Howard continues the conversation - By N.L. Belardes
Howard continues here from my recent blog about our lunch and socio-political blogs...
N.L. Belardes spends a few paragraphs writing about local blogging. With the pending launch of Bakosphere and our discovery of several more local blogs that many of us did not know about previously, Bakersfield blogging is getting a lot bigger.
N.L. writes about our lunch. It was a good lunch. N.L. is an interesting, intelligent cat, but he's been mighty hard on the Californian, so I'm not quite sure what his agenda is in wanting to talk with me. I'm glad his post on our lunch was pretty much fair and accurate.
Two points I want to address -- Bakosphere isn't just me and Logan. It's Davin McHenry, too. The other is, when I say blogging is a conversation, I'm not talking just about writing style. Traditional journalism, or more accurately, journalism after the WW II, has been pretty much a top-down, "I'll tell you what the news is" practice. Journalists have had a tendency toward a mindset that says, "I'm the princely class who decides what is news and how to present it and you're the audience, so just sit back and take it." That isn't universal, but it was prevalent. That's all changing. With the explosion of blogging, the audience started talking back, and even doing a little original reporting along the way. And journalists started listening (some of them, at least). And there are all kinds of experiments around the country of journalists jumping into the stream of the conversation. But one big tenet of blogging from the beginning was bloggers talking with each other. Just like I'm responding to N.L. in Bakosphere, other bloggers from the beginning have used their own blogs to respond to and critique the writings of other bloggers. How the conversation is written doesn't really matter -- the dialogue is important. Honest dialogue makes us all smarter and better informed.
Also, N.L., thanks for the pointer to a local blog we hadn't found yet. And it looks like a good one.
I add a comment on his Bakosphere blog entry explaining about why I might be perceived as harsh in any article referring to Californian. Some might call me bitter. I say I stand up for the little people, for good art, and hold true to the virtue of myself and others who deserve to be reported upon with the same veracity I report on the scene and the Californian itself...
Thanks Howie. I agree, it was a good meeting, which was simply based upon the fact that you were kind enough to stop me in the street and tell me you read my blog. I mean, who knows what your intention was in doing that? Doesn't matter. There was a genuine sincerity you displayed that day which comes across in your blog writing... And thanks for elaborating on the topic of 'blog conversation'. It deserved further discussion. And yes, I come across hard on the Californian, but then from my perspective, and a lot of other folks, the entertainment writer snubbed a good literary work. But that frustration comes from a lot of snubbing and frustration I hear in the music, theatre and fine arts scene that I cover in a 'one man' show on top of a full-time job.
Ask yourself why you are reading my work? Why has anyone at the Californian read my work? It's just a work of fiction, yet it and my website have created an impact in the local music, theatre, art, literary and media scene. If the Californian pays so much attention, why not an article about my podcast, or my blog, or my literary prowess in Lords: Part One? From my perspective the Californian, since so many employee individuals pay attention to me, you would think someone would write an article to help me promote my work, especially since other, less important works have recently been promoted in the Californian. So yes, I will come across harsh from time to time as I am reminded out in the scene by other folks who feel the same way about their own artistic endeavors being snubbed. As a blogger and conversationalist, I can and should talk about what is being talked about... Heck, I even criticize myself...
And keep in mind, if I truly treated the Californian the same way I am treated by their print media division, I would never refer to them, ignoring that they even exist.
Enough of that... I might go to Jerry's Pizza tomorrow. How scary is that? The pizza-a-go-go...
N.L. Belardes spends a few paragraphs writing about local blogging. With the pending launch of Bakosphere and our discovery of several more local blogs that many of us did not know about previously, Bakersfield blogging is getting a lot bigger.
N.L. writes about our lunch. It was a good lunch. N.L. is an interesting, intelligent cat, but he's been mighty hard on the Californian, so I'm not quite sure what his agenda is in wanting to talk with me. I'm glad his post on our lunch was pretty much fair and accurate.
