Hamilton Wrote… 51: A Look Back at my Writing since March
“Hamilton wrote the other 51!” shouted Aaron Burr, played by Leslie Odom, Jr., during a pinnacle song from Hamilton the musical. He had been referring to the Federalist Papers, a collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton as well as John Jay and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. They were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, forming the basis of our system of government almost two-hundred and fifty years later.
Back in October of 2024, I had begun to rediscover my intuitive passion for writing after harrowing traumas. I finally let my passions and experiences out of the cyclical nature of my mind and into the written word, forging a outlet to instill inner peace. I had published a post back in March detailing my writing thus far, culminating in my experience at a professional hockey game with my family. A lot has happened since then, as I will highlight in this reflective piece detailing the culmination of 51 essays and reviews.
After distressing news was revealed about Six to Start, creator of the Zombies Run app, I wrote a retrospective review of the long-running smartphone application. It was kickstarted as a fun way to instill motivation for running in a zombie apocalypse. It has morphed into a world-renowned fitness app that encompasses not only zombies but Marvel superheroes and other stories to help motivate anyone into a fitness lifestyle. Through an audio journey with twists, mystery, and ominous sounds, anyone can go on a virtual adventure, no matter where they are running or walking in the real world. As of right now, Six to Start is pausing new missions but the app is still usable. I hope that their parent company, OliveX, can find a buyer for Six to Start to ensure that these stories continue. But if not, the past 13 years have been phenomenally uplifting, pushing my exercise routines to new heights and allowing me to finish eight marathons, countless half-marathons, and many shorter races. It also has given me many experiences with so many lovely folks throughout the world, connecting about our mutual love of this app.
Later the following Tuesday, I wrote a five-minute speech, reading it in front of the Glens Falls Common Council. In the speech, I included updates from the Crandall Library regarding Federal funding distresses, promote the Glens Falls Hospital’s Aloha 5K in May, and my own thoughts on the tragic death of Michelle Mcfarren. Michelle was a local resident that tragically passed away, trapped in a sudden fire at a clothes donation bin overnight on March 5th. While the Glens Falls Police are still actively investigating with a planned meeting in August, the story was a shock to the small city of Glens Falls. The rumors exploded in the aftermath, with questions regarding the slow response of the overnight police force in responding to her emergency call. Ben Lapham, Ward 4 Councilperson, was the only member of the city to appear at a protest outside City Hall the following week. He has been the only outspoke councilman, with repeated calls to the Glens Falls Police Chief.
On Saturday that weekend, I watched a cult-classic film, Blade Runner, after a recommendation from a coworker. He was astonished that I had not seen it, so I was pressured to witness the acting career of a younger Harrison Ford. All in all, it was a good film, highlighting the philosophical dilemmas of artificial intelligence and a possible future if humanoids start to fight back control from humans.
The following weekend was certainly special, as I ventured into New York City to meet up with friends and my siblings to celebrate my 34th birthday. I wrote about our exquisitely divine adventures as well as my review of the Stranger Things Broadway show. The play itself is for mature audiences, with many jump scares, horrific depictions of dead bodies, and some language. But it brilliantly takes stagecraft to next levels. If you are a Stranger Things fan, I highly recommend heading to NYC to see it, with a note to snag an aisle seat for some very cool interactions during the show. As we await the delayed final season, Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway show is an excellent expansion of its origin story and is incredibly well done.
During those couple weeks, I had been exploring a new opportunity: collecting local signatures to get on the ballot for Glens Falls Ward 5 Councilperson. In the beginning of April, I had succeeded in gathering enough signatures, securing a spot on the ballot this November. I wrote an essay describing why I chose to run. While there is still five months until the election, it is shaping up to be an exciting journey, as I continue to learn about the city.
On my journey to learn about the history of Glens Falls, I met Wayne Wright, the city historian in April to peruse through old city charters. I gleamed some unique insights into an obscure bike regulation (since rescinded) and wrote a piece about it to help illuminate the history to others. Later that week, I symbolically repaired my high school regrets by venturing to the Glens Falls High School to watch their production of Prom the Musical. I heard about the musical performance from Pam Fisher, a wonderful person in the community whose daughter was in the starring role. I wrote about the story and its significance, especially in our tumultuous times.
In the middle of April, I attended a Glens Falls Common Council meeting where the councilors approved using some of the city’s funds to help Eric Unkauf, owner of the Shirt Factory building, disassemble and reassemble the South Street Pavilion. During public comment, Pema Reed read a very thorough and thoughtful journey into how she helped preserve the historic structure before it was torn down. Here is a link to her speech during the common council meeting if anyone is interested in viewing. After the meeting, I wrote about the history of the South Street Pavillion, person anecdotes related to the formal location of the Glens Falls Farmer’s Market, and recent history of the Shirt Factory. I look forward to new memories and events that will take place underneath its preserved structure. Our world is changing, our country is changing, our city is changing, and we are changing. We will persevere, acknowledging the past and strengthening the future together. It all starts with our voices.
