- "Apple: when learning a real computer can wait, but hot mansex can't." --Laurel (in reference to this article)
- "[FORUM X] is like a giant uterus that wants to park its bicycle in your house." --Teh Husband
- "Like most worthwhile projects, it's powered by emo. Which is much stronger than solar power, though not as easy to get during the day." --Laurel
- "Your uterus is total bullshit." --Teh Husband
- Location:The Laura blackbird
- Mood:
silly - Sounds:"You Never Asked Me What I do for a Living," by MCR
The entire new TOC is here.
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Addicted to Love," Robert Palmer
The students had to find a quote from the book that they would like to illustrate. This is the easy part since you can hardly open that book without finding something arresting to contemplate. Then they illustrated it on a piece of poster board with the quote included. Doing the art is fun and a nice change of pace from the other ways we have worked with literature, particularly since we are at the end of the year. The payoff in the assignment, though, is when they present their quote to the class in a sort of show and tell of their poster. They have to connect the scene they chose to illustrate with a theme in the book. I've included one their posters here.
I also stress that there really is no such thing as the theme in a work. Works have multiple themes, including some that appear to contradict each other. A teacher who says, "This is the theme" in a work is expressing an opinion, not a statement of fact. A theme, to be valid, must be supportable from the text, so just any old statement about a story isn't necessarily a theme, but there are many ways to look at text.
At any rate, most of the kids find it kind of liberating that I'm not expecting them to find the "right" answer for theme, and that if they can support their interpretation, their expression of the work's theme can be valid. Most honors kids get the idea that all literature is essentially metaphorical. That we tell stories because they are meaningful to us in some way. If they weren't meaningful, we'd be left when the work is done scratching our heads and asking, "What was the point of that?" A discussion of theme is just a way of asking what the work says about the universe or the human condition. Some stories have such familiar themes that they hardly seem worth discussing, like "love conquers all," or "athletes who are pure of heart can defeat stronger or faster but corrupt competitors."
Something Wicked This Way Comes presents interesting themes in unfamiliar ways. The discussions of the posters so far have been wonderful.
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Crown of Creation," the Best of Jefferson Airplane
Does anyone know the source of this story about Stephen King? Evidently he was at a party and a fellow told him, “I always wanted to be a novelist, but in a couple of years I’ll be forty-five, and that just seems too late.” King replied, "You'll be forty-five anyways. Why not also be a novelist?"
I'd like to attribute the story correctly for an article I'm working on.
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Kyrie," Mr. Mister
Tonight was my last night for the college creative writing class. I end by giving them the "everything I wish other writing teachers had told me but didn't" lecture. We talk a little about growing as writers and publishing. I end with this pep talk about why writing is good for them, whether they decided to write for publication, or just tinker around on their own. It's kind of a pep talk that uses an extended simile. I stretch the simile quite a bit by the end.
Writing does for the head, what jogging does for the body.
- Like jogging, writing requires dedication & a consistent schedule to be the most effective (three thirty minute sessions a week will do more for you than one four hour marathon on Saturday).
- Like jogging, writing must be fitted into a schedule that already looks full--the benefit is writers organize their time better (The best time for me to write is between 4 & 6 am)
- Like jogging, a writer must work her way into it, but with time and training, impressive efforts are possible (Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in one forty-eight hour period, but he'd been training for years).
- Writing helps the writer lose brain fat and build the thinking muscle--the fat caused by consuming the junk food of television, and the predigested pap of People Magazine.
- Writing fights the build up of cholesterol on the arteries of imagination.
- Writing improves the efficiency of the heart of the intellect.
- Writing clears out the lungs of thought.
- Writing keeps us young (imagination & creativity are the hallmarks of youth)
- Writing encourages us to give up mentally unhealthy habits (not thinking about what we hear, accepting written words as gospel, keeping us open minded)
- Writing improves our sex lives--nah! probably not (though some people maintain that half of good sex is thinking about it, and who is a better, more practiced thinker than the writer?)
- Writing helps us live longer: by stretching our subjective lives, we both notice more about our own past and pay more attention to our present. You know how sometimes you can be reading in a book and realize that you have no idea what the last couple of pages said? Our lives can be like that too, although the "couple of pages" can be a couple of days or couple of years. I think that lost time happens less frequently to writers. They are more aware more of the time.
