Mad Macedonian

Mad Houstonian Ponders How Social Houston Is

This is the 2nd of a series of posts responding to a collection of articles in the Houston Chronicle, and on one of its blogs.

#1 The Mad Houstonian Responds to "Pure" Houston essay, in Local Newspaper

There is a new blog on the Houston Chronicle website. It purports to have as its focus social media activities and issues in Houston, or as its writers, Alison Sutton and Dwight Silverman, write “what gets Houston talking on the Web?”
 
The blog, Word of Mouth, debuted on February 27th and has not had a post since. No sign why, but this can’t be promising.  Or maybe they have been pre-occupied, as this quote might show: “Dwight pioneered the social frontier at the Chron years ago, and about nine months ago, I came aboard to bring a marketing angle to the effort. Since then, we have had many a conversation around “engagement,” “brand ambassadors,” “content marketing” and other buzz phrases that ultimately make us cringe.
 
Be that as it may, this first effort WAS interesting.  They have puzzled over a question: Is Houston a social city?

The Mad Houstonian Responds to "Pure" Houston essay, in Local Newspaper

In mid Sept. 2012 a mysterious man and his extraordinary cats, left their former lives behind to start fresh among people of a culture unfamiliar to them, in a state bigger than life, home to legends of american history, looking to impart their wisdom to all they meet, while discovering what their new surroundings could teach them as well.

What is Houston all about? What is at the heart of the love so many have for the rich historical, cultural and creative tapestry of this sprawling metropolis and its suburbs?

Is there something called “pure” Houston, or is it something else entirely?

He has not lived here long enough to say yet, but, the Mad Houstonian is here, among you, living with his 2 feline companions in an abode, somewhere out there, in your midst.....

Air Poetry 6: Of Hickys and Shit, in Houston

It's been 3 months since I took pen to paper to record the poetry of overheard snippets of conversation written down as they caught my attention.

As usual, the results can be quite interesting. (AP 1 was in 2011) 

1. A Hicky

They told me that you wanted to talk to him.
Hello?
Yes?
He has a hicky on his neck.
Did I leave mine at your house?

 

2. The Same Ol’ Shit

It’s summer here 24/7.
Sorry, sir, it’s all we have, you know what I’m sayin’?
They have been doing’ this same shit for years!
You are 3 minutes late.

 

(Overheard on his travels by the Mad Houstonian)

 Next Up = Air Poetry 7: Health Issues in Houston

PYTW 44: Wordsmith Studio 1yr. Anniversary Celebration

Wordsmith Studio Writer's Community

Prompting Yourself  To Write 44: Wordsmith Studio 1yr. Anniversary Celebration

Last April Fool’s day Robert Lee Brewer, author, writer, editor at Writer's Digest, poet laureate of the blogosphere, and blogger extraordinaire, set forth a challenge for budding, and experienced writers alike. He believes that one of the most important tools for a writer trying to find success in today's media environment is a strong platform. He wanted to help create a supportive framework that helps writers challenge themselves.
 
All through April 2013 a selection of members of the Wordsmith community of writers that sprang up after that month share their thoughts on the 1 yr. anniversary.

1. My, How Things Have Changed in a Year! by Yours Truly

2. Belong, Belonging, Beloved. A little love letter to us, my Wordsmith Studio friends, on our first anniversary by Veronica Roth

3. Platform Diving by J.lynn Sheridan

4. Authorpreneur: The Lure of the Pro-Blogosphere by  Elizabeth (Beth) Saunders

5. Living on my Own by Sopphey Vance

6. A year (and a bit) in the life of Writerly Goodness by Melanie Marttila

7.  Confessions of An April Platform Challenge Participant by Heather Button

8. The April Platform Challenge Anniversary: Who Knew? by Gerry Wilson

Medical Update: Bring it on, Baby! Surgery in 2 Weeks!

As regular readers of my medical adventures know, I've got a small to medium cancerous tumor (malignant melanoma) in my right eye and had to wait until I'd lived in Texas 6 months before I could qualify for the financial assistance needed to get treated by MD Anderson Cancer Center for this condition.

Events have moved quickly since March 20th; all sorts of blood tests, MRI’s, ultrasounds and cat scans. Then, yesterday, I came in for a re-measurement, so they can order the plaque and a chat with the Doc who will do the job.

I learned that I have been scheduled for surgery, well actually, a pair 5 days apart.

I go in April 18th, for the insertion surgery, the removal surgery is the 23rd and a post-op follow-up is the 24th.

My, How Things Have Changed in a Year!

Musings of a Mad Houstonian on April Fool's Day.

Kicking off the Wordsmith Studio 1 yr. Anniversay Celebration!

Last April Fool’s day Robert Lee Brewer, author, writer,
editor at Writer's Digest, poet laureate of the blogosphere, and blogger extraordinaire, set forth a challenge for budding, and experienced writers
alike. He believes that one of the most important tools for a writer trying to find success in today's media environment is a strong platform. He wanted to help create a supportive framework that helps writers challenge themselves.
 
