Thursday, October 23, 2008
Kick Out the Jams
***
Today, I will attempt to convince several twenty-somethings that formal poetry is not only "good for you" but that it's possible to write a "kick-ass" pantoum.
I know this. You, dear reader, know this.
***
Going to a grant-writing workshop this Saturday. Frankly, I suck at writing grants and I need help.
***
As I mentioned on Facebook, I'll be spending a lot of time in the Midwest this coming winter (what's considered Midwest, by the way? Is Chicago Midwest?) I'll have stops in St. Louis, possibly Edwardsville, IL, Chicago, and Mankato, MN. That's not one trip . . . that's several different trips spread out over three months. Yeesh.
Now that I'm a dad, these trips are getting harder and harder to take. But take them, I must.
***
Currently reading Salvinia Molesta.
Currently listening to the above band, Orquestra de Casino de la Playa . . . but I'm also listening to Husker Du
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I've been a busy bee
Yes, that's L's Halloween costume, sans the feet from his pjs.
***
I mentioned that I was down in San Francisco for a wedding. It was a gorgeous affair. So many couples were getting married that day and shouts of joy echoed through the halls. Later, we partied. There was much to eat and drink.
For L's aunties who we love, Vote No on Proposition 8
***
I'm reading 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. I'm a sucker for big lists. What I like about this particular book is that in addition to the selected recording, Tom Moon also offers additional catalogue selections and then other artists who you might be interested in.
I've heard a lot of the rock/electronica/hip-hop/ and jazz collections. I'm really awful with the classical, country, and world music collections. Guess I'm not as well-rounded as I thought I was.
***
Teaching forms to undergrads isn't so bad . . . it's the workshopping that's difficult.
***
I mentioned that I was down in San Francisco for a wedding. It was a gorgeous affair. So many couples were getting married that day and shouts of joy echoed through the halls. Later, we partied. There was much to eat and drink.
For L's aunties who we love, Vote No on Proposition 8
***
I'm reading 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. I'm a sucker for big lists. What I like about this particular book is that in addition to the selected recording, Tom Moon also offers additional catalogue selections and then other artists who you might be interested in.
I've heard a lot of the rock/electronica/hip-hop/ and jazz collections. I'm really awful with the classical, country, and world music collections. Guess I'm not as well-rounded as I thought I was.
***
Teaching forms to undergrads isn't so bad . . . it's the workshopping that's difficult.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Off to a Wedding!
Off I go with M and L. to San Francisco for the weekend to see S & C get married. Be good!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Crappy Day
So, on top of having a cold and feeling generally lousy, I got rear-ended today with L. in the car. But not only did I get rear-ended, I rear-ended the car in front of me. I was stopped at the stoplight in a 4-way intersection when I got plowed into by a lady in an oldsmobile. Her front end's mashed up. My rear and front are a bit dinged--the front end got the worst of it with the imprint of a pick-up's hitching pole imprinted into my fender. The car's still drivable and no one was hurt, but what a pain in the ass. L. was screaming his head off after the impact, but he wasn't hurt. Just scared. Again, we're okay. Everyone's okay.
***
At least it's Wednesday. That means the week's half way through.
***
All that said, I need to pack for a trip to SF on Thursday. We're heading out to celebrate Mere's sister's wedding. Unfortunately we won't be in SF for long . . . in and out rather quickly and heavily scheduled. For those of you in the Bay Area, this is me waving to you.
***
I'm just miffed. That's all. This too will pass.
***
At least it's Wednesday. That means the week's half way through.
***
All that said, I need to pack for a trip to SF on Thursday. We're heading out to celebrate Mere's sister's wedding. Unfortunately we won't be in SF for long . . . in and out rather quickly and heavily scheduled. For those of you in the Bay Area, this is me waving to you.
***
I'm just miffed. That's all. This too will pass.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Poll on PBS
Courtesy of Chicky:
"PBS has an online poll posted asking if Sarah Palin is qualified.
Apparently the right wing knew about this in advance and are flooding the voting with YES votes.
The poll will be reported on PBS and picked up by mainstream media.
It can influence undecided voters in swing states.
Please do two things -- takes 20 seconds.
1) Click on link and vote yourself.
Here's the link: Click Here
2) Then send this to every single Obama-Biden voter you know, and urge them to vote and pass it on.
The last thing we need is PBS saying their viewers think Sarah Palin is qualified."
"PBS has an online poll posted asking if Sarah Palin is qualified.
Apparently the right wing knew about this in advance and are flooding the voting with YES votes.
The poll will be reported on PBS and picked up by mainstream media.
It can influence undecided voters in swing states.
Please do two things -- takes 20 seconds.
1) Click on link and vote yourself.
Here's the link: Click Here
2) Then send this to every single Obama-Biden voter you know, and urge them to vote and pass it on.
The last thing we need is PBS saying their viewers think Sarah Palin is qualified."
TGIF
I'm sitting in my home office glancing over my shoulder as I type this. L is in the co-sleeper fitfully sleeping. He'll doze for about 15 minutes, wake up crying, and then fall asleep again with assistance. So it's a little tough to do things around here during my "morning shift."
I've got this poem idea in my head and I've already got a title, but I ain't got time to deal with it. So I had to write out the title and save it on my hard drive, lest it float away into the ether.
Hold. The child awakens.
***
Okay, now that he's back asleep. Hi again.
***
Mornings are cold these days. I woke up and I could see my breath in the bedroom, so I suppose I need to turn up the heater (don't worry, kiddo's actually very warm). The leaves are turning colors here and I've got to find some time to clean off my roof and the gutters.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I tend to overheat. It might be hormonal. Anyway, I love Fall because I can wear just the right amount of clothing. I'm not a fan of shorts for daily wear. I'm a pants and sweaters kind of guy.
***
My parents have been looking for a house near us for the better part of four months. There are plenty of houses around here, what with the crappy market, but they can't seem to agree on what they want. It's driving me a little nuts. They actually put in bids for two houses (not at the same time) and they retracted both times. I feel for the realtor. Really, I do.
***
For some reason, I've been humming this song:
I've got this poem idea in my head and I've already got a title, but I ain't got time to deal with it. So I had to write out the title and save it on my hard drive, lest it float away into the ether.
Hold. The child awakens.
***
Okay, now that he's back asleep. Hi again.
***
Mornings are cold these days. I woke up and I could see my breath in the bedroom, so I suppose I need to turn up the heater (don't worry, kiddo's actually very warm). The leaves are turning colors here and I've got to find some time to clean off my roof and the gutters.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I tend to overheat. It might be hormonal. Anyway, I love Fall because I can wear just the right amount of clothing. I'm not a fan of shorts for daily wear. I'm a pants and sweaters kind of guy.
***
My parents have been looking for a house near us for the better part of four months. There are plenty of houses around here, what with the crappy market, but they can't seem to agree on what they want. It's driving me a little nuts. They actually put in bids for two houses (not at the same time) and they retracted both times. I feel for the realtor. Really, I do.
***
For some reason, I've been humming this song:
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Thursday, Thursday, Thursday
The weekend starts after I teach my classes today. Whew. It's been fairly busy, but I'm at that point in the quarter where I've got a bit of a rhythm with my classes and my schedule. That's always a good and comfortable thing. I know poor Mere is WAY busier than I am, so I feel guilty. If it's any consolation to her, I haven't been writing jack since I sent out my work. I've got a couple of essays I need to finish up. Maybe I can get to 'em this weekend.
***
I didn't like the Town Hall style debate. I thought it was fairly boring and a bit over-moderated as opposed to the prior debate which was under moderated. I kept hearing stump speeches and no actual . . . well, debate. Still, I do think Obama won the round. McCain looked rather old and seemed to have trouble walking as he entered the arena. And if I hear "My friends" one more time . . .
And WTH does "That One" mean?
***
Listening to:
***
I didn't like the Town Hall style debate. I thought it was fairly boring and a bit over-moderated as opposed to the prior debate which was under moderated. I kept hearing stump speeches and no actual . . . well, debate. Still, I do think Obama won the round. McCain looked rather old and seemed to have trouble walking as he entered the arena. And if I hear "My friends" one more time . . .
And WTH does "That One" mean?
***
Listening to:
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Feeling a Bit
overwhelmed these days. We're in the 3rd week of the quarter and poems are coming and going across my desk. I'm getting a lot of students visiting during my office hours to talk to me about their futures, grad school programs, etc., and in the meantime I've got poems to send out and grants to apply for--one of which I need to rewrite tonight.
Oh yeah, and then I have to be a fully attentive dad. I swear I'm getting so forgetful these days. I've been leaving things. I've been misplacing keys, wallets, etc.. And for those of you who know me, I'm usually quite together . . . anal, in fact.
Today, so that I could take a shower, I moved the exer-saucer into the bathroom. It's fine because L. loves his exer-saucer and he giggles while I'm doing my thing, so it's all good.
Sorry to complain. Okay. Back to it.
Oh yeah, and then I have to be a fully attentive dad. I swear I'm getting so forgetful these days. I've been leaving things. I've been misplacing keys, wallets, etc.. And for those of you who know me, I'm usually quite together . . . anal, in fact.
Today, so that I could take a shower, I moved the exer-saucer into the bathroom. It's fine because L. loves his exer-saucer and he giggles while I'm doing my thing, so it's all good.
Sorry to complain. Okay. Back to it.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Crisis
I've been quiet for a spell 'cause I've had visitors, but there are many things I've been chewing on for the past few days.
***
There are several reasons why Trickle-Down economics don't work. The idea that we provide benefits to the rich/wealthy suppliers and that their good fortune will "trickle-down" to the middle-class or the poor--it'll only work if there is no corruption at the top. What we so often see is the rich/wealthy selling to each other or providing each other benefits to keep each other on top.
Now, apply the theory of trickle-down economics to the arts . . .
***
Concerning Gov. Palin, and the debate . . . I'm a bit upset with Gwen Ifill. It seems to me that in some ways she allowed Palin to skirt the issues she was supposed to address in her allotted time. Rather, there was a lot dancing, highlighting, and bullet-pointing without any substance.
***
What's wrong with sounding "Professorial"? Personally, I want to elect someone who's smarter than me. Further, I don't want to be "best buddies" with my elected official. I want someone who can run a country and not someone who's my peer.
***
In lighter news, I'll be heading down to San Francisco for my Sister-in-law's wedding. Alas, I won't have time to mingle. We get into SFO at 10:30PM, the wedding's Friday, and then we had back home on Saturday. Maybe I can loiter in SF some other time.
***
I'm rereading Joseph Legaspi's IMAGO and I'm reading Meteoric Flowers by Elizabeth Willis.
I'm listening to Hot Chip, and Okkervil River, and The Knife.
***
There are several reasons why Trickle-Down economics don't work. The idea that we provide benefits to the rich/wealthy suppliers and that their good fortune will "trickle-down" to the middle-class or the poor--it'll only work if there is no corruption at the top. What we so often see is the rich/wealthy selling to each other or providing each other benefits to keep each other on top.
Now, apply the theory of trickle-down economics to the arts . . .