Two points I want to address -- Bakosphere isn't just me and Logan. It's Davin McHenry, too. The other is, when I say blogging is a conversation, I'm not talking just about writing style. Traditional journalism, or more accurately, journalism after the WW II, has been pretty much a top-down, "I'll tell you what the news is" practice. Journalists have had a tendency toward a mindset that says, "I'm the princely class who decides what is news and how to present it and you're the audience, so just sit back and take it." That isn't universal, but it was prevalent. That's all changing. With the explosion of blogging, the audience started talking back, and even doing a little original reporting along the way. And journalists started listening (some of them, at least). And there are all kinds of experiments around the country of journalists jumping into the stream of the conversation. But one big tenet of blogging from the beginning was bloggers talking with each other. Just like I'm responding to N.L. in Bakosphere, other bloggers from the beginning have used their own blogs to respond to and critique the writings of other bloggers. How the conversation is written doesn't really matter -- the dialogue is important. Honest dialogue makes us all smarter and better informed.
Also, N.L., thanks for the pointer to a local blog we hadn't found yet. And it looks like a good one.
I add a comment on his Bakosphere blog entry explaining about why I might be perceived as harsh in any article referring to Californian. Some might call me bitter. I say I stand up for the little people, for good art, and hold true to the virtue of myself and others who deserve to be reported upon with the same veracity I report on the scene and the Californian itself...
Thanks Howie. I agree, it was a good meeting, which was simply based upon the fact that you were kind enough to stop me in the street and tell me you read my blog. I mean, who knows what your intention was in doing that? Doesn't matter. There was a genuine sincerity you displayed that day which comes across in your blog writing... And thanks for elaborating on the topic of 'blog conversation'. It deserved further discussion. And yes, I come across hard on the Californian, but then from my perspective, and a lot of other folks, the entertainment writer snubbed a good literary work. But that frustration comes from a lot of snubbing and frustration I hear in the music, theatre and fine arts scene that I cover in a 'one man' show on top of a full-time job.
Ask yourself why you are reading my work? Why has anyone at the Californian read my work? It's just a work of fiction, yet it and my website have created an impact in the local music, theatre, art, literary and media scene. If the Californian pays so much attention, why not an article about my podcast, or my blog, or my literary prowess in Lords: Part One? From my perspective the Californian, since so many employee individuals pay attention to me, you would think someone would write an article to help me promote my work, especially since other, less important works have recently been promoted in the Californian. So yes, I will come across harsh from time to time as I am reminded out in the scene by other folks who feel the same way about their own artistic endeavors being snubbed. As a blogger and conversationalist, I can and should talk about what is being talked about... Heck, I even criticize myself...
And keep in mind, if I truly treated the Californian the same way I am treated by their print media division, I would never refer to them, ignoring that they even exist.
Enough of that... I might go to Jerry's Pizza tomorrow. How scary is that? The pizza-a-go-go...
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Monday, January 23, 2006.
You can leave your response.
...you’re telling it like it is. you are the voice for you and all the other people they (the paper) purposely ignore because you’re not in their “circle”... it’s not about being harsh... it’s all about fairness.
I appreciate the support you give local artists, from musicians to filmmakers. Keep fighting the good fight and inspiring others to do the same.
You could be onto something. Hard to tell. Still makes me wonder why Belton accepted meeting me to give her a copy of my book. Why didn't she just say, "Sorry, I can't accept your novel because I don't review them. Don't take the time to come to the Californian to give me a copy." She didn't play her cards that way. I think she wanted that book. Weeks went by and no word. Instead, she threw the 'gumstick novel' excuse my way when I finally inquired...
By accepting the book she implied that she would pan or say wonderful things about the novel. By saying neither, I still believe she may have lied, or was hushed by higher powers.
If Howard's comment was true during our meeting that she made an individual choice, then she just flat out gave excuses and lied. Because the reality is the Californian soon wrote pieces in regards to 3 books.
Entertainment writers should be diversified. Don't tell me you're unable to write a review when you write on multiple topics AND you're a creative writer who writes screenplays, TV shows, creative WOTS entries, and possibly books. You can write books but don't have an opinion or can't review when you are THE entertainment writer? If it was anindividual choice, then Bakersfield Bob just simply made another poor one that was misleading to this artist...
If she comes back, she should publically apologize for her misleading nature towards me and many many other artists, musicians, thespians...
Am I harsh for publically pointing out that I am ignored? No. You're right, Chingpea. I am not.
OK, let me say first, I respect your dedication to the local scene. Taking nothing away from the previous, your motivations seem to be self-promoting. Many, many people have come and gone through the years in our local scene. Some have made a large impact and received nothing in terms of recognition. Those who know they have done something to better their community and scene usually do not require the public admiration that you seem to crave.
