Category Archives: Philadelphia

Debt bill destroys America. Who’s next for a swim?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by oddmanout215

I’m on the home stretch with my novel-in-progress Good Sal/Bad Sal, set in casino-era Atlantic City. One of the final chapters starts with Good Sal asking: Have you ever let the cold surf creep between your toes and thought what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, Great Recession, livable cities, NJ, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just say no, in person, to Obamabots

Posted on July 31, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s part of an e-mail I recently received from Barack Obama’s spin doctors: David — As someone who got his start as a community organizer, President Obama’s entire career has revolved around the idea that ordinary people working together can … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bikeless in Philadelphia — again

Posted on July 28, 2011 by oddmanout215

I rarely blog about myself. I prefer the veneer of fiction when it comes to personal matters, so when my bicycle was stolen Monday, I blogged about the thieves in business and government who prosper at the expense of the … Continue reading →

Posted in bicycling, economic collapse, fiction, Goldman Sachs, Great Recession, livable cities, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Record heat is a hoax, Limbaugh says

Posted on July 23, 2011 by oddmanout215

My house was so hot this morning, I didn’t even have to kill any ants. They usually run across the drainboard when I try to make breakfast, but today they must have loaded up on sugar and bagel crumbs and … Continue reading →

Posted in enviromentalism, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bastille Day for the well-fed

Posted on July 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

The crowd called for Marie Antoinette’s head, they bellowed for it, but in the end the only guillotine victim was a watermelon. The master of ceremonies sentenced the French queen to become Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new housekeeper, not a bad fate … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, food, Great Depression, Great Recession, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

By the gods, it’s Midsummer!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

Skoal, as they say in the north lands. Time for wild strawberries and spiced vodka and rolling in the hay with Bibi and Liv at midnight, with the sun still shining. Of course Midsummer isn’t quite the same if you … Continue reading →

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In praising Scott-Heron, Inquirer buries his message

Posted on June 1, 2011 by oddmanout215

Gil Scott-Heron, the African-American poet and musician who died this week at age 62, was most famous for his recording of “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” a funny and uncompromising call-to-arms that envisions the downfall of the corporate masterminds … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, pop music, taxes, unemployment, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thump Trump once, it’s all he deserves

Posted on May 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

(This one’s a little late but hey, so’s my mortgage payment…) Here’s to the Earnest Weasel, David Brooks, and all the other insiders who get paid big bucks to bloviate. Thanks, guys, for wasting thousands of words speculating that Donald … Continue reading →

Posted in casinos, David Brooks, economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The hole where Borders was, and the dummies who dug it

Posted on May 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

Writers hate the idea of slush piles, where agents and editors dump unpublished works. On the last weekend of business at Borders in Philadelphia, I saw the equivalent of a slush pile for published works. It wasn’t a pretty sight. … Continue reading →

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‘Low-stoop’ fiction writer seeks agent, brand

Posted on May 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

Citations from an article about the importance of tireless self-promotion in trying to establish a brand for your work: For artists, the great problem to solve is how to get oneself noticed. — Honore de Balzac, Lost Illusions Great success … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, mainstream media, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment