My favorite things about summer...

1. 

Block parties.

2. 

Poolside view while the sun browns my skin.
Which means, hello freckles...goodbye pale legs.

3. 

Outdoor movie screening at Penn's Landing (Definitely doing it this year!)

4.  

Rain after many days of scorching heat.

5. 

Sporadic BBQs = A great excuse to eat, drink, and play
dominos/board games/bingo with family and friends.

6. 

Two words - Jersey Shore (and no, not the show).

7. 

Cherry water ice and the red stain it leaves on my lips and tongue.

8. 

My birthday (August 12th).

9. 

Easy, casual summer dresses.

10. 

Melting ice cubes against my skin for relief on really hot days.

These are a few of my favorite summer things. 

What are yours?

Strangers, freckles, and a window seat...

I had a really nice conversation with a man the other day on my way to school.

I was on the bus, and it was crowded and hot. I was already in a bad mood because I was stressed over school work... and the bus was late, so when it pulled up and I saw there were no seats available for me to set my heavy school bag, I was quickly annoyed. So there I am, forcing my way through the front crowd. Apparently, there is a bus monster of some sort that will eat your toes if you step to the back of the bus so everyone crowds the front (did I mention I hate public transportation and people). Anyway, I finally make it to back and a man offers me the window seat next to him. I guess he could see the annoyed expression on my face. Now, usually I would opt to stand the whole ride (I wasn't going that far), but for some reason I took the seat. I was in a bad mood, my bag was really heavy, so what the hell. Now the guy starts talking to me. Great.

Summer's calling...

Just want to share a few photos my friend Raddiff took on his recent trip to Wissahickon Creek here in Philly.

So beautiful...this place is definitely calling my name.

^ This is my favorite ^

Book Signing Update!...con fotos!

Hello good people! Well, I know its been a while since my last blog post. To be honest I really don't have an excuse since I have been out of school since mid-May. However I go back mid-July, which means I will make it my duty to blog as much as possible before my brain goes back into school mode. Promise.

I just want to share a few photos from my book signing last month, which was a complete success by the way! I was really nervous about turn-out, but everything came along very well that night with the support of my family, friends, and the night's awesome host, YTG - fellow poet (I'm a lucky girl).

Anyway, I usually get really nervous before any show, but some reason I was really dreading having to speak and read at this event. I think the nerves were a combination of it being my first book signing event, and the fact that I would be reading in front of family and friends, some who have never seen me read before. However, I have to say that because of their presence, I actually felt really comfortable up there. I felt more at ease than usual :)It was definitely a night to remember! I remember having a much needed drink with my friends afterwards over at the bar area and feeling so...accomplished! I remember my friend Helen saying with a smile, "take it all in, sweetheart". And I remember trying really hard to take in the moment and the feeling, and part of me did. But the other part of me was ready to move along and take on more. I think the book signing was exactly what I needed to keep pushing along this crazy journey I got myself into. I'll keep pushing for myself, for Northside, and for every person who was there to support me and my poetry. More than ever, I am ready to do more and to be more.

So while I leave you all to prepare myself for my next "thing", I will leave you with a small glimpse of that special night...

Ps: As far as writing goes, things are looking a little....dry. Just a little bit. So I decided I'm going to pick up a few poetry books to read over the summer. Any suggestions??

Book Release PARRRRTAY!

Come join me welcome as I celebrate the release of my second collection of poetry, Northside Cries and Lullabies!!

Friday May 28th, @ Sin City nightclub

258 E Allegheny Ave (B & Allegheny)

Philadelphia, PA 19134

8-10 pm

Book signing and reading followed by open mic and an after party celebration!
Free refreshments and cash bar available.
For questions/more info: goodbyegirlnv@gmail.com

Northside Cries and Lullabies is the second collection of poetry and prose by poet N.V. Torres. The book is a poetic exploration into the growth and struggles of a woman living on the northside of Philadelphia.

You can purchase and advanced copy of her book for 12.99 at:
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/northside-cries-and-lullabies/6408946

About the Author:

N.V. Torres is a Puerto Rican poet and artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born and raised in North Philly, she has been writing poetry since the age of eleven with her very first poem being a love poem for her best friend. Northside Cries and Lullabies is her second collection of poetry and prose. In 2007, she self-published her first collection of poems entitled I Know All The Right Things To Say.

http://www.nvtorres.webs.com/

http://www.itsalwayssunnyinnorthside.blogspot.com/

2:38 am

In the beginning...

We were weeping giants.

happy happy...

Big Pimpin', baby...Philadelphia Demeanor

Yo-la, Phil-ly! Guess who is this month's Big Pimpin' feature?

Yup. Philadelphia's own Irwin Roman, also known as P.

So, I first met P in early 2009 at an open mic night hosted by Dope Boys of Poetry which is a group of Philly poets in which P is also a member. He is notoriously known within the group for writing short, yet powerful poetry. The man is direct and likes to get his readers straight to the point and ain't nothing wrong with that!

