Tag: friends

Art swap between friends

Here, I am attempting to wipe some of the dust off of my blog. Just gonna go…

Today, I received a package in the mail from my friend Jerielle. Earlier this year, she asked to buy a piece of art I made, but I was insistent that we—instead—barter. She has been making lovely “Daily Doodles” I have always adored. In the past, I have even tossed around the idea of getting a tattoo.
Anyway, I sent her the doorknob piece pictured below and she—in exchange— sent me one of her doodles I have posted underneath. I just love my friends and their art and seeing their art and having a piece of his or her art in my home! Makes me SO happy and I will never stop seeing the light from the creative sides of the ones I love. 


Z

A Lesson in Red Satin

Recently, a friend of mine sent a text that read, “Can I call you?” I was available and let her know. She called and stated that she was in a bind and that her school (she works at a college) had an art exhibit that day and she was concerned some of the people who were supposed to have art displayed would not come through. I agreed to send a few photos over electronically for her and her coworker to print out and get out there. 

I receive a frantic call a few hours later. “Zac, I just got home from work. The lady in charge of the fundraiser just called me and said that you won an award and you need to be there to accept the money some woman put into the prizes.” I did not realize my piece could win any competition and definitely was not expecting to receive any money. I had a half hour to get dressed and show up to receive the award. It was actually fun. 

Later that night, I got to thinking about how strange and fun that experience was and how much I love a sporadic adventure. I considered this an adventure and was extremely grateful. I remembered something from earlier in the week. 

My buddy from college, Heath, is a rapper and just released a new album. He put a post on Facebook and was interested in finding out how many of his fans would be interested in receiving an autographed actual CD in the mail (apparently these have been fading out for a while). I had neither listened to his album nor had seen him for years. But, he was always so sweet to me and was one of those guys who is an awesome person—genuinely! The mouse pretty much clicked itself.

The cool correlation between these two events left a smile on my face. I have begun to realize, over the years, how important it is to support our friends who are doing their thing and following their dreams. All too often, people expect art to be for free (even friends) and it can leave anyone who has created something and put themselves out there feeling vulnerable and insecure. I want to fight that. I am a supporter of my friends who create and I know from experience that the support can and will come back. 

Just wanted to share my thoughts. Oh, also, I got second place. Coming in second never felt so good.

Z

A Friend Creates


An hour ago, I finished reading my friend’s first novel. The time I took to finish was, admittedly, way too long. But, I was determined to read only when I could give my full attention. Falling into the creative work of a friend is something incredibly delicate and special. 

The characters, storytelling, and page-turning quality were present the entire time; I would have found the statement to be true even if I did not know the author. I finished completely pleased with the way everything turned out. However, I really wanted to know what was to come. I imagine my reaction is a goal of any novelist. I immediately contacted my friend and shared my thoughts and feelings. 

I started thinking about how proud I am when a person I know creates something beautiful. These days (and really every day), supporting the people around us who are creating and expressing themselves is beyond necessary. Whether or not thousands of people ever get to read my brother’s essay, see my neighbor’s drawing, or hear my Grandma’s song she learned to play on the keyboard last week is far less important than the support we give each other—at the end of the day.

Perhaps I am being sentimental. But, I will always appreciate the time and energy an artist I know has put into a project. Love is probably the best word.

Z

Bad Friend

Bad Friend

Words and acknowledgement 
Only after I provided them first
When I needed you most
You never asked,
Is there anything I can do?
I guess I was blind and never knew
A person I considered to be so true could be
A bad friend

Chasing after a cunning delusion 
Years have gone by without
A whistle blown
The whistle is blowing now—
I am calling you out 
I think all these years I really had
A bad friend

When you left, you always left me
Feeling strange and guilty
As if I failed my call of duty
Loving me back never seemed easy
Now I finally see—
It was you
It was not me
Behind the ingenuous mask lies
A bad friend

A decision has to be made
Do I keep you or let you go,
My dud of an amigo?
I wonder if there are any words
You could possibly say
To make me not want to sever ties
And just walk away today
Leaving behind
A bad friend

Z

 

Hey for today

Hey for today

One day he ran
He ran very far away
Wondering if his family
Needed his stay

Fearless.
He should have been.

Soon, he looked back:
He heard a song
He was sitting on a stool
Holding a drink
He was singing along
He wondered why?!
He could not be there

I still see the back of you
Guiding and leading the pack
We biked miles to the beach 
We could say anything!
Any old thing—is the thing
To each other—to anybody
Anything but: Goodbye

Hopefully, we are all okay
Yesterday was quite the memory
Wishing so hard we could go back
Oh, but the pictures we have
The cement treadmill underneath us
Moments, never forgotten
Why did they turn dark and grey?
Why do the colors of life go away?

The only thing that matters for now
Is that we still say
Hey for today

Z

Give In

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July 2014 in Prospect Park

Give In 

When you’ve become the same old song and dance,
A different costume on a different stage,
Maybe you need to take a deep breath again,
Find a new you, and begin again.

Is it worse to stay on a sinking ship
Or to be a person who gave it all up too soon?
A difficult question,
When you have white teeth and red lips
That can light up any room.

Directors will tell you to ease up,
Relax
Sometimes, tension is your body’s way of saying,
“Hon, it’s time to let it go.”

Fa la la la
Boo doo bee doo
Time to hang up the ol’ hat
And get a new ’do.

“Never give up”
Is all that you hear each day
But, do give in to taking a bow,
When it is you you are winning —
At the end of the play.

 

12.06

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Swimming in Negril

12.06

Taxi on the Brooklyn Bridge
Suitcase in the trunk
Carrying what was left of me
On a trip I had to take

Leaving home ain’t easy
Never a fun decision to make
But, made it was on 12.06
A year ago today

Where are you headed, Mr.?
Where will the road lead?
Cars can only take you so far,
Only go a certain speed
Where are you headed, Mr.?
This deal you have to seal
Could leave you different, in the end
So, now, how do you feel?

Visits back to the city
Have kept my heart upbeat
Faces I can only bare to miss so long
The streets I kiss leave me afraid to blink

Where I was a year ago
Gives perspective, when I stop to think
Of judging not where I am today
Rather, looking back to really see

Never can go back
Swimming ahead is all there is 
My arms can always paddle
When I wish to get away
Away is every place I reach
That’s the story, at least, today

Where are you headed, Mr.?
Where will the road lead?
Cars can only take you so far,
Only go a certain speed
Where are you headed, Mr.?
This deal you have to seal
Could leave you different, in the end
So, now, how do you feel?

To Rise Above Conflict

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For the Ride

Hand to my head
Hard to believe the words that were said:
Quantifying, analyzing, criticizing;
Destructive.

I held your hand
You pushed it away
Can the opinions and beliefs we carry
Really map out the way?

I was going to show you how love
Can be powerful, too
But, useless, it felt,
Judging by the response from you.

Then, a shift, a lean, a bend came along
Your side of the story soon came into view
Mine pulled up beside yours,
Four arms stretched and our differences withdrew.

Your head, in my lap, made me realize
The miles I would travel to be by your side
You’re a piece of the puzzle;
Still here. For the ride.

  • Listening to Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor. Sometimes, life is not joyful and gets sad and the key turns minor. True friends hold all the keys.