The Poet Mendez

GET on the BUS!!!!

2012-01-26T11:01:00.001-06:00

Hello Gente,

So now this is a weekly thing. I admit its fun (granted its only the second time, whatev...). Now lets get on with my two new tid-bits of news. So if you read last weeks post, you probably have seen this video:

If you have seen it, then good, you are in the know and should have already spread this around to friends, donated some money or books or plan to donate some money or books. So far, the planning is on fire and the support is amazing. The coverage is stagering and the list of authors keeps growing!! If you want to keep up to date on what is going on, check out the LIBROTRFICANTE website. All the most major details are there. As it stands we are still in need of financial support to make sure we can get warm bodies and the books all the way to Tucson, AZ. I can not stress enough the need to support this effort - the fact that TUSD has removed texts that analyze and depict the history and stuggle of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans is brutal and unjust. If we can't deny the law, we can sure as hell defy it. Please read the press release. SUPPORT. DONATE. SPEAD THE WORD. As it stands, we aren't the only one's making a stand. CHECH THIS OUT.

Now to other book/poetry related issues!!!!
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Join Outspoken Bean for Subject & Sustenance: A Poetry Conservatory

Houston Poets Outspoken Bean and Nyne(two of my favorite poets!!!) curate an evening of authentic, beautiful poetry. Beginning with a Writer’s Workshop, participating writers feature their creations during Open Mic.

Time: Workshop @ 6p, Open Mic @ 7:30p
Date: Every Saturday Night
Place: The Eat Gallery (4420 Almeda)
Cost: $5 at the Door (Credit/Debit Cards Are Ok!)

WHY DOES THE EAT GALLERY EXIST?

Formerly Gs and Zs, The Eat Gallery continues the legacy of Gs and Zs, valuing our community’s entrepreneurs and supporting their decision to live their dreams.

Show your support!!!

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Now for a Grad school update (as if you really wanted to know)...

Bueno, esto al punto de terminar mi solicitud para La Unviersidad de Tejas en El Paso ( I am just about finished with my application to UTEP) y no creo que puderia hacerlo sin el apoyo de Icess Fernandez, Tammy Gomez y Radames Ortiz - these guys rock!! They were able to help out by creating recommendation letters for this little ole' poet... I am forever in there debt!! Mil Gracias!!!! So with that almost done, I am now working on applying for the next three schools: Warren Wilson, Queens Univ. of Charlotte and Pacific Univ. Each of these schools has a Low -Residency MFA in poetry that meets my needs and would an amazing experience!!

WARREN WILSON is the #1 School in the U.S. and from what I have read up on, its a program that would challange me in thought and practice. It holds two 10 day workshops twice a year until the MFA is completed and in-depth as well.

Press Release

PACIFIC UNIVERISTY is located in Oregan and from what I have been able to read up on, it is a serious program. Their program focuses on developing the writer and it appriciates the diversity the writer brings to the program.

The Last school (of the three) is QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE - This program is intense in that it requires the student to take a double amount of seminar classes as well as the standard coursework. Of the three programs, the facutly of this school seems to be the most culturally diverse. That's a plus. So, up until March 1st, that's what I will be working on. SO wish me luck. After these schools, all I have left is Goddard College and then Naropa University!!!

New YEAR, New start (sort of . . .)

2012-01-18T00:35:00.000-06:00

Hey Gente, So there is lots to talk about and as I type this, I realize I should be using this thing alot more often. SO with that said, this space will be a WEEKLY (or as close to weekly as I can get) POSTING for more than just happenings of a poetic life, but rather a place I can also set up some ideas and talk about literary movements (and stagnation).

WITH THAT SAID, lets move on to some news.
1) ITS OFFICIAL!!!! I AM APPLYING FOR GRAD SCHOOL - and you get to see where I am trying to get in. The first two schools on my list (not necessarily in order of importance, but probably by due dates) are Bard College and The University of Texas @ El Paso . In truth, I never, ever thought about advancing past my bachelors degree from The University of St. Thomas, and maybe that was foolish. I probably should have done this sooner, but then again, maybe I needed the time to build up my writing, my experience and the connections. By the time you read this, I have already turned in my application to Bard College and am currently working on the one for UTEP. Wish me luck!!!

Don't worry, I am not quitting my day job. I don't think I would be a productive writer if I had all that time on my hands. In addition, I have a whole life that I just can't and wouldn't uproot. So, it looks like low-residency programs are what I will be looking at!!

Bard College attracts me because of the fact that the program is set up to build up artists, by having each candidate mix it up with artists in other fields. That is an amazing feat I would love to undertake- being able to work with other artists and learn a little about what an artistic process is for them. The program takes place 2 months in NY state (Annandale on Hudson) and then I come back to H-town and keep working from here on what I started there.

UTEP looks to be the program that might also fit because it is takes place all on-line!! Its a pace I think I can work with (just me and a professor I can bug with questions). The challenge here is figuring the pace and energy to work with, since I will only have my work and my thoughts to inspire what I create.

Let's see what happens . . .

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HOLY ISH - I WANNA BE A LIBRO-TRAFICANTE!!!!