I decided to feature him this month because not only do I enjoy his writing style, but he has also officially joined the self-publishing club with the recent release of his first poetry collection, Philadelphia Demeanor.

Plus, dude was kind enough to split a little ink with me on a collaborative poem, The Zoo, in my upcoming book which you will get to read very soon.

Feels good to see Philly doing big things :)

Here's a poem from his collection, and one of my personal favorites...Isis:

Isis

by Irwin "P" Roman

He told me her code name was Isis

But he doesn't realize that he's not the first man she treated like this

The highs where unbelievable but they came with devastating lows

Isis was well versed in the ring she handed excruciating blows

But he still loved her and just quite why nobody knows

He adored the she devil from her head down to her toes

And then came the day he couldn't take it no more

Next thing he knows Isis had walked out the door

But he never had the chance to tell her how he feels

He was so ready to buy that ring and on bended knee kneel

With wounds so deep that years later they still haven't healed

But it's over now like 112's Bad Boy deal

And Isis' M.O. just keeping it real

Is playing with the hearts of men just to stomp them with her stiletto heels

Now once he told me about the girl with the code name Isis

I told him since the days of Adam and Eve there's always been girls like this.

Click HERE to purchase P's book

Philadelphia Demeanor

by Irwin Roman

More...

http://www.nerdgang.blogspot.com/

http://stores.lulu.com/nerdgang

Big Pimpin' - The Millenium Kid

I wouldn't be me if I didn't make it a goal in life to constantly seek and surround myself with people who are not only creative, positive, motivated, but also driven. That's why I want to create a "Big Pimpin" series - perhaps a monthly post where I feature some of my friends and their work (poetry, artwork, music, etc). The world deserves to know their names.

And we will jump start this "Big Pimpin" series right with my friend, The Millenium Kid.

The Millenium Kid is an artist and talented beat-maker on a mission "to provide a service beyond exceptional by way of music".

And lucky for us, he also enjoys picking up the pen from time to time, writing lyrics and poetry. The boy got skills, musically and lyrically, which is why I wanted to feature two of his poems, The Gemini Lover, and Drama Outside My Window.

Remember his name, people! I have no doubt that he will be the one to put his hometown Norristown, PA on the map some day.

Until then, I guarantee you will enjoy these two poems, as well as his MYSPACE MUSIC PAGE.

The Gemini Lover

The way she began since origin

One body two minds combined within

The essence of intellect

Overshadowed the power to intercept

Vision to make a man make amends

Beauty in the eye of the gem

Traveling through a black hole

Still shine like the lights in the cosmos

Pulled me in too soon

Force of gravity had me stuck

Like earth & moon

She’s May, she’s June, she's hot

Just enough to burn in two

Any man’s retina couldn’t see

He'd end up with two left shoes

She's witty, one side two side pretty

Woosa woosa won’t help, this ride is slippery

Not to mention the other side, shifty

Damn I guess it happened so fast it missed me

Sorry me, pardon me I see

A separation from the good and the E.

Now I know I’m a little more than feet

I’m waist deep in this lady's mystic

Even knowing the future is bleak

It’s hard... Damn it’s hard for one man

To compete with two opposites like War & Peace

Believe me, it’s gonna be a journey to cease

The irrelevant behavior of such a beast.

Drama Outside My Window

Its drama outside my window

Poor hopes and trash

No need to check the forecast

For how the wind blow

Yesterday's repeat of pain and snow

See the block from a bird’s eye

From my nest of sess inside

Opens my mind to reality

Check time its rec time

Zombies assemble similar to lunch lines

From sunny days the windows open

Feel the breeze of misery

Prayin’ one day the street is empty

But only in my dreams I see that visually

Call me a hypocrite

But if my window was a ship

Wouldn’t I be able to steer away from this?

Maybe I like it

Maybe I see the future like a psychic

my tarot cards are words of wisdom

to those who might invite it

Change I see none still

Watchin’ a busy street with snails

Consider our heaven hell

Only peace is deceased and under the grail

We shall prosper

Young minorities see glory in

The transformation of civilized to monster

In due time young minds will conjure

The power to end the sponsors.

Northside's Coming Out (the cover)

Ladies and Gents, here is the cover to my second collection of poetry....

Being that I am completely self-publishing this book, the cover was designed and created by me under Aslin V. Designs (yes, I wear many hats).

Besides what is printed on the pages, the book cover is one of the most important aspects of any book. It's the first thing the reader will see, so you have to make a great first impression. I choice this design because I think it is a perfect reflection of the poems I selected for this book. Many of the poems talk about the urban surroundings and struggles of my neighborhood in North Philly (Northside). The collection is really not only about my growth as a woman, lover, poet and artist, but it's also a tribute to the place where the growth happens - my neighborhood. I thought it would only be right that I put a shot of the Northside on the cover. Shout outs to Google Maps for providing me an aerial picture of my hood!

And...if you get a chance, please check out my WEBSITE.

Thanks for all the love & support. It means the world to me. I can't wait for you guys to read it!!!

xo