Thursday, September 24, 2009

Firsts

The first day of teaching for me. Lots of the same students from my previous classes, so I must be doing something right, since they keep taking my courses.

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I had to wake up bloody early this morning. 6AM. It turns out I was right about my travel estimates--it takes me approximately 45 minutes to get from my doorstep to my parents' doorstep in Bellingham (they're babysitting L.). From there, it takes approx. 15 minutes to get to my office. And then my classes are all on the fourth floor across the quad, so by the time I've hit all the crucial points I need to hit prior to my teaching times, class begins.

Yes, minutiae, but I hate being late for things.

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My first class was my prose poem/short-short class. I spent the morning confusing students about genre . . . confusing myself, even.

My next class was my prosody/forms of verse class. The two courses couldn't be more different.

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I'm doing a big happy publication dance today.

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Current spin:

Ra Ra Riot. Love the skateboarding. Makes me feel nostalgic.

I have never skateboarded in my life, but the very act makes me nostalgic for a past I've never had. What does that say about me?

5 comments:

Keith Montesano said...

A dance from the new book still, or did you get some good poems snagged by a journal?

Oliver de la Paz said...

No, not the book. "Big Journal," opted to take two batches, one for Winter and one for Spring. It was the first time I ever submitted to "Big Journal" because I was always too scared to send them stuff. Finally, I got the nerve to do it and am very happy I did.

I'm still very nervous about sending stuff to "Prestigious Journal," "Notable Journal," and "Laudable Journal." This just might give me the kick in the pants that I need.

Keith Montesano said...

Well that rules. Congrats! Looking forward to hearing where they landed.

You're turning into a badass poem-producing machine.

P.S. What's Left to Burn is going out to contests in a few days. Cross your fingers for me?

Susan Allspaw Pomeroy said...

happy happy dance, O. I'm sure "Big Journal" is lucky to have them, although I've never thought of you as being nervous to send anywhere.

Oliver de la Paz said...

Sue, I do get nervous 'bout sending my work out. I mean, I care about the work I'm putting out there, I think it's only natural to fret about the poems . . . at least just a little.