The Wordsmith community of writers that sprang up after that month would make him proud, I think.
 
For all sorts of reasons, tied mostly to my personal life, I’ve sadly not been a very active member of the group, yet I have somehow managed to do so much since then.
 
I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement and support friends and,
especially, another person who went through the challenge, my “Drill Sergeant”
Amanda Socci, The Creative Idea Gal.
 
I still considered my pet blogging that of a “hobbyist”, a year ago, but since then my outlook has changed.

I am more than a guy who has a decade long history of cat blogging; I am a writer, a real honest to God writer. I have more than 4500 blog posts, from 4 kinds of blogs (2 still active); Poetry, stories, humor, opinion, travelogues, reviews, journalism, and more.
 
With little feedback to show for all that I have written, I have no real idea how many people have read my material and what they think of most of it, but I have not let that little detail keep me from producing, and reaching out to share what I have done.

Unemployed since Sept. 2010 and, after recovering from a broken ankle, I decided last summer that a move from California to Texas, to start fresh,
personally, job-wise, and creatively, was the thing to do, and have been in Houston since September.

Got Bunions, but Prefer Onions? Enjoy Labyrinths? Read The Foot Whisperer!

My longtime friend, Randy Eady, aka the Foot Whisperer, is a freelance writer and foot therapistr who has written some great articles, lately, that I want to share with you.

He's been published on the Huffington Post website, woo hoo!

Hmmm, didn't know anyone on the staff, there, had bunions!

Anyway, it's a very readable and informative essay, so put up your feet a while, and give it a read.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-eady/bunion-surgery_b_2792421.html

Want to live in an "innovative and functionally foolish way"? Randy shares the story about "Reversible Destiny Lofts" in Toyko, Japan.

This is a report about living arraignments that positively affect the "physical and cognitive changes that often vex those in a later life span position by making you defend yourself against them."
 
Very interesting reading.
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-eady/aging-longevity_b_2821619.html
 
Want to get lost? Want to engage in healthy exercise while doing so? Try a Labyrinth!

Randy writes for the website AFAR: The Collaborative Travel Guide, and has 2 recent stories on labyrinths that I really enjoyed reading.
 
1. Unique in Belgium is Le Labyrinthe Durbuy and, as he describes it is a “collection of labyrinths has a surface that equals 22 football fields with secret corridors and small alleys. Visitors listen to the stories of the wonderful characters they encounter on their way to find the correct route out of the maze." There is a new theme each year, and the photo with this story is beautiful!
 
http://www.afar.com/highlights/le-labyrinthe-durbuy?context=user&context_id=randy-eady
 
2. The Quest Haven Labyrinth, in Escondito, Ca. will have you going around in circles!
 
In addition to that there are also miles of walking trails at this huge retreat.
 
I love this picture, too!
 
http://www.afar.com/highlights/quest-haven-labyrinth-slash-elfin-forest-symmetry?context=nav_location&context_id=encinitas-california-united-states

There rest of his little reports, are here: http://www.afar.com/travelers/randy-eady

Attending Blog Paws Social Media Conference for the 1st time!

Good morning, from deep in the heart of Texas and Harris County, home of the 4th largest city in America and, not just a highly respected artist, acting and music community, but one of writers and poets as well.

As readers familiar with this blog and its predecessor know, my name is Kiril Kundurazieff, and I am a 53 yr. old writer and blogger, with a love for cats. I have been blogging since 2002, and moved my cat blogging to its own blog on Jan. 1, 2010. It is a fascinating, fun-filled and educational place where I write personifying my two cats, Mr. Nikita and Elvira Mistress of Felinity, who rule the roost.

Meowsings of an Opinionated Pussycat

http://www.opinionatedpussycat.com

Boldly Tiptoeing into Corners of the Universe Where I’ve Never Considered Going Before

My name is Kiril Kundurazieff, born and raised in southern California, now 6 months relocated to Houston, Texas. I am a writer, blogger and more, for almost 11 years now and that’s nice but,  by moving to Houston I am stepping out on faith that boldly tiptoeing into corners of the universe where I’ve never been before is what I was meant to do next with my life, both personal and creative.

The challenges have been many, from remaining unemployed and discovering I have serious health issues with my eyes, to learning new ways to go about my writing, new ways in which to think of myself as a creative artist, new things to learn and new places to look to, or visit, to learn them.

Many people in my situation would give up on the job hunt, freak out over the health issues, be unsure of their ability to change their ways as a writer, learn new things, or go new places where they can meet new people.

Not me.

Ex-Ca. Writer Finds Houston Poetry Lovers Tough to Impress

The Mad Houstonian had arrived in Houston in September, from southern California, jobless, but a writer with creative hopes and dreams. On this day, as he celebrated his 53rd birthday, a lot had happened in the intervening 6 months, but his confidence in the rightness of his relocation remained unshaken.

In California he had performed at open mic poetry readings in several venues, including the famed Ugly Mug Cafe, in the city of Orange, and hoped to do the same in his new home. Having begun to become familiar with the poetry scene in Houston he finally decided to take the bull by the horn and venture forth.