You want to be one to? First watch this Video and then I can explain:
(click on the link) Libro -Traficantes

Did you like the Video? Good -So if you want to know what's up? here is the deal in a nut shell - Arizona State Senate Bill - HB2281 basically bands ethnic studies in the state. Its already in place and there are people working to fight it already. But for now, is a blow to Latinos and basically any minority. And it can only get worse. IT has gotten worse: as of yesterday, the Tucson Unified School District did away with Mexican-American Studies as a program in the district and by doing so has also declared that the texts used in the courses are now BANNED BOOKS. Yes. You read that right. If you want to know what books are out, let me give you a short run down - basically anything by Jimmy Santiago Baca, Sandra Cisneros, Dagoberto Gilb, Paulo Freire, and Shakespeare. Yep. HERE IS THE FULL LIST

As of now, I think I am going to work on buying me some books and lend them out to some "friends" in another state. Care to join me? At the very least I am going to work on an extensive list of the next set of books they can ban. Hell, TUSD administrators informed Mexican-American studies teachers to stay away from any units where “race, ethnicity and oppression are central themes" - and I know they didn't get every book, what about the Diary of Ann Frank? What about The Help? What about Dr. Seuss' the LORAX? So, let me get to work on that... BE READY, we might be taking a trip...

HOLIDAY BLOGGIN!!!!!

2011-12-07T01:10:00.000-06:00

Feliz Fiestas, gente!!! Merry Christmas!!!! Alot has happened (as usual) and in the next blog I will catch you up, for now though, I am going to set aside with the info dropping on this blog and take the time to take part in a writing project/virtual tour set for the Holidays!!!

So the way this goes:

23 writers were organized by la mera, mera, Icess Fernandez to write poetry, prose, or fiction based on the Holidays - throughout the month of December, you will be treated to over 20 different writers lending their talents to this writing project tour. I am the 6th stop of the Holiday Blog Tour - if you want to catch up on the previous day's blog, check out that here . If you want to get more info, then check out Icess' blog and keep a look out for the Holiday Blog Tour 2011.

So here is my contribution:

Worst. Christmas. Ever. (A Memoir Piece for the Ages)

Picture a young me at seventeen years of age. Clinton was President of the U.S., Boyz to Men were still big, gas was cheap and I had just received the keys for the hand-me-down F150 (navy blue) in November. THERE WAS NO INTERNET, beppers were for doctors, and cell phones were for drug dealers and heavy. I was single, somewhat broke (I had only been working for Moody Garden's catering department for only like 6 months). School was good and were just about to plan and vote for the next year's Spring Musical at my high school. I was knee deep in school, girls, a few books, and Quinceneras.

One of the many family traditions in the Mendez household including a few low-key events: my parents were far from having parties at the house (in fact, if you have ever been to Mardi Gras at my house, that Spring in '94 would only have been the second time I would have friends at the house. Well anyways, for Christmas, we would always, I mean always, head to our church - Reina de La Paz (sadly, Hurricane Ike took out the building and they are now located on Bolivar Penninsula) for Mid-night mass.

Now for those of you who are not Mejicano, Mexican- American, Latino, Brown, etc - let me explain for a moment what Catholicism is like for the different family members :

Mothers - you go, unless you are in a coma, have rabies, are possessed or invalid, and you rule with an iron fist any member of your family when it comes to religious aspects of the family. You make sure every sinverguenza goes to church. You watch all your family like a hawk. You and only you are allowed to help las cocineras de la iglesia to prepare dinner after mid-night mass. You make sure everyone eats a little something, you talk to your comadres after service and you absolutely make sure that you AND ONLY YOU are the one who can turn around in the middle of mass and stare, with disgust at the people who arrive late to mass and follow them with your eyes until the sit down. Pendejos. Pues, para que vienen tarde?

Sons or Daughters - you shut up, you get dressed, you call your friends that you hang out with and that go to your church and you tell them to go to church. YOu tell them you are going to be bored and don't want to be alone for the service. YOU will get roughly twenty minutes max, to hang in the salon after mid-night misa is over. When in church, shut the F**K UP, say all the prayers, don't check out the guys/girls that came to misa as well (well you can, but do it on the sly) and give the limosna. You will get to eat food, but make sure to sit with your friends. But only for a little while- someone is always judging you; la vecina, el cura, tu madre, el puto de las clases de CCE.

Father - You have two options A) Drag. Ass. Get. Drunk. Act disinterested. Fight with the wife with shitty questions like, "Why don't we just go to eight o'clock mass?" - knowing full well, you won't go. Take for ever getting dressed, after all, since you were draggin' ass, you are the last one to take a shower and get ready. Make sure you take a beer and drink it all seconds before you enter the church. Ponte sombrero y no te lo quites cuando entres a la iglesia - chinge su madre.
or
B) See beginning three sentences under what MOTHER does. Then add - lead family prayer when you enter the car, be neurotic and get to church a whole hour and half later and make all your family members prep the church for mid-night mass. Be stern and when the church is filled up and you have front row seating in mass, smile. Smile as if its going out of style and think to yourself -chinge su madre.

Additional Family Members - Do what you are told, go with the flow, after all you don't have to live with these people for the rest of your life. Honest.

So now that you know what's what, let me get on with the story(its somewhat short):

Picture a small wood paneled church, full to the brim with every type of latino from Mexico to Costa Rica. Picture a nativity scene that takes up half the altar and blinking Christmas lights around La Virgen de Guadalupe. Yes, I know. shhh. It gets better.

So, that particular Christmas was very memorable for all the wrong reasons. Its one of those times that now you can laugh at, but no one would believe it actually happened. Well, anyways, Christmas Eve was upon and my mother had made plans to attend Mid-night mass and had intended for all the family to go along with the program. No problem - except for some variables that would prove to be too much for one seventeen year old later that night: add one cucharada de postpartum depression and another of Mejicano filled with budlight and you have the makings for a great night.

A few days before Christmas Eve, my cousin had just given birth to a beautiful little girl and begun her her life as a mother. But before that feeling could last, her husband and her had decided to let him take the newborn to Mexico for Christmas. The idea being, he could introduce her to her family in Mexico and since my cousin had no papers at the time, she would have to sacrifice and stay here. With us. With postpartum depression.

So now add this heartbreaking situation on top of the fact that I was already not in the mood to attend mass and add my father who con puro gusto began to drink it up until he was a hot mess, and you have an angry mother of the house.

