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Join the fun! Subscribe today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Lz0EKTm6q1LvKSlvxygNw  Well Fans, Friends, and Family, it finally happened! I took the sage advice from Joseph Sale, writer and editor extraordinaire, and I decided to start my Patreon page. The page is aimed at supplementing the small charity press I started almost two years ago, Barrio Blues Press. Thus far, I have one Patreon!
I have some great gifts for Patreons, ranging from poetry memes if you give $1 to writing workshops if you give $100 a month. Check my page out and consider donating to this worthy cause! Terrified as I was of this mile-stone birthday, the earth didn't crack. #milestonebirthday #birthday #happybirthday Jesú's Shameless Monday Self-Promotion! Zoom Poetry Reading, Today, March 21, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.21/3/2022 I am reading some new and classic work at this amazing reading! ========== Come listen to these RAD poets, today, March 21, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Via Zoom. I will be performing a couple of my favorite pieces. Bring your poet-loving friends and family. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5339162677   Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels Lately, I’ve been thinking about this profound idea by Tongo Eisen-Martin. He came to speak to my students last Monday, and as usual, he performed beautifully. The political discussion was also lit. You can watch the full performance on my YouTube show "Radical Books and Activists."
However, he said that conditions were accelerating so fast that if we didn’t see ourselves as historical protagonists, or people who need to make change, we may be the last ones to the party. I’ve been thinking about that a lot. What if the future is up to us because there isn’t much of a future, or there won’t be? How would that impel us to be better people and try to make a difference in the world? For me, it has been trying to be gentler when I speak to my family because I can be intense. I don’t mean being mean or harsh; I’m just intense with shit to do. But, I have learned to slow down and be more loving, especially when my daughter interrupts me to play a game of “Gorilla Chase.” That’s where I act like a gorilla and chase her around the house until I need to pass out from exhaustion. I’m actually writing a story with that title, "The Last Ones to the Party." Anyway, these are my deep thoughts. If we are the last ones to the party, what will we do differently? What will you do differently?  Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels Many of you know I suffer from depression. I think a lot of writers suffer from some mental malaise, though you don't have to be suffering to be a great writer. You don't have to be an overindulgent bar fly. These are just romantic tropes you see in movies. Overly romanticized at that.
Well, I have resolved not to stuff my feelings down with food. It gets me nowhere, and the food coma afterward is not conducive to writing. I mean the depression is bad enough without getting indigestion. Or reading for that matter. Get the belly full enough, and the only thing I'll be reading is the corner of my pillowcase. What does all of this have to do with early resolutions? Well, I'm trying hard to beat this depression beyond medication and counseling. So, I've decided to start some actual life changes. Real ones that stick. Number 1, No Overeating. Easy. Yeah, not really. I'll let you know how that goes. Here's my favorite: Number 2, Be the Fun Parent! When I am feeling well and have energy to play, I am the fun parent. But, the negative downers get the best of me. Or can get the best of me, so starting today, I am going to be the fun parent. I sort of started yesterday and went to the pool around 8:00 p.m. Granted, I just sat in the jacuzzi, but my kids loved seeing me there. I also got to talk to my son Antonio and share life stories. This morning, I was supposed to go Black Friday shopping with the family. I would never do that, but my son really wanted to troll for video games and Funko Pops. Simona, my daughter, could not be roused. That's fine by me. Last time I went Black Friday shopping, I got shopper's remorse and returned EVERYTHING. Anyway, what does this have to do with writing? Well, everything. And nothing. Or a lot. Putting family first is one of the best pieces of advice I got from Stephen King. That leads to life experiences and more joy. Ergo greater writing energy and flow. I think anyway. And with that, I'm off to write the back description for Nightmare with a Twist! which has ironically been a nightmare to produce. Don't get me started, or I may just binge eat this knock-off bag of chocolates from Aldis. |
Jesú Estrada
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