Monday, October 16, 2006

This blog totally sucks now

But that's because I'm writing a book, which I'll be reading from tomorrow night. You should come!

It's part of a reading series called "Writers at the Alliance" and there are two other readers, both much more accomplished than me, so it shouldn't suck.

Anyway, it's FREE, so come out if you can.

Tuesday, October 17th, 7:00 pm
at the Educational Alliance, in the Mazer Theater
197 East Broadway
(F train to East Broadway, walk two blocks to Jefferson)



Here's the official info:

HERE IS NEW YORK: THEN AND NOW
Tuesday, October 17
7:00 pm
In his foreword to "Here is New York," written in 1948, E.B. White asserted that "it is the reader's, not the author's, duty to bring New York down to date." The Alliance has enlisted three very different writers with that task, beginning with Caleb Crain who chronicles the extravagances and vanities of New York's upper class in the nineteenth century. Next, Brandon Stosuy delves into the downtown music scene of the 1970s and continues through to 2006, noting outerborough shifts along the way. Finally, Melissa Plaut, a blogging cab driver, keeps us "down to date" with her present-day account of life behind the wheel in New York City.

CALEB CRAIN has written essays and criticism for The New Yorker, The New Republic, The New York Review of Books, and other publications. He is the author of American Sympathy: Men, Friendship, and Literature in the New Nation (Yale, 2001), and is at work on a history of the divorce of the nineteenth-century theatrical couple Edwin and Catharine Forrest.
See http://steamthing.com.

MELISSA PLAUT was born in 1975 and grew up in the suburbs of New York City. After college, she held a series of office jobs until, at the age of 29, she began driving a yellow cab. A year later she started writing "New York Hack," a blog about her experiences behind the wheel. Within a few months, the blog was receiving several thousand hits a day. She is currently working on a book based on "New York Hack" to be published in 2007 by Villard. See http://newyorkhack.blogspot.com/

BRANDON STOSUY, a staff writer and columnist at Pitchfork, contributes regularly to The Believer and The Village Voice and has written for Arthur, BlackBook, Bookforum, LA Weekly, Seattle Weekly, and Slate, among other publications. His Danzig-heavy meditation on Sue de Beer appears in her EMERGE monograph (Downtown Arts Projects, 2005) and an essay he co-authored with Lawrence Brose is collected in Enter at Your Own Risk: The Dangerous Art of Dennis Cooper (FDU Press, 2006). He's currently curating The Believer's 2007 Music Issue Compilation CD while finishing a discussion with Matthew Barney and essays on Wayne Koestenbaum and Gordon Lish, also for The Believer. Up Is Up, But So Is Down, his anthology of Downtown New York literature, will be published in October by NYU Press. See
http://www.amazon.com/but-So-Down-Literary-1974-1992/dp/0814740111/sr=8-1/qid=1158554986/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-2161039-3765661?ie=UTF8&s=books

Writers at the Alliance, the Educational Alliance's reading series, brings together established and emerging novelists, poets and essayists whose work, in both form and content, reflects the energy, diversity, and history of dissent which have always characterized the Lower East Side.

For more details, visit http://www.killfee.net/alliance.

87 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you feel this way. For me it's like finding little presents under my pillow when I wake up to find one of your little verbal nuggets posted. Hope your reading is as much a blast as it sounds. You'll be wonderful I'm sure.
All good things do come to an end however and it just might be the time for whatever adventure comes next for you. Until that time I'll look forward to whatever you throw our way! Much Luck at your event!!!

Anonymous said...

MP, No worries as long as you keep in touch. As you can tell we all enjoy your adventures!! Definetly going to catch your reading on line. Good luck girl and keep doing what you are doing. Change is good!

Peace

Anonymous said...

Your blog doesn't suck...
people do.

Anonymous said...

hey girl the book would never be, without this blog! keep writing keep positive and enjoy the ride!

Anonymous said...

Ah that is brill. Enjoy the doing the reading. I'm certain that you will be fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Anything is better than nothing. So hopefully you can keep on writing your blog. I really do enjoy it. I can't wait till your book comes out.

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Anonymous said...

Anything is better than nothing. So hopefully you can keep on writing your blog. I really do enjoy it. I can't wait till your book comes out.

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Paradise Driver said...

Just curious. How badly did your editor chop up your first draft?

Just minor shit or did you look at the notes and go "WTF"?

Anonymous said...

Hey MP, I love your blog but I gotta agree with you... lately it's been a little lame. Good luck with the book!

Anonymous said...

You're right, your blog does suck...I used to like it but you hardly make any entries now and when you do they are lame. I'm deleting your blog from my page.

Megan said...

zPeople suck, not this blog. Even when it's something like this, I still enjoy it! Good luck with the impending book!

Anonymous said...

This came to mind, which kind of dates me.