A week later, I attended Easter mass at Saint Mary’s Church in Glens Falls with Michael, writing about my past religious experiences and my new understandings of Jesus. A couple days later, near National Arbor Day ironically, I learned and wrote about a local legend, Enid Mastriani, that had passed away last December. I learned that she founded the Glens Falls Community Garden back in 2009 and had continuously overseen its development. She worked or volunteered with many activist groups, from Welfare Warriers, Get Your Girl On, or Planned Parenthood, even organizing the Glens Falls Women’s March nearly ten years ago. Rest well, Enid. Your husband, family, and friends will continue to build upon your legacy and make the world a better place.
During the week, I submitted my first freelance article for a local publication, Buying Local formerly Glens Falls Business Report. I wrote about the fairly new bookstore in Glens Falls called “Just One More Chapter”. When I found out that the city would be unleashing a new bookstore last summer, I was excited about the continued development and flourishing of Downtown Glens Falls. The idea started with Ashley Brownell, and since her October 2024 opening, her and her husband have had unprecedented success. You can read more from my article on the BuyingLocal website.
I ushered at the Wood Theater on April 25th for the All-Abilities Production of Schoolhouse Rock Live, writing about the fantastically performed show and the importance of civics in our current political climate. I was moved to found out the next day that my post had been shared nearly a half-dozen times, with comments of appreciation from the production team. The following day, I wrote about the paradox of cleaning after helping out two organizations clean up various parts of Glens Falls. I learned about some solutions to the growing trash problem, noting that we need all of us to build a better, cleaner, and more sustainable world. All it takes is each one of us to change how we approach our lives, utilizing our individual and collective efforts to promote the solutions outlined. I believe we can do it, slowly but surely.
Later that week, I signed up for the Philly 10k, a local race in South Philadelphia that is gearing up for their 11th year. Creating a group for my grandfather, I wrote a little about his life, his impact in the world, and a call to action to join me for the race at the end of August. Following the crazy weekend of the Glens Falls Brewfest with my family in May, I wrote a review of the Accountant 2 that my brother, dad, and husband saw together. The movie helps to illuminate the profound strengths of neurodivergent minds across all age, abilities, and nationalities. It focuses on the story of an orphaned boy from a Salvadorean family, highlighting the true connection of humanity regardless of borders. Through an action-packed and heartfelt film, the audience is able to find compassion and empathy for those different than the norm. While one movie cannot change the political and social landscape all of us are living, it can be the first step for repairing our collective abilities to reconnect with each other and appreciate our differences.
Later in May, I wrote a two-pronged review of The Two Popes and Conclave. The Two Popes, a dramatized backstory and conversation between Pope Benedict with the eventual Pope Francis, and Conclave, a fictionalized but accurate portrayal of the Pope selection process, offer a modern expose on the changing tides of the Catholic church in the 21st century. Each film has a unique style, whether biographical, philosophical, or engaged as a political thriller, and the narratives transposed on screen offer a glance to the opaque view of the Vatican. In view of the recent death of Pope Francis and the ensuing procedure to elect Pope Leo the 14th, I will detail my thoughts and experiences watching both movies, enshrining the personally significant meanings that I felt throughout.
Michael and I ventured to a unique movie about Minecraft, writing a short review of the experience. Minecraft, the popular online, sandbox game, was officially released in 2011 after two years of public beta. It was started by Markus Persson, known as "Notch" online, as an open world, isometric, three-dimensional, and first-person RPG game that allows players the freedom to explore randomly generated worlds. When the game was purchased by Microsoft for $2.5 million dollars in 2014, it has sold five million copies worldwide and a movie adaptation was being developed by Warner-Bros. Though it took a while to develop, the Minecraft movie has finally been released in theaters. All in all, it was a delightful movie for any fans of Minecraft. It will leave fans smiling from nostalgic game references, Jack Black’s iconic musical interludes, and much more.
Michael and I also drove to the Malta Drive-In to watch the new Marvel movie, Thunderbolts. It was a special evening for his union, CSEA, or Civil Service Employee Association, allowing its members to enjoy a night at the movies for appreciation month. If you have not been to a drive-in movie theater recently, it is a wonderful treat to the nostalgic past. Once we parked and grabbed popcorn, soda, and candy, we unfolded our chairs, relaxing in front of the car as the sun started to set. The bright picture on the screen illuminated the movie, as the darkness settled around. As a Marvel film, I appreciated the unique way of bringing together a disparate group of people that finds a common enemy. Sometimes the folks we distrust at first will eventually become important to us. This film also helps illuminate audiences about the horrifying, though supernaturally depicted, effects of depression. It also provides an uplifting message of friendship and recovery, something that is wonderful to see on screen. If you or anyone you know are under the throes of depression, there is hope. You are never alone. Become the superhero you want to be in the world.