We make our way to Reina de la Paz. We get there so early, we are able to get in on the left side of the church, in the third pew no less. Left side was great. As a young man, you could check out any girl in the crowd, see who was falling asleep and lead an escape or "early release"before mass ended. But no, that all goes to hell when you sit in the front, You can feel people's eyes digging into the back of your head. Judging. Whispering, and if you have any friends or potential dating opportunities, they get to see you and yours like a scientist views slides in a microscope.

We arrived at church, took a seat and soon the place was packed and service had begun. Now the fun begins. Our section of the pew contains a drunk man, a really depressed new mom who keeps crying, a pissed off mother and me, totally at a loss for words. Service begins and there is now a new variable that, at least for me, makes the evening enjoyable: the priest has a hot body mic. It picks up the bass in his voice and the noise his throat makes every time he swallows. I don't know how many times it happened. I had to spend the majority of mass trying not to bust out laughing as those noises and sounds kept waking up viejitos and babies the rest of the evening. Yeah, that body mic was hot and loud.

So there we are. thirty minutes into the service, my father keeps dozing off, my mother has her arms crossed and my cousin is sobbing every few minutes. The priest gets us though a long, body mic hot homily about how family unity is important - cue my cousin and her now loud ass sobs. So now it feels like everyone my age is watching a bad train wreck.

Once Homily is over, we prep for communion and thats when the real fun begins. As the cura takes the body and blood of Christ down so he can feed the masses, I realize I have one chance to get a peek as to who is behind me. All I have to do is go get communion and wine, then walk slowly back to get to my seat. That would be the best.

Well it happens, I am even able to smile at a young lady who I have been wanting to ask out for a few weeks. I return a bit relieved to my seat. The bonus to this was that the young lady who I had been eyeing, had managed to take her and girlfriends and go take communion, but from my side of the aisle. She was even able to slip me a note and tap me on my shoulder. I was able to whisper hello to her and to some of the girls that followed. They all knew what was to transpire. Once more, they even went along to support and draw away suspicion from all the comadres in crowd. I was upbeat, slightly feeling a bit successful with this young lady. But that ended too soon.

You see, I mention the body mic and my dad's debauchery for a reason. It was what made the night unbearably painful and now funny.

As these young ladies are passing by (on the way back from getting Communion and wine), I was able to make eye contact with most of them and as I was setting my sights and enjoying the view, it happened. My father, who had gone the entire mass without even reciting one prayer or response, managed to say the one phrase that made it all a hot mess: He sits up, looks at some of the young ladies taking communion, some of then drinking wine from the goblet, and some of them on their return. He studies them, and he looks at me. He tries to focus on them and then on me and then out of blue comes a whisper so loud, the priest's mic catches it an projects it throughout the church - He looks at them, then at me and he leans over to me and "whispers" mira mijo, mira esas putillas comulgando.

The one good thing that came from this was my cousin stopped sobbing and crying and just stared at my dad. My mother stared at my dad and then my cousin began to cry harder. Me, well, I looked up to see the girls as they were walking past and all the faces of contentment turned to bitter angst. I could hear some gasps, I could hear some snickering (probably friends) from the back. It was rotten. It was funny. It made my mom angry, but at least, we got to get our of church early. Embarrassment, that night served its purpose - to get us out of there. I lost the girl, but at least we were together.

That night when I got home, my mother yelled and screamed at my dad, my dad tried to defend his actions by saying "yo nomas dije la verdad" and my poor cousin, finally went to bed. My parents fought on their way to bed and by 1:45 I could still hear them until finally by 2:00am in the morning, it was silent. In all the chaos, no one had opened any gifts. So, feeling as if i deserved a reward for such a crazy night, I reached under the Christmas tree(totally decorated in simple lights) and pulled out a small envelope. I opened it. It was a blue/snowy background of a card with a snow covered Christmas tree totally decorated in silver trimmings. There was no writing on the cover of the card. I opened the card and it was blank, except for six words:

Para un gran hijo, Feliz Navidad.

I smiled, for in the card, aside from the writing, I found a smaller envelope with sixty-five dollars - one half of the money I needed to pay for my graduation ring. To this day, I don't know how they knew I only needed the sixty-five dollars. I had never told them about the ring, nor the design, nor that I had already made the first payment in October and that the second and final payment was due in January. I never brought the Josten order brochure home, never even mentioned a wanted a damn graduation ring. But they knew. It was then that I learned not to care about what other people were doing outside my house. Mi gente, my family, my mom and dad, as nuts as they seemed were spot on the best they could be. I could ask for nothing better, and, I never have.

They still fight when they go to mid-night mass, and my dad still has a shot of tequila before the leave, and they are late when they get there, but they get there. Who could ask for anything more? Best. Christmas. Ever.

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Hope you liked it!!! - Now, please, please, please, check out the next stop on the Holiday Blog tour with the lovely Natasha Oliver . Her Holiday blog should be up tomorrow. Enjoy!!!

In The Works

2011-10-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

Hey Gente,

Hope all is well on your side of the screen. As for me, things keep looking up!! To start off, I decided to experiment a little bit and hit up an area I knew little about: E-PUBLISHING!!! As of now (more like 2 weeks ago), I have a collection of poems ON-LINE and for SALE!!! (That was the link, go ahead, click on it.) Calmate, calmate, its nothing totally outragious nor graciosos - rather, something quite basic actually. After speaking to a dear friend (Mr. Tony Diaz, thanks!!!), who put the bug in my ear, I decided that instead of creating a standard chapbook for print and sale (mas barato que antes!!) at $5.00, Tony came up with idea like this - "lets experiment: do your book, but lets get it on BARNES & NOBLE and see if we can sell it ON-LINE " . The Basic point is to see what people do when they find out poetry or literature is available for real cheap (this e-chapbook is $3). So, if you want some poetry for real cheap, then please, please, please, purchase away. I will be keeping tabs on sales and will compare to when I have sold the chapbook before.