Really Cool Phrase for the Day: Caledonian Antisyzygy, which means "a combination of opposites." I found it while doing some reading on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Delta Down," Helen Reddy
The hardcover for Valentine's Exile (June, 2006) is being remaindered by the publisher. Such is the nature of the beast. Of course this doesn't interfere with the mass-market, which is selling at a nice rate, so it's not like readers will have a gap in the series (and even if they did that wouldn't be fatal to anyone but completists. I've tried to have each book stand on its own, though reading Wolf would really help anyone new to the series).
On the bad side: Crap! I'm going out of print.
On the good side: Sometimes you pick up new readers with a cheap remainder. That's how I started reading David Gemmell and Bernard Cornwell and a few others.
On the meh side: Happens to everyone. King gets remaindered. Tom Wolfe gets remaindered. And on the counting-your-blessings side, you have to be published in the first place to even go out of print.
I'll just roll with it and order a dozen cheap, so maybe I can help out a few completists in the future.
At the same time the academic year is wrapping up, I'm also getting ready for what looks to be a busy summer. On the writing front, I want to finish the plot book and have it into Fairwood Press by the middle of August. Also, I'll plan out the new novel, finish a couple of short projects and continue with my non-fiction work at The Fix On-line. I'll be doing a bit of convention traveling too.
Somewhere in there I want to fit in golf, hiking, fishing, rafting and yard work. Whew!
Dylan John Van Pelt: Class of 2008
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Whole Lotta Love," Led Zeppelin
We also startled a Striped Whipsnake that took off out of sight before I could get the picture. This is our second snake in two trips. I don't remember seeing a snake in this area in the last couple of years. Maybe there were a lot more small rodents or the right kind of insects for them to eat last year, so we're having a mini population explosion.
Also, defying my earlier declaration that collared lizards are less commonly seen, we spotted another one. I think their coloration is spectacular, so seeing one is such a treat.
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"L.A. Woman," the Doors
Clearly all that someone needs to do to reap the rock star like monetary and social benefits of writing is to regularly visit a web site like Seventh Sanctum. Here, you can find such easy short cuts as the Quick Story Idea Generator that with the simple push of the button will get you started on your way with gems like "The theme of this story: dark adventure. The main character: weak champion. The start of the story: research. The end of the story: funeral," or "The theme of this story: psychological horror. The main character: driven heroine. The start of the story: conspiracy. The end of the story: insight."
If you don't like that format, you can use an alternate story story program, like Story Generator that might give you the right push with this suggestion, "The story is about a technician, an artistic fisherman, and a dispirited princess who is engaged to a snide boatman. It takes place in a military town in a solar system of magical space travel. The story begins with a birth, climaxes with someone building a dwelling, and ends with an inheritance. The formation of the UN plays a major role in this story."
The site is useful for much more than that, though. You can quickly come up with characters, like this one who I got from using the Vampire Generator program, "This wise male vampire has deep-set violet eyes with pupils shaped like crosses, and that can extend on stalks. His thick, wavy, night-black hair is neck-length and is worn in a dignified style. He is inhumanly tall and has a graceful build. He has an elegant nose and large hands. He can turn into a cloud of dust. He has the standard vampiric disabilities. He feeds on human ecstacy."
This is high tech and so much better than the old days when you had to buy a book, like The Romance Writers' Phrase Book, where you had to thumb through a table of contents to find the chapters on eyes or voice descriptions if you couldn't be bothered to make up one of your own. Who could resist a phrasing from the eyes chapter like, "There was an invitation in the smoldering depths of his eyes," or from the voice chapter, "He answered in a tense, clipped voice that forbade any questions."
[disclaimer: Actually, I thought the Seventh Sanctum website was both entertaining and funny. I don't think they intend it to be a real writing resource. I'm pretty sure they don't. Almost positive.]
- Mood:
chipper - Sounds:"Over the Hills and Far Away," Led Zeppelin
Outside of those annoyances, everything totally fucking rocks! My hair is still cute. I got cute shoes. I interviewed for a position at work that I didn't get, but my bosses are all now working hard to help my career path. (Back story - I wasn't going to apply for it, but my Boy encouraged me to because it shows interest on my part in the company, and it totally paid off. I love his support of me!) I got my stimulus check today (wewt!) and will be completely solvent on all outstanding house bills (next step: my actual debt, bleh). My friend Shaun bought me tickets to the opening show of the Disturbed/Slipknot concert in Seattle in July (my last concert as a person in my 20's) - an act that was so sweet I almost cried. Avenue Q tickets are going on sale this weekend. Tom Waits is going on tour this summer. My Boy's mom is taking us to the opera next weekend. My Boy starts his new, awesome, higher paying job on Monday. We got a new dishwasher last night that works pretty damn well. My kitties are so snuggly sweet and happy - probably because of the coyote pee in the walls that is doing a pretty fair job at keeping the squirrels at bay. And, of course, my Boy continues to amaze and spoil me with his love and wonderfulness.
