May your MLK Day be contemplative.
7 hours ago
Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Reading Tonight and other stuff
SKAGIT RIVER POETRY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE
Start: 7:00 pm
Featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Sam Green, Jim Bertolino, Michael Daley, Oliver de la Paz, Nancy Pagh, and Jeremy Voigt
These six Northwest Washington poets will read their “poems about place” at this event to raise awareness and support for the 2010 Skagit River Poetry Festival, which aims to “push poetry off the page and into the lives of rural audiences.”
***
Finished up the Berryman unit in my long poem class. The students seemed much more appreciative of his ordered mayhem. Good to see and hear.
They turned a corner after seeing him read on YouTube. To wit, I think students got the sense of his cadence by listening to him read and talk. Lots of "Ah ha" moments after I aired this in class.
***
Playoff Football. Early still, but so far it's a stinker.
***
Gathering more books for my Ekphrasis class in the Spring. I need more short fiction selections/short-shorts, etc. All suggestions welcome. I was supposed to turn in my book orders yesterday, but *shrug*.
***
Current Spin:
Jay Reatard. RIP
Start: 7:00 pm
Featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Sam Green, Jim Bertolino, Michael Daley, Oliver de la Paz, Nancy Pagh, and Jeremy Voigt
These six Northwest Washington poets will read their “poems about place” at this event to raise awareness and support for the 2010 Skagit River Poetry Festival, which aims to “push poetry off the page and into the lives of rural audiences.”
***
Finished up the Berryman unit in my long poem class. The students seemed much more appreciative of his ordered mayhem. Good to see and hear.
They turned a corner after seeing him read on YouTube. To wit, I think students got the sense of his cadence by listening to him read and talk. Lots of "Ah ha" moments after I aired this in class.
***
Playoff Football. Early still, but so far it's a stinker.
***
Gathering more books for my Ekphrasis class in the Spring. I need more short fiction selections/short-shorts, etc. All suggestions welcome. I was supposed to turn in my book orders yesterday, but *shrug*.
***
Current Spin:
Jay Reatard. RIP
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Reading Tomorrow, Jan. 14
Words Expressed - Filipino Poets & Writers Reading
Seattle, WA | The arts serve as a vital medium of capturing history, heritage, and universal truths. On Thursday, January 14, 2010, the United Filipino Club of Seattle University, the Filipino Community of Seattle Kultura Arts, and the Seattle University English Department and Modern Languages/Women Studies Department will host "Words Expressed Filipino Poets and Writers Reading."
The reading begins at 7 pm in Seattle University's Le Roux Room (Student Center 160), located on 12th and Cherry Street, and is free to the public.
The United Filipino Club strives to bring about awareness to our own Filipino community, but also to the wider community of Seattle. This reading strives to spur dialogue and connection to and about the presence of Filipino arts within the community.
The poets and writers include Oliver de la Paz, Donna Miscolta, Toni Bajado, and Rick Barot.
Oliver de la Paz teaches creative writing at Western Washington University and published two books of prose and verse, "Names Above Houses", the winner of the Crab Orchard Award Series from Southern Illinois University, and "Furious Lullaby."
Donna Miscolta, a local Seattle writer, is an Artist Trust Fellow, the 2008 recipient of the Bread Loaf/Rona Jaffe Foundation Scholarship in Fiction, a resident at Hedgebrook, and the 2009 curator for the Jack Straw Writers Program.
Toni Bajado is a Seattle University alumni featured at Washington Poets Association¹s Burning Word Festival and received a Freehold Theatre Diversity Scholarship Program in Acting.
Rick Barot teaches at Pacific Lutheran University and the low-residency MFA program in writing at Warren Wilson College. He was a Wallace Stegner Fellow in Poetry at Stanford University, and published two poetry books, "The Darker Fall" and "Want" by Sarabande in 2008.
"Words Expressed Filipino Poets and Writers Reading" aims to establish a voice for Filipino-Americans. It will showcase role models and examples of success and excellence for the community and will help to legitimize the place of Filipinos in American society.
Hope to see you there!
Seattle, WA | The arts serve as a vital medium of capturing history, heritage, and universal truths. On Thursday, January 14, 2010, the United Filipino Club of Seattle University, the Filipino Community of Seattle Kultura Arts, and the Seattle University English Department and Modern Languages/Women Studies Department will host "Words Expressed Filipino Poets and Writers Reading."
