Dizzy

You wont believe this. I just typed this long ass entry and the whole f ing thing just erased. So know I can't repeat everything I said about the cool poetry event I was just involved in for the City of Las Vegas ala Dayvid Figler, featuring many excellent local poets (Keith Brantley, Nakachi Clark, Jarret Keene and the McKibbens from NYC. It was a really excellent event with a better than average turnout and I hope to be invovlved in more like it in the future. Go Dayvid!

Anyhoo, my new book...UNDERCOVER...should be out from Zietgiest Press before Summer's end so expect some events where I will publically embarrass someone (probably myself).

I hope to get back on track with the website but time is a precious commodity reserved for my family when I can spare it. Of course late at night I can get away with a little blurb now and again...
Best to all who read this crizapp...
Harry

Lazy Again

Yeah so I'm lazy again and not updating this site nearly often enough but let's face it I'm friggin busy all the time I mean hey I work for a living dammittttttt...

No New?

Sorry I haven't posted much lately....

But...I started a new gig and I have been incredibly busy. So therefore my excuse is that lack of time has meant lack of words....as soon as I get used to my new hours etc....
Expect to see more!

Well....

Positive Energy man...yeah thats the ticket, Groovy vibes and what not, yeah...........Shit.

Unbelievable

So how much weight can I gain before the New Year? It's as if I have challenged my inner demons to add fat with every breath I take. I am sorely ashamed. After all I am the Dad who tries to teach by example and to be the best I can be. Now I stand here topping the scales at a whopping....
I just can't speak it aloud. I know, I know. I've been going on about this for the last 4 months and it's the same ol' shit day in and out. Really people I have got to make some MAJOR fucking changes here. After all.....
It's my life darn it.

So swearing I will turn the new leaf come New Years,
Best,
Harry

Gallery Au Go-Go

Hat's off to Dirk Vermin!

Once again the Verm has done it. Continuing to make cuture accsessible to good Vegans everywhere, Dirk Vermin hosts yet another excellent and eclectic art show. Thank you Dirk! The Las Vegas show opened December 13th and features dozens of local artist theming on this whacked out unique Vegas Town. Check it out . If you don't then don't let me hear the whining about "lack of culture" in this City.
If you don't know where it is..now you do!
Gallery Au Go-Go is located on Tropicana and Maryland Parkway, just South of Trop in the first shopping center on the east side....Right next door to world famous Pussykat Tattoo.
See you there!

Coffee Bean

Well I went to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Maryland in the hopes of finding some piece of the past in there and was rewarded with Josh Ellis, Scott Johnson, Alex Getchell, and Andrea (the girl who studied Russian so much at Roma). Although the Roma is gone, at least we have a place we can meet up until hopefully Roma returns....
The music was shitty but the coffee was good, and the service was pleasant and the floors were clean...so here we go.....

Roma

And so it closes....