***
Concerning Gov. Palin, and the debate . . . I'm a bit upset with Gwen Ifill. It seems to me that in some ways she allowed Palin to skirt the issues she was supposed to address in her allotted time. Rather, there was a lot dancing, highlighting, and bullet-pointing without any substance.
***
What's wrong with sounding "Professorial"? Personally, I want to elect someone who's smarter than me. Further, I don't want to be "best buddies" with my elected official. I want someone who can run a country and not someone who's my peer.
***
In lighter news, I'll be heading down to San Francisco for my Sister-in-law's wedding. Alas, I won't have time to mingle. We get into SFO at 10:30PM, the wedding's Friday, and then we had back home on Saturday. Maybe I can loiter in SF some other time.
***
I'm rereading Joseph Legaspi's IMAGO and I'm reading Meteoric Flowers by Elizabeth Willis.
I'm listening to Hot Chip, and Okkervil River, and The Knife.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Currently Listening to . . .
Horse Feathers, Curs in the Weeds
****
The quarter is in full swing. We've been trying to figure out our child-care times. So basically there are a couple of days in the week where we pass the baby like a baton.
****
I've been keeping close tabs on the financial crisis. Madness. It really is.
****
In light of the madness with the housing market, my parents have decided that it's a good idea to buy a house.
It's true. My parents are planning to buy a retirement house nearby. That'll help with the kid-care, for sure, but our area's not cheap so I'm worried 'bout their savings.
****
In spite of all my worries I have not caught a cold . . . yet.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
If Your Strength is Foreign Policy . . .
. . . don't you think you should be able to say Ahmadinejad?
Also, shouldn't you know the name of the president of Pakistan?
Oh my.
Also, shouldn't you know the name of the president of Pakistan?
Oh my.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
And so it begins
The official start of the quarter was yesterday, but for me the teaching part starts today.
Two fun courses: ENG 460--Multi-genre, which I'm teaching as a conversation about prose poems, short-shorts, and lyric essay forms.
ENG 453--Advanced Poetry, which I always teach as a poetic forms class.
Fun abounds.
***
I'm listening to this and having fun. Every track is like playing "Name That Tune."
I'm also listening to these guys.
***
I'm still in the throes of submitting work. So far, 5 journals and they all take online submissions. I can't tell you how much time I've spent converting and compressing documents. I made the mistake of upgrading my Microsoft Office program to 2008, so I've been changing every .docx document BACK to .doc or .rtf
(sigh)
***
L. is with a babysitter for the first time. :-(
Two fun courses: ENG 460--Multi-genre, which I'm teaching as a conversation about prose poems, short-shorts, and lyric essay forms.
ENG 453--Advanced Poetry, which I always teach as a poetic forms class.
Fun abounds.
***
I'm listening to this and having fun. Every track is like playing "Name That Tune."
I'm also listening to these guys.
***
I'm still in the throes of submitting work. So far, 5 journals and they all take online submissions. I can't tell you how much time I've spent converting and compressing documents. I made the mistake of upgrading my Microsoft Office program to 2008, so I've been changing every .docx document BACK to .doc or .rtf
(sigh)
***
L. is with a babysitter for the first time. :-(
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
By the way . . .
I AM sim-subbing. This is a newish development. Before, I never simultaneously submitted my work. Now, because of the wonders of my magic spreadsheet, I can keep track of everything and color code poem packets.
Of course, if a journal doesn't want me to simultaneously submit work I've sent to them, I don't do it. I get it. It's work for them and if they like something of yours and you pull it after they've devoted space to you, they get pissed. I totally understand.
Happily, last year's endeavors with the spreadsheet were fruitful. I sent a total of 7 packets of poems ranging from 4-6 poems per packet. From those seven packets of poems, I had about 25 poems taken. Mind you, this is work I generated over 4 years and had finally sent out in one big shebang, so don't get uppity. ;-) It had been awhile since I sent out anything.
Anyway, I'm still in my office. I did NOT go to the gym. I wanted to make the most of my non-child-care time and take care of my professional life.
Of course, if a journal doesn't want me to simultaneously submit work I've sent to them, I don't do it. I get it. It's work for them and if they like something of yours and you pull it after they've devoted space to you, they get pissed. I totally understand.
Happily, last year's endeavors with the spreadsheet were fruitful. I sent a total of 7 packets of poems ranging from 4-6 poems per packet. From those seven packets of poems, I had about 25 poems taken. Mind you, this is work I generated over 4 years and had finally sent out in one big shebang, so don't get uppity. ;-) It had been awhile since I sent out anything.
Anyway, I'm still in my office. I did NOT go to the gym. I wanted to make the most of my non-child-care time and take care of my professional life.
Right now . . .
. . . I'm in my office at school and I'm arguing with myself. Should I walk across campus to the parking lot, drive to the gym, workout for an hour and a half, drive back to campus, and wait until 5:00PM? Or should I just sit here, read other people's blogs, and wait till 5:00PM?
***
This is a good album
***
Sending poems out today and tomorrow . . . RIGHT before the quarter gets crazy.
***
It's starting to get really cold. It was in the 30's this morning.
***
Hmmm . . . I should go to the gym.
***
This is a good album
***
Sending poems out today and tomorrow . . . RIGHT before the quarter gets crazy.
***
It's starting to get really cold. It was in the 30's this morning.
***
Hmmm . . . I should go to the gym.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Fall Harvest
Tonight we'll be headed to the annual Foothills Fall Harvest party where cider will be served and where perhaps performers from the Subdued String Band Jamboree may be performing.
We went to this shindig last year and it was tons of fun--lots of food and locals. If you haven't figured it out yet, I live out in the boonies.
***
At any rate, it's certainly Fall. The maples are starting to turn and it's becoming scarf weather. I have to say that Fall is actually my favorite season. I can't stand being too hot or too cold. And I love coats!
***
I've been following this AIG and Lehman Brothers collapse. Locally, we've also been dealing with the WaMu problems. I almost got a home loan from WaMu. Scary stuff, and even though I'm financed through a different lending institution I'm sure that it'll effect my loan in some way. Fingers crossed.
***
My goal is to send work out next week. Hold me to my goal please.
We went to this shindig last year and it was tons of fun--lots of food and locals. If you haven't figured it out yet, I live out in the boonies.
***
At any rate, it's certainly Fall. The maples are starting to turn and it's becoming scarf weather. I have to say that Fall is actually my favorite season. I can't stand being too hot or too cold. And I love coats!
***
I've been following this AIG and Lehman Brothers collapse. Locally, we've also been dealing with the WaMu problems. I almost got a home loan from WaMu. Scary stuff, and even though I'm financed through a different lending institution I'm sure that it'll effect my loan in some way. Fingers crossed.
***
My goal is to send work out next week. Hold me to my goal please.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
School Daze
Yesterday I had to stop many times for school buses unloading its cargo. We up at Western Washington U. haven't started classes yet, but to be sure, that day is coming in the next couple of weeks.
I'm always excited about school starting. This year, though, I expect some major adjustments will be in order. Meredith heads back to the classroom and we've been trying to adjust our schedules to accommodate L's needs as well as our own as active people. She's got her classes lined up for the mornings up until 12:00PM. I start at 12:00PM and go until 4:00PM. So basically, I'll have to take L. to school and pass him like a relay baton right at my classroom door. It's far from ideal and I'd rather have at least an hour between my class and Meredith's class, but such are the breaks.
At any rate, something will have to give and already I'm cutting back.
***
Back to the poem-a-day thing in August. It was quite productive for me and already I had three poems from that "celebration" picked up. The Chattahoochee Review will be publishing three of my "Self Portrait" poems. Very cool. Anyway, I need to start sending more of the poems out. The plan is to have everything off my desk by the end of the month . . . before the quarter is in full swing.
I owe Didi Menedez some poems and I fully plan on honoring my word. Sorry Didi, life happened. So did teething.
***
Forgot to mention that the reading at SAM went really well, and it was great seeing Shin Yu. We both read new work, which felt really good. I was nervous as all heck.
***
I've been breaking my own writing taboos lately, which has been refreshing.
***
Two classes for the Fall: ENG 453--Advanced Poetry Writing (I always teach this as a poetic forms class), and ENG 460--Multigenre: The Short Prose Form (A way for me to teach prose poems, short-shorts, and lyric essays).
***
On spin in iTunes:
Blitzen Trapper
Silversun Pickups
Bon Iver
Ra Ra Riot
Okkervil River
Admittedly I've been buying music . . . even though I have no money. Don't read this, Meredith.
I'm always excited about school starting. This year, though, I expect some major adjustments will be in order. Meredith heads back to the classroom and we've been trying to adjust our schedules to accommodate L's needs as well as our own as active people. She's got her classes lined up for the mornings up until 12:00PM. I start at 12:00PM and go until 4:00PM. So basically, I'll have to take L. to school and pass him like a relay baton right at my classroom door. It's far from ideal and I'd rather have at least an hour between my class and Meredith's class, but such are the breaks.
At any rate, something will have to give and already I'm cutting back.
***
Back to the poem-a-day thing in August. It was quite productive for me and already I had three poems from that "celebration" picked up. The Chattahoochee Review will be publishing three of my "Self Portrait" poems. Very cool. Anyway, I need to start sending more of the poems out. The plan is to have everything off my desk by the end of the month . . . before the quarter is in full swing.
I owe Didi Menedez some poems and I fully plan on honoring my word. Sorry Didi, life happened. So did teething.
***
Forgot to mention that the reading at SAM went really well, and it was great seeing Shin Yu. We both read new work, which felt really good. I was nervous as all heck.
***
I've been breaking my own writing taboos lately, which has been refreshing.
***
Two classes for the Fall: ENG 453--Advanced Poetry Writing (I always teach this as a poetic forms class), and ENG 460--Multigenre: The Short Prose Form (A way for me to teach prose poems, short-shorts, and lyric essays).
***
On spin in iTunes:
Blitzen Trapper
Silversun Pickups
Bon Iver
Ra Ra Riot
Okkervil River
Admittedly I've been buying music . . . even though I have no money. Don't read this, Meredith.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Farewell, Reginald Shepherd
The lovely and brilliant poet, teacher, and blogger Reginald Shepherd has passed away. He had been battling illness for quite some time. I've linked you to his last blog entry. Please say goodbye when you get a chance.
***
Manifest by Reginald Shepherd
***
Manifest by Reginald Shepherd
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Reading at the Seattle Art Museum
Hey y'all. I'll be reading with Shin Yu Pai at the Seattle Art Museum on Thursday, September 11th from 8:00-9:00PM.
Here's the info:
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Seattle Art Museum, South Hall
City/Town: Seattle, WA
Poetry reading with Oliver de la Paz & Shin Yu Pai
Shin Yu Pai is the author of Haiku Not Bombs (Booklyn Artists Alliance), Works on Paper (Convivio Bookworks), Sightings: Selected Works [2000 - 2005] (1913 Press, 2007), The Love Hotel Poems (Press Lorentz, 2006), Unnecessary Roughness (xPress(ed), 2005), Equivalence (La Alameda, 2003), and Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers (Third Ear Books, 1998). She is the recipient of awards from 4Culture and the Cambridge Arts Council.