The reading begins at 7 pm in Seattle University's Le Roux Room (Student Center 160), located on 12th and Cherry Street, and is free to the public.
The United Filipino Club strives to bring about awareness to our own Filipino community, but also to the wider community of Seattle. This reading strives to spur dialogue and connection to and about the presence of Filipino arts within the community.
The poets and writers include Oliver de la Paz, Donna Miscolta, Toni Bajado, and Rick Barot.
Oliver de la Paz teaches creative writing at Western Washington University and published two books of prose and verse, "Names Above Houses", the winner of the Crab Orchard Award Series from Southern Illinois University, and "Furious Lullaby."
Donna Miscolta, a local Seattle writer, is an Artist Trust Fellow, the 2008 recipient of the Bread Loaf/Rona Jaffe Foundation Scholarship in Fiction, a resident at Hedgebrook, and the 2009 curator for the Jack Straw Writers Program.
Toni Bajado is a Seattle University alumni featured at Washington Poets Association¹s Burning Word Festival and received a Freehold Theatre Diversity Scholarship Program in Acting.
Rick Barot teaches at Pacific Lutheran University and the low-residency MFA program in writing at Warren Wilson College. He was a Wallace Stegner Fellow in Poetry at Stanford University, and published two poetry books, "The Darker Fall" and "Want" by Sarabande in 2008.
"Words Expressed Filipino Poets and Writers Reading" aims to establish a voice for Filipino-Americans. It will showcase role models and examples of success and excellence for the community and will help to legitimize the place of Filipinos in American society.
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Full Cover with Blurbs
So, I've posted the front cover, but I wanted to show you what an awesome job Amy Freels, the designer at Akron did with the cover. I had no idea Andie deRoux's image would wrap around the whole book, and when I opened the image I was quite happy.
***
Blurbs are funny things. I'm not comfortable asking people who I don't know, so I basically asked my friends to blurb the book.
Thanks Aimee and Jon.
***
Our dog, Jake, who turns 14 this year, is suffering the effects of what looks to be hip dysplasia. On top of that, he's got cataracts and is hard of hearing. Poor guy.
The good thing about his hip dysplasia is that we don't have to walk him in the winter rain, so I guess there are hidden bonuses.
***
Taught my first week of classes. I'm trying to add more audio/visual stuff to my presentations but I'm finding that just the setup is taking up more time than I want. I'm also trying to minimize the amount of photocopying my students are doing for workshop. We'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work, I'll revert back to my old photocopying ways.
We talked about T.S. Eliot in my long poem class, just because it's a good starting point in discussions about the long poem--the movement away from an exterior/physical hero/heroine to a hero/heroine? whose conflict is mostly internal. From Eliot, Berryman.
The real challenge is the workshop--how to produce valid/active feedback for individualized long projects. My feeling--I'll need to provide rubrics and other models, for the initial stages. Not thrilled about this, but we'll see.
***
And already I've got my book order forms for next quarter. Again I'm teaching ENG 453, which I always teach as a prosody/forms class. I'm teaching ENG 460 again, only this time I don't think I'll teach it as a prose poem class. I think I might teach it as an ekphrastic writing course, depending on who else is teaching ENG 460. Got any ekphrastic texts you can suggest? They can be essay, poetry or fiction, since ENG 460 is a multigenre course.
***
I'm at a strange emotional point. A point between books. The impetus to be creative is at a low point, though I also feel I have the urgency to be creative. This is a normal state, I'm certain, but it's still disconcerting.
***
Current Spin:
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Submit or Rue: A Face to Meet the Faces (redux)
Stacey Lynn Brown and Oliver de la Paz (hey, that's me!) are pleased to announce a call for submissions for A Face to Meet the Faces: An Anthology of Contemporary Persona Poetry.
We are seeking poems that work within the literary tradition of persona poetry: poems written as dramatic monologues, whose speakers employ masks, or whose character and voice are different from the poet's own.
Please submit up to 5 unpublished poems. We will also consider poems whose rights have reverted back to the author.
All submissions will be accepted electronically. Please send an email to the editors at facesanthology@gmail.com with the poet's name and "Submission for Persona Anthology" as the subject line, with the poems as an attachment.
The submission deadline has been extended to February 15th. We look forward to reading your work!
We are seeking poems that work within the literary tradition of persona poetry: poems written as dramatic monologues, whose speakers employ masks, or whose character and voice are different from the poet's own.
