S: Is for the social climbers

I have been promising Tom that I would write about a growing breed of girls who are multiplying by the plane full. The "Gold Digger"! Historically, the "gold digger" mentality has been frowned upon as being akin to prostitution. These days it is big business and men, I know I will never hear the end to this, you made them. Gold Diggers are made not born. Men expect women to have un-natural proportions, stand in stiletto "please kill" me heels and give out. For what? Not be called, to be cheated upon, to be blown off for the next best thing? Or worse the younger model. If you marry us, when you go through mid-life crises we again get dumped for the newer improved model. Do you think we don't know this? We've heard about our grandmothers being cheated on. We watched as our mothers gave up her dreams only to have them crushed again by your Secretary, intern or babysitter who was going through her power trip stage "of I can get an older man". I have news for you, unless she had a father who was never there or wasn't around no girl wants an older guy. We have nothing in common with you. Lets face it skin sags as well as other parts of the anatomy. Our sex drive increase your decreases and except for security or a green card why would we want you? According to the dictionary "Gold digging" refers to a relationship in which a young person pursues an older person for monetary gain. Besides having to worry about
















women from our own country we now get to contend with the foreign contingency. These women have had plastic surgery starting as early as 12. How the hell do you compete with that? They are trained in every format of sexual favors and I can tell you from my male friends that they give out on the 1st date. My friends who married them were sexless within 4 months and divorced within 3 years. When asked why so long? Male pride was the answer. The girl however got green cards and a good deal of their assets and who pays the most for this American women.


















"Gold Digger" by Kanye West is about a woman who falsely seduces a man with the intent of spending his money, playing into the stereotype of young women as gold diggers. The woman spends the money her man gives her (to buy toys for her kids) on liposuction and plastic surgery. She even lies to her man about the paternity of her child, resulting in the man supporting the child for 18 years until he discovers he is not the father."She take my money/when I'm in need/Yeah she's a trifling/friend indeed." Yes it happens in every culture.

Tom, I write this column to explain to you the why's. You have never deserved this as well as most of the men I know. You are a rare breed and thus get caught in the fire. I am so glad you and Jen found each other and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for glad tiddings

There are times I am so happy to be me and grateful to my friends. Last night was definitely one of those times. My friend Jenny lives on 37th street in the building closest to the Macy's Spectacular fireworks display. Macys has kicked off the world's largest display since 1976. Out of the eight barges decorating the East River. Three were right before my eyes. This year, a pyrotechnic novelty: exploding shells aimed at the water, not into the sky. 40,000 fireworks nautical shells, which, unlike regular fireworks, were fired down at the water instead of up into the air. The shells explode on the water's surface, where the fragments will remain illuminated for a few seconds before fading out. They say three million people watched last year's display and another 8 million people watched on television and here I was with the most spectacular view I could have ever wished for. From where I was it was like I could reach out my hand and touch them while in stereophonic sound they whizzed, boomed and triumphed all around me. My favorites the squealing sperms, the jellyfish, smiley faces, hearts, and Saturn all crackling, as bursts of colored shells bombersted in air. The child in all who watched came oohing and ahhhing, sighing this was the best fireworks ever. An average of 1,300 shells per minute made the sky seem on fire.

I am blessed to have spent the time with my friends, of getting to show the cousin of a friend and her friend something so unique (hey, they were from Ohio), that Tom who had surgery yesterday could become a part of this and was recovering well, and for being lucky enough to have such an amazing and comfortable place to celebrate Independence. As the colors whirled magically around me I sent light and prayers for sea of humanity at my feet. Sometimes the F.A.C.T.S are simple moments of gratefulness.