How frustrating it can be(and I know!) to try and build up the scene, knowing full well your efforts will soon be forgotten or taken for granted. But, "So is the way it goes", to sum sharply. The key is self-satisfaction, not self-promotion. Be happy with WHAT you have accomplished, not WHO knows that it was you who's done it.
Let time tell...not the newspaper. Nothing truly of signifigance can be ignored for long. Right?????
Conspiracy theories aside, I find this kind of intellectual exchange the most fruitful. Artists use art not only as forms of enlightened expression, but, by necessity, fashion them as tools of survival.
The Critic's job is to understand (if not love) Gods little orphans. If you can't praise, then the obligation is to guide. To extinguish the very fire that holds faith dear, is to only condemn: not only art; but the cultural humanities, which may define our demise.
as far as I know, I haven't ever read a 'negative' local review in the entertainment pages of the Californian...perhaps she had every intention to write up on this self-hyped novel, but when it came time to put the fingers to work, nothing nice came out? Just an idea.
I just recently met Nick.. He's a great guy, an interesting fellow if I may say so myself. I think what he does for us little people fighting so hard to be heard is wonderful. He helps by raising the volume on our voices.. taking what we want to get out there and raises the volume on it a little. He's a wonderful asset to the Bakersfield art scene. Musicians have hearts and words to be heard too... even if they have spiked hair, tatoos and piercings. They speak their mind with music and Nick helps translate it to those who are not so open to understand it. Keep up the good work Nick.. you are greatly appreciated by so many!!!
The Badnews paper hasn't had a decent music scene writer since Chris Paige left.Maybe the Californian should hire N.L. to do Music and the Arts stories. It could be like Peter Parker for the Daily Bugle.
Just drop off the stories and pictures and they pay you cash.
The situation is a tricky one, friend. I know you, not as well as I could have, but well enough to know that you are getting a bad rep. I know that your heart is in the right place and that you are truly dedicated to helping the less fortunate artists, those that are struggling in the shadows. You are their voice and do an excellent job at that,it is because of you that my best friend is able to live her dream. You deserve a chance and a voice in the local paper, a fair review, and quite honestly an extra hurrah for all that you have survived to get here. Maybe others would be more understanding if there was a more personal side of you for the world to see. Good luck friend, Rosamber
According to Webster bitter is defined as having an acrid, disagreeable taste. Unpleasant to accept; distasteful. Painful to body or mind; harsh. Sometimes what we all believe and practice can be “bitter” but this is why we live in America. To have,love and practice the art of being bitter is what every American does best! (Including me!) What is bitter to me could very well be savory desert to some fellow human. The concept of “bitter” varies from person to person since we all have our own taste, morals, open or closed mindedness. Our society is full of praise for our freedom of speech and throughout history Americans have proven that they are not as open to free speech as they all proclaim to be. In the book Entertaining Satan written by John Putnam Demos (1982) we are given classic examples of a closed minded American culture (early New England) that founded the very roots of our society today! Demos gives detailed description of the notorious witch-hunts we all hear about and the executions of people later proclaimed to be innocent. Our past mistakes of being closed minded founded our society on “bitter” morals and expectations. The Rev. Cotton Mather (1693) voiced, “the devils are come down upon us with such wrath as is justly the astonishment of the world.” (Demos, 313) In agreement with Mather I would have to say such wrath upon a prejudice newspaper is justly! So continue to give the wrath and no I don’t think you’re a devil and someday you will astonish the world. So why people close their uneducated minds and begin to point fingers and accusations of bitterness continue to express the truth and possibly the “bitter” truth that needs to be said. Just because our society doesn’t like to hear something is no reason to leave it unsaid. As quoted by my mother and myself or any other mother, “the truth hurts sometimes!” Bakersfield has a tendency to only print what they believe to be relevant and not the truth or what is in the best interest of our society. So is it ok for them to try and hang you for it? Emily Dickinson wrote, “Witchcraft was hung, in History, But History and I Find all the Witchcraft that we need Around us, every Day.” (Demos, 400) So, in my own words… Despite if they try to hang N.L. or not American society deserves to hear the truth of our small minded town called Bakersfield, after all it is around us, every day! Demos states it foremost in the book Entertaining Satan in the title of chapter seven of his book, “The Mind of Our Town.” (Entertaining Satan) Thanks N.L. for sharing with Bakersfield “The Mind of Our Town.”
Luv,
Flower.