Life rocks!
- Location:worky
- Mood:
ecstatic - Sounds:Tom Waits - Fish & Bird
Some months ago I complained here that the only good part of Sarah Brightman's last album (Symphony) were the photos of her running around in what looked like the ruins of Osgiliath. Well, I hauled out her old album Classics the other day (actually it was to rip it to the new laptop) and I looked in the liner notes.
I was kind of shocked to find your basic Maxim photoshoot of Sarah inside.
( Read more... )
If I'd ever looked at it before I've forgotten.
But more to the point, this helps you interpret Beethoven with your voice how exactly?
I know I'm being a complete hypocrite because no one's a bigger fan of women flouncing around wearing only a little beach sand and a smile, but I kept imagining some thirteen year old going through grueling voice training thinking "Here I am fighting my way through the Queen of the Night aria and if I ever make it, they're just gonna want a closeup of my snatch."
I'll just hope all this was her idea (my custom naiveté helmet, headphones, and goggles come in a variety of sizes and colors, I can give you a link if you want one). I used to work at a photo studio and lots of women wanted themselves depicted and preserved in this fashion, and more power to 'em. I'm not saying SB isn't a beauty and pulled it off nicely. But if the suckholes in marketing decided she needs to strip to sell music, it's just one more reason to hate producer Frank Peterson. I wish someone would clock him with a cowbell.
TEH HUSBAND: *goes to the doctor for Random Crud he's Sick With (TM)*
TEH DOCTOR: "Good to see you, Patient #264 With Good Insurance--BTW how's Laurel?"
TEH HUSBAND: "She's good. She's all, can't get pregnant ever now, and stuff, which is badass. But not sleeping so good."
TEH DOCTOR: "OMGWTFAMBIENRXSHEISON!"
TEH HUSBAND: "Yeah, but she's, like, falling asleep pretty ok this time, but waking up really early and can't go back to sleep."
TEH DOCTOR: "..."
TEH HUSBAND: "..."
TEH DOCTOR: "..."
TED HUSBAND: "So, um. '...' from a doctor really hasn't ever been a good thing in my experience, so..."
TEH DOCTOR: "Your wife has built up a... significant... tolerance to Ambien."
(LAUREL: "What, does he think I'm supposed to be dead after taking this stuff for two years? Of course the magic has faded a little!")
TEH HUSBAND: "Rock. Let's get her off..."
(LAUREL: "OMGPLEASEGETMEOFF!")
TEH HUSBAND: "...of Ambien..."
(LAUREL: "OMGNOPLEASENO!")
TEH HUSBAND: "...because I never wanted her to be on it again anyway."
(LAUREL: "How about you just get-me-off, get me off? You know, the fun kind...? Please?")
TEH HUSBAND: "No. I am contagious with my Random Crud I'm Sick With(TM)."
TEH DOCTOR: "Tell your wife that a lot of better-than-Ambien-for-longterm-insomnia solutions have come out since we started this up again, and to come in in the next month or so to discuss her other options with me."
(LAUREL: "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!")
TEH HUSBAND: "Alas, still no, for I Am Contageous."
(LAUREL: "You TRAITOR! You didn't even bring me shiny samples!!!")
TEH DOCTOR: "Bring me Patient #265 With Good Insurance!"
See, because Laurel/Ambien is kinda like House/Vicodin... we're TIGHT, we're INSEPERABLE, and even when it's not working, it's working. So I'm not exactly cheerful about the prospect of going through the horrible taper-off-and-don't-sleep-for-a-month--especially if I'm addicted, and even if there's going to be something else to try--but, the fucking doctor who approves the fucking refills is into this, so. Who wants a drink? (Me!)
- Location:David Tennant's Sideburns
- Mood:
horny - Sounds:Misc. Mario Bros. waves
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, so the LiveJournal team is offering users a chance to support the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of those suffering from mood disorders. Proceeds from purchases of the Emerging Sun v-gift during May will be donated to the DBSA, so feel free to buy one. Or, if you really want to rack up some good karma points, get a bunch!
And don't forget: Mother's Day is this Sunday. Be a dear and check out the v-gifts shop. Send something that'll make her smile.
L to R: Emerging Sun, #1 Mom, Gift Basket, Chocolates, A Dozen Red Roses
We know how you salivate over the prospect of new themes, especially when they're designed by users with a unique handle on both form and function.