Oliver de la Paz is the author of two collections of poetry, Names Above Houses, and Furious Lullaby, both published by Southern Illinois University Press. He is a co-chair for the advisory board of Kundiman, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, cultivation, and promotion of Asian American Poetry. A recipient of a NYFA Fellowship Award, his work has appeared or is forthcoming from many journals like the Quarterly West, The Virginia Quarterly Review, North American Review, Tin House and in anthologies such as Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation and Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and Beyond. He teaches creative writing at Western Washington University.
I hope you can make it!
***
I've been really busy with Fall Academic Advising. Students are starting to trickle in to my office hours and my e-mail's been saturated with questions about courses and the major, so sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.
On top of the job duties, there's the parenting duties and my futile attempts to maintain some balance. I'm sure it'll work itself out soon.
***
I haven't seen a theater movie in a month, which is a long time for me. Though, Netflix has been good of late. Got any recommendations?
***
I need to revise.
Here's the info:
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Seattle Art Museum, South Hall
City/Town: Seattle, WA
Poetry reading with Oliver de la Paz & Shin Yu Pai
Shin Yu Pai is the author of Haiku Not Bombs (Booklyn Artists Alliance), Works on Paper (Convivio Bookworks), Sightings: Selected Works [2000 - 2005] (1913 Press, 2007), The Love Hotel Poems (Press Lorentz, 2006), Unnecessary Roughness (xPress(ed), 2005), Equivalence (La Alameda, 2003), and Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers (Third Ear Books, 1998). She is the recipient of awards from 4Culture and the Cambridge Arts Council.
Oliver de la Paz is the author of two collections of poetry, Names Above Houses, and Furious Lullaby, both published by Southern Illinois University Press. He is a co-chair for the advisory board of Kundiman, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, cultivation, and promotion of Asian American Poetry. A recipient of a NYFA Fellowship Award, his work has appeared or is forthcoming from many journals like the Quarterly West, The Virginia Quarterly Review, North American Review, Tin House and in anthologies such as Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation and Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and Beyond. He teaches creative writing at Western Washington University.
I hope you can make it!
***
I've been really busy with Fall Academic Advising. Students are starting to trickle in to my office hours and my e-mail's been saturated with questions about courses and the major, so sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.
On top of the job duties, there's the parenting duties and my futile attempts to maintain some balance. I'm sure it'll work itself out soon.
***
I haven't seen a theater movie in a month, which is a long time for me. Though, Netflix has been good of late. Got any recommendations?
***
I need to revise.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Now back to your regularly scheduled cuteness.
See Title.
* * *
Done with the poem-a-day thing for August and I'm coming away with a knowledge of some habits and of the fact that I think I have a manuscript and a half between 2007 and this new 2008 material.
My habits/observations--when I'm in a rut, I fall back to cataloging lines or lists. Nothing wrong with this, but I know I get tired of what's going on and there's only so far I can take said catalog.
When I get stuck, I quit on a poem or I cannibalize it into another poem. Just an observation.
Writing in such a deliberate way became a chore and at many points, I hated the process--a community helps at this point, so I'm grateful for the five other poets who were doing this with me.
I only cheated once, otherwise thirty of the thirty-one days were filled with new work.
Mostly, I learned how hard but doable it is to create new work with an infant in the house. The bottom line--you need to have someone to support you, so thank you Meredith! You're a saint. Really really really.
* * *
Done with the poem-a-day thing for August and I'm coming away with a knowledge of some habits and of the fact that I think I have a manuscript and a half between 2007 and this new 2008 material.
My habits/observations--when I'm in a rut, I fall back to cataloging lines or lists. Nothing wrong with this, but I know I get tired of what's going on and there's only so far I can take said catalog.
When I get stuck, I quit on a poem or I cannibalize it into another poem. Just an observation.
Writing in such a deliberate way became a chore and at many points, I hated the process--a community helps at this point, so I'm grateful for the five other poets who were doing this with me.
I only cheated once, otherwise thirty of the thirty-one days were filled with new work.
Mostly, I learned how hard but doable it is to create new work with an infant in the house. The bottom line--you need to have someone to support you, so thank you Meredith! You're a saint. Really really really.
Friday, August 29, 2008
August Poem A Day
Once again, I'm writing a poem a day with a fabulous group of writers. I'm putting the poems in various states of completion up on my blog for added incentive.
Pressure works for me.
The poems will live here for the day. The poems will disappear within 24 hours.
*****
Poem draft for August 31:
*POOF!*
Pressure works for me.
The poems will live here for the day. The poems will disappear within 24 hours.
*****
Poem draft for August 31:
*POOF!*
A Happy Tale from Stacey
Congrats, Stace!.
***
Having my parents here has made quite a difference. I can actually enjoy my meals instead of wolfing them down. I can also get some writing, reading, and administrative work done.
They're actually here to not only visit their grandson, but to look for a retirement house, and I think they found one. Yay!
***
Books that came in the mail:
Mistaking the Sea for Green Fields
All-American Poem
Colesseum
Meteoric Flowers
Rimertown
Thanks for the book suggestions MB, PB, EM, & JC!
***
I've got 'bout 90 something pages of poetry that I've got to whittle down for a new something-or-other. As I've mentioned, I'm pretty sure I've got two books, one more finished than the other. I need to spread all my pages out on the floor and sort--figure out where the gaps are, and proceed from there.
***
Big debate/row involving translation in the Letters to the Editor section of Poetry Magazine. The links might not bring you to any text . . . suffice it to say that the fight's getting nasty.
***
Having my parents here has made quite a difference. I can actually enjoy my meals instead of wolfing them down. I can also get some writing, reading, and administrative work done.
They're actually here to not only visit their grandson, but to look for a retirement house, and I think they found one. Yay!
***
Books that came in the mail:
Mistaking the Sea for Green Fields
All-American Poem
Colesseum
Meteoric Flowers
Rimertown
Thanks for the book suggestions MB, PB, EM, & JC!
***
I've got 'bout 90 something pages of poetry that I've got to whittle down for a new something-or-other. As I've mentioned, I'm pretty sure I've got two books, one more finished than the other. I need to spread all my pages out on the floor and sort--figure out where the gaps are, and proceed from there.
***
Big debate/row involving translation in the Letters to the Editor section of Poetry Magazine. The links might not bring you to any text . . . suffice it to say that the fight's getting nasty.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Good Readers
I just finished up commenting on a friend's manuscript and I was surprised that she said she had never had so much feedback before. I actually felt like I didn't give her enough (3 pages, typed).
Often, I just call the friend who's sent the manuscript and we talk, which works too.
Maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to getting, say 2-3 pages of typed feedback from friends who've read my manuscripts. Now, I know not to expect that all the time, but it's happened enough times for me.
I've also gotten some good feedback on poems . . . not 2-3 pages, mind you, but lots of annotation. So I'm curious . . . what's the most feedback you've gotten on, say a manuscript of poems? I know it's a vague question, especially if feedback came in the form of conversations, but maybe you can distill that to a number--like an hour conversation, for example.
***
My parents are coming tomorrow. Yippee! Mere n' I would LOVE to be able to go to a restaurant without having to get up at least 3 or 4 times a meal.
***
Noticing some very bad habits with the poem-a-day thing. I've fallen in love with the catalog and I need to "break up" with it. So I'm reading lots and lots of long narrativish (yes, I know that's not a word) poetry.
***
Unseasonable weather. It's been in the mid to low 60's and rainy. Good for the dogwoods I planted. Bad for my bald head.
Often, I just call the friend who's sent the manuscript and we talk, which works too.
Maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to getting, say 2-3 pages of typed feedback from friends who've read my manuscripts. Now, I know not to expect that all the time, but it's happened enough times for me.
I've also gotten some good feedback on poems . . . not 2-3 pages, mind you, but lots of annotation. So I'm curious . . . what's the most feedback you've gotten on, say a manuscript of poems? I know it's a vague question, especially if feedback came in the form of conversations, but maybe you can distill that to a number--like an hour conversation, for example.
***
My parents are coming tomorrow. Yippee! Mere n' I would LOVE to be able to go to a restaurant without having to get up at least 3 or 4 times a meal.
***
Noticing some very bad habits with the poem-a-day thing. I've fallen in love with the catalog and I need to "break up" with it. So I'm reading lots and lots of long narrativish (yes, I know that's not a word) poetry.
***
Unseasonable weather. It's been in the mid to low 60's and rainy. Good for the dogwoods I planted. Bad for my bald head.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
A Cautionary Tale from Stacey
Welcome to the blogosphere, Stacey Lynn Brown who also serves up a cautionary tale.
***
Stacey's husband and my good friend, Adrian Matejka had his manuscript, Mixology chosen for the National Poetry Series! Congratulations!
***
My parents are coming this week . . . thank goodness. Meredith & I are in need of a minor rescue.
At least football season's starting up again.
***
Still dealing with the ebb n' flow of inspiration. Some days I want to do this poem-a-day thing, but most days I'm coming to the computer pretty spent. I'll keep at it. Only 7 more days . . .
***
Stacey's husband and my good friend, Adrian Matejka had his manuscript, Mixology chosen for the National Poetry Series! Congratulations!
***
My parents are coming this week . . . thank goodness. Meredith & I are in need of a minor rescue.
At least football season's starting up again.
***
Still dealing with the ebb n' flow of inspiration. Some days I want to do this poem-a-day thing, but most days I'm coming to the computer pretty spent. I'll keep at it. Only 7 more days . . .
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Jewel Box Poetry Series
Had a great time at the Jewel Box Poetry Series in Poulsbo, WA.
Here's the crew from L to R:
Me, Meredith, Lucas, Henry, Oskar, Sarah, Todd, and Jenifer.
Thanks to Jenifer for setting up the reading!
Here's the crew from L to R:
Me, Meredith, Lucas, Henry, Oskar, Sarah, Todd, and Jenifer.
Thanks to Jenifer for setting up the reading!
Wearing Out
Oh boy . . . I'm getting tired of writing a poem a day. I feel I started with quite the flourish, but now I'm laboring . . . my drafts are feeling more and more forced and my inner critic is getting more critical.
I'm going to persist, though. Maybe something workable will come from the schlock.
***
All that being said, I printed out all my pages and it's clear I've got a book and a half between what I've started here, and my other writings. I know it's two books because of the content and the tone. The half book is a lot darker and external while the whole book does have some darker poems, but also has junctures where the "I" doesn't take itself seriously.
For the "whole" book, I need a "pivot foot," to use a basketball term--a poem or an idea that allows the body of the book to rotate. Yes, there are several similar poetic sequences, but tonally, many of them are quite distinct.
***
I'm finding that it's easier for me to write narratives while donning a mask. Maybe that's my latent Catholicism preventing me to lie as myself.
***
Man, that VQR Book Series makes gorgeous books. Just read through Boy, now I'm reading Field Folly Snow. I had read The History of Anonymity, of course, and I love it. It's really interesting to see this book series come together. The voices are quite different, which is an admirable thing for a book series. The covers--lovely, and I wouldn't mind having a book published with that series.
***
I need to pick up a book that's highly lyrical--so much so that the narrative or the concept of the narrative is emotive. Weird request, I know, but got any recommendations?
***
I'm going to try to finish up my new prose poem project this September . . . I've got a ton of "Dear Empire" poems that need to be typed.