I agree with Vinnysbar. I had a chance to meet Nick recently too and he's a great guy. All the people who met him the same day I did would probably tell you the same and tell you that they appreciate what he does for the music and art scene alone. Not to mention all the other areas he keeps track of and writes about. From what I could tell, what he does isn't out of any self-promoting attitude but just becuase he loves to do what he does. Keep up the good work Nick and thanks for the support of the art show!
The Californian doesn't cover the local music, theater, and art scenes, only the famous that come to town. Therefore, it is left up to people like you, NL, to be the 'voice' of the people. You have selflessly sacrificed your time and lent your 'voice' and talents through writing and photograpy. Musicians, Artists, and Theater folk all ask and want you to lend your 'voice' to cover their shows. There is nothing wrong with also lending your 'voice' to cover your own literary works. No one else is doing it. That doesn't make it self-serving, just fair coverage. I don't think you are being as 'harsh' on the Californian as you could be... and the Californian thinks you're being harsh or a bully because you're telling the truth and as Flower said... Sometimes the truth hurts.
You're doing a great service to our community. You don't ask to be paid, you do it willingly because you enjoy music and the arts and crative people and you enjoy sharing your talents. You are rewarded everyday with great music, art, theater, and friendships. Those who read/buy your novel are also rewarded by your talents.
"Nothing truly of significance can be ignored for long. Right?????"
WRONG! It can be ignored forever. And for the most part, it is.
Ask, any artist of "acclaim", if they know someone of greater artistic gifts that never got the nod,....... You will see weeping. May I include the gnashing of teeth.
Believing talent is self evident is the fallacy of the ages.
The next time you read about a painting at auction getting millions of dollars, ask yourself if the artist died penniless and unknown.
In reply to Matildakay...certainly nothing is wrong with self promotion, particularly when there's noone else in town covering such things. However, when one constantly refers to he and his family in 3rd person, or in reference to some particular film (war days) or novel, it gets a bit out of hand. As tongue n cheek as it may be intended, it comes off as shameless self promotion to the new reader.
I have had new readers constantly since my website began and traffic is still growing. I would say that most readers understand this is a personal website by a novelist who enjoys writing about the art scene and more. This blog is embedded in nlbelardes.com. It certainly promotes my works of art. Duh! Every writer self promotes. If I don't promote, who will promote me? Shameless? I disagree. I think your anonymous comment is shameless. Go read the funny papers.
As for the War Days Director. Maybe I am protecting the name of a minor. Did you think about that? Bloggers also use different names to protect identity. Many novelists and columnists do the same. Forget the funny papers. Go get educated.
FYI Anonymous: Matildakay is not my real name, its my 'internet name'. There is nothing wrong with giving people you write about an 'internet moniker' like "the war days director" to protect their identity, especially when a minor is involved.
If anonymous doesn't like third person or fake names, why be anonymous?
I happen to have the priviledge of knowing NL. I have watched him for the past year as he researched, wrote, edited, and rewrote "Lords." This is WORK folks! Is his blog self-serving? You bet! But I also know how much time NL spends out and about, listening to bands no one else seems to care about and then spending his weekends writing in his blog about them. Is the Californian's blog self-serving? Duh! Is the Californian ignorning his work? Of course they are. Anyone who has lived in Bakersfield since the 70s will recognize the characters in NLs book immediately. They don't want their dirty laundry aired. The Californian is still playing into the "good ole boy" mentality that has been in power in Bakersfield for decades. I totally agree with chingpea...keep telling it like it is NL. If the truth sounds harsh...so be it!
Because Anonymous isn't a blogger, and has no account. For protection reasons, especially including instances of a minor, that's completely understandable, but for the sake of the written piece, the moniker should have some relation to the subject, and not just a shameless plug...ie using 'war days director' when talking about hanging out at a football game where 'war days' wasn't ever discussed.
"If Anonymous doesn't like third party or fake names, why be anonymous"...
Since you're the one suggesting education, I assume you're educated and wish to share this delight with others around you. That being said, explain to me how this quote of yours makes any sense? Anonymity has nothing to do with third person reference. If I were to refer to myself as 'Anonymous', then you'd have a point. I assume by saying this, you were trying to make me sound hypocritical. I also never said anything about being against using fake names. It was in the shameless advertisement of unrelated projects.
in reply to "anonymous" at 12:33pm... what the #$&%? if you could do better, where's your name and blog?
