While undergoing chemotherapy in summer 2007, I listened to a lot of music, and one song I played the hell out of was "Cry Tough" by Jamaican singer Alton Ellis & The Flames, a great little rocksteady tune that particularly resonated with me given the circumstances.
During the course of that summer, Ellis was listed to play some kind of reggae show in Anne Arundel County. However, with nearly four months' worth of treatment under my belt at that point (not to mention an obliterated immune system), I didn't make many concerts, let alone the Ellis show. Nevertheless, I hoped to one day have that chance...
Unfortunately, it never happened. Alton Ellis died the following year, in October 2008 - ironically (for me), from cancer:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
I'm a Dirty Girl
Even my inner marketing whore is blushing at being the focus of "Smut Girl" Sommer Marsden's "Hump Day Heresy" this week...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Baltimore. Get In.
Management wishes to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who picked up a gun, knife, blunt object or simply used their bare hands to send someone off for making this possible...
Where You Stand Depends On Where You Sit
At long last - a bit of positive news reaffirming that the entire city is not in the shitter...not one this nice, at least.
Slogan's Run
In an an effort to revitalize the city's ever-faltering image, the Royal We here at Eight-Stone Press propose two new slogans to "get in on":
1) BALTIMORE: YOUR MONEY'S ON THE DRESSER, and
2) BALTIMORE: YOU GONNA EAT THAT?
Remember, vote early and vote often...
1) BALTIMORE: YOUR MONEY'S ON THE DRESSER, and
2) BALTIMORE: YOU GONNA EAT THAT?
Remember, vote early and vote often...
Baltimore City Scales Back Trash Collection
In a perfect world, indeed, this plan would be all pretty girls and sunshine...
But this is Baltimore. Sure, some might consider twice-weekly trash collection excessive, even encouraging of waste. But the reality is that, even with twice-weekly collection, the shit piles high in Charm City. And in many neighborhoods, fewer collections won't translate into less trash generated; rather, there will only be higher piles of the stuff, stinking in the summer heat. One thing is for certain: word will quickly circulate among the Rattus norvegicus population that Baltimore lays a nice spread.
As for recycling - hell, even if the city were to broaden the recycling detail, well...mine is one of only two houses on either side of one winding city alley that even bothers to sort out/set out recycling.
And speaking of putting out the trash, Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! No. 11 has been proofed/edited; only thing left now is to print it...
But this is Baltimore. Sure, some might consider twice-weekly trash collection excessive, even encouraging of waste. But the reality is that, even with twice-weekly collection, the shit piles high in Charm City. And in many neighborhoods, fewer collections won't translate into less trash generated; rather, there will only be higher piles of the stuff, stinking in the summer heat. One thing is for certain: word will quickly circulate among the Rattus norvegicus population that Baltimore lays a nice spread.
As for recycling - hell, even if the city were to broaden the recycling detail, well...mine is one of only two houses on either side of one winding city alley that even bothers to sort out/set out recycling.
And speaking of putting out the trash, Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! No. 11 has been proofed/edited; only thing left now is to print it...
Monday, June 1, 2009
Apprentice House Publishes THE VEGAN MONOLOGUES
Loyola College's imprint Apprentice House announces the recent publication of The Vegan Monologues, a collection of essays by frequent Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! contributor Ben Shaberman.
There’s nothing funny about being vegan, unless you’re humorist Shaberman. From dog chases to fornicating grasshoppers to chicken stock sabotage, he explores the lighter side of the meat-free lifestyle. Shaberman’s reflections will put a smile on the faces of vegans and omnivores alike.
His essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Vegetarian Times, VegNews, and a variety of other publications. His commentaries have also been carried by NPR’s Morning Edition as well as NPR in Baltimore and Des Moines.
Rave Reviews for The Vegan Monologues
Smart, wry, and just a little bit cynical, Ben Shaberman’s Vegan Monologues parlays the author’s unique sense of humor into a readable tome that elucidates the joys—and tribulations—of the meat-free lifestyle.
- Aurelia d’Andrea, Editorial Director, VegNews Magazine
Ben Shaberman has a remarkable talent: He writes entertaining stories with a vegetarian focus. His essays are insightful and intelligent, and they’ll make you laugh out loud. He is entertaining to the end.
- Shane Speer, Former Deputy Editor, Vegetarian Times
Ben’s warm writing takes equal aim at social absurdities and his own human vulnerabilities. This book is for all of us who find ourselves searching for meaning in the routine triumphs and disappointments of our everyday lives.
- Aaron Henkin, Co-Producer, WYPR (NPR in Baltimore)
Look for Ben Shaberman's ode to Baltimore's troubled Senator Theater in the forthcoming Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! No. 11, due out in early June 2009.
There’s nothing funny about being vegan, unless you’re humorist Shaberman. From dog chases to fornicating grasshoppers to chicken stock sabotage, he explores the lighter side of the meat-free lifestyle. Shaberman’s reflections will put a smile on the faces of vegans and omnivores alike.
His essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Vegetarian Times, VegNews, and a variety of other publications. His commentaries have also been carried by NPR’s Morning Edition as well as NPR in Baltimore and Des Moines.
Rave Reviews for The Vegan Monologues
Smart, wry, and just a little bit cynical, Ben Shaberman’s Vegan Monologues parlays the author’s unique sense of humor into a readable tome that elucidates the joys—and tribulations—of the meat-free lifestyle.
- Aurelia d’Andrea, Editorial Director, VegNews Magazine
Ben Shaberman has a remarkable talent: He writes entertaining stories with a vegetarian focus. His essays are insightful and intelligent, and they’ll make you laugh out loud. He is entertaining to the end.
- Shane Speer, Former Deputy Editor, Vegetarian Times
Ben’s warm writing takes equal aim at social absurdities and his own human vulnerabilities. This book is for all of us who find ourselves searching for meaning in the routine triumphs and disappointments of our everyday lives.
- Aaron Henkin, Co-Producer, WYPR (NPR in Baltimore)
Look for Ben Shaberman's ode to Baltimore's troubled Senator Theater in the forthcoming Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! No. 11, due out in early June 2009.
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