Native New Yorker - Odyssey

Runnin' pretty, New York City girl
Twenty-five, thirty-five
Hello, baby, New York City girl

You grew up ridin' the subways, running with people
Up in Harlem, down on Broadway
You're no tramp, but you're no lady, talkin' that street talk
You're the heart and soul of New York City

And love, love is just a passing word
It's the thought that you had in a taxi cab that got left on the curb
When he dropped you off and he stated firm

Oh, oh, oh [Oh, oh, oh]
You're a native New Yorker
You should know the score by now [You should know by now]
You're a native New Yorker

:D

Anonymous said...

you're right, it sucks. I'm going to delete it if it doesn't get better soon.

Anonymous said...

Well, they say there is nothing worse than being famous for something that you hated doing! Just remember, it wasn't the cab that made you famous[we'd all be famous] it's the writing....

Anonymous said...

no matter how little you write, I still love it.

Anonymous said...

That's awesome that you are doing a reading. I'm bummed that I can't make it tomorrow, but I'm sure you'll be great! Write and let us know how it goes.

I can't imagine trying to write a book and a blog at the same time! It sounds like too much. The whole point of blogging is to take my mind off of what I've been doing all day. I don't think I would want to write a lot if I'd been writing all day though.

Anonymous said...

You're right, you're blog does suck. It has kind of been that way since you were "discovered" a earlier in the year.

Anonymous said...

hey, your detractors can all fuck off...let's check out THEIR blog to make sure they're brilliant all the time...

ASG

CitizenX said...

That's right Melissa.
You may think [this blog] sucks because you are not driving near as often.

Still look forward to your posts when they come AND the book.

We are all peeking behind the curtian at you.

Anonymous said...

I came in for the later parts of your blogs but look forward to any words on my Yahoo Headline under "New York Hack" since I found you on their top ten blog list not to long ago and added it to my home page. Can't wait for your book, hope its published and linked to your site to purchase asap!!

Anonymous said...

yeah it's off my bookmarks too...comment moderator aswell?
*sheesh* lame ass.

Anonymous said...

The end of an era. Your blog was really about writing, not about the cab. That you think the blog sucks now means that all your writing effort has gone to the book - which is good.

Anonymous said...

I bet the "Anonymous" people who are throwing the insults about the blog is actually the same person, wot a dick...anyway Melissa, we know your busy. C'mon, give her a brake, she's writing a book!

Watching from Ireland...best of luck!

Anonymous said...

I really am very sad I won't be able to be at your reading & I've never been interested in going to one of those before- I've been loving reading your blog, it's the only one of these I'm really consistent with. good luck tonight
I'm sure it'll be great! Look forward to reading more.

Anonymous said...

Hey MP, I really wish that I could attend your reading session. But, unfortunately my power has just been restored after 5 days of hell in Tonawanda. I just booted up & saw your blog w/the info. So kick ass and I'll be waiting to hear how it went. I know your posts are far and few between but they are worth waiting for. Love everyone that you write. Well here's to 2007.

Pow said...

I'm down in Florida so I can't make it.. But I still love your blog. You'll do well I'm sure!

Anonymous said...

Why do naysayers and detractors always sound as if someone owes them something! You've been "given" something for nothing yet that's not good enough? This gal owes you squat!!! Gee whiz get a grip, a life or go fuck yourself!!!! I would miss your stuff darlin', but thanks for what ya gave!

EverJack1 said...

Your blog never sucked, Melissa, and never will as long as you write it.

Good luck on the reading, and post to us when you can. :o)

EverJack1

Anonymous said...

Hello Melissa, DAMN couldn't listen online...oh well hope it goes good.


Peace

John said...

My daddy told me this bit of advice.Its the little people who put you there , be kind to them on the way up and they will remember you when you are on the way back dowm

John said...

Melissa, be kind to the little people when you are on the way up.
Then they will rember you and be kind to you when you are on the way down.
This is the way of the world.

Confusis he say.. girl who sits on brother in laws knee make thing hard for sister

Anonymous said...

they should assign you a wheelchair when you drive because this blog is definitely crippled.
It seems like you are just a writer that used being a cabbie to get noticed. Pretty cool , but its the writing about your experiences that are interesting , not your writing experience. Good luck to ya. May this blog RIP.

Anonymous said...

no your right this blog does suck

Anonymous said...

mellissa .this is what you need to know..my sister and i just did our weekend in nyc.we get to go every 2 yrs......you taught us so much..we had a blast..every time we needed a cab we hoped it would be you.....it wasn,t but we had a great time anyway.......take care mary from mass.

Anonymous said...

Its the blog that go you to your book, please start focusing on the blog again.

That way, when your book does come out, poeple will still 'know' who you are.

ingrid said...

