She So Funny

 

 

 

People, the chapbook launch went very well on Sunday, July 26, 2026.  I thank Diana Gitesha-Hernandez for providing the venue and her voice (singing and speaking), her spirit, generosity, and encouragement, etc.

 

The backroom in Tio Pepe has a skylight and is quite inviting.  Diana really stirs up the enthusiasm.  Esther K. Smith, publisher of Klytemnestra Press, had many items to offer for purchase aside from my chapbook, No One Called Him Topless.  She was one of the featured readers along with Ron Kolm, Mindy Levokove, and Diana Gitesha-Hernandez.

 

Two women, who were in my creative writing class, attended the reading.  Some of my poems are not very teacher-like.  So I always feel a bit self-conscious in that situation, but that’s okay.  I grow a thicker skin.  And that is needed for my comedy path.  The women had no problem with my themes and language.  They enjoyed it very much.

 

Speaking of comedy, my next show at The Artist on City Island in the Bronx -- the “Almost Fall Comedy Show” – will be on Friday, September 18^th at 8pm.  Only $15 and no minimum!  You may even BYOB.  The terrific and very varied line-up:

 

Mindy Matijasevic  

Jose Angel Diaz                 

    

 

Paul Hallasy           

 

 

I am as excited to be an audience member as I am to be the producer.  I like my taste, and I feel good with my choices.  To top it off, those who run The Artist, Elliot and Monica Glick, are so welcoming and wonderful.  It is a performance space, not a comedy club. They do have a menu of light fare (vegetarian inclusive) and delicious desserts, tempting but not required.

 

If you like to plan ahead, mark your calendar for 9/18/2026 @ 8pm for hilarity!  I’d love to see you and hear you laughing. 

 

On another note, I have yet to step on a scale, but my jeans are sliding down.  I hope this means I lost a few pounds and not that I stretched out my jeans. 

 

With appreciation of you taking the time to read this,

Mindy

 

 

Major love to CGG-M  ❤ ❤ ❤

Mindy Matijasevic

August  11, 2026

 

 

 

    The poetry reading last Sunday lifted my spirits.  It was a small-ish turnout, but high in quality.  Plus I got to see and hear the work of my friend, Mindy Levokove.  Michael Graves curates this part of the Phoenix Series, and he was so encouraging to me.  I appreciate him very much.

    The weather was delightful.  But still I was late.  My #4 train stop was being bypassed by downtown trains due to track work.  I had to take the train uptown to go downtown.  Then, at 42^nd, I had to switch to the #6.  I have seen too much local news and find myself afraid of being in the subway.  So I had anxiety the whole way down about that and being late.

    But the atmosphere felt so good, the people so accepting.  They appreciated my poetry and verbalized it.  It’s a nourishing feeling, different than other kinds of nourishment.

    The Monday before, I spent the eclipse with my two closest friends.  We went to the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn and observed the eclipse from there with our special glasses.  Mainly, I loved the three of us being together.

    Tuesday, 4/16, was my best friend’s birthday.  He and I got together for the evening portion of his birthday.  Went out for Indian food (he treated), and we hung out talking.  I had a zero-budget situation, so I made him a very personal card that only ‘besties’ could do.  It caused a LOTTA laughter.  He appreciated that very much.  On zero budget, it was a goodie.  But it will have to go in a hidden file.

    This Saturday, 4/20, I will be part of a reading at the Thompkins Square Library, 331 East 10^th Street, NYC.  Evie Ivy put together an anthology of poems during COVID and is curating this reading and selling copies of the anthology.  It’s at 1:00pm and is FREE.  If this appeals to you, come on over.

    If you need a unique gift for a male or female who this applies to:

please let me know.  My email is mindyinthebronx@gmail.com.  They are Hanes, size XL.

 

 

 

It’s been a challenging time.  (Is it ever not?)  I enrolled in a study that is seeking to learn how to best help people stop or cut down on cigarette smoking.  Oy.  I’m a tough case.

 

I look back, and I think I went from thumb-sucking to cigarette smoking.  In my twenties, I stopped smoking with the help of a group.  I managed to not smoke for eight months.  Then after a very traumatic experience, I smoked again.  Right back to a pack (and then some) a day. 

 

A few years later, I tried to stop on my own using whatever I learned in the group.  This time I stopped for ten months.  Then I started sinking in a number of ways.  Got involved in a relationship that was not good for me and started back smoking at the same time.  Double-fucked, and not in any kind of good way.

 

Since then, any time I tried to stop smoking, I never got through the third day.  As time went on, I couldn’t get through one full day and night.

