Monthly Archives: April 2012

What I Know About Rick Powell

Rick’s note: This is a guest post by an old friend and the man who first published me, Steve Sylvester.

In mid-1984 I launched a fledgling alternative newspaper – Stepping Out Magazine – which eventually morphed into the Indianapolis New Times and a nearly nine-year run. I think it was during planning for our second issue when I met Rick Powell. He was an undergraduate student in Indy back then and he submitted a review of Prince’s “Purple Rain” film to me for publication. Upon reading only the first few paragraphs, I knew this article – and its author – were exceptional.

And so began a truly special publishing relationship with Rick, for whom my admiration, sometimes awe, only grew with time. He never disappointed in the quality of his writing, in the poignancy of his views, with his style, or quite remarkably with his courage (shall I say his ballsiness in speaking truth to power). He is one of the few I worked with whom I trusted to select his own subject matter, whether for music reviews or more substantial essays. He never missed a deadline, never needed editing, never complained.- -not even about the modest compensation we offered.

One thing I know about Rick after these years of association and observation, is that he is a magnet and sometimes a lightning rod for other creative types and for progressive thinkers. I doubt he even imagines the countless number of people he has inspired by his words and by his example– and that includes me.

At the heart of it, Rick exemplifies what Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., attributed to the underlying power of the written word, which is: “You are not alone.”

No matter what paths we individually traveled in the years since The New Times, I always felt I have a kindred spirit with Rick in this world. But most of all I remain so proud to call him my friend.

And here’s what I wrote to him in a Facebook message after I began reading this blog:

I much admire your courage in sharing the intimate details of what you have been enduring healthwise. I understand the personal toll and how this must be fucking with your mind and spirit. I hope you rise above the depression. I hope you have the kind of friends around you who can help with this. But I also know, ultimately, that no one else can touch the deepest inner thoughts you are experiencing.

When I was 32 yrs-old, (well before you knew me) I had bladder cancer .. the youngest case that the Urology Dept. at Indiana University Hospital had ever seen, they said. The following five years of exams, surgery, treatment and followup exams took a toll on me, too. To say it was all very ‘invasive’ is an understatement. But I was amazed at what I could become accustomed to.

Perhaps, in my case, a healthy (or not) dose of denial concerning the worse case scenario buoyed me. I don’t know. But somehow, I seem to find myself recommending denial to you, too … to the extent that I firmly believe that denying the possiblity of an early death is entirely appropriate. (I don’t know what comes after denial, I’ve never gotten to that point yet.) More denial?

I will only say, that in my view this planet needs you. I need you, and you have had a profound affect upon my life and thought processes. So keep doing all you have to do, enduring the hard times ahead in treatment, and try to believe that you are invincible.

Very best wishes,
Steve

How You Can Help Me Fight, Stay Healthy, Clean and Not Hungry

I will not make it to my surgery, and certainly not beyond when I can begin to start over, with food in my belly and colostomy bags glued to it — not without help.

I have USD $200 set aside to pay rent on the 19th but I now have a little over ARS $100 in my pocket to eat on. (And the pesos are adding up as I use this crappy computer in my neighborhood’s locutorio.) I bought two bags yesterday but couldn’t really see how I could afford to buy the special paste that keeps the bags from leaking so soon. A tube of Coloplast Pasta costs around 90 pesos now. Bags cost between 21 and 23 pesos depending on where I buy them.

Many people have donated money using the ChipIn widget over there in the sidebar. However, I know most of you are tapped out and you have no idea how emabarassing it is to always have to beg for money anyway.

So, there are other ways you can help.

1. Share this blog or a particular post on your favorite social network.

There’s a share bar at the bottom of every post and there’s a Facebook page which you can like directly from this blog using the Like Box in the sidebar on the right.  Despite having helped me in numerous other ways, there are close friends and family who have not done this very simple thing. It baffles me, frankly, especially considering what some of you post otherwise. Sorry, I’m scolding but this is obvious stuff. You never know who might see the blog and be moved by its content.

Most of you are on Facebook all frakin’ day long, after all.

2. Buy something from Amazon.com.

I have an affiliate account registered with Amazon and if you’re going to buy something from Amazon anyway, wouldn’t it be nice if a little bit of that money went to me and not to Amazon? Don’t worry, they give you the same price they give everyone else. There’s a banner ad in the right sidebar. Click on any link in the banner and then shop away. It doesn’t matter what link you click. Once you’re on Amazon by using one of those links, it’s all good.

To help you further:

Here’s a link to General Books

Here’s a link to Best Selling Stuff in Computers

Put these links in your Booksmarks bar, why don’t you? And whenever you get the urge to shop (it works on Kindle books, too) use my links and help me out!

3. Buy some politically incorrect t-shirts.

4. Buy some of my designs.

5. Got a blog? Write about my fight or put this blog in your blogroll.

6. Got a Buenos-Aires based blog? 

Come on the walk and write about them or allow me to advertise on your blog or put the San Telmo Art Walk blog in your blogroll.

Two art walks with 5 people each pays my rent. And that really is my favorite way of getting money from people — by providing something valuable.

Many thanks for your help.