Sunday, August 02, 2009
On-screen Vampires: Twilight vs Vampire Diaries
So, I just watched a few trailers for "The Vampire Diaries" and I must say that I am intrigued.I'm not usually a fan of stories set in high school, but the setting seems to provide the necessary staging and social network for this story to emerge, I think. And, well, Buffy was sort-of set in high school, too, and it was great. Harry Potter was also set in a school and its setting was part of its charm. So, I suppose the setting isn't too objectionable. There's a sense of repressed exhibitionism that seems to accompany this show, which ties into the high school sensibility and yet connects to a more mature audience of viewers, too. Who is watching who and who is aware of what seems to be part and parcel of how these characters discover the truths about themselves that we as an audience want to know. And scrutiny is part of adulthood, really. I doubt it would be as compelling if set in an office or a college. The large social network seems to serve as both a device that sets tension and a stage for character interaction.
The back-story itself is what caught my attention. Unlike the romance at the center of "Twilight," in which the only given reason for the attraction is some unexplained infatuation combined with some unexplained attraction between Bella and Edward which doesn't really seem to extend beyond the physical, the romance at the heart of "The Vampire Diaries" has some sense and logic driving it forward. If I have this right, two vampire brothers are battling it out over a mortal girl. This girl (Elena) is the reincarnation of a girl that they both were involved with some centuries ago. Her life ended as a result of this love triangle conflict and the three were somehow cursed. One of them will be falling in love with this girl in every incarnation (Stefan) and one will be fighting him for her in every incarnation (Damon) and both will be vampires while she is mortal. I might have some of the details wrong, but it will probably become clearer once the show airs. People fall in love for inexplicable reasons all the time, but in a "paranormal romance" the inexplicable mystery is often insufficient and some reason or logic is necessary for the audience to buy the premise and suspend disbelief.
Additionally, the main female character Elena seems to have plenty of things going for her. Unlike Bella, who is pretty much an empty shell (a clumsy, magnetic one) without Edward, Elena seems to have a sense of self-worth and confidence that is based in actual life. She doesn't seem to be chasing the hot vampire boy just to give her life meaning. She seems to be fairly accomplished and intelligent for a young woman. She also seems to be a person with a depth of feeling, having experienced both loss and trauma early in her life. Apparently, she was in a car accident with her parents and was the sole survivor of it. That's a lot for a teenager to go through and it seems to have made her pensive rather than whiny. It explains the appeal of undead things, too. So, Elena and the vampire boy Stefan seem to connect on an actual emotional level -- both have experienced some serious loss, both have witnessed death intimately, and both have been deeply marked by it. I'm not sure how the brother Damon fits into things yet, though. And I'm not sure how I feel about such an obvious duality of "good" and "evil" here. The trailers, though, don't give us much about Damon and his motivations. They don't give us anything of the connection between Elena and Damon and only a tiny bit about the backstory tying the brothers into the eternal love triangle.
As a writer and diarist myself, I rather enjoyed the fact that these characters formed some sort of emotional connection over the fact that both of them keep diaries. They both seem to value memories and the experience of sifting through life to discover meaning, using writing as a way to access the hidden. Stories about writers (any kind of writers) also interest me. I'd love to see a poet -- not a pseudogoth, emo, slam-spoken word speaker, but an actual poet -- as a central figure of a series, preferably one including supernatural elements. How very Mary-Janey of me. A couple of diarists, of course, are just as great.
And, well, let's not forget the fact that the cast is made up for people who are all lovely to look at. Creepy, slightly unusual, but beautiful. Stefan seems to have an Angel (the character, not the celestial being) thing going on and Damon looks like he walked out of the film "The Craft". Everyone seems to be inhumanly hot, and that pretty much compensates for the cheeziness of the character names. Such obviousness is easier to forgive on the screen than on the page.
Looks like it will be part of CW's Fall schedule.
I've never read LJ Smith's "The Vampire Diaries". So, I don't know if LJ Smith is a better writer than S Meyer, but her characters seem to me more fleshed out with sensible back-stories and actions that are motivated by discernible desires rather than by arbitrary designations of plot and authorial direction. It's apparently a young-adult series, which makes me reluctant to read the books -- except, I often think books are better than their adapted screen versions. Of course, I like "True Blood" more than what I've read of the Sookie Stackhouse novels (which is only a handful of pages; mainly because the writing style really put me off), so I don't know that I actually will read the books. Depends on how well I like the show, I guess.