Here are the details:
THE NEXT FOUR BLOCKS -

This collection of poetry and prose are the latest works from Lupe Mendez. This set is focused on more raw energy and roots, chaos and memories. The pieces included have been written as early as July of 2001 and as recent as September of 2011.

This collection is unique for this poet: it will mark the first time that I take my work straight to the world wide web (do people still say that?). Each section is set up as acts in play, themed by emotion, each poem is a scene and story.

Enjoy the work . . . And check out Tony's latest project, AZTEC MUSE, very classy!!!

_________________________________________________

NEEXXXTTTT!!!!

So last night, I finally got a chance to check up on some e-mails and low and behold, I got an e-mail from fellow poet - Christopher Carmona (if you haven't read or heard his work, try it, you'll be better for it), out of Texas A&M. Currently, Mr. Carmona is working on hosting the 1st Annual BEAT POETRY & ARTS FESTIVAL and on top of that, he is ambitiously editing an anthology of Beat Texas writings for UT Press with Chuck Taylor and Rob Johnson, entitled - The Beatest State in the Union: A Texas Beat Poetry Anthology. I mention this, because in the e-mail I got last night, they have graciously added one of my pieces to the anthology!!!

So far, so good. Oh yeah, if you want to be a part of the beat-fest, then register for it, here!! Pero, 'amonos, porque el ultimo dia de regristracion es el jueves, el 20 de octubre. Hurry up!! Deadline is this thursday!!!

Hope your day is as good as mine.

2011-09-13T20:13:00.001-05:00

Hey gente,

I think after a great summer, a new beginning (lost the teaching gig, but now counseling high schoolers), and now a new direction - its time to reset the clock, and fit in some time to write. This blog post will be short, as I am working on calendar scheduling and working on a new chapbook. Aside from that, I am working with some friends to create a new format for poetry in this city.

A major shout out to poets from whom I draw my energy from, Marlon Lizama, Joe B, Maria Palacios, Dee!Colonize, Marie Brown, Fluent One, Outspoken Bean, Chris Wise and many, many more. It will be good to see your faces in the coming days.

A Big thank you to Gustavo Jacobo and the editors of the Bayou Review - for allowing me the take part in their 25th anniversary Spring issue!! It was two poems and an interview- an amazing experience!! Keep up the excellent work.

A huge gracias to University of Chester for a great review of Norton's Anthology of Latino Sudden Fiction - they actually reprinted my story from the anthology in their April issue of flash fiction.

And lastly, ponte listo, the newly minted PoetryCo. is making plans and warming up...

Take to the streets and create, mi gente, as Tony Diaz always says "Only Art Can Save Us Now"...

Saludos.

LOOOOONNG TIME NO SEE!!!!

2011-03-31T23:19:00.000-05:00

Hey gente,

Stephen Gros - puddin'

as I write this, alot has changed (all for the better I am hoping)!!! But again, several constants still remain, the wifey, the friends and the WRITING/ POETRY!!!!

Teresa, lookin sexy!!!

MAN, there are tons of events in the works and lots work to get done, so lets move on with the updates!!! Currently, I am working again with Stephen Gros and Teresa Juarez as we have ventured off and created www.wordaroundtown.org. It is an exciting endeavour, this new thing of ours, so go take a look. We post on the latest happenings with articles, critiques, podcasts, reviews, and a monthly calendar that lists all the current events in the poetry world. Come get some.

Secondly, if you didn't know, please come check out First Fridays. Inprint hosts a poetry reading series the first friday of the month, and being that tomorrow is FRIDAY, APRIL 1st, you. Should. GO. I am. Come join me!!!! Readings begin 8:30pm . Inprint house is located at 1520 West Main
(two blocks south of The Menil Collection, one block east of Mandell) - admission is free!!!! This month's featured reader is Dr. Robin Davidson, UHD Creative Writing Dept. and academic advisor to the Bayou Review. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Robert Clark - HPFest@aol.com
In addition to that, SATURDAY, April 2nd is a big day!!!! First off, if you are a day person (like my wifey) then, you should make it a point (to got bracket town and check out some NCAA action too at the GRB . . . if you must, BUT you better damn well show up at the book fest ) to come check out the Houston Indie Book Festival. The event will be help between 11 - 5pm , April 2nd right in front and around the Menil Museum. Please come by check it out!!! I will be there reppin' Nuestra Palabra, along with a few friends from the BAYOU REVIEW, at the University of Houston-Downtown, and of course the Word Around Town!!! We will have a table, so hope to see you there!!! THEN . . .

LATER on that evening, the WORD AROUND TOWN has decided to start a fist fight of sorts. Bring some friends and get ready for a rumble!!! After the Festival come experience the first ever Interstate Poetry Showdown brought to you by Word Around Town and the River Writers Group of Baton Rouge. The show will consist of 3 poets from Houston, TX and 3 from Baton Rouge, LA in a contest of poetic skill and endurance the likes of which have never been seen!

Don’t miss the Interstate Poetry Showdown Saturday, April 2nd from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Avant Garden.The featured poets are Benjamin Lowenkron, Eric Elliott, and Vincent Cellucci from Baton Rouge and Stephen Gros, Teresa Juarez, and Me from Houston.

After the showcase will be an open mic so bring your poetry. Go to www.wordaroundtown.org for more info!

For additional information, Contact:

Stephen Gros
832.894.1558
gaugedanger@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/stephen.gros

So, what are you waiting for?!?!? See you this weekend!!!!!