I first went to the Cafe Roma when it was still called the Newsroom, sometime in 1987 I think. Before that my evil stepfather owned an arcade that occupied the same space, so I was actually inside the place even earlier (around 1985). A whole bunch of years have gone by since than and I just wanted to jot down some of the interesting and/or significant events that occured there.
My friend Jack Ott was the first manager I remember. Him and I went 4 wheeling and shooting pistols out in the desert.
I met my first wife there.
My sister worked there.
I worked there...I was in-between jobs and manager Matt was kind enough to hire a big mean hulking ex-bartender to make froofee coffee drinks, G-d bless ya Matt.
I saw good managers and bad managers and great managers and totally fucked up managers go through the place.
I made a whole pile of arrests there, or immediately nearby.
Me and a cop named Frank Massey helped a bunch of kids there, we even reunited a schizophrenic named Raven with his dad after he had been missing for years.
Me and the same cop got back Kate Hausbecks stolen computer, and busted the junkie that stole it. Even though it was sad....he was a decent enough kid before the smack got him.
I brought many, many trainees there, and tried to make them understand....
I read my first spoken word poem there.
I suffered my divorce there.
I rejoiced in my marriage to my wife Leilani
I brought my first born infant son in there, and my second.
I watched Sam growing up in there.
Played guitar for an audience there.
I ran the Monday Night Open Mic poetry for a while.
I painted and drew in there.
Typed search warrants.
Typed short stories.
Typed many, many poems, and scribbled many others on various found pieces of paper.
Bought art there.
Wrote most of my first book there.
Had my first book signing there, and had members of 12 Volt Sex preform an acoustic set in the middle of it, while Leilani sold books and smiled.
I bought the place a high chair.
I drank beer in the walk in freezer.
I saw plays.
I roller bladed 30 plus miles per week to and from there.
Did my college homework there.
I met some of my best friends there.
I hung out with Al Gibson, and Steve Custer there, two of the finest people I know.
I threw a few bad eggs out.
Very few.
I played pinball in there, especially against the amazing Dayvid Figler and the equally amazing Scott Johnson...They generally whopped my ass for me.
I attended many parties there.
I drank probably 10000 cups of coffee in one form or another there.
I practically lived there for the last 15 years. I could go on and on and on....but instead I will list the names of as many people as I can remember that touched me somehow there.
(in no particular order, with the exception of the first 5)Leilani Fagel, Samuel Fagel, Jacob Fagel, Mom, Grandpa, Al Gibson, Frank Massey, Steve Custer, Kim Thomas, Dayvid Figler, Bruce Issacson, Alan Issacson, Robyn (Bruce's lovely Wife to Be) Ryan Pardee, Gary?, Alex Getchell, Scott Johnson, Mike and Matt Servillo, Deborah Cohen, Dana Botwick, Trish Martin, David Ansen, Zog, Josh Ellis, Jamie Harris, Tommy, Melissa and especially Ryan Marth, the Porch Sisters, and now Shan and Jen (and Elliot!), Frank Beaton, Jill (his wife), Jay?, Shawn?, Agro Dave, Bakeem Lloyd, Vanessa (manager), Myong, Chris Selzer, L. Klein, John Emmons, Lisa Stein, Rico, James the Dick, Chris King (Scavione), Matt Chernoff, Mike Stratton, Greg Crosby, Saab Lofton (heeeeeee) Andy Hall, Andee, Jill, Aaron, Matt (manager), Crazy Bob, Kermit, The Cripple, Josh Brown, Carrie McCutcheon, Kate Hausbeck, Joe Schoenmann, Mikey Howe, Elana Howe, Jen Neal, Dr. Unger, Geoff Carter, Ami Carelli, Beth Lisick, Rodney Lee, Marco, Jack Ott, Carl (the other manager), Danny Mollohan, Cydnee Buffers, Brian G., Courtney, Jen Strong, Jabberjaw, Raven, Tony, Delight, Traci Allen, Bryan Guzman (poet Bryan), Tammi Silbaugh, Breeze, Barb Hollingsworth, Renee Christy, Lenadams Doris, Carl, B.J. Tammi Massey, Chrissy, Red Cap, Nick "weird harold" Wells, Bev Chris and Abbey, Andrew Ramsey, Phil Hagen, Nancy Jeffries, Rayann Figler, Harmony, Heather Hyte, Heather Morris (now Johnson) Bonnie Morris, Bethany, Wes, Penina Fingers, Doug Jablin, Anthony Biondi, Nuk, Chip Mosher, Gary Peck, Alan Lichenstien, David Gordon, Noel, Steven Gomez, Eavonka Bettinger, Gina (hopefully still drumming in Seattle), Chad Reynolds, Neal, Big Tony, Brian (Big B's ), Kit Williams, Dean Munney, Teri Lynn, Adrienne, Romney the Rocket, Joe Maloney, Uncle Perv, The guy who ran the original acoustic night, Spit (Lin Newborn), Jeff Schmacher, Ryan Jaegger, Rich Nogues, Shannon.....
Crap it is getting late and I've barley begun. I will have to finish this later. There are just so many memories. So many that I can't begin to add them up. All things must die as they must live. So goes Roma. My heart tips fondly at a dear friend. I pray another place that lives and breathes the culture of Las Vegas rises to take its place. In the meantime, Ciao for now.