However, I'm looking forward to the series. I've always been a sucker for a good vampire story (pun intended) and I'm hoping not to be disappointed by this one.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Random Stitching Break
After an entire day spent transcribing notes, organizing notes, revising ideas, and outlining ideas to fit into the argument of my essay, and writing I felt a bit exhausted. I didn't want to watch TV, but wanted a break from absorbing information. So, I sewed my niece a dress.I'm not a seamstress or any kind of expert in this, mind you, but I thought it might be a fun project. The other day, my younger sister and I were in a fabric store where she was looking for the elements that might go into a toddler-seat as a cooling mat. She'd drawn up plans for it based on other models she had seen, choosing the elements she liked and combining them. I was watching my little nephew and we walked over to a bargain bin/tray of small bits of fabric where I thought he might find something to entertain himself. In the bin, I found three very pretty pieces that were rather small, but at least large enough for a dress each -- if that dress was for a very small person. Thinking of my niece, I bought them. I figured I could ask my mother to help me make them, as she's quite talented in the sewing of clothes. Today, after dinner, I decided to just spend a bit of time with them. She was handling some household paperwork and my father was watching some comedians on a television show, so I tried my hand at making this dress on my own. I'm rather surprised that it turned out okay. It was almost a moment out of 1842 or something. I'm not a very domestically-inclined person, so my interest in the project is a bit unusual.
I let the fabric form an idea in my head and just pictured it as I cut and and arranged and stitched. It's a sort-of A-line sundress in white with black polka dots and I think she will look adorable in it. Monday, the little one for whom I am making this dress will be here all day, so, I can try it on her to make sure it goes properly over her head without needing any additional buttons before running a machine along the seams.
It felt so good to work on something tangible, something whose results were attained so quickly. It was soothing, almost meditative. A short, simple project, it took just about an hour, really, and fit perfectly into my break time. I felt energized after finishing it. Hmmm....maybe I'll take up other projects, just for fun or as break-time activities. Of course, I'll have to wait until after the manuscript I'm writing is complete to do anything more challenging.
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Saturday, June 27, 2009
RIP Michael Jackson.
I can't believe Michael Jackson is dead. He has always been one of those figures that is so much larger than life that he seems sort of....eternal. It's very strange to think that he is not on this earth any longer. However, he left us with a beautiful legacy of music and, in this, he will live on. More often than not, the most impressive artists have the most controversial lives. Think of Byron who was "Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know".In an article, his former publicist said something that made a great deal of sense to me, more subtly circumnavgating the cliched statement that "the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long". He mentioned that he wasn't surprised by the news and indicated the "impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey" that was Michael Jackson's life. The former publicist also said, "His talent was unquestionable but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply cannot withstand this level of prolonged stress."
I also liked what Deepak Chopra had to say about the response of the people to news of Michael Jackson's death, "But when the shock subsides and a thousand public voices recount Michael's brilliant, joyous, embattled, enigmatic, bizarre trajectory, I hope the word "joyous" is the one that will rise from the ashes and shine as he once did." I think he had kinder words to say about Jackson during the televised interview than he did in this tribute, too, but I can't seem to find a transcript of it to quote from it.
He may have been a little strange, a little unorthodox, and he may have left many people wondering about his behavior on many counts, but his artistry was undeniable. And, many of the people who knew him best spoke mainly of his kindness. As his brother Jermaine Jackson said in a press conference, "May Allah be with you, Michael, always."
Whatever he was, he was one of a kind. And, he left us some great music and videos that won't be forgotten.
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Friday, May 29, 2009
hope
"Fringe" Season 1, Episode 20: Marvelous.Currently in Los Angeles.
Currently in a state of flux.
Currently manipulating my surroundings because I can't manipulate the things in the world that I'd most like to fix.
Currently thinking positive, optimistic thoughts in the hopes of manifesting them.
My closet is strewn over my apartment floor. I must solve this puzzle in the next 3 hours. I've got another plane to catch before you know it. Good thing I get my most satisfactory writing done while in transit.
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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
got a plane to catch.
You know that feeling you get when you're so tired that you're voice is hoarse? When you've been up so many hours that you can't quite see clearly and everything looked blurred or duplicated? When you're afraid to sit down because you might just nod off into the land of dreams? That is me right now. Typical travel day....even though I scheduled a flight at a reasonable hour, the shuttle service is going to take me there quite early. Better to stay awake than possible sleep through its arrival. Wish I could check-in in advance, but my printer is out of ink. Like I said, typical.(0) comments [+]::
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Please help find Craig Arnold, missing near the island of Kuchino-erabu.
Craig Arnold, a great poet and a kind human being, has been missing for two days. His friends are asking for help in the form of contact/letters to local congress people and representatives that might be able to continue appealing to Japanese authorities to continue the search. Apparently, they're only required to search for three days and today is the third day. People are hopeful that he will be found in good condition and that this will be made possible with urging from US representatives.
As far as I know at this point, there's no website or facebook group to aid in spreading this info. I thought I'd help by posting the email I got to get info out there. This link may or may not be his blog. It came up when I did a search using his name and volcano. I've only met him once, but he seemed like a cool guy. Please help out if you can.