2010-09-08T21:40:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, so I have been a bit busy this last month with my newest gig: http://kipphouston.org/schools/kipp-sharp-prep. So far, so good!!! I love my classroom, the kids and the teaching assignment is a dream come true: teaching WRITING to 3rd and 4th graders!!! My teaching colleagues are a riot and the kids are perfect. Couldn't ask for a better start to a new year. . .

more about the job as it develops . . .

So, while I was taking the time to set up a good school year, I also had a bit of a surprise. Looks like the perks of being published last year still make a few waves, even as far as Europe!! In August, one of the Co - Editors of Norton's Anthology - Sudden Fiction Latino - Mr. Robert Shapard sent me this tiny email

8/9/2010 - 11:15 AM

Hi Lupe,

Your story " What Should Run in the Mind of Caballeros" was mentioned in this review in The Barcelona Review (its editors are in Spain and England).

Here's the review:

http: www.barcelonareview.com/rev/71.html

and the magazine home page:

http:www.barcelonareview.com/

I hope you are having a good summer.

Best,
Robert

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I checked out the article and sure enough, my story was mentioned in the review!!  Though its not a big deal, its big enough to know that the book crossed the at Atlantic and somebody might just have liked our contribution!!  

Here is  a portion from the review about the book:

Sudden Fiction Latino: Short-Short Stories from the United States and Latin America; edited by Robert Shapard, James Thomas, and Ray Gonzalez.  
W.W. Norton & Company, New York, June 2010.
The very rich are different from you and me, yes.  That line sprang to mind as I realized how very different as well is Latin America literature, be it from Latin America or descendants in the U.S. who draw from their roots.  In this superb collection of 60-plus short-short stories (all under 1500 words), we see a literary tradition far different from what we are accustomed to, a literary tradition that draws on historical precepts different from our Euro-American heritage.  There is a music in the prose, be it a translation or not, that strikes a new chord.  We are on fresh ground in these stories; they dazzle and surprise, creep up on us in a collective way and leave us amazed.  Yes, Latinos are very different from you and me.  And that is good.  They form a beautiful part of the mosaic to which we all contribute, to which we all belong.
Here, there are stories of border crossings (Fernando Benavidez’s “Montezuma, My Revolver”); earthquakes that expose mysterious crypts (José Emilio Pacheco’s “The Captive”); and one of advice to young men (Lupe Méndez’s “What Should Run in the Mind of Caballeros”), which reads rather like a Latino commencement address:  “Don’t start fights, just end them / stand up for yourself . . . a little / mind your own business / never touch the ball with your hands / play fair / no name-calling / no swearing, remember you pray with that bocota of yours / let ladies go first / open doors for everyone / don’t stare at her . . . with your mouth open . . . .”
There are stories, of course, that hint of evil regimes and how they have damaged those who lived through them (Isabelle Allende’s “The Secret”); and of those who are at the mercy of figures lurking the dark (Pedro Ponce’s “Victim”); as well as a peek at the domestic abuse that lurks in machismo culture (“Aunt Chila” by Ángeles Mastretta).   Injustice and abuse know no borders, yet it is the strength and resiliency of its victims that impress us here.
So far so good. Next up: a podcast this weekend - I get to read with another poet for a podcast that will appear on the Word Around Town website (please check it out!!!). Soon after, I think I might just host a new showcase (monthly of course). Take a breathe and get ready. I think this gonna be a good fall season.
Stay tuned!!  Hit me up if you want any info or want to drop me a line . . . 
Hasta la proxima!!!

Ode to English Teachers Part II

2010-08-04T14:08:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Gente,

Si estas leyendo esto, gracias. Les escribo desde Las Vegas. I am at a conference for my school and had a moment!! It actually gives me a moment to catch up and fill you in on books (poetry or other wise) that make my head spin. Again the thanks goes to Mrs. T. - my high school English teacher. Below is a list of books that she presented and have stuck out in my mind for a very long time. Let me know if you have ever read any of these books . . .

THE ILLUSTRATED MAN - Ray Bradbury

This book fills out the geek/sci-fi in me. Premise of the book: an un-named man runs into another man covered in tattoos. Tattoos come to life and tell a different story. Bunch of short stories, very good read.

THE SOUND AND THE FURY - William Falkner

Mrs. T. if you read this. I am sorry I never finished this book in school. Sadly, I don't think my brain was mature enough (or I just didn't take the time) to catch how great it is. IF you read it before, try reading it again now as an adult, and it reads differently.

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE - J.D. Salinger

This is a book I really didn't appreciate until I started teaching.
Amazing read. Even snipers read it. wow.

O.k. So, I am still waiting for folks to comment on their books. So please, let me know what you read.

Ode to English Teachers

2010-08-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

Buenos Dias Gente,

It is a bright and shinny Tuesday morning in August and since I am about to start back teaching (this time, 3rd and 4th grade writing), I figured now would be a good time to share with you some of the books that rocked my world. That, and pay my respects to all English teachers everywhere, even if we hated their class and the books they made us read, you still remember them. It influences you.

If you ever get the privilege of thanking your former teachers, do so. Especially your English teachers. So, Mrs. T. If you are out there reading this, THANK YOU, GRACIAS, and OBRIGADO, for helping me figure out life - with books.

And Mrs. T, I do apologize. I am still trying to finish Sound and the Fury. Oops.