Please submit up to 5 unpublished poems. We will also consider poems whose rights have reverted back to the author.
All submissions will be accepted electronically. Please send an email to the editors at facesanthology@gmail.com with the poet's name and "Submission for Persona Anthology" as the subject line, with the poems as an attachment.
The submission deadline has been extended to February 15th. We look forward to reading your work!
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
New Beginnings
Winter quarter has begun and I feel like I need just one more week of vacation. So many deadlines and so much class prep in the short amount of time between coming back from Atlanta and the new quarter--I'm dizzy.
***
I've hired someone to redesign my website. While there's nothing wrong with my old one, I feel the need for change. This new design will also have blogging capabilities, so poor blogger will probably go by the wayside.
I'm quite nostalgic about this particular blog, since I've had the blog for almost six years, and I've met lots of poets through these pages. *sniff*
***
I'm teaching my long poem class again, only this time as an undergraduate seminar. I'm a little apprehensive about managing this class. We'll see how it goes.
***
How were your holidays? Mine were difficult. A part of me is glad to be back into a routine. But, as I said earlier, I could still use a week off.
***
Current Spin:
***
I've hired someone to redesign my website. While there's nothing wrong with my old one, I feel the need for change. This new design will also have blogging capabilities, so poor blogger will probably go by the wayside.
I'm quite nostalgic about this particular blog, since I've had the blog for almost six years, and I've met lots of poets through these pages. *sniff*
***
I'm teaching my long poem class again, only this time as an undergraduate seminar. I'm a little apprehensive about managing this class. We'll see how it goes.
***
How were your holidays? Mine were difficult. A part of me is glad to be back into a routine. But, as I said earlier, I could still use a week off.
***
Current Spin:
Friday, January 01, 2010
Ringing in the New Year, Avatar, and a Few Resolutions
Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!
I did little last night to celebrate. Meredith and I spent a quiet evening at home, playing cars with L, and maintaining the blessed routine that matters so much to L. This new year will bring about a lot of changes to this household and to our lives. More about that much later. For now, I wish all of you have a healthy and prosperous New Year and New Decade.
***
Asian American Lit Professor mode on.
Concerning Avatar. I posted on my Twitter update that I both loved and hated the film. This holds very true today, after a night's sleep.
Here's the deal--it should win every single technological film-making Oscar that the Academy provides. It is that breathtaking to behold. I watched the film in 3D and what's marvelous about the 3D for this film is that it felt seamless. There were no gimmicky close-ups or artifacts thrust into the screen. What the 3D allowed for was the world of Pandora to be a real place.
Equally remarkable is the rendering technology to create the Na'vi. The creatures look real.
Now, here are my nits, and there will be a few ***spoilers***.
The key problem I had with the film is the decision to revisit the trope of the Noble Savage. Here we are, again revisiting the ground tread by recent films such as Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, and even the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi. Terms like "going native" and "blue monkeys" were thrown about so casually in the film. Now granted, they were uttered by the "villains" represented by the iconic corporate goon and the military strong-man, but these characters didn't provide me an outlet to excuse these moments in the script.
Further, my issues lie within the character of Jake Sully a disabled marine who is the main protagonist of the film, and Sigourney Weaver's Dr. Grace Augustine who plays both ethnographer and missionary. Firstly, these characters are white characters who have mobility, and it's this concept of mobility that problematizes so much of the film for me. Jake and Dr. Grace can navigate fairly seamlessly (and I contend the navigation is seamless because the Na'vi can't travel in the other direction) between worlds. Jake and Dr. Grace also inhabit these bodies. They literally slide into these bodies as simply as sliding into a tube. The fluidity is unsettling for me. We as the audience first see them floating in the technological womb like fetuses. As stated early in the film, the bodies of the Na'vi, which are unmistakably other, are said to be "empty cups." This statement is a furthering of so much of that Romantic concept of the Noble Savage. I about jumped out of my seat when I heard it. Yes, they are children and we can teach them. We can mold them.
There's more, though. The film has a Pocahantas narrative. Neytiri, the Pocahantas figure played by Zoe Saldana is Jake Sully's cultural teacher and eventual lover. John Smith anyone?