Here are the details I received over email:
Craig Arnold, Ph.D., is the author of two award-winning volumes of poetry: Shells, chosen by W.S. Merwin for the Yale Series of Young Poets in 1999, and of Made Flesh (Ausable, 2008). His poetry has been anthologized in several volumes of the Best American Poetry Series, and his poems, articles, and translations from the Spanish have appeared in such publications as The New Republic, Paris Review, Poetry Magazine, Yale Review, and many more. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honors, including a Fulbright Fellowship, the Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Alfred Hodder Fellowship in Humanities from Princeton University, an Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Arnold did his B.A. at Yale University and received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah. He is presently an Assistant Professor at the University of Wyoming. Craig is currently in Japan with the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission's U.S.-Japan Creative Artists Exchange Fellowship and has been missing since April 26th (evening Monday April 27th Japanese time).
THE DETAILS:
Monday April 27th (Japanese time) he arrived with the 2:50 pm municipal ferry from Yakusima on the island of Kuchino-erabu and checked in to the local "Watanabe" inn, the only one on the island. He was with 2 Japanese tourists who had reservations. He did not have one. (They must have helped him check in.) He had traveled to the island to visit the volcano, as he has been working on a book on the subject of volcanoes for some time.
His plan was to stay only one night and leave the next day. (Craig has visited many volcanoes around the world in recent years as is very experienced with visiting them.)
He immediately left his 3 bags at the inn and departed around 3 pm on foot to the next village, taking only his walking sticks. He was wearing black or dark colors: long pants, a dark hat, a nylon jacket. His Japanese iPhone was on his person but has not been reachable due to inconsistent reception on the island. The exclusive provider of IPhone service, Softbank, has been contacted by the police in an attempt to utilize the built-in GPS capabilities of the phone.
At the village, someone with a car drove him to the entrance to the path leading up the mountain to the volcano. There are 4 paths to the volcano which are obvious and in good condition. He was taken to the entrance of a path next to a dam where evidence collected by the police suggests he ascended. His footprints have been found. The police have not found evidence of a return trip along that path. The area is densely forested until reaching the summit area, caldera, of the volcano where there is little vegetation.
The police stated that the path to that area is clear but that finding the path on the descent could pose problems so it is likely that he may not have found his way back to the path he entered by.
When Craig did not return to the inn by 8 pm, the inn staff searched for him by car, driving to the village. Unsuccessful, they returned to the inn and called the local fire brigade at 9 pm who responded immediately and searched until midnight.
Day 2 (Tues, April 28 JT) 5 police officers (under the direction of Mr. Kazuhara) arrived from Yakusima that morning with new assets: cars, search dogs, police persons, a helicopter. 40 total persons now working on this: 30 local fire reserve persons and 10 police persons and officials. They searched the trail he took but did not complete an exhaustive search of all 4 trails. One individual climbed all the way to the top. The area was circled several times by the helicopter and they also flew around the coastline. I contacted them directly at the end of the 2nd search day: 6:30pm. (5:30 am this morning, Wed April 29th U.S. time). They were debriefing and planning for day 3, with a plan to concentrate on the possible alternative paths down from the volcano that he may have taken by mistake and the surrounding area.
Day 3, the official required last day of the search, begins tonight. They are only required by law to search for 3 days. Extension procedures must be arranged with Mr. Kawahigashi and may require payment. Other than the helicopter, no higher level assets have been deployed at this time. Since the focus is on a "boots-on-the-ground" search and rescue (the forest makes visibility from the air limited) more people should be deployed immediately to assist.
ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND:
Kuchino-erabusima (various transliterations possible shima, jima):
Volcanic island 14.5 square km. Spring weather conditions, temp drops at night but not to freezing. Has not rained since Craig went missing. Fresh water available.
reachable by municipal ferry from Yakushima
Police based in Yakushima
Hospital on Yakushima
Airport on Yakushima connects to Kagoshima, major city.
Map:
http://homepage2.nifty.com/erabu/sight.htm
PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY INVOLVED:
The following people only speak Japanese with a thick regional accent:
The search and rescue operation is being led by
Town Officer: Mr. Kawahigashi
cel: 81-(0)90-7162-8404 / office tel: 81-(0)997-49-2100
(last spoke with him 7:05 am NYC time) They were preparing to debrief from
Day 2 of the search and prepare their plan for Day 3.
Day 3 begins tonight, Wednesday April 29. (= morning Thurs, April 30 Japanese time)
The Yakusima police officer on the case: Officer Kuzuhara: 81-(0)997-462110
he is on the neighboring island Yakusima, not the island where Craig is lost.
THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED BY LAW TO SEARCH FOR 3 DAYS. THERE IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. WE MUST APPLY ALL AVAILABLE PRESSURE TO MAKE THEM CONTINUE THE SEARCH AND TO CONVINCE THE U.S. CONSULATE TO ACTIVATE THE AVAILABLE AMERICAN ASSETS (OKINAWA) TO ASSIST WITH THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION ON THE GROUND.
The process is currently stalled at the Fukuoka Consulate level with
Mark Baron (cel: 81-90-30143802) working under Margot Carrington
(Fukuoka Consulate office tel: 81-92-751-9331)
The Tokyo Embassy # is 81-(0)3-3224-5000 and the interim Charge d’Affairs is James P. Zumwalt
Local U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission Contact TOKYO:
Christopher Blasdel
Cel: 81-90-9362-9914
Home: 81-3-3309-0403
Executive Director of U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission:
From: Eric Gangloff
Dr. Eric J. Gangloff
Executive Director
Japan-US Friendship Commission
1201 15th Street NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 653-9800
(202) 653-9802 fax
www.jusfc.gov
LOCAL AMERICAN ASSETS:
http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/DoD%20on%20Okinawa/DoD%20on%20Okinawa%20Page.html
Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa under the command of Pacific Air Force (PACAF)
http://www.kadena.af.mil/
NAVY: Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa:
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Okinawa/index.htm
Naval hospital: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoki/Pages/default.aspx
Chris Arnold
Director/Editor
Cultural Animal, LLC
Cel: 646-529-8377
Tel: 718-596-8386
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Friday, April 24, 2009
pen troubles.
I like pens. The way a good pen feels in your hand can compel you to write something, can convince you to take a risk with the ink. I don't feel the same sort of connection to my laptop -- though I do love this little device. I don't mind spending a pretty penny (or many) on a good pen and I have a little collection that I keep in a bag (originally meant for make-up) to use based on my mood. Recently, I've left the bag to sit for a while in a closet. And, some of the pens don't seem to be holding up very well. There are scratches and scuff marks. The caps don't seem to click as carefully in place as usual. There is wear and tear noticeable on some of them. I'm annoyed by this. Very annoyed. Surely, it's my own fault for not taking better care of them. I have to say, though, that the finer instruments seem to be okay. Now, if only I could figure out where to buy an ink refill for my tiny Mont Blanc, I might just be able to ignore the deteriorating others for a while.One more week of classes before the end of the semester. Then, with summer comes time to write :)
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
jitters
Today, I find that I am overly sensitive to caffeine. That is, I have just had a cup of black tea and, all of a sudden, I am jittery and anxious. It's not even the kind of jittery that is conducive to work. I know I'm overly tired these days because I'm getting too little sleep and am working all the time, but right now...I don't like how I'm feeling!Well, I'll sleep early tonight, I think. Tomorrow is a long day! Student conferences dominate the horizon. At least my gradebook is all updated, except the final project grades (which will be in next week). It means final grade tabulation will go swiftly.
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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Taming of the Shrew...
I just watched a 2005 film version of Taming of the Shrew on a compilation called "Shakespeare Retold" and I have to say it is *the* funniest version of Taming of the Shrew -- my favorite Shakespeare play -- that I've ever seen. I recommend it highly. I was laughing my head off through the whole thing. Quite well adapted, I'd say.(0) comments [+]::
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Socializing with pages and people.
I'm starting to believe that community really is an important thing for writers. The writing process requires so much solitary work that, to offset the solitary mode, it's really quite crucial to keep in touch with others who share similar endeavors, who believe in the written word in similar ways and who have similar investments in it. Lately, I've been going to a number of readings and performances as part of my own personal celebration of National Poetry Month; I promised myself I'd attend as many events as I could this month. It's been a welcome change from the isolated hours in my studio. Now that I'm nearing the end of this doctoral program, I'm taking advantage of as many opportunities as I can to meet and spend time with people whose writing I respect, enjoy, and admire. Going out into "the real world" by finishing the doctorate program will make those opportunities fewer, I imagine -- or maybe not, maybe they'll just be different. I think the next year will be very busy and I hope to embrace all the transitions with some small measure of grace and with as much joy as possible.In Texas, it's nearly 4am and I believe my family is surely asleep. I'll get to visit them for a short trip in May. In Glasgow, it's nearly 10am and I wonder if Shahid is still asleep. I'll get to visit him once peak travel season passes and ticket prices drop. Here, in Los Angeles at 2am, I'm not sleepy at all.
Instead, I've been watching "Henry Fool", thinking about writing, family, relationships, love, and dedication. It was a good movie, a provocative one. I was often surprised by the plot and often pleased by the development of ideas. I found myself disappointed by Simon's behavior, but I felt that he redeemed himself in the end. I wonder if Henry will finish his "Confessions"; in my mind, Henry's "Confessions" are progressive and very good, contrary to Simon's dismissive evaluation. Maybe I'll have more to say about the movie later. Can one learn anything meaningful about the writing process from movies about writers? I suppose I'll have to ask other writers, in the spirit of community and craft.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
excited about books.
