the world of gretchen cello

As a Writer, no where has opportunities like New York City… in my humble opinion. And no place else has New Yorkers…

Watching the sunrise in Queens a few days back, one of my favorite people and I were discussing New Yorkers. He made me laugh saying something like ‘We’re the only “-ers”, New Yorkers… You don’t have Los Angeles-ers or Chicago-ers.’ I chimed in with ‘Same in Australia, no Melbourne-ers… Sydney tries to have “Sydney-siders”, which is whack to begin with.’

My mother told me this morning that New Yorkers are a big part of why I love the city. ‘They’re like you,’ she said. ‘They’ll talk to anyone walking down the street, that’s why you like it there, because that’s how you are.’ Continue reading…

Wandering around yesterday breaking night and chasing sunrise, I had a few interesting head shifts that danced between states of surrealism, uncertainty, and confident nods. Continue reading…

I actually wet my pants in the stationary shop on 6th Avenue yesterday when a glorious Cambodian man presented a silver Parker pen with a wide, white tooth smile and simple statement of ‘Nine dollars, thank you.’

So far I’ve shown my pen off to two friends that both commented on how light it is. I thought that was cool because I never really considered why I prefer a certain instrument, I just know what I like… which seems to be something light weight and clicky… with refillable blue gel ink. Continue reading…

G’day blog family

This week I have a poem featured with our friends at the ultra fabulous Short, Fast, and Deadly. I trust by now considering how much I have gushed about this most wonderful weekly collection and its unimaginably talented senior editor Joseph A. W. Quintela you have all already guzzled this week’s edition… if somehow you haven’t… off you go! Continue reading…

I’m sitting in a cafe on Broadway in Astoria. The book is finished, I’m trying to put together a cover… then the button’s getting pushed… Continue reading…

I believe the poetry book will be complete and available within 48 hours. Continue reading…

Today is my mother’s birthday. Tomorrow I travel out to visit. I phoned her earlier to sing birthday songs. Part of our conversation sounded like this:

‘Have you started your job yet?’

‘No… but someone offered me a venue to host a spoken word night on Sundays.’

‘Are they going to pay you for that?’

… and then we both literally broke into fits of laughter. BWAHAHAHAA!! Continue reading…

Namaste my beloved cult clan

First: I was published this week in the extremely dope lit mag Short, Fast, and Deadly. I learned about SFD after reading a piece by Senior Editor Joseph A.W. Quintela that was published with another one of my favorites, Bananafish Magazine. While you are clicking around gobbling word goodies, do make sure to catch up on the writing of Bananafish Editor Daniel McDermott as well. Feel free to run off for coffee first… I’ll wait here… Continue reading…

I woke up this morning, fired up the notebook, and literally repeated ‘job job job job job…’

Shortly after, I put on a very pretty dress and hit the streets with fabulous family member Chris whose couch is serving as the coziest nest during my transition into NEW YORK CITY!!

We rocked up at a joint that had an ad on craigslist for walk-in applicants interested in waiting tables at a bakery-ish coffee-like place. So less than 24 hours after arriving in Queens… I got  a JOB!! Continue reading…

Suitcase packed, writing books (check), laptop – sorted… in we go!

Right. In a few hours temporary residence in Queens will be going down. Does this seem sudden? It totally is… cheers to the Universe for subscribing me a soul tribe that can still manage to figure me out even when I lock myself away for hair pulling, word pounding, and nervous break-downing. Continue reading…