autumn descending
seventy-five degree mizzle
steam halos frame us
The Tongue Press
squeezing the truth and possible witticisms from non-sequitur prompts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
My Favorite: Line of Prose
"When she woke him at dawn by lightly sweeping her nipples across his back, he sometimes forgot who he was."
The above is a quote from the novel Good Benito by Alan Lightman.
When I read that line for the first time many years ago I had to pause for a moment because I could feel my brain expanding with awe. Reading it now makes me nearly tear up at the beauty of words, the sensuality of the setting and characters, the subtle yet overflowing passion.
Every time I read this sentence I have a tiny visceral meltdown, and it is absolutely wonderful.
The above is a quote from the novel Good Benito by Alan Lightman.
When I read that line for the first time many years ago I had to pause for a moment because I could feel my brain expanding with awe. Reading it now makes me nearly tear up at the beauty of words, the sensuality of the setting and characters, the subtle yet overflowing passion.
Every time I read this sentence I have a tiny visceral meltdown, and it is absolutely wonderful.
Monday, August 9, 2010
What really matters is what you like, not what you *are* like
The full quote:
"...I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth, and by this measure I was having one of the best dates of my life." ~High Fidelity
I recently got into a debate about the validity of the above quote, and while it's not by any means the golden rule, there have been too many instances in my life and my friends' lives that prove having the right pop culture favorites in common can go a long way.
The opposite is clearly also true, and obviously more volatile.
A fellow and I had been dating for several months. We were being snuggly on the couch and talking about local music festivals, one of which we happened to both attend long before meeting each other. I mentioned I thought Wilco was, "just kinda okay," and he was suddenly no longer holding my hand. He was agitated, even disgusted. I was fairly certain he was going to break up with me on the spot. Internally I wasn't sure if I should back peddle and talk up specific music nerd qualities I particularly enjoyed about Wilco, or defend my "meh" stance. But my main thought was simply, "What the fuck?"
A gal friend recounted watching a very dramatic and heated debate between her boyfriend (Joe) and his bff (Mike). The two gents had been best friends since grade school, but at a bar a few months ago Joe discovered Mike liked The Rolling Stones far more than The Beatles. Joe was livid. Hurt. Betrayed. How could he have not known this about Mike, despite living in a small town in Kansas together all these years? How could Mike be so stupid and tasteless? Mike stood firm. Joe nearly friend broke up with Mike that night, nearly ended a life long friendship over pop music band favorites.
While these sorts of anecdotes are endless (and also endlessly enjoyable), my intent for this post is to begin a new set of prompts for My Favorite Things as they are remembered and discovered. Hopefully it will provide some good self insights and possible cultural favoritism discussions among my friends, acquaintances, and readers. ^_^
"...I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth, and by this measure I was having one of the best dates of my life." ~High Fidelity
I recently got into a debate about the validity of the above quote, and while it's not by any means the golden rule, there have been too many instances in my life and my friends' lives that prove having the right pop culture favorites in common can go a long way.
The opposite is clearly also true, and obviously more volatile.
A fellow and I had been dating for several months. We were being snuggly on the couch and talking about local music festivals, one of which we happened to both attend long before meeting each other. I mentioned I thought Wilco was, "just kinda okay," and he was suddenly no longer holding my hand. He was agitated, even disgusted. I was fairly certain he was going to break up with me on the spot. Internally I wasn't sure if I should back peddle and talk up specific music nerd qualities I particularly enjoyed about Wilco, or defend my "meh" stance. But my main thought was simply, "What the fuck?"
A gal friend recounted watching a very dramatic and heated debate between her boyfriend (Joe) and his bff (Mike). The two gents had been best friends since grade school, but at a bar a few months ago Joe discovered Mike liked The Rolling Stones far more than The Beatles. Joe was livid. Hurt. Betrayed. How could he have not known this about Mike, despite living in a small town in Kansas together all these years? How could Mike be so stupid and tasteless? Mike stood firm. Joe nearly friend broke up with Mike that night, nearly ended a life long friendship over pop music band favorites.
While these sorts of anecdotes are endless (and also endlessly enjoyable), my intent for this post is to begin a new set of prompts for My Favorite Things as they are remembered and discovered. Hopefully it will provide some good self insights and possible cultural favoritism discussions among my friends, acquaintances, and readers. ^_^
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
the way things go in times of woe
Goings on in the past several days: my 90-year-old grandmother had to have a toe amputated. A semi-distant cousin committed suicide. After 3 interviews with a great company they've decided to hire an internal candidate.
But in all of this my biggest concern is the reminder that my family, particularly my mother, doesn't acknowledge that psychology is a Real Thing. She does not believe, despite the fact that it genetically runs on both sides of the family, that depression exists.
