starbravado's spur of jargon.

Teary Window Opera (This is Why I don’t drink alone)

starbravado — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:50:09 +0000

This is why I don’t drink alone.

The real. The pain. The violent.
The utter remorse, and I pour like liquid against the bathroom floor.
And I sooothe like mercy.
Violent and vivid like blood on my pillow.

This is why I don’t drink alone.

I stab and I prune and I hate so deeply like fire against the core.

I am real but I die.
I die.
I die.
I die.
I fucking unfold.

And this is why I don’t drink alone.

I am crimson hands to the mold.

I build undry,
ground to the sky.
Heat;

then the lights down low.

and I unknow what life is to be told.

Best by Transit: Pink Line (to be featured in Liberette Magazine

starbravado — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:16:45 +0000

Best by Transit: Pink Line

Never quite passing driver’s education in high school, I never acquired my driver’s license. While it’s a secret shame, the passenger-side travel gives me time to take in my surroundings as I advance toward my destination –while doing that I’ve spotted quite a few hotspots. Finding my way about the city using the help of trains, buses, or making my rounds by foot also helps me find places to spend my time.

The Chicago ‘L’ has acted as my personal chariot, chauffeuring me from place to place. The Pink Line is especially gifted at taking me to interesting places about the city. The Pink Line, which runs between 54th/Cermak Station in Cicero, Illinois and the Loop in downtown, offers a variety of restaurants, markets, and attractions. There are twenty-two stations, and of those, I will cover a few choice hotspots located near eight of those stops. I’ve excluded stops within the Loop because there are so many vibrant places to be explored within it, that The Loop beckons a hotspot list of its very own.

54th/Cermak(2151 S. 54th Avenue)

United Grill 2145 South Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804-2352

The low-cost grub hub is the ideal place for late night drunken gatherings or the mid-day consumption of bacon and eggs. Frequent goers of United Grill hold it in high regard because of its nonsense, greasy diner mentality.

Pulaski (2021 S. Pulaski Road)

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria 3859 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623Some of the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza around, come to Lou Malnati’s to experience a triumphant cohesion of fresh ingredients.

California(2010 S. California Avenue)

Chan’s Garden‎ 2825 West Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60623

Urbanspoon, Yelp and Menupages reviewers alike have given this Chinese food mecca stunning ratings. This is impart due to their high quality food, great value and overall attention to service.

Pete’s Fresh Market‎ 2526 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608

Located in a neighborhood of well-stocked grocery stores (Aldi, El Guero, Midwest Food, Cermak Produce, etc.), Pete’s still manages to stand out. They offer stellar deals on fresh produce and poultry. Also, they are equipped with capable and attentive employees.

Los Corrales‎ 2881 West Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60623-3513

The family owned restaurant offers authentic, mouth-watering Mexican cuisine at pocket-friendly prices. Also, the guacamole is far beyond amazing.

Damen(2010 S. Damen Avenue)

Abuelo’s‎– 2007 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608-2624

El Fua, the restaurant’s new name, is a small Mexican dive which offers everything from flavorful tortilla soup to the Mexican-style classics like burritos, tortas and fajitas.

18^th(1710 W. 18^th Street)

National Museum of Mexican Art‎ 1852 West 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608-2706

The NMMA has promoted the culture and art of Mexican citizens globally for the past twenty-five years, hosting exhibits of well-known artists, sharing Mexican film series, and gathering communities for film festivals.

Fogata Village Restaurant‎ 1820 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608

The vegan-friendly breakfast/brunch Mexican/Italian restaurant has mouth-watering dishes. Not only does this delicious eatery welcome sit-downs, it also offers delivery.

Taqueria Los Comales‎ 1544 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608-2824

Located in Little Village since the 70’s, Los Comales features its specialties: the “Al Pastor” taco, el platillo de cecina, and their homemade salsa.

Nuevo Leon Restaurant‎ 1515 West 18th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Though the line to this delicious restaurant lingers into the streets, the family owned establishment offers homely service and savory and quality food.

Polk (1713 W. Polk Street)

Pompei‎ 1531 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607-4015

This establishment offers gourmet hand rolled pizzas, hand cut pasta and signature pizza strudel.

De Pasada‎ 1517 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

The lengua tacos and tamarind jarritos are only some of De Pasada’s main attractions. The restaurant is also BYOB and it offers delivery.