There is nothing quite as sublime as losing one's self in a good book. Every book holds the promise of such an experience in its unopened covers and its unturned pages. Perhaps that is why the disappointment of a bad book can seem nothing short of betrayal. That being said, I've had little time for leisure reading of late. This is extremely frustrating to me.Don't get me wrong -- I've been reading quite a lot, but all the texts are materials that are connected to research and restricted to a half dozen related topics. Out of touch and in the mood for a diversion today, I've resorted to scouring the internet to look for a synopsis that might excite me and sure enough, I've found at least two books that I'm eagerly awaiting.
Sarah Hall's "How to Paint a Dead Man" looks intriguing and should be out on May 5, according to Amazon. I really loved "The Electric Michelangelo". I'm looking forward to the release of this novel. Of course, I also just found out that she's written a couple of other novels ("Haweswater" and "Daughters of the North"), so I'll probably check those out, too.
Audrey Niffenegger's "Her Fearful Symmetry" will be out on September 29 and I'm really excited about that one. What an amazing, strange, and innovative concept. I really enjoyed "The Time Traveler's Wife", and the description of this novel sounds even better! Several reviews have called this "speculative fiction" and I suppose I'll have to explore this "genre" a bit in the near future.
I'm awaiting the release of these two novels as eagerly as most people wait for the release of movies... :)
I recently read Elizabeth Hand's "Generation Loss" and enjoyed that quite a bit. I know there are more novels by her that I haven't had the chance to read yet, but I enjoyed "Waking the Moon" and "Black Light" (though I am not as fond of her short fiction) and will probably also go on a search for "Winterlong" or "Mortal Love".
Summer vacation is just a few weeks away and I'm looking forward to the break from teaching (grading, to be precise). Summer = time to focus on writing, and of course on reading a few novels, too.
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Friday, April 03, 2009
What makes me happy this week?
Paratrooper Cargo Pants in BlackSteampunk Princess Lace Skirts in Bold Colors
Red Glitter Nailpolish on my Toes
Striped Stockings
My Doc Martens
It looks like my teens and twenties have found me unguarded.
I'm reorganizing my closet and finding things I love but don't get to wear when I teach. That's the beauty of reorganizing -- you get to reconnect with the parts of yourself that don't get a chance to stretch during your usual routine.
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Friday, March 27, 2009
poetry reading.
Today, I got to meet Brenda Hillman. I rather love her poems and, so, this was a treat.(0) comments [+]::
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
poems and programs...
I met Adrienne Rich, today. She gave a reading last night at the Doheny Special Collections room and today she held a Q&A/Conversation with about 20 people in the Ide Room at USC. She's quite remarkable. I liked hearing what she had to say about poetry, the writing life, and the public and private spheres."Dr. Who", which I discovered quite recently and quite by chance, is a fantastic show. I've been watching it recently and thinking about the science part of science fiction, as vague research for my current project. I've only seen the recent ones, made after 2000, because that's what's available on Netflix.
Tomorrow, I'll be attending a poetry reading by Brenda Hillman at Doheny Library. I'm rather looking forward to this and will have more to say about, surely.
Sunday, I'll be reading poems alongside some really amazing poets who I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet but whose works I enjoy. I'm looking forward to it. The reading will be in conjunction with The Poetics Research Bureau and is a Benefit for the Palestinian Children's fund which raises money for medical treatment for those children in the region who cannot afford it.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Everyone should read more of HD
HD is one of my favorite poets of all time. There's something about her poems that just resonates between the different layers of sound sense and vision sense as unconcealedly true. Last night, I started rereading "Red Roses For Bronze" -- see, doesn't just the title seduce you? -- and felt so alive and energized. Before I knew it, it was 3am! A good book of poems is one you want to keep reading, one you want to keep hearing and thinking about, one you can lose yourself in.I read an interesting essay about her poems written by Marie Ponsot on the Academy of American Poets website that I recommend for anyone who likes HD's poems or anyone who doesn't know a thing about them: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19222 .
