Grind, Vindication and Wanderlust

I just got a poem published in Burning Word! Entitled "Approaching My Own Version Of Adulthood," it pretty much speaks for itself.

How amazing (and gratifying) it was to receive three publication acceptance emails the same day while traveling abroad. Such is my summer. More works already accepted for publication are on their way. It feels good to be vindicated/appreciated sometimes.

In other words, returning to NYC after having been away for awhile is both surreal and bittersweet. I've missed it, and my friends and home, but I already miss being elsewhere. I find myself relating to Elisabeth Eaves's Wanderlust, the book I am currently reading.

And life and time continue to move forward. I saw this odd contraption today in Williamsburg, reminding me of how strange, unexpected and creatively saturated NYC life is.

Apparently Red Bull is hosting some kind of inventors' contest (dubbed "The Ordinary Becomes the Extraordinary") this Sunday in McCarren Park.

I might have to check it out. (Free to the public from 3-7 pm). And then I have my own individual projects to pursue, like getting more work published...

New York Restoration Project and Real "Earth Day" Events

So after all the hullabalo of Earth Day in NYC, I had a subsequent few days that were a little more genuine in their celebration of Earth Day.

My Saturday afternoon took me to check out the Buffalo Eachange $1sale, which admittedly was incredible, but I decided to resist the urge for purchases I didn't need (or really want) and continued my walk on the mellow, sunny Saturday afternoon. Then I came across the McCarren Park Greenmarket - the farmer's market at my local Williamsburg park - where I sampled a variety of apples, people-watched and picked up a flyer on Grow NYC's Clothing & Textile Recycling operation. Next time I have clothing to discard, I think I will bring it to my local greenmarket to be recycled -- pretty impressive! And, after having recently finished Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, I will be sure to shop more frequently at my local greenmarket.

And, in culmination of my Earth Day weekend, I spent the day today at Union Square Park, where I participated in what New York Restoration Project (NYRP) called "New York City's gardening event of the season"- a series of workshops and rows and rows of booths on everything from wildlife to organic gardening on your rooftop to ConEd's green energy. My friend and I estimated afterward that we had acquired around $35 worth of booty in assorted (mostly organic) goods after we walked away from the event -- that and several packets of seeds, which has all served to plant its own seed of inspiration for me to attempt some fire escape/windowsill gardening of my own!! I have managed to keep houseplants alive, so why not some tomatoes and herbs...?



Here's to a relaxing, green weekend...