This weekend has been a technological ordeal. All is fine, as long as I avoid getting computer parts and attempting a hard drive repair.
The macbook will be taken care of, but not by me.
It felt really good to get out for a couple of hours and write with some friends and strangers. I've had some unpleasant writing group and workshop experience in the past so I was a bit apprehensive giving it another shot. There was some very good prompts handed out, some friendly criticism given and a boat load of ideas were written down. Have not really written in the past few weeks and putting the pen to page in a free write was something that really kicked me in the ass to write. Looks like it's going to be a Sunday night thing.
Now, if I can only decipher my handwriting!
The Bills are now 0-5. I think they have a good shot at not winning a game this season. Sad, but true.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
I Do Not Know How People Survive
A newly released draft poem by Ted Hughes has been making the electronic rounds. The poem is Hughes' attempt to write out his feelings about the death of Sylvia Plath.
I keep thinking about Frieda Hughes, their daughter, what kind of life she must have, and what kind of mettle she has in dealing with everything.
The paintbrush has been a release for her, and she has published poetry and children's books.
How does one deal with a parent killing themselves while you're three years old and in the next room? Then, dad's next partner kills herself and your half sister in the same way your mother died. After that, your father, Ted Hughes, is demonized for destroying your mother's journals. A few years later he's made Poet Laureate of England.
I'm no fan of Hughes, and lack familiarity with most of his work. There's a ton of family drama here. Plenty of room for dislike. On his deathbed, Hughes finally speaks out on his first wife's death by publishing Birthday Letters. A mediocre movie about the Hughes/Plath marriage is released.
What is it like to have your family's history and words to be deconstructed and scrutinized by scholars, strangers and archivers with vitriol?
Then, to top it all off her younger brother killed himself a couple of years ago due to his depression. Frieda's third marriage also fell apart earlier this year.
What does she do to cope? Honestly.
I keep thinking about Frieda Hughes, their daughter, what kind of life she must have, and what kind of mettle she has in dealing with everything.
The paintbrush has been a release for her, and she has published poetry and children's books.
How does one deal with a parent killing themselves while you're three years old and in the next room? Then, dad's next partner kills herself and your half sister in the same way your mother died. After that, your father, Ted Hughes, is demonized for destroying your mother's journals. A few years later he's made Poet Laureate of England.
I'm no fan of Hughes, and lack familiarity with most of his work. There's a ton of family drama here. Plenty of room for dislike. On his deathbed, Hughes finally speaks out on his first wife's death by publishing Birthday Letters. A mediocre movie about the Hughes/Plath marriage is released.
What is it like to have your family's history and words to be deconstructed and scrutinized by scholars, strangers and archivers with vitriol?
Then, to top it all off her younger brother killed himself a couple of years ago due to his depression. Frieda's third marriage also fell apart earlier this year.
What does she do to cope? Honestly.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Things I Have Meant To Say
The progress bar is still as the Disk Warrior does its thing. It has not moved for about thirty six hours now. The number of broken files increases while the likelihood of replacing the hard drive by this weekend goes up. Accepting losing three plus years of work is not easy.
Off to a culture shaping retreat for work today and tomorrow. It's not something I'm being cynical about attending. I'm just anxious as being around a group of strangers and discussing anything with them face to face scares the crap out of me. I do not think we'll end up holding hands and singing Kumbaya or getting Block O tattoos on our biceps, but I'm optimistic for positive results.
As a bitter and disgruntled ex-employee, I grumble when I see a lawn sign, billboard or see other propaganda regarding Issue 4. Let me state here that I am not against it in the least. In fact I will be voting for it, and if you live in Columbus, you should too. If you want reasons, ask me and I'll go off as to why. If you want me to put a sign on my lawn or change my Facebook profile picture go elsewhere. I'm putting as much effort into their campaign as their efforts into my career advancement when I worked there. Yes, there are issues.
My son's IEP meeting is next week. Having a special needs kid is hard when it comes to educational expectations. At this point, limited conversation is seen as a big step. Pooping in the toilet would be nice. Slowly, he's beginning to sleep thought the night regularly - that is massive progress.
Got to love the Wexner Center. Last night they brought in Joe Dante to introduce Matinee. It's a fun movie that was very overlooked about Sci-Fi movies of the fifties and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And Mant, the film within the film about a half man - half ant, was much funnier than I remember. Dante was very gracious and had some important things to say about the state of horror films and today's film in general. He spoke like Scorcese's calmer cousin. Very entertaining.