So in my recent efforts, I had soooooo much anxiety before my goal date.  I told my best buddy that not smoking might turn out easier than the anxiety I’m going through anticipating it. 

 

I was smoking anywhere from 20 to 30 cigarettes a day.  On my first day of trying to not smoke, I smoked five cigarettes.  I bought them loose.  I was not too pleased with myself because I was aiming for zero.  The next day, I woke up with easier breathing.  That felt encouraging.  Yet on day two, I smoked nine cigarettes.  I still enjoy smoking cigarettes.  I wish I didn’t, but I do.

 

When I’m outside and smell someone else’s cigarette, it doesn’t repel me.  I still like it.  I look forward to getting where it would gross me out.  Not there.

 

Both of those days were hard to endure, and I was proud for not buying a pack and getting back to 20 - 30 cigarettes which I could do easily.  Too easily.

 

By day three, I wanted a bottle of wine (something I was avoiding because of the cigarette smoking that accompanies drinking for me) and a pack of cigarettes.  I compromised.  I bought a small bottle and several loose cigarettes.  I am grateful to the stores that take the risk to do that.  It helps with cutting down.  If I had a whole pack in the house, I’d smoke the whole pack.  So I’m sorry they catch hell for breaking the rules, but I’m glad they do it.  On day three, I smoked twelve cigarettes.  I was not pleased with myself, but tried not to get on my case too much because that doesn’t help.  Each of the first three days was way better than what my normal has been.

 

On day four, I did laundry which requires me to go back and forth to the laundromat three times (they took the seats away to discourage people from staying inside since the pandemic).  It’s about three blocks away, so back and forth three times is 18 blocks.  It helped that my breathing felt improved.  It is encouraging that I can feel the difference.

 

My goal for day four was to improve on day three’s number.  I did, but not by much.  My cigarette total that day was eleven.

 

My friend and former co-worker, Mindy Levokove, spoke of progress as opposed to perfection when speaking on teaching and students.  Recalling that helped me feel less disappointed with myself.

 

If I could smoke only five cigarettes a day, I doubt I’d try to stop.  But as my buddy said to me, “You seem to be an all-or-nothing gal.”  It’s true.  He knows me well and for over 35 years.  He’s glad to see me trying more than he’s seen in a very long time.

 

Another wonderful, long-time friend who I love, Judy, told me she prays each day for me to be able to stop smoking.  Just knowing that she does makes me feel her love.  ❤

By day five, I feel my mind changing a bit.  I don't feel as obsessed with cigarettes.  Well, at some moments I really do, but not the majority of the time.  I do feel somewhat proud of having had four days behind me of not smoking anywhere near what I had been smoking.  I hope I keep it up.  Please, people, do not think of this as a done deal.  It isn't.  I don't feel past the beginning nor guaranteed to make it past the beginning.

It’s a struggle.  I can only say I’m still trying.  

 

So much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic, May 2021

 

 

 

My friend Mindy Levokove, a woman of many talents, shared her Roof Dance with me.  Like her poetry and her singing, it feels meditative.  Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/0xgXZhCdhLk

 

 

I heard from a former student on Facebook.  I had wished her a happy birthday and she responded:

Student:  Thank you  how are you?  i miss you

Me:  You know Brian and the new boss tossed me and other loved staff. They like the one you hated. Isn't that something? 

Student:  Uhhhhh i know they need to get there shit together over there lol

 

 

I heard the orange one on TV saying if he loses, politics will be very boring.  I sure welcome boring if it means sanity.  I don’t need caged children/ruined lives for excitement.  Life provides enough uncertainty and excitement.

 

I did my early voting.  I was concerned about many things, but it was so well organized and well-staffed, I was delighted.  I received a pen, a bracelet, and the sticker.  Now I pray we get a president.  I am proud of how New York is handling voting.  I am super proud of New Yorkers for voting.

 

 

 

 

White supremacists aside, gay men have declared they are the Proud Boys, so to make things clear:

 

 

 

 

 

Love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic   10/30/2020

 

I thank God/dess for the people in my life who, from time to time, pull me out of my funk.  A writer friend hired me to proofread a grant application for her.  When I finally did the work, I actually felt productive and useful.  It’s been a while since I felt that way.

 

Over a week ago, I spilled some wine and fucked up my keyboard.  I couldn’t even type in my password to get on the computer, never mind get on-line.  My buddy loaned me a keyboard and told me how to connect it to my computer.  So I’m back in business.  However, when it all happened, I couldn’t participate in the weekly poetry workshop that is often a highlight of my week.  I was able to return the following week.  It makes such a difference for me.  The interaction with the others has become so necessary, even if it is only on-line.  Even without a webcam or mic, I can see and hear the others, plus I can write in the chat box.

