00.006-04:00

EDUCATIONAL TWILIGHT ZONE # 1 DECEMBER 16, 2010

EDUCATIONAL TWILIGHT ZONE # 2 FEBRUARY 17, 2011

EDUCATIONAL TWILIGHT ZONE # 3 MARCH 24, 2011

The Principals!

2011-03-26T17:36:00.006-04:00

Andrea Lewis

Jonathan Straughn

Jason Kovac #1

Jason Kovac #2

Iris Blige

Mary McDonald

Maria Penaherrera #1

Maria Penaherrera #2

Reginald Landeau Jr.

and still another one:

Ron Smolkin

today at Milk Gallery

2011-03-25T17:37:00.010-04:00

Bob Willoughby, The Rat Pack at the Milk Gallery, NYC

I loved this exhibit. How great were the 60s and the days of the Rat Pack?
Listen to this! Fly Me to the Moon

an idea

2011-03-25T13:06:00.003-04:00

Writers should hire ghostwriters to write their queries. Agents should consider it as a way of generating some excellent extra income. It could be a conflict of interest, but it might be OK as long as the query then is sent to other agencies. The agent who wrote the query would lose the deal, but s/he would receive queries written by other agents on behalf of other authors, so it balances out.

Look, in this economy is is an option to consider.
I would pay top dollar. Maybe others would as well. ™

Like this makes any sense?

2011-03-21T10:24:00.005-04:00

SlushPile Hell's latest attempt at humor:

The query:
"Dear Agent: You don’t shy away from gross stuff. You don’t seem to be squeamish. Perhaps you’d find a historical novel about cannibals to be of interest."

Agent's comeback:
"Mom, you’ve already made it clear you don’t approve of my wife’s cooking. No need to be insulting."

Too bad it makes absolutely no sense.

If it was an historical novel, it would be funnier if this fool who is an agent said: "Mom, the day after grandpa disappeared and we all had dinner at grandma's, we did all think the stew had a funny after taste!!"

Fool, you have to tie in the "historical" reference and make it FUNNY!!!!!

Steve Gruberg

2011-03-20T18:11:00.002-04:00

RIP

Two More for the Road

2011-03-20T02:30:00.003-04:00

On the NYC Subway

2011-03-19T16:12:00.001-04:00

Coming Soon!

2011-03-17T12:07:00.008-04:00

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT

BABY IT'S YOU

and these

2011-03-17T00:11:00.004-04:00

and more photos from 1976

2011-03-16T19:57:00.003-04:00

Thank-you, Freddie, for taking me, a total "Charlotte Vale," and with the magic of your outstanding photographic work, giving me the "full Ivana" and making me feel so beautiful.

1976, it was a very good year!

2011-03-16T19:42:00.003-04:00

Hello

2011-03-15T12:51:00.003-04:00

Hello Electric Boogaloo. What are you doing over here? Get back to EB and continue discussing me and my crazy toches! I demand full attention. The same goes for you, Breakfast Club! I do so appreciate my haters, er, fan clubs.

Today: Pompeii, The Exhibit

2011-03-14T22:19:00.002-04:00

Pompeii, The Exhibit

A Review, NY Times

And what an incredible exhibit it is!

This was the only part of the exhibit where the taking of photos was allowed. Unfortunately, one bright light ruined the photo from no matter where I stood.

Before I entered the exhibit I saw a few great photo ops. This is Bowlmor Lanes, and behind that is Discovery and you can even see Sardis and a few theaters.

And this is the great Schubert Alley.

SlushPile Hell: The Latest

2011-03-14T14:02:00.011-04:00

Now he gives us stale and stock humor!

The query: "My writing coach told me that my novel is not yet ready to send to agents and needs more work. Could you read the attached sample chapters and tell me if you think she’s right?"

SPH's comeback: "I’d love to, but I’m terribly busy right now hitting myself in the head with a hammer."