***
I want a Hershey's Dark Chocolate bar.
I'm going to persist, though. Maybe something workable will come from the schlock.
***
All that being said, I printed out all my pages and it's clear I've got a book and a half between what I've started here, and my other writings. I know it's two books because of the content and the tone. The half book is a lot darker and external while the whole book does have some darker poems, but also has junctures where the "I" doesn't take itself seriously.
For the "whole" book, I need a "pivot foot," to use a basketball term--a poem or an idea that allows the body of the book to rotate. Yes, there are several similar poetic sequences, but tonally, many of them are quite distinct.
***
I'm finding that it's easier for me to write narratives while donning a mask. Maybe that's my latent Catholicism preventing me to lie as myself.
***
Man, that VQR Book Series makes gorgeous books. Just read through Boy, now I'm reading Field Folly Snow. I had read The History of Anonymity, of course, and I love it. It's really interesting to see this book series come together. The voices are quite different, which is an admirable thing for a book series. The covers--lovely, and I wouldn't mind having a book published with that series.
***
I need to pick up a book that's highly lyrical--so much so that the narrative or the concept of the narrative is emotive. Weird request, I know, but got any recommendations?
***
I'm going to try to finish up my new prose poem project this September . . . I've got a ton of "Dear Empire" poems that need to be typed.
***
I want a Hershey's Dark Chocolate bar.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Reading this Sunday
I'll be reading this Sunday for the Jewel Box Poets Sunday Reading Series.
The reading will be at 3:00PM with the fabulous Sarah Vap. It'll be a real treat 'cause I'm such a fan!
Anyway, I'd love to see some of you there.
***
I'm watching the Olympics quite a bit. I mean, really . . . I stayed up late watching the clean & jerk. Crazy. I hear it's stunning in HD. I can't imagine what the opening ceremonies looked like in High-Def.
***
The geek in me wants to see this.
***
What are you listening to? Just curious.
The reading will be at 3:00PM with the fabulous Sarah Vap. It'll be a real treat 'cause I'm such a fan!
Anyway, I'd love to see some of you there.
***
I'm watching the Olympics quite a bit. I mean, really . . . I stayed up late watching the clean & jerk. Crazy. I hear it's stunning in HD. I can't imagine what the opening ceremonies looked like in High-Def.
***
The geek in me wants to see this.
***
What are you listening to? Just curious.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
How I Write
I've long said that I'm a binge writer--that I store up materials over a long period of time, digest them, and then spit 'em all out in a quick and furious burst.
I'm beginning to rethink that. Only one of the poems I've written in the past 6 days was from stored materials. The other poems just happened. I'd write a line or think of some scenario and suddenly "poof" out of curiosity I've pursued a poem to its end.
Yes--curiosity. I am at once surprised by lines that I'm writing and I'm curious about where they'll eventually take me.
I still write in poetic sequences--I'll pursue a trope, an idea, an image, a story, and I'll write several poems from that. I'm making a conscious effort this time to break up each day so that I'm alternating between lyrics and narratives.
So I'm feeling somewhat schizophrenic about the poems I'm writing--like I can't bite down to any one artistic series. But I'm also aware of the fact that it's allowing me to continue writing without fatigue. Again, a thing I've found when I've been writing poetic sequences at previous junctures: I'd get supremely bored of the sequence I was inhabiting.
One thing I know, however, is that I'm still a planner. I want my exercises to fit a scheme and I'm quite deliberate about the trajectories these August poems travel. I'm sure you've all noticed a pattern (if you're out there). In my mind, I think I'm working on two manuscripts, one that's very involved with the self and one that's political, darker, and from a distant POV. I can't see the lyrics I'm writing dwelling with the lyric-narratives of, say the Nocturne poems. (Oh god . . . I wrote a sequence of Aubades and now a sequence of Nocturnes? Kill me).
I realize I'm rambling but ain't that what blogs are for?
I'm beginning to rethink that. Only one of the poems I've written in the past 6 days was from stored materials. The other poems just happened. I'd write a line or think of some scenario and suddenly "poof" out of curiosity I've pursued a poem to its end.
Yes--curiosity. I am at once surprised by lines that I'm writing and I'm curious about where they'll eventually take me.
I still write in poetic sequences--I'll pursue a trope, an idea, an image, a story, and I'll write several poems from that. I'm making a conscious effort this time to break up each day so that I'm alternating between lyrics and narratives.
So I'm feeling somewhat schizophrenic about the poems I'm writing--like I can't bite down to any one artistic series. But I'm also aware of the fact that it's allowing me to continue writing without fatigue. Again, a thing I've found when I've been writing poetic sequences at previous junctures: I'd get supremely bored of the sequence I was inhabiting.
One thing I know, however, is that I'm still a planner. I want my exercises to fit a scheme and I'm quite deliberate about the trajectories these August poems travel. I'm sure you've all noticed a pattern (if you're out there). In my mind, I think I'm working on two manuscripts, one that's very involved with the self and one that's political, darker, and from a distant POV. I can't see the lyrics I'm writing dwelling with the lyric-narratives of, say the Nocturne poems. (Oh god . . . I wrote a sequence of Aubades and now a sequence of Nocturnes? Kill me).
I realize I'm rambling but ain't that what blogs are for?
It's a Knockout
KNOCKOUT LITERARY MAGAZINE POETRY CONTEST
Knockout, a print literary magazine that publishes a 50-50 mix of work by LGBTQ and straight authors, announces its first poetry contest. Judge: James Bertolino. Winner receives $100 gift certificate to Powell's Books (redeemable online) and publication of their winning poem. All poems submitted considered for publication in Knockout. Submissions of up to three poems of any length must be received by August 31, 2008. $5 entry fee per submission. Multiple submissions allowed. Simultaneous submissions allowed (with prompt notification if accepted elsewhere). For complete guidelines and for more information about Knockout, visit www.knockoutlit.org/contest.htm
Knockout, a print literary magazine that publishes a 50-50 mix of work by LGBTQ and straight authors, announces its first poetry contest. Judge: James Bertolino. Winner receives $100 gift certificate to Powell's Books (redeemable online) and publication of their winning poem. All poems submitted considered for publication in Knockout. Submissions of up to three poems of any length must be received by August 31, 2008. $5 entry fee per submission. Multiple submissions allowed. Simultaneous submissions allowed (with prompt notification if accepted elsewhere). For complete guidelines and for more information about Knockout, visit www.knockoutlit.org/contest.htm
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
An announcement and some aphorisms.
Barbara Jane has some news!
****
I'm feeling philosophical
****
This has been the summer of pedagogy essays. I've had multiple requests for essays on craft/essays on poetry/essays on the teaching of poetry.
I have this much to say--there are many things that I cannot teach. I can only hope to inspire.
****
Sometimes, writing while assisting in the care of an infant feels like having to mow the lawn or do the dishes. Yes, a chore.
Personally, when it comes to making a choice between creating art and being a father, I'll choose being a father.
****
Narratives tire me. I really hate listening to what I say. If I ever want to go to sleep I talk to myself.
****
When I put together a book of poems, I look for two things--tonal consistency and tonal dissonance. If a book is tonally consistent, I strive for a movement to disrupt the music. If a book is tonally dissonant, I impose an order, which may for a time be arbitrary.
Both requests are my downfall.
****
An artist should always strive to surround themselves with art--which is justification for my gigantic music and book collection.
****
In this summer of comic books to big screen, it's funny to see the marriage between so many films and comics become such a leading story in arts and entertainment circles--I've always recognized there was a relationship there: from the storyboarding process of comics to the storyboarding process of film. Both traditions are wedded so overtly and I see it happening in the poetic line as well.
*****
People wonder why is it that I talk about so little poetry on my blog--the answer is that I blog the most when I'm teaching (during office hours). The last thing I want to do is talk about more poetry. Yes, I love poetry, but sometimes I get tired of hearing myself talk.
Summers, of course, I start to miss the discussions. I also have the luxury of reading during the summer.
I just finished Insomniac Liar of Topo by Norman Dubie--one of my teachers at ASU. I love the man's work, though this book felt the most ethereal to me. My attention was stuttering, and I think that's mostly due to having one ear craning towards my son's co-sleeper.
****
I see myself gearing up for the poem a day exercise that I do every August . . . my mind is spinning.
****
I'm feeling philosophical
****
This has been the summer of pedagogy essays. I've had multiple requests for essays on craft/essays on poetry/essays on the teaching of poetry.
I have this much to say--there are many things that I cannot teach. I can only hope to inspire.
****
Sometimes, writing while assisting in the care of an infant feels like having to mow the lawn or do the dishes. Yes, a chore.
Personally, when it comes to making a choice between creating art and being a father, I'll choose being a father.
****
Narratives tire me. I really hate listening to what I say. If I ever want to go to sleep I talk to myself.
****
When I put together a book of poems, I look for two things--tonal consistency and tonal dissonance. If a book is tonally consistent, I strive for a movement to disrupt the music. If a book is tonally dissonant, I impose an order, which may for a time be arbitrary.
Both requests are my downfall.
****
An artist should always strive to surround themselves with art--which is justification for my gigantic music and book collection.
****
In this summer of comic books to big screen, it's funny to see the marriage between so many films and comics become such a leading story in arts and entertainment circles--I've always recognized there was a relationship there: from the storyboarding process of comics to the storyboarding process of film. Both traditions are wedded so overtly and I see it happening in the poetic line as well.
*****
People wonder why is it that I talk about so little poetry on my blog--the answer is that I blog the most when I'm teaching (during office hours). The last thing I want to do is talk about more poetry. Yes, I love poetry, but sometimes I get tired of hearing myself talk.
Summers, of course, I start to miss the discussions. I also have the luxury of reading during the summer.
I just finished Insomniac Liar of Topo by Norman Dubie--one of my teachers at ASU. I love the man's work, though this book felt the most ethereal to me. My attention was stuttering, and I think that's mostly due to having one ear craning towards my son's co-sleeper.
****
I see myself gearing up for the poem a day exercise that I do every August . . . my mind is spinning.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The New Face of Asian American Masculinity
Behold.
Here's me and Lucas (freshly shorn) heading back to the car after landing in Seattle. Not only am I lugging the son, but I'm also towing a suitcase and a backpack stuffed with a laptop.
***
Been catching up with life-stuff. You should've seen how overgrown the lawn was. I'm in Get-Your-House-In-Order mode: landscaping, responding to e-mails, sending out mail, etc., so if you've e-mailed me and I haven't gotten back to you, you're probably next on my e-mail reply list.
***
I haven't seen Dark Knight. :-( Maybe this week?
Here's me and Lucas (freshly shorn) heading back to the car after landing in Seattle. Not only am I lugging the son, but I'm also towing a suitcase and a backpack stuffed with a laptop.
***
Been catching up with life-stuff. You should've seen how overgrown the lawn was. I'm in Get-Your-House-In-Order mode: landscaping, responding to e-mails, sending out mail, etc., so if you've e-mailed me and I haven't gotten back to you, you're probably next on my e-mail reply list.
***
I haven't seen Dark Knight. :-( Maybe this week?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Notes from Isle of Palms, SC
I almost wrote Isle of Psalms. My dormant Catholicism is stirring.
