Cataloguing Loss

I'm back, after ten days in MFA surreality, to real life. This whole dead computer issue really sucks. Some of the written work I'll be able to recover from printed copies, the sent folder of my email, etc. But there were a few new stories I was very excited about. A lot of alternate drafts. And a ton of design mock-ups, and other artwork. Not to mention all the photographs. That one really hurts. It's a sad day when you realize all the photos you have left are the ones on your severely neglected myspace. Which is as good a segue as any into the fact that I think I've probably finally been harassed into joining facebook. I stared at the sign up earlier, but didn't pull the trigger yet.

On a happy note, while I was gone my contributor's copy of Gander Press Review came and I am very much looking forward to digging into that chunky beast! A fatty package of books came from a dear friend, as well, and I've officially run out of room on my "to-read" shelf.

So now I have some extra initials for my name. But I'm back at the same job, just to preemptively answer the inevitable "now what" question I've been hearing so much. I'm feeling particularly fatalistic, more so than usual, which is probably due to the dead computer syndrome. Probably not a great mood to blog in.

Devestation by Hard Drive

My hard drive died. Toast. No more. Hundreds of poems, stories, pictures gone. Art/design work gone. Submission logs. Ugh.

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Bad Connection

The internet connection here sucks. One minute it's all good, the next it disappears. Like all day yesterday. Lame.

So far I've heard Brady Udall read from his new novel (due in 2010), and heard Pam Houston read from her latest novel-in-progress (which is going to blow peoples' minds). There's been a lot of other good shit, too.

I haven't finished writing my introduction to my reading yet... but I did take time to design this:


That was done more out of "the internet's not working" boredom than sheer arrogance, but there was probably some of that, too. If for some reason you find yourself in the Portland area and feel like driving a little ways out into the boonies, come check it out.

Oh, and I found out right before I left that "What the Plumber knows about My Failed Marriage," a very short story (200+ words) will be published in this summer's issue of Third Wednesday. Very cool.

My 100th Post, Live from I-5

I'm on my way to my last MFA residency!

Totally Random and the Post-ettes

I didn't even get an interview for that job I wanted.

I leave for my last MFA residency on Thursday morning. There's a lot to do before then. I still haven't finished my "critical introduction" to my thesis reading. It has to be fifteen minutes long. I've got eight. My introduction is called "Career Masochism and the Quest for a Story." I'm going to videotape my presentation. Maybe I'll post that at some point.

Sometimes I'm not sure what I'm blogging about. Reading Bukowski at work seems wrong. I do it anyway.

It's going to be a long summer.

I Can Confirm...

A watched pot does indeed boil.

TIME magazine sucks when it doesn't end with "The Awesome Column" by Joel Stein.

Paying $50 to find out it would cost $500 to fix your car's AC is like paying a cover charge on a whorehouse only to find out you can't afford any of the women inside.

That last one is a horrible analogy.

Rejection Season

Wouldn't that post title be an awesome emo book for teens or something? Really, I am just referring to receiving three rejection letters in the last 24 hours. One had been out for nearly a year, and I had queried about it like three months ago. So, it was kind of nice to hear.

I listened to the new Eels album for three straight days. There are some new hooks in it, but you realize as long as E is singing it will always sound like Eels. I like it. On my way to and from work I skip through the slower songs.

Two weeks from tomorrow I will graduate. Crazy.

Shane Jones is holding a contest where if you add his upcoming book on GoodReads you will be entered to win a signed copy. This is me entering all double-trouble style: ADD IT! Serious, Light Boxes was cool, this will be, too.

I'm thinking of sending those screaming pickles to someone.

Part Two

Choir of the Screaming Pickles

Pit Bulled

The wonderful Elizabeth Ellen was incredibly kind and sent me a copy of her chapbook, Before You She Was A Pit Bull (along with other amazing goodies). When someone like ELIZABETH ELLEN sends you their chapbook you push aside whatever you're reading (my apologies to Bukowski's The Most Beautiful Woman in Town, though possibly a wildly appropriate book in this situation) and consume it as quickly as possible, to alter a metaphor from "Breathing Lessons," it's like being a sixteen year old, wanting to get down to business like RIGHT NOW, but it's not to "get the hell out" as much as its so you can get to the second, third, fourth time.

