Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Awesome Gigs this Weekend! Philly and Rochester

Two chances to hug, drink wine, and read this weekend! come visit and share your poems!

Friday, Aug 3 at 7 pm: Open mic and Book Release Party at Big Blue Marble Bookstore!
551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA

For pals who didn't make the first one or just want to pal around 
some more!
My first full-length collection of poems, For the Comfort of 
Automated Phrases,came out this summer from 
Sibling Rivalry Press! http://siblingrivalrypress.com/for-the-comfort-
of-automated-phrases/

Bring your own poems--we'll start the night with an open reading.

Says my beloved editor, Bryan Borland:" For the Comfort of Automated Phrases is a bottle of wine on a 

blanket in the park. It’s a night on the couch with your girlfriend, your boyfriend… or both of them. It’s 
making soup for a friend with a sick child. It’s the beautiful unpretentious. At its heart, this is a book of love poems written starry-eyed to board games and geography, to pop culture and pop music, to nephews and cats and cities and singers. Cassady’s full-length debut is the poetic equivalent of a mix tape – one you’ll keep rewinding and replaying – one that could easily be the soundtrack to your life."


No admission cost for the event, but you can get a book (and probably a hug) for 15$.


XXOX



And then! Saturday night in Rochester, NY, I get to read for Rachel McKibbens, one of my oldest and 


dearest sister/friends:





Monday, July 30, 2012

Cut Up Pop Song: Call Me Maybe (Plus, On Being Circulatory)

You know I love a dumb song-of-the summer,  and I just finished making this ridiculousness with my awesome little tutoring student and her awesome mom. Sometimes this blog is more serotonin-y than other times...
And, last week while studying for a health exam, I found this. It was made for me, I think, because, as a friend of mine pointed out, I'm pretty circulatory myself. Later, I will write of dignified things...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Stars Are Taking a Break

I'm taking a month or so off from horoscopes--I need some time to refill my proverbial well. In the meantime, I'll accept your advice!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Before We Pack Up the Pretty Apartment

We've lived in our beloved apartment for four years, and it's time to move on. They're putting a club in right behind us, and we are, like, forty. I wanted to remember it in detail, so I took some pictures, mess and all.














Gig Added: This Friday at Allen's Lane Art Camp


Hi Philly dearies!

If you can't make it to my book release party, (http://www.facebook.com/events/402385439813116/there's another chance to celebrate with me: This Friday night at 5 pm, at Allen's Lane Art Camp,  601 West Allens Lane  Philadelphia, PA 19119

I'll be performing alongside dancers, singers,and other talented camp teaching artists. It should be a hoot! 

Friday, July 13, 2012

Poetic License Horoscope for July 13-19



Cancer (June 22-July 23): “All I ever knew is like a little mouse living in a tiny hole in a palace I have become.” (Hafiz) While you’re busy being expansive, take time to celebrate the way you used to be, which was also amazing. Bake a birthday cake for your former self, with big blue icing flowers.
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23): You never really know how much you’re loved, how precious you are to the people in your life. Look for signs of it—the special groceries, the firefly walks, the silly love-music that gets stuck in your head.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): “Before you came into my life, I missed you so bad.” (Carly Rae Jepsen) You have always contained at least as much longing as a song-of-the-summer, probably more. But today, take stock of all the many people you have wished for who subsequently arrived. The other missing magic puzzle pieces are on their way—just open your arms and let them come to you.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): “I feel so grateful for every challenge I've encountered, as it's now clear that they were all stepping stones leading to the present moment, which is so full of joy and beauty that I feel I could do ANYTHING with the rest of my life & feel satisfied that my time on this planet was worthwhile. Dear G-d, I sincerely hope that, at some point, each and every person I know experiences the happiness that I am experiencing right now.” (Sam Richman, after gender-affirming surgery.) Be like Sam.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): The stars miss you every time we see junky special effects in old movies; it’s such a comforting thing to see. Hope all of your quests are being fulfilled, and your life is warm and full of sun.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22): To the Sagittarius who says she wishes she could just like one or the other, men or women. Erroneous binary aside, there’s so little space in this world for us, few heroes or role models. We have to make up our own way to do this. Don’t accept the arbitrary limitations that are placed on us by those with limited imaginations.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): I recently started rewatching Angel. I don’t think that I even knew before that my favorite vampire-with-soul started his detective agency in order to connect more deeply to humans and be therefore less likely to want to eat them. It isn’t quite so dire for you, but do find some new ways to genuinely reach out.