Hole

Sometimes I do sink somewhat. Even though it would seem that my incredibly lofty ego would carry me through all manner of everything, occasionally I do find myself sifting sand in the dark. I have been dealing with my lack of motivation for physical fitness the last 3 weeks, along with a close family members major trauma in her life. Also with the fact that I can never be 100% soul baring in this blog due to my career. Anyway I just want to get myself back on a highly motivated track. I'm sure the truth behind this negative outpouring revolves heavily around the fact that my party this year had a much smaller turnout than in years past. I guess that made me feel my age a bit, or something. My artist side groans in self debasement while the hard guy in me just shrugs it off to the weather. Either way, I was very happy that the people who did come were there. They are a wonderful bunch of friends, and I love all of them. Those that didn't I'm sure had good reasons, I just miss my friends that I don't see very often and these big parties I have are a way to catch up. Anyway enough whining. I have been blessed with more beauty in my life than I would ever want to take for granted, even for a second. So let me move on.
The best is yet to come, I'm sure.

Maximum Density

I've done it again! I have acheived near maximum density. I shall seize the day on Monday by gum and start again. Fatness will be history....
Again

Also, In case I forgot...
My annual Halloween Extravaganza is TONIGHT...
7PM
All who know and love us please join us
FUN FUN FUN

Virus

Unfucking believable. Every few months I get some virus on my system that my anti virus software has to delete. It's mind boggling that there are assholes out there with enough time on their hands to be doing this shit. I picture some whacked out tweeker typing away night and day in some stinky, smelly shithole trying to conquer the universe in his speeded out meglomaniacal fantasy. I know this guy. I saw him at my coffee hang out just last week. Skinny as a piccolo, acne scars and really bad tattoos. His teeth are soft gray rotting marshmallows and he grins and capers, washing his hands endlessly at his laptop, mentally masturbating at the trojan horse he just dropped on the world wide web. Between the virus makers and the spam people, it's enough to drive a man to drink I swear. And don't get me started on spam. I sign up for one shitty porn sight and the price I pay is 3000 (that's right three thousand) unsolicited advertisements a month. I want so bad to be able to somehow call the people responsible with a magic telephone that rings and rings and never stops ringing tell they finally pick up, just to hear an evil laugh before the line disconnects and 10 million volts of electricity shoots down the reciever into their idiot grinning spamster face. I know I sound angry. I am angry. The internet is the greatest toilet of thought since the first book was invented, and these bastards are endlessly clogging it with their bullshit.
And don't expect the government to fix it either. This is a matter of just ignoring every single email you recieve from someone unknown to you.
Bastards.

Ok....I feel better now. Obviously I'm getting a little fat aggression from my poor diet.

Ice House Poetry

Congrats to Lim and Bakeem...

I have to say that the Rebel Poetry Ice House Gig was live. There was an intense vibe in the room, and everyone was there to hear good spoken word. It is a reminder of the potential that Vegas has for great cultural events, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Diet Rite

Worthless....useless....fatbody....
No I am not being negative...
Just musings...
Really

Diet Cont...

Well I fudged it up again. Big surprise. Between a night of barbeque southern style at my Wife's friends house and a night of traditional Jewish fare at my Mom's....I managed to pack on at least five nasty ugly pounds. Therefore I hereby pledge that tommorow I will do better.
Really.
I will.

Still....I have been in the gym today...so fat but strong is better than just fat....right?

Bad Harry Bad...

Too much eating in the wrong direction. Suddenly I spin my wheels in reverse, shoving all manner of problematic calories in my chomping gullet. Time to pull myself out of this tail spin...
NOW

Gosh Damn IT

OK so I eat a little of the "Forbidden" Items. I see immediately a paunch swelling to near maximum expansion...pushing my jeans into the fat so it leaves little crinkle marks. Speaking of crinkles...yummm potato chips sound good. OK control yourself man your Freaking OUT. All right. I'm ok here. I'm not going to lose it. I am still in control. JENNY CRAIG WHERE ARE YOU...ok ok I'm fine, really.Yes the diet is still going well. As I discussed earlier this week I've hit the first plataeu and it is making me stress a bit. Must FOCUS damn it. MUST......