I know I'm late to the party on this chapbook, but it's a fantastic read. Even the stories that EE took the time to write that I should skip. (Sorry, just couldn't do that). I can't wait to put this chapbook on my bookshelf. Not to shelve it away, but rather as a comfort, it's there if I need it, just an arm's reach away.

I don't want to analyze these stories, or talk at length about them. I'm not at the phase in my relationship with them yet where I want to gossip about them. I'm at that happy place where they are new and fresh and have only told a few people that I'm seeing them. That place where they are all mine.

Sounds like a relationship, doesn't it? Every read is. Some are just more worth it, this one definitely is.

Art?

This started out as an idea for a design proposal, when that was turned down it became something else. My grandfather loved roosters, he was on my mind as I worked. I think it would look good as a poster of some kind...

I'm All Fictionalized

I was a runner-up HERE

Matt Bell is awesome HERE

I'm at work HERE (did you try to click that? I so got you). I'm applying for a job I really want. Like bad.

I started a new series of superhero stories.

I keep meaning to post this design thing I did for kicks, but keep forgetting.

Vikings and Other Things

First,

NEW CARTOON


Adam Robinson of Publishing Genius geniusness has mentioned An Important Day in the Joyful Life of Marjorie Wallace over at HTMLGIANT. READ IT. The ebook has had over a hundred viewers!

Thesis Deconstruction

What follows is a paragraph made up of random sentences, one from each of my thesis stories. Each sentence is also a link to something I found interesting and/or likable today, this post was inspired by THIS.


His pine coffin clanks into the tailgate as I hit a pothole. You just get used to it. "I could have been a father to this boy," he wants to say. "Goodbye icebergs," he says, "Goodbye ecosystem." With the heater on the cab is thick with sweat.

My Brain Is Jelly, Now Deal With It

Um, FIRST

Second, read an excerpt from WE TAKE ME APART, a novella in verse by Molly Gaudry.

Third, BUMP

Random things:

I am thinking of giving up on Mothers & Other Monsters, the stories just aren't grabbing me (it's possible it's just my state of mind). I hate not finishing books, but seriously I need something to entertain me when work is dead (thanks economy) and this book's just not doing the trick at the moment.

Hearing The Beatles sing in German is weird.

I just noticed that one of my socks is on inside-out.

David Carradine, star of KUNG FU died. RIP. You'll always have re-runs, dad.

MFA programs are being discussed all over the internet today. Be thankful I'm not cogent enough to write anything on the subject.

I am totally geeking out about THIS novel, due in October. I know Maurice Sendak draws a lot of ire from other writers out there, but come on, it's Dave Eggers. (Or was that supposed to be the other way around?)


Oh my god, READ IT ALREADY. I mean, I'll love you for always.

Massive Humble

My humble little wannabe press has put out its second ebook! I am even more humbled to be apart of bringing "An Important Day in the Joyful Life of Marjorie Wallace" to the public for reading pleasure. Paula Bomer's beautiful story can be read on the web or as a free .pdf by going HERE.

Please take the time to read this story, it is more than worth your time. Dare I say, it won't just make your day better, it will make your life better. Oh, I dare.

Schnikes!

The bound copies of my thesis came today!

Peep the spine:

Last Night

(turn up your volume if you didn't hear the thunder!)

Where the Fire Was

Happy June

The always busy JA Tyler/Mud Luscious Press is doing a giveaway all June. Go HERE for details and to get a copy. Having been a subscriber for a while now I can say with confidence it will be more than worth your time.



For a wonderful blogpost and story READ THIS. My family has multiple cancer survivors in it, and I lost both grandfathers to cancer. Support cancer research anyway you can.




It's June. 27 days 'til graduation!