C: Is for Celebration and Country

As flags wave, parades assemble and as a nation celebrates Independence Day my thoughts go to my country. We celebrate independence from England, tyranny and for religious choice yet these don't exists anymore, anywhere. I am offended each and every time my liberties are stolen from me because I am a white, heterosexual, and not from a foreign country. I am offended that I am no longer a free person in the land of the free. We are not free to admonish people in office because our President will pardon them and when those who speak, speak out they offend the immoral. I am not free to voice my opinion without being accused of racial profiling or charged with a hate crime. ... IT’S CALLED FREEDOM...AND I WANT MINE BACK! The Freedom to Speak is a responsibility that has been neglected. This fundamental right allows us to discuss controversial issues. We can question our representatives in government and we should. Philosophers have maintained that in order for a free society to exist this right of free speech is crucial and healthy. There are differing camps on many key issues: abortion, use of military force, extent of public assistance, and expression of religion. Our differences stem from diversity. This diversity, in combination with education, patience and the ability to clearly communicate our thoughts is the glue that hold a democratic world together. It is the creative genius that invents, solves problems and is initiated by open discussion. Do not be tempted to give in to those who dictate "now is not the proper place nor the proper time," for limiting our freedom of speech. Slowly our rights are being eroded. Just as a stone in a river gets smoothed by the virtually infinite number of water molecules that slam into and pass over the rock surface, we too are losing substance. We are becoming dull with time but cannot see the small losses, moment by moment. I love my country and I believe in our original goals but from the beginning we have lost track and are headed to ruin. We blame others but it is ourselves that we need to look at first. Though I am sure that at some point in time my speaking out will land me in troubled waters how could I live with myself if I don't. We do not always have to get along but together we can make a difference and that is a F.A.C.T

I wish you all a Happy 4th of July!

A: Is for the art of soul

When one looks at the paintings of Hiroko Ohno's it as if you are being transported into a different universe...a parallel one. She paints out of her studio in New York and shows out of her gallery on 9 Desbrosses street #514. To see them in person call 212 343-3022. Ohno is a highly original artist and she combines a Japanese decorative style with certain western flare. Highly original, there are multiple viewpoints as she creates uniquely lyrical landscapes that express a deep empathy for plants, animals and humans alike and a desire for cosmic unity. Bold color alternating with soft, near monochrome tones vivifies the senses and inspires the soul.

Trained at the prestigious Musashino Art School in Tokyo, the city of her birth, Hiroko branched out to create a new synthesis of styles to express a personal point of view. Traveling extensively in the United States, Thailand, Africa, Australia and Mongolia. She absorbed the vibrations of the landscape and incorporated them into her work. Some of her works are executed on site, based on perception, while many others are abstractions of her memories painted in the studio. In Mongolia's Gobi Desert upon seeing the setting sun in the west while the moon was rising in the east. She had an epiphany. She saw herself as suspended between the two, released somehow from the gravitational pull of the earth and free to float in the universe. She began to embrace an ancient philosophy regarding human beings as a species among many, thus according respect to all living creatures as a manifestation of the divine.

Galaxy II, which is a vertical painting sets dark blue against bursts of white, like stars exploding into sudden sight. Unwittingly there is an immediate reference to "Starry Night". The delicacy of the nineteenth century painter Whistler and his famous Nocturnes lives again within Ohno's galaxy. They say things are a cycle and these two minds prove that its a F.A.C.T.

F: is for fashion cool!

There's a new lip gloss in town! One with a LED flashlight. LiteLips Lighted Lip gloss nourishes and moisturizes lips with a combination of Jojoba and Vitamin E. When ever I use it at high end parties or clubs, or my local watering hole people ooh and aah. Why? Because not only does it lite well enough to attract a party of it's own, it also has a smell that is fresh and alluring. My favorite thing to do is kiss a guy or girls hand (I know it sound queer)but their reactions are one of shock first and amazement second and a willingness and obsessive urge to buy. Think I'm kidding? Buy one you'll see. Right now the only way I know to get it is on line but I promise the $24.95 is worth every cent as you will not have to keep on buying the much needed chap stick as your lips will be truly glowing.

So you are invited to the Hampton's and need to dazzle, or there's this rooftop party that you need to take center stage. Let me introduce you to Saja’s Yoo Lee's polished collection that shows femininity and class. The shapes and the colors in coral, mint, lilac and beige are accented by dresses in pure white. Saja’s whisper-weight dresses have no shortage of starlets donning the gossamer dresses. Don’t let that the wispiness of her fabrics, fool you. The Korean-born Lee trained with the best, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia and the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. If she looks familiar its because she payed her dues with design companies like BCBG and Max Studio. Yoo Lee is a Leo and they love to roar, so it is no surprise that she named her line for her astrological sign "saja” which means lion in Korean. The glamour and femininity of the 1920s and 1930s’ were when women were elegant, mysterious and sensual. Lee's flagship store is in Nolita which should make feline New Yorkers shout with glee.

If you are looking for comfort and a dress that you can wear to the office and still go out, my favorite company is Three Dot. I love the way the fabric of their dresses flatter curves. The scoop neck and wide banding at waist flatters any figure and makes this a stand out. Made out 92% Viscose, 8% Lycra, it is soft, and it is movable. You will definitely be watched from behind as well as the front. It is also the perfect dress to pack as if you roll it and then fluff it out it is perfectly ready for any event.