***
Got here on Saturday and we'll be staying for a week in this exorbitant/extravagant beach house (8 rooms, 9 bathrooms, swimming pool, a walk from the beach). Among the many benefits of this house--three AC units, TV/DVD in each room and a main room 52" projection TV, wireless internet, fireplace, wood floors, granite counter tops, stainless steel fridge, freezer unit, two ovens, two dishwashers . . .
***
I had hoped to get a little bit of writing done, but the ocean keeps calling.
***
L. is not so fond of the ocean, but he likes the pool.
***
Got here on Saturday and we'll be staying for a week in this exorbitant/extravagant beach house (8 rooms, 9 bathrooms, swimming pool, a walk from the beach). Among the many benefits of this house--three AC units, TV/DVD in each room and a main room 52" projection TV, wireless internet, fireplace, wood floors, granite counter tops, stainless steel fridge, freezer unit, two ovens, two dishwashers . . .
***
I had hoped to get a little bit of writing done, but the ocean keeps calling.
***
L. is not so fond of the ocean, but he likes the pool.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Heading to South Carolina
We're off to S.C. this morning, making a quick stop in Athens, GA to see Mindy Wilson and Mike Mejia.
After, we'll stay with Meredith's 102-year-old grandmother for one night before heading off to the SC beaches.
I think the house we're staying in'll have an i-net connection . . .
After, we'll stay with Meredith's 102-year-old grandmother for one night before heading off to the SC beaches.
I think the house we're staying in'll have an i-net connection . . .
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Writing Itch
Still here in Atlanta . . . Douglasville to be more precise. Our support crew flies in today from San Francisco and elsewhere, so we'll have folks that can spell us relief from some of our childcare duties. Traveling with wee ones is hard, though it wasn't harder than I had originally anticipated. I think Mere and I have been adapting well. Some things have gone by the wayside--originally I was planning on making trips to the local gym--but they're not horribly important.
We've been hopping from visit to visit with either my friends or Meredith's friends, so it's been busy, but a good busy.
Today will be calmer, but Friday we head out for South Carolina. We'll see how the Peanut will do.
***
I'm getting the writing itch, as I mentioned in the title above. For those of you who know me, I'm a binge writer. I, for the most part, don't write until the summer and . . . it's summer. I plan on doing that poem a day thing in August that was so productive for me. Meantime, I'm reading lots of National Geographic magazines. I just got a subscription (it replaced my New Yorker subscription).
Currently, I've got two or three projects that are distinct from each other--they'd be impossible to combine into a single manuscript effectively. That's okay. I'm getting better at knowing what works with what. Hell, it's taken me ten years, but I'm getting better at it. I'm not sure if I can sustain work on any one project, but since I've got a few to choose from, I can keep myself preoccupied for a time.
I've also got a couple of pedagogy essays I need to conjure up, so I've got a full summer at the mid-point.
***
I'm rather excited about The X-Files: I Want To Believe. I had such a crush on Gillian Anderson who did rather excellent work on BBC's Bleakhouse.
It's okay, though. Mere has a crush on David Duchovny's character, Fox Mulder. I'm careful to make the distinction here.
We've been hopping from visit to visit with either my friends or Meredith's friends, so it's been busy, but a good busy.
Today will be calmer, but Friday we head out for South Carolina. We'll see how the Peanut will do.
***
I'm getting the writing itch, as I mentioned in the title above. For those of you who know me, I'm a binge writer. I, for the most part, don't write until the summer and . . . it's summer. I plan on doing that poem a day thing in August that was so productive for me. Meantime, I'm reading lots of National Geographic magazines. I just got a subscription (it replaced my New Yorker subscription).
Currently, I've got two or three projects that are distinct from each other--they'd be impossible to combine into a single manuscript effectively. That's okay. I'm getting better at knowing what works with what. Hell, it's taken me ten years, but I'm getting better at it. I'm not sure if I can sustain work on any one project, but since I've got a few to choose from, I can keep myself preoccupied for a time.
I've also got a couple of pedagogy essays I need to conjure up, so I've got a full summer at the mid-point.
***
I'm rather excited about The X-Files: I Want To Believe. I had such a crush on Gillian Anderson who did rather excellent work on BBC's Bleakhouse.
It's okay, though. Mere has a crush on David Duchovny's character, Fox Mulder. I'm careful to make the distinction here.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Sweet Tea
Met up with Stacey at this eating establishment in Atlanta.
We discussed the finer points of BBQ . . . the noun and not the verb.
We discussed the finer points of BBQ . . . the noun and not the verb.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Heading to Atlanta This Afternoon
Heading out across the U.S. once again. I'll be in Atlanta for the next five days and then from there, heading to South Carolina for Meredith's annual family reunion/beach trip.
While I'm in Atlanta, we'll catch up with the fabulous Stacey Lynn Brown.
I'm also hoping to get food at Mary Mac's.
L. is too young to enjoy the aquarium, though I want to see it. It'll just be tough carrying him around.
We'll also be heading over to Athens to catch up with some friends.
This year's trip should be quite busy!
***
I still haven't recovered from Kundiman. My sleep's a little off, so going back to EST might do the trick.
***
I hate it when Netflix movies start to pile up. It makes me feel like I'm not doing my job.
***
Poems soon. I've just been in motion.
While I'm in Atlanta, we'll catch up with the fabulous Stacey Lynn Brown.
I'm also hoping to get food at Mary Mac's.
L. is too young to enjoy the aquarium, though I want to see it. It'll just be tough carrying him around.
We'll also be heading over to Athens to catch up with some friends.
This year's trip should be quite busy!
***
I still haven't recovered from Kundiman. My sleep's a little off, so going back to EST might do the trick.
***
I hate it when Netflix movies start to pile up. It makes me feel like I'm not doing my job.
***
Poems soon. I've just been in motion.
Shout Out
To Meredith & Suzanne for surprising me with a TLC-style "While You Were Out" home office makeover.
This is part of the after pics. Those are most of my poetry books (some are in my office at school). The bottom shelf's reference.
This is part of the after pics. Those are most of my poetry books (some are in my office at school). The bottom shelf's reference.
Dry Wall is Good
Here, Suzanne & Meredith covered up the paneling with sheet rock. Looks better, doesn't it?
Before Picture III
My computer sat below the window. Here, it's in the process of getting dismantled for the makeover.
Before Picture II
That was the wall that now holds all those books. Note the horrifying wood paneling.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The 2008 Kundiman Fellows, Faculty, and Staff
The week came and went.
We "graduated" five Kundiman fellows.
We walked back and forth from Brown College to the Lawn.
We walked from the Lawn classrooms to the Cabell classrooms to the dorms to The Biltmore Grill.
We ate lots and lots of sandwiches.
We changed clothes many times because of perspiration.
We had equal weight and equal volume.
We had strawberries.
We had yogurt, though some had more yogurt than others.
We had lessons from Bei Dao.
We had lessons from Tan Lin.
We had lessons from Aimee Nezhukumatathil.
We had a night of sing-alongs.
We had cupcakes.
We had all you can eat from China King Buffet.
Anything else?
We "graduated" five Kundiman fellows.
We walked back and forth from Brown College to the Lawn.
We walked from the Lawn classrooms to the Cabell classrooms to the dorms to The Biltmore Grill.
We ate lots and lots of sandwiches.
We changed clothes many times because of perspiration.
We had equal weight and equal volume.
We had strawberries.
We had yogurt, though some had more yogurt than others.
We had lessons from Bei Dao.
We had lessons from Tan Lin.
We had lessons from Aimee Nezhukumatathil.
We had a night of sing-alongs.
We had cupcakes.
We had all you can eat from China King Buffet.
Anything else?
You Want a Knuckle Sandwich With Those Fries?
Yeah, I served hamburgers at the retreat. Believe me, if I didn't, it would've taken forever for everyone to get their order.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Staffers Unite!
2008 Kundiman Staff, from L to R:
Vikas Menon, Jennifer Chang, Sarah Gambito, Oliver de la Paz, Joseph Legaspi.
Vikas Menon, Jennifer Chang, Sarah Gambito, Oliver de la Paz, Joseph Legaspi.
Translation Reader
I read the translated versions of Bei Dao's poems. I probably butchered the poems.
Translation Cupcakes
We gave away cupcakes to anyone who translated a poem from another language into English.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Delays, Thunderstorms, Withering Heat
I've been traveling all day, so I'm tired. I'm still in the airport and my flight to B'ham is delayed just a little bit. That's been the case for all my travel arrangements this past week into and out Charlottesville, VA.
I'll tell you more about the retreat, but right now I'm quite tired.
***
This group just exited an airplane. Everyone was tanned. I wonder where they went.
***
People are beginning to really get on my nerves. I need to go home.
***
Yeah.
I'll tell you more about the retreat, but right now I'm quite tired.
***
This group just exited an airplane. Everyone was tanned. I wonder where they went.
***
People are beginning to really get on my nerves. I need to go home.
***
Yeah.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Kundiman 2008
I'm getting ready to head to the airport for my flight to Charlottesville, VA. I'll be heading to the 2008 Kundiman Retreat. I've only missed one retreat and it killed me.
I'll be blogging from there for the next few days.
***
Sad to leave L for so long, but luckily Meredith's sister came up from SF to help.
He's sucking his thumb now . . . ruh roh.
***
I see the third manuscript. It's right there, it's just in bits and pieces that need clear transitional pieces to conjoin them into the cohesive whole
Maybe that work can get done sometime this week.
I'll be blogging from there for the next few days.
***
Sad to leave L for so long, but luckily Meredith's sister came up from SF to help.
He's sucking his thumb now . . . ruh roh.
***
I see the third manuscript. It's right there, it's just in bits and pieces that need clear transitional pieces to conjoin them into the cohesive whole
Maybe that work can get done sometime this week.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Testing New Browser
***GEEK ALERT***
I'm in the process of messing around with two new internet browsers--Firefox and Flock. So far, Flock is fun, but Firefox wins the speed contest. It's much better than Safari or IE.
***
Woke up this morning and "repaired" my flooded chainsaw engine.
I then cut up a big log that was rolled up on our lawn.
Don't worry . . . I won't write a poem about it.
***
I want to write a poetry review entirely in Hulk-speak:
HULK NOT LIKE BOOK! HULK THINK LINE BREAK NEED MORE BREAK! HULK SMASH LINE BREAK! HULK SMASH!
I'm in the process of messing around with two new internet browsers--Firefox and Flock. So far, Flock is fun, but Firefox wins the speed contest. It's much better than Safari or IE.
***
Woke up this morning and "repaired" my flooded chainsaw engine.
I then cut up a big log that was rolled up on our lawn.
Don't worry . . . I won't write a poem about it.
***
I want to write a poetry review entirely in Hulk-speak:
HULK NOT LIKE BOOK! HULK THINK LINE BREAK NEED MORE BREAK! HULK SMASH LINE BREAK! HULK SMASH!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The World is Cute But Cruel
We caught this baby possum sneaking food from our bird feeders. He was a cute little guy.
Notice the past tense usage. We had been trying to get the critter to run away before Jake found him, but we were too late.
