Raw Goods Inventory

It's Friday! Laura is at a Girl Scout leadership conference this weekend. Max has a game tomorrow! I had dinner tonight with Daneen at the Doug Fir.

I"m enjoying Emily Rosko's book Raw Goods Inventory. There will be poems by Emily in the next Caffeine Destiny!

Today I wrote a a poem, planted dahlias and coreopsis, petunias and cosmos! We'll see how they do.

Tomorrow night I'm going to watch my nephew in a high school production of Our Town. Emily, Grover's Corners, and all that.

Tunnel of Love

I made a CD for Michael with just one song on it this morning. "Tunnel of Love" by Bruce Springsteen. We played that whole album a lot when we were first going out, in 1988.

When I met Michael I was still listening to just tapes - he bought me my first CD player.

It's our anniversary! And immigrants all over will be taking the day off to celebrate!

Sixteen years ago, the first Bush was president, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation and Madonna's Vogue were hits, Seinfeld was in its first season, Ghost and Dances with Wolves were released as movies.

And Michael and I got married, in the Multnomah County Courthouse. Then we went to Atwater's for our reception. Then we went to Powell's bookstore and ended up at the Imperial Hotel for the night.

We spent our honeymoon at Sylvia Beach hotel, in the Colette and Agatha Christie rooms.

We got married on a Tuesday. My dad said, "no one gets married on a Tuesday!"

But we wanted to get married on May 1st.

This is a poem I wrote for Michael, in 1989:

Outlaws

He'll be a musician
in leather because there are songs
to be played. I'll carry his voice
on a tape with me everywhere,
in the grocery store I'll fondle
vegetables to the strum of his guitar.
I'll pull him from the line-up and
invent new crimes. We'll save
our lies for quick getaways.
I'll offer him a a palette and he'll
always choose black, the color
of conspiracy and machines.
I'll fall in love and present the evidence,
his face will be an answer.
I'll steal his coat and give him my hands
to be his hands. Together our bodies
will decipher what our words don't say,
a language of here and now.
I'll want the disaster of romance,
the sudden collision of needs
to embrace me. He'll play music
to suggest an intimate escape.
The night will accuse of premeditated
encounters and we'll surrender,
common criminals.

I love you Michael.

Triple Play

That's Keats in the text behind the woman...

It's a gorgeous day out. I wrote three poems this morning, so I'm feeling poem-aful! The term has ended for one of the schools I teach at, and my teaching load has been pretty much halved. Life is good!

I listened to the Beach Boys today on my ipod. Yes the weather is just that nice. It definitely feels like summer.

I bought another tomatos and some geraniums and petunias. Now. Some people think geraniums are common and they eschew them in their garden. But I love them. Even in their ubiquity.

Marigolds are another matter. I just don't like them. I eyed some in the store today - I even picked them up, considering. There was a bunch of them, and any flower planted en masse looks good. But no, marigolds are not for me.

Max's team won last night. He brought two batters home. Tomorrow's game is bright and early, nine o'clock.

My aunt is singing at Carnegie Hall tonight. With a choir. I wish I could be there!

Peppers and Poetry

Find your poet name!. Mine is Sir Francis Swishington III.

I planted a tomato and a red pepper plant yesterday. I just want to frolic in the out of doors.

We are reading Frank O'Hara in poetry class today. I will not take it personally if they don't like him.

At least, I'll try not to.

Starfish and Coffee

I heard the Prince song Starfish and Coffee today on my ipod and it was a perfect match to my mood on a real day of spring that feels like summer.

My sister turns 50 tomorrow. It's true! I am going to a casino with all my sisters and we are going to gamble! It's true.

I am not going to Wordstock this weekend in Portland. I hope it does well. Let me know! I think I have spring fever.

My poetry class is going well, some of my other classes end next week, and the teaching schedule gets a little easier.

Which is good because .. it's spring!

Really.

Went to my first Little League game last night. Max got a hit! I had a great time - I can understand the game of baseball a lot easier than I understand football.

Also went to Laura's track meet in Gresham and watched her run one of the dashes.

It's the time of the year when planting flowers and watching kids play sports seem like the most fitting activities.

Happy Birthday Melinda!