The summer is hard enough with the heat and the constant in and out of air, cool then hot. Humidity tugs at ones emotions. These three items will help you not only look your best but also help you keep your cool and that's a F.A.C.T.

S:Is for standstill

There is a tragedy happening in New York either the transportation system is breaking down or the sky opened up and spit people. Maybe it is the combination of both. I submit for your understanding four episodes that happened to me in the past 48 hours.

I was going to appear on the "Today" show and so I had to show up at 4:30. I live on the Upper West Side and found out nothing was running from 3-6 so I boarded a bus across town as I was told buses and subways run there. I waited on 5th Ave for over an hour to find out nope, same deal. Thank-you Moon, for getting me to my destination on time. For as I started to walk this amazing Pakistani man gave me a ride. Yes there is hope in NY.

Later that day I was caught in the subway brown out. Can someone Please tell me how lights, speakers and air condition can work and yet a subway can't? It's kinda of an oximoron, but was grateful that at least I was cool.

This morning I needed to go downtown and went to the bus stop only to have three busses pass me. I walked to another stop that was a major crosstreet where an MTA officer was standing and he told me they were all limited. The irony was that none were marked. When I finally got on the bus it charged me twice and though there was a MTA official present nothing could be done.

The last thing that happened was again going across town a car hit the bus and it took me 2 1/2 hours to even get across town. Now granted I made the most of the situation and made a lot of friends but my time is precious. Why couldn't they just send a rescue bus and let those who wanted to go on with their day do so.

We live in a city where public transportation is a must. There is no where to park a car unless you can afford to rent it an apartment. Have you ever tried to buy gas in New York? Very over priced compared to the rest of the world. Bikes are great but you take your life in your hands as soon as you board one as there is no specific lane.I just heard the price of subway and buses starting next January is going to $4.00. Considering that we were lied to last time the amount was raised, the service is deplorable and they can strike when they feel like it how can they justified a drastic raise in fare. Here is another reason to have a voice and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: is for tired and guest reporters

I received about two hours of sleep between last night and today so I am brain dead. Thank-God my friend Nao has volunteered to write a guest column. Enjoy I'll have thoughts tomorrow.



...Hello, all. My name is Nao. Suzanna is here but she's knocked out. She said I can write whatever I want the world to hear... Hmm...

Ok, I have an idea. I have pulled my journal from my college project. I was writing poems in college and this journal is the introduction of the collection of my poems. After the journal, I put one poem from the collection. Hope you enjoy it!



Introduction- Fall 06

I remember the night I started writing poems. I was a confused teenager and had just felt like a complete idiot. Until that night, I had been with a group of people who called themselves intelligent and dating a guy a lot of girls in school wanted to sleep with. Being with these people was not what I really wanted, neither these "intellectuals" nor my "boyfriend." I tried to behave the other people considered cool.

This “mask” couldn’t bring me peace of mind anymore; they absorbed smiles and tears hiding behind it and just left me empty. I decided to give up this bizarre life, just like throwing hundreds of pages of fiction I wrote into a garbage can. Then, the first question on my mind was: What is left inside myself? My brand new notebook began to be filled with the answers to this question since that night.

People wear masks to make them look more attractive and more powerful; they need something to rely on outside themselves. What I’m doing through poetry is try to take the mask off. The real feelings of human beings are under these masks. I always want to be honest with what I feel and need, and communicate with the readers of my poems based upon this naked emotion. This is how human relationships should be.

In some of the poems from this collection, however, I still obscure my real feelings or display my fear of being honest; I’m still afraid of taking off the mask. Since I started to write poems, I have found myself wearing another new mask many times; I’m still fighting through it.

This collection is a personal record of one immature poet. These rough poems are not neat, smart, pretty or confident, but that is exactly the way I am at each moment in each poem.



Withering Poet Blues

I can’t write no poem
And I don’t have no pill
I can’t write no song
And I don’t have no pill
My head is foggy like a dust storm
It’s endless like a wheel

I’m empty for some reason
Not ready to know why
I’m empty for some reason
And scared to know why
So I fill myself with dry gin
And pretend I can write

Floating on a blanket
I scribble on a buoy
Floating on a carpet
I scribble on a buoy
These words don’t make no sense
So I sink into moody

Ain’t got no life in my hand
It flew away like a fly
Ain’t got no love in my lips
It flew away like a kite
If they don’t come back to me
I will wither up and die