O.k. lets get cracking!! Below are some of the books that built this brain. Remember, some of them you have neeeeeevvvveeerrrr heard of, and that is cool. I owe that to Mrs. T. If you loved to read, she would find something for you. SO, some of the books are actually ones, she gave me from her own stockpile at her blessed home. I nagged the hell out of her and she gave me those. They were some dog-eared books with all her beautiful hand writing in the margins or in corners. Each time I read them I will always remember what she would say - " the best kind of book is given and worn - it lets you see what its former owner thinks, it lets you see how the book was a part of them and now, a part of you." So anyways, here are those books first, then I will list the books she gave us to read in class.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by DEE BROWN

I read this book while in college. Mrs. T gave me the book as I was graduating with the explicit instructions - "read this when you are finally feeling comfortable in your new home". I did. It f*ked me up!!! This book gives you an account, rather the history of some of the Native American tribes from their perspective. It is relevant even today. No dates, no reference to month, just an insight to how a culture viewed what was happening to them.

Edgar Allen Poe: Complete Tales and Poems

I. Have. A. Man-crush. His name id Edgar. He is the bomb. He is an alkie and my absolute favorite writer. All his work is macabre and dark. Since I have a love for horror movies, ghost stories and legends, this man fits me. I love all his work. If I could meet him, I would. He would creep me out, but that would be o.k. Read anything by him. It makes your skin crawl and your senses trick you. Yes, it is that good. One of my favorite works of his wasn't even one of his more famous one's - its called Hop Frog. Read it here: http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/eapoe/bl-eapoe-hop.htm

Its a bit of a sad tale, but the revenge in it, is like none other!!

O.k. so for now, I must leave you with just these two books!!! If you don't have them, get them. Tomorrow, I should be in LAS VEGAS for a teacher conference and should have time to give you the rest of the academic list of books . . . wow time flies.

What are your favorite books?? Let me know. reply to this or shoot me an email at lupe@thepoetmendez.org

I don't even know if people read this stuff!!! But I would love to know what some of your favorite books are. Who know, everybody might just get a new favorite out of this, or at least a good read. Enjoy the day!!!

Working with the Writing - Part II

2010-07-30T12:46:00.000-05:00

Hey Gente!!

Heads up!! Here is the latest information of the HIFC's WRITING WORKSHOP SERIES!!!!
TOMORROW I will be hosting the 2nd installment of the series!! The idea is simple: provide the public the opportunity to enjoy the poetry writing process in a stress free, fun environment. Here are the details:

Workshop Series Project for the Houston Institute for Culture - Content and Curriculum

Each workshop can be viewed as both self contained or a continuation of the previous session. Workshops will be two hours long: Lupe Mendez will run the 1^st hour with the intent to provide practice examples from a variety of texts on poetry and prose. The second hour will be mainly go over the basics, to critique each others work, provide info, and practice simple creative writing/brainstorming exercises. Each workshop will have an assignment each participating poet will need to have ready for the following session.

Saturday, July 31st - 2^nd Workshop – Personal Story and Writing

In this portion of the workshop, participants will explore the use of personal story, conflict or “issues” to power poetic writing. Participants will be introduced to works of Maria Palacios and Jasminne Mendez. Discussions will be had about how they use their background to fuel their writing.

3rd Workshop – Editing & Revising/ How it sounds

Participants will bring several copies of their work in order for other participants to edit and critique. Basic ideas and habit forming tips will be explored as the writers read each other’s work. Participants will also discuss how poetry sounds when they they hear Marlon Lizama and Jerome Washington in performance poetry and how is affects their themes and styles.

4^th Workshop – Bridging the Gap – Fiction and Poetry

Writers will select one or two pieces they have worked on over the series and experience the pros and cons of keeping it short and sweet or expanding it throurghly.

Culminating Event:

Open Mic Showcase –

This event is specifically made for the participants of each of the series. Participants will have the opportunity to read workshop material or brand new material and obtain the full experience of performing written work. The showcase will be held on the last Friday or Saturday of the month of the workshop series. (THIS MIGHT CHANGE!!!)

Goal of the Poetry Workshop Series
These workshops are for all and any person who has the talent, the curiosity and the courage to put pencil to paper. No prior experience is required!! The idea is to get the brain synapses firing for the novice and the expert alike.

**************************************

SO, if missed the first session, don't worry!!! There is plenty of room left and if the next one is anything like the first session, it should be a hell of fun time.

Let me know if you are bold enough, and have a couple of hours to show what you know (or don't know) and you want to join me, have a few laughs, meet some new people and just be damn creative, then please, please, come on in . . . I promise it won't hurt . . . alot.

If this isn't your cup of tea, then at least do me a favor and spread this far and wide, the more people see this the more chance to spread the love. See some of you soon (I hope)!!!

MEET METAFOUR HOUSTON

2010-07-29T17:47:00.000-05:00

O.k Gente,
Today I just spoke friend and fellow poet, Outspoken Bean.
He made mention of a group of bad ass kids he has been working with - METAFOUR HOUSTON - yo, these kids are hot!!! We actually had them on as guest poets during the run of the WAT tour and they are remarkable talented.
I expect to be seeing/hearing alot from these guys!!! They represent (very well I might add) the future efforts of spoken word scene here in Houston. Please take a look at the videos i am posting. This is from a competition they were a part of last week (or the week before) - Brave New Voices. They did very well, getting past the semi - final rounds and PLACING!!!! They earned a 4th place standing!!!! Yep, they represented H-Town well!! Congrats guys on all the hard work!!!! NOW - KEEP WORKING!!!

Here you go gente, enjoy:

Brave New Voices 2010:Team Meta-Four Houston: "Police Brutality"

Brave New Voices 2010:Team Meta-four Houston: "Circus"

Brave New Voices 2010:Team Meta-Four Houston: "Religion"

Brave New Voices 2010:Team Meta-Four Houston: "Hooters"

Brave New Voices 2010:Team Meta-Four Houston: "Fireworks"

Check back in with me tomorrow - round 2 of the Writing Workshop Series - this Sabado!!! No te lo pierdes!!!!