I'll spare you the gory details. Meredith screamed. I chased Jake around the yard. Things got ugly.
***
How about this latest issue of Tin House for your summer reading?
***
21,583 songs on iTunes for a final tally. Thank goodness that's over.
***
Midseason Finale of BSG has left me waiting anxiously for the next round. It was a bit of a choppy episode, but I liked the "payoff."
***
Notice the past tense usage. We had been trying to get the critter to run away before Jake found him, but we were too late.
I'll spare you the gory details. Meredith screamed. I chased Jake around the yard. Things got ugly.
***
How about this latest issue of Tin House for your summer reading?
***
21,583 songs on iTunes for a final tally. Thank goodness that's over.
***
Midseason Finale of BSG has left me waiting anxiously for the next round. It was a bit of a choppy episode, but I liked the "payoff."
***
Friday, June 13, 2008
"Final" Count
18,564 Songs. That's 73.06 Giga Bytes of music. And I know of two incomplete albums off the top of my head. I'll also be snagging Meredith's song collection from her iTunes album--she's got a lot more world stuff.
My iPod is only half way full which is why I got the 160GB in the first place. Take that Best Buy jerk.
****
Heading out to Portland OR today. Behave yourselves.
My iPod is only half way full which is why I got the 160GB in the first place. Take that Best Buy jerk.
****
Heading out to Portland OR today. Behave yourselves.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Funniest Song Title I Just Discovered While Uploading
"Too Much Pork For Just One Fork." Southern Culture on the Skids.
Still Uploading
I'm still dumping CD's into my iTunes.
Right now, the song count is 18489. I'm surprised about a number of CD's that hadn't been previously uploaded--my Yaz albums, for instance. Yeah, I liked Yaz. That was back in my Depeche Mode days--speaking of which, it's interesting to listen to DM again and hear how poorly they've aged . . . at least to my ears.
I was surprised that I hadn't uploaded Weezer's first album, the blue one.
I had no idea that I had so many Tom Waits albums.
Gosh, and remember The Mightly Lemon Drops? The Wild Swans? The Trash Can Sinatras? The House of Love? Neither did I, but I apparently have their albums. Nirvana/Grunge blew up that scene completely.
So who survived the synth pop years? There are very few bands still going from that era, but the two major players from my record collection are U2 and R.E.M., probably because they were wise enough to keep reinventing themselves. Perhaps that also has to do with their skills.
What's also surprising to me is to see how the grunge movement truly died with Kurt Cobain. Pearl Jam's the only thing still going, though some might count STP as still active.
Makes me wonder what musical acts will survive this new internet age, now that music is disseminated in this "new" medium. Soulja Boy? MIA?
***
Remodeling project for this summer: my office. Right now there's some nasty wood panelling which I'm going to cover with drywall. I'm also going to scrape the popcorn off the ceiling and paint the room a brighter color. Instead of bookcases, which I have now, I'm going to install a shelving rack system which will give me more space.
I'm vacillating between colors--white or a light sky blue.
***
Yes, I'll be writing this summer. I promise. I might do the poem a day thing that I did last August which was quite productive for me. Of the 31 poems written in that month, I think 3/4 of 'em got picked up in journals. That's really a good percentage. Goes to show you that not writing for 11 months can be useful.
(disclaimer: Students who read this blog, do not pay attention to the above paragraph. I am exaggerating.)
***
Baby L is gigantic. I've styled his hair into a mohawk. He's sleeping in his sling, completely unaware of his hair transformation. I think it looks cool. If I had hair, I'd style it into a mohawk too.
Right now, the song count is 18489. I'm surprised about a number of CD's that hadn't been previously uploaded--my Yaz albums, for instance. Yeah, I liked Yaz. That was back in my Depeche Mode days--speaking of which, it's interesting to listen to DM again and hear how poorly they've aged . . . at least to my ears.
I was surprised that I hadn't uploaded Weezer's first album, the blue one.
I had no idea that I had so many Tom Waits albums.
Gosh, and remember The Mightly Lemon Drops? The Wild Swans? The Trash Can Sinatras? The House of Love? Neither did I, but I apparently have their albums. Nirvana/Grunge blew up that scene completely.
So who survived the synth pop years? There are very few bands still going from that era, but the two major players from my record collection are U2 and R.E.M., probably because they were wise enough to keep reinventing themselves. Perhaps that also has to do with their skills.
What's also surprising to me is to see how the grunge movement truly died with Kurt Cobain. Pearl Jam's the only thing still going, though some might count STP as still active.
Makes me wonder what musical acts will survive this new internet age, now that music is disseminated in this "new" medium. Soulja Boy? MIA?
***
Remodeling project for this summer: my office. Right now there's some nasty wood panelling which I'm going to cover with drywall. I'm also going to scrape the popcorn off the ceiling and paint the room a brighter color. Instead of bookcases, which I have now, I'm going to install a shelving rack system which will give me more space.
I'm vacillating between colors--white or a light sky blue.
***
Yes, I'll be writing this summer. I promise. I might do the poem a day thing that I did last August which was quite productive for me. Of the 31 poems written in that month, I think 3/4 of 'em got picked up in journals. That's really a good percentage. Goes to show you that not writing for 11 months can be useful.
(disclaimer: Students who read this blog, do not pay attention to the above paragraph. I am exaggerating.)
***
Baby L is gigantic. I've styled his hair into a mohawk. He's sleeping in his sling, completely unaware of his hair transformation. I think it looks cool. If I had hair, I'd style it into a mohawk too.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Finishing up
The last of the grades today as well as the last of the advising here on campus.
***
It's been overcast & rainy for the past few weeks. I'm looking forward to a respite from the dreary weather, although my rhododendrons & witchhazel could use the extra drizzle. Things are opening.
***
Heading to Portland, OR this weekend to see my parents & the relatives on my father's side. A 1.5'er is graduating high school as a valedictorian.
***
No idea what to get my dad for Father's Day. . . oh my god. It'll be my first Father's Day!!
***
It's been overcast & rainy for the past few weeks. I'm looking forward to a respite from the dreary weather, although my rhododendrons & witchhazel could use the extra drizzle. Things are opening.
***
Heading to Portland, OR this weekend to see my parents & the relatives on my father's side. A 1.5'er is graduating high school as a valedictorian.
***
No idea what to get my dad for Father's Day. . . oh my god. It'll be my first Father's Day!!
Monday, June 09, 2008
Partly Cloudy with a Slight Chance of Frustration
I'm uploading all of my CD's to iTunes. A task which has taken me several months to accomplish. Not only do I have a lot of CD's, I'm short on time. What's frustrating is that iTunes doesn't always upload the artwork to the albums, so I have to go online, grab the picture, and then drag it onto the file batch for the album. It's such a pain.
Thus far, I'm in the 16,000 range in song count and I've gone through 4 out of 7 crates.
***
End of the quarter is officially today. My students turn in their portfolios. Yay. And you students who are reading this, I know you're happy too.
***
We took the baby to a party this Saturday and what was surprising was that he didn't freak out at all. Lots and lots of my colleagues carried him and not once did he cry about it.
Of course, when he got home he freaked a little.
***
I've been listening to Shearwater quite a bit. Jonathan Meiburg sounds a little like Mark Hollis from Talk Talk.
Thus far, I'm in the 16,000 range in song count and I've gone through 4 out of 7 crates.
***
End of the quarter is officially today. My students turn in their portfolios. Yay. And you students who are reading this, I know you're happy too.
***
We took the baby to a party this Saturday and what was surprising was that he didn't freak out at all. Lots and lots of my colleagues carried him and not once did he cry about it.
Of course, when he got home he freaked a little.
***
I've been listening to Shearwater quite a bit. Jonathan Meiburg sounds a little like Mark Hollis from Talk Talk.
Friday, June 06, 2008
I'm famous and I'm on YouTube
Poor students. At least there are puppets!
I like puppets.
I'm flattered. Really, I am.
***
Classes are OVER!
***
I've got a bowl full of M & M's in front of me. Green's the best.
I like puppets.
I'm flattered. Really, I am.
***
Classes are OVER!
***
I've got a bowl full of M & M's in front of me. Green's the best.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Good boy, Jake.
He's going to say "hold still." And then he's going to say, "good dog."
Gosh darn it . . . I AM a good dog. I'm not sure I like thing on my back, though . . .
I DO like beef jerky, though.
Gosh darn it . . . I AM a good dog. I'm not sure I like thing on my back, though . . .
I DO like beef jerky, though.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Who do you love?
I walk 47 miles of barbed wire,
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made from rattlesnake hide,
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of a human skull . . .
Tell me the man wasn't a poet. RIP Bo Diddley
***
Also RIP Yves Saint Laurent.
It was indeed a rough weekend for the arts.
***
Speaking of rough . . . the kiddo had his 2 month immunizations. Poor thing howled from 5:00PM to 11:00PM. I feel terrible. :-(
***
I rejoined Netflix. I've come to realize that there ain't no way I'm going to be able to watch movies the way I USED TO watch movies. So far I've watched dreck--Beowulf and The Transformers. Look, my argument to watch crappy blockbusters is that it's research. Besides, I spend 9 months out of the year trying to be an intellectual . . . once in awhile I like watching things blow up.
Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what I should put in my queue. Any suggestions? My range is wide.
***
Last week! Last week! Last week!
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made from rattlesnake hide,
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of a human skull . . .
Tell me the man wasn't a poet. RIP Bo Diddley
***
Also RIP Yves Saint Laurent.
It was indeed a rough weekend for the arts.
***
Speaking of rough . . . the kiddo had his 2 month immunizations. Poor thing howled from 5:00PM to 11:00PM. I feel terrible. :-(
***
I rejoined Netflix. I've come to realize that there ain't no way I'm going to be able to watch movies the way I USED TO watch movies. So far I've watched dreck--Beowulf and The Transformers. Look, my argument to watch crappy blockbusters is that it's research. Besides, I spend 9 months out of the year trying to be an intellectual . . . once in awhile I like watching things blow up.
Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what I should put in my queue. Any suggestions? My range is wide.
***
Last week! Last week! Last week!
Monday, June 02, 2008
Last Week of Classes
I'm draggin'. So are my students. Thankfully, the Spring quarter ends this Thursday for me. It's tough teaching when there's a baby in the house.
Anyway, the last official day for me will be Monday the 9th, when students turn in their portfolios. It'll be good to get back into writing again. Generally, I don't write during the school year . . . that is, I don't write with any consistency. I've been prolific in the summers. I suppose it's my coping mechanism.
Students . . . and I know some of you read this blog . . . try to write everyday if you can. At least a line. Don't be like me.
***
Meredith got a sexy new iMac. It's got a nice 20" flat screen and the DVD drive's right to the side. It's running on an Intel processor and it's so much faster than the laptop I'm blogging from right now.
It's kind of sick, but we're a 3 mac family. I've got my G5 tower, this G4 Powerbook, and now Meredith's iMac. I'm a diehard Mac geek.
Consequently, I updated all the computers so they're running the new Office 2008 suite as well as Leopard. Things are running smoothly so far.
***
Saw the new Indiana Jones movie. I feel for Harrison Ford. He looked . . . tired. That's not to say I didn't enjoy myself, though it's the weakest of the four, IMO.