Finally, I'm sort of weirded out by the casting. The main "Alien" characters, i.e. the actors who played the Na'vi, are all actors of color. I already mentioned Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, but there's also Neytiri's mother, Moat, played by CCH Pounder. Wes Studi plays Eytukan, the head warrior and eventual chief (Wes was also in Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans). The main chief of the Na'vi people at the beginning of the film, Tsu'tey, is played by Laz Alonso. So, on the one hand, I'm thinking "Awesome! Some actors of color in a major blockbuster film!" But on the other hand, I'm totally weirded out about the lumping of ethnic caricatures in the rendering of the CGI Na'vi these actors inhabit. The actors of color are made to look alien . . . cat-like. They have tails and fangs.
The film opens with Jake Sully's eyes as he wakes from cryogenic sleep, and the film ends, once again with Jake Sully's eyes, only this time he is inhabiting his "Alien" body. Throughout the movie, the phrase "I see you" is spoken between characters. But in the end, do we really see? Does the veil of technological wizardry occlude our vision?
Asian American Lit Professor mode off.
**EDIT: I'm linking Ruth's thoughts about the film here.**
***
Resolutions:
1) Lose weight. I have gained a lot of weight serving as the official garbage disposal of my child's meals.
2) Finish a fourth book. I'm almost there. I just need to get off my ass.
3) Spend less time on the internet. Total addict. I confess.
***
Current Spin:
Phantogram. "Mouthful of Diamonds"
I did little last night to celebrate. Meredith and I spent a quiet evening at home, playing cars with L, and maintaining the blessed routine that matters so much to L. This new year will bring about a lot of changes to this household and to our lives. More about that much later. For now, I wish all of you have a healthy and prosperous New Year and New Decade.
***
Asian American Lit Professor mode on.
Concerning Avatar. I posted on my Twitter update that I both loved and hated the film. This holds very true today, after a night's sleep.
Here's the deal--it should win every single technological film-making Oscar that the Academy provides. It is that breathtaking to behold. I watched the film in 3D and what's marvelous about the 3D for this film is that it felt seamless. There were no gimmicky close-ups or artifacts thrust into the screen. What the 3D allowed for was the world of Pandora to be a real place.
Equally remarkable is the rendering technology to create the Na'vi. The creatures look real.
Now, here are my nits, and there will be a few ***spoilers***.
The key problem I had with the film is the decision to revisit the trope of the Noble Savage. Here we are, again revisiting the ground tread by recent films such as Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, and even the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi. Terms like "going native" and "blue monkeys" were thrown about so casually in the film. Now granted, they were uttered by the "villains" represented by the iconic corporate goon and the military strong-man, but these characters didn't provide me an outlet to excuse these moments in the script.
Further, my issues lie within the character of Jake Sully a disabled marine who is the main protagonist of the film, and Sigourney Weaver's Dr. Grace Augustine who plays both ethnographer and missionary. Firstly, these characters are white characters who have mobility, and it's this concept of mobility that problematizes so much of the film for me. Jake and Dr. Grace can navigate fairly seamlessly (and I contend the navigation is seamless because the Na'vi can't travel in the other direction) between worlds. Jake and Dr. Grace also inhabit these bodies. They literally slide into these bodies as simply as sliding into a tube. The fluidity is unsettling for me. We as the audience first see them floating in the technological womb like fetuses. As stated early in the film, the bodies of the Na'vi, which are unmistakably other, are said to be "empty cups." This statement is a furthering of so much of that Romantic concept of the Noble Savage. I about jumped out of my seat when I heard it. Yes, they are children and we can teach them. We can mold them.
There's more, though. The film has a Pocahantas narrative. Neytiri, the Pocahantas figure played by Zoe Saldana is Jake Sully's cultural teacher and eventual lover. John Smith anyone?
Finally, I'm sort of weirded out by the casting. The main "Alien" characters, i.e. the actors who played the Na'vi, are all actors of color. I already mentioned Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, but there's also Neytiri's mother, Moat, played by CCH Pounder. Wes Studi plays Eytukan, the head warrior and eventual chief (Wes was also in Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans). The main chief of the Na'vi people at the beginning of the film, Tsu'tey, is played by Laz Alonso. So, on the one hand, I'm thinking "Awesome! Some actors of color in a major blockbuster film!" But on the other hand, I'm totally weirded out about the lumping of ethnic caricatures in the rendering of the CGI Na'vi these actors inhabit. The actors of color are made to look alien . . . cat-like. They have tails and fangs.
The film opens with Jake Sully's eyes as he wakes from cryogenic sleep, and the film ends, once again with Jake Sully's eyes, only this time he is inhabiting his "Alien" body. Throughout the movie, the phrase "I see you" is spoken between characters. But in the end, do we really see? Does the veil of technological wizardry occlude our vision?