JUST an update!!!!

2010-07-27T11:31:00.002-05:00

Hey Gente,

Alot going on right now!!! Currently, I just finished the first Writers Workshop with the Houston Institute For Culture (HIFC), this past Saturday, and it was an awsome experience !! The participants are super insightful and their energy is amazing. I am grateful to have met such wonderful thinkers. If you still want to sign up, please do!!! THREE MORE SESSIONS LEFT!!!!

You can go to www.eestudiogallery.com to get further info, or just email at lupe@thepoetmendez.org.

************************************
So with my last post, I put up a video of my boy, Marlon Lizama, and I received a few comments about how good it was, so I think I will continue to post people's performances as I catch them. And though I am not as stylish as Marlon, I will post some of my own performances. This is one from a while ago taken by a dear friend, Tony Parana - www.tonyparana.com - an amazing painter and capoeirista. Thanks TONY!!!

This second one is from an event I did with Radames Ortiz. This performance was ONLY amazing with the help of some true artists and fellow capoeiristas - Tony "Parana" Rodrigues and Isani "Pirata" Cayetano. With their rhythms and beat , I was able to make up a proper performance. Thank you gentleman. It was a great time!!!

Click on the link and enjoy!!!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1254126162532&ref=mf

Hit me up later. And if you have any video of my performances, please let me know. Suddenly feel kinda dumb for not ever recording any of my own . . . LOL. Gotta start that up at some point. :)

The Next BIG Thing . . .

2010-07-21T09:21:00.001-05:00

O.k. Gente,

So thanks to Pablo Sanchez, Iris Contreras (some of my bad ass friends in the art world) and the Houston Institute For Culture (HIFC), I am able to bring up front and center some WRITING WORKSHOPS for any and all to enjoy!!!
The idea is simple: provide the public the opportunity to enjoy the poetry writing process in a stress free, fun environment.
Entiendes, Mendez? I thought you might.

Here are the details:

When: July 24th and 31st /Aug. 14th and 21st
Time: 12 to 2 pm
Where: HIFC East End Gallery
Price: $50 (actually pretty cheap!!!)
How to get started: follow the link on the flyer ( info@eestudiogallery.com ) or call 832.744.4692 to get registered

Here is a breakdown of the workshop content:

Workshop Series Project for the Houston Institute for Culture - Content and Curriculum

1^st Workshop – Poetry overview : Style, Theme and Imagery

Participants will be given a crash course in poetry!! Several different styles will be presented and activities will include poets taking apart an existing poem of their choice and then reconstructing it to create their own work.

2^nd Workshop – Personal Story and Writing

3rd Workshop – Editing & Revising/ How it sounds

4^th Workshop – Bridging the Gap – Fiction and Poetry

Writers will select one or two pieces they have worked on over the series and experience the pros and cons of keeping it short and sweet or expanding it throurghly.

Culminating Event:

Open Mic Showcase –

**************************************

So, I know this is a hearty read, I am sorry I didn't make this short and sweet, but I am friggin' excited!!! So if you are bold enough, and if you have a couple of hours to show what you know (or don't know) and you want to join me, have a few laughs, meet some new people and just be damn creative, then please, please, come on in . . . I promise it won't hurt . . . alot.

If this isn't your cup of tea, then at least do me a favor and spread this far and wide, the more people see this the more chance to spread the love. See some of you soon (I hope)!!!

Thanks, Gracias, Obrigado

2010-07-20T17:26:00.000-05:00

Ok. so this past week was AMAZING.
The 5th annual Word Around Town (W.A.T.) Poetry Tour was a friggin' success!!!
A Big thank you to Stephen Gros and Teresa Juarez for leading the charge to getting this tour off the ground this year- and Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all the poets, venues and audience members that made it out to each show during all SEVEN DAYS!!!
The tour itself was awsome. This year we were blessed to have 14 poets (not all of them every night), and they gave it their all. I am totally impressed with the OTHER poets that showed up as well, Zelene Pineda, Seth Walker and METAFOUR HOUSTON - a group of teen slam poets that were preparing for a competition in L.A. as we were finishing up the tour. I need to talk to Ms. Shannon Buggs about how they did. It is always a pleasure to meet so many new and refreshing poets and writers who keep this gig from getting too stale. I guess that's one of the reasons there might always be a WAT tour. Simply put:

It was amazing . . .

Here is one the poets that participated in the tour this year, my partner in crime - Marlon Lizama. This man is the real deal. I have known and worked with him in the poetry world for quite a while and I am always astounded by his writing ability and spark. He pulls no punches and is way to hard on himself (in poetry) and absolutely loves to fight with me over weather or not I should memorize my *ish. Just take a look. . .

I hope you guys enjoyed it!!!

What else is new? Well, I talked to the owner of Bohemeo's Art House (Mr. Lupe O.) and he is on board to start a monthly event for poetry on the east side of town!!!! Totally hyped about this!!! SO, stay tuned as we get that ready to rock!!! If you have any ideas as to what we should call this, please let me know. So far, and I once i talk to Stephen, I think it might be fair to name it after the word around town tour and work with Bohemeo's to "showcase" poets from all over town there . . . Stay tuned.

My next update should be later tonight with some details about a NEW writing workshop I will be hosting!!! Busy, busy, busy

Immigration Nation Art Show

2010-07-03T17:21:00.001-05:00

So this is the event I will be working with this evening... please come out and support art!!!

Es un placer trabajar con un grupo tan distinguido . . .
de 7 a 11pm 708 B Telephone Rd. - Houston Institute For Culture (HIFC)

We are excited to showcase our artists with their unique perspectives on the immigrant experience and their views of the current immigration environment.