How many people in the family have to kill themselves, or attempt as such, before my parents can stop making fun of my sister for going to free counseling when she was in college?
But in all of this my biggest concern is the reminder that my family, particularly my mother, doesn't acknowledge that psychology is a Real Thing. She does not believe, despite the fact that it genetically runs on both sides of the family, that depression exists.
How many people in the family have to kill themselves, or attempt as such, before my parents can stop making fun of my sister for going to free counseling when she was in college?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
6 word autobiographies
strong handshake, precocious eyes, sly smile
blushing bibliophile always has book recommendations
mischievously frolicking in fields of wit
often prefers to summarize in haiku
succulently sarcastic siren seeks surreal synchronicity
how her belly loved to undulate
slightly manic instigator socially lubricates all
absurdly efficient at the mostly mundane
top shelf liquors and questionable morals
vocabulary nerd desires a lunch date
aspiring acrobat prefers to fly upsidedown
naked tongues love a good story
blushing bibliophile always has book recommendations
mischievously frolicking in fields of wit
often prefers to summarize in haiku
succulently sarcastic siren seeks surreal synchronicity
how her belly loved to undulate
slightly manic instigator socially lubricates all
absurdly efficient at the mostly mundane
top shelf liquors and questionable morals
vocabulary nerd desires a lunch date
aspiring acrobat prefers to fly upsidedown
naked tongues love a good story
Monday, July 12, 2010
I'll sleep when I'm dead
wedding, whiskey, good pals
moto ride, belly teach yay
none of these things suck
moto ride, belly teach yay
none of these things suck
Monday, June 28, 2010
Happy Anniversary of My Existence Haikus
Written over the course of June 25 - 27. My date of birth is June 26th. Thank you to "Chops" Roethle for the last minute invite. An unexpected camping adventure is exactly what I needed.
---
4am pick up
I haven't slept since Tuesday
this better be good
en route to Ross Lake
camp mates' faces still sleep stained
but I chatter, giddy
Pacific Northwest:
I suddenly understand
Pantheism
wee motor boats
travel to each waterfall
in each splash: beauty
I frolic and swim
black bikini and Keen shoes
ultimate freedom
all glacier water
we could swim to Canada
if we wouldn't freeze
sun baking brown skin
icy pools refresh past flesh
rinse/repeat indeed
---
4am pick up
I haven't slept since Tuesday
this better be good
en route to Ross Lake
camp mates' faces still sleep stained
but I chatter, giddy
Pacific Northwest:
I suddenly understand
Pantheism
wee motor boats
travel to each waterfall
in each splash: beauty
I frolic and swim
black bikini and Keen shoes
ultimate freedom
all glacier water
we could swim to Canada
if we wouldn't freeze
sun baking brown skin
icy pools refresh past flesh
rinse/repeat indeed
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Fractured Atlas + The Young Invincibles + Please donate?
Following up to the previous post, check out The Young Invincibles' profile on Fractured Atlas. There's even a link for contributions and donations* to the project!
While you're there, take a moment to browse the other projects sponsored by Fractured Atlas. For example, Hank Willis Thomas is making some pretty darn neat stuff.
*The Young Invincibles is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of The Young Invincibles may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
While you're there, take a moment to browse the other projects sponsored by Fractured Atlas. For example, Hank Willis Thomas is making some pretty darn neat stuff.
*The Young Invincibles is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of The Young Invincibles may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Young Invincibles and Me
A childhood friend, Aaron Oetting, and his lovely wife Sarah, are in the process of making a full length independent film called The Young Invincibles. The Young Invincibles is an intimate look into the lives of three young adults with various stages of cancer as each deals with issues surrounding sex, career paths, and support from friends and family. While the movie is still in its initial stages, Sarah and Aaron have decided to chronicle their film making journey in blog form. Check out the first entry here.
Recently Sarah and Aaron approached me about being the project blog's main writer, as well as manage any future online media to promote The Young Invincibles and its inevitable adventures. Of course, I accepted.
While this is unfortunately a non-paying gig (boohiss!), it is certain to be an awesomely wild ride and excellent professional experience. I am so thrilled to be part of this dynamic team!
My inaugural post announces some big news for The Young Invincibles. Read all about it!
Recently Sarah and Aaron approached me about being the project blog's main writer, as well as manage any future online media to promote The Young Invincibles and its inevitable adventures. Of course, I accepted.
While this is unfortunately a non-paying gig (boohiss!), it is certain to be an awesomely wild ride and excellent professional experience. I am so thrilled to be part of this dynamic team!
My inaugural post announces some big news for The Young Invincibles. Read all about it!
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