Off to a culture shaping retreat for work today and tomorrow. It's not something I'm being cynical about attending. I'm just anxious as being around a group of strangers and discussing anything with them face to face scares the crap out of me. I do not think we'll end up holding hands and singing Kumbaya or getting Block O tattoos on our biceps, but I'm optimistic for positive results.
As a bitter and disgruntled ex-employee, I grumble when I see a lawn sign, billboard or see other propaganda regarding Issue 4. Let me state here that I am not against it in the least. In fact I will be voting for it, and if you live in Columbus, you should too. If you want reasons, ask me and I'll go off as to why. If you want me to put a sign on my lawn or change my Facebook profile picture go elsewhere. I'm putting as much effort into their campaign as their efforts into my career advancement when I worked there. Yes, there are issues.
My son's IEP meeting is next week. Having a special needs kid is hard when it comes to educational expectations. At this point, limited conversation is seen as a big step. Pooping in the toilet would be nice. Slowly, he's beginning to sleep thought the night regularly - that is massive progress.
Got to love the Wexner Center. Last night they brought in Joe Dante to introduce Matinee. It's a fun movie that was very overlooked about Sci-Fi movies of the fifties and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And Mant, the film within the film about a half man - half ant, was much funnier than I remember. Dante was very gracious and had some important things to say about the state of horror films and today's film in general. He spoke like Scorcese's calmer cousin. Very entertaining.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
One Hard Drive Later
Been listening to Write About Love, the latest from Belle and Sebastian for the last couple of mornings. I'm concluding that, with this record, B&S is a band and not the efforts one person. There are songs by Stevie Jackson and Sarah Martin that, while not in the style of Stuart Murdoch, fit the record and theme.
I'm not pleased with the celebrity cameos, especially the Norah Jones duet and am puzzled that the lovely yet voiceless Carey Mulligan gets a track. Why not include one of the singers from the God Help the Girl soundtrack, or has Murdoch cut away completely from that project?
There are a couple of fine songs on this record, the opener I Didn't See it Coming and I Want the World to Stop are quite infectious. I'm not sure how much longer B&S will sustain itself now that special guest stars are showing up. When will Cousin Oliver add his vocals?
In other news, despite massive efforts at resuscitation, it looks like the hard drive on the macbook is now an ex-hard drive. For the moment, I'm taking the loss rather well. I guess losing a lot of pictures and three years of music does not effect me much. Most of the writing can be reassembled. It's not going to be an easy transition. Realizing that lists and songs are gone, probably forever, will be tough when it hits me.
I'm not pleased with the celebrity cameos, especially the Norah Jones duet and am puzzled that the lovely yet voiceless Carey Mulligan gets a track. Why not include one of the singers from the God Help the Girl soundtrack, or has Murdoch cut away completely from that project?
There are a couple of fine songs on this record, the opener I Didn't See it Coming and I Want the World to Stop are quite infectious. I'm not sure how much longer B&S will sustain itself now that special guest stars are showing up. When will Cousin Oliver add his vocals?
In other news, despite massive efforts at resuscitation, it looks like the hard drive on the macbook is now an ex-hard drive. For the moment, I'm taking the loss rather well. I guess losing a lot of pictures and three years of music does not effect me much. Most of the writing can be reassembled. It's not going to be an easy transition. Realizing that lists and songs are gone, probably forever, will be tough when it hits me.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Make me dance I want to surrender
Survived the weekend festivities. While driving into Fredonia on Saturday afternoon I heard two friends on the campus station. The alumni took over the radio for the weekend in hour shifts. I was asked, but declined.
When I got there though, my friend Chris asked if I'd join him as he did not want to be alone. He did not have to ask twice.
With Mike as our board operator and Chris' iPod as our record library we did an hour of live, unrehearsed radio and have a freaking blast doing it. I read the weather forecast for the first time in over twenty tears, talked about bagging an elk on Center Street. All was right in the world. It felt great to be back on the air. No one could afford my services now though, but Chris and I should consider a podcast.
Finally got to see a show at the renovated Opera House, Dan Berggren did an hour set in a beautiful theater.