Representatives from various political organizations including the Democratic, Republican and Green party, as well as candidates that will be on the ballot, will be registering voters and answering questions. Come out and become engaged in your community and support our artists!

Fresh Art! Local Vendors, & Community Organizations. Dont' miss out being part of an interactive and informative art show!!

Participating Artists
·· Antonio Briones
·· Joe Carillo
·· Erick Castillo aka Cutthroat
·· Tom Gandy
·· Giovanni Gonzalez
·· Raul Gonzalez
·· Jennifer Jones
·· Amanda Kinnebrew
·· Christian Navarrete
·· Lizbeth Ortiz
·· Mark Pinon
·· Pablo Sanchez
·· Rafael Villarreal

Poets
·· Jerry Beauchemin
·· Lupe Mendez
·· Sehba Sarwar

Info & Organizations - More to be announced!
·· Harris County Democrats
Speakers
·· Maria Jimenez, Director
of the Immigration Law
Enforcement Monitoring
Project (LEMP)
·· Sehba Sarwar from Voices
Breaking Boundaries
·· Pastor Jezer Urena, community
activist and organizer

www.eestudiogallery.com

Lo Que Hay de Nuevo!!! What's NEW!!!

2010-07-01T22:03:00.000-05:00

hey peeps, please check this out!!!
I few friends are presenting some of their artwork.
Please support them if you can!!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

*Roots of Rebellion*

Houston, TX (July 10, 2010) – Five Houston visual artists salute
Independence Day and ‘The Spirit of ’76’ in the *Roots of
Rebellion*photography exhibition opening 8 p.m. Saturday, July 10,
2010 at Dean’s
Credit Clothing in Montrose (315 Fairview St.)

Liana Lopez, Bryan Parras, Hadeel Assali, Burnell McCray and Stephanie Saint
Sanchez present visual testimony of the seeds of rebellion and protest from
coastal Louisiana, Houston, Mexico City and Palestine. The works reveal
brief glimpses from front lines of communities in tension including Gulf
Coast fisher communities affected by the still uncontainable oil-spill,
scenes that transport observers to a checkpoint in Palestine and a nude
almost celebratory-seeming protest of a stolen presidential election in
Mexico City.

*Liana Lopez* is the producer and co-host of *Nuestra Palabra: Latino
Writers Having Their Say* broadcast weekly on 90.1 FM /
www.KPFT.org(Pacifica-Houston Radio.) She is also the recipient of a
Houston Arts
Alliance Emerging Artist. She curated and exhibited her work, and the work
of nine others, in Houston Vanguard: Documenting Contemporary Social Justice
Movements as part of biannual Fotofest 2010.

*Bryan Lucas Parras* is co-founder of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy
Services (T.E.J.A.S), a Houston non-profit environmental organization. He
is a multi-media documentarian who focuses on rapid response video
journalism to cover breaking regional environmental justice news and a 2009
Gulf Coast Fellowship for Community Transformation recipient.

*Hadeel Assali* is a Palestinian-American originally from the Gaza strip. She
is an engineer living and working in Houston and the founder of the Houston
Palestine Film Festival.

*Burnell McCray* is a Houston-based fine art and documentary photographer
with over 10 years experiences photographing for Voices Breaking Boundaries
(VBB).

*Stephanie Saint Sanchez*, Houston filmmaker and multi-media artist, is
founder of La Chicana Laundry Pictures and the Houston’s annual Señorita
Film Festival.

The exhibition runs through August 6, 2010. For more information, go to
contact Liana Lopez at LLopez@NuestraPalabra.org or 713-416-5088.

Facebook Event Page link: http://tiny.cc/RootsofRebellion

and I got some news from MECA that might prove interesting. . . but I will save that for tomorrow . . .

So much to do . . .

2010-06-29T00:26:00.000-05:00

I am trying out a new blog, specifically for all the poetry projects I am finding myself in these days. As i learn how to update and finesse my website, www.thepoetmendez.org , the better things will get. Until then, let me see if I spread some love. . .

O.K. so as June comes to a close, there are tons of plans in the works, including the following:

This is actually a project offered to me by a growing and well respected non-profit - the Houston Institute For Culture (HIFC). They asked if I would be willing to host poetry workshops in the month of JULY, and I agreed. Every Saturday in July (10th - 31st) from 12 to 2pm, I will be hosting poetry workshops. The whole event is $50 a person!!! ALL ARE welcome!!! For more info, please contact Pablo Sanchez with the HIFC at www.houstonculture.org .

This Saturday, the same organization is also hosting an event to help celebrate the great spirit of the nation - immigrants and art!!! Please come out and support local artists.

Later on in the week, on July 7th, at HCC's Heinen Theatre, an old friend of mine, Alvaro Saar Rios, will be putting on his one man show entitled One Hot Texican Summer. Play starts at 7:30 pm, so be early to get a seat. Jalapeno shakes, Hurricane Alica, and lots of Ranchera music makes this a must see!!! Please come support a Houston native and dear friend!!!
www.artshound.com

and last, but definitely not least -

THE 5th ANNUAL WORD AROUND TOWN TOUR - 2010!!!!

From Sunday, July 11th to Saturday, July 17th, Houston's brightest poets will take local poetry venues and non - profit venues by storm!!! The line up is set, the mic is hot all that is missing is you. Please check out our facebook spot www.facebook.com/wordaroundtown?ref=ts .

I am really pumped about all the events for the month of July!!! Looking at the calendar, it just made me realize that all this ends mid July. . . so lets see what else is up for the month . . .

If you have any other events you want to let me know about (poetry or otherwise), hit me - lupe@thepoetmendez.org

For now, let's just see where the art will take us. . .

so, what's new

2010-05-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

blah, blah, blah, blah. I am have to pack so . . . I should have more time for this later. . .