| Playlist for Jo |
[MondayNov10th2008..07:51 pm] |
Songs I've mentioned or songs I think Jo would like. |
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| Letter to the Editor: War with Iran is Possible |
[SundayJun15th2008..11:25 pm] |
What I read today physically disturbed me. I’m talking about the current developments concerning the U.S. trying to put an end to Iran’s nuclear programs.
Specifically, it’s something President Bush said: “Our allies understand that a nuclear-armed Iran is incredibly destabilizing, and they understand that it would be a major blow to world peace.”
Allies. That he used the word ‘allies’ to describe the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China scared me. It is as if we are already at war.
And global warfare is possible; a lot can happen in six months. Iran is close with Cuba and Venezuela, whose leaders are or have been strongly outspoken against Washington since the beginning of the Nuclear Age. President Chavez of Venezuela frequently calls the U.S. “the empire.” He believes Bush will invade Venezuela for its oil just as we have in the Middle East. We need to do something before the Bush administration leaves us with a Christmas gift of global warfare. It is never to early to prevent a disaster.
Learn about and talk to your representative about bill HR 5056 – which will promote direct negotiations with Iran, without any preconditions. |
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| My Poem about Life |
[FridayMay30th2008..10:36 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | poem, poems | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  awake | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Serenity OST | ] |
... Has been submitted to an online literary journal, so I'll delete it from this journal. Maybe re-edit this post if I get it published. ;P |
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| Fiction Press.com Just Got Better |
[TuesdayDec11th2007..12:06 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | fp.com update | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  loved | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | 12 Girls Band | ] |
Concrete Island
An ownerless pail of orange chalk with a label that reads "Now with more colors!" inspires.
"This is a fun story! Lots of detail and imagination put into the
characters." -Emily Wieser, Fellow Fiction Writing student
~
"As in your last story - your creative wit adds so much - it gives you a
distinctive voice. If we read all of our classmates' stories without names attached, I'd
know your story." -Karen Lonergan, Fellow Fiction Writing student
~
"Those silly thirty somethings and that poor racoon." -Paul Ross, Fellow Fiction Writing student |
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| Letter to the Editor: Illinois should lead the country on gay rights |
[MondayOct8th2007..09:34 am] |
(Published in the Quad-City Times September 28th)
I was delighted to read last month that Iowa Judge Hanson tossed the ban on gay marriage—only to read later that the same judge, who dismissed the ban, “paused” his decision--and halted progress.
Right now, according to the BBC, every single state surrounding Illinois and Iowa completely bans gay marriage. We need a Midwestern state that will have the compassion and courage to take the country forward without hesitation in this human rights issue.
In Illinois, a bill has been proposed (House Bill 1826—Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act) to form civil unions, that would not discriminate against same-sex couples, giving gay couples the rights to have emergency medical decision-making for the partner, state benefits, among others that now only straight couples are allowed.
Here’s where I could continue my plea by expanding on a flowery cliché: “Let Illinois be remembered for leading the Midwest on the path to equality and justice for all.”
However, I know some of you already know better; it is a given that every human being should have the same opportunity. After all, this is the Land of the Free, isn’t it?
Call ACLU Illinois or go to www.ACLU-IL.org/civilunion/. Then empower yourself; act. |
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| Letter to the Editor: Help make Amtrack a reality |
[MondayOct8th2007..09:23 am] |
(Published in the Quad-City Times on August 21st; also in the Dispatch, but I don't know when.)
I am writing in regards to the exciting possibility of having an Amtrak station here in the QC. Not only are the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and Amtrak making a route feasibility report for a route between the Quad Cities and Chicago; another is being made for a route between the QC and Iowa City.
I recently signed the online petition at www.quadcitychamber.com/qcrail, helping to make this service closer to being a reality. I fully support this because I love to go to Chicago with my friends. It is the perfect little adventure for my tight college student budget. My favorite activities are seeing the Broadway shows and going to the Art Institute Museum to say hello to my favorite Renoir paintings and Buddha sculptures.
By having a direct train route to Chicago from here, there would be no hassle—or extra cost—of driving to the Amtrak station in Galesburg or Princeton. That would be a load off for me.
So please join the effort by writing to one of your Illinois legislators, asking them to make this a top priority in the capital funding bill and by signing the online petition. |
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| From my online Fiction Writing Class |
[ThursdayAug23rd2007..12:34 pm] |
(Asked about our inspirations and outside sources)
"As Nathan and Kyle mentioned, I use philosophy to bring life to my writings.
Another thing I use is mythology. I read myths, and I like to think, "What if these people lived here, today?" or "What will happen to him/her after this story?" I've written quite a few stories as spin-offs of Greek myths.
Listening to conversations. Sometimes, they're part of conversations I overhear. Most of the time, though, they're in my head--consciously put there, mind you. I often think about conversations I've had during the day and how I could have said something better or if the scenario were different. Then I just write dialogue before I know what my story will be about. Characters and themes develop along the way.
One of my major inspirations is noticing the quirks and absurdity in cultural convention and life, in general--in both the past and today. From things so commonly poked at as romance to big'uns like war and religion--even death and funerals. I think I have Monty Python to thank for that. I never used to think I was a cynical person because I have a happy life; I have a lot of fun--but through writing, I'm learning I actually am quite cynical. This is veering off topic, but it's not.
I write as a diagnosis--to figure out what exactly is on my mind--so when I feel something's 'there' in my mind, throbbing--I write." |
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| Constellation |
[SaturdayAug18th2007..11:24 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | quotes | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Show Boat | ] |
Quoted in a pamphlet about the installation Constellation by Kiki Smith.
::;:::::;;::::::;:::::
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower:
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour."
-William Blake |
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| Before it collects dust . . . |
[SaturdayAug18th2007..10:26 pm] |
I want to post this blurb that I wrote in early spring this year. It doesn't entirely make sense, but it's something I want saved somewhere before I throw the straggler notebook paper away.
"10:27
Blues from the purples.
Grounding from prima donna
Nose in the grind board for nose in the air.
Two polar opposites; syndicated from our tune,
Our tune--the world's tune.
It is al one's soul in an ear--or two.
Blues and opera are years apart, but share breathing space. I began in opera, I now long to be torchy. I took voice lessons and showed a solid frame of tonal control and vibrant vibrato.
Now, I want to get rid of my trained sound whenever I want and sing without any inhibitions.
A lack of inhibitions seems scary now; naked for the audience to see.
Caring how the people see me shows I care about the people themselves, right?
That's why manners were invented. We coat people with "sires' and "ma'ams"--buttered-up or sugar-coated according to preference. We hold doors and chairs, according to which is discreet.
Discoveries have been made that people keep their gazes to themselves these days. During a time of politically correct, no one wants to be accused of a hate crime.
Lookingin torrents of hate is not allowed. Nor any other torrent look--unless, that is, you are a politician.
Namely, an American politician.
As an American politician, having no shame means a sunny [show]* through the District of Columbia.
Thus the establishment of American Politics fostered the greatest musical contribution in years.
Thus, when I shed myself of archaic Italian with its elongated vowels to the screeching soulful sound of riding on narrow consonants, I am being a true patriot.
So, where is my medal?
It might be cold on my bare chest, but I'll get used to it.
-----------------------
*What did I write there? I can't read it. "Save?" "Savoy?" "Shvo?" "Savor?" |
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| Insomnia Abound |
[FridayAug3rd2007..02:51 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | poems | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  weird | ] |
slick and slight goes by velvet time
beads of rainbow sweat swell in your wake.
But try to take
one shrug
one turn of your mug back
to quell the quake in
your tear ducts--
You'll feel the
Rug burn. |
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