Tuesday, April 28, 2009

So let's live-really live!-for love and loving - Catullus, Roman, ca 84-54 B.C.




This is a recent $1.00 find from the book store at the Thrall Library in Middletown. Art & Love, An Illustrated Anthology of Love Poetry. So many great poems and works of art. The above title for my blog today came from the first line of one of the poems in the book. I used this one because it surprised me. It seemed too modern to be from a Roman poet.
Here is a poem from the book by Petrarch, Italian 1304-1374
TO LAURA
I saw the tracks of angels in the earth,
The beauty of heaven walking by itself on the world.
Joke or sorrow now, it seems a dream
Shadow, or smoke.
I saw a kind of rain that made the sun ashamed,
And heard her, speaking sad words, make mountains
Shift, the rivers stop.
Love, wisdom, valor, pity, pain,
Made better harmony with weeping
Than any other likely to be heard in the world
And the air and the wind were so filled with this deep music
No single leaf moved on its still branch
_______________________
Do you think either of these poets thought a woman hundreds of years in the future would be reading their words?






Sunday, April 19, 2009

"Ahhh, sex."

I knew I’d catch your attention with that line, but I didn’t write it. Terese Svoboda, the keynote speaker at the William Paterson University Spring Writer’s Conference, did. From the website she “is the author of ten books of prose and poetry, most recently the memoir Black Glasses Like Clark Kent, winner of the 2007 Graywolf Nonfiction Prize…’ She’s one numerous award and taught at various universities. You can check out the details here… Terese Svoboda on the web
 
Here is what I like most…
Plenary Reading with Terese Svoboda…
Terese talked about the importance of first lines and then read her first lines from a few of her books. One of them being the “Ahhhh, sex.”
She is a wonderful speaker and has led an interesting life.

Editing and Publishing, with George Witte.
I liked the part when Mr. Witte read from the minutes of a St. Martin editorial meeting. He also discussed the importance of first sentence/paragraphs and brought up Terese Svoboda’s talk. He also said transitions, whether scene to scene or chapter to chapter, must hook the reader to keep on reading. He also mention the importance of endings. Don’t leave the reader hanging. Wrap up story arc’s and story questions. The class was filled with newbies, which is fine, but that meant the Q&A was a bit boring.

Writing About God in a Secular World, with Christopher Weaver.
This was not what I expected. Our instructor while jovial admitted upfront that he is an atheist. I found that strange. This is what we did…list the ways we can write about religion, talked a little about religion vs. spirituality, using a writing prompt wrote for 15 min. then got into groups and read our work.

Overall, I did have a nice time. The staff was great and it’s always fun to get together with other writers. I plan on going next year, but will sign up early so I get the classes I want.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

"To My Mother Of Whose Authentic Gray Hairs Not a Few Were Caused By Myself" Isaac Asimov Foundation Dedication page




I always find it interesting to read the author's dedication page. Asimov's is so sweet. Anyway, I found these again, as I find many of my cool discoveries, from a library book sale. I've been a sci-fi fan as long as I can remember. Blame this one on my father as we watch the first Star Trek faithfully and had various philosophical discussions that revolved around the episodes. I really believe that 'every I needed to know I learned by watching Star Trek'. Back to Asimov...

One a my favorite dialogue quotes from Pebbles In The Sky is "Does Earth look as if it's boss of anything?"
From Foundation here is a great, but quick characterization of a minor character - It was a tall man that eventually entered, a man whose face seemed all vertical lines and so thin that one could wonder whether there was room for a smile -
So, who did Asimov dedicate Pebbles In The Sky? To My Father, Who First Introduced Me To Science Fiction.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

"With thee, Phoebus, will I begin and record the famous deeds of those men of old time...




who, at the bidding of King Pelias, rowed the good ship Argo past the mouth of the Euxine and through the rocks Cyanean to fetch the golden fleece." So begins Argonautica (better know as Jason and the Golden Fleece) by Apollonius Rhodius. As a little girl, fell in love the movie made in 1963. Picked up this copy for $15.00 at a used book fair. Not that I can read ancient Greek but the left side of the book has the Greek version and on the opposite page is the translation. It's a beautifully made book and it's one of my 'prized' possessions.




Saturday, April 4, 2009

American Idol Favorite


I've watched American Idol since season one and it's one of my favorite shows.


This season, Adam Lambert is by far by my favorite singer. Then - Danny, Alison, and Lil Rounds.


Besides his killer voice, Adam is never boring and like Kara said I can't wait to see what he does each week. This week's theme is songs from your birth year. Love this theme because we usually get to see their baby pictures. So I looked up the top songs from Adam's birth year, which I believe is 1982 (I was in college - sighhhhhhh). Based on the list I predict (hope) he will sing one of these songs....

1) Crimson and Clover - Joan Jett (remake of the tommy james classic)

2) Hurts So Good - John Cougar (might be to risque for AI)

3) Hot In the City - Billy Idol (though I doubt they would be able to get the rights)

4) Tainted Love - Soft Cell


So who is your favorite this year? Oh - and by the way 80's music rocks!