Asian American Lit Professor mode off.
**EDIT: I'm linking Ruth's thoughts about the film here.**
***
Resolutions:
1) Lose weight. I have gained a lot of weight serving as the official garbage disposal of my child's meals.
2) Finish a fourth book. I'm almost there. I just need to get off my ass.
3) Spend less time on the internet. Total addict. I confess.
***
Current Spin:
Phantogram. "Mouthful of Diamonds"
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
RIP Rachel Wetzsteon (1967-2009)
Sakura Park
The park admits the wind,
the petals lift and scatter
like versions of myself I was on the verge
of becoming; and ten years on
and ten blocks down I still can't tell
whether this dispersal resembles
a fist unclenching or waving goodbye.
But the petals scatter faster,
seeking the rose, the cigarette vendor,
and at least I've got by pumping heart
some rules of conduct: refuse to choose
between turning pages and turning heads
though the stubborn dine alone. Get over
"getting over": dark clouds don't fade
but drift with ever deeper colors.
Give up on rooted happiness
(the stolid trees on fire!) and sweet reprieve
(a poor park but my own) will follow.
There is still a chance the empty gazebo
will draw crowds from the greater world.
And meanwhile, meanwhile's far from nothing:
the humming moment, the rustle of cherry trees.
The park admits the wind,
the petals lift and scatter
like versions of myself I was on the verge
of becoming; and ten years on
and ten blocks down I still can't tell
whether this dispersal resembles
a fist unclenching or waving goodbye.
But the petals scatter faster,
seeking the rose, the cigarette vendor,
and at least I've got by pumping heart
some rules of conduct: refuse to choose
between turning pages and turning heads
though the stubborn dine alone. Get over
"getting over": dark clouds don't fade
but drift with ever deeper colors.
Give up on rooted happiness
(the stolid trees on fire!) and sweet reprieve
(a poor park but my own) will follow.
There is still a chance the empty gazebo
will draw crowds from the greater world.
And meanwhile, meanwhile's far from nothing:
the humming moment, the rustle of cherry trees.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
An Ocean, an ocean
Through the glass, a quickster. A trick. Scale upon scale the little fish spiking up with the bubbles. Then the easy dark of the theater and eyes, wide-lidded in awe.
Manta, manta
We love your mouth and your latitude. The way you flip your wings up, razor-slight like wind through the hair of a tiny wrist.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Books of the Decade and 30 albums for 2009
Here's SPD's list:
SPD Bestsellers 2000-2009
***
Sherman Alexie owns the top spots with a number of Harryette Mullen books in there as well. Also good to see Barbara Jane crack the top 20.
***
I've been meaning to post this for awhile. It's been difficult to choose 30 albums because I like music and my moods vary. For example, I've got stuff I listen to when I'm in the gym, in the car, when I'm writing, and when I'm grading. And often the choices are so disparate. *edit: after much reflection, there's still a tie at the top, but I'm more careful with the rankings.
1. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone
1. Andrew Bird, Noble Beast
2. Various Artists, Dark was the Night
3. St. Vincent, Actor
4. A.C. Newman, Get Guilty
5. We Were Promised Jetpacks, These Four Walls
6. Micachu and the Shapes, Jewellery
7. Taken By Trees, East of Eden
8. The Low Anthem, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
9. Lighting Dust, Infinite Light
10. White Denim, Fits
11. Laura Gibson, Beasts of Seasons
12. Jason Lytle, Yours Truly, The Commuter
13. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz!
15. Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels
16. The Flaming Lips, Embryonic
17. Tegan & Sara, Sainthood
18. Son Volt, American Central Dust
19. Fanfarlo, Reservoir
20. Telekinesis, Telekinesis!
21. The Dutchess & The Duke, Sunset/Sunrise
22. Woods, Songs of Shame
23. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca
24. The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
25. Thao, Know Better Learn Faster
26. Coconut Records, Davy
27. Choir of Young Believers, This is for the White In Your Eyes
28. Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career
29. Metric, Fantasies
30. Rain Machine, Rain Machine
OK, so that was quite strange and very unexpected. A couple of things I'd add--Dark Night of the Soul would be one.
Disappointments--BLK JKS. I thought they would put out a fabulous album, but After Robots was overproduced, IMO.
I also wanted to like the Wilco album and the Monsters of Folk album, but I didn't so much.