Shoot Shat Shit

I ate. Far too much. Today. Not good. Now I wallow in guilt and fatness. It is bad. Yet....Good as well.
Manana I shall return to strict observance of the PLAN. Until then....bloat.

Diet still

Yeah it's still going on. I cheat on it but mostly I'm strict as all get out. This is 5 weeks in. I've lost 21 pounds. I'm up to 400 crunches a day, a minimum of 25 minutes of cardio, and a full weight lifting regime. Wow. Now I need to go into high gear. This is a crucial time in the plan. This is where plateaus are hit, sticking points, disapointment. I really need to focus right now, or it will be a lickety-split ride to fat body again. I have 33 pounds to go to reach the goal line. By then I will be really fit. If I hang tough. That is all for now.

Weighty review

Ok. This weeks weight. 253. Thats 19 pounds so far. Still large marge but getting a bit faster. Will stay updated.
Harry

Giving What For?

Ok...I haven't been posting enough to this site lately..DAMN. But I'm trying really to do it. I have a seriously busy life like everyone else so that's my shitty, useless excuse. Good news tho'
My son started his first day of Kindergarten today. He was incredibly excited and it was pure cool.
Other than that I'm just a dieting and working out and working fool. New poetry coming soon.

Behind

Just a quick blog....I haven't said much because I have been so busy I just have not had time to update the site as much as I would like to. However I will commit that I am going to try harder. For those in the world follwoing the diet, work out regime:
I am up to 400 crunches. I am down to 258.5 pounds. The personal challenge continues....

P.S. I will be featuring as Barry Dingle on September 30th at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Maryland Parkway....
It will be mucho fun (I hope) so be there if boredom is your monkey. 7 PM

Law Suit

“Welcome to McSues-you, may I take your order?” I can’t help but envision a day when we can order law suits at drive through windows, on the internet, by phone, with gift certificates and maybe even at the airport or bowling alley for convenience. And while it may be the bread and butter of the ever increasing army of attorneys populating our planet, at a minimum it’s a strange reflection of the way we increasingly solve our day to day problems; with advocacy. Watching the ABC news show Dateline two years ago I was struck by the interesting image of a yellow rental truck carrying precious ballots ( like gold ingots destined for a Kings empire) traveling across the great state of Florida with (and I quote) “Attorneys riding shotgun”. Wow. Visions of dusty lands and the wild west assaulted my mind as I imagined a saloon full of whiskey hardened cowpokes and a tinny piano playing parlor music suddenly stopping all action at the sight of a penslingin' brief filin' attache wieldin' lawyer, clad in an immaculate tailored suit and modest tie, busting through the batwing doors and throwing his briefcase on the bar top. “Someone’s gonna git sued” whispers all around.
The pen is mightier than the sword has taken on a whole new meaning in these litigious times. People talk about lawsuits in every aspect of their lives. From the very common auto accident personal injury types, through a myriad of the unexpected, more sensational types. We hear at the job about the rights of our “working environment” our labor rights, the importance of not talking about uncomfortable subjects that might offend various classes of people, the trend of sexual harassment litigation and hiring practices controlled more and more by filtering out potential trouble makers right at the start to avoid “costly court battles” later. At home we fear suits from neighbors for property encroachment, or if their kids get hurt at our houses. We know if we get divorced it's likely there will be “violent” legal maneuvering to obtain goods and children. We send our kids to school, hoping they don’t hit another kid lest the parents sue, not to mention the schools fear as well.
The overwhelming result of all this legal action has accomplished two things as I see it. One, there is a viable alternative for people who need to solve problems, and law suits have become somewhat of a panacea for solving every single issue that humans have.
Two, there is a general