Hey! By now you must have had the reading. Ihope you enjoy. you must have been very nervous. Tell us about it.
Don`t finish this blog.
Even this blog is for newyorkers I from Buenos Aires enjoy it . I learn from you and the comment. Oh , the comments are as interesting as different people can be.
Congrat. for your book. be safe.

ingrid said...

Hey! By now you must have had the reading. Ihope you enjoy. you must have been very nervous. Tell us about it.
Don`t finish this blog.
Even this blog is for newyorkers I from Buenos Aires enjoy it . I learn from you and the comment. Oh , the comments are as interesting as different people can be.
Congrat. for your book. be safe.

The Pirate said...

Wow! I'm amazed at the number of assholes sans a life that take the time to try to make you feel guilty for having a life and doing something positive for yourself, like writing a book. If your blog stops tomorrow, MOST of us will still be grateful for the effort it took to give us the interesting and entertaining months of posts and the inside look into your life as a NYC cabbie. THANKS MP!!!

Anonymous said...

write something.

Anonymous said...

Yep, it sucks....now. Seems that when you were writing it for the sake of writing you had interesting insights about human foibles and something to say. Now that you're looking to generate money and notoriety it's more about..you...and generating money and notoriety...with a real paucity of insights.

Anonymous said...

dear rick,
you are a douchebag. you don't pay for this blog. you have no claims to it. This is her shit and you just happen to tune in. MP has to pay her rent like everyone else and we should all be so lucky as to pay our rent off our passions. don't be a hater just because her success might not include you anymore. want to read more inciteful things on blogs? start one yourself!!

Anonymous said...

well ....it seems your life wasn't that interesting until you were driving a taxi for a job .... then you had an abundance of good and bad experiences that was of interest to yourself and amused and entertained the many. Now , well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but , you are back to being uninteresting. Please dont start a blog about being a writer , I might lose all faith in humanity... OK, pretty please....with sugar on top.

georgetheatheist said...

So...nothing to read on MP's blog?...well, an interesting way to while the time away till the next post is to visit THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE RADIO SHOW hosted by the greatest callers evah in Talkdom: John of Staten Island and Frank of Queens (www.therightperspective.com)

Anonymous said...

15 minutes is up....NEXT!

... said...

The assholes are funny... Hope it doesn't effect the way you think about yourself.

For what it's worth, you are a writer, and have already compiled a damn good book's worth of anecdotes.

Best wishes Melissa.

... said...

Now, click on my picture and come read my blog... the daily journal of a trans-Atlantic sailing voyage... and tell me if you think it's worth trying to publish.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I am glad that you have something to say... Many of us love what you say and how you say it... Please don't stop...

Wesley said...

Hey im a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand and have been there for almost two years. Ive been really missing home and my friend suggested I read your blog for some good American humor....I have totally loved it! Its made me laugh so hard! Thanks for a good cure to homesickness!!

Andi said...

I hope that your reading went well.

High Power Rocketry said...

: (

Anonymous said...

I'd still let you sit on my face

Jake Allen said...

hey girl,
Jake Allen from Journeys of Abigail here, I know how it is to post to a blog that people read. You feel a little guilty, like you should be putting out one post a day... every day. Not easy. I was posting twice a week, and now I am down to once a week. But my readers hang out and check in. I know you didn't mean that you think your blog totally sucks, you are saying that for our benefit.

Jake Allen said...

hey girl,
Jake Allen from Journeys of Abigail here, I know how it is to post to a blog that people read. You feel a little guilty, like you should be putting out one post a day... every day. Not easy. I was posting twice a week, and now I am down to once a week. But my readers hang out and check in. I know you didn't mean that you think your blog totally sucks, you are saying that for our benefit.

Rudy Zarsov said...

I read in one of your pars about your trip to Canada.
I love reading about americans first trip out of the US.
That astonishment that there is actually civilisation out of The US always amuses me.

Anonymous said...

You say your blog totally sucks now, but believe me that opinion will change when your book is released and you sell nothing. MP, you are totally insane if you are crashing this blog. There is a saying in the publishing world; "Don`t judge a book by its cover; Judge it by the attention"...I wrote a book myself 20 years ago, and I swear you have no idea how incredibly effin` hard it is going to be to get that attention once it is published. If I were you I`d be writing in this blog every 24 hours, literally! Any new writer with a sane mind would be holding on to this attention with two prongs and a pitchfork. You don`t believe me? I`ll check back on you 6 months from now.

Anonymous said...

from the looks of it, in 6 months you'll be checking an empty link.....he's right MP , you have cut the umbilical cord to your fans and as a medical coroner , I officially pronounce this sight dead. Damn shame . You should have given a shit .No pulse whatsoever...Clear.....still no pulse....looks like a flatline people...Damn shame.

Anonymous said...