Wow! That's original. And so snarky! BRB. Calling "Last Comic Standing" to set this literary agent up with an audition.

By the way...

2011-03-12T02:24:00.001-05:00

Where is that idiotic anonymous commenting weak minded Loser who is fixated and obsessed with my blogs? I will open comments to get the pathetic jerk to bite.

On this Road: Eureka Street

2011-03-11T00:20:00.007-05:00

from "On the Road:"
As for me, I was scheduled to be a guest at the opera that afternoon, escorting Babe on my arm...
The opera was Fidelio. "What gloom!" cried the baritone, rising out of the dungeon under a groaning stone. I cried for it. That's how I see life too...
"Well, Sal, how did you like the production for this year?" asked Denver D. Doll proudly in the street outside. He was connected with the opera association.
"What gloom, what gloom," I said. "It's absolutely great."

And this is the Central City Opera, in Central City, Colorado, where Jack Kerouac saw Fidelio on that summer night in 1947.

The Benefits of Summer School

2011-03-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

In June 1963, I received a grade of 63 on a Spanish Regents Exam. My mother was not happy that I failed the test and she insisted I go to summer school. In August 1963, I took the Spanish Regents Exam again. On the re-test, I received a 41. I did not benefit from summer school.

My street, a movie set... again!

2011-03-08T16:57:00.006-05:00

Today, my block became the set for the TV show, 'Damages."

I stepped out of my building and saw the familiar movie trailers with the doors labeled the usual "Lucy" and "Desi."

The street was cluttered with equipment.

The extras milled around and talked to passersby as the crew set up the shot.

These extras patiently waited for "Action."

Finally, the cameras rolled and Glenn Close exited the building and pushed a child in a carriage down the street.

And as I exited the "set," I passed what was left on the Craft table.

Best Ad Ever

2011-03-03T00:24:00.002-05:00

Coming Soon!

2011-02-28T00:39:00.003-05:00

The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, Queens

The Old Stone House, Brooklyn

Lefferts Historic House, Brooklyn

Visits to:

Get a Load of This!

2011-02-26T16:53:00.005-05:00

Look at this now! Why was I always being put in dangerous situations? No wonder I am not a risk taker and developed such severe OCD!

Long Story Short

2011-02-26T16:29:00.006-05:00

There is a reason for my shtik. And here it is. When I was just 3 years old, we took a family trip to Florida. And one of the highlights of that trip, besides being buried in sand on the beach by my father, was going to see this guy wrestle the alligators. And do you see that warning? It says: "DO NOT SIT ON WALL." My father sat me on that wall for a better view and I fell in there! The alligator broke free and ran in my direction and I was almost toast. That guy had to wrestle that alligator off my little teddy bear, which was probably his dessert. I never fully recovered from that trauma.

I was always full of sass!

2011-02-26T16:16:00.001-05:00

Deal with it!

I was always a nut!

2011-02-26T16:09:00.003-05:00

Deal with it!

H8R

2011-02-26T14:48:00.006-05:00

There is a proposed new show on CW called, "H8R." The person or celeb hated has an opportunity to come face to face with a H8R (hater). Any takers? LOL

THE CW H8R

I am not... Don Quixote!

2011-02-26T02:03:00.004-05:00

and more:

Guess what? I don’t care what annoyed you. I don’t write for the approbation of others, and I do not hide and write wearing a mask. I state my opinions, take it or leave it.
I give advice to nobody. I write my opinions and there is a huge difference. I don’t force anybody to drink my special blend of Kool-Aid and I am not a cult leader. What kind of weak minded person would take the advice of somebody on the internet that they never even met anyway? How could I speak for everybody else? It was an opinion piece. It was a piece filled with tongue-in-cheek humor.
I can totally own prose that does not mean what I say or mean what I said. With regard to the multiple choice question, I happily select all of the above. LMAO
How can I “rile people up?” I wouldn’t even begin to flatter myself in that way. I may be a sloppy writer, I can own that as well. There are donut crumbs all over the keyboard. And, I don’t need “attention.” I get that on the stage of The Comic Strip.
Lighten up. Do your own thing. But, judging from the other comments here, that thing might exist in the null set. Are we sharing a bingo moment yet? Are we on even 1/100000th of the same page? No? Okie dokie.
You go your way and I will go mine… but before I exit stage left, I want to know if you are “The Unknown Comic?” He wore a paper bag over his head to to mask his identity… so enquiring minds want to know. LMAO

an explanation

2011-02-25T15:55:00.009-05:00

This is an explanation to this.

