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December 31, 2005

New Year

There's only a few hours left of 2005. I've slept most of the day, taken my shower,and am now waiting for the mint mud mask from Lush to dry so I can continue to prepare for my last night in 2005. I've been pretty busy since December 1 and my first week back from Texas has proved to be just as packed with work, get togethers, meetings and the like. There's so much to share but I fear that such reminiscences must wait until 2006. Where did this year go?

I've got big plans for 2006 and truthfully I can't wait to get started. This year was the first year that I was sorely tempted to stay in on New Year's; to relax and reminisce, take stock and focus on new goals. Add to the fact that I spent most of last night at a bar in SOHO with good friends I inherited from my English ex-boyfriend and I almost talked myself into believing that I already got my end of year party fix. Even now, as I begin to dress, the idea of staying home is more than a little tantalizing. But still, there are friends to enjoy and it sounds like our evening will be fun yet low key. I can't resist. Maybe next year I'll be more subdued.

Next year, I promise to tell all the stories of the last few weeks. Until then, enjoy your evening, the month and the year. I believe that 2006 offers us all hope, adventure and possibility. Don't be afraid to claim yours when they come.

Posted by mermu at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)

December 13, 2005

Redemption

"I have a despicable background. I was a criminal. I was a co-founder of the Crips. I was a nihilist.”

“But people forget, that redemption is tailor-made for the wretched.”.

Stanley Tookie Williams
1953-2005


Posted by mermu at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)

Con Dios, Amigo

Tookie,

I am saddened and disheartened that our country can not learn the
lessons after 1000 murders that you have grasped and taught so
diligently while serving your prison sentence. I refuse to give up
hope for your cause though I recognize the situation is dire. I
believe that keeping you alive and fighting the good fight does more
to stop crime and violence than the small measure of barbaric comfort
the relatives and strangers of the victims might feel. Should you be
killed, I will mourn for you but also for the lost children who will
continue to choose violence and the cursed solidarity of a gang
family. Children who with your help might come to a different end than
the violent one for which they feel destined. I am so mournful of our loss with your impending death and I ask you to forgive us for allowing it should it actually come to that.

You are a guilty man whether or not you committed the crimes for
which you are slated to be so gravely punished. You admit as much
yourself.

You did not kill or harm my family. I know that had any of those that
I love have been so ill-fated as to come across you in your violent
past and suffered from it I would hate you wholly and heartily for it.
I would want you dead. I would want you suffering. And yet I know such
an end would never satisfy. I do thank God that you didn't harm my
family.

Nor did you save any of my family although surely there are so many
mothers, wives, brothers, sisters and fathers so grateful that your
execution wasn't 10 years ago, 5 years, last year, last month,
yesterday; so thankful that your life was spared long enough to save
their sons or daughters from a desolate ill-fated life of crime and violence.

I am neither yen nor yang in this story and yet I feel so deeply
affected by you and this predicament. Perhaps it is that very reason I can do what I feel compelled to do here. I am no priest or clergy; just a spiritual woman who is assured that no true God would condone the barbaric behavior you face. I have the authority of that God to give you this:

Stanley Tookie Williams, You are forgiven. You are forgiven for all of those crimes and sins for which you whole-heartedly and steadfastly
wish to be forgiven.

Should these be your last hours, I send you to your Maker free of
guilt and blame and hate. I offer you love, hope, redemption and
peace. If you get scared or disconsolate, listen for the angels. I am
sending you mine to comfort you in these dark hours.

With great love and respect,

Posted by mermu at 01:23 AM | Comments (0)

December 07, 2005

Xmas Shopping

FINALLY! I found what to get for the men in my family who have everything. Uncle John, Matthew, Gerry...don't be afraid if you find one of these in your stocking this year. (But only because you've been very, very good.)

Posted by mermu at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)

December 05, 2005

SNOW!

Finally, early, early Sunday morning the NYC area had its first snowfall. It's been eerily mild weatherwise these last few weeks. While some might find the delay into winter a blessing, I find it really creepy. It's not the same kind of warmth you experience in the spring, summer or fall. The air is stifled and still as if, like milk, it's volume has outlived it's "use by" date. I find the bit of chill in the air in early winter months invigorating and hopeful. To have snow finally is a double bonus. We are expecting even more of it tonight. Here's hoping!

Dear George Podcast: Episode 4
There's another episode of Dear George on the world wide web. This one breaks format a bit. It's an interview with my friend Greg Gorman, a correspondent and producer at Talk Radio News Service. He recently went to the Kashmir region of Pakistan to check out the recovery efforts after the horrific earthquake in October. Greg is a fantastic interview; he did a great job of explaining the political situation of the area as well as the effects of the earthquake and much more. Be sure to check it out.

Posted by mermu at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)

December 01, 2005

An Artist, A Reporter, A Bookkeeper in Brief

Today was an interesting event-filled day. I started out as an artist...a voiceover artist to be exact. I did a quick voiceover for a biography of Catherine the Great that will air on one of the A&E Networks. My roll was Catherine (the Great). I voiced quotes from Catherine's (the Great) memoirs that will be interspersed throughout the Biography. I'm not sure of an airdate yet. When I do get the word I'll be sure to let you know. Catherine was a charismatic, visionary leader. Some may have loved her, some may have hated her but one thing seems to be clear: everybody had an opinion. She was that kind of person. While reading some of the quotes in the sound booth, I had a sudden revelation. Catherine (still Great) was 18th Century Russia's Bill Clinton (also Great). I think I did a good job (Who am I kidding? It was GREAT!)

Then I started walking south on 5th Avenue. I had to go to a client's for a few hour's work but I wanted to enjoy the day a bit and my little victory of spending some time and making some money doing something for which I came to this multi-faceted city. A little window shopping here and there, a five minute trip to my favorite used cd store (I only searched through the Js and managed to select 3 cds. It's a dangerous store.) and I was on my way to my client's business.

After being there a few hours, I got a call from former business partner and current friend, Greg Gorman. Greg just spent a week in Kashmir reporting on Quake-relief efforts in association with Americans for the Resolution of Kashmir for Talk Radio News. Greg agreed to let me interview him via telephone at the Talk Radio News offices for our Dear George Podcast. So I spent a 1/2 hour in the bathroom of my client's gallery discussing Kashmir. Talk about surreal.

The political atmosphere in Kashmir has always been "sensitive" to say the least. The situation in Kashmir is dire after the earthquake of October 8th. The people, the aid workers and all involved are in a race against time to try to provide some sort of temporary shelter for a dangerously cold winter, already approaching. Listening to Greg's impressions of his trip really helped to give me some insight into the region's needs and interests. It's a great interview that I will most likely post in its entirety in the next coupla days so stay tuned. You should also check out Greg's audio on the Talk Radio News site. He's recorded a number of audio reports about his trip. You can find them here.

I finished my interview with my friend the White House Correspondent and spent the rest of the day finishing up with my client.

So there you have it; a little bit of everything all in one day.

Posted by mermu at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)