***
Edited: Had some time to think it over
***
Back to your regular broadcast.
***
Still reading Nicholson Baker's The Anthologist which I'm finding to be funny, heartbreaking, and instructional.
***
Current spin:
SPD Bestsellers 2000-2009
***
Sherman Alexie owns the top spots with a number of Harryette Mullen books in there as well. Also good to see Barbara Jane crack the top 20.
***
I've been meaning to post this for awhile. It's been difficult to choose 30 albums because I like music and my moods vary. For example, I've got stuff I listen to when I'm in the gym, in the car, when I'm writing, and when I'm grading. And often the choices are so disparate. *edit: after much reflection, there's still a tie at the top, but I'm more careful with the rankings.
1. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone
1. Andrew Bird, Noble Beast
2. Various Artists, Dark was the Night
3. St. Vincent, Actor
4. A.C. Newman, Get Guilty
5. We Were Promised Jetpacks, These Four Walls
6. Micachu and the Shapes, Jewellery
7. Taken By Trees, East of Eden
8. The Low Anthem, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
9. Lighting Dust, Infinite Light
10. White Denim, Fits
11. Laura Gibson, Beasts of Seasons
12. Jason Lytle, Yours Truly, The Commuter
13. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz!
15. Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels
16. The Flaming Lips, Embryonic
17. Tegan & Sara, Sainthood
18. Son Volt, American Central Dust
19. Fanfarlo, Reservoir
20. Telekinesis, Telekinesis!
21. The Dutchess & The Duke, Sunset/Sunrise
22. Woods, Songs of Shame
23. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca
24. The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
25. Thao, Know Better Learn Faster
26. Coconut Records, Davy
27. Choir of Young Believers, This is for the White In Your Eyes
28. Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career
29. Metric, Fantasies
30. Rain Machine, Rain Machine
OK, so that was quite strange and very unexpected. A couple of things I'd add--Dark Night of the Soul would be one.
Disappointments--BLK JKS. I thought they would put out a fabulous album, but After Robots was overproduced, IMO.
I also wanted to like the Wilco album and the Monsters of Folk album, but I didn't so much.
***
Edited: Had some time to think it over
***
Back to your regular broadcast.
***
Still reading Nicholson Baker's The Anthologist which I'm finding to be funny, heartbreaking, and instructional.
***
Current spin:
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Here in Atlanta
. . . well, I'm technically not in Atlanta, but rather a suburb of sorts. So, if you're in Atlanta and want to hang out, give me a shout!
We'll be in the Atlanta area until the 27th (with a short trip to South Carolina in between).
Among the possible adventures planned:
1) The Aquarium
2) The Zoo
3) A good chicken & waffles joint
***
I've been busily catching up with my correspondence despite a steady trickle of reference letter writing.
The numbers were slightly different this year--I had fewer students asking for letters, but the few that I did have are applying to more schools.
The average number of schools applied to was eight. I think students are realizing how competitive the application game has become. I'm also having more students applying after a year or two off.
***
It's raining here. A little bit o' the Northwest here down South.
***
Kid's finally down for a nap. Whew.
***
Current Spin:
We Were Promised Jetpacks. On my top 20 of 2009--I think I'm titling the list "Albums that Aren't Getting Their Proper Cred"
When I started thinking of my top 20 albums, I saw that I was duplicating a lot of other lists, so I figured, I'd change up my list. It'll be up before the new year.
We'll be in the Atlanta area until the 27th (with a short trip to South Carolina in between).
Among the possible adventures planned:
1) The Aquarium
2) The Zoo
3) A good chicken & waffles joint
***
I've been busily catching up with my correspondence despite a steady trickle of reference letter writing.
The numbers were slightly different this year--I had fewer students asking for letters, but the few that I did have are applying to more schools.
The average number of schools applied to was eight. I think students are realizing how competitive the application game has become. I'm also having more students applying after a year or two off.
***
It's raining here. A little bit o' the Northwest here down South.
***
Kid's finally down for a nap. Whew.
***
Current Spin:
We Were Promised Jetpacks. On my top 20 of 2009--I think I'm titling the list "Albums that Aren't Getting Their Proper Cred"
When I started thinking of my top 20 albums, I saw that I was duplicating a lot of other lists, so I figured, I'd change up my list. It'll be up before the new year.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
'Tis the Season to Give: Kundiman
Since 2002 I've been an active member of Kundiman, both as staff, and as substitute faculty. Now I'm the co-chair of the advisory board and what's clear is if we are to continue, we need money. Non-profits are hurting all around, and what's more if you're an up-and-coming arts organization, you're really hurting.