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Monday, March 16, 2009
Edith Wharton
I'd forgotten how much I loved Edith Wharton's books. I think perhaps that I even prefer her works to that of Jane Austen. At least, today I do. I haven't read "The Buccaneers", yet, but I think it will be next on my reading list. By chance, I'm watching the film adaptation of it on Netflix. I was suddenly reminded of "Ethan Frome" and "The House of Mirth" and "The Age of Innocence"...(0) comments [+]::
Sunday, March 15, 2009
a blog post about blogging
The idea of blogging excites me. People from all over the world posting ideas about life, living, and the world of the living mind, showcasing things that they have made or designed. I've found so many fun and intriguing blogs that are well-designed and full of enthusiasm and energy. My own blog, however, doesn't take advantage of those kinds of things. Sure, I think about a million things in any given day and I do a lot of fun stuff. I read books that I love or hate or wish I'd never bothered with. I live a rather strange existence that is almost equal parts in cyberspace and in the physical world. I teach, I write, and I make things. But, I don't blog about them. Maybe I'd be more excited about this blog if I actually wrote about my life. Maybe then it would be more than just random pieces. I think I'd like that. So, in the spirit of things, here are five blogs that I found today that I intend to read on a regular basis. Maybe they will give me some insight on how to blog better :)http://insidecandy.co.za/
http://tololy.com/
http://uncomplicatedly.wordpress.com/
http://www.parsiri.com/
http://www.gastronomydomine.com/
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Sunday, March 01, 2009
Blackberry 8900 & Kindle 2
So, I finally caved in. I bought a Blackberry. Actually, I waited until my contract ended and then upgraded my phone to a Blackberry 8900. Even though I haven't figured out all the features, yet, I already love it. I'll need to download a third-party application to sync the device to my Macbook, so I might get around to writing about that, later. I had dreadful luck with PocketMac, when I tried it in the past with my iPAQ, so this time I'll try Missing Sync and hope for a better outcome. I'm really excited about this phone, which tells you (if you haven't figured it out yet) that I really like electronic gadgets. :)I really want a Kindle 2, but I doubt I'll be able to get one just yet. I don't have an e-book reader and am more accustomed to paper books than electronic ones, but this one seems ideal. Allegedly, it doesn't hurt the eyes as much as other electronic readers out there and can, therefore, be used for long periods of time at once. Plus, it seems to store a lot of books. And, has the capability of keeping margin notes and accessing the dictionary from just about anywhere. I love the idea of being able to take as many books as I need while I travel in one small light-weight object, instead of having to take one suitcase full of books I can't do without on long trips. There are, however, some drawbacks. Poetry and Academic Texts are not as easily available for the Kindle. I think there's a way to request them from the publisher, though I'm not sure about this. But, if poetry and literary criticism are unavailable, I might not be able to use the device for anything but leisure reading of novels. I'm not sure how many of the books in my library are available for free download, but I know that the majority are not. The cost of acquiring these texts, coupled with the high cost of the device itself, is a deterrent for the time being, simply because summers mean stricter budgeting. But, I'm seriously considering this, as an investment.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Crack Berry
So, I caved in and ordered a Blackberry. It's the 8900 model which goes by both "Javelin" and "Curve 8900" and when my contract ended, it seemed worthwhile to take advantage of the discount toward a phone upgrade. My old iPAQ/PDA isn't functional anymore and I prefer electronic productivity management to paper planners, so it seemed sensible to choose one that had a built in phone and GPS. I'm forever getting lost, so I think I'll really value this feature! The package won't arrive for at least seven days and I have a two week period of time to change my mind on it, but I'll have more to say once the phone gets here.AWP was actually a lot of fun and even quite productive. It was just what I needed. More on this later. Maybe even some photos. I'm back in LA now and today is all about grading student essays and writing poetry.
xoxo.
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Monday, February 02, 2009
kinds of cold
Technically, it isn't cold in Los Angeles. My thermometer reads 75 degrees Fahrenheit. And, yet, I'm bundled up in a few layers and still feeling a little chilly. The only sensible reason I can imagine is that I'm experiencing a sympathy chill or a vicarious one of sorts.Just outside SK's window, there is snow falling; they're expecting 12 inches in the next 24 hours. Looking through his photos (he's quite a remarkable photographer, really), I felt as if I were actually looking out the window myself, watching the snow come down and cover the cars and the road and the churches and even the green rubbish bins lining the walkway. There's always something exciting about a snow-storm, if you ask me -- as long as you can enjoy it from indoors, of course.
Of course, moments before my electronic journey into winter-land, I was just digging up a long coat and a scarf and a hat, and trying on gloves that I haven't worn in years. There's packing to be done this week. I won't be in Glasgow, but in two weeks I'll be in Chicago (AWP) and it's got to be at least as cold there. My cousins who live there indicated that, in contrast to SoCal's t-shirt weather, it would indeed feel brutal.
Even Houston is a good 12 degrees chillier today, and that's where I'll be this weekend, visiting the family.
So, I think it must be a sympathy chill that has me in long sleeves and a cardigan, cushy socks, and cradling a hot cup of tea. Maybe I'll break my illusion by stepping outside onto the balcony, but for now, I'm enjoying this multiplicity of place that my mood has allowed me.
Today is a day of writing poems and of answering the many emails that await my response, a day on which I am grateful for all the good things I have in my life.