I am Marjorie (Levine), and thanks for the shout-out. “marjorie-palimpsests” is one of my many blogs. This comment will link to “marjorie-digest,” another of my blogs and my profile lists all of my blogs.
I was a teacher for 35 years and now I am retired. I am 64 years old and I have been doing stand-up for 20 years. I really think my opinion is generated from where I am in terms of my career. And, I think my age gives me the confidence to post my opinions without fear. If I were 25, while my opinion would be the same, I might not be so outspoken. I might be more careful because the road ahead would be longer. I would have more to protect in terms of myself.
From where I sit, I do not think it is “dumb” to be so brazen and advertise rejections. I think in my case, it is funny. It fits right into the whole shtik. I cartoon it. I joke about it. It fits my persona. It becomes part of my package deal.
Simply put, if a 25 year old advertises her rejections it may look like she is a poor writer. If a 64 year old advertises her many rejections, can’t you see how that can be funny?
All of my pieces are tongue-in-cheek because that is what I do. I always come from places of humor, and in the subtext is of course my true opinion. I make it work.
I think younger writers should be careful. But, they should always not be afraid to state their opinions without fear of repercussions.

You will one day understand. One day. One day you will realize from where I am coming and it will all make sense. When you are older, the choices one makes regarding how an opinion is expressed is totally different. There is less fear. There is less to lose. I am in a safe place and there is nothing they can do to me in terms of my career. Younger people just starting out have to worry about stuff I no longer give a hoot about. It's all about my fun.

Why, hello there!

2011-02-24T21:12:00.004-05:00

Two questions:

1. Electric Boogaloo, are you all still talking about me over there? LOL I am flattered.

2. Anonymous commenter, are you still checking to see if you can get comments through?

Hair flip... and so it goes. And so it goes.

Wheeeeeeeeeee, good times!

Twittergate 2

2011-02-24T11:16:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Twittergate Number TWO.

This is just a variation of what her former colleague did last spring when she created a hashtag and had that haiku contest that ridiculed a guy on twitter.

Why have a contest where it might be possible that the sender could see it and react further? Or do they think s/he deserves it, like all those who participated in twittergate last spring believed? Are they teaching him "a lesson?" I don't get "the fun." Actually, they are giving that disgruntled rejected writer his 15 minutes. They are providing encores and curtain calls.

The agent says it doesn't bother her, but it seems like it does because it's like she is going into fighting back mode when she posted the inappropriate reply. She is not really showing others what not to do. Most writers know it's not correct. But, she knows the groupies will do a pile on. Why blow it up, make it larger than life, and give it legs? Why not just let it go? Does she need the approbation and the support of the peanut gallery? It seems so unprofessional.

I asked the agent to rethink it. I believe she is better than this dopey contest. And really nicer. But, sometimes personal needs to "win" in a show of power can get in the way and surface in the most unprofessional of ways.

He was wrong and this contest encourages others to reply in similar ways. It may be negative attention, but heck... she noticed!

Point, Counterpoint

2011-02-23T17:32:00.006-05:00

This entry is a reply to an actor's comment at a literary agent's blog piece.

The actor writes: "When I head out to auditions, I bring along my resume. Directors are not the least bit interested in how much work I've done. That resume is all about who they can call to see if I am a pain in the ass to work with and if it is worth casting me."