Golden Thai Inc‎ 1509 W Taylor St # 1, Chicago, IL 60607-4050

University Village/Little Italy’s premier Thai eatery is best known for its value and quality. While some argue it isn’t the best Thai in the area, the food as well as the staff is ambitious.

Conte Di Savoia‎ 1438 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607-4623

The Italian gourmet cheese, meat and bread shop also offers delicious sandwiches, potato salad and salad. They also have Gelato for $1.

Clinton (540 W. Lake Street)

New Line Tavern‎201 North Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60661-1227

Located in the West Loop, New Line offers a full menu of tasty entrees, appetizers and bar bites. They also have wine, beer and mixed drink galore.

Trattoria Isabella‎ 217 North Jefferson Street, Chicago, IL 60661-1318

The warm, romantic setting stages as the perfect location for a great evening out with friends or a charming evening between beaus. The filet mignon, chicken, veal chop and seafood entrees are well executed here.

N9NE Steakhouse ‎440 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60606

This upscale steakhouse is stocked with amazing seafood and sizzling steak. While the doors only stay open for a few limited hours during lunch and dinner, there are no others like the N9NE.

Chicago French Market‎ 131 North Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60606

The Chicago French Market is a gathering of vendors, who sell cheese, baked things, coffee, meats, produce, pasta and prepared meals. They are open from Monday-Friday (7:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.) and Saturday (8:30a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Other notables along the Pink Line: Union Park, United Center (Ashland stop), Morton College (54^th Cermak), Cook County Jail, Little Village, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Douglas Park (California), Ogilvie Transportation Center Chicago Transit Authority (Clinton)

-Nicole

from the darkness, comes an update.

starbravado — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:38:25 +0000

While I am looking forward to deciding what I’m going to do with my future…I’m overwhelmed…so absolutely overwhelmed. I’m trying to get more things done, but of course, the more that I take on, the more that I forget. My lack of focus is hurting me. But, I can take solace in the fact that I am attempting to spread my wings. Also, I finally got a twitter account a few weeks ago, which I would personally describe as “masturbating to an image that you don’t completely understand, but somehow it’s rousing”. Perhaps because I haven’t found an audience yet, it seems much lonelier than facebook, which isn’t very attractive -but there has to be something to it because everyone is connected. In terms of other things I’m doing well. Emotions: I give myself a B+, Health: I would give myself a C.

the desparity

starbravado — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:13:27 +0000

Despite leaving STL, i realize my attachment, and to further that I remember that i feel nothing for this city.(chicago). I re-emerge with that same void, empty feeling. The same spark-less feeling that i’ve always had. Then i feel shame for leaving, and a shame for staying. And then a third shame for not going. I should have shaken the cowardice and gone, the only thing worst than wasting my time is wasting away. Chicago helps me do that, well. Dread is my bedside fellow every night that i’m. Sometimes, i forget that.

starbravado — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:24:36 +0000

i’m am so charismatically unhappy… that i could dig the flesh away from my bones with a sharp #2. sometime, more than a few times, i wonder what it would be like to go back to the beginning, before the despair -before I was too young to know what real tragedy felt like, and choose something else for myself. sometimes, i just want to cry until i dehydrate myself and i want to exhale until my lungs go empty.

New Message

starbravado — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:04:25 +0000

soft-serve or the unchained bridge

starbravado — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:11:14 +0000

We think of our fears in terms of windows: things that can be broken…visible…easily penetrated. Then we think of our lives as sidewalks, non-malleable but molded with soft serve pavement –each slab on each street different than that which is all the way across town. Accordingly, we think of existence like aisles and bridges: straight path and narrowness, until suddenly we meet a channel where we might find ourselves with company at a soda-cooler island or at the oasis that the bridge seeks when making long vehicular hauls toward a single destination. The windowless sidewalks turn existence into perpetual aisles of unchained bridges.

starbravado — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:47:20 +0000

bruce willis will now and forever be the man of my dreams.

he’s so badass.

so sexy.

supermodel documentary hour (superstar reference)

starbravado — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:56:43 +0000

in the midst of a little photo session (the kind that I ridicule others about), I was actually able to see a bit of my weight loss… which is funny because i’m one of of those people who can never see that they’re losing weight… and always assumes that their gaining weight. anyway, i will post das pictures. but also in the interest of full disclosure, I’m wearing one of those tummy toner things. because while I am slimming down, my stomach is still a pudgy little bitch. -also please ignore my expressions in some of those photos. i was attempting to feign fierceness.

