By Ted Grudin
Back in 2004 I remember watching CSPAN videos of Howard Dean’s speeches from my room at University of Cambridge, where I was studying abroad. I had never been so inspired by a politician in my life. Not Gore, not Clinton, and certainly not Bush Sr. (whom I had remembered most recently from his TV clip placed in the film The Big Lebowski: “this aggression will not stand”).
What made Howard Dean so inspiring? He spoke with straightforward passion. It had an air of truth that had not existed in other politicians. But perhaps most importantly: Dean demanded, at the end of each speech, that it was not he who had the power to make change in the country, “it’s you.”
After then getting bored by solid, respectable, yet somnolent speeches by John Kerry, we were reminded of the power of a speech by then little known Barack Obama at Kerry’s convention.
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Posted by The Better Blog on 06/07 at 12:11 AM
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Ted Grudin •
Non-Fiction •
By Sonny Phono
Hello World.
I’m an “Ol’ Dog” as I like to refer to myself. I can come off sometimes as, gruff, bitter, mean, judgmental. For someone that’s unfamiliar to my sense of humor, or strong opinions, I am a total asshole.
I work at a S.F. nightclub as a sound man. I am also a DJ around town so you’ve heard me play, or seen me at work. I’m the handsome dude running around with microphones and cables. I might even be on the Mic commanding you to dance or sing along, or, to get the fuck out of my bar.
Anyhow, that’s a little about me. I’ve been around the block a few times and I’m a fun loving take no shit kinda guy. Today I want to write about my path that landed me where I am today, at least professionally. I wouldn’t want to torture you with how I got to be me emotionally. Yet.
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Posted by The Better Blog on 06/07 at 12:04 AM
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Sonny Phono •
Non-Fiction •
By Francis Camaquin
I still love her. Loved her more when she used to be sober and I was kinder.
She was an undercover fashionista, a retail slave that kept selling cotton in the belief that she’d be content if she had brunch every Sunday for the rest of her life. Saucy, witty, fine taste in literature and eager for new music; for some this was a bit unsettling, but for others, the drama was satisfying. She held wine tasting parties once or twice a month, where each guest was to bring a paper bagged bottle of wine retailed at under ten dollars. She numbered the guests’ bottles and asked them to secretly write down the vineyard and year in her 99 cent store acquired guestbook. After enough tasting had been done, everyone would announce their favorite wines and their identities would be revealed. Everyone who was invited always had an amazing time, and walked or biked home hammered. There was always at least one person thinking of her on the way to the 38 stop.
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Posted by The Better Blog on 06/07 at 12:00 AM
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Francis A. Camaquin •
Non-Fiction •
By Jenn Zipp
The Better Blog was an idea. That’s all it was. Just one of those passing things you get while sitting on the bus on your way to work, an idea that’s sandwiched between “I fucking forgot to feed the cat” and “I wonder if my hair’s gone flat by now.” And then over coffee, you mention it to a friend. They tell you what a good idea it is and then proceed with their story about how they got laid last Saturday night, etc. etc.
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Posted by The Better Blog on 06/05 at 12:16 AM
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Jenn Zipp •
Non-Fiction •
Site Announcements •
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