First, let me state I am not the writer who sent that inappropriate reply to Janet's rejection. I don't write crime fiction. I am a poet, cartoonist, stand-up comic, actor, and retired teacher.

Having said that, let me say I totally disagree with you. I do not know for whom you audition, but casting agents here in NYC are interested in talent and experience, not personalities. They are interested in the quality of the work that the actor can bring. They do not review resumes for the purpose of doing a personality check.

There are many actors who are huge pains in the ass and they work. Their antics do provide some tabloid fodder, but they work. I don't know of any actor who was cast because he was "nice." If that were so, many more actors would have jobs.

Quite honestly, most literary agents are interested only in the quality of the work as well. Trust me, if they discover a literary masterpiece, they would not care if the author was typing naked from Bellevue and had a personality as difficult as Charlie Sheen or Christian Bale.

Dig This, Stepford Writers!

2011-02-19T12:15:00.026-05:00

POINT, COUNTERPOINT:

A literary agent has a blog post laying down some laws. It's here.

How absurd is that? What nerve! I don't get it. I blogged my rejections. Why would a writer be "shooting herself in the foot" if on her own blog she writes about her query process or discusses rejections? Big deal. So what if she tweets about her blog entries? So what if she tries to interact with agents on twitter? Are agents on some pedestal? And, there is a block feature on twitter. If her tweets are annoying, they can be ignored. If her query is terrific and her book sounds fantastic, shouldn't that be the barometer by which she should be evaluated for representation by an agent? Since when are writers signed based on their personalities? It sounds like a personal problem to me to reject writers who may be perceived as difficult. What writer wants an agent who is so easily threatened? And as usual the tuchas lekkers lined up to fawn all over the post. Not moi. I come from a set of parents whose response to most orders was: "Kiss my fat ass in Macy's window." No class? I can own it.

I don't get it. If a writer has the unmitigated gall, the dumb sense to break protocol and gasp, COMPLAIN, the literary work will be rejected? For that faux pas she will receive consequences regardless of how excellent her book might be? What agents are so weak minded that they cannot handle a little blog post "complaining" about the query process and why is it viewed as wrong and as a threat? That sounds absurd to me. Why should a writer's internet behavior impact or influence her success as a writer? This control keeps a writer on a very short leash. What's next? Telling writers how to dress in public or what books should not be reviewed on a personal blog or how to vote? I believe a writer should have her request for representation evaluated by the merit of the work and the feelings she expresses in her blog are freedom of speech and should not be relevant to a decision. What that writer puts in her blog is none of any agent's business. Period. It has nothing to do with the writer's book. What's the connection? Zero. Only the quality of the book should be scrutinized and nothing else. If agents draw a personality profile based on blog activity when they have not even met the author, they need to do some self-examination and analyze and determine why they are so involved in what is not important or even related to the publication of a book. What's next? Writers taking Rorschach tests before they are represented?

Preposterous. Manipulative. Controlling. It's all about Power. For real. Next thing you know, writers will be told they are "shooting themselves in the foot" if they send in their queries before noon, after all agents need time to enjoy their morning coffee and donut.

Just evaluate the project and forget all this other crap. It really sounds like a bunch of nonsense and horse sh*t. And if conclusions about personalities are part of the equation in terms of whether a writer will receive representation, how many huge nuts would never have been published? Think of all the great writers who may have been huge complainers or who did not follow the rules. Do you think they danced like marionettes to please agents so they would be signed? All they were interested in was their work, and they wanted agents to be interested in them based on the quality of their work. I am sure they didn't participate in silly head games. They complained, did what they pleased, and they had no fear of getting blacklisted. They were not milquetoasts. I admire "complainers." They help create change.

All these twitter and blog rules during the query process are micro management. I will tweet what I want and when I want. Nobody controls me. I will post blog entries that are all batsh*t. And if the result is that no agent signs me, who cares. I have excellent self-esteem and I don't wait for anybody else to green light my projects. Did Baby get put in a corner? Well, nobody puts Marjorie in a straight jacket! LOL My hands are not tied! Long live mitten free hands! And I will @ and # till I am blue in the face. Many people would do well to take a page from my book. I have gumption.

