bummed and pissed

So yesterday someone stole my mountain bike, my only means of transportation right now. I'm as much mad at myself as I am at whoever took it, since I foolishly left it unlocked since I was running late. Growing up around here I never locked my bike or house or car and this is the first time I've ever had something major taken from me. The fact that it was probably another student is depressing to me. There's no place to pawn bikes around here and I doubt that the thief needed my bike more me. Which means someone just took it just to be a jackass.
I doubt it was anyone in this class but if you guys could keep your eyes out for it it's a green and black Jamis mountain bike with like 5 stickers I put on there with my name and number. It was parked in the back of the student center and someone took it between 1:00 and 3:00. Already talked to UP and I'm really hoping it will turn up. Walking home in the cold rain today was not pleasant.

"I have been stung by sea-urchins."

Something that Strong said today in class, about cutting and pasting familiar phrases to create sort of collage poetry, reminded me of another really funny and unique piece in the Burroway Book-
-Page 151 "Trials of a Tourist" by Annie Tibble-
Check it out, and read the explanation in the grey box at the end.

workshops

Hey just wanted to thank everybody for the great constructive criticism of my piece today, and say that I've really enjoyed reading and discussing all of your poems and stories. There is a lot of talent in our class. See you Monday.

yes we did

Yay president Obama

Confession

I had a close friend, and we used to get high on methadone back in 2003. I dropped him off at Paul Smiths College and drove back to Canton, nodding in and out on the highway. I thought of calling him the next day but didn't, and that next day or night i guess he took a bunch more, and died in his sleep. I was the last person known to have spoken to him, and our parting words were not ones of kindness. It tortures me sometimes, and the time between that day and this should have been treated by me as a gift, or something. But I've done dangerous things, and hurt people, and wasted time. It calms me to confess, sometimes, and tonight I couldn't reach anyone by phone.
His name was Anthony David Matott and he was a much better person than me.

vote obama

So I live in this cave, right? Way high up on a ledge overlooking a huge drop. And I’ve got my computer up there, and my bed and everything of course.
It gets cold up there, so the ledge is all surrounded by hanging tarps or whatever.
So this one morning I invite my brother from another cave over to mine to see the latest stuff I’ve got on my computer. Games and such.
Well I guess the ledge wasn’t strong enough for two, because it snaps. And we’re falling and falling, the ledge, the computer, the bed, my brother and I, like Gandalf and the monster in Lord of the rings.
And after an hour or so we land, thud thud thud, and we’re all crushed and blood and such is coming out of our mouths. But we just laugh and laugh, being immortal.

-Based on a dream by Adam Gardam

Fall

I really enjoyed Taylors piece and the workshop discussion today. There is something very reflective and foreboding about the autumn season, I think, that makes for great art of all kinds.

"Every night,
and every morn,
some to misery are born.
Every morn,
and every night,
some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night."
-William Blake

fun fun fun

I don't know about you guys but I've really been enjoying this class. Today, for example, I came to school in a really bad mood because of some things going on in my life that I don't want to get into, but seeing the three really cool and unique presentations and the discussions got my mind into a better place. Maybe that's why I've always got something to say in this class even though I'm mostly a pretty shy person. It's refreshing to me to hear everyone's different ideas about art and things, and also I find the freewriting excercises are mad fun. Also we don't have to be submitting essays and such all time like I had expected, which is nice since I struggle with writing papers and my other classes (and my work schedule) are pretty demanding.
Also the blogs are fun I've never had one before, and the burroway book is easy to read and has some mad good stories and poems (you guys gotta read the story "The School" in chapter 5, it's seriously funny and unusual.

Corpses

The exquisite corpse exercise today in class was mad fun. I vote we do that again sometime.

I'll try to be a little more positive

I was definately too harsh in workshopping that poem "Better Untouched" although I did think it wasn't a great poem. But I didn't mean to insult the author or her feelings. If we ever workshop any of my writings, you guys feel free to rip it apart.

Survived

Just worked the busiest weekend ever at the 1844 House. Thought it would never end but it did, of course.

Hustle and Flow

Anyone who has struggled with finding their own "voice" and making it heard should see the film "Hustle and Flow." Inspiring (but not saccharin) storytelling, a memorable protaganist, and a kickass hip-hop soundtrack.

Onion Classics

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fcc_okays_nudity_on_tv_if_it_s

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/astronauts_suffer_agonizing_high

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/bush_tours_america_to_survey

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/pre_game_coin_toss_makes

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/expert_on_anteaters_wasted_entire

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/congress_debates_merits_of_new

Ive been in a philadalphia

The chapter on "Setting" has a really funny stage script that takes place in a diner.