L to R: Shiny, River at Night, Live and Learn, Vector Drips.
( Winners of the HP 'What Do You Have to Say?' Theme Design Contest )
We'd like to remind you that the nomination process for LiveJournal Advisory Board user-representatives has begun. If you think you're fit for the job, now's the time to nominate yourself! After all, you're the only who can do it. In two weeks, on the 22nd, the voting process will begin; we'll remind you about it again here.
If you're interested in keeping up with the nominations, watch
First is:
http://midwestteensexshow.com/
The Midwest Teen Sex Show is supposed to get good information about sex to teens. There's a lot of parody and satire in this. If you are humor impaired, don't watch it. Really.
This next one, I was going to make another post to follow up the April First Conversion post to put it in, because it's just too fucking good:
http://www.sexinchrist.com/index.ht
Biblical justification for fisting, anal sex, bondage, and Viagra. Amazing.
And here I'm pimping my LJ friend
Here you will find essays on BDSM, Polyamory, photography resources, and more.
For anyone who has ever, ever thought things like "OMG how could you let someone just beat the shit out of you!?!?!", go read the BDSM article now, please.
For anyone who has ever thought that being married and having or allowing one's spouse to have other (regular) lovers is adultery, or turning a blind eye to same, you should go read the Polyamory article.
Thank Gods. Because the people who write the psychology texts are seriously fucked up.
"Yes, it's the shortest way. I shall arrive at five a.m.; I shall order a pair of boots; I shall make my wife pregnant, and I shall depart."
He was among the 27,000 French killed at Wagram a few months later.
The Boy and I had Friday through Sunday off together. This is the first time this is happened, ever. :) Friday we just sat around and rested, which was lovely. Saturday we took a really lovely drive to the coast, where I lost all feeling in my feets by playing in the ocean and broke my face from smiling from swinging as hard as I could on the swingset on the beach. Sunday we went to one of the cute neighborhoods in Portland and had the best sandwich I've ever had, followed by my Boy making me fondue. It was incredible! He really does spoil me rotten, and I love him so much. I feel so lucky. :)
I got my hair cut last week by a girl that's in an apprenticeship at a really high end salon. It is the best hair cut I've ever had. I love it! I don't think I have low self esteem, but there's something about a great haircut that makes everyone feel special, true? I seriously feel very beautiful right now, beautiful and happy and optimistic. Hooray!
- Location:worky
- Mood:
happy - Sounds:Enough - Gravity Kills
I'll be teaching the English class. No problem for me because I've taught it before, and I'm teaching at the college in the evening. The other three teachers are long-time high school teachers who haven't taught at the college, though, and that was the source of the educational dissonance in our meeting yesterday. Once the representative from the college was done making her introductory remarks about the program, she asked if their were any questions. The other three teachers started asking about expected behaviors, departmental standards, course syllabus, etc. The representative answered a lot of the questions with, "Well, that will be up to you." The more she said this, the more uncomfortable the other three teachers became, and I realized why: in the high school, the emphasis in the last few years has been all about measurable, quantifiable, standard results. We have been moving toward "common assessments," "shared vision," "departmental goals," and a host of other homogenizing activities. Our district talks about a "guaranteed education," which means, essentially, that no matter which school a kid goes to in our district, she will get the same experience.
College is not like this. College celebrates academic freedom and trust in the instructors to achieve the class's goals (which are stated in the most general of terms). At Mesa, there are about ten teachers who teach English 111, the introductory level class I'll be teaching. They all use different text books. They create their own syllabus. They achieve the class goals any way they want to. The college trusts that the instructors know what they are doing, and they let them do it. One teacher could be very project oriented, another lecture oriented, a third works the class on collaborative efforts, another emphasizes a study of models, etc.
It suddenly occurred to me that many college teachers have taken no educational theory classes. They have their expertise in the field behind them, but no course work in how to design a lesson plan, or on writing standards based questions, or even in student psychology. They learn on the job.
I don't know what to make of this dissonance, but I notice that it is there. Lately in the public schools the emphasis has been in taking away a teacher's input into the class. The No Child Left Behind testing has pushed the individual teacher into the background. The result is that many teachers feel that their knowledge, passion and professionalism no longer matter. As several teachers have said to me at one time or another, after one or numerous "best practices" meeting, "Why don't they just video tape the teacher who does everything the way they want it done, and then show it to the classes. Clearly they don't need me."
- Sounds:"Tusk," Fleetwood Mac