Click to view slideshow.

starbravado — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:56:33 +0000

By Mary Jaksch
Originally posted on Copyblogger.com

Do you want to become a better writer? Silly question, eh.

The good news is that writing makes you a better writer. Just like practicing the piano makes you a better pianist, or riding a trail bike makes you a better biker.

A few weeks ago I asked a question on Write to Done: What Helps YOU Become a Better Writer? The suggestions the readers offered were so rich and varied that I decided to gather them all together for Copyblogger readers.

I think there is one guaranteed winner among the seventy-two suggestions – blogging. Writing a blog is an amazing way to sharpen one’s skills. As bloggers we have to produce words daily – even when we don’t feel like it. And we get instant feed-back through comments. As Leo Babauta points out in his inspiring story How I got 100,000 Subscribers: Lessons from Zen Habits, it’s the readers that help us improve.
Doing these things can help you become a better writer:

1. Become a blogger.

Story continues below

2. Use self-imposed word limits.

3. Accept all forms of criticism and learn to grow from it.

4. Read what you’ve written over and over, until you can’t find any more problems.

5. Show what you write to a trusted friend for feedback.

6. Outline. And then write to that outline.

7. Edit, and edit again.

8. Live with passion.

9. Be open, curious, present, and engaged.

10. Take a break between writing and editing.

11. Learn a new word a day.

12. Get the pen and fingers moving.

13. Write in different genres: blog posts, poems, short stories, essays.

14. Read grammar books.

15. Write without distractions.

16. Challenge yourself: write in a crowded cafe, write on the toilet, write for 24 hours straight.

17. Take a trip. Road trips, beach trips, bus trips, plane trips.

18. Watch movies. Can you write the story better?

19. Write. And then write some more.

20. Read, think, read, write, ponder, write – and read some more.

21. Read your stuff aloud to anyone who can stand it – including the cat.

22. Go back and cut 10% from your word count.

23. Talk to people.

24. Listen to how people talk.

25. Read lots of books. Both good and bad.

26. Make notes of your (fleeting) brilliant ideas.

27. Start your writing ahead of time – not hours before a deadline.

28. Listen to podcasts on writing tips.

29. Use simple, declarative sentences.

30. Avoid passive voice.

31. Limit your use of adjectives and adverbs.

32. When in doubt, cut it out.

33. Kill clunky sentences.

34. Be inspired by other art forms – music, dance, sculpture, painting.

35. Read your old stuff and acknowledge how far you’ve come – and how far you have to go.

36. Write for publication, even if it’s only for the local newsletter or a small blog.

37. Make writing your priority in the morning.

38. Keep squeezing words out even if you feel uninspired.

39. Tell everyone: “I’m a writer.”

40. Recognize your fear and overcome it.

41. Let your articles rest and then return to them with fresh eyes.

42. Comment on your favorite blogs.

43. Keep a journal to keep the writing juices flowing.

44. Use a journal to sort out your thoughts and feelings.

45. Keep it simple.

46. Practice monotasking. Set a timer for uninterrupted writing.

47. Watch people.

48. Get to know someone different from you and reflect on the experience.

49. Try new ideas or hobbies – the more variety you have in your life, the more likely you are to keep on generating good ideas on the page.

50. Read works from different cultures. It helps keep your writing from tasting stale in the mouths of your readers.

51. Rethink what is ‘normal’.

52. Work on brilliant headlines.

53. Check if your assumptions are right.

54. Join a writing group. If you can’t find one, form one.

55. Write during your most productive hours of the day.

56. Designate time to research.

57. Take time to muse and mindmap.

58. Map out a writing schedule for your project and stick to it.

59. Ask someone else to proofread.

60. Read Zinsser’s On Writing Well at least once a year.

61. Break out of your comfort zone.

62. Write at the scene. If you want to write about a beach, get a picnic rug and go write by the sea.

63. Go to the supermarket, the ball game, the class room, the building site. Make notes of the sensuous details, the atmosphere, the people.

64. Start with metaphors and stories.

65. Approach writing with gratitude, not just with a ‘must do this’ attitude.

66. Deconstruct and analyze books and articles you enjoy.

67. Know about story architecture. Many writers don’t. Which is like doing heart surgery or flying an airliner by intuition. Survival rates are low.

68. Socialize with other writers.

69. Stretch or exercise in between writing.

70. Make a note of ideas for further development before you leave a piece for tomorrow.

71.Use mindmaps for inspiration.

72. Take risks – don’t be afraid to shock. You are not who you think you are.