Another reason I use 'The War Days' director is as a reference. And I don't only use that name. I also use Dirty Spanglish (band), or the War Days director (film) or Pablo Esquival (podcast). It's a reference point so people know who the heck I'm talking about, and I can cross link back so folks get more info. They talk about the War Days director on the radio, so why shouldn't I? You can think it's a shameless plug. Fact is, I plug an awful lot of folks on my site. It is nlbelardes.com after all. Peace!
By the way, February 4th at the Rabobank, DIRTY SPANGLISH during the first intermission of Condors hockey! Oh yeah!
Anonymous is shamelessly plugging his/her views on my personal site... hahahaha...
Anonymous, where does it say that one can't refer to him or herself in the third person, and that if one does so it's a shameless plug? Why do you read this website? For music news? For entertainment? To just get pissed off that an author is writing this blog who has books to sell and other artists to promote? Go read the Californian if you want your news the way you want it... this is not a newspaper, this is a self-promotional blog intricately woven into the community spirit. This is nlbelardes.com, this is the home of 'me' and a portion of the community who loves to be entertained by my views! Your points are uneducated and baseless and you're a bully! oops, that's the californian in me... hahahaha... just kiddin'. Go read Dilbert.
To add to Anonymous 12:33p.m.'s comment of "shameless self promotion"--how is that anyone hears of anything...is it not because someone or the person themselves have promoted the product or idea. If you watch a movie,listen to a song or look at a piece of art..is it not because it was promoted, by the person or with their permission,and that is how you came to know of it? People are allowed to be proud of their own and others accomplishments. And if he chooses to refer to someone as "the Director of the War Days" film it in his right to do so. To refer to it as "shameless self promotion" are the words of a narrow mind. In fact are you not adding to the promotion of the film, by refering to it by name in your comment? Maybe next time you might think of choosing your words a little more wisely, when making accusatory comments, if you are so put off by the self-promotion of oneself or others.
Uhhhh, im not sure what to say, but, my BACK feels BROKEN.
Should have never watched brokeback. Now you're backed up. Careful kid. This particular blog is a hit Nick. Anyways, Studio 99 or Vinny's Bar this Saturday, hmmm ...
Screw the Californian! Support the people reporting and making our scene in Bakersfield. Why even talk about them(The paper)or give them any recognition? Why are they even here now? We just played The Gig in Hollywood and picked up two other shows down there because someone from Rock city news read NL belardes.com and read some great things about our band! I asked how they heard about us and what made them come out and review our show and they said they googled "Filthies Bakersfield" and came up with NL's site and started reading. Then they asked how the scene in our home town was because it looked like it was out of control from what they read. You can't have a scene without the writers telling everyone about it. NL, JR, Matildakay, Flower in the dale, BUMS, Rob Shock and all the others are making a bigger impact than you can imagine. You guys are all making a big difference. So why are you even having lunch or communicating with Californian people? Who are they? Who cares? Fuck em! Old people read what they have to say or their friends and thats it! Fuck...Them....Get over it. They sell spaces in the paper, thats it. The other stuff is just filler and toilet material. People buy the paper for the Obit's, opinions and Classifieds...thats it. After they're done with the front of the local, they open the LA times to get the news and thats the sad truth. The paper is there to make cash in advertising, boo hoo, get over it. You will not be on the front page anytime soon, I promise. Stop giving them attention and do what you do. You have a shit load of traffic and you're only getting more and more, so stop giving them attention.
Why does passion lead to such ignorance and irrational thought patterns? Irony at it's peak, that such a beautiful gift can make one so blind.
Stop and think of artists that one would consider "credible". Most lived a life of poverty, drug/alchohol abuse, or an addiction to some sort of vice. Yet, they mangaged to give something of beauty to this word, despite the ugliness that encompassed themselves. This is a tried and true formula in the world of the arts.
This is why paintings sell for millions. It has little to with the painting itself, much more the life of the one that painted it. If are an artist of any sort, your struggles are your inspiration and what you will be remembered for. Accept this fact. On the otherhand, if you seek instant gratification, choose a more "commercial" route.
As I stated before, "Nothing truly of significance can be ignored for long". Well, I was wrong. Maybe it can be a long time.
But would that artist, if given a chance, trade the many years of respect for five minutes of fame in their lifetime? Would you?
Only if it includes a happy meal.
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