Finished Medicus

I finished that novel "Medicus" last night. I still definitely recommend the book, even though I was able to guess who the killer was about halfway through. The author's notes in the back are interesting; she talks about the archeological and historical research behind the story, and admits to taking creative liberties with a few minor plot points.

Now, I suppose, I have nothing to read except textbooks...

readings

I really liked both the essay and short story in the chapter about characters. My dad taught me similar things about tools and carpentry, but unlike the author I have forgotten most of it. The story about the Indian tour guide/translator was touching and true: almost everyone, I think, can relate to having unrealistic expectations after meeting someone new.

Family

I was really impressed with Josiah's presentation today about the artwork of family. Everyone has a family and as works of art some would be more beautiful than others. I have been blessed to have the love and support of my family, but I have only recently become fully aware of this blessing. I spent years rebelling against and disappointing my family, but recent events have brought us closer, and I feel I am a stronger person for it.

Day Night Day Night take 2

In my last post I meant to write about a very unusual film I watched the other night. "Day Night Day Night" is a tense little indie which follows the final(maybe) hours of a very polite female suicide bomber. I found it relevant to the chapter we read on "Voice," in that the filmmakers chose very deliberately to keep the audience in the dark as to the motivations of the protagonist and her "handlers." All other details are shown (and heard) in excruciating detail, but the most pressing question of "why" is not answered. Many may find this kind of storytelling a tease, but if it is done well, as it is in "Day Night Day Night" the result can be thought provoking and powerful.

Day Night Day Night

RNC

Sorry I didn't want to be a political blogger , but listening to the Republican National Convention speeches tonight has made my brain boil. I respect John Mccaine and believe he would be a much more competent president than than George W. Bush, but the same people touting him now are those who 8 long years ago told us that George W. Bush was a "reformer with results", and just what the country needed. Well, they had their chance and the U.S. is weak in the world and plagued with problems at home.

And I have a big problem with his V.P. pick, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Leave it to the conservatives to nominate a Womon for V.P. who would move us backward in time. Palin is someone who denies that Global Warming is real, yet govourns the state in which the evidence of climate change is overwhelming. She also questions Evolution, although all credible scientists agree on it's valididy. And I also will venture to comment on her 17 year-old daughter's pregnancy, although I understand the reluctance of the Obama campaign's reluctance to do so. Palin is one of the many social conservatives who advocate for "abstinence only" education for children and teens, meaning that young people in public schools would be denied information about, and access to, contraceptives. This strategy is wrong-headed and statistically ineffective. It is true that palin's daughter's personal decision's should not be under judgement, but people like Palin (who would select supreme court judges opposed to Roe V. Wade) would have reproductive decisions made by law for ALL women. Mccain is 72 and frankly could keel over, leaving this inexperienced "hockey-mom" in charge.

Mccain himself has never seen a war he wouldn't vote for, and is ambivalent on stemming climate change. The world (and history) will not forgive us if we elect our country backward.

Movies I Watched This Week

I saw two fairly good movies this week. One was "Black Snake Moan" with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. It's about two very different characters meeting each other in times of their lives that they need guidance."
" The Good Shepherd" is a quiet spy movie that is sometimes hard to follow but rewards patience and attention to detail.

FreeWriting

The free-writing excercise in class today made me remember something that I haven't thought of in years. The small closet under the stairs of my childhood home was a favorite hiding space of mine, and I would steal a flashlight and play at making monstrous shadows on the walls. One time I brought my little brother in there to show him, with the lights off and the door closed. A flood of guilt washed over me as I remembered how he was scared to tears by those shadow puppets, but I didn't stop. It was a trivial thing, but it stuck with me. Nick, if you ever read this, I'm so sorry I made you cry.

Medicus

I've been reading Medicus: A Novel of the Roman Empire by Ruth Downie. It's about a Roman army doctor stationed in one of ancient Rome's colonies in Britannia(present day England). He takes it upon himself to investigate the murder of two local girls whose bodies turn up in his morgue.

The book is interesting because unlike most material about that time it doesn't focus on politics or warfare. The protagonist is more of a nerd than a soldier, and his investigative efforts become bogged down in buerocracy and the mounting stresses of his personal life.

I havn't finished it yet, but I definately recommend this book to anyone interested in day-to-day life in ancient Rome.

The Onion is Mad Funny

Anyone who reads or watches the news will appreciate The Onion. Check it out,

http://www.theonion.com/content/