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Friday, January 23, 2009
TV
I think my new favorite show is "Bones", especially after the circus episode. I have yet to be disappointed by it.I also like "Fringe", though its heaviness can be a little oppressive, at times.
I have to say I really do love "The Big Bang Theory", as well. How can anyone resist Sheldon's appeal? He is so very strange a character, at once totally predictable and surprising.
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday
Some days, it's really great to live in Southern California. Today, for instance, my thermometer reads 75 Degrees Fahrenheit as the outside temperature. I had my breakfast tea on the balcony. In Chicago, I hear it is -15! I hope people are finding ways to stay warm. In the meantime, I'm grateful for the sun and the mildness of the climate, here.Next week is my birthday. Since I tend to make resolutions on my birthday instead of on New Year's Day, I will have a few to share with you, then. I'm thinking of doing something special to mark my transition into my 30s, considering that last year, I didn't get a chance to do so. It's been a really tough two years -- lots of loss, lots of change -- and it's made me realize that you have to celebrate the things in life that make you happy, even if they are small on the scale of life.
Classes just started last week. I'm teaching one class, two days a week. 8am! I am not a morning person, but I'm trying to be. :) Between the increase in travel and the change in routines, I'm a little edgy this week. I still haven't gotten the hang of the bus schedule yet either, but I'm hoping to settle into the right routine this week. Besides, week 2 is where we really dive in, anyway. My students seem bright and interesting and seem to have more diverse interests and academic goals than my last class did, in which the students had quite a lot in common with each other. I'm looking forward to hearing their thoughts in the course of this semester.
Today's a Saturday, which means it's a poetry day. I'm working on a project that has been in process for some time (years) and is nearing completion. It's always a little bit scary to be in this stage -- close to the finale of it, but nervous about the gracefulness with which it will be accomplished, a little sad to be nearing the end of the routine of this set of ideas and images in this particular pattern, and a little thrilling.
I'll be making an effort to complete the website this semester and will, hopefully, put up samples of the new work there.
Wishing you all warmth and peace on this day.
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Monday, January 12, 2009
Projections....
I don't generally believe in Horoscopes. That is, I think that most of the time, horoscopes are just written by people who are having fun and telling you what they think you want to hear. But, today, I came across a horoscope that I very much liked. It's from a website called "Free Will Astrology", found here: http://www.freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/ .I'm an Aquarius. My horoscope for the week of Jan 8 reads:
"While loitering on a sidewalk outside a nightclub in San Francisco on a September night back in 1994, I found the cover of a booklet lying in the gutter. Written by Marilena Silbey and Paul Ramana Das, it was called "How To Survive Passionate Intimacy with a Dreamy Partner While Making a Fortune on the Path to Enlightenment." Unfortunately, the rest of the text was missing. Over the years, I've tried to hunt down a copy of the whole thing, hungry for its wisdom, but have never had any success. I'm hoping that maybe you will consider writing your own version of the subject in the coming year, Aquarius. With the luck I expect you to have, you might actually be up to the task."
While I don't expect to get rich, enlightened, and satisfied in love all in one go like the book jacket suggests, I like the idea that luck might be on my side this year. Last year was really rough. So many derailing obstacles. Sometimes, you can't help life intruding on your ambitions and dreams; sometimes, it demands you to witness its passage. But, this year, I'm hopeful that I'll have the right kind of energy to manage my projects well and the right kind of luck to minimize my obstacles! Here's to hoping for the best!
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
returning
After a few weeks away, I am back in Los Angeles again. My apartment is starting to feel like home because the recent attempts at redecorating have left it in a much more aesthetically pleasant state. It still needs a little work, though. Now, I'm waiting on a new bedframe, some curtains, and one more rearrangement of furniture. I feel like I am about one step away from the right set-up.My gas heater, however, doesn't seem to be working. The pilot light is on and it does flare up when the heat is increased, but it doesn't properly warm the room up. So, I've scheduled an appointment with the SoCal Gas Company to take a look at it this week. It's an old heater, so I'm not surprised. Maybe they'll authorize a replacement! :)
The class I teach this semester starts on Tuesday -- I am so glad to be back on a Tuesday-Thursday schedule! -- and, so, I'm finalizing the details of my syllabus today. The rest of this weekend is slated for nothing more than writing and trying to recover from this flu.
Happy 2009, everyone. One of my resolutions this "year": to blog better and more consistently :)
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Saturday, December 06, 2008
"the totality for kids" is a lovely book.