Next on the summer movie list for me is The Incredible Hulk.
By the way, did you all stay after the credits for Iron Man? Quite a nice teaser . . . Comic book geeks, you may have to watch the movie again just for the nice little sneak peak.
God, I love popcorn movies.
***
People have been asking me what I've been working on, and it's hard to describe. I'm working on 3 things, though not at the same time. I know they're three projects because they're all so tonally different. It's the first time I've ever had the opportunity to work like this.
***
My chainsaw is broken. :-(
Anyway, the last official day for me will be Monday the 9th, when students turn in their portfolios. It'll be good to get back into writing again. Generally, I don't write during the school year . . . that is, I don't write with any consistency. I've been prolific in the summers. I suppose it's my coping mechanism.
Students . . . and I know some of you read this blog . . . try to write everyday if you can. At least a line. Don't be like me.
***
Meredith got a sexy new iMac. It's got a nice 20" flat screen and the DVD drive's right to the side. It's running on an Intel processor and it's so much faster than the laptop I'm blogging from right now.
It's kind of sick, but we're a 3 mac family. I've got my G5 tower, this G4 Powerbook, and now Meredith's iMac. I'm a diehard Mac geek.
Consequently, I updated all the computers so they're running the new Office 2008 suite as well as Leopard. Things are running smoothly so far.
***
Saw the new Indiana Jones movie. I feel for Harrison Ford. He looked . . . tired. That's not to say I didn't enjoy myself, though it's the weakest of the four, IMO.
Next on the summer movie list for me is The Incredible Hulk.
By the way, did you all stay after the credits for Iron Man? Quite a nice teaser . . . Comic book geeks, you may have to watch the movie again just for the nice little sneak peak.
God, I love popcorn movies.
***
People have been asking me what I've been working on, and it's hard to describe. I'm working on 3 things, though not at the same time. I know they're three projects because they're all so tonally different. It's the first time I've ever had the opportunity to work like this.
***
My chainsaw is broken. :-(
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
A rescue
Alas, two other eggs were lost when this nest toppled from atop our log pile in the woodshed.
Meredith has seen the mother robin.
I'm sorry, mother robin. I'm really really sorry.
Meredith has seen the mother robin.
I'm sorry, mother robin. I'm really really sorry.
This guy
. . . has been keeping me really busy.
*****
I've got a reading this week. Here's the info:
Central Washington University
Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Oliver de la Paz
Author of two collections of poetry: Names Above the Houses and Furious Lullaby. He is a recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship and Names Above the Houses was a winner of the Crab Orchard Award Series.
Location: Mary Grupe Center
*****
I've got a reading this week. Here's the info:
Central Washington University
Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Oliver de la Paz
Author of two collections of poetry: Names Above the Houses and Furious Lullaby. He is a recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship and Names Above the Houses was a winner of the Crab Orchard Award Series.
Location: Mary Grupe Center
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
More on the Long Poem
I'm looking specifically at North American long poems and I'm leaning towards more contemporary works, though the Moderns are okay.
So far your contributions:
Nathaniel Mackey--"Song of the Andoumboulou"
James Merrill--"The Book of Ephraim"
Mark Strand--"Dark Harbor"
H.D.--"Helen in Egypt"
WCW--"Patterson"
Anthony Hecht--"The Transparent Man"
Ann Carson--"Glass Essay" or "Autobiography of Red"
T.S. Eliot--"The Four Quartets"
Harriet Mullen--"Muse & Drudge"
Alice Notley--"The Descent of Alette"
Rita Dove--"Thomas & Beulah"
Wallace Stevens--"Notes for a Supreme Fiction"
Gertrude Stein--"Tender Buttons"
G.C. Waldrep--"The Batteries"
Walt Whitman--"Song of Myself"
Allen Ginsberg--"Howl"
What about:
Claudia Rankine--"Don't Let Me Be Lonely"
Galway Kinnell--"The Book of Nightmares"
Ezra Pound--"The Cantos"
John Berryman--"The Dreamsongs"
Derek Walcott--"Omeros"
And then there's the whole issue of what's teachable in a span of 10 weeks (we're on the quarter system here at WWU). . .
Now, these would be great books for a lit seminar, but this course is going to be taught as a workshop. What then? How do you teach a sustained meditation on a subject, keeping in mind the complexities of graduate student life?
***
Workshopping a long poem . . . I remember there were folks in my grad school days that would bring in excerpts of their long poems for workshop. We wanted to smack those people upside the head.
***
Lovely, lovely Killarney Clary. We're reading her in my prose poem class. No, she's not easy to pin down . . . especially on the heels of Edson and Simic collections. But man I dig her work.
***
Bruce Beasley: "How's it going man?"
Me: "Good, 'cept I'm not writing."
Bruce Beasley: "That's okay. I mean, how're you going to write with all your new responsibilities?"
Me: "Yeah, you're right."
Bruce Beasley: "Very few poets can write when they have new babies in the house . . . except Sylvia Plath. Don't be like Sylvia Plath."
So far your contributions:
Nathaniel Mackey--"Song of the Andoumboulou"
James Merrill--"The Book of Ephraim"
Mark Strand--"Dark Harbor"
H.D.--"Helen in Egypt"
WCW--"Patterson"
Anthony Hecht--"The Transparent Man"
Ann Carson--"Glass Essay" or "Autobiography of Red"
T.S. Eliot--"The Four Quartets"
Harriet Mullen--"Muse & Drudge"
Alice Notley--"The Descent of Alette"
Rita Dove--"Thomas & Beulah"
Wallace Stevens--"Notes for a Supreme Fiction"
Gertrude Stein--"Tender Buttons"
G.C. Waldrep--"The Batteries"
Walt Whitman--"Song of Myself"
Allen Ginsberg--"Howl"
What about:
Claudia Rankine--"Don't Let Me Be Lonely"
Galway Kinnell--"The Book of Nightmares"
Ezra Pound--"The Cantos"
John Berryman--"The Dreamsongs"
Derek Walcott--"Omeros"
And then there's the whole issue of what's teachable in a span of 10 weeks (we're on the quarter system here at WWU). . .
Now, these would be great books for a lit seminar, but this course is going to be taught as a workshop. What then? How do you teach a sustained meditation on a subject, keeping in mind the complexities of graduate student life?
***
Workshopping a long poem . . . I remember there were folks in my grad school days that would bring in excerpts of their long poems for workshop. We wanted to smack those people upside the head.
***
Lovely, lovely Killarney Clary. We're reading her in my prose poem class. No, she's not easy to pin down . . . especially on the heels of Edson and Simic collections. But man I dig her work.
***
Bruce Beasley: "How's it going man?"
Me: "Good, 'cept I'm not writing."
Bruce Beasley: "That's okay. I mean, how're you going to write with all your new responsibilities?"
Me: "Yeah, you're right."
Bruce Beasley: "Very few poets can write when they have new babies in the house . . . except Sylvia Plath. Don't be like Sylvia Plath."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Planning ahead
I've been asked to be a poet for a number of panel proposals for the upcoming Chicago AWP conference in 2009. Funny that I phrase it that way, since I haven't quite felt like a poet for awhile. I've been a father and a teacher for the better part of a month, and I'm feeling a little out of sorts.
My ruminations on my title have me "chewing" on other things as well--genre, for instance. I'm teaching a graduate level class on the prose poem . . . a form (form?) at which I'm supposedly expert. Whomever has said such things has probably got the wrong guy. What can I tell you about the prose poem? That it's shorter than a short story? That sometimes there's no story? Maybe that often there's no plot in them and that they're given to economy in their language? To me, a prose poem is like pornography--I know it when I see it. I suppose that makes it difficult for me to feel like I'm imparting knowledge on my grad students . . . that I'm creating more issues for them as up and coming writers.
And now, I've been asked to propose a course for next year's graduate students and I've decided to teach a seminar on the long poem. How's that for messing with some heads?
***
Speaking of long poems, do we still highly regard the work of James Merrill? If I were to teach a course on the long poem, should I include The Changing Light at Sandover?
Additionally, there are a number of contemporary poets who are in the midst of a long-poem project that's yet to be completed. Brenda Hillman, for example, is still working on a poetic sequence involving the "primary" elements--earth, wind, fire, water. So far, I think she's dealt with water and wind . . . not sure, though. And Marvin Bell's Dead Man poems. I don't think he's quite finished with that project yet, despite what he tells the public.
Who else?
***
My parents visited last weekend, spelling us some relief. It's still work to have company over, but having folks who can handle a baby at a restaurant really helps us relive our personhood.
***
I want to see Iron Man, but free time is at a premium these days.
***
What's up?
My ruminations on my title have me "chewing" on other things as well--genre, for instance. I'm teaching a graduate level class on the prose poem . . . a form (form?) at which I'm supposedly expert. Whomever has said such things has probably got the wrong guy. What can I tell you about the prose poem? That it's shorter than a short story? That sometimes there's no story? Maybe that often there's no plot in them and that they're given to economy in their language? To me, a prose poem is like pornography--I know it when I see it. I suppose that makes it difficult for me to feel like I'm imparting knowledge on my grad students . . . that I'm creating more issues for them as up and coming writers.
And now, I've been asked to propose a course for next year's graduate students and I've decided to teach a seminar on the long poem. How's that for messing with some heads?
***
Speaking of long poems, do we still highly regard the work of James Merrill? If I were to teach a course on the long poem, should I include The Changing Light at Sandover?
Additionally, there are a number of contemporary poets who are in the midst of a long-poem project that's yet to be completed. Brenda Hillman, for example, is still working on a poetic sequence involving the "primary" elements--earth, wind, fire, water. So far, I think she's dealt with water and wind . . . not sure, though. And Marvin Bell's Dead Man poems. I don't think he's quite finished with that project yet, despite what he tells the public.
Who else?
***
My parents visited last weekend, spelling us some relief. It's still work to have company over, but having folks who can handle a baby at a restaurant really helps us relive our personhood.
***
I want to see Iron Man, but free time is at a premium these days.
***
What's up?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Falling Behind and Catching Up
I feel like I'm falling way behind with things, which I've been told, is a normal feeling when one lives with a baby. I'm beginning to attribute this sense to a lack of sleep. I've always been a light sleeper, and now my weird sleeping habits are getting the best of me.
Even nights when it's not my job to be the diaper changer, I wake up suddenly at regimented times--1:30AM, 3:30AM, 5:30AM. And it's not even the baby's fault. I wake, check him, and he's sound asleep.
I figure it's my mind working overtime. I've got poems in my head, but I can't really catch a time to sit at my desk. All of this is okay, I figure. Summer'll be here and my scholastic obligations will taper off.
***
Last week's episode of BSG is on my DVR and has not been touched. I'll try to watch it tonight . . .
I've been engrossed in NBA playoff basketball. I so want the Suns to do well, but that's not been the case thus far.
***
Listening to the following artists lately:
Eef Barzeley
Shearwater
Lyrics Born
Okkervil River
Elbow
M.F. Doom
Even nights when it's not my job to be the diaper changer, I wake up suddenly at regimented times--1:30AM, 3:30AM, 5:30AM. And it's not even the baby's fault. I wake, check him, and he's sound asleep.