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19): To the Aquarius planning a ladies’ weekend—may there be feather boas and dancing on banquettes, delirious running-into-the-surf, maybe a Gilmore Girls marathon. Have all the fun in the world and find your inner Lorelais.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20):  To the Pisces who listened to me when I was lost—I’m still lost, but thank you for taking care of me, hearing my side of things, wanting my real happiness. You’re a good ear and a magic friendship, and your life will be full of glittery adventure.

Aries (March 21-April 18): Buy two sheets of stickers, one unicorns, one rainbows. Give them to yourself whenever you take a heart-risk, whenever you live in the delightful prism-y spectrums of life, whenever you move this way or that along the Kinsey scale. It’s important to reward yourself for being so brave.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): I heard Die Antword’s “Baby’s On Fire” and had trouble not emailing it to you. Whatever’s not working for you, it’s time to burn it or dance it off. Stop struggling, unless you like that sort of thing. Not everything needs to be changed. Lay back and float on the surface of life like you do sometimes at the swimming poll. Look at the clouds.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): “Apparently I like ripping the Band-Aid off slowly and repeatedly.” (My brother, Ed Wiedmann) Yep, it’s hard to let things go, especially people, who tend to have a lot of adhesive. But it’s okay, keep trying.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Poetic License Horoscopes for July 6-12


Cancer (June 22-July 23): Think of how many letters you can send: Strongly worded letters of complaint, love letters, thank you notes that go into lots of detail, letters of apology and amends. Pick five and write them out on paper. Remember stamps?

Leo (July 24-Aug. 23): To the Leo who is apartment hunting—you will have ample closets, a big, clean kitchen, built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, and a big windows. You’ll live in a quiet neighborhood with lots of trees. You’ll have everything including cheap rent, I promise.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23):  See Leo. Also, the tests you’ve been preparing for will be a piece of cake. Spend time in coffee shops going over practice tests. Alternate learning with good, long bouts of swimming. Fill up your brain and treat yourself kindly. You can do this.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): Today, all of your wishes are coming true, and you are groggily joyful. Sleep as many hours as you want, you’ve earned it. Spend lots of time with paints and books and movies. The stars recommend rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer from a bondage perspective, but that could just be the stars.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): “Who laughs the most, knows the most, if that laughter is sincere.” (Hafiz) This week, focus even more than usual on the funny. Take Calvin and Hobbes collections to the beach with you. Meditate on the wise teachings of Demetri Martin, who is just as adorable in person. Go only to movie theatres that let you heckle the screen.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22): Look at the summer schedule and map out your visits. Be sure to spend the most time with the people who make you the most delighted, and the least on obligation.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Soon, I’m coming to visit you! We’ll write jillions of stanzas in our notebooks, putting stickers on the best parts. We’ll eat pie and snuggle children. I really can’t wait.

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19): This week, stand up for yourself, even if it is painful, even if it leads to some loss. Look at the people, the rumors, the dramas that hold you back and give them the what-for. Yes, we know, the stars should do this, too. Don’t let anyone take anything away from you. You are worth all the happiness and freedom in the world.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): To the Pisces in a long distance relationship: May her visits be long. May her texts be chock full of effusiveness and affection and glitter. May you have the place in her life that you’ve always wanted. A happy home. Open arms. Providence.

Aries (March 21-April 18): This week in your life as a video game, you are Mario Kart. If you feel like you’re careening, bouncing over mushrooms, skidding past barky chain-link dogs, occasionally being pulled from the drink by a helpful cloud guy with a fishing pole, don’t worry, things will calm down a bit next week. Next week’ll be Tetris.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): I’ve got writer’s block for Taurus, so please send your requests. Thanks!

Gemini (May 19-June 21):  Take a trip to your local produce market, a farmers’ market if you have one nearby. Fruit has always symbolized well-being to the stars, and this week will be like strawberry-blueberry shortcake for you, Gemini!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Hooray! Tour Dates!


Hey pals! Pretty soon, I'll be going to places and doing things! Stay tuned for info as the dates near. 

July 21- Book Release Party, Philadelphia, Cake and the Bean Stalk http://www.facebook.com/events/402385439813116/
August 3: Philadelphia, Big Blue Marble Bookstore http://www.bigbluemarblebooks.com/
August 4: Rochester, NY Poetry & Pie http://www.facebook.com/PoetryPieNight
August 20: Worcester, MA Dirty Gerund Poetry Show http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirty-Gerund-Poetry-Show/112935222060874
August 21: Providence, RI: Got Poetry Live http://www.facebook.com/pages/Got-Poetry-Live/206360227142
August 30: Manchester, NH: Slam Free or Die http://www.facebook.com/slamfreeordie