I’ve been rereading Joshua Clover’s “the totality for kids” today and have to say that it is one of my favorites these days. Something about the pace and energy of the book are so real, so much like what life *really* is for us and not for some nostalgic or imagined presentation of experience. I like the way it teases, the way it seems to obfuscate simple relays of information. It’s the perfect read for a day like today.This morning was warmer than the past few days and, restless, I walked around my neighborhood. Sometimes, I’m wary of wandering too far away. I’m finding little comfort or connection in the things I once liked in this city. Perhaps its novelty has worn off. At any rate, it’s a sign that I’ve been here too long and need to travel a little bit, to find some new places to explore. Perhaps this winter will afford me such an opportunity. Perhaps I should take an apartment in another part of the city upon my return; Los Angeles is a large city and there are many lovely places in and near it.
Dissatisfied by nearly everything I saw and experienced, I came back home and sat on the balcony with coffee and the book. Just what I needed. And, now, back to its pages...
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
travel, vampire stories, and nesting...
So, I hastened out to Houston for a few days because my father was in the hospital. He's improved now and is back home, but the chronic health issues are still there. I'm aware that so much has changed in our family. I'm back in LA now. I feel a bit guilty for being in California just now instead of in Texas, but I have obligations that I need to take care of. And, well, video-chat and telephone calls are a great way to keep in touch!Lately, I've been on a vampire story kick of some sort. I watched the first season of "True Blood", which was really a great series. I'm looking forward to season 2. The books on which the series are based, however, didn't keep my interest beyond page 3 because the style wasn't really my taste. Then, I watched "Twilight", which I have to say is an absolutely beautiful movie. So much green and so much contrast. It's also a nice, romantic storyline, but I have to say I was most captivated by the landscape and the scenes of nature in the film. I've never visited the Pacific Northwest, but this film certainly makes me think I should remedy that.
This week is all about catching up on my To-Do List. I'm in the middle of rearranging my apartment and redecorating it and it feels very much "in-process" in here. I Just had the heater switched on and it's nice and cozy inside, will be even nicer once the rearrangement of bookshelves and living room is complete.
Today's a teaching day, so I am off to campus after coffee and toast.
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Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Fall
I finally got a chance to watch "The Fall", directed by Tarsem Singh starring Catinca Untaru & Lee Pace. For all the expectations I had, I was not at all disappointed. In fact, I was more impressed by it than I had expected to be.It was the most visually stunning film I've seen since "La Virgen de La lujuria" or "Thomas est Amoureux". I absolutely loved its lush colors and textures, the simplicity of its expression of longing and hope, and its decadent sorrow.
The characters themselves were dynamic and volatile, which made them even stronger. Alexandria and Roy were believable, moving, realistic, a perfect contrast to the surreality of the story told by Roy and imagined by Alexandria and to the caricaturization of that story's characters. There's definitely something in the way Roy's portrayal of the characters shifts according to Alexandria's response and imagination. There's also something interesting in the way each of the characters is initially just a stereotype or caricature, something overly reductive, but how each character somehow exists beyond that initial description in ways that have nothing to do with his history, cultural or personal, but have only to do with his actually character as a human. The film seems to play a lot with the ideas of "character" as beings in a story and "character" as the quality of a person's spirit as well as in interpretation of scene, scenario, and set.
In some ways, the film seems to be about the many reasons people tell stories or listen to them. I enjoyed it immensely.
I will, no doubt, be thinking more critically of the film itself and may post something beyond my initial impressions later. But, I'm pretty sure it will be as exciting to watch on subsequent occasions as it has been now.
Labels: movies
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Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Blackberry Bold 9000
I've given up on the Android after reading and watching some reviews. Still love its name, though. I don't use Google for all my GTD needs, so I'm not sold on it. And, I'm not sold on the QWERTY keyboard that you have to flip down. Really, I love the iPhone -- except that it's only on AT&T (with unlocking legality issues) and that it's touch keyboard doesn't work for me. Of course, some of its apps are less useful for productivity, or at least my version of time management. But, it's still a sleeker, sexier object.Perhaps the Blackberry Bold 9000 is the answer to my technology prayers....or as close as it gets. Its quite a bit like the iphone, minus the touchscreen keyboard -- which is actually a plus for me because my fingernails get in the way of typing properly on the touchscreen. Video quality is good. Document editing on Word. PDFs. Task List. Slick Calendar features. Leather-backed. GPS and Maps. Browser leaves something to be desired, but I hear that it's not yet finalized. I think it might only be available through AT&T, but there don't seem to be unlocking legal issues here from what I've read. So, it might just be the thing I need...
We'll see once it gets released.
I've decided to splurge and get the kind of gadget that will keep me on my toes.
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Monday, October 20, 2008
hmm...
Perhaps the new Android G1 is the answer I'm looking for!Universal Studios' House of Horror is fabulously scary. I highly recommend it.
I'll be in Sugar Land on Halloween and will be missing both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos here. But, I'm looking forward to spending some time with family. This semester has been pretty intense. Lots of work to do and lots of obstacles preventing work. I think I've earned a weekend away.
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