 

A friend from high school sent me a monetary gift.  The generosity and love – wow.  I can keep my utilities going (including internet, cable, and phone).  Thank you, Susy. 💛

 

My friend Mindy Levokove and I are going to meet this week so she can record me reading 15 – 20 minutes of my poetry.  She is going to have two more poets as well and present it as a poetry reading on line.  I am glad to be part of that.  We will do this outdoors, so we are not breathing at each other.  This will be my first train ride in many months.  I hope no craziness breaks out.  Since birth, I have had way too much craziness in my life.

 

As I continue to declutter my apartment, I find so many more piles.  It is so overwhelming.  I live in a one-bedroom apartment, and I don’t know how I ever fit so much shit in here.  Goodness!  It is such a mirror image of the heavy piles inside me.

 

Tonight I went to the store.  The corner was blocked by police tape.  There was a patrol car on the sidewalk, lights flashing.  I asked the store worker what happened.  Apparently a woman stabbed her boyfriend to death.  Someone else told me it had been an abusive relationship.  Without more info, I don’t know which one was the abuser.  I do know many people have a worse situation than I.  Again, I felt grateful that I (with the help of Divine intervention) have stayed away from romantic involvements.  It doesn’t feel worth it to me.  Plus I watch a lot of “Dateline.” I feel horrified at people without a conscience and a great sense of relief that I don’t date anymore. 

 

Another of my pandemic poems has been published on line by Highland Park Poetry.  https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkpoetry/   It is the October 10^th daily poem.

 

Regarding the VP debate:

 

 

 

 

Much love to CGG-M 💕💕

Mindy Matijasevic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of my African-American friends use the phrase “Not all my skin folk are my kin folk.”  That rings so true for me as well.  Not only about skin folk; sometimes it’s about vagina folk.  Trump selecting a vagina-owner, who would roll back so much that women have fought to achieve, to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg is NOT okay.  That is NO replacement.

 

What country can we move to where people are evolved enough to know that women are adult people who taught most of you to wipe your azz?  I ask that out of desperation.  I really want to stay here if it will return to a democracy and improve from there.

 

It takes so long to build something good and so little to destroy it. 

 

 I know a man who did this to his son.  That's the legacy he chooses to leave.

…

 

Recently, I was contacted by a woman who believed I was her teacher in the 1980s in an adult education program in Manhattan.  She sent a photo of me and two students.  It was a very skinny me and two very happy looking young women.  Part of what she wrote was: 

“You were very kind and helped us all a great deal. … Mindy it was really nice to have the opportunity to say thank you for all your help.”

For me, the timing was good.  I needed a pick-me-up, and that did it.  I so appreciated her sentiments.  I don’t even know if I was that good in the 80s; I got better with time, experience, professional development, and self-knowledge.  Nothing beats self-knowledge.

 

…

 

I recently received two helpful monetary gifts.  One was from a woman I only know on-line.  I tried to talk her out of it, but she refused to hear no.  The other was from a woman who I have had a warm and cold relationship with at a former job, so it was rather shocking to me.  I was always puzzled by what went on.  The boss at that time had set a bad tone, used words like “nice” and “sincere” as bad words, and maybe I should have left years before my employment there ended.  Then he could’ve hired an insincere bitch, and the intermediate level adult students would fade away which would confirm the administration’s prejudice that those students don’t learn and have poor attendance and blah blah blah.  But if I had left, then I would not have had the next boss who really appreciated me and my work including my relationships with my students.  That person once told me, “You really care, and it shows in everything you do.” ❤  She warmed my heart.  However, when that person left, I was f’d.  A teacher who told his students that he “doesn’t give a shit” got a really nice gift and a big party from the staff and administrators at the end of his time there.  I loved my students in general, and most loved me.  The students were a huge part of why I stayed.  There were other perks too.  Over time, some former co-workers took me out for dinner, sent me gift cards, money, and a full gift bag from Fresh Foods.  Given my needs, this most recent gift definitely beat a job party.  And it came from someone who demonstrated such mixed feelings toward me.  I’m still puzzled.  I’m also grateful.  Nothing is simple.

 

…

 

On another note --- my friend, Mindy Levokove, who is also a former co-worker (a wonderful one) has a new poetry book out called Mount Eden Avenue.

 

They have arrived and are available for purchase! Only ten bucks.

 

 

Mindy Levokove can be found on Facebook.  If you aren’t on Facebook, you can let me know how she can contact you.  I will certainly pass that along.

 

 

Much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

 

 

Mindy Matijasevic, September 27, 2020