Eggs, Rain

It's not a collage, but it is a bunny.

The Loggernaut reading was good, and it was at Mississippi Studios, which seems like a great place for a reading. Poetry readings and drinks just go together! Chelsea Cain was funny (even in mixed company) - Anthony Robinson and his picture-taking girlfriend were charming (the picture taking reminded me of myself at my kids sporting events - and poetry readings are a kind of sport!), and I loved the story by Daniel Alarcon about being Abraham Lincoln's lover (he had to get a hold of himself half way through his story - he was laughing too!).

Anthony Robinson did his part for the Caffeine Destiny plan to take over the world by mentioning us at the beginning of his reading. We appreciate it, although we didn't take a picture!

The Loggernaut people were playing a silent version of some German science fiction movie on the back porch of the studio. Unfortunately it was raining.

I have tulips and daffodils in my house and I plan to have even more before the weekend is over. Family coming over for Easter brunch Sunday.

I think we will dye eggs today or tomorrow. I have several ceramic bunnies that are attached to ceramic egg holders around the house that need their eggs.

My kids are past the age of wondering, "how does the Bunny get into the house?" - this used to be a concern.

And speaking of eggs, am reminded of a friend's father in grade school who always used to say after he'd cracked a funny joke, "I'd stop you laughing but we need the eggs." I remember always being slightly puzzled by that expression, but I know he enjoyed saying it.

I fear Max's make-up game will be cancelled again today. Tomorrow's game is at Burnsidie Field, though, and Max tells me they always cover that field when it rains.

But before all that, I must create a Power Point presentation for one of my online classes. I keep thinking Powerpoint will die a natural death, but it keeps hanging on. It gets resurrected!

Yesterday we had the first workshop in the poetry class I'm teaching this term. I think it went well. Always a fine line between not wanting to crush people's little poetry writing hearts, but also wanting to give them something to think about, in terms of revision.

This time of the year I think of the Charles Wright line:

Easter with all its little mouths open in the rain

Monday

I made this a while ago... I should make some bunny collages or something. April is not the cruelest month, but it's a teaching whirlwind over here in these parts!

Brigit was good, not quite what I expected, but I'm glad I went.

Max's first baseball game got cancelled on account of rain. Tomorrow he's going on an overnight field trip so he'll miss the next game too. But it's raining hard again today, so will there even be a game? No doubt the question on everyone's lips - the Little Leaguers lips anyway - for much of the spring.

Tori and I exchanged mix CDs. And many other less tangible things.

I'm going to a Loggernaut reading on Thursday. Fortunately, poetry readings are very rarely cancelled on account of rain.

However, before then, a lot of teaching to do.

Finding Out..

... what it feels like to post without a picture. Zanni does it, why can't I?

My poetry students seem great this term. Today we wrote a list poem, among other things. Talked about concrete and abstract language. Walked around outside and wrote down stuff they saw.

I'm going to hear Brigit Kelly read at Reed tonight. Cecelia will be there.

Seeing Tori tomorrow - hooray. I have known her since 1970. It's true!

Received a rejection from Triquarterly yesterday. They felt the need to put not one but TWO rejection slips in the envelope!

Okay now I will post this and see how lonely it looks without any pictures to keep it company.

Springing Forward

Wow, I must be on some sort of spring break - I haven't posted in a week! And I"m using an atc from October!

Laura and Max are both in Sisters tonight. Max stayed all week. I can't wait to see him again tomorrow.

I went snow shoeing for the first time last weekend, with my dad and Max and Laura.

Saw Cecelia this week. She mentioned Michael McGriff. I like what I've read so far!

Next week more classes start. I won't be teaching at all on Wednesdays and Fridays this term (at least nowhere "live"), and I'm pleased about that.

Clocks get moved forward this weekend.

My office looks like it would qualify for federal disaster funds.

The sun is out!

More one sentence paragraphs soon!

Belle and Sebastian and Zanni

Last night we saw Belle and Sebastian. The New Pornographers opened for them. I thought they were great - and I got one of their set lists.

Zanni's in town! I had lunch with her and Daneen today. Saw M. earlier. Good to see everyone. And a certain someone is going to visit a certain someone else in Iowa City this weekend to decide if he will attend there. And I heard of someone else from Portland who is also going there next year - which brings the total to FOUR Portland people currently at the University of Iowa. Portland Mafia indeed, N.!

