tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124978942009-12-12T10:10:59.957-05:00I'm a bipolar writer in the Naked City. I'm not playing with a full deck. I don't have all my dots on the dice. My cheese is sliding off my cracker. I don't have both oars in the water. I'm a bubble off plum. In other words, I'm crazier than a shithouse rat. These are my stories. Comments--short or long, nasty or nice--always welcome!elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-5159950325274512552007-05-31T13:57:00.001-04:002007-05-31T13:57:34.091-04:00

Passport Originally uploaded by gravitywave With all the terrorist threats from within and without, it is somewhat ironic to me that I, a taxpaying citizen born in the United States with no criminal record or even a traffic ticket to my name, would encounter significant snafus when trying to get a passport to travel to Amsterdam this month for a vacation.I’d planned the trip several

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-13397913159923516062007-03-28T16:55:00.001-04:002007-03-30T04:02:24.851-04:00

Fordham University Rose Hill campus, Bronx, NY Originally uploaded by bowlegdark. On Tuesday, I attended a forum on shrinking housing affordability in the Bronx at Fordham University's Bronx/Rose Hill campus. It was a perfect spring day, so I took my camera and after the conference took some shots of the campus and the students. Here's one.

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-55916972483697080252007-03-26T07:23:00.000-04:002007-03-30T04:07:12.858-04:00

When I posted my original “N” word article on Blogcritics some two weeks ago, I didn’t anticipate that it would merit a sequel. As it was, the gist of the original premise seemed preposterous if taken literally. Of course, no one could “ban” a word here — this is America, and that kind of thing just isn’t done.Indeed, though a few who perhaps didn’t read further than the title didn’t realize that

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-5968386888174261882007-03-03T07:33:00.000-05:002007-03-30T04:10:38.639-04:00

On February 1, the first day of Black history Month was ushered in with a bit of local media brouhaha here in New York when Queens Councilman Leroy Comrie, hip-hop artist Kurtis Blow Walker, and other community leaders headed a press conference calling for a symbolic, non-binding resolution urging New Yorkers to stop using the "n" word. Though no one could possibly imagine this could be made

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-79531566115318264722007-02-17T08:52:00.001-05:002007-03-30T04:13:02.316-04:00

Hotline Originally uploaded by splorp. Selling and/or buying a home can be an aggravating, time consuming, and expensive endeavor which typically involves working with a team of “professionals,” all with their hands out for their cut. There’s real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, and real estate lawyers just for starters. As in all professions, some are good, some are bad, and some are

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-82434893284402469002007-02-12T03:46:00.001-05:002007-03-30T04:14:47.084-04:00

Self-Affirmation though Real Estate Originally uploaded by bcostin. "Yonkers, NY. One bedroom, 900 sq. ft, 139 K. Lg. unit in luxury highrise; updated kitchen, 20 foot terrace, doorman, security, pool, parking, express bus. Deli and dry cleaners on site. Near shops, restaurants; 25 minutes from Grand Central."My ex-boyfriend G and I have co-owned a one bedroom coop in lower Manhattan for

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-54910924752003319562007-02-10T08:07:00.001-05:002007-02-10T07:46:52.356-05:00

DSC06431 Originally uploaded by LarimdaME. My New York City/real estate obsessed doppelganger Elvira Dark has just launched a companion blog to Shithouse rat called All things New York--devoted exclusively to everything and anything about the city--real estate, neighborhoods, safety, 9/11 issues, things to avoid, must-see and off the beaten path attractions, one day and weekend getaways,

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1170406159240875652007-02-02T03:47:00.000-05:002007-02-02T04:17:29.004-05:00

Amsterdam - Prinsengracht Originally uploaded by Mor (bcnbits). Oh yes indeedy--and everything's comin' up roses too....My ex-boyfriend and I found a buyer for the Lower East Side Manhattan coop we co-own, and will be closing the first week of March. I am all set to move into my new dream digs in the Bronx shortly thereafter--found a beautiful one bedroom coop in a gated enclave here. G,

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1169587026943618302007-01-23T16:15:00.000-05:002007-01-23T16:17:07.726-05:00

scorp tat Originally uploaded by Elvira Black. First of all, let me preface this by saying that I believe in astrology. To what extent I do is still up for consideration.As a Cancer, for instance, I always get along famously with Scorpios. Other Cancers posess some of the qualities I don’t like about myself, so it’s sometimes a strained relationship. Cancers are often called the Jewish

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1168524833641125682007-01-11T09:12:00.000-05:002007-01-11T11:19:02.253-05:00

Blogging For Dummies Originally uploaded by Somewhat Frank. About a month ago, Jon Tevlin, a reporter from the Minneapolis-St. Paul based Star Tribune, e-mailed me about a piece I'd done last February on my blog entitled "My Blogger Burnout." Seems he was doing an article based on a prediction that the blogging craze has peaked and is heading downhill. In my burnout piece, which I also

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1167955905658716402007-01-04T19:10:00.000-05:002007-01-04T19:11:45.720-05:00

Yeah, unbelieveable is right! Originally uploaded by steveleggat. A new, improved, and considerably expanded version of "Is New York 'Over?' Part 2" is over at BlogCritics ---while supplies last!