Then it was over to BJ's for the shenanigans. 600 wings were devoured by starving alumni. There was live music and flashbulbs. Felt like a pinball bouncing around between people. Pheromones and dollar well drinks filled the air. My Scottish Wife had a good time and talked to a few people too. She was amazed that the bartender gave her a free coke with her drink.
After the music was over, I stood on the stage and took pictures of the crowd. I was joined by Sue, and as she and I talked a crowd gathered around us for a group shot. The price of fame I suppose.
Had to leave early to drive back to Buffalo in a pissing down rainstorm. Stayed sober and responsible. No drama, no first wife showed up.
Drove home yesterday in more heavy rain. Still made it home in excellent time. Been listening to the new Belle and Sebastian record, it helps to have connections as it's not being released until next week.
Typing this on a borrowed net book, still trying to decide on a permanent home computer situation. We have a couple of weeks to decide. Have nowhere to upload pictures to yet, but have a few to share. I look very odd in the pictures I've seen of me from this weekend.
When I got there though, my friend Chris asked if I'd join him as he did not want to be alone. He did not have to ask twice.
With Mike as our board operator and Chris' iPod as our record library we did an hour of live, unrehearsed radio and have a freaking blast doing it. I read the weather forecast for the first time in over twenty tears, talked about bagging an elk on Center Street. All was right in the world. It felt great to be back on the air. No one could afford my services now though, but Chris and I should consider a podcast.
Finally got to see a show at the renovated Opera House, Dan Berggren did an hour set in a beautiful theater.
Then it was over to BJ's for the shenanigans. 600 wings were devoured by starving alumni. There was live music and flashbulbs. Felt like a pinball bouncing around between people. Pheromones and dollar well drinks filled the air. My Scottish Wife had a good time and talked to a few people too. She was amazed that the bartender gave her a free coke with her drink.
After the music was over, I stood on the stage and took pictures of the crowd. I was joined by Sue, and as she and I talked a crowd gathered around us for a group shot. The price of fame I suppose.
Had to leave early to drive back to Buffalo in a pissing down rainstorm. Stayed sober and responsible. No drama, no first wife showed up.
Drove home yesterday in more heavy rain. Still made it home in excellent time. Been listening to the new Belle and Sebastian record, it helps to have connections as it's not being released until next week.
Typing this on a borrowed net book, still trying to decide on a permanent home computer situation. We have a couple of weeks to decide. Have nowhere to upload pictures to yet, but have a few to share. I look very odd in the pictures I've seen of me from this weekend.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Brief Recap
Been a great trip. Car rental, a Hyundai Accent, working out great. Safe trip to Fredonia. Saw a fabulous poetry reading by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, who remembered me and gave me a shout out during her reading!
We were in a lecture hall that I have not sat in since 1987, it has not changed. Then had a late dinner with a friend at BJ's. the wings were better than I expected.
Had a tour of Buffalo yesterday morning, nice beverage at The Spot then Premier. Spotted some Irn-Bru, showed the can to my Scottish Wife, who raced down the aisle, as if magnetized!
Later, my respect for the kimmelweck roll was increased as I had beef on weck at Schwabl's. I'm still not thrilled by all the salt.
Returned to Fredonia and ran into the past. It was, like the wings on Friday, better than expected. No drama, but good reconnecting. The music at BJ's was too loud so I was outside talking about politics and Scotland. My wife has been wonderful and made a few friends herself.
At The White Inn, two people told me I was famous, had a drink bought for me by an old housemate, missed a group bird flipping photo.
All good, except for the 2AM migraine, from which I have recovered.
We were in a lecture hall that I have not sat in since 1987, it has not changed. Then had a late dinner with a friend at BJ's. the wings were better than I expected.
Had a tour of Buffalo yesterday morning, nice beverage at The Spot then Premier. Spotted some Irn-Bru, showed the can to my Scottish Wife, who raced down the aisle, as if magnetized!
Later, my respect for the kimmelweck roll was increased as I had beef on weck at Schwabl's. I'm still not thrilled by all the salt.
Returned to Fredonia and ran into the past. It was, like the wings on Friday, better than expected. No drama, but good reconnecting. The music at BJ's was too loud so I was outside talking about politics and Scotland. My wife has been wonderful and made a few friends herself.
At The White Inn, two people told me I was famous, had a drink bought for me by an old housemate, missed a group bird flipping photo.
All good, except for the 2AM migraine, from which I have recovered.
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