Everybody should have the right to "complain" without repercussions. There should be no whistle blower fear. What people say or write or feel or express or worry about should not impact their progress or success in their creative endeavor. They should be celebrated for the mavericks and ground breakers that they are. The lemmings of the world never impact history.

Writers should be given a chance for fair representation regardless of how they express their opinions on their personal blogs. It is sad to me that these writers wouldn't receive a fair chance for representation because they shot themselves in the foot regarding matters not even relevant to the worth of their literary work.

Don't let anybody control you. Before you know it, you will be following rules like you joined some cult and the list of rules will get longer and guess what? You still may not get an agent. So, tweet what you want to tweet, blog about "the process," and if anybody tries to tell you what you can or cannot blog about tell them kush min tuchas ofen aran.

Do you really want an agent who insists you drink her special blend of Kool-Aid? Wouldn't you rather be drinking a V8? OOPs! I am bandaging my foot! Ouch!

Reference how Charlie Sheen's producer reacted to his antics: "I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't do drugs. I don't have crazy, reckless sex with strangers. If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I'm gonna be really p**sed." Bravo, Chuck Lorre.

The "marjorie-cartoons" will soon be presented at a Chelsea art gallery. There will be a fine dinner and an elegant reception. I will be the hostess with the mostess on that night: in Givenchy!

Dedicated to: Jackson Pollack, J.D. Salinger, and Jack Kerouac.

Added on 2/21/11 in response to a comment at a blog:

re: "because currently it is what they are seeing on many, many blogs when they research writers sending them queries."

Excuse me? They research writers who send them queries? I thought the barometer for representation was the query or the content of the book.

Now, they are digging for other details to make the decision? This is absurd. I wouldn't be surprised if they go to the FBI's Electronic Reading Room to get all the scoop they can on writers who query.

They should just do their job and look for great writers to rep and stop all the other nonsense.

Where did you go tonight?

2011-02-16T22:08:00.012-05:00

I went the the Mid-Manhattan Library of the NYC Public Library.

It was actually Persia Walker who was the moderator of the conversation. And what an enjoyable evening it was! Janet Reid was very informative and showed a great sense of humor and marvelous spirit when she participated in the Q & A. She seems to have great joie de vivre. And she loves red scarves. Suzie Townsend, of FinePrint Literary Management, also joined the panel to handle responding to one particular question.

After the conversation, I walked over to Suzie Townsend who was sitting on the left side of the audience. She preferred not to have her photo taken, and I complied with her wishes and put my camera away. I managed to tell Suzie that I am Marjorie Levine and she had been "tooned." She gave me a blank look. Meredith, also of FinePrint Literary Management, said that they always appreciate interest and support at their blog. Maybe she never read my comments.

Then, I went over to the front of the conference room and thanked Persia Walker for doing an excellent job as moderator. She was totally prepared and asked all the right questions so that information could be properly provided from the agents to new writers. Janet Reid was still sitting at the conference table. She too preferred to have no pictures taken. My camera stayed in my Balenciaga bag. Janet said, "You look familiar." I said, "Who do you think I am? I am not sure I should tell you because you may throw me out." She said, "Marjorie?" I smiled broadly and said, "Yes." And without missing a beat she tipped her head in the direction of the door and said, "Go." I laughed and left.

I always aim to please. What a great evening! I love New York!

Where did you go today?

2011-02-15T18:36:00.010-05:00

The Museum of the City of New York
AIN’T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING:
How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment

I reached West 110th Street, and while I waited for the crosstown bus I had a great photo op. Riverside Park is visible in the distance under a gorgeous blue sky.

These are views of Central Park from the bus.

This is a view of the front of the museum.

This is the entrance to the exhibit.

These are photos from inside the magnificent exhibit.