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1167571170101350062006-12-31T08:18:00.000-05:002006-12-31T08:19:30.130-05:00

Jersey City Across the Hudson Originally uploaded by Richard-. Part 1 can be found here.It often seems to me that the typical New Yorker is never satisfied. No matter how well off they have it, and despite living in what is (to me at least) the greatest city in the world, their complaints are legion. One of the ways this perpetual dissatisfaction manifests itself is in the state of the

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1167517661382737992006-12-30T17:27:00.000-05:002006-12-30T17:31:57.556-05:00

The untamed Originally uploaded by Elvira Black. BG says he painted this when he had a wicked hangover. In any case, it was loosely based on a photo from a book I brought home from the library with all sorts of cool black and whites of mainly Brit pop wonders of the 60s. This bunch was called The Untamed. BG's version bares only a passing resemblance to the original. To me, it is BG's

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1167222760139552922006-12-27T07:27:00.000-05:002006-12-27T07:32:40.253-05:00

Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 22:08:18 +0100To: bowlegarivle@yahoo.comSubject: Blog denied at Blog Explosion -- Profanity in titleFrom: "BlogExplosion" Add to Address Book Add Mobile AlertUpon reviewing your blog we have to deny it because there is profanity in the title of your blog. If you still want to be a member you will need to change the title of your blog and re-submit for approval.Site

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1167071273733578652006-12-25T13:27:00.000-05:002006-12-25T17:03:22.436-05:00

Poe cottage, Bronx, NY Originally uploaded by Elvira Black. "Hear the sledges with the bells - Silver bells! What a world of merriment their melody foretells! How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, In the icy air of night! While the stars that oversprinkle All the heavens, seem to twinkle With a crystalline delight; Keeping time, time, time, In a sort of Runic rhyme, To the tintinnabulation

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166913869855087872006-12-23T17:44:00.000-05:002006-12-23T17:44:29.996-05:00

Portrait of the Artist as Jean-Michel Basquiat Originally uploaded by Elvira Black. Doesn't look much like Basquiat, nor exactly like BG either--it's more of a "BG disguised as Basquiat, if he could also have facial surgery" kinda thing. Actually, I think of it as an artistic version of the "Vulcan mind meld." What say you?

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166905759584984032006-12-23T15:28:00.000-05:002006-12-23T15:29:19.613-05:00

Scots Pine in the Snow.jpg Originally uploaded by OpenEye. Question: What do you get a Jewish woman for Christmas?Answer: Real estate.I have received the best Christmas/Chanukkah gift ever: my freedom.My ex-boyfriend L and I went into contract--we found a buyer for the co-op we co-own. We will split the proceeds (minus the 25 odd percent for various and sundry flip taxes, brokers' fees,

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166826729234905572006-12-22T17:31:00.000-05:002006-12-22T17:32:09.280-05:00

Apple Mac/PowerBook Sculptures Originally uploaded by Persist! Resist!. Coming of age in the '70s, I always strived to be boho. At college I was the belated hippie chick while some others favored the Farrah Faucet Do or the Saturday Night Fever thing going on. Some loved disco; I eschewed it in favor of Phil Manzanera, Led Zep, Fripp, Eno, blah blah blah. As a result of my iconoclastic

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166632390995652702006-12-20T11:32:00.000-05:002006-12-20T11:33:11.036-05:00

Hand of God Originally uploaded by larukucafe. I believe it was in the wee hours of Tuesday morning when I awoke and turned on Herman, my trusty Mac, to check for e-mails and such. For some unknown reason, I decided to check my Sitemeter first thing. At first, I thought there must be some mistake, for I found an incredible number of hits (for me anyway) had amassed within the last 24

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166452554487556322006-12-18T09:35:00.000-05:002006-12-18T09:35:54.513-05:00

lower manhattan skyline from the brooklyn heights promenade Originally uploaded by limonada. After graduating from college on the New York suburb of Long Island in 1979, I returned to New York City and got an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with my then-boyfriend. Every now and again I'd make the trip down to the Lower East Side to visit my aunt and uncle, who had raised me

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166289285502236662006-12-16T11:57:00.000-05:002006-12-16T12:15:11.906-05:00

'Tis the season to go crazy trying to live up to the feel-good expectations of the holidays. With this in mind, I've reposted a Christmas piece I did here last year to Blogcritics called "The Holidays: Is That All There Is?"On Monday I see my shrink and have to deal with this dilemma: upping my Effexor seems to be helping me, but it's messing with my eyesight somewhat. I don't want to go back

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1166110992783321342006-12-14T10:42:00.000-05:002006-12-14T10:43:12.996-05:00

Nazis Not Welcome Originally uploaded by bdunnette. Hey guys, thanks for the comments on commenting. It's very ironic that in my "heyday" I was like a comment nazi--my feeling was, as Jack's Shack said, that if someone took the time to comment, responding was the least I could do. In the past, I sometimes found myself feeling "jilted" if someone didn't respond to my comment. It felt like

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1165684534931889402006-12-09T12:15:00.000-05:002006-12-09T12:15:37.706-05:00

Blogging For Gaijin Originally uploaded by Robert Sanzalone. Well, I don't want to jinx it, but my blogging slump may actually be coming to an end, at least for now. It may be chiefly due to an up in my Effexor meds. For those who don't take psych meds, it may be hard to understand, but having the right mix of seratonin and all those other feel good brain chemicals can make the difference

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1165621605583885362006-12-08T18:46:00.000-05:002006-12-08T18:46:45.583-05:00

Johnny Winter first draft Originally uploaded by Elvira Black. Ah, technology. I've always been interested in how the creative process expresses itself--sometimes even without the conscious will of the creator. I'm sure many creative types know what I mean when I talk about that feeling after stumbling upon a completed work you hadn't looked at in a while, and saying to yourself: "How the

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12497894.post-1165621021335545132006-12-08T18:36:00.000-05:002006-12-08T18:37:01.370-05:00

Johnny Winter draft 2 Originally uploaded by Elvira Black.

elvira blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14807259749719715614noreply@blogger.com0