Take a look!!
http://dublintaxi.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

OK so i think i need to remove New York Hack from my favorites, i don't think we will be hearing from Melissa anytime soon. It was nice while it lasted! You all that post comments entertained me as much as Melissa did. MP i wish all the best.

Peace,

P.S. I will check back to get name of book so MP don't forget to let us know :)

Anonymous said...

Ok...I am officially taking this sight off my favorites and banishing it to my recycle bin where it will perish ...i will print the deletion report of new york hack , burn it , and release the ashes in the wind the next time i am in a yellow taxi ....it is a good death . So if you are walking in the city and inhale a foul odor for a moment ...it is the decaying odor of this blog , may it rest in peace.
I think i might become a taxi driver and pick up where she left off , with great fans being ignored I will rise up and embrace the people who want to know the pulse of the city and laugh to the stories of the many who ride the yellow rockets through the greatest city in the WORLLLLLLLDDD!!!! ....or maybe I won't .

Anonymous said...

Where are you MP? How was the reading? Are you coming back to this blog?

Mucho Maas said...

mp, i didn't realize you ran over so many of your readers dogs! jeez ... well, i do miss your posts and i for one'll keep checking back till something pops up.

give kids some candy a few times then they throw rocks through your window when you stop.

Anonymous said...

mp, I think that everyone here just misses you so much!!! I am anxiously awaiting your next entry.

luke said...

Long live the hack! I just hope the book makes it to australia.

ps I totally suck at word verifications

High Power Rocketry said...

How much money have you made off this blog?

Anonymous said...

COME BACK!!!

ingrid said...

Did you say good by, see you, dont wait for me for a time?
You didn'T.
so I wait like a stupid for your next entry.

Anyway I wish you well.

Anonymous said...

Where have you been? Where are you? No posts for 2 weeks+......

Anonymous said...

Eh, come in, throw us a bone MP!!!

Anonymous said...

My hair is going gray ! plz update

Paradise Driver said...

Aloha MP

Missing your posts.

Even if you aren't driving hack, tell us what its like to write a book. Deadlines, impossible editors, etc. I am sure you haven't just crawled into a cubbie-hole, so maybe some tidbits about life in The City from a pedestrian's POV.

Jonesin' for any missive you can share.

And just ignore all those naysayers who want to degrade what you have done, that they are incapable of doing themselves.

Paradise Driver said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Help! I'm feeling abandoned!

Zee said...

stumble, stumble ... across your blog - cool!
don't forget to stop your taxi at a voting booth tomorrow, haha!

Anonymous said...

wassup, yo! wassit gonna be?me thinkith, you have abbandoned thee.. i do notsmoke. never did blow (well, there was a time...hehehe) wassupgirl, where did ya go?

fee, fi,fo, fum.... this blogand this poem are gettin dumb.

so, when you can write for me, tell me when the book is gona be...

if you can,drop the readers a line.... we all would feel that IT'S ABOUT TIME....get it?

what's up girlie? did you get married? where ya at? MISS YA

Zoe said...

Hey, I hope you get back to blogging soon, despite your book-writing. I miss reading your posts.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with some of the others. I think I'm done here, too. How true your last headline...will miss you.

Anonymous said...

Mellessa, writing is a lonely profession. So, do not be discouraged in doing your work.

Personally, I enjoy your writing.

DS said...

every one that is complaining that there is no posts you should be ashamed. What if she hit her head and has amnesia and forgot her pass word. What if she is wandering the streets of NY wondering who she is. No one would notice it is New York.

Maybe a coma, kidnapping, alien abduction. Etc

So maybe you should think of that.

Motoholic said...

MP, I've been following your blog almost from the very beginning and have really enjoyed it. I hope you will not give up on it. Writing a book must be very time-consuming, but a short post here every once in a while shouldn't be too hard and it will keep people interested in your work. Anyway, I will keep checking here, and when the book comes out I'll buy it. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Maybe her fingers are broken, que back story on how she borrowed from a loan shark to cover the costs of the ticket she recieved.

Anonymous said...

Ground control to Major Tom....

Anonymous said...

We know you are still here...you've been screening the comments. We miss you.

georgetheatheist said...

Forget about Plaut!...I miss the comments from "cabbiesreadthis"...whataguy!

Anonymous said...

You got a book deal based on a blog. And then you abandon what/who made you popular? Seems to me you're shooting yourself in the foot. You could have at least written something.

Anonymous said...

Riverbend Inn Niagara on the Lake

David Rogers & Ben Cole

Ian said...

photographers, please see www.locationz.net

monique said...

HELLO. I too drive cab in Toronto Ontario. Seems I am the only female driving one since everyone keeps telling me I am the first but there are more then people realize :) Nice to read some of your blog. Hope you keep blogging. Do you use a gps system? Cheers for now.