Max and Laura are on spring break all next week - they're psyched! We're going to Sisters tomorrow, and I decided I will pretend like I'm on spring break too - at least for two days. I have classes next week, and classes to plan for spring term. But I won't think about it anymore until Monday.

Classes classes classes. Talking to Zanni and M. and Daneen today, I thought about not teaching anymore - doing something different. Well, we shall see about all that. Whenever Zanni is around anything seems possible.

I'm looking forward to seeing Central Oregon.

We're watching GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK tonight. I have had two lemon drops in the past two days - see, I MUST be on vacation!

New Caffeine Destiny is online

Finally. Check it out

Appendix, appendix

I have been thinking since yesterday of how the appendix you have removed sometimes is called by the same name as the thing at the back of a book, appendix. I wonder why that is?

It would feel too strange to blog about this weekend. But I am very glad that Laura is home, and I am home. I have probably watched more episodes of One Tree Hill in one weekend than I ever will again - I see now why Laura likes it. I still think it's no Beverly Hills 90210, but that Chad kid is pretty cute.

And now I will never have to wonder if Laura has a pain in her side if it is her appendix.

I have been reading Typical American by Gish Jen - I'm going to use it in my American literature class next term.

Olena Davis was fabulous. I was really glad I saw her and met her and everything.

It is spring spring spring! My office is a mess. Caffeine Destiny was slightly postponed this weekend but it's still coming together! Probably by the end of the week.

Ides of March

Apparently there was nothing ominous about the ides of March until Caesar. It just means the 15th, at least when it falls in March.

The term has ended for my freshman composition class, and the other class I teach (apart from my online one) is on Spring Break. So I officially do not have to be IN a classroom until a week from today. This pleases me. Papers to grade and syllabi to create, but still. I like the ides of March myself!

Tomorrow is Olena! I found this "guest blog" she did in February for Poetry Magazine. It sounds very much like her. Because it is!

I helped kids put on costumes at the dress rehearsal today. I watched part of the dress rehearsal. The songs are cute. The boy who plays the octopus does not like his costume. He told me today, "I look like a three year old!" I told him, no, you are much taller than a three year old. I don't think that made him feel any better.

I ran five miles today. My office needs a good spring cleaning. Papers and books everywhere.

Dream of Snow!

It snowed around here today - not really where I am, but in the Portland/Vancouver area. So I had no classes and got caught up on some grading. It may snow again tonight. I hope it snows four inches! In March!

Olena Davis is reading here next week. I'm looking forward to that. And "The Little Mermaid", starring my adorable children opens in its very brief engagement - two performances - next week.

I am teaching an American literature class next term. We will start with Hemingway I think.

My desk is a mess! Tomorrow is picture day at Laura's school - unless it snows.

Laura watches a show called One Tree Hill - she's a big fan. Last night I watched a few minutes of it with her and I recognized one of the actresses who was playing one of the main character's mom. The mom role, played by Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks. Kids wanted to know what Twin Peaks was. Never mind it would take too long to explain. I told them it was a t.v. show. Max said, "from a long time ago, right?". Well yes, I guess it was...

I am reading Olena Davis a lot this week. So next week when she comes I can hold up my bic lighter and shout out titles for her to read. Well, probably not.

I have been reading things online about Austin and the AWP. But I am waiting for Zanni and Michele to give me the lowdown.

I read something online about Adorno that I actually UNDERSTOOD. I might have to read more by this Curtis person.

But now it is time for me to watch a few minutes of American Idol so Laura can show me the person who she thinks is really good.

It's no Twin Peaks, though.

Oscar Weekend

I love watching the Academy Awards. Even when I haven't seen many of the movies that are nominated. I've seen Crash, Cinderella Man, Munich and the Constant Gardener. Oh and King Kong, but it's just up for Art Direction. Was not so into King Kong. And March of the Penguins! It's up for best documentary. I would like to see Good Night and Good Luck, Capote, and maybe Syriana.

I have papers to grade this weekend, but I'm trying to stay on top of the end of the term crush. In a few weeks things will calm down some. And the new Caffeine Destiny is slowly coming together...

