Paris: Leaving An Impression

Paris has been compared to NYC for similar conclusive concepts, and I'd concur its not too far off. Of course Europe has older "skyscrapers," and specific cultural differences. Such as, if the space of passing is even slightly intimate (in a hall or in a quiet alley) locals will always say "bonjour." "Au revoir" and "merci" are just as common. They say 'goodbye' after saying 'thank you' more often than the states. But even with these generally slight deviations, the trip has strengthened my suspicion that humans are more so alike than different. SO much so, that it strikes me with a strange punch of awe and distaste. There's only so far contrasts will take me ("Do we smile more in the U.S.?") before I fall into a comfortable understanding that whatever the human tendencies are, they're meant to be a reflection of oneself in order to love others. I’m reminded of a passage from Henri Michaux’s Ecuador, “and you end up exclaiming, ‘This trip passed like a dream.’ Exoticism has played a trick on us.” The bluff is that exoticism never existed. We’ve always been here before, just the same as we are always new and recreating a moment. It's a working oxymoron. Sure, a smell will remind us that we’ve never bodily existed in the exact longitude/latitude of a space, but a familiar sound will put us in the ease of presence. You suddenly know where you are, and it feels precisely natural. The peculiar craft of candle lighting may flicker in a different corner, but the patterns of fire and shadow move the same way. The dancing picture has many songs. I’ve been ambushed by unknown rhythms and have come back with a few notes left to make my own.  

Interstice

"It'd be nice to paint," I said.

"I was just thinking that. If I were a painter I believe I'd always paint windows."

            -I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Timmy Mallet

Mystery: Don Dahlke 

French Windows: Linda Roth

Pat Newell

Figure at a Window: Salvador Dali

Kondrashov Sergey

Paper (or e-reader) Land, Ho!

My dear father used to say, "If you want to travel the world pick up a book." He always said this with a loving extended arm to the menagerie of colorful stacks of literature ever before me in his library of a house. I am always grateful I had a fortress of bound treasures. As expected, I have a good start on my own forging. In my random image searching, I came across the words "Around the World in 12 Books Challenge" quite by accident. So, grab a coffee, a sweet tea, or fruit and veggie smoothie to cool your lips as you soothe your soul with the pages of a new domain. Please stop by this site on the way to traveling the world 

from your favorite cushion, and changing your life!

http://www.giraffedays.com/?p=10454

I Hear Ya

I just ended an hour and a half conference call entitled "Write it NOW with SARK: Free Inspirational Call" where I was allowed to listen in on an encouraging live network of a vocalized SARK & friends with an option to potentially speak (pressing "1" to raise my hand). If the name SARK is unfamiliar, continue to the adventure/discovery of her internet place of abode to make acquaintance (http://planetsark.com/). Transforming resolutions are being made about my literary vision, that is, the lack of one is showing blurry outlines. This conference call was a way to vote for myself; believe I am of some consequence and value. My words can change the world, if I just have the courage to utter them. I absolutely loved hearing the varying narrative intonations of the participants. It was a treasure trove of verbs and adjectives gleaming with new syntactic authorization.

So much was introduced, and hopefully absorbed in equal shares. Accordingly, I was writing about writing in my trusty notebook to rediscover always. I was reminded of concepts like: eliminate fear with love, quiet movements, spirituality in suffering, art of transformation, and nurture experience with creative expression. All of these articles of faith made possible through the daring of others to raise their vocal hands and articulate the wiggle of their fingers. For the most part I have been reinvigorated to confidence. So what if my writing may or may not be on the darker side of a SARK love letter? I know I am ABLE to write a love letter--I have written many to those real and unreal in ways that could be described the same--but sometimes I don't want to. I want a spattered mess of things with shadow looming in plain sight. There is no shadow without light to make it so. Therefor, I illuminate variations of casting. I employ the nuances of self to my creations, and in it I am made delighted because there is always hope at the end of any nightfall. 

It was said of writing, but it could be said of anything: Your dream may not come about in the way that is expected, but it will happen. The question is, "What do you want to do with it?"

And so... and sew... and sow...

Blueprints

I was given a beginner's course of photography as a gift. It was refreshing to be amongst fellow visionaries, fledglings as we were. I finally understand the gizmos and gadgets of my SLR. Glee! I see creative opportunities in my daily view of the world with impatience to shoot and dangerous day dreaming (while driving presents a particular hazard). I have found resolution that the art of photography be a tranquil endeavor. I strive to be that person that attracts the vision, the art, the craft, the splendid. Now that I have the building blocks to realize a visualization, I want to rearrange the structure and wobble about on the unfamiliar terrain. I stubbed my toe on a few visible connections, as seen below, and as seen by the class for critique.

Spooky: the delight of the crowd. A+

Petals too dark on the bottom, you say? Well, I've lightened them up for you.
(More of this wilted goddess to come.)

"Empty space" on the bottom left? Nonsense. Empty space highlights its surroundings. 

To Firsts

The countdown begins to the freedom of summer days, finally writing my first book. Numbers are not only reserved for the eliminating process as an increasing number of people have been revealed this endeavor. Nine. I'm cornered, but it's a breathable space. It's better I have people know to keep me motivated. I'm on the prowl for more writing classes, and just finishing up a grammar class. The professor has challenged me thoroughly. It's not so much the topic as it is the expectancy. I have allowed the professor to expect excellence, and I apply my innovation, ideas and language hypotheses intending to align the ambition accordingly. The passion for education flatlined last term, and has joyously come alive in this course. I am eager to begin a heavily required writing load Spring term. I expect (hope) it will give me the gunpowder for this summer of literary explosions!

Double Voice : My spin on teaching grammar—My reaction as a student

Here are the lessons of a lifetime, crammed

Into a ten week course.

Let’s start with the nontraditional:

Fluency. Form. Correctness.      

                                                          Oh, wow! I like that!

                                                           I have never known the rules        

                                                           To be so uniquely inviting.

                                                           I can feel some excitement stirring.           

Dig deeper.

What contrasts and comparisons are

There in the behavioral and cognitive

Approaches to grammar exercises?

Set up your foundations.

Keep a sturdy ground. Trust me.

                                                            I can see where this is going.

                                                            I am quickly gaining respect for

                                                            The material I’ve been provided.

                                                            I’m usually so cynical, so quick

                                                            To have the chance to debate.

                                                            I am finding ease in this.

Now try this:

Use the tools you are learning.

Unearth ancient knowledge of

Grade school grammar.

Start your own creation.                        

                                                            Oh my! I get to write poetry!?

                                                            Joy! Okay. Instructions.

                                                            Need some subject, need some

                                                            Predicate. Practice writing in

                                                            Reflection. My words,

                                                            Reflection of me. Yipes.

                                                                                   

Know the power of dialect.

Teach a foreign language.

Speak as others do.

Read what others think.

What are the functions?

Why are they important?

Create a hypothesis.

Draw your own conclusions.

Listen to your own whisper.                  

                                                          I have never been given such

                                                                         Potent material as I have in

                                                                         These essays.

                                                                         Finally! A challenge! I accept!

                                                                         After I get rid of this migraine…

Don’t forget the basics.

Remember your foundation?

Work from there to direct

The written language.

Account for comprehension.

Remember your last sentence?

Explain to me why you wrote it.

Don’t remember?

Grammar B will take it from here.          

  It seems to come full circle.

                                                                         No longer a half moon,

                                                                         The dark side shading an

                                                                         Orthographic variation.

                                                                         Anna Akhmatova! Henri Michaux!

                                                                         You got a lot of explaining to do…

                                                                         Oh, wait. You have.