I figure it's my mind working overtime. I've got poems in my head, but I can't really catch a time to sit at my desk. All of this is okay, I figure. Summer'll be here and my scholastic obligations will taper off.
***
Last week's episode of BSG is on my DVR and has not been touched. I'll try to watch it tonight . . .
I've been engrossed in NBA playoff basketball. I so want the Suns to do well, but that's not been the case thus far.
***
Listening to the following artists lately:
Eef Barzeley
Shearwater
Lyrics Born
Okkervil River
Elbow
M.F. Doom
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Did you get your T-shirt?
Lookie here: Rigoberto swag.
I'm going to order one today.
***
Mere and I are experimenting with sleep schedules. Last night was my night to sleep and it was wonderful. Tonight . . . I'm on poop patrol.
***
I wish I were participating in NaPoWriMo this year. I have to say, it was good to me last year. Of the 30 poems I wrote, 'bout ten of 'em found homes in journals and in online pubs. That's a bunch for me, and the writing was fruitful.
I've been reading the stuff the current participants are writing . . . I'm so jealous.
***
Sun!
I'm going to order one today.
***
Mere and I are experimenting with sleep schedules. Last night was my night to sleep and it was wonderful. Tonight . . . I'm on poop patrol.
***
I wish I were participating in NaPoWriMo this year. I have to say, it was good to me last year. Of the 30 poems I wrote, 'bout ten of 'em found homes in journals and in online pubs. That's a bunch for me, and the writing was fruitful.
I've been reading the stuff the current participants are writing . . . I'm so jealous.
***
Sun!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Sleepless near Seattle
Baby L kept us up last night. Day is night and night is day to him. So, I plopped him in a sling-carrier and walked from one end of the house to the other for two hours.
Hello, fatherhood.
***
The new quarter has begun and I'm, once again, reunited with my old friend, the prose poem. I'm teaching it slightly differently from when I had first taught the course in 2005. It'll be more workshoppy, if you will.
***
Been listening to these guys for a couple of weeks now. Hot.
Hello, fatherhood.
***
The new quarter has begun and I'm, once again, reunited with my old friend, the prose poem. I'm teaching it slightly differently from when I had first taught the course in 2005. It'll be more workshoppy, if you will.
***
Been listening to these guys for a couple of weeks now. Hot.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
My son
I'm going to take this down very shortly for safety reasons.
In the meantime, I'd like you to meet my son, Lucas. He's quite unhappy here, but wouldn't you be after 38 hours of labor?
It was quite an ordeal for Meredith, and I won't go into many details so publicly. At any rate, the outcome was a good one--healthy mother, healthy baby.
I slept for the first time in two nights last night, but from what everyone tells me, I won't be getting much more for the next year or so.
Anyway, thanks for all your notes of encouragement while Mere and I were waiting.
In the meantime, I'd like you to meet my son, Lucas. He's quite unhappy here, but wouldn't you be after 38 hours of labor?
It was quite an ordeal for Meredith, and I won't go into many details so publicly. At any rate, the outcome was a good one--healthy mother, healthy baby.
I slept for the first time in two nights last night, but from what everyone tells me, I won't be getting much more for the next year or so.
Anyway, thanks for all your notes of encouragement while Mere and I were waiting.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
In the Interest of Full Disclosure
. . . there's still no baby. So, I've been busying myself with preparing for the next quarter and planting trees, shrubs, and rhododendrons. I'll tell you when he's here, believe me. :D
We're also hosting my mother-in-law, so I've been a little preoccupied.
***
Last season of BSG on April 4th. What the frak is up with that picture?
***
I'll be reading with the poet Lorna Crozier on April 5th at 7:30 in the Lucia Douglas Gallery, 1415 13th St., Bellingham, WA, as part of the Whatcom Poetry Series, so if you're local and you're reading this, come on down.
***
This weather sucks. Two minutes ago, it was sunny. Now it's snowing. C'mon now.
We're also hosting my mother-in-law, so I've been a little preoccupied.
***
Last season of BSG on April 4th. What the frak is up with that picture?
***
I'll be reading with the poet Lorna Crozier on April 5th at 7:30 in the Lucia Douglas Gallery, 1415 13th St., Bellingham, WA, as part of the Whatcom Poetry Series, so if you're local and you're reading this, come on down.
***
This weather sucks. Two minutes ago, it was sunny. Now it's snowing. C'mon now.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Weird toys
Joseph Legaspi forwarded this bizarre link:
Most Baffling Toys from Around the World
My soon-to-be-born son will not have any of these things.
The toys I had when I was a kid--clicky
****
Chilling out in my office . . . *whistles*
****
Mother-in-law is coming tomorrow. I have to clean the house. I may skip heading into town tomorrow to scrub scrub scrub.
****
A couple of poems got accepted today. Yay!
Most Baffling Toys from Around the World
My soon-to-be-born son will not have any of these things.
The toys I had when I was a kid--clicky
****
Chilling out in my office . . . *whistles*
****
Mother-in-law is coming tomorrow. I have to clean the house. I may skip heading into town tomorrow to scrub scrub scrub.
****
A couple of poems got accepted today. Yay!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Hmmmm
The Sylvia Plath Effect
****
Students are turning in finals. Yay me! I'm glad this quarter's over, and I'm looking forward to the next one. I'll be teaching a grad course on the prose poem. Right in my wheel-house.
***
Watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age last night. Not as good as the first one, of course. At times I felt like I was getting hit over the head with the romantic intrigues. Still, Cate Blanchett looked fabulous in plate mail.
***
Scary Pictures
***
The sun! The sun!
****
Students are turning in finals. Yay me! I'm glad this quarter's over, and I'm looking forward to the next one. I'll be teaching a grad course on the prose poem. Right in my wheel-house.
***
Watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age last night. Not as good as the first one, of course. At times I felt like I was getting hit over the head with the romantic intrigues. Still, Cate Blanchett looked fabulous in plate mail.
***
Scary Pictures
***
The sun! The sun!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Nothing Yet
For those of you who are wondering whether Mere's given birth, I say to you, "Not yet."
***
We're bustling around trying to get our winter quarter wrapped up. I've been inputting grades from this past quarter, and I've also been preparing the house and the yard a little bit. The house definitely needs some "Spring Cleaning" before the newest member of the house settles in.
***
Saturday, planted three rhododendrons, two azaleas, and eighteen Douglas Fir saplings. There's been much rain up here lately, which is a good thing.
Anyway, my mother-in-law is arriving on Thursday, and I think I might make her garden a little while we wait for the wee-one.
***
I've moved to the guest bedroom because Meredith is sleeping with Chet (her gigantic man-sized pillow). There's no room for me and all that fluffiness.
***
We're bustling around trying to get our winter quarter wrapped up. I've been inputting grades from this past quarter, and I've also been preparing the house and the yard a little bit. The house definitely needs some "Spring Cleaning" before the newest member of the house settles in.
***
Saturday, planted three rhododendrons, two azaleas, and eighteen Douglas Fir saplings. There's been much rain up here lately, which is a good thing.
Anyway, my mother-in-law is arriving on Thursday, and I think I might make her garden a little while we wait for the wee-one.
***
I've moved to the guest bedroom because Meredith is sleeping with Chet (her gigantic man-sized pillow). There's no room for me and all that fluffiness.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Pug Vader Revisited
Joannie tagged me.
She explains that it's from an old Hemingway bet. Leave it to Papa.
From her blog:
Here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4. Tag five more blogs with links
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
My six-word autobiography:
I was wicked, but got better.
Now I tag Sandra, Cornshake, Paul, Helene, and H.A..
She explains that it's from an old Hemingway bet. Leave it to Papa.
From her blog:
Here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4. Tag five more blogs with links
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
My six-word autobiography:
I was wicked, but got better.
Now I tag Sandra, Cornshake, Paul, Helene, and H.A..
Thursday, March 06, 2008
House A-Kilter
Chaos in the homestead. Currently, our painter friend is removing the popcorn from our ceilings and repainting our dining and living room. That means all the furniture from said rooms is in our den.
I'm generally a grumpy guy when it comes to space and space issues. I like my stuff where my stuff is supposed to be. Now, I can barely squeeze past the sofa that's blocking the door to the carport.
This too shall pass, though. The painter's going to be finishing up today.
***
By the way, I've gotten really good at installing drywall. Poets, if you need me to surround you in sheet rock, I'm your guy.
***
Poetry? What's that? I've gotten so good at compartmentalizing my worlds, but I've left little room/time for it. Such a shame. Part of the issue is that I've been putting out small fires in my creative writing program. I suppose that's one of the occupational hazards. And with the baby coming . . . ruh roh.
A grad student passed by my office and gave me writing advice, which is funny, but informs me about my current state. He has an infant daughter and suggested waking up really early to get some writing done. Of course, that doesn't leave much room for sleep, but from what I've been told, I won't be getting much sleep anyway.
Poet parents, though, are a wonderful bunch. I've been getting all kinds of advice from both colleagues and friends from the poetry world.
I do know this much . . . something will have to get squeezed out and it can't be poetry for much longer. I've been taking inventory of my day and it's kind of frightening how much time I waste. I'm a highly functional human being in the morning. Much of my blog is composed then. I also frequent the gym either at mid morning or a little after noon on days that I'm not teaching. My teaching block's roughly five hours. But it's that time around 6PMish that I piss away. My brain's wiped from grading, teaching, etc.. My guess is that I'll need to retrain myself . . . break free of my current schedule.
Anyway, things are going to change. They have to.
***
Been listening to Post Rock stuff lately. I didn't really know that the music had a category, but . . . there you go.
I'm generally a grumpy guy when it comes to space and space issues. I like my stuff where my stuff is supposed to be. Now, I can barely squeeze past the sofa that's blocking the door to the carport.
This too shall pass, though. The painter's going to be finishing up today.
***
By the way, I've gotten really good at installing drywall. Poets, if you need me to surround you in sheet rock, I'm your guy.
***
Poetry? What's that? I've gotten so good at compartmentalizing my worlds, but I've left little room/time for it. Such a shame. Part of the issue is that I've been putting out small fires in my creative writing program. I suppose that's one of the occupational hazards. And with the baby coming . . . ruh roh.
A grad student passed by my office and gave me writing advice, which is funny, but informs me about my current state. He has an infant daughter and suggested waking up really early to get some writing done. Of course, that doesn't leave much room for sleep, but from what I've been told, I won't be getting much sleep anyway.
Poet parents, though, are a wonderful bunch. I've been getting all kinds of advice from both colleagues and friends from the poetry world.
I do know this much . . . something will have to get squeezed out and it can't be poetry for much longer. I've been taking inventory of my day and it's kind of frightening how much time I waste. I'm a highly functional human being in the morning. Much of my blog is composed then. I also frequent the gym either at mid morning or a little after noon on days that I'm not teaching. My teaching block's roughly five hours. But it's that time around 6PMish that I piss away. My brain's wiped from grading, teaching, etc.. My guess is that I'll need to retrain myself . . . break free of my current schedule.
Anyway, things are going to change. They have to.
***
Been listening to Post Rock stuff lately. I didn't really know that the music had a category, but . . . there you go.
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