Killin' It: Fireside Follies & Bushwick Daily
Monday, December 20, 2010 at 12:08AM 
Photo by Emily Poole
Last night I read from Blood and Pudding publicly for the last time. For now on the only time you'll be able to hear it live will be in association with the Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction activism. And that's almost exactly how I announced it as well. You see, it's funny how this world works. A few days ago I received an email from an author I read with just two weeks ago at Red Umbrella Diaries. As it turns out, she knew Brian. She grew up with him, and we shared memories over email. She was happy that I had written about him, that he was forever alive and documented with words, that someone loved him enough to write about him. These are the moments that make what you do worth it. It's the connections, the people you meet through those shared experiences. I told the audience that story before swiftly switching to the car ride. Yes, I wore the red velvet dress. And yes I announced that I was wearing it. I read about Holly's death, her funeral and I was sure I would cry. My practice runs throughout the day had turned downright disastrous. *Note to self: Do not listen to The Cure on repeat all day* To my surprise. It flowed evenly and my voice did not quiver or break. I ended on a lighter note with a story of 42nd st peep shows and a NYC that was just starting to clean itself up.
Photo by Emily Poole
Afterward I ran into my friend Maria. Maria is an amazing events coordinator at Barnes & Noble. We spoke briefly. "What you are doing right now is really important." And I nod my head because I know what's happening is so much bigger than me. So many people have no idea the Needle Exchange even exists, and if they do, most think it will bring addicts into their city. You have to remind yourself and them sometimes. No one ever dreams of being a junky when they grow up.
Katarína Hybenová just posted this wonderful article on Bushwick Daily about the event. Click the image for the full article.
Fireside Follies #3 was a wonderful way to end the year. Thank you to everyone who came out to support myself and the other performers. And of course thank you to Eric Nelson and Mike Lala for being the brilliant masterminds behind it.
I saw this on Gala Darling's site this morning and thought: "Yes, that's about right."
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realised it sooner.”
(Colette)
Bushwick Daily, Fireside Follies in Killin' It 