The organization's at a crossroads, and we need help.
If you can give us a hand or a good word, we'd greatly appreciate your help.
Here's the link: Kundiman Bright Side.
Thanks!
Oliver
The organization's at a crossroads, and we need help.
If you can give us a hand or a good word, we'd greatly appreciate your help.
Here's the link: Kundiman Bright Side.
Thanks!
Oliver
Monday, December 14, 2009
Book Update Quickie
The U of Akron has the book's webpages up: Here.
***
My grades are turned in. I'm all set to head over to Atlanta for Christmas to visit the in-laws, though I'm not ready for a 6 hour plane ride with a toddler.
We scheduled our flight with the kid's sleep schedule in mind, so such a schedule has us arriving at SEATAC at 4AM (leaving B'ham at 2:00AM). Brutal.
***
Current Spin:
AC Newman. "Prophets." Another one of my top 20 picks for the oughts. I thought his album was quite underrated and was frequently played on my stereo system.
***
My grades are turned in. I'm all set to head over to Atlanta for Christmas to visit the in-laws, though I'm not ready for a 6 hour plane ride with a toddler.
We scheduled our flight with the kid's sleep schedule in mind, so such a schedule has us arriving at SEATAC at 4AM (leaving B'ham at 2:00AM). Brutal.
***
Current Spin:
AC Newman. "Prophets." Another one of my top 20 picks for the oughts. I thought his album was quite underrated and was frequently played on my stereo system.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
The End of the Quarter Extravaganza
I am blogging right now because I am a procrastinator.
****
I've got roughly 40 portfolios in my back pack. I haven't even pulled them out of my bag since arriving at my office this morning.
As I mentioned in a Tweet, for some reason I decided to pack all the portfolios and take them home. I guess I thought I'd grade them, but I wound up helping Meredith take care of a kid with a cold, and then after they went to bed, I wound up playing video games until I got sleepy. My brain's mush.
***
I haven't come up with my list of top 20 albums from the 2009 year yet 'cause I haven't had time to sit down and think about such things. Maybe when I get out from under portfolios. Maybe I should stop blogging and just grade the damn things.
***
I'll be reading for the It's About Time reading series tomorrow evening, 6:00 - 7:45PM with Martha Silano, Lyn Coffin, and Matt Briggs. The location is listed in the link. Come out and see us!
***
Current Spin:
Lightning Dust. I'm adding their album, "Infinite Light" to my list of 20 albums.
****
I've got roughly 40 portfolios in my back pack. I haven't even pulled them out of my bag since arriving at my office this morning.
As I mentioned in a Tweet, for some reason I decided to pack all the portfolios and take them home. I guess I thought I'd grade them, but I wound up helping Meredith take care of a kid with a cold, and then after they went to bed, I wound up playing video games until I got sleepy. My brain's mush.
***
I haven't come up with my list of top 20 albums from the 2009 year yet 'cause I haven't had time to sit down and think about such things. Maybe when I get out from under portfolios. Maybe I should stop blogging and just grade the damn things.
***
I'll be reading for the It's About Time reading series tomorrow evening, 6:00 - 7:45PM with Martha Silano, Lyn Coffin, and Matt Briggs. The location is listed in the link. Come out and see us!
***
Current Spin:
Lightning Dust. I'm adding their album, "Infinite Light" to my list of 20 albums.
Monday, December 07, 2009
'ware the keyboard
It's the end of the academic quarter and I'm beat.
The 8AM class destroyed me, namely because of my roughly 45 minute commute to campus. I was waking up extremely early in order to catch this class, and I was late only once by 5 minutes.
***
A steady stream of students has been stopping by dropping off their portfolios. Ah, to be done with grading.
***
I've still got one more item on my once 9-item to do list. It'll get done tonight.
***
Baby's got a cold, so collectively we've been miserable for the past few nights. Egad.
***
Son Volt was quite good, though I had to leave the concert before they were finished--such is the life of a parent.
***
Current spin: See below. I don't want to numb you with Son Volt postings.
Son Volt at the Nightlight Lounge in Bellingham, WA
Some grainy and dark video of Son Volt performing at the Nightlight Lounge in Bellingham, WA. If you recognize the song, let me know.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
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