Cup of Chad

 

 

A few years ago, Oddball Magazine put one of my haikus on a mug for sale on their site. Due to the state of the world these past few years, I only tried to get one for myself recently. It finally came in this week. 

Consider grabbing one for yourself to help support the magazine and the Oddball Foundation. There's a link on the front page of my website.

People Who Wouldn't Leave Me Alone in 2023: Jason Wright

 

 

This is another friendship appreciation post in disguise, but I want to really point out that 2023 was when Jason Wright, Publisher of Oddball Magazine and President of The Oddball Foundation, kicked everything into overtime. The Oddball Festival, The Week That Was, the Gobble Wobble! He just hasn't stopped, and he insists on taking me along every step of the way. I'm grateful. Mostly. Though I'm glad we all got to rest in December.

The Oddball Foundation Gobble Wobble Commercial

See you this Saturday?

Come to the Gobble Wobble this Saturday, November 18

The Oddball Foundation will be giving away a free turkey for Thanksgiving and other prizes this Saturday on November 18 at Harold L Qualters Middle School in Mansfield Massachusetts from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

I'll be emceeing the day, but the event comes together with the work of Oddball Foundation's Jason Wright.

Click the link here for more information.

And check out the local ad from Jason here.

Oddball Show Presents The Week That Was for September 25-29, 2023

What happened last week at Oddball Magazine? Check the recap with Chad and Jason!

 

The Oddball Show: Different Just Like Us – A Conversation with Lori Mitchell

 

In this episode of Oddball Show, Jason Wright speaks with renowned Children’s Book Author, Illustrator, and Vitiligo Advocate Lori Mitchell, celebrated for her book Different Just Like Me. Lori and Jason discuss candidly just what influenced Lori to write this incredibly inspiring and groundbreaking book, and the effect it had on her family, her daughter April, and the world in general. A beautiful conversation on the power of gratitude and the gifts that come along with it, the resiliency of children, and what one inspired mother can do to empower her child to celebrate the differences that make us truly beautiful. Oddball Show is brought to you by Oddball Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit built to promote art and advocacy.

Eric Salt at the Oddball Festival

Eric Salt's new album In Leisure Car is a tribute to road trips. Take a listen to it before he takes another journey this summer to the Oddball Festival in Mansfield Massachusetts. 

On Sunday August 13 from 12-4 PM ET, we celebrate music, poetry, mental health and more at the Mansfield Arts Center on 888 South Main Street in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The event takes place outside and promises accessible parking spot and an accessible bathroom for any disabled attendees that require it. 

Click the link here to purchase a ticket. We hope to see you in the audience this weekend.

Erica Mantone at the Oddball Festival This Sunday

Multiple 2022 Boston Music Award nominee Erica Mantone is just one of the musicians performing at the Mansfield Arts Center on Sunday August 13 from 12-4 PM ET. Click the link here to purchase a ticket so you can be a part of it. 

Timothy Gager is Ready for the Oddball Festival

Timothy Gager is a champion. He's a bestselling author, a past runner in our Michael Cherry Memorial 5K, and an all around good guy. He'll be on deck this Sunday on August 13 at the Oddball Festival at the Mansfield Arts Center. Click the link here to purchase tickets and join us this weekend. 

C.C. Arshagra at the Oddball Festival

C.C. Arshagra combines poetry and music in such a way that it comes across as gospel. It is a must to hear him perform live at least once in your life, and he will be performing at the Oddball Festival this Sunday on August 13. Click the link here to purchase a ticket so you can join us this weekend. 

Be at the Oddball Festival this Sunday

Poets, musicians, mental advocates, games, raffles and more. Purchase tickets at the Eventbrite page link, and I will see you in Mansfield on Sunday.

See Me Emcee at the First Ever Oddball Festival on August 13

Thanks to Jason Wright and The Oddball Foundation for asking me to emcee this event on Sunday August 13 from 12-4 PM at the Mansfield Arts Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

​Organized by Jason Wright, this event boasts over 70 artists, poets, bands, artisans, food trucks, and games.

Guest poets include C.C. Arshagra, Timothy Gager.
​
Guest musicians include Eric Salt and Erica Mantone of Shifting Gearz Sound Healers and Sir Ian.

All that's asked is a $10 minimum donation.

You can sign up now on the festival's Eventbrite page.

Hope to see you there.

July 26: Stone Soup Poetry and Oddball Magazine Unite Once More

Jason Wright has long been associated with Stone Soup Poetry. tonight, he returns to plug some things. Not the least of those things is the upcoming Oddball Festival coming in August. More on that later this week. For now, let's enjoy each other's company and someone beside me barking on the mic.

Join us on July 26 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET by clicking this link.

The meeting ID is 853 5869 2224

Password: stonesoup 

The Oddball Show: Ann Bracken - When the System Crashes - You Crash The System

 

Jason interviews poet, mental health advocate, Mad in America journalist, and author Ann Bracken on Oddball Show, discussing poetry, speaking up when enough is enough, and crashing a system when that system crashes. Join the show and get a deep dive into Ann Brackens's new memoir: Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery. 

Throughout this engaging conversation, Ann delves into the importance of self-advocacy, exploring alternative healing methods, and the power of community support. Her captivating storytelling will transport you into her world, inviting you to question the prevailing norms of the mental health system and encouraging you to seek your own path to recovery. 

Whether you've experienced the challenges of mental health firsthand or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of the topic, this episode will leave you inspired, empowered, and equipped with valuable insights. Ann Bracken's journey serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all that recovery is possible and that we can find strength in our vulnerabilities. 

Remember to subscribe and share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who can benefit from this impactful discussion. Let's amplify the voices that inspire change!

New Addition

Put this sticker in my last journal in 2021. 

After Saturday, a new sticker for my new journal.

Good Feelings

Finished the touches on a statement from Oddball Magazine that's going out later this afternoon. So glad to even have even a miniscule part in putting it out there.

People Who Tolerated Me in 2021: Jason Wright

 

 

Jason put up with me a lot this year as I struggled to keep Oddball going. I appreciate him for keeping me in the loop as he continued to grow The Oddball Foundation and letting me get involved in The Michael Cherry Memorial 5K.I hope I get to be part of whatever happens next.

Things I Was Definitely Part of in 2021: The Oddball Foundation

 

In spite of last year's reservations, I am still a part of The Oddball Foundation. In fact, I am now its Vice President. What a world.

I have enough of an ego to think I deserved the title. However, I'm hoping my title doesn't last forever. 

Still, it's nice to be able to say I was Vice President of something in my lifetime.

Lingering Thought of the Day

For some time now, I've been in the position of Vice President of The Oddball Foundation.

 *HangChadParenteau

 

The Word Is Still Being Spread

Click here and here to learn about Oddball Magazine and The Oddball Foundation.