Near the end of May, I picked up Mark Frost’s first book from the Chapman Museum at a recent book sale, published in 1979; nearly 46 years ago. The wonderfully organized book is a compilation of selected articles and essays from Mark’s early career as a writer for the Post-Star, delving into the fall of the Paramount Theatre, the rise of the Glens Falls Civic Center, the trials of small business sabotage from New York State regulation, tales from young children at Jackson Heights, the excitement around the Baltimore Orioles, and many more intriguing but short essays. I wrote a review of his book, highlighting current developments in the city.
On May 31st, I ran the Glens Falls Hospital Aloha 5K race, a culmination of my mental health journey from September. I wrote about my experience and the history of Amanda’s House, a small home that provides accommodations for Glens Falls Hospital patients and their families who have traveled a distance for healthcare. The following weekend, Michael and I traveled back to his hometown for the funeral of my father-in-law, Arthur Biele. It was a lovely funeral service, where I met more of Michael’s family. I also delved into the online discussion boards that Arthur had posted in his younger years, before his mind succumbed to Altheimer’s disease. The following week, I published a personal memorial for him, sharing some of my memories of the limited time meeting him.
In the middle of June, I wrote a recollection of the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month so far. I had volunteered to help the Lower Adirondack Pride orchestrate their karaoke night, tasked to search and pull up karaoke lyrical videos for the performers. I was also at the Glens Falls Pride Fest, manning a table filled with free books, thanks to community donations for the Friends of Crandall Library. This year, the Pride Festival was being overlooked by the recently raised Pride flag near City Hall, a feat orchestrated by Lower Adirondack Pride President Cam Cardinale. Cam has been an outspoken queer person in the community for many years; and he is barely 21 years old!
Pride month may be halfway over, but the energy that reverberates within this community, as well as the world, is powerful and eternal. As Cam likes to say, we are not going anywhere. This year can be scary, with so many uncertainties and changes in store for America and the world. But remember to keep holding your head high; live to fight disinformation and despair. And keep showing up for your local community where it matters.
During the week, I submitted my second freelance article for the Buying Local publication, publicizing “Hub Glens Falls”, a new venture from Shane Johnson, Heather Johnson, and Chuck Copenspire. It is a collaborative workspace for remote professionals, freelancers, and creatives. Its goal of collaboration among creatives, small business owners, freelancers, and the community will continue to shine bright in the city. Be sure to visit their space and their website to learn more and plan a visit.
On Saturday, June 21st, I ran the Adirondack Runner’s Race to the Lakes 7-Miler, writing about my experience. I even linked to another blog, Laura of 50by25.com, who ran the 10-miler race, known as Adirondack Distance Run, which preceded the current race. Arriving home shortly after the race, I took a cool shower and got dressed to meet with friends at the Capital District Renaissance Fair. All of us had a wonderful time, exploring the local renaissance faire. If you are interested in the sublime culture of medieval times in the capital region, be sure to stop by the Capital Region Renaissance Festival next year. It normally takes place on two weekends in June.
The following day, while paddling in the Hudson River, I was struck with inspiration, deftly pulling out my waterproof notebook and writing a poem. I would later read it out loud at Wednesday’s Kitch-A-Vibe Talent Show. At the end of June, I attended the first summer concert series, performed by the Glens Falls City Band, writing about the various songs that permeated the city park and personal anecdotes from my own life.
On July 4th, I finished a piece about the state of the country, with unique voices that are often forgotten or overlooked. The United States of America, celebrating 249 years of independence from the tyranny of early British monarchy, is a collection voices that demand to be heard. Be a part of positive change, learn from others’ experiences, and mold a society that treats everyone with dignity and respect.
The following day, I wrote a short piece reflecting on childhood stuffed animals, after learning that my husband’s nearly 36-year-old plush toy representing Ernie from Sesame Street has a chosen birthday on July 5. I used the essay to share the philosophical ideas from Alain de Botton, co-founder of School of Life, allowing others to feel comfortable about their own inner child.
On the Sunday after a long, Independence celebration weekend, I finished a post about my experience running in the Saratoga Firecracker 4-Miler, a celebration of the country with runners around the area. I also detailed the rest of the day, from heading to the beach and spending time with friends. And the summer fun is not over yet. Michael and I are attending one of the Adirondack Theater Festival shows, Gutenberg the Musical, this weekend, as well as seeing the new Jerry Bruckheimer production of F1, at Regal Theaters. I am also finishing up a book review of the first three books of Branden Sanderson’s Mistborn series. I am mid-way through the third book, The Hero of Ages, enjoying the breathtaking world, intelligent character development, and unique magic throughout.
The rest of the year is also exciting, with a trip to the New Jersey shore in August, a wedding between my brother-in-law, Gabriel, and his fiancé, Becca, in October, and the end of my first local election on November 4th. Just like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s interpretation of Alexander Hamilton, I am “writing like I am running out of time”. But that is not entirely true. I am writing to help hone my ability to learn and talk about the world around, hopefully helping others find unique insights. Thanks for reading; it truly means a lot.