Michael and I have tickets for Belle and Sebastian later this month - I'm looking forward to that!

I planted more poppies, and also anemones and pansies. The daffodils are going to bloom out front this weekend, I'm sure of it. And I'm going to plant some lilies this weekend.

The only Oscar to win an Oscar was Oscar Hammerstein, for "The Last Time I Saw Paris" from the movie "Lady Be Good" in 1941.

Lent

It's March. It's Ash Wednesday - "because I do not hope to turn again", etc.

Laura now has a part in the play Max is in, "The Little Mermaid." She will play the Queen, the mother of Prince William. Prince William is played by Max - I can't wait to see them on the stage.

I am playing the part of the mother who will help kids get into their costumes at all performances and bring stuff for the cast party. I found out I got the part today! It must have been my head shots!

It's March, which means winter term will be over soon. This is a good thing, I think.

Max was doing an imitation of a yoga teacher today. He must have overheard some of my yoga dvds - he had the calm, quiet voice down perfectly. He was lying on my yoga mat doing funny poses. He said, "okay, now put your left foot into your right ear." It made me laugh.

Kite Runner

It is Saturday and I have finished The Kite Runner. It's the best book I've read in a while. I learned things about Afghanistan I never really knew before.

I worked a little today on the new Caffeine Destiny, which is going online in the middle of March. I'm excited about it.

If you have ever wondered if they make scented candles that smell like Chai tea, I can tell you that they do! I bought three Chai tea scented candles yesterday.

I planted two Oriental poppies in front of the house today. I guess it is not too early to plant perennials.

This summer I am going to plant garlic from The Terretorial Seed Company and dahlias from somewhere else.

Wednesday

Max is working on making a giant peanut out of clay. It's the visual for his school project, a report on George Washington Carver. Carver invented peanut butter!

I was observed today in one of my classes. It went fine and I'm glad it's over! We are talking about rhetorical analysis these days.

Olena Davis is reading here in March!

These days I notice bare trees with many birds congregating in them. I know robins don't migrate for the winter, but they seem to be returning from somewhere .

The two green canaries that I saw outside last summer a few times are still around. Last summer when I saw them I figured they had escaped from someone's cage and would not survive out of the cage for long. But this afternoon I saw them again. They were on a lawn with about fifteen robins. I called Michael and said, "the canaries are still alive!"

It seemed a hopeful sign.

Random Thoughts

I have graded all those papers! My brain is slightly underfunctional at the moment, but the grading has been completed!

Barbara Guest died.

It is supposed to get super super cold here tonight but no snow.

I am going to a yoga class tomorrow I think.

I have no idea what to make for dinner but I'm trying really hard not to go to Taco Bell.

I am listening to Stan Getz.

Apparently there has been some massive explosion on "All My Children". Amy and I have no idea what has happened, we shouldn't even care we haven't watched in ages, and yet ... we care. We must write the show producers to say: please don't let Erica's hair get messed up! Do what you like with her 156th husband, but please, SAVE THE HAIR!!!

I don't teach tomorrow because of President's Day. My kids, however, have school.

Yes!

Sunday Night

It's Sunday and it seems I have quite a bit of grading coming my way this week. What better reason to blog!

The Girl Scout cookies have arrived and we have 107 boxes in our house right now. More accurately, we have 103 unopened boxes and four opened ones. I love the thin mints.

I went to a yoga class today. I haven't been in a yoga class since the one I took for about two weeks with Zanni when we were at PSU. The PSU one had about forty students I think. Today's class had four students. I really liked it.

Max got a baseball helmet and a bat and balls today. He's getting ready for Little League.

New York City has more snow than they've ever had!

Caffeine Destiny is closed to submissions right now. I made a note of it on the web site. And I set the submission email to autoresponse, so if people send things to that email they get an automated "we are not reading submissions right now" email. I need to get through winter term before I can start reading submissions again. The new issues gos online in late February or early March.

I finished The Birth of Venus. It was alright, but I can't say I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.

I can, however, recommend In The Absent Everyday by Tsering Wangma Dhompa. I have been reading it this weekend.

Full moon tonight. I am going to go get in the hot tub now and look at it.